"Canuck" wrote in message
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"Andrew Chaplin" wrote in message
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"Canuck" wrote in message
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"RustY©" wrote in message
53...

Awesome low level shots. Did you get these yourself?

Wouldn't it be great if the Canadian Government actually bought some of
these aircraft for the Snowbirds? Currently, they are doing some sort of
leasing/sharing thing for training purposes but the Snowbirds soldier on
with obsolete aircraft not used by any other branch of the Canadian
military. GRRRR!!!!

It's all a matter of cost-benefit analysis, airframe life and spares. The
aircraft is not obsolete, given that it fits its assigned role, sufficient
airframe life remains, as do necessary spares. The benefit derived from the
Snowbirds is questionable; their effect on recruitment has never been
proven. The people who say, "I wanted to join ever since I saw the
Snowbirds as a kid," would likely still join.

Really? The airforce does not use the Tutor any longer for training
purposes. The airframe has been around for a very long time and should be
retired as soon as possible.

Why? Your point isn't proven.

If it wasn't good enough for training purposes, how can it possibly be good
enough for an aerobatic team?

Because an aerobatic team's purpose is distinct from that of a training
system.

The benefit from the Snowbirds is far from questionable. It is one of the
few symbols of the Canadian armed forces that all Canadians and people
around the world can identify.

You are missing out on the idea of _benefit_!

If I were making the decisions, I'd get some Hawks and hold a national
colour scheme contest and allow people to submit their own new colour scheme
for the Snowbirds. It would get people interested and excited about being
Canadian. We have far too few symbols which bind this nation together.

If Canada were to equip the Snowbirds with Hawks, they would be difficult
to distinguish from the Red Arrows.

Hardly. The colour scheme would be different and the manouvers would be
different. How often have you seen the Red Arrows in Canada or the United
States? I've been going to air shows for years and have yet to see them
other than on a DVD. Just because they would fly the same aircraft does not
mean it would have an identical effect.

The aircraft is the basis of the show; it is the stage on which the pilots
perform. Paint scheme is irrelevant. To suggest that it matters is... well...
stupid.

You haven't shown any relevance in the Snowbird show that relates to the
current operational environment for CF pilots. What do Snowbirds do that
enhances operational capability? Quantify it!

Snowbirds are pretty, but they are militarily irrelevant -- useless, even.
**** 'em. Let's spend the fuel on CF-188 ops.

(Geez, Nick, have you ever been paid to wear a uniform, or are you a wannabe?)
--
Andrew Chaplin
Anti-Aircraft Artilleryman
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)