Sea King XV677 pics

Antonio1/Tony,

PM sent

Cheers
Nigel

Hi Antonio1/Tony,

That explains why they were removed, many thanks. Nobody at the SKIPT knows much about the port aft units, in fact they contacted me to see if I had one (I’ve got the forward & Stbd aft units).

It does seem like they have gone the way of the Dodo. Were hoping to mount some inert depth charges/torpedoes for effect, if we can ever find some, so we’ve got some of the older weapons carriers for the aft units. Now it’s just a case of crossing our fingers & praying that someone can point us in the right direction for regarding the inert/display units.

Regards
Nigel

hi
nigel

The carriers were removed because they were causing cracking in the torsion box, the carriers were sent back to the Sea king IPT, I would think that most have been scrapped by now.I don’t think that they were used much I would think with 4 mk46/stingrays the endurance was greatly reduced.This was at a time when the seakings would ripple fly for up to a week at a time this required 3 aircraft in the air 24 hours a day, one on the target area and one flying to the area and one heading back to the ship hard on man and machine.
About this time the weapons carriers were changed, the old carriers required the weapon loaders to torque load four “crutch assemblies” which required the supervisor to carry a torque wrench,a pain when loading at night rotors running. They were replaced by the EMERU which is still in use on the Merlin today.i think they have small wedges which provide the logditudinal stabillity.

Tony

Hi Bravo 533,

Thanks for the info, if I may be cheeky, would it be possible for you to copy the logbook details so I can gather the info for her.

As for a visit, please do, you’ll be made more than welcome. I’m normally on site Wednesday’s, Saturday’s & Sunday’s.

Regards

Nigel

Just found this thread and its link to the 677 restoration.

I flew XV677 as a Pilot serving with 706 NAS on the following dates in 1979.

Sept 8th, 17th (twice night flying) & Nov 9th.

I have looked through my personal photos but do not have any of her although I think I have some MoD Sea King photos in the loft somewhere!!

As I now live not too far from Doncaster, reckon I will pay a visit for old times sake!

Good luck with the venture!

Hi Antoni01/Tony,

Oh yes, fully appreciate MoD restrictions. However, may I ask, when your chatting in the various locations at Culdrose. I’m looking for a port aft weapons carrier (Sea King). Many moons ago, Sea King’s 5/6 used to carry 4 weapons carriers. Then mid/late 80’s they did away with the port aft unit, not sure why. These were taken off the database some years ago but nobody seems to know if they were destroyed/scrapped or if they are tucked away in some dark corner somewhere. Could you ask to see if anyone knows about these elusive beauties.

As for Damian, know it well, our MRH is Ex XV666 and so far it’s behaving itself.

Regards
Nigel

Hi Nige, Happy new Year to you.:)

I’ve just looked at the original photo’s- is it really only 4 1/2 years since her arrival at Aeroventure:eek:. Originally you said it would take 10 years, but at this rate she’ll be flying next year.:D

Every time I go over its always nice to see her coming together a little bit more- boy does she look good.

I’ll see you sometime soon.

all the best Stuart.

hi nigel

yes I still work at culdrose, after a period of teaching in schools I went back to avation.
A few years ago I was offered a job teaching at the sea king school but felt that the sea kings days were numbered, which seems to of been a bit premature as they seem to have been extended to at least 2015/2016 little did I think at the start of the 80’s when I first started working on them that they would still be flying into 2011.

My last four years in the navy was spent in Sea king/Jetstreem tech support at a time when the merlin was coming into service.It was the later models that were sent to sultan first,a combination of capstain wiring on the latter models and better construction methods on the earlier models.
At least you do not have xv666 known as “damian” many times when dis embarking from one of the carriers we would use the help of 771 and it was considered a bad omen to come ashore in her.
I still have many friends in the sea king world so if you are ever stuck just post and I will try and help. of course the old bird is still flying and I am bounded by the same restrictions as service personel with regards restrictive information.

Tony

Hi Antonio1/Tony,

The project is based in sunny Doncaster, waayyy UP North. I’ve made a number of contacts during the restoration who have helped in God knows how many ways, some of which you may know.

Are you by any chance working out of Culdrose?

Nigel (owner Sea King XV677)

Beautiful work Seaking677! She looks magnificent!

Cheers,
Richard

Hi Nigel

good to see your post i spent most of my 22 years in the fleet air arm on sea kings and worked on your cab on 706,810 and 814 i have now moved on to Merlin as a civillan instructor, but i still have a few technical notes mainly electrical and avionic as well as aircrew manuals for the mk5 and 6 and a set of flight reff cards:). It is worth noting that many of the current navy training notes still use sea king systems to explain principals.sadly i cant find any phots i will check my slides later and post anything i find.
where are you based?
Tony:)

Many thanks for the comments. Progress has been a little slow lately partly due to the acquisition of some of the parts still needed and partly due to the fact that we couldn’t find her under all that white stuff.

Photographs of the projects progress are available via the links in the previous message, they include recent pics.

Thanks again for any help in advance.

Regards

Nigel (owner XV677)

yeah http://www.project677.co.uk/3.html

http://project677.fotopic.net/

great work

Found the owners website courtesy of Google.

Outstanding job well done. 🙂

Hi All,

I’m trying to collect as many photo’s of XV677 during her career in the RN. I’ve got several via Ebay & MAP, does anyone have any of her & would be willing to either copy or sell?

Regards

Nigel (owner XV677)

Any shots of her as she is now that you can share?

Cheers,
Richard

Found her at Twenthe airshow 1996.

Thought I had it but that little tiger logo showed up on XV701 as well back in July 1997. Still searching.