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Irish Related Topics => Irish Air Corps => Topic started by: Viper on December 28, 2004, 09:46:13 pm

Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Viper on December 28, 2004, 09:46:13 pm
Seeing that I'm on a posting roll here, what's the current state of Marchetti and Dauphin operations? Are they still flying? Will the Marchetti's be sold to Belgium as was mentioned some time back? Thanks for the info.

Also, off the point, but when is the PC 9 sim going to be up and running (if not already)?
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Taj on December 29, 2004, 06:30:50 pm
The Marchettis have been placed in storage pending a decision on their future. When the PC-9's were successfully fired at the start of the month the plug was pulled. They were being flown every few weeks to keep them operational but not anymore. No 230 is destined for the museum and another aircraft which was undergoing a major overhaul/rebuild is being left in it's current state(completely dismantled). I dont know what the plans are for them in the long term.
One Dauphin currently in the air and flying very actively.
Haven't heard anything re the sim.

Taj
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Silver on December 29, 2004, 06:40:16 pm
I would have thought that it would make more sense to finish the overhaul/rebuild ? ............surely the Marchetti will be worth a lot more in one piece ?

In an idea world, the Marchetti's would be retained and used for AC reserve pilot training/continuation training.

Still, good news that 230 will be retained for the museum !
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Taj on December 30, 2004, 06:59:06 pm
Apparantly the overhaul was being done by outside contractors and it was decided that it would be more cost effective to pull the plug rather than continue with an overhaul on an aircraft that would never be flying again in IAC service.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: clan on December 31, 2004, 08:50:06 pm
Is the second Dauphin still in Norway?
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Fouga on January 01, 2005, 09:48:41 pm
Clan did you not just read that there is only ONE flying ? ? ? ? ?  Why does everybody still think we have more than ONE flying????? ???
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Bigwillie on January 02, 2005, 01:29:47 pm
Easy there Fouga. Don't be so quick to jump down someone's throat. "Everybody still thinks we have more than one flying" because we do. There are 2 Dauphins still operational. Taj is incorrect in saying there is only one.

Cheers. :)



Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Taj on January 02, 2005, 03:37:17 pm
I stand corrected Bigwillie-I thought that without overhaul one aircraft was to be withdrawn in December leaving only the Norway Dauphin that was overhauled??
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: clan on January 02, 2005, 05:32:37 pm
So sorry Fouga,but do try and check, before you jump down someones throat.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Snapper on January 02, 2005, 06:11:28 pm
For info - I saw Dauphin 247 flying @ BAL on December 29th
 :)
H N Y to all
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Fouga on January 02, 2005, 07:33:07 pm
there ya go so 2 Operational but in all fairness they are going and it is annoying that ppl here still think they can be resurrected when they are well and truly gone.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: clan on January 02, 2005, 07:49:41 pm
Why is it annoying???, relax man

Did anyone see CNN last night, with the Indian Navy A111's been featured working in the disaster area in Asia. They looked fantastic and still up to the job.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Silver on January 03, 2005, 12:40:39 am
Yes, I saw them also clan.

And interesting to see that they were operating from the deck of an Indian Navy ship ?!
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: clan on January 03, 2005, 11:00:43 am
It is a wonder how India can do it with A111's yet we seem unable. They did look fantastic though.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Claudel Hopson on January 04, 2005, 02:21:16 pm
The current state of the Marchetti's which TAJ has posted is incorrect.

Four are currently in storage, one of which will go to the museum, but hasn't been decided which one.

There are three left, two which are "S" but will be put into storage this month. The last one is not in a dismantled state on its overhaul but in one piece and waiting for it's post IRAN test and check flight series to clear it off inspection and then it will be put in storage.

Heli Sqdn are currently putting a third Dauphin back into service. They are just waiting for parts.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Taj on January 05, 2005, 08:48:01 pm
My info came from a source who was involved in the cancellation of the work being done by outside contractors.I assume they were brought in while the corps techs concentrated on PC-9 training. It was his opinion that the aircraft would not be reassembled.Was the work completed by Air Corps Techs?

The Marchetti going to the museum has been decided-according the curator the excellent Airman Michael Whealan. What hasn't been decided is whether it will be kept for the museum long term or sold off.

Fantastic news re the third Dauphin! It's a major turn around from the interview with the GOC back in April. Two were going in the summer and the last on was due to be retired last month. There must have been a gaping hole in the operational capability when the fleet was reduced.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Claudel Hopson on January 07, 2005, 03:45:05 pm
I think Mick may have been given some bum gen as 230 is currently mothballed but can fly again with little work. We think it will be either 229 or 231 which will go to the museum.

An air corps crew were always to do the IRAN on 225 and were only away from the job when they were in Pilatus on the PC9 course.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Guinness on January 11, 2005, 08:26:56 pm
Why is every-one suprised by the Indian Navy AIII's.?

Closer to home the Belgian Navy is opperating 3 AIII of the deck of their frigates.
They will be in use for some time to come.

Some pictures for you:










Guinness :cool:
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Guinness on January 13, 2005, 07:32:54 pm
Thanks Frank  :)

Guinness :cool:
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: clan on January 13, 2005, 11:16:06 pm
Fantastic, Aircraft and photos.
Title: Marchetti's and Dauphins
Post by: Silver on January 14, 2005, 12:50:00 am
Great pics Guinness !

Makes me wonder why AC AIII's have never operated from L.E. Eithne ??