The RAF used Hawks like that for many years in many roles, many countries still have them as front line combat aircraft.
What is the issue that some find objectionable?
Is it that it has a propeller?

The Tucano's payload is poor at best, the RAF should be looking at A-10s as a cost effective weapon. I like the idea of using Skyraiders though, wonder if there's any left in a serviceable condition? :hmmm:

Only two airworthy exmaples left in the US. The UK decommissioned it's RNFAR Skyraiders in 1962. Unlikely they would look to a 60 odd year old design that's no longer in production anywhere in the world.

The 1.5 ton payload isn't insignificant given the advances in even iron bomb technology since the Skyraider left service.

How much payload do you need to take out some insurgents? I think small cheap propeller planes might be an alternative for the jets in the close support role in Afghanistan and other countries like that. Sure they aren't that useful against a modern army (actually they are pretty much completely useless against them:O:) but for now they could give a hand in the deserts of this world at an unbeatable cost/efficiency ratio. Imagine, just cut down your Typhoon orders by one plane and buy ten close support prop planes.
Sure the Typhoons, Tornadoes etc. can't be replaced by those aircraft and have to be available in case that the big sh*t hits the fan. But for now those planes could help in easing the financial burdens of the military.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7...s3dsmileyw.gif Pleeeeeaaaaaasee...bring back the Typhoons and Tempests

:D

HunterICX

Good luck finding "fighter pilots" willing to fly them.

The lolwaffles are all current on the Tempest, Typhoon and Spitfire and all its subtypes.

You would quickly lose all the money you otherwise saved on the replacement parts if you let us fly them...

Right! We're off:

http://regmedia.co.uk/2006/10/24/marweb.jpg

Bearcat:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/images/Bearcat-Taxi.jpg

I dunno if jets were banned and everybody went back to prop planes, I would join the Air Force in seconds flat. (Well I can't because I have 20/80 vision. :rotfl2:)

Umm the govt of my country has ordered the Tucanos too for border patrols

Sad thing is, in the not too distant future we will have UCAV's. The US are developing them now so I should imagine its only a matter of time before the UK gets some. Cheap to run/maintain and can carry a half decent payload.

Big problem with the spending review is all 3 services have been neglected in some fashion for so long they ALL need stuff yet the Gov't in its wisdom will make cuts for sure. The Navy needs more Type 45's is it's to defend the 2 carriers effectively when they launch, the RAF needs far more fast jets we have a pitiful amount of jets now compared to 20 years ago. Choppers too for the RAF/Navy and AAC. The Army too needs newer vehicles and weapons. The list seems endless... but thats what a decade of neglect and constant cut backs does... oh and 9 years of active operations!