Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
Makes you realize just how hulking those ol' birds were.
At the time they looked sleek and agile as hell. In that clip alone just watching it come through after seeing the shots of the Hornets makes it look like a fullback in the open field.
Saw one on a carrier tour in San Diego - they're just friggen massive.
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Design catch 22: long range interceptor performance equals more fuel equals more size. Tanking is used in any part but carrier based tankers are an issue, hence “buddy stores” tanking is primary.
The E/F models in the trailer are ironically approaching Tomcat size :
“The Super Hornet is largely a new aircraft at about 20% larger, 7,000*lb (3,200*kg) heavier empty weight, and 15,000*lb (6,800*kg) heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet. The empty weight of the Super Hornet is about 11,000*lb (5,000*kg) less than that of the F-14 Tomcat which it replaced, while approaching, but not matching, the F-14's payload and range.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boei...F_Super_Hornet