Merlin in Iraq
Saw a few CS95 outfits at Henlow following some burning/flash fire trials. I believe the trials were as a result of a Puma crash in the Gulf a year or so ago. It was quite clear that the CS95 was almost worthless compared to a proper flying suit, but also the lack of suitable underware (longjohns and rollneck, not just a teeshirt) also contributed to the severity of the burns.
Its hard to resist the temptation to dress for comfort, and I know accidents are few and far between, but I guess it comes down to dressing to survive (if the bloody kit is available in the first place!)
H Peacock
Its hard to resist the temptation to dress for comfort, and I know accidents are few and far between, but I guess it comes down to dressing to survive (if the bloody kit is available in the first place!)
H Peacock
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In my experience the vast majority of RAF SH crews wear some kind of ground pattern equipment when in an operational theatre. The reasons are many and various, my own reasoning was normally based on practicality, in that it is easier to live in an operational environment (normally tented or very basic) in ground pattern clothing.
One or two people I know used to put a flying suit on on top of this clothing when flying - for the fire retardent properties - but I don't think they'd be doing that in Iraq temperatures.
CS95 is known to have poor fire resistance, and was (is?) banned aboard RN ships for that reason. Funny that is was good enough for the hardy souls manning the Green Goddesses a couple of years ago though!
One or two people I know used to put a flying suit on on top of this clothing when flying - for the fire retardent properties - but I don't think they'd be doing that in Iraq temperatures.
CS95 is known to have poor fire resistance, and was (is?) banned aboard RN ships for that reason. Funny that is was good enough for the hardy souls manning the Green Goddesses a couple of years ago though!
As someone else who is involved in the trial of the non-FJ, flame-retardent AEA, yes it is a bit thicker in its temperate DPM guise. It does feel a little scratchier but that wears off after a couple of washes. Once the trial has been successful, it will be issued in a lighter weight desert version with the same flame-retardent qualities as the desert flying suit. There has been no DPM suit in a flame-retardent material so far because the technology simply hasn't been there, believe it or not.
The trial suits are, in style, exactly the same as CS95 and, therefore, there are the same problems with belt loops and snagging etc, that the SH force has always encountered on ops, only this time, you're not going to go up like a Roman Candle. Surely, a good thing?
Overall, apart from a few small niggles, we think that it's a positive step and think that it can't be issued soon enough. One drawback:- It's expensive and once your tankie on the ground sees it, they're all going to be putting in a bid for some! Why not? Your average tankie and Warrior rider is as at much risk from fire as us in the air!
The trial suits are, in style, exactly the same as CS95 and, therefore, there are the same problems with belt loops and snagging etc, that the SH force has always encountered on ops, only this time, you're not going to go up like a Roman Candle. Surely, a good thing?
Overall, apart from a few small niggles, we think that it's a positive step and think that it can't be issued soon enough. One drawback:- It's expensive and once your tankie on the ground sees it, they're all going to be putting in a bid for some! Why not? Your average tankie and Warrior rider is as at much risk from fire as us in the air!
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Shinnies and DS
For your info not that you are interested the stewards on on 10s & Trimotors have no choice but to wear dessert flying suits by order. Ask them what they think next time they pour you a gopping cupper and you will find that they would gladly give them up.
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you have been warned!!!!!!
After May 5 The Airforce will be broken up. All Fast jet assets will be transfered to the navy and will thus be known as The Fleet Land Arm, All rotery [nearly there] And AT assetts are to be
handed over to yes the Army. Flying suits and blues are to be returned to clothing stores if they are open? Or is that wombat supply wing????????
It will solve the clothing issue you can all dress the same.
handed over to yes the Army. Flying suits and blues are to be returned to clothing stores if they are open? Or is that wombat supply wing????????
It will solve the clothing issue you can all dress the same.
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Re: H Peacocks statement about wearing long johns and roll neck.
I agree that in the normal temperate environment there is really no excuse for not wearing the correct AEA but it is completely impractical for aircrew to wear that amount of clothing when working at +55deg C. The risk of becoming a heat stress casualty is far higher than suffering burns. Also given the fact that the risk of getting rounds into the cabin is higher than the aircraft catching fire and the fact that an extra layer of clothing provides zero additional ballistic protection I think I'll opt for the comfier option of DP's. And I'll say an extra prayer to the god of procurements asking for some better body armour!
I agree that in the normal temperate environment there is really no excuse for not wearing the correct AEA but it is completely impractical for aircrew to wear that amount of clothing when working at +55deg C. The risk of becoming a heat stress casualty is far higher than suffering burns. Also given the fact that the risk of getting rounds into the cabin is higher than the aircraft catching fire and the fact that an extra layer of clothing provides zero additional ballistic protection I think I'll opt for the comfier option of DP's. And I'll say an extra prayer to the god of procurements asking for some better body armour!
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Nice to see SOME of you RAF boys can even get the correct kit for the area you are about to operate in.
Our thick Civie friend who issues (??) our AEA thinks we only fly in Cornwall and if you are not scaled for the clothing .......well. Basically no chance of the desert AEA's for us, apparently "they don't make them anymore"
How do our Army pals find getting the correct AEA?
Our thick Civie friend who issues (??) our AEA thinks we only fly in Cornwall and if you are not scaled for the clothing .......well. Basically no chance of the desert AEA's for us, apparently "they don't make them anymore"
How do our Army pals find getting the correct AEA?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The Merlins are doing brilliantly in Iraq.
If you read the RAF News.
and, as Mandy Rice Davis, they would say that wouldn't they.
If you read the RAF News.
and, as Mandy Rice Davis, they would say that wouldn't they.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Or to re-phrase the last answer, do you really expect closed stories from an operational theatre to appear here in real time?
