Aircrew Armed ?
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Aircrew Armed ?
So I watched 'Blackhawk down' last night and during the scene where Mike Durant defends himself with an MP5 I wondered if RAF aircrew and pilots are armed in the event they are shot down and if so what with? L22 Carbine?
History: I recall reading a book about the outbreak of war and the aircrew all being issued with Webleys. The statistic escapes me but there were quite a few shots heard around the Mess that evening and one pilot was hospitalised with a gunshot wound.
Today: Carbine, Glock and a vicious fighting knife that would see me arrested if out and about with it in the UK.
Today: Carbine, Glock and a vicious fighting knife that would see me arrested if out and about with it in the UK.
I recall during GW1, one of the RSAF aircrew playing with his automatic pistol in the cockpit; he dropped the magazine onto the floor, where several rounds fell out....
On another occasion, while checking his pistol in the ops room, another aircrew member fired a round into the ceiling....
On another occasion, while checking his pistol in the ops room, another aircrew member fired a round into the ceiling....
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I recall during GW1, one of the RSAF aircrew playing with his automatic pistol in the cockpit; he dropped the magazine onto the floor, where several rounds fell out....
On another occasion, while checking his pistol in the ops room, another aircrew member fired a round into the ceiling....
On another occasion, while checking his pistol in the ops room, another aircrew member fired a round into the ceiling....
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Danny. It progressed. In Aden '67 we had the same, but only twelve rounds Defence cuts? Mind you, if you insisted, it was possible to draw a Stirling SMG with, IIRC, two magazines of twenty rounds each. I guess it kept the enemy's heads down until the rescue chopper came.
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After the Browning came the Walter, 7.62? Fewer rounds than the Browning. Plenty of practise, annual shoot with very few rounds. Group and then snap, jammed rounds drill and magazine change.
What was never discussed was tactical use and ROE. We always fired two handed from standing position at the charging enemy just 15 metres away. If in the middle of nowhere faced by one man I might have been tempted. Two men - not a chance.
If an unarmed person discovered you, could you shoot him? If you did and were then caught I don't think you would get a fair trial. If he was armed I don't think his mates would have been that happy either.
What was never discussed was tactical use and ROE. We always fired two handed from standing position at the charging enemy just 15 metres away. If in the middle of nowhere faced by one man I might have been tempted. Two men - not a chance.
If an unarmed person discovered you, could you shoot him? If you did and were then caught I don't think you would get a fair trial. If he was armed I don't think his mates would have been that happy either.
Nigerian In Law
When I was an AAC pilot we were issued with a Browning 9mm automatic and 2 full magazines. But that was a long time ago.
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Last edited by Nigerian Expat Outlaw; 24th Jul 2017 at 16:20. Reason: Karnt spell.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kpiaP_yaIg
From about 11:30 they discuss that.
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Crewmen were obviously deemed better shots (or more expendable)....
(If you discount the box of 200 7.62 mm for the machine gun, that is).
Goodness knows how far over the coals you'd get dragged for actually firing any of them - losing a round was almost a hanging offence.
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Saintsman,
Same thing ("pick-helves") in 1941. All the rifles were needed for the Home Guard. Should've thought the supply position was a bit better thirty years later. Perhaps someone had negotiated a crafty contract for pick-helves !
I wonder what happened to them all.
Danny.
Same thing ("pick-helves") in 1941. All the rifles were needed for the Home Guard. Should've thought the supply position was a bit better thirty years later. Perhaps someone had negotiated a crafty contract for pick-helves !
I wonder what happened to them all.
Danny.
We had a jaapie copilot on Victors who had a (UK) licensed Mauser. On overseas trips he flew with it stored in a kind of 'speed rig' holster under his left armpit under his flying suit. He left in the aircraft on overnight stops.