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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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As the squadron’s British Hawk jets near the end of their working lives, the officer responsible for training aircrew has suggested they could be replaced by US-built F-16 Falcons. The move would allow the Government to fulfil its promise to keep the Red Arrows flying on the cheap.
http://www.express.co.uk...hand-American-F-16-jets
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 Rank: Super-Elite        Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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The red arrows have to stay British, they are the face of the RAF all over the world, they better find an alternative quick!  What happens if they take the F-16's in 2020, how long will they be in service for? The Hawk and F-16 both had their first flight 40 years ago. By 2020 the Hawk will have been in service for 44 years and the F-16 for 42 years. Presumably the replacement will not just concern the red arrows but also all the T1's in the RAF and Navy Joint operations. Steve
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Not sure what else they could use other than the Typhoon to keep the Arrows British, as the Hawks have always been used as a selling tool worldwide.
The Typhoon would be a very expensive display team which is not going to happen.
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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The Hawk T2 was introduced in 2004 as a replacement for the aging T1, I reckon this would be the best choice unless there is some other reason for not wanting it  I wonder what it would sound like with 9 f-16's flying past at 300ft  Tape up your windows! Steve
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The T2 seems to be the only way to go as it would continue to fly the flag for BAE and Rolls Royce.
An online petition has been set up to save the Red Arrows..
http://www.express.co.uk...ws-axe-50th-anniversary
I saw the USA Thunderbird F16's when they were last in the UK - very loud and amazing to watch, though the F18's of the blue Angel's were even better!
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 Rank: Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 25/03/2011 Posts: 1,027 Points: 3,075 Location: Lincolnshire
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Tomick wrote:Not sure what else they could use other than the Typhoon to keep the Arrows British, as the Hawks have always been used as a selling tool worldwide.
The Typhoon would be a very expensive display team which is not going to happen. Your right Mr T, no one would purchase the typhoon for the Red Arrows. But as crazy as it sounds the Typhoon is the logical choice for the team and I shall explain why! The Typhoon would cost more to buy and run, thats for sure but it would have a much longer life span which means that over the long term the cost would balance itself out. It would also be a fantastic advert for the Typhoon. 
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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Love the Typhoon but it's technically not British, 33% in fact, plus I doubt they could manage to afford to run and maintain 15 twin engine state of the art jets purely for display purpose. The Red Arrows need an all British, single engine ride and the T2 is the one for the job ...I think Steve
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Rank: Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 25/03/2011 Posts: 1,027 Points: 3,075 Location: Lincolnshire
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stevie_o wrote:Love the Typhoon but it's technically not British, 33% in fact, plus I doubt they could manage to afford to run and maintain 15 twin engine state of the art jets purely for display purpose. The Red Arrows need an all British, single engine ride and the T2 is the one for the job ...I think Steve Your right Steve, the T2 would be the top choice as its all british, but the Typhoon would be better than replacing the T1 with F-16's. As for the cost side, they can always find money to fight wars, cover their expenses and waste millions on failed IT projects. So I would submit it's not the case that they cannot fund it, more that they just don't want to. I'm afraid its as simple as that. The T2 would be the better choice with regard to keeping jobs. And there is the prestige side of things by keeping it all british. 
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/01/2013 Posts: 4,604 Points: 13,607 Location: Monmouthshire UK
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...or is this the shape of things to come? - http://www.clavework-gra...407_F35A_Red_Arrows.jpg
 Steve
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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With 2,000 job losses at BAE announced, it’s intersting to note that the MOD order for Hawk T2’s as the aircraft of choice for the Red Arrow’s, has yet to be placed and replacement being due in 2018 
Wonder if the MoD are considering letting them have a flight of Typhoons instead, there are many of the early version sat mothballed in hangers.
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Jets flown by the Red Arrows are likely to be built overseas unless the Government intervenes, a cross-party group has warned...
http://www.dailymail.co....ows-built-OVERSEAS.html
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US
