RAF jets intercept Russian planes

[Vladimir]

Tornado F3 jets from RAF Leuchars in Fife were sent to intercept two Russian aircraft spotted observing a Royal Navy exercise, it has emerged.

The jets were scrambled after the foreign planes were detected by radar in the skies over the Outer Hebrides.

They were identified as Russian Bear Foxtrot planes, commonly seen by RAF pilots during the Cold War.

The Russian aircraft were escorted from the area by the RAF who said no radio contact took place between the pilots.

A spokesman for the RAF refused to say when exactly the incident took place but revealed it had lasted no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.

An international live firing exercise, named Operation Neptune Warrior and involving 14 countries, was carried out in the area between 22 April and 3 May.

During the exercise 14 destroyers and frigates, submarines and patrol boats were engaged in collective training.

[MotoMad]

What year was that made? looks a pure pishy plane.

[e2wufos1]

What year was that made? looks a pure pishy plane.

Maiden flight November 12, 1952
Introduced 1956

For more info check here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-95

I'm thinking this is the one in the article above Bear F (Tu-142/Tu-142M) - Originally designed as a maritime surveillance aircraft to supplement the Bear D, the Bear F evolved to become the premier anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War. The ASW variants were designated as Tu-142M2 (Bear F Mod 2), Tu-142M3 (Bear F Mod 3), and Tu-142M4 (Bear F Mod 4). This aircraft was featured in the 1990 film adaptation of Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October.

[JayKay]

picture of the actual incident



Got to love the Tupelov Bear.

A big old skool F-off bomber and no mistake. Hardly likely to sneak through anyone's radar.

[Vladimir]

Would it be the propellers that would be making you think that?

It first flew in 1956, so it is pure dead old! I wouldnt sneer though, we dont even have bombers in this country. By comparison the B-52, the American version, first flew in 1955! And, more to the point, they reached the Hebrides without us noticing....

If you would rather be bombed by more modern plane then may I introduce the Tu-160:

[scallopboy]

What ever happened to satellite spying technology allowing the "enemy" to do it from the comfort of a nice cosy office?

[MotoMad]

I didny comment on how well it done its job just said it looks a bit pish.

[e2wufos1]

more to the point, they reached the Hebrides without us noticing.... ::):

That is scary to think they got as far as the Hebrides without us noticing

[Vladimir]

How would this one do in your beauty contest?

[MotoMad]

Still looks pish.

[scallopboy]

more to the point, they reached the Hebrides without us noticing.... ::):

That is scary to think they got as far as the Hebrides without us noticing

Maybe they just wanted to buy some Harris tweed?

[Vladimir]

That is scary to think they got as far as the Hebrides without us noticing

Listen, they can feel free to bomb us any time!

[Vladimir]

Still looks pish.

So the B-52 looks pish as well! Keep your voice down, you might offend them! And you really dont want to do that...



How does this one grab you?

[MotoMad]

Still looks pish.

So the B-52 looks pish as well! Keep your voice down, you might offend them! And you really dont want to do that...

:) aye ok.
il just say im not their mate and i wont be shot.

edit: aye that looks quite minted.

[e2wufos1]

Specifications (Tu-95MS)

General characteristics

* Crew: Seven - two pilots, one tailgunner, four others
* Length: 49.50 m (162 ft 5 in)
* Wingspan: 51.10 m (167 ft 8 in)
* Height: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
* Wing area: 310 m² (3,330 ft²)
* Empty weight: 90,000 kg (198,000 lb)
* Loaded weight: kg (lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 188,000 kg (414,500 lb)
* Powerplant: 4× Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops, 11,000 kW (14,800 shp)[5] each

Performance

* Maximum speed: 925 km/h (500 kt, 575 mph)
* Range: 15,000 km (8,100 nm, 9,400 mi)
* Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 606 kg/m² (124 lb/ft²)
* Power/mass: 235 W/kg (0.143 hp/lb)

Armament

* Guns: 1 or 2× AM-23 23 mm cannon in tail turret
* Missiles: Up to 15,000 kg (33,000 lb), including the Kh-20, Kh-22, Kh-26, and Kh-55 air-to-surface missiles
* Bombs: 1 Atomic Bomb during Big Ivan test.

References

1. ^ http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/bomber/tu-95.htm
2. ^ FAS.org - "Tu-95 BEAR (TUPOLEV)"
3. ^ Aviation.ru - "Tu-20/95/142 Bear: The fastest prop-driven aircraft."
4. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770
5. ^ Originally measured as 15,000 PS.

Versus

Specifications (B-52H)
Orthographically projected diagram of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.

Data from Quest for Performance[1][16]

Maiden flight 1952-04-15
Introduction February 1955

General characteristics

* Crew: 5 — pilot, co-pilot, radar navigator (bombardier), navigator, and Electronic Warfare Officer; gunners are no longer a part of the crew.
* Length: 159 ft 4 in (48.5 m)
* Wingspan: 185 ft 0 in (56.4 m)
* Height: 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m)
* Wing area: 4,000 ft² (370 m²)
* Airfoil: NACA 63A219.3 mod root, NACA 65A209.5 tip
* Empty weight: 185,000 lb (83,250 kg)
* Loaded weight: 265,000 lb (120,000 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 488,000 lb (220,000 kg)
* Fuel capacity: 47,975 US gal (181,725 L)
* Powerplant: 8× Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans, 17,000 lbf (76 kN) each
* Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0119 (estimated)
* Drag area: 47.60 ft² (4.42 m²)
* Aspect ratio: 8.56

Performance

* Maximum speed: 560 knots (650 mph, 1,000 km/h)
* Combat radius: 4,480 mi (3,890 nm, 7,210 km)
* Ferry range: 11,000 mi (8,099 nm, 15,000 km)
* Service ceiling: 55,773 ft (17,000 m)
* Rate of climb: 6,270 ft/min[17] (31.85 m/s)
* Wing loading: 30 lb/ft² (150 kg/m²)
* Thrust/weight: 0.51
* Lift-to-drag ratio: 21.5 (estimated)

Armament

* Guns: 1× 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon in a remote-controlled tail turret, now removed from all operational aircraft.
* Ordnance: up to 60,000 lb (27,200 kg) bombs, missiles, and mines, in various configurations