Recent content by SSgtC

True. If the French fired first, Brazil's Government likely gets a lot more stable. Assuming Janio handles the situation correctly (not a certainty). If he doesn't, his government falls early and the Generals take things from there

Before you laugh, the premise isn't nearly as crazy as it sounds. Between 1961 and 1963, Brazil and France nearly fought a war over lobster. Specifically the Caribbean Spiny Lobster fishery. In 1961, French fishing vessels crossed the Atlantic from the Western coast of Africa to try new grounds...

What I mean is, due to internal politics (and de Gualle being de Gualle) France officially left the alliance in a political move, but still fully intended to operate alongside NATO in Europe in any Cold War goes hot scenario.

France politically left the alliance. But they were very clear that their military would still cooperate with NATO and would deploy to Germany if the Soviet s crossed the IGB. So there was still a huge incentive for the US to not embargo them or militarily force the aircraft not to be sold

So, off the top of my head: 1. Iran "officially" becomes an Islamic Republic (think similar to Saudi Arabia, just not as extreme i.e no burkas, no bans on women driving, etc). 2. They nationalize the oil industry, but continue to sell oil at favorable rates to the US so the net result is...

Well, they could have, but only at the cost of irreparably damaging the NATO alliance. And that was never going to happen. It's why the US supported the UK over Argentina despite having a defense pact with them.

I've got an idea that might work for that then that I'm incorporating into a timeline I'm writing. I'll have to do a little more digging to make sure the times line up first.

It depends how extreme the measures taken by the generals are. If, as the OP in that thread suggested, they order protesters gunned down in the streets, it won't last more than a few days before being counter-couped by Kohemini (sp). But if they are willing to negotiate with some of the more...

IIRC, the sale of French Mirages and Super Entendards caused a pretty significant diplomatic dust up between France and the US. While France has always been willing to sell almost anything to almost anyone, they still tried to avoid major diplomatic incidents while doing so.

I don't know, they launched their own pilots out of the aircraft pretty well...

Assuming Douglas had ever been able to get it to work right. They never were able to conduct a successful test of it

Maybe a dumbed down version. I don't think the US would want South American nations having Sparrow capability. The US has always viewed S America as their playground. And they don't want those militaries too capable. Low supersonic with Sidewinders? On the edge of the possible. But SARH AAMs...

Good option! Thanks!

I should have mentioned it in the OP, but I'm looking for a late 50s to mid 60s timeframe. The F-5 is too late for that. Otherwise I agree, it's the obvious choice. It's cheap, supersonic, maneuverable and not much of a threat to the USAF/USN.

This assumes that Obama still runs. And even if he does, he won't have the boost of "not being Hillary."