Silver Swallow's.

[Irish Marine]

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 Does any one know if the Silver Swallow's are going to be geting any new aircraft in the new future. I am so upset due to the Fouga's being grounded. I grew up with them and always had great memories of them flying over Kildare and also at the Air Spac's in 86 and 87. The other thing that made them stand was the colors used. The aircorps do a fine job in keeping the aircraft they own in good order, I do hope in the new future that you they get new equipment.

Yup, it is not a priority, but some people seem to think it's important.
Personaly, I think it is more important that the profile of the Air Corps is raised far higher then it now is, part of this culture of air-defence I have mentioned before.
Having a semi-state sponsored aerobatic display team might help this happen, certainly more important then a bunch of pretend 'officers' wandering the world showing off their 'skills' on a bunch of horses, ironic, considering the Irish Army was the first fully mechanised,[ie, got rid of the stupid horse] in the world.FGS the horse does all the hard work, the so-called ossifer just hangs on, total rubbish.
At least, with an air-display team, the crews have to show some skill.

[Silver]

Sadly,the Silver Swallows were officially disbanded in 1998.
The nearest we have had to a display team since are "Team Marchetti", who displayed at Air Spectacular 2000.

When the PC-9M's have settled in , I suspect that a successor to the Silver Swallows will be formed.

"Team PC-9" perhaps ?

Silver.

[Irish Marine]

Any news yet on the future of the Silver Swallows, if any one hears anything please be sure to let us know. It is certainly sad that the team is out of service.  

[Irish Marine]

Hey Silver,
Thanks for your comments. What was the reaction to them being disbanded?  Its sad because they won an major award over in England.  I am not happy with the new aircraft, I want to see our Aircorps flying in aircraft besides trainers. The Polish Airforce are purchasiing F16's, it annoys me becasue the Irish aircorps are falling behind.  I really hope to see some high speed fighters siting on the tarmac at Baldonnel some day. Ireland deserves better!!!!!! '>

[Silver]

I believe there was great disappointment within the AC to see them go. They provided a "morale booster" for the Corps.

I too would like to see the AC equipped with fast jets, like the F-5 for example.
However, I don't think it will happen anytime soon. Look's like it's the PC-9's for now.

Silver.

[irishsamourai]

why the IAC doesn't buy SAAB GRIPEN , this aircraft is a new generation aircraft , not expensive like the rafale (sorry i'm french)
for a small country like ireland , the range and the weapon are the best , except for the sea opération because the gripen has just one reactor '>

[Imshi-Yallah]

Why doesn't Ireland buy Gripen...
1. Cowardice has been institutionaliosed in theis country and most of the population seem to think a meritous thing.
2. Because we have no air defence, or combat support infrastructure as a result of years of corruption and  sheer stupidity.
3. Because the public are convinced that all defence expenditure has to come from hospital funding, despite the fact that the government is rolling around in big piles of cash.
4. Because there would be uproar by "peace groups" if Ireland didn't stand Idly by and tut while people in oother countires are being slaughtered.
5. Because to do so would reinstate the air corps as a a military force and create expectation on the State to actuallly save some lives by using them.

Imshi, calm down, will ya, all this anger is not good, unless there is a politican or peacescum in the room, in which case, it could be usefully employed by battering the fool into a pulp.

Silver Swallows, love to see them back but not using air defence assets, should we ever get them. A sensible  government would get Bord Failta or some other agency to sponser a team of display aircraft, operated and maintained by the Air Corps, and in their colours, that could go anywhere in the world.
Before you jump down my neck, these aircrafts need not be expensive, Pitts Speicals could be used, [a nice aerobatic, tail-dragger bi-plane,_ would fit nicely with the rest of the fleet that '> ] or that proposed Javaline 2 seat 'toy' jet, belived to be going on the market for less than $800,000

[Irish Marine]

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Great comments Turkey indeed, lets hope that the Irish Tourist Board would look at your idea.  Turkey, you should look at getting a job with them. They have being in so much trouble for not being creative. I agree, that funds for this project should not come from Air Defence.  It would be great to see a display team from Ireland, traveling all over the world.
Bottom line is we need the Silver Swallow's back in the air!!!

[Imshi-Yallah]

I don't see how this is a priority