Messages

31

Irish Air Corps / The retired mill of rumours

« on: June 16, 2005, 07:25:16 am »

When one considers the type of aircraft bought for the Air Corps since 1969 Britain did not have much to offer. The Fouga alternative was the Jet Provost, not as successful as the Fouga, the Marchetti - nothing really at the time, the PC9 - maybe the Tucanno but these would probably come from Brazil, the Casa - the HS748/ATP not really an alternative, the only real alternative was the Lynx for the Dauphin and the Dauphain was bought following the experience of the Alloutte (for which Britain offered no real aternative either, but remember the Gazelle is part British - Gazelle/Lynx/Puma agreement). It should be remembered also that the Sea King was only licensed produced by Westland.

Also other British gear was bought for the DF e.g. L118/119s.

I don't think there was any real anti-British feeling in the DoD during the troubles, it's just a case of we didn't buy any "real" military aircraft.

IAS

32

Irish Air Corps / T-tail Fouga

« on: May 17, 2005, 07:58:56 am »

It's not a Magister it's a MS 760 Paris.

The Paris was the same vintage as the Magister and I believe the same engines but had side-by-side seating, a number were converted to 3/4 seat excutive jets after disposal by the FAF.

IAS

[Quote]

33

Irish Air Corps / UAV's for the Air Corps

« on: March 27, 2005, 04:31:28 pm »

Quote

Abstract: Nature and quantity or value of supplies or services for each of the service categories: Hire of Aircraft.

Does anyone understand this sentence?

IAS

34

Irish Air Corps / Scale Aircraft Modelling April 2005

« on: March 24, 2005, 08:30:29 am »

I had it confirmed that the order for the AB139s was for 4 firm and 2 options but the options have not been exercised yet (status as of one month ago).

IAS

35

Irish Air Corps / Warbirds, Ireland v New Zealand?

« on: January 24, 2005, 11:46:02 am »

I think an even bigger influence is the size of the country and the fact that aircraft are being widely used as a tool for farming. My understanding is that a lot of these old aircraft were purchased as work aircraft and when retired became hobby aircraft?

Ireland is roughly 30% the size of New Zealand with a similar population and obviously they same need for aircraft does not arise.


IAS

36

Irish Air Corps / AB139 contract signed

« on: January 13, 2005, 02:39:59 pm »

If they get 3 Dauphins flying again, can they not act as an interim solution?

IAS

37

Irish Air Corps / AB139 Capabilities.

« on: December 05, 2004, 04:39:55 pm »

I think we all have to agree with Sealion on this, it's a start and potentially a very good one!

IAS

38

Irish Air Corps / EC135 & AB139

« on: December 03, 2004, 06:59:26 pm »

Well just looking at the published cabin volumes:

ab139     8 cu metres         8-15 pax +crew
ec145     5.5 cu metres      8-9 pax + crew
uh-60     11.22 cu metres   12-20 pax+crew
panther   5.1 cu metres      10 pax + crew

All above exclude luggage area.

The ab139, on paper anyway, seems to have the volume to take 8, 1 cu metre per pax compared to the b/hawk 0.935 cu metre per pax and the ec145 0.6875 cu metre per pax, but I suppose we should wait and see when the military version actually flies.

IAS

39

Irish Air Corps / EC135 & AB139

« on: December 03, 2004, 03:40:30 pm »

I-Y, I don't think your comparison is fair, the ab139 is an ultra modern machine, maybe even too new (especially when you see all that "glass" in the cockpit)! While I think a number of us would have preferred the Blackhawk, the 139 is not a bad 2nd best (far better than the 145 and probably better than the S-76).

Remember it comes from two/three companies with great traditions in military helicopters - Bell and AgustaWestland and one would imagine it will turn out to be a very robust machine.

It appears to be able to take 8 fully equipped troops easily, is fast and has adequate range.

My main concern is that it will be used a VIP machine, though hopefully the 135s can be used in that role.

IAS

40

Irish Air Corps / New helis - What colour schemes?

« on: December 01, 2004, 07:57:32 am »

Surely the colour scheme reflects the role and as the ab139s will be used as troop transport machines (training or otherwise) they will be expected to fly close to the ground unlike the PC9s, therefore the colour scheme should help them blend with the scenery when you look down on them, also the should be able to use trees as cover and should be able to blend in. The USN machine above is, I believe, grey to blend with the sea not the sky and both the RAF and the BA use DPM schemes on their helicopters don't they? Therefore I would go for DPM, Dark Green or Dark Grey (like the US Blackhawks).

IAS

41

Irish Air Corps / Results of LUH/UH Competition

« on: November 29, 2004, 02:57:46 pm »

More likely the result of the streamlining of the aircraft/aerospace/defence industrys worldwide (remember, up to a couple of months ago the UK would not have been in the list as Agusta has only recently purchased Westland from GKN).

IAS

42

Irish Air Corps / EC135 & AB139

« on: November 28, 2004, 01:21:31 pm »

A question:

Is it certain that the IAC will be going for the military variant of the AB139 seeing as they are going for the civil EC135 as opposed to the military EC635? I see AW mention "Law Enforcement" and "SAR" variants on their site, are we sure these are not what's on the way?

IAS

43

Irish Air Corps / Results of LUH/UH Competition

« on: November 26, 2004, 07:41:52 pm »

Many thanks Head, I looked at both the AgustaBell and the BellAgusta sites and could only see references to civil versions.

Whilst not Blackhawks, they seem a vast improvement over anything we have and over the EC145?

IAS

44

Irish Air Corps / Results of LUH/UH Competition

« on: November 26, 2004, 07:32:42 pm »

The AB139 is purely a civil helicopter correct? Is there a military variant available?

IAS

45

Irish Air Corps / Fouga & Museum update

« on: November 19, 2004, 08:46:51 am »

IMHO this would be perfect for Ireland.

IAS