Puma, Merlin etc
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Oh right. Good to see the age-old Merlin serviceability issues have finally been sorted out and the Operational tempo is slowing down to finally allow a nice, smooth transition to go ahead.
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Upsdaisy,
There is no comment because it is on this thread:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...s-screwed.html
There is no comment because it is on this thread:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...s-screwed.html
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Interesting snippit in ACGS's note on PR12 dated yesterday (available on the intranet) that includes a line in the Annex on the funding for the Puma life extension and the delivery of the 14 new Chinook Mk6s.
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Upsdaisy - how very mature of you. Well done.
Climebear - the statement also included a bullet-pointed paragraph confirming the acquisition of Wildcat and the MLSP for Merlin (didn't detail which Mk but I guess it's the 3 as Mk1 to Mk2 conversion has already started, I believe, but standby to be corrected) and funding for the ASSESSMENT phase of Merlin marinisation. I highlight the word assessment, as if the assessment decides that marinisation is a no-go, then the question of why not Chinooks for the CHF should probably be answered IMHO.
Climebear - the statement also included a bullet-pointed paragraph confirming the acquisition of Wildcat and the MLSP for Merlin (didn't detail which Mk but I guess it's the 3 as Mk1 to Mk2 conversion has already started, I believe, but standby to be corrected) and funding for the ASSESSMENT phase of Merlin marinisation. I highlight the word assessment, as if the assessment decides that marinisation is a no-go, then the question of why not Chinooks for the CHF should probably be answered IMHO.
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Puma, Merlin etc
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel have now converted to the Merlin 3 helicopter. [HL2992]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the first Royal Navy Merlin 3 helicopter squadron will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force. [HL2993]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether marinisation of the Merlin 3 helicopter has been fully funded in the Ministry of Defence forward programme.[HL2994]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the handover of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force will take place if marinisation has not been completed.[HL2995]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): As of 31 October 2013, 31 aircrew and 150 maintenance personnel have converted to the Merlin Mk3 helicopter. 32 aircrew and 33 maintenance personnel are currently undergoing conversion training, with a further 24 maintenance personnel entering conversion training before the end of the year.
The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force in autumn 2014.
The ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter is part of a wider package of aircraft enhancements that form the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase; programme funding will be considered as part of the Main Gate Business Case.
The transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force is already underway and is due to complete in advance of the planned modification of the airframe.
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel have now converted to the Merlin 3 helicopter. [HL2992]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the first Royal Navy Merlin 3 helicopter squadron will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force. [HL2993]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether marinisation of the Merlin 3 helicopter has been fully funded in the Ministry of Defence forward programme.[HL2994]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the handover of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force will take place if marinisation has not been completed.[HL2995]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): As of 31 October 2013, 31 aircrew and 150 maintenance personnel have converted to the Merlin Mk3 helicopter. 32 aircrew and 33 maintenance personnel are currently undergoing conversion training, with a further 24 maintenance personnel entering conversion training before the end of the year.
The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force in autumn 2014.
The ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter is part of a wider package of aircraft enhancements that form the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase; programme funding will be considered as part of the Main Gate Business Case.
The transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force is already underway and is due to complete in advance of the planned modification of the airframe.
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TATB,
I suspect just saying it won't convince you, so.....
Yeovilton- a few tiger shots from my visit to 814NAS ? FighterControl ? Home to the Military Aviation Enthusiast
A picture is worth, etc etc.
Cheers now
I suspect just saying it won't convince you, so.....
Yeovilton- a few tiger shots from my visit to 814NAS ? FighterControl ? Home to the Military Aviation Enthusiast
A picture is worth, etc etc.
Cheers now
I'm not sure your picture will convince him and whilst my knowledge of hangar heights is non-existent I do know enough to recognise that your photo is not of a Merlin Mk3/3A!
Got any pics of a taller helicopter?
Got any pics of a taller helicopter?
So apart from the different landing gear, different wheels and the lack of folding tail boom the height of the Mk3 is just like the Mk1…
Again, I've no idea about the hangar but the photo of a Mk1 on jacks with its tail folded does not provide the answer. Photos can be deceiving but the rebuttal photo does appear quite close to the overhead structure I would be surprised if the clearance remaining would allow for an un-folded or non-folding tail.
Not a great deal of clearance when not on jacks - again, tail boom folded:
Again, I've no idea about the hangar but the photo of a Mk1 on jacks with its tail folded does not provide the answer. Photos can be deceiving but the rebuttal photo does appear quite close to the overhead structure I would be surprised if the clearance remaining would allow for an un-folded or non-folding tail.
Not a great deal of clearance when not on jacks - again, tail boom folded:
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Just This Once,
The MK1 Merlin is 6.6 metres to the top of the tail rotor disc.
The MK3 Merlin is lower (a few cm) but I can’t remember exactly and it really doesn’t matter in this case.
The undercarriage components are interchangeable between MK1 and MK3 Merlins, the differences are:
1/ Removable stub axle to allow another main wheel (MK3)
2/ No sprag lock (MK3)
3/ “High flotation” front tyres (MK3)
4/ Inboard tie down fitting (MK1)
There are a few part number differences etc but the point is the gear is the same in height and stroke.
When I taught jacking to the baby mechanics I’m sure we briefed that the hangars at Culdrose had a minimum clearance of at least 8 metres to the metal trusses, that is at the sides as some hangars have the apex interior construction which is higher.
Culdrose has had some new builds lately but even in the old hangars it wasn’t a problem for the Merlin unless you jacked under a light pendant. The Seaking hangars at Yeovilton are the same as the MDMF hangars at Culdrose and the aircraft fit lovely in there.
So to summarise, a spread Merlin at 6.6 metres is 1.4 metres below the metal trusses (assuming 8 metres from floor to trusses) at its highest point. The main oleos have a stroke of 406mm, which gives a total gap of 994 mm as the wheels leave the ground. Add a random 194mm for clearance and you still have 800mm clearance. If you want to reclaim top clearance turn the tail rotor so two blades sit at 45 degrees to vertical and apply the rotor brake, or position the aircraft so that the tail rotor is between roof trusses and of course always jack in the middle of the apex if you are able to. Piece of cake for people used to jacking at sea.
I’m too old to go clambering around with a tape measure so if you want an accurate roof truss height I’m afraid you have to ask someone else and I’ll concede the point if I’m wrong.
Cheers
The MK1 Merlin is 6.6 metres to the top of the tail rotor disc.
The MK3 Merlin is lower (a few cm) but I can’t remember exactly and it really doesn’t matter in this case.
The undercarriage components are interchangeable between MK1 and MK3 Merlins, the differences are:
1/ Removable stub axle to allow another main wheel (MK3)
2/ No sprag lock (MK3)
3/ “High flotation” front tyres (MK3)
4/ Inboard tie down fitting (MK1)
There are a few part number differences etc but the point is the gear is the same in height and stroke.
When I taught jacking to the baby mechanics I’m sure we briefed that the hangars at Culdrose had a minimum clearance of at least 8 metres to the metal trusses, that is at the sides as some hangars have the apex interior construction which is higher.
Culdrose has had some new builds lately but even in the old hangars it wasn’t a problem for the Merlin unless you jacked under a light pendant. The Seaking hangars at Yeovilton are the same as the MDMF hangars at Culdrose and the aircraft fit lovely in there.
So to summarise, a spread Merlin at 6.6 metres is 1.4 metres below the metal trusses (assuming 8 metres from floor to trusses) at its highest point. The main oleos have a stroke of 406mm, which gives a total gap of 994 mm as the wheels leave the ground. Add a random 194mm for clearance and you still have 800mm clearance. If you want to reclaim top clearance turn the tail rotor so two blades sit at 45 degrees to vertical and apply the rotor brake, or position the aircraft so that the tail rotor is between roof trusses and of course always jack in the middle of the apex if you are able to. Piece of cake for people used to jacking at sea.
I’m too old to go clambering around with a tape measure so if you want an accurate roof truss height I’m afraid you have to ask someone else and I’ll concede the point if I’m wrong.
Cheers
