USMC rescues Merlin
 

RAF Merlin damaged in Afghanistan | Shephard Group?

The US Marine Corps has salvaged an RAF Merlin after the aircraft made a heavy landing in Afghanistan.
Rotorhub.com has been told the incident occured on June 23 after the Merlin assigned to 1419 Flight made a heavy landing at an assault base in the Lashkar Gar area of Helmand province.
No-one was seriously injured and the incident is now being investigated and the aircraft being assessed to see if it can be returned to service.
Pictures released by the Marine Corps reveal the aircraft has been heavily stripped down for the airlift to Camp Bastion by CH-53 helicopter which took place three days later on June 26.

Thanks for the gen. I hadn't see this previously reported. Good job that the ground situation didn't dictate "destroy in situ!" otherwise it would be a Cat. 5 ......:eek:.

With luck it looks repairable, but I doubt it will be either quick or cheap. At least the crew/pax got out alive which (for the second time) proves the crash-worthiness of the design.:ok:

MB

Some better pics on the USMC site, looks like quite alot of damage particularly to the belly and one of the stubwings?, whilst the other gear leg looks collapsed/up. Good news that everyone is ok and understandably its not an easy environment to operate in, opsec permitting anyone know anymore? Please don't tell me it's number 4 in a recent trend of RAF accident causes...

Can't you resize that image? :eek:

Sure it will just blend out!:eek:

Good to hear the lads are OK.

Is that a certain former LYE sqn exec in the background of picture 2?

Yikes. What happened to the tail? Impact from the main rotors?

Here is a pic of it's recovery flight

Marine CH-53Es Recover Wrecked Merlin, CH-47

Nope. Does look a bit like him tho I s'pose...

From Sheppard again
Heavy-lift helos haul big missions in Afghanistan | Shephard Group

Big Girls in the Marines:E:E

Handy they built a base near it :p

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/P...-0472W-108.jpg

more here

Marine Corps Photos

looks like a nice chicken coop now...:ooh:

Actually, Nutloose, those are the "after" shots, after said Merlin was brought to the base... as shown by this caption & accompanying image:
http://www.marines.mil/_layouts/GetT...150&Height=150

Marine Corps Photos

Does anyone know if it will be fixed in the field or re pattriated to the UK for full asessment and repair's ?

She is on her way home soon

Maybe we can polish her up, stick her in the Tate Modern. :ok:

It was erm, an attempt at dry humour LOL ;)

Still nothing like putting it down anywhere close or handy for stripping it and prepping it for loading, looks almost like they were embarrased to have it back... :p


I suppose if they can't rebuild her, a couple of skis and a coat of red, she can be used by the Squadron Santa at Christmas..

With the crush damage to the engine area, has it rolled over on landing?

I hope that no one is going to be in any bother after the SI reports.

Obviously you are the President of the board, judge, jury and executioner.

Give the guys a break before launching in fella

I believe it did role, or at least thats the buzz, nothing official yet...