RAF learns to spin!

[airborne_artist]

OWEGO, NY, November 4, 2004 – Britain’s Royal Air Force has successfully self-deployed an EH101 Merlin Mk3 helicopter across the southern tier of the United States – from San Diego, CA, to Jacksonville, FL, demonstrating the helicopter’s superior capabilities and reliability. This event marks the first time an EH101 helicopter has visited the West coast, and the first time an EH101 helicopter has flown across America.

Home-based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, England, and operated by the Royal Air Force’s 28 (Army Cooperative) Squadron, the combat-proven EH101 Merlin is the platform on which the US101 medium-lift executive transport helicopter is based.

“During the past five weeks, this lone Mk.3 helicopter has flown approximately 5,000 miles, with virtually no support, in a variety of climates and on a demanding schedule with daily deadlines,” said RAF Wing Commander Andy Turner, commanding officer of 28 (AC) Squadron and leader of the transcontinental self-deployment demonstration. “During this time, we have not missed a single planned activity or event as the helicopter has maintained an availability rate of 100 percent.”

Discussion on PPrune's Rotorheads board is here. (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=151247)

[jockspice]

This is the same cab that was known as "Callsign Precious" while at China Lake. Shame the guys who did the trial didn't get to stay for the huge run ashore.
The cab made it without a snag, but the crews must have been hanging out after all the "PR" visits! *hic!* :} :ok:

[Roger the cabin boy]

"RAF Wing Commander Andy Turner, commanding officer of 28 (AC) Squadron and leader of the transcontinental self-deployment demonstration"

???

[Amateur Aviator]

Either you are fishing for a bite (and got one!), or the so called "precious" callsign was actually "vortex".

Please, what do you take the Mk3 Boys and Girls for?!!

[BombayDuck]

"If only someone was interested in buying some "one lady owner, low mileage, full MoDSH, interesting modifications, many spares" slightly used Sea Kings"

*Frantically puts hands up and waves*

That would be us Indians....

[snafu]

That'll be the support helicopter that couldn't land at an unprepared site due to the damage from stones and dust. :E

Just as well that they're unlikely to encounter LS's with stones or dust in their normal job.........:rolleyes:

Or was it just a cunning plan to preserve the image before the "transcontinental self-deployment demonstration" (ie big PR push and piss-up) ;)

[SmilingKnifed]

'Transcontinental'

A typO? :E