I was thinking of shooting from a bluff, as some perspectives of Russian ships have been photographed have shown a modest "down angle" that might make a hit near the waterline possible.
the venerable A-1. several friends of mine are still alive today due to sandy support during the early 70's.
I wasn't talking handing over M1s..... I'm sure there is still plenty of Soviet era armor and SAMs and Migs in use by the fomer Siviet Bloc Eastern Euro NATO members that they would likely be more than happy to get rid of in exchange for some shiny new Abrams, F-15s and Patriot missiles.
Fair. But I think some mobile MLRS or similar would be more than enough to harrass the Russian Heavy Arty fire bases. We know, and therefore the Ukes know, where those all are. Wouldn't be that hard to do some shoot and scoot tactics. Keep their heads down fo shizzle.
I’d be cool with that exchange. Best garage sale ever!
What part of the past are we supposed to be remembering? As I said, Russia was directly helping N. Vietnam with advanced fighters and SAMs - and that did not trigger a Thermonuclear war. I don't think it will this time around either.
The escalation is what we need to avoid. We're finally moving away from this Cold War bullshit, why get back into it? Ukraine is doing well by most accounts, they came out of the last invasion somewhat leaderless, riddled with corruption, and half-broke. Obviously it would have been better were they not bombed and attacked, but they were, and they've done well. So if NATO escalated this, would it save Ukranian lives? I can't see how escalating a war with a superpower will save lives, it historically tends to cost more lives ... and of course, with the chance of a nuclear escalation.
Nah, MANPADS are typically very tiny warheads. Good for fragile airplanes, but not great against warships. It might scratch the anchor, but that's about it.
It's a good thought, but not a great airplane to be flying around in a contested airspace w/ Fighter, SAM and Manpad environment. I think your survival chances would be measured in hours vs days or weeks.https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?make=MCDONNELL+DOUGLAS&model_group=NO+MODEL+GROUP&model=F-4+PHANTOM&listing_id=2315633&s-type=aircraft
Anyone want to start a GoFundMe for this? Also I have never even sat in one, so any flying hints appreciated.
This one is cheaper and taildragger SEL I can do B)
https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=DOUGLAS&model=AD-4+SKYRAIDER&listing_id=2401587&s-type=aircraft
Yeah, and your example completely validates and supports my point. You call Putin's bluff, just like JFK called Kruschev's. Putin is not a madman. The Mutual Assured Destruction of your homeland is not worth a pissant country like the Ukraine. Putin knows this and is sitting on a 7-2 Club/diamond with an A-K-K of hearts/diamond on the flop and is raising. He's bluffing sure as shit and is expecting NATO to fold. Biden's Anna Kornakova should not only be calling here, but raising. Not time to go all in yet. But if he strings out the bet a bit more, he can catch putin with his pants down. Just need a bit of pressure here. And a cool Poker face. I think Joe can play poker and Nuclear brinksmanship. Trump, otoh, would likely blurt out "Cofeve" and fold like a little girl.The escalation is what we need to avoid. We're finally moving away from this Cold War bullshit, why get back into it? Ukraine is doing well by most accounts, they came out of the last invasion somewhat leaderless, riddled with corruption, and half-broke. Obviously it would have been better were they not bombed and attacked, but they were, and they've done well. So if NATO escalated this, would it save Ukranian lives? I can't see how escalating a war with a superpower will save lives, it historically tends to cost more lives ... and of course, with the chance of a nuclear escalation.
As for the past we are supposed to remember ...
True.
And looks like they are getting more.
I'm with you on this. I think that Putin is calculating, albeit poorly. He is perhaps the most cash-rich persons in the world, and his process doesn't necessarily relate to what someone like you or I would understand.
Ever drive a bulldozer? with the blade all the way up? Sideways on a steep hill?
We did end up in an all out war with Japan that escalated to nukes. Maybe that bit of history isn’t the best one to repeat.Something like this?
Don't see why not. Surely there's a lot of aged or semi-aged fighter jocks who would volunteer in the EU. The planes could then be Western designs, drawn from NATO member states reserves and "lend leased" to Ukraine.
The Atomic Bombing of Japan:
It will be the last death rattle of the Cold War. And from then on, Russia will forget about having to divert resources away from their attentions in the Economic War. Russia will finally be free to compete with Germany using the energy and manufacturing at their disposal, and then drawing immigration from Africa, especially immigrants trained by Chinese industry. Within our lifetime, we will see Russia surpass Italy, France and Britain as a serious economic contender to Germany.
