Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

I was never a soldier in the RAF, I was a tradesman, along with others I worked to keep aircraft in the air. We were too precious to waste as cannon fodder like pongo's and cabbageheads.

Left the dangerous work to the real men.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Left the dangerous work to the real men.

Oh yes, leave that to the army.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Have you never heard of the SBS?

RM pilots have flown the Harrier, Sea Harrier and F-18. Haven't you heard of the Fleet Air Arm?

The RM pilots will also be flying the new F-35 from off our new carriers.

Funny enough the Fleet Air Arm was/is under the supervision of the RAF, the MOD couldnt trust the Navy to do it themselves. IF the RM's fly and thats a big IF fly the F35, they will have to be trained by the RAF.

BTW have they dug up enough matelots to crew the carrriers?

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Left the dangerous work to the real men.

Yep, the Para's, RAF aircrew and the Gurkhas.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

Funny enough the Fleet Air Arm was/is under the supervision of the RAF, the MOD couldnt trust the Navy to do it themselves. IF the RM's fly and thats a big IF fly the F35, they will have to be trained by the RAF.

BTW have they dug up enough matelots to crew the carrriers?

The FAA was part of the RAF in 1924 before becoming a branch of the RN from 1939.

Following the Dunkirk evacuation and the commencement of the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force soon found itself critically short of fighter pilots. In the summer of 1940, the RAF had just over 800 fighter pilots and as personnel shortages worsened; the RAF turned to the Admiralty to ask for help from the Fleet Air Arm. Imagine that, the RAF going cap in hand to the FAA asking for pilots. Oops.

The Fleet Air Arm has been training for the F-35 at RNAS Culdrose and in the US. They don't need the RAF.

There will be no IF's about them flying the F-35, it's happening later this year.

The first carrier is fully crewed and has been at sea undergoing trials.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

Yep, the Para's, RAF aircrew and the Gurkhas.

So just the Gurkhas and the RM then.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

The FAA was part of the RAF in 1924 before becoming a branch of the RN from 1939. .

Thats why the FAA only flew Stringbags off of carriers.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Following the Dunkirk evacuation and the commencement of the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force soon found itself critically short of fighter pilots. In the summer of 1940, the RAF had just over 800 fighter pilots and as personnel shortages worsened; the RAF turned to the Admiralty to ask for help from the Fleet Air Arm. Imagine that, the RAF going cap in hand to the FAA asking for pilots. Oops.

Actually it was 23 FAA pilots joined the battle. There were more Americans flying in the Eagle Squadrons during the battle then the FAA

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

The Fleet Air Arm has been training for the F-35 at RNAS Culdrose and in the US. They don't need the RAF.

During the Falklands the RAF pilots outnumbered the FAA

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

There will be no IF's about them flying the F-35, it's happening later this year.

The first carrier is fully crewed and has been at sea undergoing trials.

FAA pilots wont be flying off the deck of HMS Queen Elisabeth for at least 4 years.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

So just the Gurkhas and the RM then.

The Para's, the Gurkhas as well as the RAF Aircrew 617 Squadron the REAL heroes.

Bomb Aimer Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson was on board, the last Dambuster alive.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1OuyIe0pig"]Dambusters Anniversary Flypast - YouTube[/ame]

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

Thats why the FAA only flew Stringbags off of carriers.



Actually it was 23 FAA pilots joined the battle. There were more Americans flying in the Eagle Squadrons during the battle then the FAA



During the Falklands the RAF pilots outnumbered the FAA




FAA pilots wont be flying off the deck of HMS Queen Elisabeth for at least 4 years.

Of course the RAF have more pilots because you know, that is their primary purpose.

Pilots will be flying off HMS Queen Elizabeth in September.

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Of course the RAF have more pilots because you know, that is their primary purpose.

Pilots will be flying off HMS Queen Elizabeth in September.

What is the purpose of having RM's?

Originally Posted by Capt Frogman

Of course the RAF have more pilots because you know, that is their primary purpose.

Pilots will be flying off HMS Queen Elizabeth in September.

Fleet Air Arm and RAF crews are preparing around the clock to deliver the first F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters – the striking power of the nation’s two new aircraft carriers – to their new home at RAF Marham in East Anglia.

RAF yet again training FAA