It’s neither….
It’s not CGI and it’s not historic. It is VERY impressive but to answer the original question…. Neither!
I’ve no issue with withdrawing the Sea Kings. The part that I genuinely don’t understand is how this service is better delivered by a private company? I understand that many of the crews are moving over with the change, but at the end of the day, as tax payers we are paying for a company to go out, buy a whole new fleet of helicopters, maintain them, hangar them, fly them, accommodate crews in new facilities… and give the shareholders thousands of pounds in the way of profit. Why didn’t we just do that ourselves but save the profit part? I know it bean counters, and I know its probably a different budget so it doesn’t count. But overall I really see it as a retrograde step and I think its a sad reflection on our current air force.
While we’re sharing photos!
You’re absolutely right Robert… Nothing lasts forever. And nostalgia shouldn’t get in the way of progress but I just cant understand how this was ever a good move? Its a sad day for the UK and the RAF.
No VX927 – you need a stall! 😀
Dont let my wife see that!
Be interested to hear who got the Heron spinners.
Can I expect a PM?!!!
Nice shots, thanks for sharing for us that wont get down there.
I have asked a mate of mine to take get some aerial shots, hopefully she will be able do some flying in the next 5 days.
Just be mindful that there is a temporary airspace restriction in place over the carrier.
The main thing you missed was talking to a wonderful lady (Jane) who had an amazing story to tell about a Stirling which crashed on her farm – I’m sorry for gate crashing at the end of your conversation (Howard +1)!! The Heron spinners are great, but it was worth coming just to talk to Jane!
Sadly (VERY sadly) not all these things are stolen for scrap…. Many a valuable artefact has been stolen to adorn the wall of a wealthy collector.
Either way, its absolutely disgusting what has happened. The Wickenby memorial and museum is maintained by such a great team of people… This really is saddening.
David Burke – The aircraft were ‘maintained’… But the Haddon Cave report was extremely damming into how the fleet had been looked after. The the fact the ‘only’ one was lost in Afghan was more luck the judgement. I understand at least one other came very close. I say that with a heavy heart as I come from a ‘Nimrod’ family.
I do hate to say it, but I think Haddon Cave would disagree with your statement that the loss of one machine should not be viewed as a lack of care in maintenance. I dont mean maintenance as in daily maintenance or annuals etc… I mean necessary upgrades etc to make the aircraft safe. That was defiantly lacking, hence the aircrafts early demise.
Its a long time since I read the report so many of the facts escape me, but it was very damming 🙁
In many respects, the age of the airframe isn’t as important as the age of the upgrades that the airframe has had. The nimrod had been very much neglected and had become dangerous. The old 135’s on the other hand had been maintained and upgraded and were very much fit for purpose! It was a no brainer really!
Oh I give up! :eagerness:
Good. Perhaps you would be better spending your says posting here…. http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/
That will be the same engine that was recently advertised in Florida… I think it’s also been advertised as being in Glasgow, Cambridge and London…. proceed with caution!
Is this a short terms display or are you looking at something long term? Also, are you looking for parts to be donated, lent or sold?
Lovely old photo. Is that taken at Wickenby, Lincolnshire?