Grizzly Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Thursday from 10.30 hrs will see a mass fly past of 771NAS flying West over St Micheals Mount, Penzance, Lands end,North coast St Ives ,Newquay,Truro,Falmouth back into Culdrose to sadly pay off & lower the standard. FLY NAVY Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roof Rat Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Sad day RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 History will show us just how sad this is. Not that long ago we needed more vertical lift resources. In an uncertain future it will be shown to be to folly. Not just for the fine men and women who are part of the unit. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moaning dolphin Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Very sad day indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The original Kit Builder Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 You wouldn't credit howw little is being made of this around here, at the Sentinel of the Southwest. I work here and found out from my wife catching some small mention of it on the local news this morning and checking in to find this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 A sad day indeed, thanks for the heads-up Len. I see there is mention on the Culdrose FB page. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davepb Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 At least BBC1 had an item on Breakfast TV yesterday - and they even described them as Royal Navy helicopters!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wafu Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 End of an era indeed, the Red and Grey shape will be missed overhead but we must face the fact that the Sea King fleet has out lasted many of its fellow serving aircraft and manpower for that, neither the RN or the RAF can keep the old ladies going without spending a hefty chunk of the Defence budget. Also to consider is the safety side, the RAF Nimrod that 'broke-up' over Afganistan had suffered catastrophic failure of the Airframe, we do not want to ask our Armed Forces to risk their lives just for sentiment of an time served airframe. The spares released from the disbandment of SAR will add a small amount of leeway to keep the AEW fleet in the air until a replacement is brought into service. So long to the Sea King in its SAR role, you served us the public and the Armed Services well but it's time to stand down and retire in the glory. Farewell 771 in December and thanks for being always ready and on call. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dambuster Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 the RAF Nimrod that 'broke-up' over Afganistan had suffered catastrophic failure of the Airframe, I really think you need to read the BOI report and understand the facts before making unfounded assertions. Or do you also think that this is what happened to the two 'baggers' in 2003? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I don't think that Wafu is saying that at all, but remember that the oldest of the ASaCs is 45 years old, and it is undeniable that they all require a lot more maintenance and TLC than they used to. And as I am almost that age as well I empathise most strongly. The 2003 accident was just very, very bad luck. Anyhow, I shall be closing up at just before 1145 and heading out to the top of Pydar Street to give the boys (and girls) a wave as they clatter over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Cracking sight, though looked like one cab went u/s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wafu Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I really think you need to read the BOI report and understand the facts before making unfounded assertions. Or do you also think that this is what happened to the two 'baggers' in 2003? Peter Dambuster, to clarify the sentence. The BOI report states that a catalogue of errors throughout the aircrafts life in service led to a culture and modification program that by 2006 had the RAF in a state of false hope that the a/c could keep flying. A fire on an a/c should in this day and age not bring the a/c down. My point is that as the Armed Forces fleets become aged they should be decommissioned. New technology should keep the personnel safe and mission capable. I hope this clarifies my sentence? The AEW mid air in the Gulf has not been proven but it is widely felt it was pilot error in one or both of the MK II's. A sad loss (as was the loss of the Nimrod crew) as I knew one of the crew. Cheers the Woo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyf117 Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 (edited) Content withdrawn - I will NOT be threatened by a moderator, simply because I queried the actions of another... Edited June 27, 2020 by andyf117 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 You only have to understand that the flight refuelling was a "temporary" fix for the Falklands campaign. I saw the inside a Nimrod in 2007 and when I went forward to the cockpit the "plumbing" on the left hand side was visible to all. Whilst I am no engineer it was not the tidiest of arrangements and looked worn and tired. We were told it was originally a quick fix Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moaning dolphin Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 The sad thing is not lust the demise of the Seaking but also the demise of military SAR. SAR ops could have continued with a new aircraft indefinately but alas it has fallen foul of the contractorisation. You only have to understand that the flight refuelling was a "temporary" fix for the Falklands campaign. I saw the inside a Nimrod in 2007 and when I went forward to the cockpit the "plumbing" on the left hand side was visible to all. Whilst I am no engineer it was not the tidiest of arrangements and looked worn and tired. We were told it was originally a quick fix Nigel. There is nothing in the Military that is more permanant than a 'temporary' measure, years of service has taught me that! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyf117 Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 (edited) Content withdrawn - I will NOT be threatened by a moderator, simply because I queried the actions of another... Edited June 27, 2020 by andyf117 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 One of the time honoured military traditions, "temporary". My least favourite bit of kit that behaved as if it was built to be temporary was the Austin K9. Mind you they were older than most of us. They were certainly out of the vehicle equivalent to airframe hours. They could not fall out of the sky, but they treated roads as alien places. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 It goes along with other military thinking such as: 1. It will only be around for a few more years so there is no point updating it. It then continues in service for another 25 years. 2. We've just spent £20 million on refurbishing it. Two years later and it is closed/out of service. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete610 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 My first issue Army boots were older than the Nimrod is now.... Without getting political - Conservative governments see everything as a cost 'overhead' (Forces, Emergency Services/NHS) and look to cut-cut-cut - nowt else. My Old Fella used to say - 'Any idiot can make cuts - but it takes real talent - not to make cuts and get a better service'. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Well said Pete. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moaning dolphin Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 It goes along with other military thinking such as: 2. We've just spent £20 million on refurbishing it. Two years later and it is closed/out of service. Thats why I am so worried for RNAS Culdrose, they've spent millions upgrading accomodation so it must be ripe for closing down and mothballing. Would make a comfortable Youth Hostel or YOI! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Thats why I am so worried for RNAS Culdrose, they've spent millions upgrading accomodation so it must be ripe for closing down and mothballing. Would make a comfortable Youth Hostel or YOI! Used to be some good mushroom picking to be had amongst the trees opposite the fire station 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 It would be very sad to see this fine establishment close. (even if it is full of Crab eaters) The sad thing is that anything can happen in the current circumstances. Would just Yeovilton for the FAA would be enough? It would ruin the economy of the Helston peninsular also. You have to wonder what kind of a world we live in. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) There are absolutely no plans for Culdrose to close, though there will be less based in situ. By 2020 it will be home to 30 Merlins and four King Airs, along with the SFDO, the MDMF and the assorted training establishments. The Sea Kings will be gone by then, and I honestly do not see a future for 736 NAS beyond the Hawk T.1 OSD. I suspect that B site (the area in front of the viewing enclosure) will be emptied of flying units once the Sea Kings clear out of the new builds near the main gate. In terms of use, I can see Culdrose taking on other roles. There is a lot of talk of either Dartmouth or Torpoint closing and the two being merged into one. If Torpoint goes -because there is no way Britannia Royal Naval College will close- then I can see that some of what happens there may be transferred to Culdrose as it will have the spare capacity. No flying units, however. Would just Yeovilton for the FAA would be enough? With the way that the FAA is shrinking, definitely. The future rotary strength of the FAA will be 30 Merlin HM.2s, 26 Merlin HC.4s and 28 Wildcat HMA.2s. Even with the Army's Wildcats based at Yeovilton all of the helicopter squadrons could be comfortably housed at either air station. Edited May 27, 2015 by T7 Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 It makes me think, who are those In charge if they allow that to happen. (what's the barcode for?) As even a small cog in the wheel I knew not to put all recourses in one place. It is a scary world. We soon will not be able to fight our way out of the proverbial bag! Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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