Tamil Tigers Now Have Air Force.
Whatever you may think of their goals and methods, Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers have always been innovative.It was they who refined the suicide bomber, and used them to devastating effect. And what other insurgent groups can boast a naval wing? The rebels have boats armed with guns, known as the Sea Tigers. Now they have confirmed what Sri Lanka's government had suspected for a long time - they have an air capability too.The first mission of what the rebels are calling the Tamil Eelam Air Force, or TAF, took place overnight.
Their target was the air force base at Katanayake, north of the capital. They flew overhead and dropped several bombs, killing three airmen on the ground and wounding many more.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6496381.stm
The planes are single prop. engine civilian types. Who wants to place bets on how long this air force will last?
The South Islands
28-03-2007, 00:09
Damn, thats really inventive. All rebels should learn from the Tigers, they really know how to throw an insurgency.
Baratstan
28-03-2007, 00:11
I dunno, those planes could last a while. How are they going to find them with all that clever camoflage on them?
They actually stole all of there ideas from II. True story. Soon enough they'll have Iowa's as escorts for there naval fleet. You'll see.
Philosopy
28-03-2007, 00:14
The planes are single prop. engine civilian types. Who wants to place bets on how long this air force will last?
If they're ordinary, small, civilian planes, then short of grounding every plane in Sri Lanka, it will probably last quite a long time.
Tamil Tigers have had an air force for a while. And if the tactics of Carl Gustaf von Rosen during the Biafran war prove anything, and the tigers get some decent pilots, the tigers will have a little fun.
Though the modern technology will probably prevent real damage from being done.
If they're ordinary, small, civilian planes, then short of grounding every plane in Sri Lanka, it will probably last quite a long time.
Their camouflaged airplanes that drop bombs, you'd think the Indian airforce's f-16s could intercept them before they got back, or just plain old flak would do the job...
Sel Appa
28-03-2007, 02:04
That's hard core. At this point I'd cogratulate them and give up.
Non Aligned States
28-03-2007, 02:45
How hard they are to stop depends on how high they fly and how much metal there is on the plane I guess. If it's all carbon fibre stuff with just the engine being strong enough for a negligible radar return, they could last quite a while.
AchillesLastStand
28-03-2007, 02:47
Do they have their own Immortals yet, like the Persians?
Now, that'd be cool!!
Philosopy
28-03-2007, 08:29
Their camouflaged airplanes that drop bombs, you'd think the Indian airforce's f-16s could intercept them before they got back, or just plain old flak would do the job...
Ah, but 'before they got back' are the key words here. If the Tigers were the group that perfected the suicide bomber, is the suicide pilot that big a step?
Soviestan
29-03-2007, 07:02
Damn, thats really inventive. All rebels should learn from the Tigers, they really know how to throw an insurgency.
who do you think basically invented suicide bombing? The tigers, crafty little buggers.
If this was WWII, their air-force would be one to fear. Or WWI...or maybe just not.