THE FARNBOROUGH BLOG, 14 July 2010. Some people go to air shows to see pretty aircraft interiors and the flight-demonstration teams. I go there to see the latest, meanest jet fighters screaming across the sky -- the louder, the better.
I can't help it; I like big, loud machines. Like most guys, I'm really an eight-year-old at heart, so give me those fighter planes! Unfortunately for me, the Farnborough International Airshow next week will be a mixed bag for the fighter fan. The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor will be there, as will the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16C, and F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter.
What's disappointing, however, is the jet fighters that won't be at Farnborough, namely the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Chinese Shenyang J-15, or the Russian Sukhoi T-50. Also absent will be the Chinese Shenyang J-11, the Russian Sukhoi Su-33 and Su-27, and the Russian Mikoyan MiG-35 or MiG-29. I love those Russian fighters; God, they're loud.
I hope there are some last-minute changes to bring more of the world's jet fighters to Farnborough. I'll be there watching, and I'll let you know.
