Quote:
Originally Posted by Panther Al
I have no doubt that by the summer of 2000 there is still plenty of Aircraft sitting in airbases that could take to the air and perform various missions. Just too many airframes in Europe (Or sent there from the states) for there not to be.
But,
And its a Big But,
They wouldn't be flying much if at all. While parts would be scarce, I have no doubts what so ever that the Airbase personnel have cannibalised all the parts they need to make sure that those are left by and large are tip top - but they are not taking to the air because fuel is so scarce. So, yes, plenty of Airworthy Airframes, just no go juice save for the most critical of missions (In fact, I believe that the Summer Offensive saw - for the time - a heavy use of Airpower as those resources that was saved up and scrounged up over the previous year was used in supporting the breakthrough of the Soviet Lines to get into Poland. Not enough to support the offensive for very long, but enough to break out.).
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Yah; I would agree with that 100%. I think any remaining AvGas is being kept for a "jesus Christ, soviet tanks are moving on Berlin" type situation, or if the French decide they want hunks of Germany, or if someone tries to stop OpOrd Omega with air assets or enough ground assets to merit using the last of the fuel.