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Kfir mishap averted
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GreyFox
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 24 Feb 2007 14:58:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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With regards on the latest info on the expansion of Hambantota harbour:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/02/24/news02.asp |
SenaM
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24 Feb 2007 15:25:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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Snake2
PL-2 has an all metal monocoque type frame. The sheet metal for the project was found from matl supplied for Mig-15 / Mig-17 maintenance (a'cft supplied at the time of the 1971 JVP insurrection). Only two (02) items of 'milled' section had to be purchased from Laszlo Pazmany - cap strips for the wing spar structure. All other structural components were manufactured at AEW Katunayake using Fabricating Jigs turned out at the Katunayake Workshops - from Plans supplied by Mr Pazmany. The aircraft was made on a 'shoe string' budget. (Set of Plans .. $200. Two Cap Strips $150.00. All other items needed for aircraft construction were 'scrounged' .. from surplus matl/eqpt already found at Katunayake - for maintenance of other a'cft. This included instruments, radio, Cont 0-200 engine etc).
Good to see credit being given to Sqn Ldr Gunaratnam, and to AVM Mendis .. however, the person who got the program 'going', the progenitor if you like, seems to have gone 'un-noticed' .. pity. Have on good record, the person who got the program 'going' was not Sqn Ldr Gunaratnam, but his 'boss', the former CO of AEW (then Senior Engineering Officer at AFB Katunayake) ..
Edited By - SenaM - 25 Feb 2007 03:05:18 GMT |
SenaM
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24 Feb 2007 15:31:51 GMT Report for Abuse
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The PL-2 Program of the SLAF had great prospects, but the opportunity was missed .. due to 'lack of vision', (and petty jealousy) from the SLAF Chief of that time, AVM Harry Goonetilake. (He felt that it was a program, he would not be able to 'control', ultimately .. No doubt true, but he stifled initiative, and stood in the way of 'progress' ..).
There was a need for replacing the Chipmunk basic trainer, at the time the SLAF PL-2 had its debut .. SLAF had built a fully aerobatic (+6G, -4G), two-seat trainer aircraft .. which could have been serially manufactured in SLAF work-shops, as a Chipmunk replacement. However, the program begun with 'high-hopes' was 'scotched', by the air force head of the time, with the 'blunt' statement: 'We are in the business of flying aircraft, not making them !'
In a similar situation .. only a few years previously, in the Republic of China (Taiwan), the same basic machine (PL-1) was built by the Taiwanese AF, and presented to the then President, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. He authorized one-hundred (100) PL-1s to be built .. to serve as basic trainers for the air force. Over 60 were built, and they continue to serve the Republic of China Air Force .. as the 'Chien Shou'.
But they did not stop there .. building on their experience with the PL-1/Chien Shou, the Taiwanese went on to build a series of trainer, and attack aircraft for the air force. Later, the air force engineering unit responsible for aircraft construction was detached, and an independent organisation set up, for aircraft design and construction .. to serve also the civil sector. That is how the aviation industry in Taiwan emerged .. currently, a major force in world-aviation ..
Edited By - SenaM - 25 Feb 2007 01:16:18 GMT |
ThinKing
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 25 Feb 2007 03:36:39 GMT Report for Abuse
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SenaM,
the program begun with 'high-hopes' was 'scotched', by the air force head of the time, with the 'blunt' statement: 'We are in the business of flying aircraft, not making them !'
Very informative mate. Thanks a lot.
Hope the current head of SLAF would do 'something' to rectify the damage his father did(which includes his so-called expert analysis and media releases on war with LTTE!) not only to the SLAF but to the country!
Edited By - ThinKing - 25 Feb 2007 03:46:28 GMT |
Eksath
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25 Feb 2007 04:39:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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ThinKing,
I defer with your last comment. He served the country for his entire career and rose to the top. As a flag officer he is well qualified to be a critic of a democracy that he has served his entire professional life AND a war he has lost a son to. There are not too many southern leaders who can say that.
A soldier who wants peace is not a traitor or threat. |
SenaM
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25 Feb 2007 05:28:08 GMT Report for Abuse
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'Harry G' may not be a traitor .. However, if he was espousing .. as a so-called 'military expert' .. the same position as advanced by NGOs like the Berghof Foundation, and is found to have received funding from them .. what do you call that Conduct ? (Some of these NGOs .. especially those funded by Norway, have their own agendas .. not necessarily intended to benefit Sri Lanka or its peoples).
HG has been known as a 'maverick' and as a 'bit of a goon' .. when he was in the air force. Not surprised to see him continue to 'shoot from the hip', after retiring. However, he should not be allowed too much freedom to express himself on matters of vital concern to the nation's integrity, just because he rose to 'flag officer' status.
(As we know, in the 'good old' days .. when there was Peace in Sri Lanka .. officers were promoted, and eventually reached the highest position in the Service, if they knew how to remain respect-ful to their superiors .. 'Time' took care of their promotions to the 'Top'. Believe things are different now).
Those who wish to 'believe in him', are welcome to do that, but the truth must be told. He is a plagiarist - who has tried to divert credit which belongs else-where, to him-self .. He may also have been a 'mouth-piece' for an NGO (or NGOs) .. in which case he cannot escape the 'flak' he will be getting. His conduct at best, has to be seen as 'improper' ..
Edited By - SenaM - 27 Feb 2007 11:46:59 GMT |
Su33
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 25 Feb 2007 09:56:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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Saervek,
Ayyoo, you should see those videos men. Anyways I dont think those dovra scenes were a part of an 'act'. If they were they wouldnt have bothered with putting on their vests and ear phones on (cos I've seen 'staged' videos and pics).
Like Mr. Mig29 said its down to politics why the SLN hasnt upgraded the 23mm canon. If we bought the 30mm canon it doesnt necessarily mean we have to upgrade the entire lot in one go. Why not upgrade a small batch...say...15 FACs at first while leaving the rest with the 23mm? By doing so cut down on 23mm ammo methodically with time until more 30mm canons are brought in to be fitted.
I reckon that was the plan since during Sandagiri's time I believe 9 FACs were fitted (at first) with Oerlikon 30mm before they packed up.
SenaM and Eksath,
You two sound like ex-service men. Am I right? :-)
What do you guys reckon with the latest SLA strategy? Seems like they made their first forays into Wanni. I believe more will follow. |
Dinuk
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 25 Feb 2007 11:29:49 GMT Report for Abuse
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Guys & Gals,
Does Anyone knows the difference between MIG27M and MIG27ML (Bahadur) Which Is Manufactured in India at HAL? anyone?
Did you Guys Saw the New 'Tejas' That they Built? i herd that they are going to replace their aging MIG21 From this Indigenously Built Aircraft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tejas_AI-07.jpg
Cheers!
Edited By - Dinuk - 25 Feb 2007 12:03:54 GMT |
SenaM
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25 Feb 2007 14:07:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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Su33
Call it 'strategy', if you like ..
As I see it, principal reason for the success of recent forays into enemy held territory .. like the capture of Sampur/Somapura, Thoppigala etc .. is the realisation that our military forces must act 'together' (closely integrated), for better effect.
The Army has tended to 'think' & 'act' (and re- act when attacked), on its own .. without consulting the other two Services. (That is how we lost the 'Elephant Pass' Army Base .. Have on good authority, Army did not refer to the Air Force for any assistance, through-out the period they were under attack .. not even when their water supplies were 'cut-off' .. and in desperate plights. My belief is that if the SLAF had been 'brought-in' at the early stages .. to provide a 'Close Air Support' function, LTTE cadres could have been effectively 'cut-up' as they attacked in 'un-ceasing waves' .. and like-wise their artillery could have been 'taken-out'. Elephant Pass need not have been 'lost'.)
We can see also what happened when the Army 'rushed' in haste .. and got 'trapped' at Muhamalai. SLAF had not been consulted in that Operation .. no prior air-surveillance, and no request for 'Close Air Support' at the planning stages. Believe the lesson has been 'dinned' into our COMMAND & CONTROL 'Top' people, the hard-way .. 'To achieve Success, we must Act Together & in Unison - with all of our Assets, Integrated'. (I am sure, this holds true in the 'Political front', as well).
Edited By - SenaM - 25 Feb 2007 14:15:53 GMT |
SenaM
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25 Feb 2007 16:07:32 GMT Report for Abuse
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HAL 'Tejas' is their much touted Light Attack Aircraft (LCA) .. has been in 'gestation' for somethig like 30 years. My guess is that it will remain a 'money-sinker', and a 'prestigious' program, and may never 'deliver'.
Main problem seems to be staffing .. you need 'hungry' young men, anxious to prove themselves, and finish the 'job'. Instead, what you have are 'old folk' at the Head of the Engine (Kaveri Development), and other Programs, who are happy to see their 'contracts' drag-on .. and never see completion.
(Very recently, Senior Development Manager, Dr Harinarayana resigned, and has gone back to 'teaching'. Test pilots assigned to the aircraft developmental program, never remain long - after short 'stints' they revert back to the IAF, or they resign .. HAL is good at 'producing' from other success-ful designs .. but not very good at producing from their own designs. Perhaps the one exception is the HF-24 'Marut' .. however this 'success' was achieved under the leader-ship of Dr Kurt Tank, Chief Designer at the Focke-Wulf Co., who re-located to HAL Bangalore for a brief period .. after the collapse of the German aviation industry, end of WWII).
Edited By - SenaM - 25 Feb 2007 16:43:30 GMT |
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