"So, Commander Briggs, I understand you've been test-flying the new prototypes?"
"Yes ma'am, and I've got to admit, I do like the Lightning."
"And yet you're handing me a report on the Cutlass. And one on the Vampire."
"That's right, Jen. Those're what I've been flyin' the past few weeks. And since we just got th' wave about the Gee-Jay contract..."
"So you want Stonewell-Bellcom to enter one - or both - of these designs for consideration."
"You betcher booties I do, boss-lady. They're both lots of fun t' fly, and they're both good, effective birds."
"The VF-9 lacks the range they're asking for as well as the external stores capacity. You really think they'll even consider it when they see that?"
"It's got everythin' else they want, it's a combat-effective spaceframe, it's cheap to build, cheap to operate, an' it handles like a dream. Out-turns a TIE Interceptor, I'll bet."
"As we have yet to acquire one to test it against, I'll take that as hyperbole on your part, Commander. ... But I do have to admit, it -is- fun to fly."
"Heh. Couldn't resist the temptation to try it yerself, huh?"
"Nope. Lynn and I took up the dash-4 and dash-5 frames last week. And may I say: Wheeeeee!"
"Hehehehehehe! Oooh yes. And th' Vampire, well. It doesn't get the turns-and-burns as well, but it has sure got the raw thruster. 'S got a gunpod and double beamers, same as the Cutlass, and it's got internal missile bays and hardpoints, just like they're askin' for."
"Still, it's a heavy bird. Remember the 'Lead Sled'?"
"Surely do, Jen. One of Charlie's TANG buddies got me a check-ride in a Thud a coupla years back."
"... what are you doing, trying to get time in every combat aircraft ever built?"
"No ma'am, just every fighter. Now, if you've got a line on a P-61 Black Widow, we can maybe talk deals?"
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.
"Yes ma'am, and I've got to admit, I do like the Lightning."
"And yet you're handing me a report on the Cutlass. And one on the Vampire."
"That's right, Jen. Those're what I've been flyin' the past few weeks. And since we just got th' wave about the Gee-Jay contract..."
"So you want Stonewell-Bellcom to enter one - or both - of these designs for consideration."
"You betcher booties I do, boss-lady. They're both lots of fun t' fly, and they're both good, effective birds."
"The VF-9 lacks the range they're asking for as well as the external stores capacity. You really think they'll even consider it when they see that?"
"It's got everythin' else they want, it's a combat-effective spaceframe, it's cheap to build, cheap to operate, an' it handles like a dream. Out-turns a TIE Interceptor, I'll bet."
"As we have yet to acquire one to test it against, I'll take that as hyperbole on your part, Commander. ... But I do have to admit, it -is- fun to fly."
"Heh. Couldn't resist the temptation to try it yerself, huh?"
"Nope. Lynn and I took up the dash-4 and dash-5 frames last week. And may I say: Wheeeeee!"
"Hehehehehehe! Oooh yes. And th' Vampire, well. It doesn't get the turns-and-burns as well, but it has sure got the raw thruster. 'S got a gunpod and double beamers, same as the Cutlass, and it's got internal missile bays and hardpoints, just like they're askin' for."
"Still, it's a heavy bird. Remember the 'Lead Sled'?"
"Surely do, Jen. One of Charlie's TANG buddies got me a check-ride in a Thud a coupla years back."
"... what are you doing, trying to get time in every combat aircraft ever built?"
"No ma'am, just every fighter. Now, if you've got a line on a P-61 Black Widow, we can maybe talk deals?"
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.