Best SAR Aircraft Ever
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Best SAR Aircraft Ever
Let’s have a more interesting thread, (in my humble opinion)
What’s the best SAR Platform ever (Aircraft)
If you like, it can be broken down to Rotary/Fixed wing/CSAR/Civ/ Mil whatever you like.
Pictures would be really good.
R1a
What’s the best SAR Platform ever (Aircraft)
If you like, it can be broken down to Rotary/Fixed wing/CSAR/Civ/ Mil whatever you like.
Pictures would be really good.
R1a
Never had to be rescued by one, although the arrival of the ASR Launch c/w a tot of rum whilst on water survival training at RAF Mountbatten was very welcome for a V E R Y cold survivor!
However at 5 FTS, RAF Thornhill, Rhodesia in early 1950's the station Anson was on stand-by for aircraft down in the 'bundu' and regular dropping supplies practice was carried out as shown here.
Later at the 1954 Battle of Britain display at Biggin Hill a USAF Manston-based SA-16 Grumman Albatross search and rescue amphibian demonstrated a Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO).
Later still whilst at RAF China Bay in 1957 Seletar based 205/209 Sqn had a Sunderland on permanent detachment for SAR purposes. Wonderful views from the Sunderland's panoramic windows, plus a Primus (paraffin) fuelled galley for fry ups and fresh brewed tea. ISTR the meals were taken in what the crew called the "Wardroom" - all very civilised.
This last photo from my album is of one of 205/209's Sunderlands at RAF Gan in 1958.
As to the merits of these aircraft, I reckon when you're in trouble down in the drink or out in the bundu, they would all be very welcome.
Tony
PS Two more photos from my album of aircraft with a possible SAR role. These are of Short Sealands of the Indian Naval Service which took part in exercise JET'57. 10 of these aircraft were supplied to the Indian Navy and four of these participated in the exercise based at RAF China Bay, Sri Lanka. Although amphibian, their operations during the exercise were from the runway, they didn't use the flying boat alighting area.
Home base of these Sealands was the Indian Navy Fleet Requirements Unit at Cochin.
One of the more pleasing to look at aircraft IMHO.
T.
However at 5 FTS, RAF Thornhill, Rhodesia in early 1950's the station Anson was on stand-by for aircraft down in the 'bundu' and regular dropping supplies practice was carried out as shown here.
Later at the 1954 Battle of Britain display at Biggin Hill a USAF Manston-based SA-16 Grumman Albatross search and rescue amphibian demonstrated a Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO).
Later still whilst at RAF China Bay in 1957 Seletar based 205/209 Sqn had a Sunderland on permanent detachment for SAR purposes. Wonderful views from the Sunderland's panoramic windows, plus a Primus (paraffin) fuelled galley for fry ups and fresh brewed tea. ISTR the meals were taken in what the crew called the "Wardroom" - all very civilised.
This last photo from my album is of one of 205/209's Sunderlands at RAF Gan in 1958.
As to the merits of these aircraft, I reckon when you're in trouble down in the drink or out in the bundu, they would all be very welcome.
Tony
PS Two more photos from my album of aircraft with a possible SAR role. These are of Short Sealands of the Indian Naval Service which took part in exercise JET'57. 10 of these aircraft were supplied to the Indian Navy and four of these participated in the exercise based at RAF China Bay, Sri Lanka. Although amphibian, their operations during the exercise were from the runway, they didn't use the flying boat alighting area.
Home base of these Sealands was the Indian Navy Fleet Requirements Unit at Cochin.
One of the more pleasing to look at aircraft IMHO.
T.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 29th Sep 2007 at 09:04. Reason: To add comments and additional photos
This thing, the Shin Meiwa PS-1/SS-2, always looked like it could handle a South China Sea state:
Whereas this one looks like it'd get there and back faster than anything else in the fleet:
Whereas this one looks like it'd get there and back faster than anything else in the fleet:
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The MH-53M uses miniguns usually on the side doors.Have you seen the facial gear the gunners use now? They look like Darth Vaders troopers...
It certainly is a wicked looking machine...
It certainly is a wicked looking machine...
Mind you, the one in this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/rockface/game/main.swf
has most of the others beat for control response, load-lifting capability and so on. Shame about the endurance, or lack thereof...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/rockface/game/main.swf
has most of the others beat for control response, load-lifting capability and so on. Shame about the endurance, or lack thereof...
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S-61 in the SAR role was just a ordinary oil and gas cab with a winch strapped on at the beginning. As the years went on mods and avionics were added to make it a good alround SAR aircraft, but it was never purpose built. Best for me was the Sea King. At least it had a hot water boilerto make tea coffee, pot noodles on those long slogs out to the west, something sadly missing from the S-61 and it's replacement, the S-92. 
