Sea King Colours

[wessex19]

With the RAN's Sea Kings in their twilight years now, was wondering if anyone in 817 squadron or the RAN know if one of the birds will be painted up in a 'payoff' paint job?? I would like to see one of the old birds fly its days out in the RAN in its original finish. Here are a few pics of the Sea king in different colours while in the RAN

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/3/4/1235432.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/1/0/0/1193001.jpg

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/albums/Sea-King-N16-114/DC_N16_114.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/3/1/0140134.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/8/9/0/0912098.jpg

[Ultralights]

im in 817 at the moment, i have not heard anything about a paint scheme update at all. looks like it will be low vis grey with a hyd fluid final coat until there handed to the canadians (if thats who ends up buying them)

[Dogimed]

Is that an Airconditioner above the pilots head in front of the intake on the later pictures?

Dog

[Brian Abraham]

Is that an Airconditioner above the pilots head
Yes. It stops nasty bits being entrained in the airflow and going through the engines causing damage. :p To answer your question properly, no. Never flew the "King" but is a particle seperator/anti ice barrier. A real expert will be along shortly.

[oldpinger]

It's called the "EAPS" Engine Air particle separator, added with the LOTE in the mid nineties. Most of the RN Sea Kings have them I think, well the MK4s anyway.

I was in the crew that picked up the 50th anniversary one from the paint hangar at Richmond- the first reaction as we came round the corner of the Hangar- "oh my god it's the 'Shaguar'

Needless to say Fleet wouldn't let us take it out on exercises.....:O

I think it's engine oil down the side of '22, it's called 'external skin lubrication' in Westlands aircraft...:ok:

[Ultralights]

funnily enough, i was working on 22 today! just as much oil and hyd fluid leaks inside as well! makes walking on the uncovered floors interesting indeed! not to mention the fact you actually have to pay attention to where you stand/sit/work inside so you dont get rained on.

though, i must admit, its great corrosion preventative, all these years and not a spot of corrosion anywhere!

[oldpinger]

U'Lights- everyone still call it "Desmond"??