I originally didn't plan on expanding the scenario from the batch builds, but then I got that U-2......
I've shown a couple of these before - but there is one new build
BREXIT and a Bargain Buy
With unrest in the European Union raising its head in the early 2000's, Britain decided to go it alone and pull out of the European Union. There was a lot of emotional discussion and the confidence of the world in the UK was shaken, and the Pound dropped in value to a frightening degree. The UK Armed Forces found the going tough, and needed to downsize. After retiring the Harrier and Jaguar, the RAF still faced a budget shortfall, and looked to save money by cancelling some of their later Typhoon orders.
The UK aircraft industry took serious exception to this proposal, so the UK Government looked at the option of on-selling Typhoons as an option. Enter the Aussies.
Sensing a real opportunity, the ADF offered to take 20 Typhoons off the RAF's hands. BUT - the ADF would only accept Tranche 3 (fully capable) aircraft, rather than older aircraft from RAF service. The UK had no real option but to divert Tranche 3 aircraft from the production line to close the deal.
The Aussies were delighted, picking up additional very capable aircraft from a non-US supplier at a bargain basement price, while sending a message to the US that although the ADF were prepared to take on traditional US responsibilities in the Pacific, the ADF would do so under their own terms.
The pool of 20 Typhoons (16 single seat and 4 duals) were to be operated by 76 Squadron:
euro pair by
David Freeman, on Flickr
Typhoon single by
David Freeman, on Flickr
Typhoon Dual by
David Freeman, on Flickr
Rather than dispose of the EX-76 Squadron Vipers, the RAAF shuffled the aircraft between 79 Squadron and a new unit that became a full-time Aggressor squadron for the ADF (and RNZAF).
30 SQUADRON RAAF:
The Vipers allocated to 30SQN were stripped of all operational equipment, including radar, to make them as light and agile as possible. The RAAF developed a system whereby the ACMI pods on aircraft opposing the Aggressor Vipers could be used to feed ïnformation" to the opponent, allowing it to appear the Aggressor Vipers were radiating signals from regional aircraft such as the SU-30's flown by Indonesia.
Aggressor-1 by
David Freeman, on Flickr
AGgressor-2 by
David Freeman, on Flickr
The inspiration for this paint job was:
F16_Block_30 by
David Freeman, on Flickr