Sea King (CR)
 

Taken from the Navy News today

Sea Kinig (CR)

Reads...
The first of a new version of the venerable Sea King has been handed over to the Joint Helicopter Command.

Three of the Mk 6 Commando Role (CR) aircraft were delivered to help plug a gap in the Navy’s Operational Capability while the Junglie fleet – the Mk 4 Commando Helicopters – underwent an extensive avionics upgrade over a four-year period.

The programme was instigated in early 2002, aiming to modify five redundant Sea King HAS Mk 6 anti-submarine warfare aircraft to take on a utility/troop carrying role.

Work included removal of sonar dipping gear and winch, radar, electronic countermeasures and weapons systems in the most complex project undertaken by MASU, which converted one of the aircraft.

Serco Aerospace and DARA Fleetlands converted two each.

The handover of the first machines was marked by the presentation of a commemorative cartoon to Brig Caplin, Deputy Commander of the JHC, by Capt Powell of the Sea King Integrated Project Team.

I have a question about this conversion for any of you Technocrats out there.

Why have they retained the Float-type Undercarrige bay? would the removal of this have been more favorable wrt all up wieght? also does anyone know if the Retraction system still works on these A/C?? (Is JunglyAEO out there?)

Many Thanks


Al

I think they nabbed another couple of airframes to replace the SKWs lost in Telic.

And they'll still need 6 aircraft to do the job of one Chinook and won't have any hot and high capability.

althenick,

The original undercarriage was kept to reduce conversion costs I suspect and it is now locked down - though I suppose it could always be reactivated ( I can't think why anyone would wish to do that).

Don't you get a little tired of the pro-Chinook brigade always trying to bash probably the most versatile U.K. military helicopter of all time?. Sour grapes I suspect:zzz:

Let me see now...that'll be the SK, modded and back in productive service where 'tis needed, whilst the almighty Chinook was procured and...

........We had better not talk about the money wasted on that other Helo so far:{ - for what?

althenick

The gear is indeed locked down as if there was another lever in the cockpit, we'd end up playing with it and break it.:D

Flypro

No one can do anything or post anything on the board about SH without someone piping up about how much better it could be done by the Chinook. It does get very tiring, especially when it is b0ll0cks.:zzz:

As usual you can bet one of the factors for retention was cost, plus equipment stowage, and the gear would be locked down as the retraction control was removed for human factors purposes -ie reverting to type behaviour. Remember the Mk4 doesn't have retractable undercarriage.

Sea King vs Chinook
 

Ha!

After 35 years, once again the mighty Sea King proves itself. Form is temporary, class is permanent. Perhaps they chose this platform on airworthiness grounds, not just economics!!

Does the conversion extend to cockpit layout and NVG'ing? May be important if they are to operate within a mixed 4/6 fleet. The removal of the listed avionics is simple - not too far removed from the conversion to HU5s. The complex part would be providing the same capability as the HC4.

Good job MASU.

So, how much longer must the venerable old Sea King soldier on in the Junglie guise? What's on the horizon for FASH/SABR or whatever we're calling it this week?

I'm sure their lordships will be burning the midnight oil to provide us with the best possible options for the future - that's when they can talk to the South American's so as to buy back some 'slightly used' Wessex.

(Although I do hear there are some Whirlwinds around still as well).

Back to the Future

Jock me old, we both know that if the RN bought Chinooks and played with them a la Jungly ethos then they would be the Bees Knees. Problem is the Crabs are far more tied to over-restrictive rules, despite having boys who are equally 'can do' as you boys are..I should know I've worked for both of ya. Whilst Crab bashing can cerainly be fun, it's often too close to the bone for the Crabs it's directed at and after a while becomes a tad monotonous. Semper Instans..or whatever.

HM

Huey, you old bu993r,

If I may narrow the bracket slightly, I have nothing against those with the can-do attitude, and indeed have just had a fab (all things relative for being at sea, of course!) 2 months with the mix of 18 and 27 on the whistling pig that is the "O" boat, who were more can-do than a can-do thing! Additionally, with the great (again, all things relative!) tri-service rule book we now have, those that can do, do do on a more regular basis, which I am all for. However, when it comes to these forums, it's so often the same old crowd who bleat on that nothing can be as good as having 2 main rotors, with often the minimal info on what others are capable of. As for bashing, it is fun but I only do it in defence - if my banter is too close to the bone, then apply for thicker skin.

By the way, are you ever coming back to the UK? It would be good to see you! :ok:

Here, Here...couldn't agree more....glad to see Joint Happiness Command has a joint Rule Book..has it got more restrictive for you chaps, or easier for the Crabs/Pongoes......?

Re. a return......I'd be happy to stay where I am....Happy as A Schwein in der Scheiße!!!!!!!!! But alas must return next year....probably to the all new Plastic Pig, but watch this space.

It's nice to see the Crabs trotting out the same old war-cries like 'hot and high' and bleating about lift capacity. The problem with the Chinook is that it takes so bl**dy long for the crew to get the troops on board and stow their kit that you could normally have done the job with a King making a couple of runs!!

Ahhh.....inter-aircraft rivalry, don't you just love it!! :ok:

tecumseh - the SK6CR does have an NVG compatible cockpit, but it's been done like the old-style SK4 cockpit with the strip lights and filters. As jockspice mentioned, the undercarriages are locked down, mainly because you'd never get a Jungly to remember to lower it!

Oh dear Navy types - did I hit a raw nerve? I know you won't admit it but the Sea King is not a great SH helicopter no matter how much you pretend. It doesn't carry enough, it's not fast enough and the airframes are all shagged - not to mention its pathetic hot and high performance - the reason the airframe is kept simple (eg no retractable gear) is to save weight. One Chinook will deliver as many blokes as a whole wave of SKs - which would you rather have supporting your assault if you were infantry?
Go and fly one and then slag it off.

But it can't be in 6 places at once and if it gets shot down then a large chunk of your airlift capability goes with it. 5 Sea Kings haul a lot more then a mangled or unserviceable Chinook.

But at least it can get to the places where it might get shot down, and with a useful load on board - what use is an SH helicopter that can't fly because it is too hot?

The Indians use SKs, as do the Aussies and I'm sure many other users from warmer climates. I have not heard any great rush to replace them over the last 20 years or read stories about them falling out of the skies when the sun shines.

Let me think of another type which has "hot weather problems" ah yes, the Sea Harrier - and the Indians use that quite happily too.

Gentlemen, I think you are starting to believe your own propaganda.

This might be of interest

And this as well