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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 03 February 2023, 19:56:42

Title: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 03 February 2023, 19:56:42
There is a Chinese 'meteorological balloon' floating over the USA at the moment specifically over Montana which is home to sensitive military missile sites.   :o

The American Govt has decided not to shoot it down because of the danger of falling debris, but I think Montana is prairie land?  Vast tracts of emptyness....  :-\

The Chinese for their part have admitted it's theirs and it's for researching the atmosphere and got blown off course.  :-X

Still, the Yanks have cancelled Anthony Blinkin the Secretary of States visit to Beijing!  That'll teach 'em!  ;D

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64516218

Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 February 2023, 20:50:47
Trump would have nuked it by now. :)
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: LC0112G on 03 February 2023, 21:55:50
Except, you need to consider what US assets have been circling the balloon for the past 3 days. It came in over Alaska and down through Canada to Montana.

Plenty of "Stealth" (F-22/F-35) activity reported by local plane spotters (which don't show on the plane trackers), and a few RC-135 flights taking a look too.

If you know it's coming you can shut down anything that you consider secret for a few days, and then 'listen' to what the balloon is transmitting back to home base. We only know about it because a civilian spotted the balloon. If that news hadn't leaked out, the US would have been able to snoop on the balloon till it drifted out to the Atlantic without the Chinese becoming aware.

If you shoot it down the moment it enters your sovereign airspace, then you lose the ability to snoop on it whilst it's doing whatever it is supposed to do.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 03 February 2023, 23:44:37
Sounds plausible, but I think you're giving Sleepy Joe's administration far too much credit Malc!  ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Rangie on 04 February 2023, 00:39:40
Load of hot air.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 February 2023, 10:59:38
We know it's a spy balloon but we're not going to shoot it down...

FFS, these flicking ejits in charge >:(

That should never have made it past Alaska let alone over flying the Socialist Republic of Canada.

They might have had some defence if it had popped up over Sacrament, but Montana isn't even on the coast ???
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 February 2023, 12:50:41
Another one has been spotted over Costa Rica.  :)
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Varche on 04 February 2023, 14:44:48
All part of the plan.

The Wests response or lack of to the Russian incursion into Ukraine will be closely watched by China.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 February 2023, 18:16:33
All part of the plan.

The Wests response or lack of to the Russian incursion into Ukraine will be closely watched by China.
There's a solution to that.

Spray an orange line along the entire Ukraine border as of 1954 and after a week, forcibly remove any occupying force to their side of the line.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Rangie on 04 February 2023, 19:58:20
One balloon shot down now according to the BBC.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 February 2023, 20:53:28
Poor Phileas Foo!  ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 04 February 2023, 21:08:12
Poor Phileas Foo!  ;D
One might say he's Fooked...
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 February 2023, 11:32:02
Apparently the Yanks used a $300,000 missile to bring down Xi's balloon.  :-\

Surely they could have got the navigator to hang out the window and pop off a couple of rounds with his service revolver?  ::)   ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: ronnyd on 05 February 2023, 11:56:56
Apparently the Yanks used a $300,000 missile to bring down Xi's balloon.  :-\

Surely they could have got the navigator to hang out the window and pop off a couple of rounds with his service revolver?  ::)   ;D
Or, speared it with his inflight refuelling probe.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Varche on 05 February 2023, 12:52:29
Apparently the Yanks used a $300,000 missile to bring down Xi's balloon.  :-\

Surely they could have got the navigator to hang out the window and pop off a couple of rounds with his service revolver?  ::)   ;D

That made me laugh.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 February 2023, 14:16:17
Apparently the Yanks used a $300,000 missile to bring down Xi's balloon.  :-\

Surely they could have got the navigator to hang out the window and pop off a couple of rounds with his service revolver?  ::)   ;D

What altitude was this inflated Durex flying (floating) at?

As you say, if low enough simply dust off the Sopwith Camel and WW1 revolver. :y

Won't cost anything like £300,000. ;)
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Rangie on 05 February 2023, 14:54:39
Get " Maverick" up there for a bit of practice..😉
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: LC0112G on 05 February 2023, 15:39:22
Apparently the Yanks used a $300,000 missile to bring down Xi's balloon.  :-\

Surely they could have got the navigator to hang out the window and pop off a couple of rounds with his service revolver?  ::)   ;D

What altitude was this inflated Durex flying (floating) at?

As you say, if low enough simply dust off the Sopwith Camel and WW1 revolver. :y

Won't cost anything like £300,000. ;)

Radio comms from the fighters (Frank 1&2 + Eagle 1&2) to their controlling agency (Huntress) suggest it was at 64000ft.

The fighters were on station for about 2 hours before the shootdown, and were waiting for it to get to 5nm off the coast before shooting it down.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 05 February 2023, 16:12:18
That balloon was a big letdown for the Chinks ::)
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: ronnyd on 05 February 2023, 16:15:20
Just a load of hot air, ::) or helium  :-[
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 05 February 2023, 16:55:50
Yes that’s another slant on it Ron ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 February 2023, 20:36:10
mms from the fighters (Frank 1&2 + Eagle 1&2) to their controlling agency (Huntress) suggest it was at 64000ft.

I think a Sopwith Camel would have got a bit asthmatic at that altitude. ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 05 February 2023, 20:42:08
Not with a fkg  great big blower on it pushing 6bar 🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Nick W on 05 February 2023, 20:57:09
One balloon shot down now according to the BBC.


Did it finally float over a school?
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 February 2023, 21:45:47
Rather than just chuck a $300,000 missile at it, I think it would have been more impressive if they'd have captured it somehow and brought it to ground intact.  :-\

Maybe they could have got the navigator to sling a grappling hook at it?  ???  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 05 February 2023, 21:47:47
Fk apparently it was as big as three buses
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 February 2023, 23:43:46
(https://i.postimg.cc/bY276VD0/balloon.jpg)
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: LC0112G on 06 February 2023, 13:09:45
(https://i.postimg.cc/bY276VD0/balloon.jpg)

That's a fake photo. Raptor 91-4007 serves with the 411th FLTS, 412th TW/F-22 CTF at Edwards AFB California, not the 1st FW at Langley AFB Virginia.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: STEMO on 06 February 2023, 13:34:33
I'm guessing everyone knows it's a fake photo, and just takes it as a joke.
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 06 February 2023, 14:49:06
What!!😱😱😱😱😱😱
Title: Re: Have The Yanks Gone Soft?
Post by: Raeturbo on 06 February 2023, 14:51:00
😁🎈🎈they are Yanks mind ::)