£6.301 Billion pound deficit in equipment and counting.... ;)

More to the point, how big is a Puma compared to a London omnibus? I think we should be told.

If there was a bird involved, and it ended in tears, can we assume that Dark Menace was flying?

CG

Glad the crew is ok.

How do we know the bird hit the Puma? .......

....because the dent was at the back! :)

b-i-t-c-h...

:D :D :D

Lastest Rumour
 

Just heard that it has been stated post the Catterick crash ïf the RAF crash another puma no mid life upgrade". Well that should free up some funds for Army Aviation. No wait more hotels for the crabs.

Bin the pants Wildcat and we could buy our own hotels

glad to hear the crews alright. the most important thing!

i heard this crash meant that the puma extension is gone and the army are going to get blackhawk now........


pukkah gen NO WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

The boss of JHC will probably want to have a chat with the chap who conducted the recent Strategic Review of the Puma Helicopter Force. ;)

Glad all got out safely.

Bin the pants Wildcat AH if you must but don't tar HMA with the same brush.

Bishy...
 

Why dig in when you can check in?!:}

Bishy,
That would seem rather harsh if it turned out to be for technical reasons. Not that there is any info to suggest it was....

Birds eh, how inconsiderate...The rear sliding cowling also appears to be missing..
perhaps it came off during the crash, perhaps in the air, if so that can ruin your day PDQ...
Glad the crew are safe and still about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the mighty Puma!:ok:

MRBs smashed off, Blade Pins still in place. Pitch Links Broke. So it seems it was all together when it hit the ground.

Dog house likely came off when it rolled and the tail broke from looking at the damage around the FBSG and the broken TR Drive.

Birdstrike....?.....Flying pig more like!

Do 230 Sqdn still exist?? The photos looks like Softy the Puma has laid down to have its tummy scratched, just like a good little moggy. Bless.

Interesting the cowling is missing , birds dont usually hit that part and I mind back in Ireland so many times of a cowling inspection pre flight being the norm introduced as one came off in flight.

Main thing is everyone got out :)

Glad they are alright
 

Glad all OK and a good job well done but how long before the Land funding reductions/JHC restrictions and reductions on Fg Hrs have a real effect on FS. Currency versus competency? All the boys and girls doing the best they can with the hrs they get but how many exemptions are being asked for? Only a matter of time before something serious happens.

Wouldn't one mean hole? compared to the Wessex, the Puma was constructed of Bacofoil, they should have used more bodge tape on it, after all the floor boards seem to have remained in position quite well, considering they are bodge taped down.

" after all the floor boards seem to have remained in position quite well, considering they are bodge taped down."

Screwed down.

HG

Blimey, seem to remember never screwing them down, just tape up the joins.

Nutloose:

Yep... In 88 they were bodge taped down all around. Maybe, since they started so many shooting wars, they put some metal plate there to help out the crewman, they might need screwing down...

Yes, there's no way those Pumas will last more than five minutes, is there? :rolleyes:

Over the thirty seven year period that I flew various marks of Puma, both military and civil, I knocked up over 12,000 hours with aircraft having various national registrations painted on the side. During that time I cannot remember a moment of concern. There were the odd hiccups; but not enough to make me stub my cigarette out.

Let's not talk about the S76.

Congrats to the pilot in order
 

From what I've heard the pilot handling did a great job to save the crew, given the aircraft was not wanting to fly. Well done you. :ok:

Same as in parachuting... Any landing you walk away from is a good 'un... :D

Fareastdriver...............
 

I couldn't agree more; the Puma has been fabulous..I've flown in it since we bought the aircraft in 1971....I've had vortex ring (I reported sick for that one!) and one engine failure in all those years after we had subjected the old girl to all sorts of abuse in the name of operations. Fabulous helicopter it's just a pity the yoof of today don't seem to be able to handle her with a skill level above basic.
Nothing wrong with the Puma if you think there is then I suggest you look in the mirror for the real problem........
I did not intend to upset anyone but if I have - TUF!!;)

Never said it was bad, just a bit tinny compared to the Wessex, and maybe past it's sell by date a tad too, but never mind, here, I have uploaded some pics for you to reminisce over... :ok:

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f.../CWxw202-1.jpg

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...rtspitches.jpg


http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...xttotheSea.jpg

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...xttotheSea.jpg

:p

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...artingcopy.jpg

Nutloose, thanks for the photos. 15 Wessex to do the work of one Puma. Must have been a warm day. :p

Puma would have been a long way in front - or u/s :oh: !

Mind you, judging by the debris trail, that was a clumsy landing in the second Puma picture....

I have a feeling I may have been no 24 (in a Puma) in that formation. All was well until the lead Wessex flared a bit. By the time the ripple got to me, chaos reigned!

Was that the famous 24 ship line astern formation led by either the station commander or OC Flying Wing; 8 Wessie follow by two packs of 8 Pumas.

I was No 2 in the first Puma pack and the overall leader decided he was ahead of schedule so he slowed down. By the time it got to No 8 Wessex he was standing on his tailwheel in the air. As a Puma requires three days notice in writing to slow down my No 1 and I passed him either side and then waited as he chased after his compatriots with his lever held against the roof. We presumed everybody behind got their act back together because the actual flypast was quite acceptable.

Erm 15 in the picture.............. was chased by a Puma if memory servs me correctly and was the Departure of 72 Sqn from Odiham.

Any further 'speculation' on the cause?

CBTL, check your PM

So is that you giving out some 'secret' knowledge, or telling him to stick his speculation hunting where the sun don't shine until the official report comes out?