They'll have to. It would cost too much to change the cover of the F700.

No reason why they should. We had instructors at Oakington on Meteor T7s who had flown them as Meteor F4s.

Yes, I'm sure this was probably not included in the budget... ;)

Not "certain" certain, but there's strong circumstantial evidence that they will.

This photo shows the first HC2 to be handed over, carrying "F-ZWDD" test marks as well as its original HC1 "XW216" serial.

http://www.key.aero/central/images/news/5350.jpg

I can't see the aircraft being re-serialed again at this stage.

All Chinooks retained their original reg during the Mid Life Update (MLU)in the 90's, I'm sure the Puma will retain their's during their ELU!

The only reason for the French registration is to allow civil pilots to complete flight checks after the mods have been embodied. (I have changed Dutch Mil Registrations for UK Flight testing for the same reason)

It is illegal to fly civil pilots on (foreign) military registered aircraft. So technically, someone in MOD knows all about this and someone at ECUK probably coordinates the required changes.

Rigga - it is not illegal for foreign civilians to fly 'our' military equipment. The pilots just have to be approved by the MAA (this activity for test and evaluation used to be carried out by D Flying/Flight Test Div which is now subsumed into the faceless animal that is the MAA).

This aircraft is F-regd as the military EC(Fr) activities at Marignanne is regulated by the French mil regulator and requires all aircraft to have a F-reg. The first 2 aircraft as I recall we be constructed and tested at EC(Fr) with the rest at EC(Ro). EC(UK) will put the UK 'eyes only' equipment on board and test and provide RTS recs.

For EC(Fr) activities, the UK serials should be 'clearly obscured' as they eloquently put in their regulations however this does not appear to be the case here - ho hum.

When the aircraft are at EC(UK) they will be operated under the UK mil reg as this activity now comes under the auspices of the MAA.

Clear as mud eh?

Although this photo was obviously taken in the UK so the French registration should have been removed, unless it was on the delivery flight from France perhaps.

Judging by the number of XW 216s spread around the aircraft it looks like they are all being dismantled and are making sure they connect the rights bits for each aircraft.

Anyone know the latest about this project? I have had a good trawl online but it seems to have gone very quiet! Are the trials for release to service complete? Anyone know if they have received the cabs on the fwd fleet?

The OCF followed by front line crews are due to start flying at Benson in July.

And this was the aircraft that Swiss Des would have scrapped?

A noticeable lack of presence at the Queen's birthday fly past A noticeable absence from the Leuchers Air Day. What's happened? Fitting Makilas to Puma is nothing new and fitting glass cockpits and various other bits is not rocket science. Not only that Odious could not be bothered to send a Chinook up there either
Should tens of thousands of people make an effort to go to Leuchers to see the Royal Air Force then the Royal Air Force can make an effort too.

I live almost next door to the secret Oxonian rotary base and I have not seen a Puma in ages. What are all the squadron guys/gals doing all day?

Does that mean they were there?;)

P1

Edited Damned wireless keyboards,

It has nothing to do with the RAF sending Pumas/Chinooks to the Leuchars Air Show, the decision rests with JHC.

Airborne Artist, there have been Pumas flying in and out of Benson almost daily for at least the last month and on at least a weekly basis for the past few months.

The RWOETU have been flying since last year and the first bunch of QHI/QHCIs have recently qualified.

The phrase "operational not decorational" could not be more apt; I can assure you that the SH force has been very busy as of late and whilst you may not have seen them at Leuchars this weekend the people of Salisbury Plain would have been well and truly sick of the sound of Chinooks and Merlins last weekend and a number of people from both forces were also enjoying the delights of the Plain on the bank holiday. They've also been supporting exercises overseas (and flying the weekends when our FJ brethren refused to)!

The downside of being able to land on a football pitch is that we get called on to support a large number of smaller airshows, village fetes etc around the south of the UK where the rotary wing presence is felt more and they quite simply cant get bigger aircraft on the ground. It's good for the locals and the image of the RAF but is a drain on crews (more so engineers).

Yes, well and truly a bite but just because you don't see aircraft at Leuchars dont rudely assume that it was because they "could not be bothered" to send aircraft up.

It's wasn't rude, or an assumption. They couldn't be bothered.

Ignorance of the highest order
 

Sorry Fareast driver, but I am going to bite.

The Chinook is currently going through an update of the aircraft whilst maintaining operational capability - what other force does that? And I am not talking about a pod here or there - an entire new cockpit with a complete overhaul of the SOPs.

So I apologise if a Chinook could not be "bothered" to turn up to the Leuchars air day. 10 are on ops in Herrick and the rest of the fleet are on Salisbury plain practicing for said op. Where was the Typhoon for Odiham Families day? Or are they that busy? Probably not.

If there is one force that is bothered, it is the Chinook force. I still cannot believe why you would make such a comment apart from wanting to make me bite - which you have succeeded very well.:=

Now go away from my screen little man.....:ugh: