RAF VC-10 SAR mission
I was asked to carryout a SAR mission whilst in the Falklands. Yes we did carry those super gyro binoculars (but they were broken). We stooged around at 10,000 ft (did not have fuel for lower) and guess what? Saw nothing.
Not that we could have done anything anyway other than plot position. As the position was well out of range of boats and helos nothing could have been done anyway.
Not that we could have done anything anyway other than plot position. As the position was well out of range of boats and helos nothing could have been done anyway.
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Beagle, I am not being serious 
. It is a farcical situation to be in, the one aircraft that could do the job they got rid of without a replacement, and then they realise no Herc availability so what else have we got with 4 engines and the range, so they designate that...... Might as well contract it out to Easy Jet for all the use it is...
Oddly enough bar a Herc! or C17, these days about the only thing the RAF has that could deploy stuff in the air is in the BBMF.
. It is a farcical situation to be in, the one aircraft that could do the job they got rid of without a replacement, and then they realise no Herc availability so what else have we got with 4 engines and the range, so they designate that...... Might as well contract it out to Easy Jet for all the use it is...Oddly enough bar a Herc! or C17, these days about the only thing the RAF has that could deploy stuff in the air is in the BBMF.
Last edited by NutLoose; 10th Jun 2012 at 09:14.
I'd still rather have a flying boat flying top cover
Some might be able to land in Sea State 3, provided that the swell wasn't excessive. Shin Meiwa claim to be able to operate in Sea State 4, but even then swell would be an issue.
Flying boats are very inefficient, with high structural weight, poor fuel fraction and are obviously quite difficult to equip with large stores bays.
Last edited by BEagle; 10th Jun 2012 at 09:18.
Oddly enough bar a Herc! or C17, these days about the only thing the RAF has that could deploy stuff in the air is in the BBMF
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Or the Dak 
Quote:
Since only VC10Ks were based in the M*******
You mean The Falkland Islands
Since only VC10Ks were based in the M*******
You mean The Falkland Islands
19th May 1971 Already airborne in Signals Group Argosy and asked to find ditched Buccaneer. Used UHF homer, found area of 'fizzy' water, reported position and went home for lunch.
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I don't remember that the Nimrod ever rescued anyone either.......
Taxying in and wondering what duty free booze to take home while the refuel took place, my thoughts were interrupted on hearing a call from the tower:
Tower: Err ... Rescue 51, are you the Nimrod?
Co-pilot: Tower, Rescue 51 - affirmative.
Tower: Roger. Have you been involved in the yacht race search?
Co-pilot: Affirmative.
Tower: Roger. Do you have any survivors on board?
A stunned silence followed.
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Decoupling this from the sensitive subject of the Nimrod and its demise the fact is most countries that do long range SAR top cover which is what this problem is all about use a long range business jet to perform the task. Cheap to operate vs a larger type, fast onto station, fitted with a door to drop rescue kit, searchlight, suitable radar (maybe an optronics turret as well) and communications kit to perform the comms relay role. Good example would be the Dassault Falcon 900 MSA operated by the Japanese Coast Guard:
Putting aside all the other more military things the Nimrod did when it comes to the more narrow task of SAR top cover shouldn't the debate be had that it is a role better performed by the Coast Guard. A business jet type can be leased on a turnkey type arrangement much like what is already being done with other Coastguard types. The deal could even be tied into the one being negotiated for SAR helicopter replacement. The pilots of this Business jet will more then likely be ex RAF anyway so there will be skill pull through. In the end we get a type suited for the role and more affordable then utilising over stretched ill suited military types.
Putting aside all the other more military things the Nimrod did when it comes to the more narrow task of SAR top cover shouldn't the debate be had that it is a role better performed by the Coast Guard. A business jet type can be leased on a turnkey type arrangement much like what is already being done with other Coastguard types. The deal could even be tied into the one being negotiated for SAR helicopter replacement. The pilots of this Business jet will more then likely be ex RAF anyway so there will be skill pull through. In the end we get a type suited for the role and more affordable then utilising over stretched ill suited military types.
Last edited by Fedaykin; 10th Jun 2012 at 15:22.
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I'd dispute the fact that the Nimrod never rescued anyone.
Whilst it never picked up any passengers during a SAR shout, there are, undoubtedly folks who, without the help of the Nimrod, would now be deceased. I'd say that they were rescued.
Duncs
Whilst it never picked up any passengers during a SAR shout, there are, undoubtedly folks who, without the help of the Nimrod, would now be deceased. I'd say that they were rescued.
Duncs
ASRA
I was involved in the "feasability" trial of ASRA chucked from the side door of the NEAF (takes you back) LXX Argosy for the first time.
I have vivid memories of bobbing up and down (vigorously) in the MCU pinnace in Akrotiri Bay in mid winter.....The wind was howling, the waves were towering, and the pinnace crew (but not me, strangely) were throwing up..
We were the target `survivors`
I watched the three yellow containers, 1 small, 1 large and 1 more small, exit the door all in a bunch. They spun down together throwing hanks of orange rope all over the place and the liferaft inflated about half way down.
The entire shebang hit the sea about 50 meters upwind of us and the liferaft burst on impact....I think we eventually recovered some of the cardboard container segments and that was about it...
I think the crew went back dispatch sequence training after....Ho Hum!
BTW: I don't think the Ryan Air option would work either - Have you seen the rates they charge for check baggage these days & ASRA is pretty heavy...
I have vivid memories of bobbing up and down (vigorously) in the MCU pinnace in Akrotiri Bay in mid winter.....The wind was howling, the waves were towering, and the pinnace crew (but not me, strangely) were throwing up..
We were the target `survivors`
I watched the three yellow containers, 1 small, 1 large and 1 more small, exit the door all in a bunch. They spun down together throwing hanks of orange rope all over the place and the liferaft inflated about half way down.
The entire shebang hit the sea about 50 meters upwind of us and the liferaft burst on impact....I think we eventually recovered some of the cardboard container segments and that was about it...
I think the crew went back dispatch sequence training after....Ho Hum!
BTW: I don't think the Ryan Air option would work either - Have you seen the rates they charge for check baggage these days & ASRA is pretty heavy...
Last edited by oldmansquipper; 10th Jun 2012 at 16:49. Reason: poor spelling
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This might sound stupid, but as the Ten has the capability to carry an engine on a pylon under the port wing, a modified pylon could have been dusted off to carry a podded raft, bit late in the day but a remote version could have been possible.