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[supraman]

I spent 6 of my 17 years in the AF at A-10 bases. The thing that always amazed me is that they actually fly because the design is so different and they are so heavy and slow in comparison to other aircraft.

She's slow but man she has some nasty teeth. Been playing DCS A-10C on the PC for about a month. Finally got a tank killed with the GAU-8 so now I am flying death to tanks MUAHAHAH A-10, B-52h, B-2a, F-16C, and the AH-64D are the meanest things in the air since the F-22 barely works

 

[Kerfuffle]

Which era?



Saving Private Ryan was remarkably accurate regarding equipment, uniforms, vehicles ect... I was impressed by the WW2 German vehicles being authentic.

My grandmother's brother (died in 1994) was at Omaha beach. He was in the third wave that day. I wish I had a chance to talk to him more about it but my dad and him never got along so I didn't see him much and it wasn't something you just brought up cause most vets of that time didn't want to talk about it. But from the limited discussion I had with him he told me he was in command of his men on the boat and he told them "get over the fear - you're either gonna live or die so just go with it". He also said a lot of the boats did not pull in far enough to the shore so when the guys got out the water was too deep and many drowned. But it was hard to pull in farther cause the gunfire was so bad. He also said he remembers the water was all red with blood from the first 2 waves. And that in conversations with other vets who lived that day many recounted losing their bladder and having a bowel movement as soon as they got off the boat or stepped on shore. He said the fear was so intense with the fire coming in that you're body just 'loses it all' but you survive and keep going.

 

[BigPete]

I spent 6 of my 17 years in the AF at A-10 bases. The thing that always amazed me is that they actually fly because the design is so different and they are so heavy and slow in comparison to other aircraft.

Sure, but they can lose an engine and still fly like it is nothing. To answer the original question: I have heard these birds run their Gatling guns over my head from less than 500 feet. My favorite memory of that was actually at a training base early in my career. At the US Army Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca they have an air strip for the air guard folks and they regularly do touch and goes and gun runs right next to where we did a lot of PT runs. So the first time you hear that braaaaaaaaaaaap it scares the fucking shit out you! But it is awesome. I would love to be in the shit and have a warthog providing close air support. The ONLY disadvantage in my mind is that they swoop in, line up, and rip 20mm rounds for 10 to 15 seconds on the target. That is not the same thing as an AH-64D or two hovering above and laying down rounds while being able to move the field of fire to chase the targets as they run for their lives.

 

[BigPete]

Which Hollywood military film is the closest to "reality" in your opinion?

Band of Brothers (the HBO series) was excellent. But that had a lot of written history behind it, several living experts, and was a Tom Hanks production. So you should expect quality and near perfection.



I'll have to think about this one, because a lot of the films end up being characteurs. But I will agree that Saving Private Ryan did an excellent job in many ways, especially viewer immersion during the beach landing scene. The sounds and visualizations made you really feel like you were there on Omaha crawling through sand, mud, and body parts.



EDIT: I found a list so here is the link and some thoughts:

http://www.mrqe.com/lists/best_military_movies

The Hurt Locker while mostly about Jeremy Renners' character's ego was surprisingly good and earned every accolade it got. Even lending to the notion that this guy worked out side of the box, I can't imagine many EOD types being upset with authenticity or tactics. I'm sure everything wasn't text book, but that was the point, this cat was rogue but effective.

Black Hawk Down was so real and good that when I saw it in Nashville with a bunch of 160th SOAR and 5th Group guys everyone left the audience rattled and crying. And I mean, EVERYONE. I would not be surprised if many of these guys were there or knew people that were. 160th SOAR had a major role in the incident, the book, and the movie.

 

[BigPete]

She's slow but man she has some nasty teeth. Been playing DCS A-10C on the PC for about a month. Finally got a tank killed with the GAU-8 so now I am flying death to tanks MUAHAHAH A-10, B-52h, B-2a, F-16C, and the AH-64D are the meanest things in the air since the F-22 barely works

You forgot about the AC130 Spectre Gun Ship. If you find a game with that in it, have fun! Those birds are pure death from above.

 

[supraman]

Sure, but they can lose an engine and still fly like it is nothing. To answer the original question: I have heard these birds run their Gatling guns over my head from less than 500 feet. My favorite memory of that was actually at a training base early in my career. At the US Army Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca they have an air strip for the air guard folks and they regularly do touch and goes and gun runs right next to where we did a lot of PT runs. So the first time you hear that braaaaaaaaaaaap it scares the fucking shit out you! But it is awesome. I would love to be in the shit and have a warthog providing close air support. The ONLY disadvantage in my mind is that they swoop in, line up, and rip 20mm rounds for 10 to 15 seconds on the target. That is not the same thing as an AH-64D or two hovering above and laying down rounds while being able to move the field of fire to chase the targets as they run for their lives.

If the game is accurate (the company did make the sims the pilots train on so going to say yes) that isn't exactly true. You lose an engine and the A-10 really struggles to accelerate to 200 knots if you get below that, if you jettison your bombs then yeah not a big deal but if you are still trying to do combat ops on one engine it isn't easy.

You forgot about the AC130 Spectre Gun Ship. If you find a game with that in it, have fun! Those birds are pure death from above.

You are correct I did forget about the AC-130. And yeah that thing is death from 30k ft. best mission in Call of Duty is the one with the gunship

 

[bri]

I think it is just precious that the Marines have little uniforms for their bulldogs.

 

[LordKOTL]

Okay...



Next one:



M9 or M1911?

 

[BigPete]

Okay...



Next one:



M9 or M1911?

A .45 caliber verse a 9mm? That is not a tough call at all. M1911 hands down.



However, I own a 9mm because I would rather put three or four well placed shots in a person than get one or two fairly well placed shots. I would also like to hit multiple targets and not have my arms feel like jelly. Simply put, with the right magazine you can hold more 9mm rounds and control the weapon longer.

Is there a context for use though? Combat? How many targets? Home defense? What is the scenario for use that we are talking about here?

 

[LordKOTL]

Just in general form a military perspective. Context would be for those in the military what their jobs/preferences are.

 

[supraman]

screw it get a desert eagle. Just have to hit them once

 

[BigPete]

Just in general form a military perspective. Context would be for those in the military what their jobs/preferences are.

I would rather have a USP40 then. Stopping power, ammo capacity, size, and ability to screw on a silencer...just in case I had to go all Jason Bourne on a mission. LOL

 

[bubbleheadchief]

A .45 caliber verse a 9mm? That is not a tough call at all. M1911 hands down.



However, I own a 9mm because I would rather put three or four well placed shots in a person than get one or two fairly well placed shots. I would also like to hit multiple targets and not have my arms feel like jelly. Simply put, with the right magazine you can hold more 9mm rounds and control the weapon longer.

Is there a context for use though? Combat? How many targets? Home defense? What is the scenario for use that we are talking about here?

It's funny you should mention that. I have my Grandpa's colt, don't ask me how he got away with it, but I have his service pistol and German Luger that he brought home (damn luger has the Wermacht stamp on the side). Anyway, I love the gun, I first qualified with the .45 when I came in and carried one topside when on watch, until everyone went to the M9 Beretta. Even after all these years of having it, I can barely make it through the combat qual course before I want to put it down and never use it again.



My opinion, if you're talking home protection, I would recommend a shotgun, nothing scarier then hearing one being racked in the dark. But if you HAD to choose between the two, home protection I would go with the .45, for anything else, the 9mm, for the exact reasons Pete said, lighter, carry more rounds, easier to control. ALthough I like the way the .45 feels in the hand better then the Beretta, the 9 has a thicker grip.

 

[BigPete]

I totally agree with the shotgun idea. Unless you can mod out an M4 variant with AR .223 rounds or whatever is legal in your area. This, for instance is what I am talking about: http://www.lesbaer.com/223M4LE.html



I have a Taurus 24/7 9mm at home with a fancy light/laser combo. I am not ashamed to use a laser! You don't lose points for missing in a home invasion...you lose your life.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

I totally agree with the shotgun idea. Unless you can mod out an M4 variant with AR .223 rounds or whatever is legal in your area. This, for instance is what I am talking about: http://www.lesbaer.com/223M4LE.html



I have a Taurus 24/7 9mm at home with a fancy light/laser combo. I am not ashamed to use a laser! You don't lose points for missing in a home invasion...you lose your life.

LOL....I figure I pop off a couple rounds with that damn .45, if the noise of it firing doesnt scare them or the holes in the wall either, I am pretty well fucked.

 

[BigPete]

LOL....I figure I pop off a couple rounds with that damn .45, if the noise of it firing doesnt scare them or the holes in the wall either, I am pretty well fucked.

Good one...but to this I say: shoot to kill man! LOL

 

[LordKOTL]

Ehh, for home protection I prefer blades. If you're going to go through the trouble of killing someone you might as well actually get blood on your hands and feel their flesh ripping rather than just squeezing a finger.



Although you're right, there is psychological points to the sound of a shotgun cocking.



How about this: F22 vs F35?

 

[TSD]

Is the AK47 the most powerful rifle? I recall that was the gun used by the California bank robbers in that infamous shootout 15 years ago. Sometimes they show the story on the History channel and they said the bullets from that thing would go easily through 3 cars. So that said, would any vest be powerful enough to stop something like that or would it be futile?

yes the IBA's(Interceptor Body Armor) used now can. When I was in we were all issued IBA's as part of our gear, which included a plate in the front and the back, that really dont cover a hell of alot, I mean it pretty much protects your heart and lungs, thats about it, and the plate is made out of ceramics not metal, it works like a crumple zone in cars to protect a driver. An AK round to the plate would pretty much render it useless for any subsequent shots, but its much lighter than the equivalent steel plate you would need to stop the same projectile (and they are still heavy).



When you mentioned some gulfwar guys buying bullet proof vests to wear, you have to define bullet proof vests, im not sure if anything like we use today even existed outside a lab then. A kevlar bullet proof vest like run of the mill cops wear, you may as well be wearing a toilet paper vest when it comes to an assault rifle. Also, a Soldiers KPOT can withstand a 9mm, and maybe a 7.62 round if it hits it on the right angle.

 

[Tater]

Pump action shotgun here with buckshot shells loaded in the tube.

 

[TSD]

Ehh, for home protection I prefer blades. If you're going to go through the trouble of killing someone you might as well actually get blood on your hands and feel their flesh ripping rather than just squeezing a finger.



Although you're right, there is psychological points to the sound of a shotgun cocking.



How about this: F22 vs F35?

As do I, I have a model 1966 Gerber British SAS Boot Knife. (I think its 8 or 9 inches long) it has the thumb groove on it for proper handling (keep the blade flat horizontally, so it will easily stab between the ribs.



I have so many knives its no even funny, I pity the next girl I date shes going to think im a serial killer.

Because almost all of them are not intended for recreational use.