The Scottish Airforce

[Dazzled]

Mention of an air force for Wales reminds me of the time when I worked as a civilian at RAF St Athan. The English RAF lads used to jokingly refer to the Bulldogs of the University of Wales Air Squadron as the "Welsh Air Force".

So we already have one

[Falcon]

The RAF has NO maritime surveillance capability, and a 10% allocation of available Typhoons would equal about 1 squadron.
quote]

I know; but its a fascinating opportunity to play devils advocate; how about swapping the squadron of typhoons for some Bears ? Or, as Bruce suggests, the cost of keeping Faslane open for the nuclear subs could be some MR capability paid for by the UK government. there are lots of fun suggestions that could be made over the "negotiations": HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to be put together at Rosyth, so that gives the Scottish Navy a flat-top; the type 45's are built in Glasgow so that gives the escort (based on the break up of the USSR scenario where Ukraine ended up with the Black Sea fleet); doesn't that make the post independance Scottish Navy more powerful than the Royal Navy ? of course if the UK wanted them back, all they would have to do was make an offer....

HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless and HMS Diamond are currently in service, HMS Dragon is under going operational training, HMS Defender is going through stage 1 trials and HMS Duncan is being fitted out (due in service mid 2014).

All 6 will be in service with their home base on the south coast of England by the time the independence polls come round, so no chance of them becoming Scottish Navy vessels.

I seriously doubt a Scottish republic would be stupid enough to steal what would be an incomplete aircraft carrier that is property of the Royal Navy or rather Carrier Alliance til commission, especially as the Scottish republic won't have any aircraft to operate off them. The Royal Navy would not let it out to sea if it was to be stolen.

Chances are some agreement will be made to give the Scots full independence but still keep the current armed forces of the UK as they are but also be responsible for the protection of Scottish interests, for a price of course.

[Centhot]

I doubt Scotland would be a republic, initially anyway, so, yes, a Royal Scottish Air Force (RSAF). It will need long range maritime patrol aircraft, and some kind of interceptor (to shadow the Russians), but most of all, something to protect Scotland's wealth - the North Sea oilfields. In many way, the RSAF will resemble the RCAF & RAAF, with similar challenges. I think Scotland might lease a squadron of Rafale from France, to be able to sit at the high table militarily (the old alliance), and maybe buy some cheap ex-Russian gear. Both of these options are not English, of course.

Of course, Scotland might lay claim to some RAF aircraft too.

[PaulBradley]

Well that's the point, Bruce - Faslane is one of two major submarine bases for the RN, the other being Devonport, and the one that services the missile boats. That's an important political factor.

[bobblelink]

A squadron of flying Haggis should cover all eventualities, especially if they are armed with fried marsbar launchers for the strike role

[AndrewR]

A squadron of flying Haggis should cover all eventualities, especially if they are armed with fried marsbar launchers for the strike role

Fried mars bars are covered by the ban on cluster munitions.

[capri3]

Suggestions of National markings for a Scottish Air Force here please

A roundel made up of Alex Salmonds smirking face.
Won't be a 'Scottish Air Force' anyway, more of a 'Central Belt Air Force' as that's where all the investment is being made and has been for years.

[MerlinJones]

And whilst the Tartan Army marches resolutely south, to the cheaper booze, wearing their traditional battle dresses, the Cumbrian's Own are awaiting.
Lining The Wall, they are armed only with rubber balls, (with spikes on), ready to lob at the ground before the thieving reavers, with cameras running.

Regards,
Bruce

[Viking]

so now we are waaaay off topic and onto stereotypes.

Ah weeel, jist twa mare years tae gang afore am oot o a this; an a ye naysayers can hauld yer wheest.

[MerlinJones]

Twa?
TWA!?!

In all my time, I am yet to hear a Scot say twa.

Regards,
Bruce
...Wondering where stereotypes come from in the first place.

[gengriz]

Interesting, depressin and f'er alairming concept.

The Scottish Civil War, 2015-2030. A reet derty conflict whit teruned kin gain kin, seen appalling atrocities, including the dreadful massacre uv protestant loyalists in wur former Easter Road football stadium (attributed to, but nefer proved tae be the hated "Hibs casuals" militia) and the brutal forced ethnic cleansing ov catholics (feenyans) from the nominally independent (i.e. nae rightly Alba'n) East Lothian Sassenach Orange provinces (supported by the so-called neutral Cumbrian, Nothumbrian and Borders Militia - dinny try tae kid us, wur nae as green as the buses yus ken, theys ere jest a gang ov Nukey Brun fired English guerilla thugs), in reponse to the Alba'n Government's alleged ethnic cleansing ov ony yin whae didnae appear tae be pure Teuchter Scots or speak wuv a grat'in weegie accent, and similar but largely unreported, atrocities in the remaining habitable parts (if they ever wuz) ov yon bitterly contested and devastated Civil Warfront line; what used tae be the urban landscape of Greater Glasgae, by the North British militia and the (alleged) fascist Clyde-Cowcaddens-Ruchazie irregulars.

Now, if wees ur modelling aircraft, dae yous mean the relatively wealthy Crown-backed Loyalist (Royal) Scottish Air Force (more o a rabble militia, lairgely based in the borders, Fife and north eastern (auld aiburdeenshire) districts, wi' a braw new fleet of BAe Hawks supplied by wur Saudi, English, Norwegian, Dutch and Ulster backers, but nae bombs, mind) or the relatively peer (US, Italian, Spanish and French backed) Republican (Rebel) Forca Airra Alba'n (nominally the UN recognised government of what used tae be Scotland a'fore the war, but the English vetoed the vote in the Security Council) and their fer kneckered auld Bulldogs and Pumas. The former hus a crowned lion Rampant on a golden background as their roundel/emblum, the latter a defaced saltire. Of course the UN (i.e English - spit) sponsored naval embargo and blockade ov wur North Sea Oil Fields mean't that the Republican aircraft rarely flew in combat.

Thank goodness, the English govt and military finally overcame the UN/Eu objections and stepped in tae restore sanity. pax Anglican; a truly benevolent occupation, may it last for 1000 years & GS King Edward. Wait a mo- huv we no been here before? - aboot 400 years ago?

We fight not for riches or glory, but for that one thing that no honest man surrenders but with his life - freedom :( X

[willc453]

Scottish flag--how about a kilt? Don't they have the sport of throwing really large logs and/or big rocks? And how a symbol for being frugal? Check with Uncle Scrooge, he's from Scotland.

[Brickie]

on a similar note of what-iffery, you could ask much the same question about Bavaria breaking away from Germany and possibly uniting with the Tirol/Vorarlberg into an Alpine Republic...

[PaulBradley]

Has that a serious chance of happening though?

[alfalfa]

Viking might be surprised at just how much support there is for Scottish Independence south of the border. Once they have paid their debts...

Might I suggest a white euro symbol with a simple red cross through it on a blue roundal.

Not like the EU want another Ireland/Greece to bail out.

Joking aside I would not stand in the way of Scottish independence, however it would be like turkeys voting for Christmas.