Sol, nice picture of the Merlin on your page today, looks like a test model with BERP blades, any idea how old the photo is or what model it is? Pretty sure its British, can just about make out the DSTL logo on the side.
i believe its about 4 years old. i'll look to make sure...if you look in my picasa folder i have a hi-rez in their if you'd like one....
just a side note. i was about to do a page with a modest proposal to downsize the uk's helicopter fleet to the Merlin, Chinook, AW149 for utility helos...and the AH-64 Apache for the attack mission.
the idea is to make the force across all the services more functional, cheaper to operate, more modern and more joint all in one swoop.
Not a bad proposal there. My only worry would be getting rid of Lynx in the naval role, don't know how suitable for the role the 149 is. I guess that could be negated with appropriate navalisation and weapons integration on that and/or Apache.
Apart from that its a good idea (TD thinks along similar lines I believe), with Merlin taking Sea King's role (naval utility, SAR, commando, and possibly including ASAC but not sure what's happening there, we may get E2's instead) and the 149's replacing Puma and Lynx. That would actually be a damn good fleet for the UK if they were available in sufficient numbers. Merlin numbers would need to increase slightly for the Navy, another 24 or so minimum. In an ideal world i'd leave a medium sized fleet of Merlin's for Army use, but a slightly larger dual use Commando helo fleet for the Marines should suffice.
The 149 buy would need be 100+ definitely alongside the announced Chinook fleet increases (from 48 to 70). Finally Apache numbers would need to be brought up by getting a proper supply chain in place for parts.
Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteNot strictly post relevant -
ReplyDeleteSol, nice picture of the Merlin on your page today, looks like a test model with BERP blades, any idea how old the photo is or what model it is? Pretty sure its British, can just about make out the DSTL logo on the side.
i believe its about 4 years old. i'll look to make sure...if you look in my picasa folder i have a hi-rez in their if you'd like one....
ReplyDeletejust a side note. i was about to do a page with a modest proposal to downsize the uk's helicopter fleet to the Merlin, Chinook, AW149 for utility helos...and the AH-64 Apache for the attack mission.
the idea is to make the force across all the services more functional, cheaper to operate, more modern and more joint all in one swoop.
what do ya think?
Solomon,
ReplyDeleteThanks, great videos. Check out the B-25 at the hold short at the very end of the F-35C video.
oooh great eye. i missed that after watching it the first time.
ReplyDeleteSol,
ReplyDeleteNot a bad proposal there. My only worry would be getting rid of Lynx in the naval role, don't know how suitable for the role the 149 is. I guess that could be negated with appropriate navalisation and weapons integration on that and/or Apache.
Apart from that its a good idea (TD thinks along similar lines I believe), with Merlin taking Sea King's role (naval utility, SAR, commando, and possibly including ASAC but not sure what's happening there, we may get E2's instead) and the 149's replacing Puma and Lynx. That would actually be a damn good fleet for the UK if they were available in sufficient numbers. Merlin numbers would need to increase slightly for the Navy, another 24 or so minimum. In an ideal world i'd leave a medium sized fleet of Merlin's for Army use, but a slightly larger dual use Commando helo fleet for the Marines should suffice.
The 149 buy would need be 100+ definitely alongside the announced Chinook fleet increases (from 48 to 70). Finally Apache numbers would need to be brought up by getting a proper supply chain in place for parts.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.