Aircrew respirators
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Aircrew respirators
I was trying to describe the revoltingness of the soggy bag of sweat that was (is?) the AR5 to a slightly disbelieving friend and I couldn't answer their query as to whether these things are still in use or not.
Anyone care to enlighten?
Anyone care to enlighten?
The force is strong in this one.
For those who miss theirs, you can relive the experience for 95 quid from Johnstones of Leeds who have them for sale! I think I will give it a miss - especially as my biggest memory is when my anti-drowning valve didn't close when I jumped in the pool with it.
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Had a similar experience to you, Dan. It induced an illogical panic in me that I have never experienced before or since, as with the noddy suit and LSJ on I couldnt get hold of the thing to wrench it off. My head told me I was in a completely controlled situation with immediate help actually visible, but my heart and other faculties were having none of it. Still remember the feeling now. Funny what gets to you sometimes.
I never admitted the panic or referred to it afterwards, obviously. I'm a man.
I never admitted the panic or referred to it afterwards, obviously. I'm a man.
My understanding is that it is still available for certain units. More importantly, there was a project running several years ago to replace the capability (£115m). The project also included a new helmet system and different PPE for aircrew. However, last time I had an update they were reducing the number of platforms that would be able to use it, most of which (ac) are now scrapped.
Ha ha! Reminds me of when (after one too many drinks) a friend's wife let slip that the funniest thing she ever saw was her hubby wearing his g suit - and nothing else!
Imformation she subsequently regretted revealing. Of course, we didn't remind him about it later
Imformation she subsequently regretted revealing. Of course, we didn't remind him about it later
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Having flown a number of sorties around the North German Plain in it and remembering the fatigue inducing faff of getting into the cockpit with it and having to exchange the air pump for the ac O2 system etc etc. I would be very surprised if any real mission could ever have been efficiently or effectively completed by AR5 wearing Aircrew in either a 2 or single seat ac!
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Nightmare piece of kit. We did an exercise for a week in Germany with Chinook crews operating in AR5. I was DS, thank god, watching people go downhill rapidly. I always said that for real, I would ditch the helmet and wear S10.
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Alledgedly the 4 turboprop tactical transport (new improved variety) has clearance to use it although I haven't had the pleasure since doing it on the original (vintage) varient. It might be rearing its ugly head though.......
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Quote:
...the gay & fetish scenes seems to like them...
Dare one ask how you came by that particular piece of information.....
Accidentally, honest. It wasn't like I was searching for replacement headgear for a Gimp Suit, or anything like it!
...the gay & fetish scenes seems to like them...
Dare one ask how you came by that particular piece of information.....
Accidentally, honest. It wasn't like I was searching for replacement headgear for a Gimp Suit, or anything like it!
One of the nastier emanations....
....of this nasty bit of kit came when they were trialling it on the Nimrod. On the day, the route nav had runny nose and after some time airborne asked the trial supervisor if he could take the AR5 off and clean up.
"No", was the firm response," that will invalidate the trial and we'll have to do the whole thing again".
When they finally landed and got off the a/c the nav bent down at the bottom of the steps and pulled the helmet off - cue disgusting mess and one of the trials team having to have a quick retch.
The Ancient Mariner
"No", was the firm response," that will invalidate the trial and we'll have to do the whole thing again".
When they finally landed and got off the a/c the nav bent down at the bottom of the steps and pulled the helmet off - cue disgusting mess and one of the trials team having to have a quick retch.
The Ancient Mariner
NBC Instructor hat on.
"Of course the AR5 is awful, but this is how people die of nerve gas poisoning, with illustrations courtesy of, amongst others, Saddam, whom you will be going to fight."
"Choose"
"Of course the AR5 is awful, but this is how people die of nerve gas poisoning, with illustrations courtesy of, amongst others, Saddam, whom you will be going to fight."
"Choose"
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Anti-drowning valve
Post #3 refers to the "anti-drowning valve." In practice, it was widely known as the "drowning valve."
AR5 pool drills.....such fun. Still, you should have seen the piccies of the poor sod who did the hot weather trials by flying several sorties in a Jag in Cyprus.
AR5 pool drills.....such fun. Still, you should have seen the piccies of the poor sod who did the hot weather trials by flying several sorties in a Jag in Cyprus.
Nightmare piece of kit. We did an exercise for a week in Germany with Chinook crews operating in AR5. I was DS, thank god, watching people go downhill rapidly. I always said that for real, I would ditch the helmet and wear S10.
We all wanted to know why we couldn't just land and hop out as per normal for a Chinook infil but nobody could give us an explanation. Our masks were fogged up a few mins into the flight and I think most of us pulled them off in blind panic as soon as we were off the ramp. I still can't think of any sensible explanation for that exercise.
Last edited by Trim Stab; 11th Sep 2011 at 18:52.
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I flew in it in an F4 in Germany in 1981. I then did the Honington Trial in 1983 (about 20 decontam drills in 3 days) and was tasked to introduce it to a "slightly" sceptic Coningsby community. As everyone said, it might have kept us alive but as for any type of realistic operational capability; forget it. The Gulf War proved to be its death knell with OATs of 40 degrees+. I sometimes wish I had one to show to the doubters. On second thoughts, I'd be drummed out of the village as some type of weirdo!
Must admit, I thought they'd been withdrawn years ago.
Must admit, I thought they'd been withdrawn years ago.