Nimrod to get bomber role
On 29 May 82, MV British Wye was hit by a bomb rolled off the ramp of an Argentine C-130 of the Grupo 1 de Transporte Aereo. The bomb did not explode and little damage was done.
On 8 Jun 82, Liberian registered tanker MV Hercules was hit by bombs dropped by an Argentine Canberra B-62 of the Grupo 2 de Bombardeo. An unexploded bomb in the ship's starboard side was too deemed too dangerous to attempt to remove and the ship was later scuttled of the coast of Brazil.
On 8 Jun 82, Liberian registered tanker MV Hercules was hit by bombs dropped by an Argentine Canberra B-62 of the Grupo 2 de Bombardeo. An unexploded bomb in the ship's starboard side was too deemed too dangerous to attempt to remove and the ship was later scuttled of the coast of Brazil.
Suspicion breeds confidence
The word insurance fraud springs to mind regarding the MV Hercules. She just happened to be a VLCC at a time when they unprofitable. I've spoken to an RN Bomb disposal officer about this and he said that the story about being too difficult to move was complete bo**ox. You emtpy the ship dump the fuse and if it works the ship is safe. If it isn't then it goes down anyway. Many RN ships, particularly Argonaut had several difficult bombs to dispose of. Were they scuttled - no. QED
Navaleye, that was exactly my opinion at the time as well. Very convenient that the ship was scuttled so quickly at a time when it was becoming increasingly unprofitable to operate.........
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It's a while ago now, but QWI has effectively capped this thread.
As an ex-kipper mate it is sometimes painful to see the successive justifications being trotted out as to why MRA4 is the panacea for all ills. MR2 is still doing a sort of business but, in truth, THE business could also be done by other rangier, more cost-effective and less vulnerable assets (for that reason the kipper force deserves large kudos).
All in all though, IHMO the MRA4 apologists should stop appearing to be so desparate - it's just so unseemly!
As an ex-kipper mate it is sometimes painful to see the successive justifications being trotted out as to why MRA4 is the panacea for all ills. MR2 is still doing a sort of business but, in truth, THE business could also be done by other rangier, more cost-effective and less vulnerable assets (for that reason the kipper force deserves large kudos).
All in all though, IHMO the MRA4 apologists should stop appearing to be so desparate - it's just so unseemly!
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Duane,
I think your few words...
says it all. Not being in the fleet any more may limit your view on what we do these days.
Think more along the lines of the ac being airborne on another task, with weapons loaded, just-in-case. That just-in-case scenario appears and someone, somewhere finds a new TST target that needs to be 'taken out'. Targeting request goes up the chain and the big cheese thinks (or more likely is told be one of the coal-face workers!) "Hang on, we have an asset with things that go bang already airborne, within range. Let's retask that asset rather than prep and launch a fresh one, as that may take some time."
So, I think good ol' Norman isn't being "desparate" but is in a position to be a useful weapons platform, especially for TST.
Norman has many roles these days, it's not like the old Cold War days any more.
MadMark!!!
I think your few words...
As an ex-kipper mate
Think more along the lines of the ac being airborne on another task, with weapons loaded, just-in-case. That just-in-case scenario appears and someone, somewhere finds a new TST target that needs to be 'taken out'. Targeting request goes up the chain and the big cheese thinks (or more likely is told be one of the coal-face workers!) "Hang on, we have an asset with things that go bang already airborne, within range. Let's retask that asset rather than prep and launch a fresh one, as that may take some time."
So, I think good ol' Norman isn't being "desparate" but is in a position to be a useful weapons platform, especially for TST.
Norman has many roles these days, it's not like the old Cold War days any more.
MadMark!!!
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Sorry if this sounds like an " Ah yes but you said......"
Think more along the lines of SS being not the kind of weapon one can use for TST, or indeed any airborne retasking, (almost impossible, particularly if the target has limited exposure and other factors outside the scope of this thread), regardless of the platform. Other weapons? Well, anyone flying a Nimrod close enough to a tgt to spike it or throw off EPWII or EPWIII against it would deserve a special medal.
As I intonated previously, discussion and then decision needs to be informed, that means using people who are informed.
Think more along the lines of SS being not the kind of weapon one can use for TST, or indeed any airborne retasking, (almost impossible, particularly if the target has limited exposure and other factors outside the scope of this thread), regardless of the platform. Other weapons? Well, anyone flying a Nimrod close enough to a tgt to spike it or throw off EPWII or EPWIII against it would deserve a special medal.
As I intonated previously, discussion and then decision needs to be informed, that means using people who are informed.
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MM - I'm not that "ex" me old and, furthermore, am fully up to speed with your current roles as a result of my current employment - I'd hoped my opinion regarding kudos to the MR2 mates might've given you a clue as to that. Also, your stance reference being unaware of the current roles has a flipside - maybe you're actually too close to the issue to see the wider picture - you know tunnel vision etc. Nothing personal though but QWI still wins out.
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I totally agree with qwi and DD. It is far too easy to use the current theatres, with the lack of any credible counter air threats, as the basis for fitting any offensive weapons to an airliner.
Lets get real.
Lets get real.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
And what of the other little essentials like AUW and fuel? What is the payload?
On that other well know bomb truck (V) it was always a bonus to dispense with a 10-ton deadload.
On that other well know bomb truck (V) it was always a bonus to dispense with a 10-ton deadload.
