USMC rescues Merlin
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USMC rescues Merlin
RAF Merlin damaged in Afghanistan | Shephard Group?
The US Marine Corps has salvaged an RAF Merlin after the aircraft made a heavy landing in Afghanistan.
Rotorhub.com has been told the incident occured on June 23 after the Merlin assigned to 1419 Flight made a heavy landing at an assault base in the Lashkar Gar area of Helmand province.
No-one was seriously injured and the incident is now being investigated and the aircraft being assessed to see if it can be returned to service.
Pictures released by the Marine Corps reveal the aircraft has been heavily stripped down for the airlift to Camp Bastion by CH-53 helicopter which took place three days later on June 26.
The US Marine Corps has salvaged an RAF Merlin after the aircraft made a heavy landing in Afghanistan.
Rotorhub.com has been told the incident occured on June 23 after the Merlin assigned to 1419 Flight made a heavy landing at an assault base in the Lashkar Gar area of Helmand province.
No-one was seriously injured and the incident is now being investigated and the aircraft being assessed to see if it can be returned to service.
Pictures released by the Marine Corps reveal the aircraft has been heavily stripped down for the airlift to Camp Bastion by CH-53 helicopter which took place three days later on June 26.
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Thanks for the gen. I hadn't see this previously reported. Good job that the ground situation didn't dictate "destroy in situ!" otherwise it would be a Cat. 5 ......
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With luck it looks repairable, but I doubt it will be either quick or cheap. At least the crew/pax got out alive which (for the second time) proves the crash-worthiness of the design.
MB
.With luck it looks repairable, but I doubt it will be either quick or cheap. At least the crew/pax got out alive which (for the second time) proves the crash-worthiness of the design.
MB
Some better pics on the USMC site, looks like quite alot of damage particularly to the belly and one of the stubwings?, whilst the other gear leg looks collapsed/up. Good news that everyone is ok and understandably its not an easy environment to operate in, opsec permitting anyone know anymore? Please don't tell me it's number 4 in a recent trend of RAF accident causes...
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From Sheppard again
Heavy-lift helos haul big missions in Afghanistan | Shephard Group
Big Girls in the Marines
Heavy-lift helos haul big missions in Afghanistan | Shephard Group
An entire maintenance department jumped into action pulling off 2,000 pounds worth of gear, including the auxiliary fuel tanks, fuel probe, troop seats, ramp, cargo wench and utility hoist.
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Handy they built a base near it 
http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/P...-0472W-108.jpg
more here
Marine Corps Photos
http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/P...-0472W-108.jpg
more here
Marine Corps Photos
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Actually, Nutloose, those are the "after" shots, after said Merlin was brought to the base... as shown by this caption & accompanying image:
Marine Corps Photos
The 'lifeless' body of an Mk3 Merlin with Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) here sits just off the air field where a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 put it down moments earlier.
Date Photo Taken: 6/26/2010 5:21:00 AM
Unit: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)
Photo ByLine: Gunnery Sgt. Steven Williams
Photo VRIN: 100626-M-0472W-091.jpg
Date Photo Taken: 6/26/2010 5:21:00 AM
Unit: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)
Photo ByLine: Gunnery Sgt. Steven Williams
Photo VRIN: 100626-M-0472W-091.jpg
Marine Corps Photos
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Actually, Nutloose, those are the "after" shots, after said Merlin was brought to the base... as shown by this caption & accompanying image:
Still nothing like putting it down anywhere close or handy for stripping it and prepping it for loading, looks almost like they were embarrased to have it back...
I suppose if they can't rebuild her, a couple of skis and a coat of red, she can be used by the Squadron Santa at Christmas..