Best SAR Aircraft Ever
 

Let’s have a more interesting thread, (in my humble opinion)

What’s the best SAR Platform ever (Aircraft)

If you like, it can be broken down to Rotary/Fixed wing/CSAR/Civ/ Mil whatever you like.

Pictures would be really good.

R1a

The Supermarine Walrus?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ine_Walrus.jpg

Mind you, I'm biased because my Grandad ran the factory that built them!

Typhoon ....

Gave Torpy something to cling to whilst RW was actually the most relevant platform :}

That's easy, the Catalina, by far! Everything at the same speed.

The one that rescues YOU!!?
lsh

Never had to be rescued by one, although the arrival of the ASR Launch c/w a tot of rum whilst on water survival training at RAF Mountbatten was very welcome for a V E R Y cold survivor!

However at 5 FTS, RAF Thornhill, Rhodesia in early 1950's the station Anson was on stand-by for aircraft down in the 'bundu' and regular dropping supplies practice was carried out as shown here.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...Anson-1952.jpg

Later at the 1954 Battle of Britain display at Biggin Hill a USAF Manston-based SA-16 Grumman Albatross search and rescue amphibian demonstrated a Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO).

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...-BigginHil.jpg

Later still whilst at RAF China Bay in 1957 Seletar based 205/209 Sqn had a Sunderland on permanent detachment for SAR purposes. Wonderful views from the Sunderland's panoramic windows, plus a Primus (paraffin) fuelled galley for fry ups and fresh brewed tea. ISTR the meals were taken in what the crew called the "Wardroom" - all very civilised.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ightingAre.jpg



http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...7-July1958.jpg


This last photo from my album is of one of 205/209's Sunderlands at RAF Gan in 1958.

As to the merits of these aircraft, I reckon when you're in trouble down in the drink or out in the bundu, they would all be very welcome.

Tony

PS Two more photos from my album of aircraft with a possible SAR role. These are of Short Sealands of the Indian Naval Service which took part in exercise JET'57. 10 of these aircraft were supplied to the Indian Navy and four of these participated in the exercise based at RAF China Bay, Sri Lanka. Although amphibian, their operations during the exercise were from the runway, they didn't use the flying boat alighting area.

Home base of these Sealands was the Indian Navy Fleet Requirements Unit at Cochin.

One of the more pleasing to look at aircraft IMHO.

T.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...IndianNavy.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...-IndianN-1.jpg

This thing, the Shin Meiwa PS-1/SS-2, always looked like it could handle a South China Sea state:

http://acielmd.cool.ne.jp/tkg21/phot...nes/PS1_02.jpg

Whereas this one looks like it'd get there and back faster than anything else in the fleet:

http://www.machtres.com/be200-04.JPG

More than most missions, the aircraft means little, the AIRCREW means everything.

It's big, it's ugly but it's a beautiful sight - MH-53 Pave Low

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/a...fst8909541.jpg

Wouldn't it be better to post your choice and explain why?

Long CSAR range and door mounted .50 cals do it for me :ok:

The MH-53M uses miniguns usually on the side doors.Have you seen the facial gear the gunners use now? They look like Darth Vaders troopers...
It certainly is a wicked looking machine...

Mind you, the one in this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/rockface/game/main.swf

has most of the others beat for control response, load-lifting capability and so on. Shame about the endurance, or lack thereof...

It's OK Thud - just had a go and collided with the bloke on the island - doh!!!

Wow, flew for the real outfit and still didn't make the training mission!!!

Good to see it's a 771/819 chopper thou ;)

The Sunderland and Shagbat photos are of an age I can only dream of. Great shots, thanks.

The Coastguard SR 61
The best purpose built SAR helo ever - has rescued more than any other craft to date - even beats SeaKing and Lifeboats - sorry guys!

Well now those SR 61's are awful roomy you know.......

S-61 in the SAR role was just a ordinary oil and gas cab with a winch strapped on at the beginning. As the years went on mods and avionics were added to make it a good alround SAR aircraft, but it was never purpose built. Best for me was the Sea King. At least it had a hot water boilerto make tea coffee, pot noodles on those long slogs out to the west, something sadly missing from the S-61 and it's replacement, the S-92. :cool:

I thought from the specs you had a fully fitted kitchen in the back of the 92, don't you use the rear ramp for the galley trolley! :)