BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

It would seem as though Saab AB is taking advantage of the JSF's no-show appearance at RIAT and Farnborough. While engine reliability issues grounded the F-35, Saab AB wasted no time reminding everybody about the Gripen's history of trouble-free service combined with lower costs. While most of these statements did not mention the F-35 by name , it should be very clear what they are referring to... SwAF #Gripen RM12 burner kicks in at #RIAT14 | 200.000+ flight hours without engine incident. Photo: Anthony Baines pic.twitter.com/qmhi66YdxY — Gripen News (@GripenNews) July 15, 2014 Then again, some of it was not exactly subtle: Check out the last lines in each column.  Two very different uses of the work "Unbelievable".  

The F-35's fiberglass stunt double .  (Image credit:  Erik Gustavsson) It's official.  The F-35 Lightning II will not be making its international debut  over Farnborough this week. This was supposed to be a big month for the Lightning II.  Costs are said to be coming down, with further discounts on the way .  There is even the possibility of the Canadian government making its long-delayed announcement on whether or not to sole-source the stealth fighter.  All this would be met with great fanfare as the JSF made its international debut with its only "Level 1" partner, the United Kingdom.  A flyover at HMS Queen Elizabeth's naming ceremony , followed by an aerial display at the Royal International Air Tattoo  (RIAT), and then an appearance at the Farnborough International Air Show . Despite best laid plans, July of 2014 will be remembered as the month nothing seemed to go right for the JSF.  In fact, its UK debut has can be descr...

Pentagon authorities are now fairly certain that the JSF is safe to fly.  The cause of the F-35 fire on June 23rd is thought to be due to "excessive rubbing" of one of the turbine blades.   While the F-35 may be cleared for flight, its expected appearance at Farnborough is still uncertain. Until the exact cause of the fire is determined, the JSF will fly under "operating restrictions".  More news here: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCAKBN0FK0O520140715

"It's gonna need a built-in beer cooler before it can take off...  Eh?" While it is fun to discuss a fighter's speed, payload, and agility; there are other more mundane issues that need to be looked at. Before Canada decides on any fighter, it needs to address issues with how that aircraft can fit into the RCAF's current infrastructure, as well as meeting any operational challenges incurred by Canada's harsh climate and vast geography .  While it certainly is easier and cheaper to buy "off the shelf", that may not be feasible in some cases.  One way or another, there is a pretty good chance any selection will need to be "Canadianized" in order to make the most of the selection. The CF-18's marker light. Even the F/A-18 Hornet was not immune.  In its transition in becoming the CF-188 (Its official Canadian designation), the Hornet gained a distinctive false canopy paint scheme and an identification light on the forward port...

Just a quick note to all the commentators... I do appreciate you coming here and making your opinions and knowledge known.  To me that is great and it is exactly what I set out to do when starting all this. What I don't like to see is people being disrespectful or downright rude to those who do not share similar views on a particular aircraft. We all have our favorites, that much is true.  Over the years I have come to respect some aircraft that I was not a particular fan of before, while others have lost luster.  Either way, I can understand why someone develops an affinity for one aircraft or another. Just remember, if a post or comment posts your favorite fighter in a bad light, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL.  Feel free to make a counterpoint, but do it respectfully and be prepared to back up your claims.  If someone still disagrees with you or your views...  LEAVE IT AT THAT.  Any attempt to bully or browbeat someone will be ultimately unsucc...

This week, we will revisit two "runner ups" from previous FJFC installments and and pit them up against each other.  In the end, some of you may feel slightly vindicated.  Others will simply be more angry with me...  Sorry about that. From an aesthetic point of view, the Dassault Rafale and the Boeing Super Hornet are two very different looking fighters.  The Rafale uses a close-coupled canard-delta wing layout with a single vertical stabilizer while the Super Hornet (a.k.a. "Rhino") uses a more familiar trapezoidal wing with traditional elevators and two canted stabilizers. Despite looking quite different, the two aircraft have a lot in common.  Both are twin-engine, carrier capable jets with similar payloads and operating ranges.  Despite years of faithful service from both aircraft, foreign buyers are scarce.  Dassault has managed win India's MMRCA competition, but has yet to finalize.  Boeing has managed to sell a small number of Supe...

My house is under the "15:00 Sat/sam." dot. Sorry for being away for the weekend.   Hurricane   "Post tropical storm" Arthur paid my family, neighbors, and I a little visit on Saturday, knocking trees and power lines out of the ground, leaving me and my trusty iMac without power for about three-and-a-half days.  Thankfully, there was no damage to my house other freezer full of groceries. The weekend went slowly.  Mobile device power was at a premium and wireless internet service was spotty at best.  While I like to envision myself as well prepared for a zombie apocalypse, I am not sure if I could live in a world without hot, fresh coffee every morning. Even without power and spotty internet access, I managed to read (if not reply or moderate) all of your comments.  Thanks to you all for keeping the conversation rolling and keeping the tone civil and mostly on topic.  (So what if the Super Hornet was brought up in the Silent Eagle vs. Gripen F...