Why does the Breda 88 get shit on so much

[swampyankee]

As DerAdlerIstGelandet said, there is much more to aircraft performance than power and wing loading. The "soft" features of performance, such as departure (stall-spin) characteristics, visibility, cockpit ergonomics, and cabin heating can make or break a combat aircraft. One of the reasons the P-40 remained competitive far past its nominal "use-by" date was its [reputed] fine handling, which meant that a low-time pilot could get far more out of the aircraft than the same pilot could have gotten out of an aircraft with [ahem] quirky handling. Other issues could include availability (if the plane can't launch, it's useless), serviceability (if it can't be kept in service, it's quickly useless), and structural integrity (I think few would willingly fly an aircraft that would break during normal maneuvers)

 

[Graeme]

I need an explanation for why it was ssooo bad

Here's Bill Gunston's explanation...

(Back to the Drawing Board - Airlife - 1996)

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I ended up being awarded with 13 different ribbons/medals, probably because I spent much of my 6 years in the Army deployed to either Kosovo or Iraq. Out of those 13, the Air Medals is the only one I really care about (I was actually awarded two of them). Other than that, everything else was awarded just for doing my job.

If I'm reading you right, you were in one branch and then transferred to the other? Or does the Army give Air Medals as well?

In any event, respect and salute to you.

 

[GrauGeist]

The Air Medal is the same for the Army, Navy/Marines and Air Force.

 

[BiffF15]

Everyone pays attention to the glamour jobs that get you both fruit-salad and a quick death. Few folks pay attention to the grunt-work that gets few rewards, no medals, and usually no coffins. But Americans don't really understand that even in peacetime, servicemembers die serving the colors.

I had the misfortune of helping see to the burial of one of my fellow firedogs, who died in a peacetime training accident. Nobody aside from our base and his family paid any attention, but he gave his life for his country all the same. RiP, A1C White.

Scroll down to 10 Jan 1990 here.

I'm sorry for loss. Been there and know its painful.
On the other hand, about a year ago we had a soldier being shipped home. He was being escorted by a SSgt. When he was being both loaded and unloaded, the Captain and I (both retired military) formed with the SSgt and rendered the proper military courtesy's. Most of the time this goes unnoticed, but it does happen. He was a non-combat loss as well.

Cheers,
Biff

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'm sorry for loss. Been there and know its painful.
On the other hand, about a year ago we had a soldier being shipped home. He was being escorted by a SSgt. When he was being both loaded and unloaded, the Captain and I (both retired military) formed with the SSgt and rendered the proper military courtesy's. Most of the time this goes unnoticed, but it does happen. He was a non-combat loss as well.

Cheers,
Biff

Each life is a reminder that there's no free lunch here. There's nothing much more sad than standing honor guard like that.

 

[BiffF15]

I ended up being awarded with 13 different ribbons/medals, probably because I spent much of my 6 years in the Army deployed to either Kosovo or Iraq. Out of those 13, the Air Medals is the only one I really care about (I was actually awarded two of them). Other than that, everything else was awarded just for doing my job.

I did over 29 years, with too many trips to the Middle East. Here is my retirement photo…

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I did over 29 years, with too many trips to the Middle East. Here is my retirement photo…


View attachment 625043

Oh, quit bragging online and get my luggage already, concierge!

 

[GrauGeist]

Hey, that silver dinner plate award in the middle of the sash - that's for cleaning out the local Swedish Smorgasbord on "all you can eat night", isn't?

 

[BiffF15]

Well, I sort of made the sash to cover up the food stains…

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I did over 29 years, with too many trips to the Middle East. Here is my retirement photo…


View attachment 625043

I see your Fruit Salad and raise you mine...

 

[BiffF15]

Okay, UNCLE!

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Hey, that silver dinner plate award in the middle of the sash - that's for cleaning out the local Swedish Smorgasbord on "all you can eat night", isn't?

I believe that's his "Busboy of the Year" award.

 

[GrauGeist]

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Okay, UNCLE!

Oh, this was before I was commissioned. No shit there I was. Inverted sling load from an Apache Helicopter. Air Medals dangling in my face.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Oh, this was before I was commissioned. No shit there I was. Inverted sling load from an Apache Helicopter. Air Medals dangling in my face.

View attachment 625046

Nice pocketwatch you got there!

 

[GrauGeist]

Y'all have a long way to go to beat the masters, though...

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Y'all have a long way to go to beat the masters, though...

View attachment 625048

 

[at6]

I did over 29 years, with too many trips to the Middle East. Here is my retirement photo…


View attachment 625043

Hey, that silver dinner plate award in the middle of the sash - that's for cleaning out the local Swedish Smorgasbord on "all you can eat night", isn't?

I believe that's his "Busboy of the Year" award.

In my youth I actually was a busboy and we never got pretty awards like that. Only food stains from dirty dishes.

 

[SaparotRob]

I did over 29 years, with too many trips to the Middle East. Here is my retirement photo…


View attachment 625043

And these are only his fatigues.