Merlin in Iraq

[ORAC]

BBC Nothing against the Merlin or the lass, but who pushes publicity like this?

Amazing surprise, a girl can fly a combat helicopter, lets put her piccy in the press. Obviously the most important fact concerning the deployment as far as the MOD and BBC are concerned.

[swampy_lynx_puke]

One has to ask why?
To demonstrate the Expeditionary Capabilities of the RAF or because there isn't Strat Lift available to do the job properly?
One Merlin to Basra to replace the Chinooks - sounds like a fair trade.
Rarely has so much b%^^%x been printed in aid of furthering the careers of so few

[Pontius Navigator]

<<to the Saudi border to help Iraqi security forces combat smuggling>>

So she is going to a friendly border not one of our enemies.

[spinstallaeropfl]

Is it SOP to wear CS clothing out in Iraq...? Wouldn't a desert pattern flying suit be more appropriate or is this not suitable...?

SSAP

[Spurlash2]

There's more than one Merlin (and girl ) in theatre, and if JHC actually bought and issued desert flying suits, yes, that would be more appropriate.

[Pilgrim101]

""""aircraft's infra-red heat ...""""

Obviously the BBC can't spell "thermal" either ?

Let's hope the Beeb are part of our psyops disinformation campaign, if we have one ? Would explain all the other guff emanating from the Bulls t, Baghdad Broadcasting Corp (I know, the BBBC ! )

[Amateur Aviator]

Desert Flying Suits for helo crews. What a great big can of worms that is! Congratulations for opening that one. I could bore y'all for ages, but it would appear that JHC are happy to take the risk (on our behalf!?) to fly in desert dpm. Why not just give us petrol soaked rags to fly in instead. Just about as fire retardent.We're all hoping as well that all the stewards within eating command are happy with theirs.

Frustrating is not the way to describe this........

[dmanton300]

Amazing surprise, a girl can fly a combat helicopter, lets put her piccy in the press.

And where exactly in the article does it say "Flt Lt Penny Grayson, who is a girl and surprisingly enough can fly helicopters so we decided to photograph her 'cos it's like, really cool and stuff!"? It doesn't, does it? The quote in the article is from her, and the picture happens to show her posing in front of the helicopter. I'm sure the jokes would have been flying if she'd been pictured and the quote was from Gregory Thompson or something like that! If there's one thing as bad as PC, it's misdirected anti-PC, it helps no one. Everyone would be ragging on the Merlin if she hadn't been pictured (hmmmm . . . perhaps the MOD are cleverer than we think?). Because she's pictured people are on their high horse about the token girlie. Wonder if similar comments would have been forthcoming if the pilot pictured had been black?

And as for expecting the Beeb to focus on the important bit - the Merlin, well, you really shoudl know better!

[spinstallaeropfl]

AA

Thanks for the info... did wonder why the Air Stewards and Air Stewardesses were waddling down the aisles in desert flying suits yet the lads and lasses in the BH world are either not wearing them out of choice or just can't get the right kit.... if it is a flight safety hazard wearing CS in the cockpit, why is it not reported as such..?

D300

Will Penny be taking part in that all girl flypast over London (May or June I think)... what's all that about then?

SSAP

[jimgriff]

At a recent presentation by the RAF Crash investigation team (medical) it was shown that the CS kit is not very good when it comes to flame resistance and more than one crew mwmber has suffered serious burns from not wearing regulation flying kit. But I understand that something is being looked into regarding this.

[markerboy]

The very same happened over the desert flying saga, at the opening of GW2. All the shinnies had theirs and the boys doing the real stuff had to wear either CS95 or hometown green. As long as the AC on the HS125 kept them warm enough in the desert flying suites!!!

[Amateur Aviator]

Jimgriff,

This has been done. But how long did things take after GW1? You think things have gotten any better?! Work is in progress, but even before the trial starts, I can say that there are some fairly serious flaws in what has been presented to us, and the changes suggested are (at the moment) being frankly ignored/blocked (IMHO) by certain strains of aircrew and/or desk- sucking pen-pushing blotter-jotters who try to prove that flexibility is not the key to air power. At least what they have given is fire retardent.

If you hadn't guessed, I feel rather strongly about this, but I am not in a position to be able to do anything about it.

It s~cks!

[Doors Off]

GW2,
mmmm A certain AAC Regt decided to issue desert cams in the following order - HQ Staff, REME Tradies (must keep them happy), Ground Crew and then they ran out. Aircrew going across FLOT flying around in CS95.
Inspiring stuff, but it must have been the right way to do it, the CO at the time just got his Other Buggers Efforts (OBE) in this years New Years Honours List.

[CNI MSG]

I think the desert DPM doesn't burn quite as merrily as standard CS95 although I may be wrong.

To be honest, we've been wearing desert DPM to fly in for the last 2 years and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. It's far more comfortable and adaptable than desert flying suits and nobody mistakes me for a Tristar steward...

[snafu]

Personally, I've worn desert DPM whilst flying in theatre and it was more comfortable and significantly cooler than desert flying ovies would have been. The additional factor that would make me choose the DPM every time is the ability to look like one of the boys and girls on the ground, whether that is walking around one of the bases or in the event of going downbird somewhere. This may not be an issue for the AT or FJ communities, but for an SH crew, the ability to look like a normal member of the ground troops and blend into the background might be useful. Not all of us need to broadcast that we're aircrew to the world at every opportunity.

Admittedly, if we've gone downbird, the existence of the helicopter nearby might be a bit of a giveaway, but it all helps!

[Brain Potter]

We only wear "desert flying suites" on the "shinny" fleet because they won't let us wear KD and pith helmets.

[heights good]

There is a trial just about to start for DPM flying CS95, apparently it identical almost to normal CS95 but has the fire retardent properties of flying suits. When they get delivered im sure they will be exactly what we need Last time i was at St Mawgan and seen a set that they were trying out. It was ridiculous, it felt like an NBC suit and rustled, shockingly bad, no self respecting member of the aircrew fraternity would be seen dead in it. Hope its not the same stuff!!

Only thing that worries me, flying suits are so much better for drinking and pulling in!!

[StopStart]

It's already being trialled here. Users not terribly happy with it. Seems to be a lot thicker/rougher than normal CS95. Also excessively hot apparently.

Expect to see it on your kitting list soon!



Potter, I thought you had a dispensation for pith helmets?

PS. Agree wholeheartedly with heights good's last comment

[scientia in alto]

There are many issues within this 'hot potato' topic. I think that it must be said I have worked in both flying suit and deserts in theatre. It has to be said that I prefer to work in a flying suit as it offers a MUCH higher degree of protection from flash fires. This may not be a big issue for the boys working in the cabin who are not strapped in, but for a stick monkey the likelihood is that you'd be exposed to any fire for a much longer period[straps, shooters and guns peventing a swift exit]. The other plus is they were designed for aircrew and again when strapped into a seat, they have pockets in places that can be easily got to.

The other issue of 'blending in' also holds less water when you stand next to a heap of potentially burning wreckage. i.e. no I am not really aircrew... but I agree there is not normally UK forces around here... oh, and yes that is an RAF rank slide. So it wouldn't take the brains of an archbishop to work that said person is aircrew.

Deserts may have worked slightly better against a conventional enemy, but all of the current threat groups will slot you anyway; most likely with a blunt spoon whilst on TV! All said if aircrew can get the kit, they should wear it as it could save them a great deal of pain and potential death. I do know if people could get it through the proper channels they would wear it, however politics dictate that it is not funded

SIA

[airborne_artist]

oh, and yes that is an RAF rank slide. So it wouldn't take the brains of an archbishop to work that said person is aircrew

Why not take the slides off - who really needs to know that you are Squabbling Bleeder Bloggs once you are strapped in?