F-35A AF-3 taxis to the runway at NAS JRB Fort Worth for its seventh
flight on 2 December 2010. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti is
at the controls for the mission, which was the first for the aircraft
with fully compliant low-observable coatings.
Lovely shot mate and a great scoop. Keep up the good work. Btw, I linked the photo to a forum I post on. Hope you don't mind? Let me know and I'll remove the link if necessary.
Hmm, now that I see it from this angle, wont there be an issue with cockpit visibility for the pilot, especially in A-A and close support missions? Although the DAS might help cut through that, but call me a worry wart for refusing to rely too much on technology, thats what nearly killed us off in Vietnam in the gun-less era.
i don't think so....besides all our missiles are integrated with helmet sights, we'll have DAS and if you're in that close in this day and age you're facing mutual destruction anyway....
The rumour mill is running red hot. I've heard new bases, I've heard integrating into existing Australian Army bases and I've heard Northern Territory (Robertson Barracks - Darwin) and Queensland (Lavarack Barracks - Townsville).
Only time will really tell. Townsville would make more sense though. Townsville hosts our "ready deployment force". I can't under any circumstances envisage USMC units being based in Australia and NOT actually deploying when a job comes up. It would defeat the purpose of being here...
oh and i say that about the training areas without regret or embarrassment....it seems like every animal in Australia can kill you...the threat brief on the environment was intense.
Out of interest, a documentary was shown on Australia TV the other night, showing an Australian SAS selection course. Gives a pretty good insight into the bush in Western Australia, plus some insight (albeit in a scripted and somewhat overly dramatic form) into what it takes to be one of them.
Aussie Digger. Well it's easy. Key is correct clothing. A multi layer approach with at least one layer of of wool is very effective. If you are lucky, compliment with animal fur, like raindeer or seal. Ajust with physical activity and unzip the body parts that emmits the most heat to prevent overheating and sweat (which can kill you); throat, arm wrists and torsoe. You'll do fine down to -20 to -40F or -30 to 40C, depending on your type of gear and wind conditions, and face cover. Oh and never use fingered gloves or mittens. Use a thumbed mitten as your closed fingers will best heat themselves, and you can retract your thumb into the mitten when you don't need it for practical work.
Do not undress, however, as your life signs will be gone in 20-30 minutes.
Keep up the good work Solomon!
Another one, I can just imagine this bird in a light air surperiority grey: http://www.codeonemagazine.com/images/news/20101209_AF3_Endurance_03_1269967624_3552.jpg
It was a bit of a joke. I've been to the cold on quite a few occasions. I love it actually, but I was talking but operating in the stuff as a military force...
I love being IN the snow, but living and operating out of it, is a completely different matter...
Lovely shot mate and a great scoop. Keep up the good work. Btw, I linked the photo to a forum I post on. Hope you don't mind? Let me know and I'll remove the link if necessary.
ReplyDeleteThis is the site:
www.w54.biz
Cheers,
AD
no problem as a matter of fact thanks Aussie Digger....
ReplyDeletequestion. the rumor mill has it that bases are finally going to be built for US Marines in the Northern Tert....is that true?
Hmm, now that I see it from this angle, wont there be an issue with cockpit visibility for the pilot, especially in A-A and close support missions? Although the DAS might help cut through that, but call me a worry wart for refusing to rely too much on technology, thats what nearly killed us off in Vietnam in the gun-less era.
ReplyDeletei don't think so....besides all our missiles are integrated with helmet sights, we'll have DAS and if you're in that close in this day and age you're facing mutual destruction anyway....
ReplyDeleteHey Sol,
ReplyDeleteThe rumour mill is running red hot. I've heard new bases, I've heard integrating into existing Australian Army bases and I've heard Northern Territory (Robertson Barracks - Darwin) and Queensland (Lavarack Barracks - Townsville).
Only time will really tell. Townsville would make more sense though. Townsville hosts our "ready deployment force". I can't under any circumstances envisage USMC units being based in Australia and NOT actually deploying when a job comes up. It would defeat the purpose of being here...
That would be SO AWESOME! I had a blast in Australia...the training areas are pretty intimidating though but the liberty is spot on!
ReplyDeleteoh and i say that about the training areas without regret or embarrassment....it seems like every animal in Australia can kill you...the threat brief on the environment was intense.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is, our bush is normal for me. Everywhere ELSE seems intense and intimidating. Sub zero (celcius) temperatures? How do you deal with THAT?
ReplyDeleteOut of interest, a documentary was shown on Australia TV the other night, showing an Australian SAS selection course. Gives a pretty good insight into the bush in Western Australia, plus some insight (albeit in a scripted and somewhat overly dramatic form) into what it takes to be one of them.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sbs.com.au/documentary/program/sasthesearchforwarriors
Aussie Digger. Well it's easy. Key is correct clothing. A multi layer approach with at least one layer of of wool is very effective. If you are lucky, compliment with animal fur, like raindeer or seal. Ajust with physical activity and unzip the body parts that emmits the most heat to prevent overheating and sweat (which can kill you); throat, arm wrists and torsoe. You'll do fine down to -20 to -40F or -30 to 40C, depending on your type of gear and wind conditions, and face cover. Oh and never use fingered gloves or mittens. Use a thumbed mitten as your closed fingers will best heat themselves, and you can retract your thumb into the mitten when you don't need it for practical work.
ReplyDeleteDo not undress, however, as your life signs will be gone in 20-30 minutes.
Keep up the good work Solomon!
Another one, I can just imagine this bird in a light air surperiority grey:
http://www.codeonemagazine.com/images/news/20101209_AF3_Endurance_03_1269967624_3552.jpg
B. Bolsøy
Oslo
If I could find that shot in higher rez that'd be my new wallpaper. :-)
ReplyDelete-sferrin
Thanks Energo,
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit of a joke. I've been to the cold on quite a few occasions. I love it actually, but I was talking but operating in the stuff as a military force...
I love being IN the snow, but living and operating out of it, is a completely different matter...
Cheers,
AD