End of an Era?

morse1001 · 12-11-2007, 01:54 AM

Saw this on the BBC, it reminded me of who old I was getting, I was getting winched from the deck various marine craft up into sea kings in the eighties! And now they are due for retirement!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/conte..._feature.shtml

Antipodean Andy · 12-11-2007, 01:59 AM

Quality aircraft that and will continue in service for years to come.

Kyt · 12-11-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

Quality aircraft that and will continue in service for years to come.

I wish it wouldn't. It is indeed a great heli but the Nimrod fiasco has highlighted that keeping aircraft just ticking over can have disasterous consequences. I hope a decent replacement will be found and used.

Hugh · 12-11-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morse1001

I was getting winched from the deck various marine craft up into sea kings in the eighties!

You and me both Morse, good aircraft, but tend to agree with Kyt, when it's past its sell by date get a decent replacement....scared of flying myself and old machines just make it worse, at least for me

Am much more comfortable on the tide.

Regards
Hugh

Kyt · 12-11-2007, 06:32 PM

Hugh, I'm the complete opposite. I have no problems with flying in old aircraft (as long as they have been properly maintained) but have never liked being on open water. And it's not even that I get seasick or anything like that. Just all that water

morse1001 · 12-11-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

You and me both Morse, good aircraft, but tend to agree with Kyt, when it's past its sell by date get a decent replacement....scared of flying myself and old machines just make it worse, at least for me

Am much more comfortable on the tide.

Regards
Hugh

Some of the boats that I sailed with the RAF had been built in the 1950s and were still in use until 1886!

Antipodean Andy · 12-11-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morse1001

Some of the boats that I sailed with the RAF had been built in the 1950s and were still in use until 1886!

Backwards time travel?

Nimrod fiasco?

I think it's fair enough SKs are being retired by the RN, RAF etc etc, as they are getting on a bit and have been ridden pretty hard, I imagine. I think it's fair to say, though, that the aircraft will continue to serve in other, "poorer" countries' forces for a while yet?

CTNana · 12-11-2007, 10:21 PM

Sorry, got to ask - what "boats" does then RAF use?

morse1001 · 13-11-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTNana

Sorry, got to ask - what "boats" does then RAF use?

From 1918 to 1986, the RAF Marine Craft section provided seabourne support for Flying boats, Helicopters and other day to day usage.

The most famous use was the Air/sea Rescue boats used during the war. If you ever get a copy of "The Sea Shall not Have them" , they use two mark 2 RTTL s and mocked them up as the wartime boats.

This website will give you more info, just click on the photo gallery to the vast assortment of boats used by the RAF. They even had two minesweepers!

http://www.geocities.com/aj_p_joyce/

The photos below are of HMAFV Seal, a 102' RTTL launch, also known as the tin boats. The one of the crew, I am the one standing next to the officer on the lefthand side!

The other one is of Sea otter, the bigger boat and Spitfire.

CTNana · 13-11-2007, 10:52 AM

Thanks Morse.
Only had a chance to skim that for the moment. I'm amazed; I thought you were using some sort of jargon. Never too old to learn eh?