"Tiger" wrote in message
...
wrote:

Thanks for remembering that.

Just for comparison. F/A-18 Hornet: first flight in 1978, operational
since mid 1980s, modernized versions appearing in late 1980s/early
1990s, now entering service the next generations of this plane. Often
criticized as "too average plane", but on schedule, on costs, and
available for service.

V-22 Osprey: a great idea, but for years "permanently under
development", still eating money and taking lives, whereas CH-46 and
CH-53 to be replaced by it have to fly on the wings of prayers of
maintainers and aviators.

Is that really a good direction?;-)

Best regards,

Jacek


There have been planes in the past alot worse than the V-22. Both in money
& lives dept. Many said the same about the F4U or the AV8 Harrier.

Speaking of "bad" planes one of the things I found most shocking about the
accounts of first deployments of helicopters on carriers was the number of
pilots they "rescued" during training. I think the lost 20 planes in the
drink on a peace time cruise.

Re old choppers - In the late '80s I lived near MCAS Torrance and had
exMarine roommates. There was -LOTS- of gripping about helicopters older
than the pilots and people getting killed in crashes due to the age of the
choppers in this small group it was the main reason given for not
reenlisting.