RN helicopters vs Saddam's Navy
FodPlod,
SK4 - 28 troops? Maybe in cold weather, no armour, guns or other role kit and an effective range of next to nothing.
A lot of manufacturers use this type of blurb; yes, you can fit 28 people inside a SK, or fly for 3 hours, or carry a full DAS/armour/role fit or carry a light gun. Note the lack of the word (and) in the previous sentance. The same can be said of Merlin. The Chinook can do all of the above at the same time; not a boast, just a statement of fact that highlights the sheer performance of the beast. I was flying one of the CH47s that night and was involved with the planning. The combination of armour, wind direction/strength and high ambient temperature robbed the SK4 of a substantial chunk of its performance. I'm minded to think that to get around the route they were actually plugged in to bowsers to keep topping up to min fuel before they launched. Not a dig at the crews - blimey it was scary enough flying a Chinook that night, BZ to the CHF boys involved.
Tuc is quite correct about the original 108 Merlin buy for the FAA; the reduction to 40ish pinging frames was a large part of the arm-twisting that Westlands used to force the govt to buy the RAF the Mk3...oh, and using lots and lots of "it can lift 28 troops" style spin.
SK4 - 28 troops? Maybe in cold weather, no armour, guns or other role kit and an effective range of next to nothing.
A lot of manufacturers use this type of blurb; yes, you can fit 28 people inside a SK, or fly for 3 hours, or carry a full DAS/armour/role fit or carry a light gun. Note the lack of the word (and) in the previous sentance. The same can be said of Merlin. The Chinook can do all of the above at the same time; not a boast, just a statement of fact that highlights the sheer performance of the beast. I was flying one of the CH47s that night and was involved with the planning. The combination of armour, wind direction/strength and high ambient temperature robbed the SK4 of a substantial chunk of its performance. I'm minded to think that to get around the route they were actually plugged in to bowsers to keep topping up to min fuel before they launched. Not a dig at the crews - blimey it was scary enough flying a Chinook that night, BZ to the CHF boys involved.
Tuc is quite correct about the original 108 Merlin buy for the FAA; the reduction to 40ish pinging frames was a large part of the arm-twisting that Westlands used to force the govt to buy the RAF the Mk3...oh, and using lots and lots of "it can lift 28 troops" style spin.
The initial engagement was with British Waste_of_Space after the first firings of the 'Sea Skimming' Skua were found to be a little on the 'conservative' side, clearing the freeboard of Saddam's 'ships' by some clear margin.
A large amount of Flash signal traffic later and the Skua * was born!
Amazing how quick procurement can be in times of adversity.
A large amount of Flash signal traffic later and the Skua * was born!
Amazing how quick procurement can be in times of adversity.
Not a case of "procurement" being quick, but of the correct contract being let at the correct time. RAF suppliers under Alcock soon saw to that aberration; if it had happened 2 years later you'd still be waiting for a fix. >>>>>> Direct link to Haddon-Cave.
Reference the 28 troops in a SK4, just remember that in a similar fashion you can get 26 people in a mini, honestly...... 
Video: 26 people in a Mini Cooper sets new World Record - egmCarTech
Video: 26 people in a Mini Cooper sets new World Record - egmCarTech
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I didn't find the article rubbish because of the lift capacity of the Chinook vs Sea King ... we all know that there is a huge difference. What I found disappointing is that a joint operation flown by professional crews from both services, was turned by one boss into a "look how much the RAF can do" and to some extent denigrated the contribution of the RN contingent. The reality is that we (CHF+RAF) achieved a rapid build up of Bootie strength on the Al Faw in demanding flying condition that could not have matched by either cadre solo.
JB,
Quite so, but DP was asked directly about the CH47 contribution and answered it. At SO2 and below the crews all mucked in with professionalism and a healthy mixture of banter and respect - unfortunately this doesn't stop the higher ups attempting to airbrush history to serve their own agendas....
Quite so, but DP was asked directly about the CH47 contribution and answered it. At SO2 and below the crews all mucked in with professionalism and a healthy mixture of banter and respect - unfortunately this doesn't stop the higher ups attempting to airbrush history to serve their own agendas....
