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Originally Posted by Rainbow Six
Interesting and thorough piece...well done...would be interested in seeing your take on things in 2000 when it’s done.
Just a couple of questions / comments...
1. Eurofighter. I appreciate there are a great many “what ifs” involved in conversations such as these, especially in a V1 timeline, however as far as I know IRL Eurofighters did not enter service until well into the 21st Century, so even with a continuing Cold war, I’m simply not sure how feasible it would be for any to be in general service circa 1996 / 1997? (Admittedly I do like the idea of the small number of test aircraft being rushed into service at some point).
2. F16’s in British service. I’ve seen this mentioned on the etranger site before. Interesting idea, particularly in a V1 timeline where there’s a need for something to replace the Phantom until such times as Eurofighter enters service. My only question here would be whether the US would be able to provide forty eight Falcons in 1996 when the Sino Soviet War is already in full swing and the USAF is presumably already mindful of its own possible needs in the event of a War. Perhaps a Falcon purchase would have been more likely earlier in the decade?
Also, for what it’s worth, I also think there would be an RAF presence in the Middle East. Jaguars for sure and most likely a fighter Squadron and a C130 detachment as well. I’m not sure about Harriers though...whilst I absolutely agree they’re a logical choice I think it depends on numbers....does the RAF of 1996 have enough to send some to the Gulf, or does the MEFF have to rely on the US for CAS?
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1. While its true the Eurofighter didn't start serious testing until 2004, the prototype had its maiden flight in 1994, some ten years earlier. I would be certain that much of this delay was down to four countries arguing over what they wanted on their version of the Eurofighter, and who built what. The main stumbling blocks was over the radar. Basically the radar and the engine are largely British technology, despite the multi-national and ownership of the company that supposedly designed them. Britain and Germany are realy the two dominant partners, and without Italy and Spain squabbling over what work share they get, things could get done a lot quicker, particulary with a world war looming over the horizon. Certainly the Eurofighter of T2K is not a finished article, a lot of test-bed tech and gliches, but it can fly, and when things work it would be a very nasty surprise for the Red Air Force over Europe, and can be built in limited numbers into 1997.
2. Well I got the idea from Dan's RAF article on Etranger, but I don't see the problem. Basically the RAF Phantom's will get slaughtered by front line Soviet Su-27s and Mig-29s in Central Europe, and the Tornado F.3 is not a tactical fighter. America realy has a lot of F-16s and is still producing them right up until November 1997, and many would be already earmarked for service with the USAF in the same area that RAF F-16s would be operating in. Sending RAF Phantom pilots to the US and training them on F-16's is not a big issue, as the RAF pilots are hardly novices in the first place, and might represent better value for money to the USAF as the RAF pilots would be a lot better trained and experienced than the replacement Air National Guard F-16 pilots who would be sent over from 1997. Maybe some politics as well. We give you and F-16 wing, you send some of your own squadrons to the Middle East to back us up, or your carriers work the North Atlantic etc etc.
3. As far as I know I haven't listed any Harriers in the Middle East, although I sent a flight of older Harrier GR.5s to Hong Kong.