I wonder if it isn’t only that it’s what they have to play with at the moment...but also when watching these (apparently) painfully slow deck run takeoffs, if it’s not a factor of the SU-33 aerodynamics...its lift ability. That wing and fuselage area appears to provide a great amount of lift.

Intentionally...yes...sadly, unintentionally as well. Go to youtube and type in “low passes” and enjoy...

Nice job on the comparison with 633 Squadron.

Just a guess...but maybe to protect the gun?

Great question...I’m not a tanker but do you think it might be to protect the business end?

Thanks! Will do.

Thanks, Tyler, for covering her loss. Haven’t seen anyone else make the effort.

Such waste...reminds me of this quote:

Something I had been thinking of when I was a kid and read the bullet comparison.

And only 19 years after the end of WW2 and 61 years after the Wright brother’s first flight.

Thanks...I’m learning!

Yeah...I never thought it through...I should have realized that the two at mach 3 are simply not the same.

Thanks to you and Total Crush for the education...I have fired rounds - 9mm, .45, .223 and 7.62 but was very one dimensional in my consideration of their trajectory, only caring about the end result.

Ahhh...very cool.

And the Space Shuttle over Jacksonville on its way to the Cape.

This always amazed me since I can’t see a .223 round once it is fired...thus, if an SR-71 made a pass over an airfield at mach 3, I wouldn’t see it....

I applaud your humanness...and I applaud the “humanness” of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Their claim and PR-packaged image is a mockery of the Air Police/Security Police just as you describe.

I have a relative who is a team member...he/they are anything but elite.

Ohhh the Sturgeons....I love that class boat. I’m envious of your time.