Carson Blades -
Sorry guys, this is all semantics to me - why on earth are we trying to patch up an aircraft that is long past its sell by date. All of this money and effort for what real benefit.
She has been a superb aircraft (and still is in certain roles) but as an SH in a JPR or lift role - sorry I think that we are chasing rainbows when you look at the threat, temperatures and height together.
I fail to realise why we dont just cut our losses and sort out the shortage of lift problem once and for all. Whether we like it or not the Freaks are doing a pretty good job and satisfies the medium side of the market, the twin bladed torque monster is doing admirably with the larger end - and soon, f we really do need a small battlefield taxi to ferry Melchett and Darling around we will have Future Lynx (or whatever it is called today!).
My point being - we have already brought some more Merlins, lets buy some more CH 47 - give them to the Junglies and let the Junglie boys crack on with what they are good at, but with proper aircraft - not trying to bluff politicians, press, military top brass not in the know and in some cases the aircrew that carson blades makes the NAO report all go away and help the commanders/guys on the ground.
And what makes it worst, that heaven forbid if something happens for whatever reason there is absolutely no way that the future BoI will record that the aincident/accident was actually caused by inadequate funding or low resources - nope it will mention the authorisation or supervision or mis handling hot n high or whatever - but it will not say ' hey fellas, dont worry we knew that we were expecting alot from you but we didn't have anything else so sorry someone/something had to go!
Now if I am wrong and the Junglie bunch think that the Carson blades are the silver bullet then I will 'suck back' (you see I am Joint - I know some fishead lingo!) - but with Boeing/Westlands already in bed with Apache, current CH 47, Presedential 101 then surely under a US Foreign Military Sales agreement some CH 47s can come from somewhere (as the 101s came from the Danes?)
Last edited by MaroonMan4; 5th August 2007 at 08:55.