(robert arndt) wrote in message om...
Kirk,

This is an idiotic question since the inventories of many of the
world's poorest Air Forces still use piton-engined aircraft in a
combat role as of 2003. These Air Forces are largely African, South
American, and Asian.
For example you have the Brazilian Tucano/Super Tucano/ALX which still
flies drug interdiction and has fired on Columbian drug runners both
in the air and ground in recent years. The aircraft carry gun pods,
rockets, and home-made Piranha aams.
Second, helos are not aircraft... they are rotorcraft! Sheesh...

Rob

First, Tucanos are turboprops - or maybe you didn't know that.
Second, Helos are AIRCRAFT, not AIRPLANES. Third, the fact that a lot
of countries are still using piston (not piton - mountain climbers use
those) powered combat airplanes is interesting, and knowing what kind
are still being used is intersting to me. If it isn't to you, then
you are free to ignore this thread. Just like I ignore your rants
about impossible supersonic Me-262s.

I could have narrowed the field down to piston powered airplanes that
were desingned for combat, but with all the combat versions of
trainers, that would be useless. SF-260W's come to mind - I forgot
about those. But even then, I think you will find that relatively few
piston engined airplanes are used by third world countries for combat
because AVGAS is getting hard to get and is relatively expensive,
while AVTUR (jetfuel, whatever) is relatively cheap and available.

So Rob, bone up a little on aviation, learn to spell, and quit being
an idiot yourself.

Kirk