Messages

31

Irish Air Corps / Reg question

« on: March 06, 2008, 03:54:33 pm »

The two EC135's are 270 & 271

The four (delivered) AW-139's are 274, 275, 276, 277

Is this correct?

Is the gap in numbers filled by something else, or is it optimistically or otherwise set aside for two additional EC135's?

Cheers

32

Irish Air Corps / Re: Night time activity

« on: January 30, 2008, 05:21:33 pm »

Hey all,  I'm fairly certain I remember the SF.260's doing it but never like this. What has surprised me is the number up at one time.

It's probably always been the way but for whatever reason it seems busier.

33

Irish Air Corps / Night time activity

« on: January 28, 2008, 10:14:32 pm »

I haven't heard the air corps this active - at this time, ever.

The last few weeks they've been very busy up until around 22:30-23:00 - presumably doing IFR training.

They're doing their best to shake off the 9-5 image, by my count there's at least 4 PC-9's up simultaneously tonight and like I say, this has been going on for about 2 or 3 weeks.

Interesting stuff.

34

Irish Air Corps / Re: IAC Vampires

« on: January 07, 2008, 06:40:54 pm »

Short Finals, thank you!

35

Irish Air Corps / IAC Vampires

« on: January 06, 2008, 04:39:37 pm »

Hi all, just wondering if any of you would know the differences between the DH Vampire T.11 and T.55, both of which feature in the historic section of the Air Corps gallery on this site.

All I've been able to turn up is that the T.55 was an export version.

I'm guessing it may have featured a more powerful Goblin engine or some different avionics?

Thanks

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36

Irish Air Corps / AW 139 questions

« on: December 30, 2007, 01:11:08 pm »

Quote (Old Redeye @ 27 Dec. 2007,06:05)

Excellent questions Viper.  NVG's require helmets - no sign of those yet for 139 crew - or survivial vests/LPU's.  And no sign of FLIR systems either.  Plenty of air show participation though!   As to your question, FLIR imagery appears on one of the cockpit displays. As for ordering 139's #7 & 8, don't hold your breath.  Long way to go for anything like operational capability on the first lot. I doubt if they do much more than fly non-tactical straight & level during daylight only plus some IFR to get from here to there in weather.

I'm afraid you're wrong on the Helmets.

They are being worn and have been for a while:



Not my picture by the way - it's from another forum.

A chap from the North posted up a pic of an AW139 visiting a military base up there about 3 months ago - and likewise the crew were wearing helmets.

As far as I know only one FLIR is being purchased and for all I know it already has been. I think it is/is similar to the type used by USCG A109's.

And yes that is santa in the back  

37

Irish Air Corps / What should the Major Air Corps Roles Be?

« on: December 01, 2007, 01:04:15 am »

What ballistics protection does the 139 offer? How does it cope with sand ingestion?

What are the chances of giving them a basic counter measures suite between now and January?

It's more than just the government "not using" the assets.

It's also the fact that these assets are not right for the job.

Why on earth would we send PC-9's to Chad when the French have Mirage F-1's there already?

Aside from that - if there are any balls in this government, now is the ideal time to make an emergency purchase of Helicopter assets, something capable of undertaking desert operations and carrying enough troops and equipment. Bypass the tender bullshit so that whatever is purchased might stand a chance of reaching the operating theatre while there are still Irish troops there.

38

Irish Air Corps / Baldonnel visitors

« on: December 01, 2007, 12:56:48 am »

Some of the French visitors (nords) presumably have something to do with the upcoming Chad mission.

Interesting stuff.

Maybe they might be nice enough to provide us a Cougar or six...

39

Irish Air Corps / BAL visitor 11/10/07

« on: October 16, 2007, 04:07:20 pm »

Was there a foreign Super King Air in Bal today, or is the Air Corps one sporting yet a new scheme?

Dark coloured underside, extremely low (Air Corps low) over north Naas today and could well have been on approach

40

Irish Air Corps / Thanks from the NI Air Cadets

« on: October 09, 2007, 02:43:14 pm »

Sniper, I can't really tell for sure from the picture, but were the heli crew finally wearing their helmets?

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41

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: October 03, 2007, 03:18:21 pm »

Quote (Flyboy @ 03 Oct. 2007,03:09)

Did anyone notice this comment from O'Dea's speech in the link posted by Short Finals"A further two AW139 utility helicopters will arrive later this year and the final pair are due to be delivered in 2008." Just shows how up to date the Minister is with his information !!!

Ah wouldn't it be wonderful if there's been a miscommunication of epic proportions and there are another 4 AW139's on the way  

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42

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: September 26, 2007, 11:52:48 pm »

Quote (Hyper Crispy @ 26 Sep. 2007,12:31)

The fitting under the nose is the hard point for a Forward Looking Infrared Pod (FLIR). The mountings on the sponsons are simply to move the nav lights into a visible position when the wheel pads are fitted. The pads are not snow skis, although they may work to a certain extent in snow, they are load spreaders for operating on soft ground, and due to their size, the lights are not visible in their normal position on the sponsons from certain angles. Or so I'm told.

The hard point for the FLIR is the circular attachment to the right of the wire cutter though (I think!) and is always visible.

But your explanation i.e. making the nav lights visible would explain what this detachable fairing to the left is

Makes perfect sense

Cheers

43

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: September 26, 2007, 06:52:12 pm »

ello ello

http://www.worldairpics.com/photo/1024644/L/

Fergal Goodman has put up the above pic into the database of the AW139 with Fast Roping gear, guns & ski's.

But what got my attention is at the front of helicopter, to the left of the wire cutter under the nose. Never noticed it before, any idea's people?

Looks like it may be a light fitting of some description?

There also appears to be an attachment sticking out of the side gear pods.

All very interesting!

44

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: September 23, 2007, 10:49:19 pm »

To all the photographers who documented the event and have posted the pictures on line - thank you!

It's a great gift to those of us who couldn't be there.

Frank as per usual, your shots are stunning.

The picture of the 6 A3's on the runway with their crews in front is actually quite a touching shot.

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45

Irish Air Corps / Air Corps Museum -

« on: September 19, 2007, 01:58:55 pm »

Quote (FiSe @ 18 Sep. 2007,22:57)

I wouldn't be too pushed, personaly, to stick any part of the exposition outdoors, in our weather it's a good recepie for total destruction of any machinery.

I have to agree with you on that.

I believe I read before that a lot of Spitfires that served as gate guardians, were replaced with fiberglass replicas - such a thing would make more sense.

Treasure and treat the genuine articles with respect, leave some manner of replica/mockup outside to take the battering from the elements