CS ---yes indeed..we have to live with what we have got..and these days within our limited means....so a complete rethink is out of the question.
The Mk3 was never originally intended to go to 84 Sqn....and the 72 Sqn Flight was a "make do" plan given that the cash (after buying the 14 additonal CH47 Mk2s (and the Mk3s - lets not go there!!!)) only allowed 22 to be purchased in 95- more than 1 Sqn's worth but not enough for 2!
With the downsizing of the NI helo force in 2003, sense was seen and all Mk3s were put on one Sqn (28) to ensure best cost efficiency..particularly as in the early few years of service every Mk3 had to go back for post production modification to fit most of the SH goodies specified in the original contract.
The 84 possibility was a passing draft option during SDR98 when the buying a large number of additional CH47 was a distinct possibility and a thought emerged to replace the yellow RAF SKs and 84 Wessex with the 22 Mk3s (plus perhaps a few more from the RN fleet) modified for UK SAR. Given the budgetary limits in Cyprus it rapidly became clear that any Mk3s in Cyprus would be too expensive and not operationally justifiable, and a PFI style option was gone for...hence the Griffins Mk2s on 84 now.
The triple redundancy was a sensible thought process for 1980s regulatory thinking, particularly for civ ops T/Os from proper HLSs, but see how few have been sold for tha role..none...and the RN specified the idea because of the great number of ASW SKs that had ditched or been lost due to poor single engine performance. The reality is that the design carries at least 1500kg of dead weight and extra fuel usage too. A twin engine version (given that the engines are more than able to produce much more power if required) would be ideal for many roles..and more cost effective...but who is going to pay the mega bucks to design and clear it...no one....and of course it would need a new MRGB..the present one being of the old sun/planetary design (used because of workshare considerations) a la SK....and has too low limits on its input shaft and gearwheels to take all the power the 322 could be made to offer in a twin engine configuration. C'est la vie as they say....If you know anything about the WG34 (the original UK only design to meet the RN ASW requirment) you will have noted yet another opportunity missed.....
Cheers
Last edited by Tallsar; 13th January 2011 at 23:57.