What helicopter shortage?

[HaveQuick2]

NOTICE OF TENDER - FOR THE SALE OF QTY
30 SURPLUS UK MoD GAZELLE AH1 HELICOPTERS

The Disposal Services Authority (DSA) would like to bring to your attention, the sale by competitive tender of 30 x Ex British Army AH1 Gazelle Helicopters.

All aircraft have been in storage for a considerable period of time. On calendar life, all aircraft are considered unserviceable. All Bright Star Lamps, Cockpit Voice Recorder, SIFF and RWR equipment currently on these aircraft will not be part of the sale.

We are looking to invite submission of proposals on the following basis:

· an outright cash purchase of all 30 x AH1 Gazelle Helicopters;

· The MoD may also consider and therefore invite an innovative proposal that would ultimately offer a greater cash return to the MoD once onward sale is completed. Any proposal should identify markets, expected costs & final sale price and offer an initial cash sum but a subsequent share of the end price which is demonstrably greater than a cash offer for outright purchase. A bank guarantee of £500K would be required for the duration of the sales imitative.


All bids must have been received by 10am on Friday 15th January 2010. Copies of all tender documentation are available on www.e-disposals.com.

All of these aircraft are currently stored at RAF Shawbury, situated near Shrewsbury in Shropshire (except for XZ338 which is stored at HMS Sultan, Gosport). Viewings can be arranged by prior appointment and our current intention is for viewing of the aircraft to take place on the 7th, 8th or 9th of December 2009. Viewings can be arranged by prior appointment.

Any bids must be supported by an outline plan that addresses the removal and storage of the aircraft and, if the intention is to recover the aircraft to flying standard, demonstrate the capability to comply with applicable air worthiness standards. Prior to completion of the sale, the DSA require visibility of contractor and sub-contractor licences in this respect.

The Tail Numbers include: XW848, XW909, XW913, XX371, XX383, XX386, XX394, XZ398, XX409, XX416, XX437, XX438, XX439, XX445, XX455, XX456, XX462, XZ291, XZ292, XZ304, XZ314, XZ324, XZ338, XZ344, ZA728, ZA773, ZA776, ZA726, ZB673, ZB688




Does any money from these sales go back into the MoD purchasing pot? Or am I being a bit naive? Although I don't suppose even the sale of all of these would go very far towards funding a single brand new cab.

Not sure about their "innovative proposal", clutching at straws perhaps?

[kenparry]

What helicopter shortage?

Those that can lift something useful, perhaps??

[Roger Sofarover]

Havequick
The helicopters are not fit for any military task that would stop the cries of 'helicopter shortage'. Please also be aware that while many call for more helicopters to solve the problems of our troops, who is going to fly them? It is not just a case of ordering more machines, you need the people to operate and maintain them, and already the rumours are that the RAF are going to slash their manpower levels. Thanks for the post though, very interesting.

[HaveQuick2]

Thanks both.

I guess though the general public may not be able to make a distinction between "helicopters" when all they hear is that we need more "helicopters", and we are selling loads of "helicopters".

[Talk Reaction]

Perhaps the sale of a few Gazelles could pay for a companys' worth of these though, then we'd have the machines and not need extra people to fly them...


YouTube - The World's Smallest Personal Helicopter

Ps never posted a link before, so I have no idea if I've done this right - apologies in advance!

[dead_pan]

Not so much a helicopter as an elaborate hat...

[kluge]

....another propeller head.

[Scotteo]

If we can have those why not scrap the JCA and instead order a few thousand swifts with motors on. Would make a very interesting, inspector gadget style, airforce.

The swift - High wind footlaunch