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Messages - Silver

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1246
Irish Air Corps / Naval Service Pilots.
« on: November 09, 2003, 03:13:27 pm »
Would it be a good idea or a bad idea to train Naval Service Officers (or NCO's) to operate helicopters from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol Vessel L.E Eithne ?


I first came across this idea when I read one of the books about the history of the Naval Service.
The author suggested that naval personnel would be more suitable to operate helicopters from L.E Eithne (or any possible future HPV's) because (unlike AC pilots) they have gained their 'sea legs' - and could also perform other duties while onboard ship.

I personally think this would be the best route to take should we reinstate naval heli ops in the future.

1247
Irish Air Corps / Corporate Image of the IAC
« on: November 09, 2003, 06:16:50 pm »
Yep !
And the fact that the AC no longer operate any jets doesn't help with it's 'air force' image (or lack thereof)   '<img'>


(And FF, don't mention MATS jets - you know what I'm talking about when I say "jets" !)

1248
Irish Air Corps / Corporate Image of the IAC
« on: November 09, 2003, 02:47:00 pm »
Fouga,
My point is that when I mentioned "Air Corps" (which the person didn't know existed!) he said "Army-Air Corps , same thing" - i.e. it highlights the AC's low profile.

1249
Irish Air Corps / Corporate Image of the IAC
« on: November 09, 2003, 11:35:48 pm »
I recall hearing an Air Corps Silver Swallows pilot saying (on the Air Corps 75 video) that when they won the Lockheed Martin Canestra trophy at Fairford Airshow in 1997, a lot of other particpants were congratulating him and the team, and saying things like  -
"The Irish Air Corps ?" and,
"Are you guys part of the RAF ?"

 '<img'>

1250
Irish Air Corps / Corporate Image of the IAC
« on: November 08, 2003, 11:04:17 am »
I may be somewhat biased (being an AC supporter) but -

1. Blue uniform
2. Mixture of colours i.e. Grey helis for naval ops, green for army-co op, grey for PC-9's, current colours for MATS aircraft (with 'IRISH AIR CORPS  AER CHOR NA hEIREANN' on both sides)
3. Airbase
4. Most people, who I have brought up the subject with, don't have a clue about the Air Corps, e.g. (actual quotes - different people)
 "They are Army helicopters overhead" ,
 "Army - Air Corps, same thing !" ,
"The Air Corps has about 3 or 4 planes and 3 or 4 helicopters"

(when the heli contract was cancelled -)
"Sure what do they need helicopters for anyway !" ,
 "The Air Corps had better/more planes during WWII !"


.......and those quotes were from the few who actually know we have some form of AC/Air Force  '<img'>

1251
Irish Air Corps / Silver Swallow's.
« on: April 20, 2003, 03:04:13 pm »
I believe there was great disappointment within the AC to see them go. They provided a "morale booster" for the Corps.

I too would like to see the AC equipped with fast jets, like the F-5 for example.
However, I don't think it will happen anytime soon. Look's like it's the PC-9's for now.

Silver.

1252
Irish Air Corps / Silver Swallow's.
« on: April 19, 2003, 09:05:48 pm »
Sadly,the Silver Swallows were officially disbanded in 1998.
The nearest we have had to a display team since are "Team Marchetti", who displayed at Air Spectacular 2000.

When the PC-9M's have settled in , I suspect that a successor to the Silver Swallows will be formed.

"Team PC-9" perhaps ?

Silver.

1253
Irish Air Corps / What new Helicopters?
« on: November 08, 2003, 05:04:56 pm »
Going secondhand may well be the best approach.
We could chose whatever heli we wanted and no need for any tendering process !
There must be lots of Puma's and similar helis in storage?

However, having said that, we could get some good deals if the DoD had their heads screwed on    ':angry:'

clan mentioned in another thread (i.e.Dauphins) that in recent times Eurocopter were offering NEW Euricreils (Twin Squirrels) for €1 million each !!!
€7 million would have replaced the Alouette fleet !!!
(The DoD would probably have got an even better deal by 'buying in bulk')

1254
Irish Air Corps / What new Helicopters?
« on: November 08, 2003, 12:27:22 am »
Valid points about sale proceeds, scorpy - I wonder where are they going ?
The new Learjet ? Punchestown exhibition centre ?

The cynic in me says very little will actually go where it was supposed to go i.e. Air Corps, Naval Service or Army (please note the order of importance I give the re-equipment  '<img'>  )

1255
Irish Air Corps / What new Helicopters?
« on: November 07, 2003, 11:56:58 pm »
You certainly make a convincing argument there scorpy !
I can't disagree with it !

However, on purely economic grounds, I can't see it happening.
With the current situation of the Coast Guard having almost full control of SAR, I reckon the case for medium-lift helis (in govt circles) is weakened.
With the discussion in another thread re the upgrading of the Dauphins (also a convincing argument!), it is a strong possibility that this will be the case - i.e. upgrade/expand the Dauphin fleet and replace the AIII's with a similar utility heli.

1256
Irish Air Corps / white sf260's
« on: November 07, 2003, 06:42:14 pm »
Nice pics alpha.
I like the colour scheme !

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