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Old 21st Jan 2009, 08:32
  #33 (permalink)  
Lt.Fubar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Poland
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Heli1, It would be interesting to show those machines there, unfortunately it is a bit late. It's becoming a problem to keep them running, they're a bit short on life span, spares and crews.

For ASW ones, from 11 available - 3 were modernized so far, 2 others are worked on, so maybe one of those could fly there, if a spare crew would be find. The SAR ones are off the limits, although showing one beside S-92, or Irish S-61 would be interesting. Unfortunately last year one (#5137) reached its life limit (28 years) and had to be scraped, two other (#1013 and #1016), are not far behind it, they should be decommissioned next year. One newer ASW was sent to be rebuild to perform SAR missions, but it was siting there waiting for parts from the scraped one - I asume it will get its doors, winch, and comunication equipment, but the whole thing is not set in stone yet.

There is going to be a purchase of new helicopters soon, meant for ASW/ASuW, SAR, CSAR and troop transport roles, but it's geting late . There were some talks about making the lifespan of SAR machines 4 years longer - to equal to the ASW variant which can fly for 32 years, but with all the politics crap right now - it's not likely. Currently the whole Polish coast is secured by two Mi-14PS, and 7 W-3RM "Anaconda", unfortunatly those W-3 were not design to work in that corosive environment, and are a bit small, and not very ergonomic (next one who say AW139 is not suited for maritime SAR - think off those ).
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