RAF Wedgetails

[STN RAMP RAT]

Thread moderated, let’s keep it friendly please.

[Bob DeBilda]

So, 5 year old air frames by the time they get into service, and over 4 years to convert them, no wonder the RAF is in the mess it is and so far behind everyone else.
Like all procurement, too many fingers in the pie, no incentive to get it done, and taxpayers always pay!
[/quote]

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! B_____DY TYPICAL!

[Vulcanone]

So, 5 year old air frames by the time they get into service, and over 4 years to convert them, no wonder the RAF is in the mess it is and so far behind everyone else.
Like all procurement, too many fingers in the pie, no incentive to get it done, and taxpayers always pay!

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! B_____DY TYPICAL!
[/quote]

And its not the first time is it... Remember the ex BA VC10 and Tristars....

[Vulcanone]

So, 5 year old air frames by the time they get into service, and over 4 years to convert them, no wonder the RAF is in the mess it is and so far behind everyone else.
Like all procurement, too many fingers in the pie, no incentive to get it done, and taxpayers always pay!

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! B_____DY TYPICAL!

I suppose you thought the RC-135s were a quickie conversion also

[Nighthawke]

Would probably have moaned if the choice had been brand new at millions more and joining the order queue. No need to shout either!

[Alf]

The first two Wedgetail conversions are from used ex civil airframes and the third is from a new build BBJ.

[Vulcanone]

Would probably have moaned if the choice had been brand new at millions more and joining the order queue. No need to shout either!

Indeed Nighthawke, I'd rather they were done properly while being converted

[jetranger2015]

Would probably have moaned if the choice had been brand new at millions more and joining the order queue. No need to shout either!

Indeed Nighthawke, I'd rather they were done properly while being converted

Done properly, yes I agree, they need to be, however done properly versus the time taken so far doesn't mean that it has been.
From Experience, the longer something takes can mean more chance of mistakes / things being left till later to do and never gets done!

[Alf]

Would probably have moaned if the choice had been brand new at millions more and joining the order queue. No need to shout either!

Indeed Nighthawke, I'd rather they were done properly while being converted

Done properly, yes I agree, they need to be, however done properly versus the time taken so far doesn't mean that it has been.
From Experience, the longer something takes can mean more chance of mistakes / things being left till later to do and never gets done!

Some of the delays were due to the late change of contract. The three aircraft were originally planned to be converted by Marshalls at Cambridge but they later pulled out and a new supplier had to be found, this being STS at Birmingham.

[roger4]

If you look at the Australian and Turkish examples, all built as new BBJ airframes by Boeing and converted by them to E-7s, they took between 6 and 10 years from first flight (as a BBJ) to delivery (as an E-7) to the respective air force.

[Alf]

If you look at the Australian and Turkish examples, all built as new BBJ airframes by Boeing and converted by them to E-7s, they took between 6 and 10 years from first flight (as a BBJ) to delivery (as an E-7) to the respective air force.

This includes the long development period for the E-7 as it was a new design then and the Aussies and Turks were part of the testing and resolving the issues that occured early on in the program.

[roger4]

Ah, ok thanks Alf, that explains it.

[Bob DeBilda]

I suppose you thought the RC-135s were a quickie conversion also
[/quote]

Not at all - we all know the facts.

[Bob DeBilda]

So, 5 year old air frames by the time they get into service, and over 4 years to convert them, no wonder the RAF is in the mess it is and so far behind everyone else.
Like all procurement, too many fingers in the pie, no incentive to get it done, and taxpayers always pay!

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! B_____DY TYPICAL!

And its not the first time is it... Remember the ex BA VC10 and Tristars....
[/quote]

No doubt it won't be the last either!

[Davef68]

Not aware of a more recent picture showing all three, but this was late 2022 when all three were outside at BHX whilst they had a shuffle of airframe locations in the hangar. WT003 (back) is only recently arrived but work has already started removing the forward fin and WT002 (middle) has it's rear fuselage replacement and radar mount fitted

https://ukdj.imgix.net/2022/12/Fi_J4RSXoAM_8jX.jpg

[FlyingFairy]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk ... 83.article

[Malcy]

First one is having its mission kit fitted before undergoing a period of flight testing.

Testing and evaluation across the pond?