I read not long ago that the last T-37 went to D.M., and that the T-6 was going to replace it. Dumb, the only word I can use. Why keep spending Tax Dollars on old aircraft, when we should spend maybe just a little more and buy NEW? The Air Force paid for, and Fairchild designed and built 3 of them for flight testing. The biggest problem during flight tests was light bulbs burning out, a small screwdriver, and a small turn on a var. resistor (lowering the voltage) solved the problem. The trainner was called a T-46A. It was designed to be put into a flat spin and recover. The only one I know that can recover from a flat spin by design. It too is a side by side 2 seat, twin engine jet. It has a 99% useable fuel load, and can fly farther on internal fuel (200gal) than the T-37 could with external tanks. The Air force has the drawings, there paid for, it's flight tested, it just needs to be built. I would rather spend $500 million extra building new, something that will last 25 - 35 years, rather than spend money on an old aircraft that might go another 5 - 10 years.
Originally posted by truck_53: I read not long ago that the last T-37 went to D.M., and that the T-6 was going to replace it. Dumb, the only word I can use. Why keep spending Tax Dollars on old aircraft, when we should spend maybe just a little more and buy NEW? The Air Force paid for, and Fairchild designed and built 3 of them for flight testing. The biggest problem during flight tests was light bulbs burning out, a small screwdriver, and a small turn on a var. resistor (lowering the voltage) solved the problem. The trainner was called a T-46A. It was designed to be put into a flat spin and recover. The only one I know that can recover from a flat spin by design. It too is a side by side 2 seat, twin engine jet. It has a 99% useable fuel load, and can fly farther on internal fuel (200gal) than the T-37 could with external tanks. The Air force has the drawings, there paid for, it's flight tested, it just needs to be built. I would rather spend $500 million extra building new, something that will last 25 - 35 years, rather than spend money on an old aircraft that might go another 5 - 10 years.
The T-6 Texan II is a new build aircraft. It is based off the PC-9 which first flew in 1984. The Fairchild T-46 had a first flight in 1985.
