Calling all ex-Wessex personnel
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Cunning Wessex Question...
OK, Pruners, what was the cleared speed range and ht for release of the HE bombs? You Chinook boys and girls might have payload, but we were bombers!
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You Chinook boys and girls might have payload, but we were bombers!
https://warisboring.com/america-drop...7cf#.67d3e5rfp
https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/...nDUqsvHAA.jpeg
Last edited by NutLoose; 15th Mar 2017 at 19:21.
Gentleman Aviator
DunWinching
Quoting from Pilots' Notes for the Mk 2 - AP 4732B-PN - at Pt II Chap 1 para 16....
That's the H-est E I can think of - if you don't count underslung Honest John warheads........
OK, Pruners, what was the cleared speed range and ht for release of the HE bombs?
Cluster Grenades
Cleared for release through the doorway in the speed range 20 to 100 kts and the height band 50 to 300ft. AGL.
Cleared for release through the doorway in the speed range 20 to 100 kts and the height band 50 to 300ft. AGL.
Gentleman Aviator
Thanks DunW - was that the Mk 2 or the Mk 5? I know Junglies did all sorts of warry stuff like SS11s, but wasn't aware the Mk 2 was a bomber. Must have been even before my time!!
Although of course 18 was 18 (Bomber) Sqn!
Although of course 18 was 18 (Bomber) Sqn!
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Mk2, according to the Pilot's Notes I have, formerly owned by a Mr Sephton! Min ht for release was 3000 ft, so rather more of an area weapon than precision, I think designed to annoy rebellious tribesmen whose SA engagement envelope couldn't reach 3k
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Interesting! My PN has last (recorded!) amendment as AL 6 dated Dec '69. The pages I have quoted were all part of AL 6, which may - or may not - be significant.
The date would tie in (ish) with the move of 78 from Aden to Sharjah; presumably Aden would have been the only theatre for the 20lb HE for the Mk2.
Calling any Aden vets!!!
The date would tie in (ish) with the move of 78 from Aden to Sharjah; presumably Aden would have been the only theatre for the 20lb HE for the Mk2.
Calling any Aden vets!!!
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Can anyone place these in the cockpit to help the guy out?
Wessex helicopter instruments- id & pic request
Wessex helicopter instruments- id & pic request
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Teeters, I've asked this question before but don't recall it being answered:
Why were the RAF's Wessex used on 2 Sqn at Shawbury Mk5's, rather than Mk2's? They were obviously ex RN because if you looked carefully the words "ROYAL NAVY" were still visible under the green top coat. Not to mention the rocket firing control panels on the right hand side, under the pilot's window...
Why were the RAF's Wessex used on 2 Sqn at Shawbury Mk5's, rather than Mk2's? They were obviously ex RN because if you looked carefully the words "ROYAL NAVY" were still visible under the green top coat. Not to mention the rocket firing control panels on the right hand side, under the pilot's window...
Teeters, I've asked this question before but don't recall it being answered:
Why were the RAF's Wessex used on 2 Sqn at Shawbury Mk5's, rather than Mk2's? They were obviously ex RN because if you looked carefully the words "ROYAL NAVY" were still visible under the green top coat. Not to mention the rocket firing control panels on the right hand side, under the pilot's window...
Why were the RAF's Wessex used on 2 Sqn at Shawbury Mk5's, rather than Mk2's? They were obviously ex RN because if you looked carefully the words "ROYAL NAVY" were still visible under the green top coat. Not to mention the rocket firing control panels on the right hand side, under the pilot's window...
Perhaps I can answer since I was flying Mk2's at the time. We didn't have any spare Mk2's to equip Shawbury. The RN 5's were being replaced by Mk4 SK - simples, as the young folk say
Which may explain why 84 Sqn got Mk 5s that had been retro-fitted to (almost) Mk 2 status but with the port drop tank still on.
ShyTorque, the answer was indeed not enough Mk2s to go round. They were replaced when 18 gave them up for Chinooks. 84 initially had Mk2s to replace the Whirlwind as they were flown out in Nov 81 from Benson when 72 moved to NI. These were eventually replaced by the converted Mk5 and the Mk2s returned to bolster both 72, post Falklands as the Navy had pulled out of Ireland and the SAR fleet. When 72 first moved totally to Ireland we only had 12 cabs but after we started to build again we had a full alphabet + 2 more ex 18 cabs.
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Al-Bert and Huge72,
Thanks for the "simples" answers! That makes perfect sense now.
I loved flying those old emergencies trainers. IIRC, the Emergencies section of the FRCs was thicker than that for the "Normal procedures".
Thanks for the "simples" answers! That makes perfect sense now.
I loved flying those old emergencies trainers. IIRC, the Emergencies section of the FRCs was thicker than that for the "Normal procedures".
Gentleman Aviator
It was also handy to have some Mk 5 expertise on 72; in the chaos of early 1982 "on the bus off the bus" Falklands preparations, 72 - briefly - took on and flew the 845 Sqn's Mk 5s, just after 72 had deployed as far as Benson (en route FI) before coming back again. The story went like this.
Plan A. 845 Det NI told by RN they would remain in Norn Iron for the duration.
Plan B. RN decide they want the aircrew, but 72 can keep the cabs and the maintainers. OC 72 tasks Trg Off and his team (fine fellows all!!) to train a "suitable cadre" of Mk 5 pilots for day/VMC operations - no Nitesun then on Mk 5. (crewmen had already flown on 845 cabs to help out the RN.) Duly accommplished by aforesaid fine fellows, and tasking - including a day BBK - carried out by RAF crewed Mk 5s.
Plan C. RN decide they want the cabs and the maintainers too - cue mega RAF reinforcement of 72........
Plans A-C all happened within about a week or 10 days in May......
Order and counter-order is a sure recipe for disorder........
And don't get me started on 847..............
Plan A. 845 Det NI told by RN they would remain in Norn Iron for the duration.
Plan B. RN decide they want the aircrew, but 72 can keep the cabs and the maintainers. OC 72 tasks Trg Off and his team (fine fellows all!!
) to train a "suitable cadre" of Mk 5 pilots for day/VMC operations - no Nitesun then on Mk 5. (crewmen had already flown on 845 cabs to help out the RN.) Duly accommplished by aforesaid fine fellows, and tasking - including a day BBK - carried out by RAF crewed Mk 5s.Plan C. RN decide they want the cabs and the maintainers too - cue mega RAF reinforcement of 72........
Plans A-C all happened within about a week or 10 days in May......
Order and counter-order is a sure recipe for disorder........
And don't get me started on 847..............
Ah the good old days of 1982!!
Bare in mind that 72 in its days at Odiham had been a fully 'deployable' squadron in that as soon as the hooter went each aircraft (and crew) was roled with sufficient kit to depart to foreign shores for an extended stay. When the Squadron moved to NI in '81all this kit (and most of the expertise) was removed, and the Squadron was now 'static' and would only do NI tasking.
Apr 30: Sqn Dining In Night at Aldergrove - half way through Boss disappears, not seen again that night.
May 1: S'man and crew depart for day tasking at Omagh, return about 1800 to the news that (a) Sqn going to war, and (b) I'm leaving at 0800 following day to help set up FOB at Benson prior to boarding ship. Massive party in mess.
May 2: Arrive sleepy hollow that was Benson (after brief formation trip with Royal Flight Wessex) to discover scene of total confusion. We have little or no kit, either for crews or aircraft. within hour we have a hangar allocated for our use - the one we vacated the previous year - and clothing stores opens for us; in one end, collect kit bag, fill with anything we think we might need, and out other end with no paperwork or signatures. back on Squadron start getting training programme organised for following day. Load of RAF Regt gunners (with guns and ammo) arrive from somewhere to be 'our' defence force, spend late afternoon and evening on range. In the meantime a load of Pumas have gone to NI.
May 3: More of sqn arrive, I'm to try to teach fighter affil v Hunters for new guys PM. Man arrives and dumps box of new gen NVGs on ops desk and leaves (anyone know how these work?). RN Capt arrives to brief us on Shipboard procedures, but immediately leaves again. Phone rings - STC (Strike Command) here - AL1, all change, Navy don't want you, go back to NI. Cancel fighter affil, rock apes disappear, stores want all their kit back (what kit? - show us signatures etc).
May 4: Hang on, Navy might want you. No, go back to NI. Man arrives to collect box of NVGs (never did discover where they came from).
May 5: Fly back to NI, resume tasking. Lot of very sheepish faces in OM after 'leaving party'.
So that was 72's part in the FI conflict!
Bare in mind that 72 in its days at Odiham had been a fully 'deployable' squadron in that as soon as the hooter went each aircraft (and crew) was roled with sufficient kit to depart to foreign shores for an extended stay. When the Squadron moved to NI in '81all this kit (and most of the expertise) was removed, and the Squadron was now 'static' and would only do NI tasking.
Apr 30: Sqn Dining In Night at Aldergrove - half way through Boss disappears, not seen again that night.
May 1: S'man and crew depart for day tasking at Omagh, return about 1800 to the news that (a) Sqn going to war, and (b) I'm leaving at 0800 following day to help set up FOB at Benson prior to boarding ship. Massive party in mess.
May 2: Arrive sleepy hollow that was Benson (after brief formation trip with Royal Flight Wessex) to discover scene of total confusion. We have little or no kit, either for crews or aircraft. within hour we have a hangar allocated for our use - the one we vacated the previous year - and clothing stores opens for us; in one end, collect kit bag, fill with anything we think we might need, and out other end with no paperwork or signatures. back on Squadron start getting training programme organised for following day. Load of RAF Regt gunners (with guns and ammo) arrive from somewhere to be 'our' defence force, spend late afternoon and evening on range. In the meantime a load of Pumas have gone to NI.
May 3: More of sqn arrive, I'm to try to teach fighter affil v Hunters for new guys PM. Man arrives and dumps box of new gen NVGs on ops desk and leaves (anyone know how these work?). RN Capt arrives to brief us on Shipboard procedures, but immediately leaves again. Phone rings - STC (Strike Command) here - AL1, all change, Navy don't want you, go back to NI. Cancel fighter affil, rock apes disappear, stores want all their kit back (what kit? - show us signatures etc).
May 4: Hang on, Navy might want you. No, go back to NI. Man arrives to collect box of NVGs (never did discover where they came from).
May 5: Fly back to NI, resume tasking. Lot of very sheepish faces in OM after 'leaving party'.
So that was 72's part in the FI conflict!