Your Nation's Air Force Mark II:

[Bratislavskaya]

So... I picked up this (relatively) old book on Soviet Air Force history through the 1970s. It does include a number of bits on tactics and organization. My question is thus: Would it be worthwhile to even consider organizing my own Air Force in a similar fashion?

When was it published? A lot of the cold war stuff published before 1991 isn't accurate. I have a few older books on soviet stuff that have things that are clearly wrong in there.

[Bratislavskaya]

Got to love how we (the UK) has withdrawn the Harrier from service completely for the F-35, and made an aircraft carrier for it despite only having 3 F-35s. Our government knows how to run a military.

[Bratislavskaya]

Got to love how we (the UK) has withdrawn the Harrier from service completely for the F-35, and made an aircraft carrier for it despite only having 3 F-35s. Our government knows how to run a military.

Go on and tell me more about your opinion and how it is superior to the studies conducted by the UK military.

Well when we have 3 F-35s to operate from it, why do we build a new aircraft carrier? Bear in mind these aircraft are shared between the RAF and the FAA. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the F-35, just that it doesn't make sense to build an aircraft carrier for them when we only have three. We could have waited, I mean there are a lot of other things that need money at the moment in the UK.

[Bratislavskaya]

Well when we have 3 F-35s to operate from it, why do we build a new aircraft carrier? Bear in mind these aircraft are shared between the RAF and the FAA. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the F-35, just that it doesn't make sense to build an aircraft carrier for them when we only have three. We could have waited, I mean there are a lot of other things that need money at the moment in the UK.

'Fitting out will take until the end of 2015 and the crew will move aboard in May 2016 ahead of sea trials beginning in August 2016 and delivery in May 2017. Flight trials with helicopters will begin in 2017 and F-35B flight trials towards the end of 2018. An "operational military capability" will be declared in 2020.'

Why do we need to have more than three of them four years before the first platform to operate them in a maritime capacity will be ready to operate them?

I also approve of the following announcement by Mr Cameron:

And today I can announce that the second carrier – HMS Prince of Wales – will also be brought into service. This will ensure that will always have one carrier available, 100% of the time.

Thanks, Russia: no more talk of not needing more than one carrier.

I just think we should have everything before we start you know. Have all the parts ready. We could have waited to build it and used the money in the short term for such things as: The deteriorating state of the NHS, The Education system, New power plants, that kind of thing. Anyway, the government has done more stupid things with the armed forces.

[Bratislavskaya]

Perhaps, but I was under the impression that he was using them as dogfighters. Nevertheless, 89.28% of NSers have "muh stingers" and F-22 s in abundance, so...

As an additional point to this, to be honest i find it more fun to roleplay small second or third world nations as opposed to the typical "US on steroids" Hyperpowers that you find all over the place.

Talk to Pandak. You two sound like you would get along.

[Bratislavskaya]

I am considering planes for my aviation in early 1930s. Here are some of my ideas, I'd appreciate feedback:

Fighters:
Hawker Fury (version developed for Spain) or PZL P.24F or Fiat CR.42 or Polikarpov I.15

Reconnaisance and light bomber plane:
PZL.23 Karaś or Heinkel He-70 or Sukhoi Su-2

Medium bomber:
PZL.37 Łoś or Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 (the latter one is somehow more tempting due to my rather long coastline, and SM.79 was a good torpedo bomber)

Transport:
Ju-52 most likely

I'd need a heavy bomber, considering usage of Soviet TB-3, later replaced with Pe-8 or comparable. I'd also see some suggestions about dive bombers, maritime bombers and other general advices.

Well it would depend who you are aligned with at the time as to what aircraft are available to you. Or are you just making not! variants of the aircraft

[Bratislavskaya]

Well it would depend who you are aligned with at the time as to what aircraft are available to you. Or are you just making not! variants of the aircraft

I rather intend on ::not:: versions, but in case of more realistic alignment, the Dual Monarchy would be more aligned towards France and Britain, rather than Germany, but it would have had decent relations with Italy, if that explains anything. Besides, the state is rather defensively-oriented, the strategic aviation shall act as the deterrent, as the state is reluctant to wage wars, due to its trade interests.

Well I would go with the Fury as the fighter at least. Mix of realism factor and how good it looks (one of my all time favorite aircraft ever made).

[Bratislavskaya]

Looking good, though I will admit that the Air Force is a lot less appealing when you put unmanned aircraft...

Thank you, but it is actually manned.

Is there a camera or something so the pilot can see out, or does he just have X-ray vision?

[Bratislavskaya]

Yak-38MP
Is it real, and if so is it useful?

[Bratislavskaya]

Well I hear the Yak-38 had a number of flaws. What upgrades can I do to rectify these?

[Bratislavskaya]

Well I hear the Yak-38 had a number of flaws. What upgrades can I do to rectify these?

It's very simple.

Buy Harriers.

If I wanted Harriers I would have said. They are too western for me (#2westrn4me), and I need something more Soviet hence Yak-38.

[Bratislavskaya]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/18/article-2661593-1EE3E8F700000578-123_964x498.jpg
"A Russian SU-25 Flanker"
Caption to the photo.

[Bratislavskaya]

Haha he accidentally typed a 5 instead of a 7 and I know the difference I guess that makes me smart and this funny right guys?! RIGHT?! HAHAHAHA!

It makes me smart and hilarious. LAUGH YOU FOOLS!

[Bratislavskaya]

So is painting various colours of blue and grey in a splitter pattern not advisable for my aircraft?

Because I like these

[Bratislavskaya]

What improvements could I make to the Yak (1)41 to make an M model?

[Bratislavskaya]

How effective would this be at oppressing minorities?

(Image)

There has been better, but it's not bad.

[Bratislavskaya]

What is the best variant of the Su-27 overall? I need one variant to try and equip my entire land based fighter fleet (excluding interceptors).

[Bratislavskaya]

What is the best variant of the Su-27 overall? I need one variant to try and equip my entire land based fighter fleet (excluding interceptors).

Assuming you mean a single multirole to handle air superiority and ground attack, you'll most likely want something in the Su-30 "sub-family." Su-30MKK, Su-30MKM, and Su-30MKI are export models developed for China, Malaysia, and India; they vary from one to another in terms of electronics, layout, and performance, so I'd recommend looking into them and seeing which fits your nation's needs - since "best variant" ultimately depends on what standards you're judging it by.

It's main intended use is in air superiority missions, I have separate ground attack units. Or should I still keep ground attack capability?

[Bratislavskaya]

Three (well four) Questions:
1. Should I replace all of my Su-24's with Su-34's?
2. Should I use a heavily modernized Mi-2 (the Ukrainian upgrade package) for anything?
3. Am I better off using a Mi-28 or a Mi-24 Super Hind as an attack helicopter? Is it even worth upgrading my Mi-24s to Super Hind standard?

[Bratislavskaya]

The role of the Su-24 can be replaced by both the Su-34 and the Su-35.

Additionally, I recall reading somewhere Russia's intention is to replace its Su-24's with Su-34's.

According to Wikipedia the plan to replace three quarters of the Su-24's with them. I only asked because: 1.Wikipedia, and 2. Russians say they will do this, then find it's pointless, then don't, so I was after some other opinions.

[Bratislavskaya]

Mi-24 Super Hind, with a 2A42 as opposed to the 20mm gun, as well as local missiles, as an upgrade to all Hind's in Bratislavskayan service, yay or nay?

[Bratislavskaya]

Mi-24 Super Hind, with a 2A42 as opposed to the 20mm gun, as well as local missiles, as an upgrade to all Hind's in Bratislavskayan service, yay or nay?

Anyone? No?

[Bratislavskaya]

Light carriers I'm assuming. If you want an affordable vstol aircraft, I would look into the harrier 2.

I'm more of a Russian style country that went through a democracy change. Most of my weapons and materials are Russian made so it would be tough transferring to Western style aircraft with Eastern materials.

Scrap every Yak-36. They are 100% useless. Yak-38s are horrible, but not as bad. Try to get Yak-41/141s. They are better, even if they never went into production.

[Bratislavskaya]

I'm looking to upgrade my Mi-24s, however I still want to keep the PACT calibers. I have narrowed down my options to two things:
Option A: Mi-24 Super Hind Mk 2: A Super Hind without the 20mm, instead with the Mi-24Ps fixed dual 30mm.
Option B: Mi-24 Super Hind with my own modifications: Changing out the 20mm for a 23mm, the rest is the same as a Super Hind.

Which should I go with?

[Bratislavskaya]

I'm looking to upgrade my Mi-24s, however I still want to keep the PACT calibers. I have narrowed down my options to two things:
Option A: Mi-24 Super Hind Mk 2: A Super Hind without the 20mm, instead with the Mi-24Ps fixed dual 30mm.
Option B: Mi-24 Super Hind with my own modifications: Changing out the 20mm for a 23mm, the rest is the same as a Super Hind.

Which should I go with?

Christmas repost, ho ho ho!