HMS ENDURANCE flight.

[tyne]

Please excuse the intrusion from a civvy.

I was watching Ice Patrol on National Georgaphic last night. It featured the problems faced by the RN's Ice Patrol Ship off Cape Horn.

The ship's flight of Lynx helos was ashore when the accident happened.

How did the aircraft get back to the UK?

I would imagine with military transport aircraft in such high demand, there'd be no chance of a life in a C17 back to the UK.

Is there a procedure for bringing stranded bits of kit back home? HMS NOTTINGHAM's Lynx I suppose is another example.

Cheers

Dan.

[vecvechookattack]

Antonov 124

[Data-Lynx]

For HMS NOTTINGHAM, I seem to remember that the RAF fixed it and recovered both the Lynx and some critical stores. The RAAF looked after the crew until they were moved to Sydney and returned home on commercial flights. A small number remained on board to assist the tow.

There have been other occasions where the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or another warship has obliged.

[tyne]

Thanks for your replies.

Dan.

[Navy_Adversary]

Tyne
I was watching the prog last night and thought the same thing. Overall I enjoyed the programme, I believe that a new Navy TV programme (Warship?) starts next week.

[Dwardy01]

I belive one aircraft was on board during the incident and the other had to divert. Both aircraft were back on Endurance for the unmanned tow from Punta to the Falklands then shiped back to the UK by RORO.

Does anybody know how an Ice Lynx is modified for Antarctica, (apart from a penguin sticker on the door and a red nose) Nat Geo doesn't expand?

[cornish-stormrider]

The heater is turned up and the extra large thermos holder is fitted!

Seriously - ther would be a complete set of different oils and lubricants, I think AFAIR the engines get modified to run colder and the fuel system gets different filters and stuff.

Asbestos underwear donned and sarcastic replies awaited with interest.

[Dwardy01]

Just watched the repeat of episode 3. Did the Flight Commander actually say he was a Coal miner? Good to see the Officer core in the Navy recruiting from all walks of life.

[Gainesy]

What time/channel is this on please?

[Buster Hyman]

http://www.adamwilliams.co.uk/naval/aw_0121_large.jpg

[Wander00]

CO HMS NOTTINGHAM used to give a very good lecture on the recovery of the ship, from his return on board about 5 minutes after the ship hit the rock.

[Gainesy]

recovery of the ship

Boat. If it can be carried on a ship, its a boat.:E:)

[Data-Lynx]

This pensioner has been slow to appreciate a MoD report (http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsuk-mod-axe-ice-patrol-ship)to replace the Red Plum with HMS PROTECTOR. While taking this ex-commercial vessel into the ORBAT with a very capable ice-hull for the 'droggys', it nails any future for Endurance Flight to the pinboard of history. You may note from the picture below that this Red Plum replacement has a platform for the flight deck and cranes where the hangar might have been.
http://c69011.r11.cf3.rackcdn.com/00a3efc3b7784f48bf97d5bfaae40d38-576x0.jpg
Pilots and Observers have operated in Whirlwinds, Wasps and Lynx in the most exhilarating, lonely and occasionally scary non-diversion flying known to the Fleet Air Arm. While I do apprecate this pragmatic decision to maintain capability and to retain an effective presence for the RN and UK interests in the South Atlantic, I really mourn its passing.

[Pheasant]

The Ice Patrol Lynx flight was written out of the programme well before PROTECTOR came along and was never part of the WILDCAT programme.