Did you know about that ?

planenutsfrog · 12-20-2007, 04:47 AM

The RAF operates ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jets : Since when ? How many ? Why ?...

Attachment 41251

GliderPilot · 12-20-2007, 08:31 AM

I knew about it, I think they got them in the mid 1990's. They make good cheap training aircraft.

D-AIHC · 12-20-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GliderPilot

I knew about it, I think they got them in the mid 1990's. They make good cheap training aircraft.

GP, do you know how many Alpha Jets RAF acquired? Are they a better training jet than the BAe Hawk?

GliderPilot · 12-20-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-AIHC

GP, do you know how many Alpha Jets RAF acquired? Are they a better training jet than the BAe Hawk?

I don't know how many they acquired but may be able to find out. I also don't know how they compare to the Hawk, but I expect they are similar
in performance or the RAF wouldn't have bought them.

GliderPilot · 12-21-2007, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-AIHC

GP, do you know how many Alpha Jets RAF acquired? Are they a better training jet than the BAe Hawk?

I asked one of my colleagues here in work who is a plane spotter about these. The RAF got either 6 or 8 Alpha jets in the early to middle 1990's from the German Air Force. Rumour at the time was they were to replace the Hawk, but the RAF will replace the Hawk TMk1 and TMk1A with a new version of the Hawk called Hawk 128. The Alpha jets are all based at Boscombe Down and are operated by the Test Pilot School which is where the RAF trains gifted military pilots to be test pilots. Students get to fly a wide variety of types of aircraft during their course including visits to other air forces and sometimes they evaluate civil types aswell. Once they graduate they do the test flying on new types before releasing them to Operational Conversion Units.

D-AIHC · 12-21-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GliderPilot

I asked one of my colleagues here in work who is a plane spotter about these. The RAF got either 6 or 8 Alpha jets in the early to middle 1990's from the German Air Force. Rumour at the time was they were to replace the Hawk, but the RAF will replace the Hawk TMk1 and TMk1A with a new version of the Hawk called Hawk 128. The Alpha jets are all based at Boscombe Down and are operated by the Test Pilot School which is where the RAF trains gifted military pilots to be test pilots. Students get to fly a wide variety of types of aircraft during their course including visits to other air forces and sometimes they evaluate civil types aswell. Once they graduate they do the test flying on new types before releasing them to Operational Conversion Units.

Thanks for the info, GP! Never knew the RAF flew the Alpha Jet until yesterday, albeit just a handful of them. Cheers!

blueangel_78 · 12-21-2007, 02:50 PM

It's amazing how other countries fly foreign jets. Like the USAF operate(d) a squadron of MiG's from Russia and China. I've even seen one of the HIND helos based out at Nellis.

Here's a shot I took in 2006 of a MiG-29 at a USAF base.

Sagar

gospodin · 12-21-2007, 08:40 PM

I think I remember the US buying a load of MiGs to keep them out of unfriendly hands...I've forgotten the particulars of that, though.

Spectre · 12-28-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueangel_78

It's amazing how other countries fly foreign jets. Like the USAF operate(d) a squadron of MiG's from Russia and China. I've even seen one of the HIND helos based out at Nellis.

Here's a shot I took in 2006 of a MiG-29 at a USAF base.

Sagar

Nice picture...

we had several US operated Hinds and Hips oppose us in many training exercises... very cool crews. We were picked up by one Hind and the pilot yanked us around a bit....one of the most fun flights I have ever had.

12-20-2007, 04:47 AM	#1
planenutsfrog Junior Collector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brest Posts: 41	Did you know about that ? The RAF operates ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jets : Since when ? How many ? Why ?... Attachment 41251

12-20-2007, 08:31 AM	#2
GliderPilot Collector Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 503	Re: Did you know about that ? I knew about it, I think they got them in the mid 1990's. They make good cheap training aircraft.

12-21-2007, 02:50 PM	#7
blueangel_78 Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: California Age: 30 Posts: 253	Re: Did you know about that ? It's amazing how other countries fly foreign jets. Like the USAF operate(d) a squadron of MiG's from Russia and China. I've even seen one of the HIND helos based out at Nellis. Here's a shot I took in 2006 of a MiG-29 at a USAF base. Sagar __________________ http://www.horizontalrain.com/ http://www.horizontalrain.com/blog

12-21-2007, 08:40 PM	#8
gospodin Diecast Blasphemer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ceti Alpha V Age: 52 Posts: 3,626	Re: Did you know about that ? I think I remember the US buying a load of MiGs to keep them out of unfriendly hands...I've forgotten the particulars of that, though. __________________ Steve I either want less corruption in government, or more opportunity to participate in it.

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