|
Sea King: BBC2 9pm Thursday 28 FEB 2013
...... I will forgive you the loss of hearing the arthritic ankles and the dodgy back because you looked after me a treat. Not all of my colleagues can say the same but I guess being on the very first Sea King training course was my lucky break.
I'll try to catch the programme on the telly. G. ;) |
Sea King: BBC2 9pm Thursday 28 FEB 2013
PPruNer SWBKCB posted an alert on the Nostalgia Thread about this programme coming-up on 28th February but .. it is probably better addressed on a separate thread where Sea King crews past and present (and others) can air their thoughts on this dependable craft.
Details on the up-coming programme can be found here: BBC 2 SEA KING: BRITAIN |
In the meantime .. some German Sea King ops:
|
100+ being retired in the UK in3 years and counting.:{
I wonder if the government will wake up and think: "Gulp" where has our mil rotary fleet gone? The Sea King has served this country well, she's tired and desperate for retirement but carries on relentless. Fantastic value for money. I hope some respectable 'other' country will buy them up and run them for another 40 years!!!!!:sad: |
Tonight and Sunday: BBC 2 Westland Sea King with John Sergeant...
BBC Two - The Sea King: Britain's Flying Past
• Thu 28 Feb 2013 21:00 BBC Two • Sun 3 Mar 2013 18:30 BBC Two ENGLAND ONLY SEA KING: BRITAIN’S FLYING PAST Duration: 59 minutes John Sergeant presents a TV love letter to one of Britain's most iconic aircraft, the Sea King helicopter. An unsung hero of Britain's flying past, vital in wartime and yet essential to the search and rescue work of the Royal Navy. SEA KING: BRITAIN’S FLYING PAST John Sergeant presents a brand new hour-long documentary on BBC TWO celebrating the Sea King helicopter BBC TWO, Thursday 28th February at 9pm On the back of last year’s critically acclaimed BBC TWO documentary about the Spitfire, passionate flying enthusiast and broadcaster John Sergeant returns to the channel this February continuing his celebration of British aviation excellence with a televisual love letter to another jewel in Britain’s flying past - the Sea King helicopter. Once again reveling in his love of all things aeronautical, John, who is himself a former RAF Cadet, guides us through the story of this great aircraft and shares the powerfully emotional stories of the people whose lives it has touched over almost 50 years of service. The Sea King is the true unsung hero of British aviation history. It has protected British troops through ten wars during over four decades of military and civilian service. It has mounted a staggering 14,595 British search and rescue missions since Royal Navy records began in 1982 and more recently it has stirred pride in our hearts as the aircraft flown by HRH Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge in his role as a Search and Rescue pilot with the 22 Squadron covering Wales and Northern Ireland. Prince William says in the show: "I'm incredibly proud to be amongst the Search and Rescue guys and very privileged to be flying with some of the best pilots, I think, in the world." As its retirement draws near, Sea King: Britain’s Flying Past commemorates half-a-century of noble service with a 60-minute show packed with stunning footage of this mammoth yet graceful helicopter and featuring moving stories of heroism, bravery and flying excellence. Riding shotgun with Royal Navy pilots from RNAS Yeovilton and also with 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose, John travels across the British landscape, relishing the power and grandeur of the aircraft. John will also meet the men, women and children who have been saved from serious injury or death and the brave pilots who risk their own lives in order to save others. We learn about the sophisticated equipment on board and through archive we’ll begin to understand the pivotal role the Sea King has played in search and rescue at home and in the major wars of the past few decades. Although in service for over fifty years, Sea Kings first captured the imagination of the British public in the Falklands in 1982. They played a key part in winning the war with heroic insertion of SAS troops into dangerous terrain, anti-submarine search and attack, even acting as decoys to deflect sea-skimming missiles away from surface ships. Both at war and on civilian missions the herculean shape of the Sea King thundering across the skies like a prehistoric metal beast, always inspired feelings of fear and hope. The Sea King always brought relief in one form or another: back-up troops, much needed supplies, rescue facilities, tracking radars. This Bird has seen all types of duty in its history and in Sea King: Britain’s Flying Past the people who owe their lives and livelihoods to it tell us their moving and fascinating stories. |
Trigger's broom ?
I saw this programme last night. A nice review of some impressive SAR ops and some good footage. As somebody who occasionally ventures to sea or into the mountains, it is nice to know that there is such skill and service available in an emergency (or at least until privatisation).
He often referred to one airframe that had been around for ages (sorry I forgot the number), had been shot down and repaired 3 times, been around since the Falklands etc. My question is how much of the original airframe would actually still exist now ? Clearly the moving parts would have been replaced more than once so is this really a case of Trigger's broom or are they still flying on the same frame structure and hence in need of a rest ? |
Three Blades: The craft in question was ZA298:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--...Lofting%29.jpg Westland Sea King HC4 ZA298 of 845 Squadron as seen at Yeovilton on 27th August 1998 (Photo: Chris Lofting) You may read a little more about 298 here: Royal Navy Sea King ZA298 will go back to war after being downed by Taliban | Mail Online I do feel as though the British government have let the services down by allowing the UK's SAR 'experience' to 'escape' the military. In peactime these operations provide important training and experience for military pilots and possess (in my view) an equally important public relations value for the services overall. |
Does John Sergeant live near Culdrose by any chance?
Or does he have a relative in the RN PR dept? With all that SAR footage, the only yellow ones were shown with Prince William walking round it or as a second fiddle at Boscastle. Just remind me who has the most SAR flights in UK again...... |
Originally Posted by [email protected]
(Post 7720437)
Does John Sergeant live near Culdrose by any chance?
Or does he have a relative in the RN PR dept? With all that SAR footage, the only yellow ones were shown with Prince William walking round it or as a second fiddle at Boscastle. Just remind me who has the most SAR flights in UK again...... Crab, I thought the title and the theme of the programme is Sea King, not SAR Flights? Why wouldn't it concentrate on the home of the Sea King since 1969, regardless of the tasking. Might just as well ask why they didn't show more ASW, or sling loading, or RAN/Noggie/German/Indian/Pakistani/Egyptian.... :ok: ps can someone tell me what the bagger's said or did that has the Mil Forum in such a tizwaz? |
Crab, I thought the title and the theme of the programme is Sea King, not SAR Flights? |
No need for more Crab bashing! He is right, the programme was skewed somewhat towards Naval ops (not just SAR) and it would have been nice to see a few more RAF cabs.
|
The programme was about the Sea King, the introduction and development of the type. In that context, I thought the balance of the programme was absolutely correct - 59 minutes RN and i minute RAF. One omission, however, was the part played by other nations in the development of the SAR version of the aircraft. No mention of the Norwegians, Germans or Belgians, all of whom contributed hugely to the RN SAR platform which was eventually cherry picked by the Crabs.
I`m sure Geoffers will have enjoyed seeing some of the Mk1 Sea Kings in action. |
Any chance we can watch this online?
|
Very good point from JE about the other user nations.
As regards RAF aircraft, it remains undeniable that the primary modern Sea King icon is the YELLOW one. |
As regards RAF aircraft, it remains undeniable that the primary modern Sea King icon is the YELLOW one. |
I enjoyed the programme last night; however, I was surprised that BEA Helicopters were not mentioned. I seem to recal back in the early 1960's (64?) they instroduced the S61 on their service to the Scilly Islands from Penzance heliport (specially built for the S61 operation) this was carried on when BA were formed in 1974 up until the mid 1980's when sold to Robert Maxwell and the name changed to British International Helicopters.
|
Yes but LAS, the S61 isn't actually a Seaking is it? It also doesn't fall under the remit of the programme in that it concerned on the British version. Which in reality is quite a different aircraft.
As for the concentration on the naval version. Well I happened to think it was a bit overdue. The RAF tend to get all the glory with their yellow birds. I happen to think that the only reason the RAF was mentioned at all was the fact that HR Wales flies one. |
You obviously missed the beginning of the programme. John Sergeant was quite specific that Westland had taken the Sikorsky airframe and reworked it completely, starting with the Rolls Royce Gnomes, " and you don`t get much more British than that" were his words.
Many old Sea King lags went on to spend many a happy hour ( and some not so happy) in the S61 and it was a wonderful aircraft, some would say yet to be improved on in spite of the march of technology, but it was not a Sea King. |
Crab: Priceless comment:rolleyes:
The truth is and remains that the vast majority of Se King tasking and flexibility of ops lies with the RN. And the prog reflected that. Brought a lump to my throat meeting all my old buddies again after so many years and seeing how they have all aged at different levels:\ A student of mine - now Cdr Air on Lusty! My old nav - STILL in the mob!! And best of all the two winchmen who won the QGM in 1989 with whom I had the pleasure of flying with. Good to see they are all still fighting fit. John Sergeant pitched it quite well i thought. :D |
Boscastle
I think you'll find there were 6 helicopters involved in rescuing people from rooftops in Boscastle: 3 RAF (2 Chivenor, 1 St Mawgan), 2 RNAS (Culdrose), 1 coastguard (Portland). Not that anyone's counting, of course.
|
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. |
Any chance we can watch this online? |
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.... |
Grow up guys and enjoy the programme for what is was! About the Sea King not SAR. Good to see the Fleet Air Arm getting some exposure for a change. |
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. |
Originally Posted by [email protected]
(Post 7722122)
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?
|
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. |
(I'm still flying it every day, are you?) |
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. |
A licence built american airframe licence built american engines |
Rolls Royce?? |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 18:12. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.