Nimrod MRA.4
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Some bugger better send me some PBT please. I can solve this with five brave men, a few water pistols (better than SA80) and the loan of Lord Trenchard.... (the Yacht)
we "borrow" CallMeDave for a jolly sailing trip, take him out to, ooh about 30 west, push him into an Aircrew "liferaft" from a seat and then set course for the Pub.
Our departing comment would be; "lonely out here ain't it. Still want to ditch the nimrod?"
We leave him there for 12 hours or so - just enough time to ponder and then we fish him back in.
Whose with me?
we "borrow" CallMeDave for a jolly sailing trip, take him out to, ooh about 30 west, push him into an Aircrew "liferaft" from a seat and then set course for the Pub.
Our departing comment would be; "lonely out here ain't it. Still want to ditch the nimrod?"
We leave him there for 12 hours or so - just enough time to ponder and then we fish him back in.
Whose with me?
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Caterham
Age: 64
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WGoogle Image Result for http://zedomax.biz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/anchor.png[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Dave/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]
we "borrow" CallMeDave for a jolly sailing trip, take him out to, ooh about 30 west, push him into an Aircrew "liferaft" from a seat and then set course for the Pub.
Our departing comment would be; "lonely out here ain't it. Still want to ditch the nimrod?"
We leave him there for 12 hours or so - just enough time to ponder and then we fish him back in.
Whose with me?
Our departing comment would be; "lonely out here ain't it. Still want to ditch the nimrod?"
We leave him there for 12 hours or so - just enough time to ponder and then we fish him back in.
Whose with me?
it was a tad rough (only a Force 7 or so) and I was on a big ship/boat/whatever having a never-to-be-repeated experience. I'm still all for your idea, but I think I'll wave farewell to you and CallMeDave from the jetty and wait for you in the pub...
I know, I know - hat, coat,door...
Last edited by Lyneham Lad; 29th Oct 2010 at 08:15. Reason: Image relocated and link updated.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Yesterdays SAR
Re: yesterays SAR: Well done falmouth coastguard for successfully coordinating a successful and complicated rescue, well done to the 13 crew members who voluntarily stayed on board to fight the fire, well done to the ship that went to the aid of the 100+ people floating in liferafts, well done to RN for flying to the Scilley Islads (just in case) and well done to the French Government for providing the fixed wing presence over the ship because UK Government were unable to do so.
Join Date: Oct 2001
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We should have worn the dark blue?
When I converted Shack to Nimrod in early '71 we were told that the Nimrod was an interim measure until a 'proper' maritime aeroplane was introduced - ten years maybe! Apparently the Comet had not won the competition for the Shack replacement (Tri-Star?) but was a short term political decision. It was great to fly and operate but very short on range/endurance - 30 west is a bit of a joke - the USA or Canada had to cover that - I know because I flew from the other side of the pond as well.
Is was always my wish that the whole of Maritime would be transferred to the Navy, who understood the operation, unlike many in the RAF who were making decisions based on ignorance of the role.( I also remember the announcement of the Nimrod AEW being met with hoots of laughter by those in the crew room who guessed from day one that it would never work.)
If maritime had gone to the Navy then there would have been enhanced career prospects for Navy (including ex-RAF) pilots, navigators, FE's and AEO's and also much cost saving due to compatibility of equipments. Of course the Maritime Squadrons would have been appreciated and operated far better than they were by the RAF high ups. Also, I think there would have been a much better chance of a multi role maritime/surveillance/ECM aircraft being developed to replace the Nimrod. Those not happy at changing to dark blue could easily have been absorbed into other commands in the RAF. Shame it never happened, I would have liked to retire one rank up!
Is was always my wish that the whole of Maritime would be transferred to the Navy, who understood the operation, unlike many in the RAF who were making decisions based on ignorance of the role.( I also remember the announcement of the Nimrod AEW being met with hoots of laughter by those in the crew room who guessed from day one that it would never work.)
If maritime had gone to the Navy then there would have been enhanced career prospects for Navy (including ex-RAF) pilots, navigators, FE's and AEO's and also much cost saving due to compatibility of equipments. Of course the Maritime Squadrons would have been appreciated and operated far better than they were by the RAF high ups. Also, I think there would have been a much better chance of a multi role maritime/surveillance/ECM aircraft being developed to replace the Nimrod. Those not happy at changing to dark blue could easily have been absorbed into other commands in the RAF. Shame it never happened, I would have liked to retire one rank up!
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Response to my resignation from the Tories
As a result of the cancellation of the MRA4 I resigned my long standing membership of the Conservative party.
Here is the response received today from my local MP. I don't think I need to express my opinion!
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
26 October 2010
Thank you for your email of 19 October opposing the Government's decision, as a result of the strategic defence review, not to bring the Nimrod MRA4 into service.
I am particularly sorry that you felt it necessary to resign your membership of the Conservative Party.
I fully appreciate your concerns about reductions to the Royal Air Force. Unfortunately, the scale of the challenges we face has prompted the need to restructure for the future, which involves undertaking a series of reductions such as the one you mention. However, restructuring our
defences is not tantamount to compromising our security.
On the contrary, the Review has set out sustainable plans that will ensure that by 2020, we have a fast jet fleet based around two of the most capable fighter jets anywhere in the world -the Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter. They will be complemented by a growing fleet of unmanned air vehicles.
Furthermore, strategic air lift will be enhanced by the introduction of the A400M and ,A.330 transport aircraft giving us the ability to fly our forces wherever they are needed in the world. I believe these measures will help the RAF continue to fulfil its vital role.
I do hope you might reconsider your decision to leave the Association, even if you still disagree with the Govemment's approach. Being a member of Party does not mean having to endorse every decision it takes. Quite the opposite: the Party needs people like you to inform and influence the
debate from within.
Kind regards,
Robert Walter MP
Here is the response received today from my local MP. I don't think I need to express my opinion!
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
26 October 2010
Thank you for your email of 19 October opposing the Government's decision, as a result of the strategic defence review, not to bring the Nimrod MRA4 into service.
I am particularly sorry that you felt it necessary to resign your membership of the Conservative Party.
I fully appreciate your concerns about reductions to the Royal Air Force. Unfortunately, the scale of the challenges we face has prompted the need to restructure for the future, which involves undertaking a series of reductions such as the one you mention. However, restructuring our
defences is not tantamount to compromising our security.
On the contrary, the Review has set out sustainable plans that will ensure that by 2020, we have a fast jet fleet based around two of the most capable fighter jets anywhere in the world -the Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter. They will be complemented by a growing fleet of unmanned air vehicles.
Furthermore, strategic air lift will be enhanced by the introduction of the A400M and ,A.330 transport aircraft giving us the ability to fly our forces wherever they are needed in the world. I believe these measures will help the RAF continue to fulfil its vital role.
I do hope you might reconsider your decision to leave the Association, even if you still disagree with the Govemment's approach. Being a member of Party does not mean having to endorse every decision it takes. Quite the opposite: the Party needs people like you to inform and influence the
debate from within.
Kind regards,
Robert Walter MP
The Navys understand maritime.....
.....that'll be why the Dutch navy got rid of their P-3s to the Germans then.
The Ancient Mariner
PS the chaps on 320 were spitting nails as well.
The Ancient Mariner
PS the chaps on 320 were spitting nails as well.
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Two traits that the good ones had were that none of them had undergone a penis enlargement procedure (as far as I know)
And no I didn't look, he wasn't exactly shy about telling everybody was he!
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Dec 18th 1988 - overland SAR incident to search and locate Norwegian Helicopter crash, because nothing else could get airborne, kept comms kept him alive, rescued later. Great International cooperation
It's funny you mention that one. I was only talking about that to the Continuation Training Team on 120 Sqn a couple of weeks ago. They were looking for some of the more unusual examples of stuff we were scrambled on whilst on SAR Standby (or more recently OPS1), to show the youngsters the sort of thing that could be thrown at them. I well remember plotting it out on the chart, thinking wtf and assuming I must have had a brain fart. What you didn't mention of course was that we were at St Mawgan.
1:00D, 6:15N. Uncle Dick as Capt.
Last edited by zedder; 28th Oct 2010 at 18:48.
According to the FT the French are offering us the use of Atlantiques, and seeking to lease access to our future tankers. Haven't seen anything about the exact nature of the offer, nor whether HMG is minded to take it up... all may become clearer on Monday, at the meeting they have for some reason decided will no longer be held at Portsmouth.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
There was one about 1976 with a 201 Sqn crew. Their photo appeared in the national press and this chap was so taken with the sheer impact of the photo that he painted it in oils and presented it to the Sqn. It was one of a trawler virtually sitting on its stern, bow skywards, in the archtypical mountainous seas.
According to the FT the French are offering us the use of Atlantiques, and seeking to lease access to our future tankers. Haven't seen anything about the exact nature of the offer, nor whether HMG is minded to take it up... all may become clearer on Monday, at the meeting they have for some reason decided will no longer be held at Portsmouth.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I think you sell the old lady short. Transit from Kinloss - 30W - Shannon or fro St Mawgan (ditto) would be only 4-5 hours giving 4 hours on task, exactly what it said on the tin. For the Shack it would have been over 5 hours just to get there.
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There has been lots of talk of Maritime/SAR, what a lot of people do not realise is all the other things we have lost. I left Kinloss mid 2004, in my last year only 20% of my flying hours were Maritime the other 240hrs were spent doing other things.
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We may get the French to provide a bit of cover with their elderly Atlantiques - but surely that is just a stop-gap solution?
Or do people think we are we getting out of the MPA game forever?
Interesting analysis here:
Options for RAF maritime patrol ? post-Nimrod | Aerospace Insight
on future options (if we ever get the cash again) - P-8, A320MPA or maybe a cheap and cheerful C295?
Or do people think we are we getting out of the MPA game forever?
Interesting analysis here:
Options for RAF maritime patrol ? post-Nimrod | Aerospace Insight
on future options (if we ever get the cash again) - P-8, A320MPA or maybe a cheap and cheerful C295?
Join Date: May 2007
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Allo, Allo
I was told this by someone in Int (as it used to be called), I cannot claim it is true, but I suspect it was.
French Atlantique Crew being debriefed during an exercise.
(You must read this with an 'Allo, Allo' French accident).
French Crew Member: "And at zis point we had a small contact on zee Radar"
De-briefer:'OK, and what was the contact?'
FCM: 'We don't know, it was lunchtime and when we had finished zee meal, it was no longer there!'
It was only an exercise after all, but it makes you wonder.
French Atlantique Crew being debriefed during an exercise.
(You must read this with an 'Allo, Allo' French accident).
French Crew Member: "And at zis point we had a small contact on zee Radar"
De-briefer:'OK, and what was the contact?'
FCM: 'We don't know, it was lunchtime and when we had finished zee meal, it was no longer there!'
It was only an exercise after all, but it makes you wonder.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Atlantique eperience
I had the pleasure of flying on an Atlantique in the early 80's. Climb on board a Nimrod and you smell hyraulic fluid, climb on board an Atlantique and you are greeted with the aroma of fresh coffee and warmed croissants!. Next came the thrill at flying over a submarine at 50 feet while sat in the nose observation seat. One of the many highlights of my maritime career for sure!