by Ace Tomcat » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:14 pm

Bad news for our forum hornet driver:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/crashes+Alberta/3315220/story.html

That CF-18 in the above pictures (I'll upload more when I get home) lost its right engine and crashed. Pilot is okay but its sad to see a Hornet in a fireball.

Video - http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Exclusive+Video+crash/3315870/story.html?tab=VID

After watching the video it looks like he was doing a high alpha pass.....probably the worst time to lose an engine.

 by JA 37 Viggen » Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:47 am

You know, when I joined the forum I, my username was CF-18 Hornet. Anyway, this leaves Canada with like five operation CF-18s (really closer to around 70), but they just purchased 65 F-35s so, hopefully they don't lose anymore.

There's no way the pilot could have recovered the plane, so he's now a member of the Martin-Baker club.

There's some great pictures of the crash here:

http://g1.globo.com/mundo/fotos/2010/07/piloto-ejeta-se-e-sobrevive-queda-de-aviao-no-canada.html

 by Ace Tomcat » Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:20 pm

JA 37 Viggen wrote:You know, when I joined the forum I, my username was CF-18 Hornet. Anyway, this leaves Canada with like five operation CF-18s (really closer to around 70), but they just purchased 65 F-35s so, hopefully they don't lose anymore.

There's no way the pilot could have recovered the plane, so he's now a member of the Martin-Baker club.

There's some great pictures of the crash here:

http://g1.globo.com/mundo/fotos/2010/07/piloto-ejeta-se-e-sobrevive-queda-de-aviao-no-canada.html

I think I remember you as CF-18 Hornet. Also Canada has only 5 operational CF-18's or am I reading your sentence wrong? I can't see them using 2 of their 5 operational jets for an airshow.

He was lucky that it was a successful ejection, if this would have happened a couple of decades ago it might not have turned out pretty.

Anyways its sad to see a bug crash. I remember standing right next to that Hornet feeling the jet blast come off of it and roar down the runway and now its up in flames.

/offtopic
Speaking of Hornets we had a EA-18G Growler come in a couple of months ago and I was wondering what are the spikes on the wingtips?

Pic:

 by JA 37 Viggen » Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:36 pm

Nah Canada has like 70 or 80 CF-18s still in service. I was trying to be sarcastic because they've (Canadian Forces Air Command) lost a lot (of CF-18s) over their (the CF-18s') 28 year career due to attrition and budget cuts.

I wish I got the tail numbers of the CF-18s I've seen at an airshow. I just hope this wasn't one of them.

As for the Growler, the spikes at the wingtip stations are actually part of the jamming and sensor array. This does come of course, at the cost of using those stations, so you won't see Growlers with AIM-9s outside of Ace Combat. It still can carry AIM-120s for defense on the two belly stations though.

I'm more partial to the Prowler, personally. I've seen one up close, got yelled at for spinning the ram air generator propeller on the ALQ-99 jamming pod, and scared Pash many times with the plane. Plus the intakes are very comfy for sleeping in.

Click here to watch a video on the Growler. But turn the volume up. The narrator is quiet.

 by Ace Tomcat » Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:01 pm

JA 37 Viggen wrote:Nah Canada has like 70 or 80 CF-18s still in service. I was trying to be sarcastic because they've (Canadian Forces Air Command) lost a lot (of CF-18s) over their (the CF-18s') 28 year career due to attrition and budget cuts.

Ah, I get it now.

As for the Growler, the spikes at the wingtip stations are actually part of the jamming and sensor array. This does come of course, at the cost of using those stations, so you won't see Growlers with AIM-9s outside of Ace Combat. It still can carry AIM-120s for defense on the two belly stations though.

Ah I thought it might have been part of the jamming system but from what I saw it looked like they could still mount sidewinders on the side. But I wasn't able to get a great look because they barricaded the plane with the surrounding bizjets to protect its "sensitive" jamming equipment from our DSLR's. Google Images had to fill that void.

I'm more partial to the Prowler, personally. I've seen one up close, got yelled at for spinning the ram air generator propeller on the ALQ-99 jamming pod, and scared Pash many times with the plane. Plus the intakes are very comfy for sleeping in.

Being a Grumman guy I obviously like the Prowler better. I've never been up to one close but I've been inside the cockpit of an intruder once. And plus im jealous that you got to spin the tiny propeller!!

Click here to watch a video on the Growler. But turn the volume up. The narrator is quiet.

CLASSIC!

 by CapStar362 » Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:51 am

i love the A-6 and E-6


ive got a A-6E TRAM Model on top of my desk with some HARM's loaded on the wings

 by JA 37 Viggen » Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:40 pm

It's a shame the Prowler's days are nearly up.

Now the only Grummans you can find are the Hummer (E-2C/D) and COD (C-2A).

Oh and this:

 by Ace Tomcat » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:16 pm

[quote="JA 37 Viggen"]It's a shame the Prowler's days are nearly up.

Now the only Grummans you can find are the Hummer (E-2C/D) and COD (C-2A).

Oh and this:













and this:



It is sad that there are very few Grumman aircraft types are operational.

A local airport was having a Grumman recognition night and they brought some E-2's, Prowler's, and a HORNET. I don't think too many people were happy about that.

 by JA 37 Viggen » Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:25 pm

Ace Tomcat wrote:
and a HORNET. I don't think too many people were happy about that.

People just gotta suck it up and deal with NAVAIR flying the F/A-18. I've grown use to seeing pictures of the CVWs missing F-14s, S-3s...and Prowlers.

 by Cool_man 17_7 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:30 pm

Ace Tomcat wrote: I can't see them using 2 of their 5 operational jets for an airshow.

The CF-18s used for airshows aren't the same aircraft that would be used for military sorties. They are made special for airshows...so, in a way, it IS a bit of a blow.
And yes, I'm glad the pilot got out in time...lol


Oh, and one more thing...

WOOOOOT!!! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! CANADA'S FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW AIRCRAFT! As Viggy mentioned, 65 F-35s. Of course it's the conventional takeoff variant because Canada doesn't have any aircraft carriers, but still, awesome.
It made some waves with the press...some people think Canada overpaid, which we probably did, and are wondering why we aren't buying F-22s (yes, that was in an actual newspaper article...someone didn't do their research) and some people think we could buy another aircraft that would suit Canada's needs better.
I personally think, with Canada's track-record of keeping aircraft for a long period of time. Getting a top-of-the-line aircraft is going to be great in the long run...hmmmm maybe it's time to join the air force...ya know, work my way up, maybe fly one one day...



And Pash? YOU FAILED AGAIN! Your intel was wrong! I wasn't at that airshow practice session!!! HA!
Still working with bargain baddies I see...