Type Designator/Osprey Questions

[mzaharis]

One correction to my prior post - the NF-16D designator is in compliance with the tri-service rules, as the "N" prefix designates an airplane that has been modified extensively for research purposes, and will not be returned to original configuration.

The F-16XL chief designer, Harry Hillaker, claimed he got the name from the Top Flite XL golf ball, so it's probably not strictly compliant.

 

[SIG600]

As I recall there have been quite a few pieces of military hardware the the "big" services threw away as "junk" and the Coast Guard and US Marines used for many years and did good service for the country with them. I think the V-22 would be perfect with the USCG and USMC.

Ya except just about every member of congress has some contractor or sub-contractor in their district building parts for the V-22. Thus it was shoved down the proverbial throat of the military. There are better and cheaper options out there than the V-22, that don't try to rewrite the book. Who knows what history will write on the V-22, but personally I think there were better ways to go.

 

[JAFI]

SIG600, you may be right. Better platforms exist. Remember sometimes the role planned for a piece of hardware changes when it gets to the field.

The P47 was a designed as a high altitude interceptor. It worked better as a dive bomber and ground attack fighter.

The first P-51 was a dive bomber but worked better (after some modification) as a high altitude interceptor.

As to our elected "leaders" in Washington D.C. - - - - -

I think Will Rogers said it best: "We have the best politicians money can buy".

JAFI