Zim > Actually, Russian military hardware is not as
'robust' as the American stuff. Not maintained
as well either. How old was that plane that went
down? Thirty years?
The F-4 is now 53 years old. http://www.realcleardefense.com/video/2016/12/26/f-4_phantom_more_than_just_an_airplane.html
Officially, now retired from USAF - but it is STILL used by several countries, including, I think, Australia.
As to 'robustness' - can't speak to current Russian maintenance - but Russian/Soviet planes have a history of being pretty durable, able to run on a multitude of fuel types that our (U.S.) craft would absolutely puke on. The robustness (Siberian service, anyone ?) can be attributed to simpler designs that have to stand up to severely harsh conditions, and lack of 'instantaneous' parts and maintenance availability. This background info comes from a brother and dad that served in the USAF, and also personally seeing a locally owned and operated Soviet era training jet. You can check me out on the preceding - think the lit will support the foregoing observations and history.
On the 'Christmas terror' - the Russians are now backing off of the 'it couldn't be' stance, and are now, officially stating that it is 'not likely' but is under intense 'invstigation'.
http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-update-december-26-2016/#15826
... In an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets, pilot Sergei Knyshov admitted the possibility of attacks from a portable anti-aircraft missile system. Meanwhile, a source of Interfax in the emergency services essentially rules out the possibility of a terrorist attack. In his words, the scattering of the pieces could be explained by a heavy blow to the surface of the water. The Interfax source does not admit the possibility of sabotage at the dual-use airport in Sochi which is guarded under a reinforced regimen. ...
(glad to see I'm not the ONLY paranoid type when it comes to this type of stuff ... *lol*)
... Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the crash of the military jet Tu-154 this morning, December 25 bound for Syria, killing all 92 on board, is being thoroughly investigated and all those affected will be compensated. No official reason has been given yet for the crash, but "technical problems" have been sited (sic.) rather than "pilot error" in state media reports.
The flight was bound to Latakia, Syria, and carried mainly members of the Red Army Choir who were going to entertain Russian troops at the Hmeemeem Air Base.
Fontanka, an independent news site in St. Petersburg which has covered the war in Syria critically reports that a source within the Russian Defense Ministry has said that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was investigating everyone who came in contact with the plane in Chkalovsky, the military airport in Shchyolkovo, Moscow Region and Adler District, the location of the Sochi Airport where the plain (sic.) stopped to refuel. ...
SO FAR: This one is already of interest (to me) - will try to keep a watchful eye out on more developments. Explosion - maybe (for same reasons I stated prev post) - missile - could be. Probably NOT pilot error or engine failure (too sudden).
The coinciding of the assassination and this plane going down is noteworthy, but not 'proof'.
Ciao Zim,
~monkey
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