Since we seem to be in the mood to share pics , here's a few of the Canadian Forces CF-18 ...

 

The latest CF-18AM out of 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta

 

 

 

Some cool in-flight refueling shots

 

 

 

 

 

And, one of the latest Tu-95MS Bear H intercepts

 

Very nice, is it difficult for the Hornets slow enough to tank from the prop plane (C-130 variant I know but don't know the exact designation)?

I'll ask.

 

Pretty sure those pics were taken in the Ft Worth, TX, area, but I'd venture to say the C-130 appearing here is probably one of our own CC-130H(T). We had the Boeing 707 (CC-137) tankers until about 1997, and since then have acquired two new CC-150 (A310 MRTT) tankers. They're using em to hop over to Hawaii this weekend. Rough life.

Very nice, is it difficult for the Hornets slow enough to tank from the prop plane (C-130 variant I know but don't know the exact designation)?

 

AFAIK, it's not a problem at all for Hornets to slow down for refueling, they're pretty good low speed flyers actually.

Now, CV, do you know if they've already upgraded the avionics so the CF-18 can use the latest and greatest in LGB and smart bombs ?

 

Just read we have only half our fleet of CF-18 is operational (+/- 60 out of circa 120), and if things are as bad as they were when I lived near Comox AFB, and my buddies (ex in-flight ESM/ECM technician on CF-140 Auroras and a ground hog doing mechanics on the fleet, iirc ) working there told me out of 4 planes supposedly operational, only 3 really were on a good week.

Would that mean, that we really only have/had 45 fighters ready to fly at any time ?

Mind you, this was at one of the worse times for our forces, back in the mid-90s, from a budget pov.

 

Seems to me not to be a very good ratio...

 

Any info on this CV ?

AFAIK, it's not a problem at all for Hornets to slow down for refueling, they're pretty good low speed flyers actually.

Now, CV, do you know if they've already upgraded the avionics so the CF-18 can use the latest and greatest in LGB and smart bombs ?

 

Well, you will note the CF-18AM designation for the updated aircraft.

 

Just read we have only half our fleet of CF-18 is operational (+/- 60 out of circa 120), and if things are as bad as they were when I lived near Comox AFB, and my buddies (ex in-flight ESM/ECM technician on CF-140 Auroras and a ground hog doing mechanics on the fleet, iirc ) working there told me out of 4 planes supposedly operational, only 3 really were on a good week. Would that mean, that we really only have/had 45 fighters ready to fly at any time ?

Mind you, this was at one of the worse times for our forces, back in the mid-90s, from a budget pov. Seems to me not to be a very good ratio... Any info on this CV ?

 

I don't have any CF specific information, but generally speaking, having only a portion of one's aircraft 'operationally available' is not all that terribly unusual for most air forces.

Well, you will note the CF-18AM designation for the updated aircraft.

 

Right, thanks.

 

I don't have any CF specific information, but generally speaking, having only a portion of one's aircraft 'operationally available' is not all that terribly unusual for most air forces.

 

Of course, I'm just surprised that it's apparently still half of them, maybe more...

Nice pics btw, thanks for posting them

I'll ask.

 

Pretty sure those pics were taken in the Ft Worth, TX, area, but I'd venture to say the C-130 appearing here is probably one of our own CC-130H(T).

 

 

Sounds about right, you can see the maple leaf emblem on the Herc's side in the first pic. Nice pics, BTW

Of course, I'm just surprised that it's apparently still half of them, maybe more... Nice pics btw, thanks for posting them

 

A total of 77 Hornets are due to be upgraded under the modernisation program, 57 single-seaters and 20 twin-seaters. The last jet completed Phase I in August 2006, and the first completed Phase II in August 2007. The program is supposed to be complete by March 2010.