[David Hingtgen]

F-18B's and D's were never mixed in with the A's and C's in the active fleet. They were strictly for training and testing and assigned to those few squadrons---like VX-5 and VFA-125. And the Blue Angels.

The only "fighting" D models are used by the Marines---and even then they are in dedicated "D" squadrons, not used with C's. If you see a modern Marine squadron with "AW" in their designation, the odds are good it's one of the F-18D squadrons.

Technically, it's illegal for a 2-seat legacy Hornet to be aboard a carrier, as they were never tested for it. But you will find the occasional rare picture of it happening. (it's perfectly capable, but the slight weight difference on handling/minimums was never officially tested in the early days and there was never any more money allotted to test 2-seaters later to approve them, so it's not allowed)

[valkyrie]

If I am not mistaken, Malaysia has a squadron of F/A-18D to complement their MIG-29 and they will also be getting the SU-30.

As for the superhornets, I was told during a visit to USS Kitty Hawk last year, that the F/A-18E will be taking over F/A-18C and the F/A-18F the tomcats. The carrier has VFA-195 F/A-18C, VFA-27 F/A-18E and VF-102 F/A-18F onboard then.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

If I am not mistaken, Malaysia has a squadron of F/A-18D to complement their MIG-29 and they will also be getting the SU-30.

That's a very interesting mix of jet fighters in your airforce inventory! Theoretically speaking, do you know which jet fighter emerges as the dominant contender for mock air-to-air engagements given all the variables and dissimilarities of each aircraft and other factors taken into account? Just wanted to know your thoughts.Thanks.

[David Hingtgen]

Malaysia just took delivery of their Su-30's in the past few weeks. Su-30MKM.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

That's a very interesting mix of jet fighters in your airforce inventory! Theoretically speaking, do you know which jet fighter emerges as the dominant contender for mock air-to-air engagements given all the variables and dissimilarities of each aircraft and other factors taken into account? Just wanted to know your thoughts.Thanks.

He's from Singapore. They've got newer F-16's and soon F-15 Strike Eagles

[valkyrie]

Yes. I am from Singapore. I think the choice of types of aircrafts to procure goes beyond simply the capability of the planes. Probably significant weighting goes to political considerations.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Yes. I am from Singapore. I think the choice of types of aircrafts to procure goes beyond simply the capability of the planes. Probably significant weighting goes to political considerations.

well not just political, but also support for the aircraft. eg maintenance, training and weapons as a package.

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

F-18B's and D's were never mixed in with the A's and C's in the active fleet. They were strictly for training and testing and assigned to those few squadrons---like VX-5 and VFA-125. And the Blue Angels.

The only "fighting" D models are used by the Marines---and even then they are in dedicated "D" squadrons, not used with C's. If you see a modern Marine squadron with "AW" in their designation, the odds are good it's one of the F-18D squadrons.

Technically, it's illegal for a 2-seat legacy Hornet to be aboard a carrier, as they were never tested for it. But you will find the occasional rare picture of it happening. (it's perfectly capable, but the slight weight difference on handling/minimums was never officially tested in the early days and there was never any more money allotted to test 2-seaters later to approve them, so it's not allowed)

Don't the Blue Angels get retired airframes directly from the fleet?

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by firefighterpilot1

Don't the Blue Angels get retired airframes directly from the fleet?

Yes, the Blues fly former fleet aircraft and are flying the oldest Hornets in the Navy, the F/A-18A...... The fleet gets the new stuff and the Blue Angels get the hand-me-downs, unlike their AF counterparts who get their Vipers fresh from the factory...

[David Hingtgen]

Thunderbirds have newer planes, but never new. They just upgraded to the block 52, and they're from Mountain Home. The Block 32's came from all over. Block 32's were mainly '87 to '89 models, but the T-birds didn't even start using the Block 32 until the '92 season.