[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Congress seems to corrupt nearly everything it touches...

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

My 900th thread posted and counting...

[ikka]

The heroic Duricy was a victim of what military experts call the "weapon systems procurement holidays of the 1990s" – when the U.S. government took advantage of the end of the Cold War, called it a "peace dividend" and didn't appropriate the necessary funds to modernize its aging fleet of military planes.

A/K/A as the Clinton Reign of Error ...

[EternalVigilance]

The heroic Duricy was a victim of what military experts call the "weapon systems procurement holidays of the 1990s" – when the U.S. government took advantage of the end of the Cold War, called it a "peace dividend" and didn't appropriate the necessary funds to modernize its aging fleet of military planes.

AKA "the Clinton Legacy."

[DustyMoment]

Eisenhower-Era Planes Still Defending U.S.

Yeah, that's what happens when leftist appeasement-oriented surrender monkeys keep cutting the defense budget. Apparently, they didn't get the memo - it takes a strong offense to create a strong defense.

Their efforts to undercut the War in Iraq is Part II of their strategery. Part I was to allow the US military weapons systems to age and become decrepit. Part II is to focus on trying to force our military to capitulate a war they haven't lost . . . . . . . . YET!!!

[Eagle Eye]

OMG the M-2 .50 cal is nearly 90 years old !!!

[rmlew]

We could purchase some block 60 F-16s now and some new F-15s.
However, what we really need in another 100 Billion in the Defense Budget.

[GitmoSailor]

Lets build more B-52’s.!!!!!!....

[PAR35]

All these planes are youngsters, compared to the oldest ship in commission in the U.S. Navy. http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

[GreyFriar]

“I’m flying my grandfather’s airplane” said the young pilot!

[Dumpster Baby]

Metal fatigue is what grounds most old planes:

C130 loses its wings

[BuffaloJack]

Our strategic bomber fleet may be old but it still does the job.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>Big B-52 bombers, which played a critical role in America’s recent efforts to liberate Iraq and stabilize Afghanistan, are over 45 years old.<<<

The B-52 frame and shell is old—the last B52 was completed in October 1962—but the plane has been significantly upgraded over the years with modern electronics and weaponry. It is still a remarkable plane, even by today’s standards. It travels at 650 mph at a ceiling of 50,000 feet, and has a range of 8,800 miles without refueling. It can carry up to 70,000 pounds of bombs and weaponry.

By contrast, the B-17 Flying Fortress used over Europe in World War II had a cruise speed of 182 mph, a ceiling of approximately 35,000 feet, and a maximum range of 2,000 miles (with no bombs). It could carry 4,500 pounds of bombs on what were considered long-range missions of that day of approximately 800 miles.

[ApplegateRanch]

At least they aren’t fueling up Star Fighters, B-36’s and B-47’s.

OTOH, if the Pentagon had any horse sense left, they would buy several thousand McClellan saddles, just in case.

[pfflier]

The heroic Duricy was a victim of what military experts call the "weapon systems procurement holidays of the 1990s" – when the U.S. government took advantage of the end of the Cold War, called it a "peace dividend" and didn't appropriate the necessary funds to modernize its aging fleet of military planes.

Criminal negligence on the part of congress and the klintoon administration.

[verum ago]

...and the phrase ‘slow bleed’ finds another meaning...

[Bringbackthedraft]

I still see a DC-2 (c-47)flying around here. I also hear there are Catalina PBYs around.

[KC-10A BOOMER]

I flew in the KC-135A back in the 70’s and 80’s and most of the aircraft were as old as I was. We called it the “steam jet” because it used 5,581 lbs of de-mineralized water for thrust augmentation to our under powered J-57 engines. At least the “R” model has plenty of power with the new CMF-56 engine. I buried a lot of friends that didn’t make take-off roles because they had a catastrophic loss of power. Boeing makes one hell of an airplane, but it is time for the idiot’s in Congress to pony up some funding or forget about every being able to project “Airpower” anywhere in the world. But then again I’m sure that is the Liberals master plan. The Air Force is currently down sizing their support career fields to buy the F-22 “Raptor” and the F-35 “Joint-Strike Fighter.” Pretty soon the Air Force should be able to anything with almost nothing (a quote from the Jimmy Carter days).

[Jack Deth]

BUFs (B-52s) and KC-135s Tankers will always be around. The AF is planning to re-furb the few BUFs left with four of the same fuel sipping GE turbo-fan engines that are now on most KC-135s.

And would have done so sooner if Clinton hadn't gutted the Military's Reserve, long-reach and nuclear deterance and sent that money to government set-asides!

My AF Reserve Unit has had GE upgraded KC-135s for nearly three years and though the planes are nearly as old (52) as I am, they are very low maintenace and fly like a dream!


Jack.