Quite correct Mr Whirly and, since I was the first one there, I feel able to comment with some authority.

Who were the only ones who awarded themselves DFCs for it though? Guess what, it wasn't the RAF or the MCA - RN PR doesn't need any help from John Sergeant.

If they wanted to mention SAR in the Sea King, why not have a proper segment on the service with most SAR Sea Kings? They must have been short of footage since they kept showing the Wessex in action!

Don't have a problem with lots of junglie action since they do have the most SKs!

One other point, I thought HRH Prince Andrew was a Lynx pilot not a Sea King one.

My goodness crab@, I think you are barking up a very tall tree: the programme was about the Sea King, wasn't it? We all know and appreciate SAR by all SAR providers, but I can't help but think you are not helping the cause by carrying on about your perceived lack of exposure on the programme.

Andrew was a Sea King driver on 820NAS (before he went to the Lynx) and served with the rest of the squadron in the Falklands.

For those with aspirations to fly for Bristow in the North Sea, you'll find yourselves in august company. Shiner Wright the navy diver who helped to pull survivors of the Murree BBC iPlayer - The Sea King: Britain's Flying Past
(see from minute 32 to minute 39) is now a line training captain presently flying from Aberdeen.

He joined Bristow as rear crew in SAR S61Ns and was later accepted for company-sponsored pilot training. To say that he's good company on the flight deck is an understatement and hearing his anecdotes in the crewroom on a very foggy day has everyone in stitches.

Bristows sure knows how to pick 'em!

Crab just out of interest how many RN DFCs were awarded for Boscastle!?

Sorry, typo - should have read AFCs.

Yes, I know it sounds like sour grapes but the FACTS of the story have been eroded by the Navy PR machine - the RAF crews didn't get a GAPAN award either, despite doing the bulk of the rescuing that day.

John - the exposure was completely skewed to the RN - as mentioned by others already, there are a lot of other Sea King users in the world who didn't get even a small mention.

Just accept that the programme was actually about the RN using Sea Kings and not about the Sea King itself.

Expat Shield

So a programme about the Sea King (made by Westlands) flown by the RN in many different roles since 1969 didn't mention the S61 (not made by Westlands) and only briefly mentioned the few mk3 flown my the RAF. Perhaps the fact that the RN have flown mk1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 for almost 45 years is why is was "skewed" towards the RN?

Grow up guys and enjoy the programme for what is was! About the Sea King not SAR.

John E, perhaps someone could get you a copy on disk? However, I'm sure it will appear on youtu8e at some time! Yes you are also correct HRH was a Sea King driver before going to the Lynx fleet.

Did anyone else notice that right at the end of the credits the date of production of the programme was 2007 - long before Prince William was SAR qualified on the Sea King. It looks to me as though this programme had been held in storage and before transmission they added his yellow Sea King to the end of it.

Good to see the Fleet Air Arm getting some exposure for a change. How many times have I had to cringe with annoyance when the media report a SAR operation taking place from RAF Culdrose....

except that there was a lot about SAR with only the RN side getting the plaudits. The 2 winchmen interviewed were top chaps doing a brave job but there have been an awful lot of them in all 3 SAR providers aircraft (yes I know the S-61 doesn't count).

is this the same fleet air arm who used to launch 2 SAR cabs to a shout with the film crew on the 2nd one?

For those guys out of the UK, when I am abroad I use a service like this one.

Best UK VPN Service | UK PPTP VPN Account for FREE!

No download required, no payment required. Just put todays server id, user id and password into a VPN client and it normally works.

I am sure someone will have a security problem with it, but it is what it is, a free VPN service that gives you a UK IP address and lets you watch UK based stuff while abroad.

Might solve the "can't use iPlayer whilst abroad" problem.

.......and what has that childish comment got to do with anything, especially the thread topic? I will ignore the obvious intentional discourtesy of your lower case reference.

Ahh, the sound of toys exiting prams at Vne when a Crab discovers he isn't the centre of the known universe...

Actually a much better programme than I thought it was going to be, primarily because it didn't assume the viewer had an IQ in single figures.

Oh dear C16, did I touch a nerve? And don't try and tell me it wasn't true, especially in the 80s and 90s.

Bing - don't have to be the centre of the universe - very happy to be on the periphery but, whilst the programme did show the venerable Sea King in a good light (I'm still flying it every day, are you?) it was skewed almost exclusively towards the RN's use of the Sea King - ignoring everyone else's.

Crab,

Have you ever listened to yourself? I know P*****g and Whingeing are core subjects at Cranwell and you probably got a first class pass in both, but give it a rest now.

Well that explains it, they didn't feature the yellow fleet in case your constant dripping was off putting for the viewer...

A licence built american airframe with licence built american engines

"and you don't get more British than that"

I hope he was being ironic otherwise a sad reflection on British design.

To be fair though Westlands really developed the beast and made it into a well loved workhorse.

SAR emphasis maybe, but mostly in a war zone with missiles and bullets........not primary, but secondary role! :ok:

But the yellow fleet don't do war zones do they? :=

The Sea King was seen with winch wires and sonars and troops and weapons fitted. Even the Baggers had a cameo! Sea Kings one and all. :ok:

Like I said an enjoyable programme about the Queen of the Skies as she approaches retirement. :D:D:D

I love how a simple TV programme has spurned such rampant willy waving and maybe shown certain PPRuNer's true colours.

It was an informative piece for the general public to enjoy. It covered a range of theatres that the aircraft has operated in. End of?

Goodbye Seaking. You've been great. I for one, am very much forward looking...new aircraft + SARH. I look forward to hopefully writing the next chapters of this great story.

Westlands best aircraft are licensed built. :E

Rolls Royce??

Yes - the Gnome is a licence built GE T58 (as used in the S61, amongst others)