V22 Osprey Eastern Solent

[SeeFive]

Just an FUI post really.

Never seen one of these flying outside of an air show till today, but there has been a V22 Osprey at low level over water into Chichester harbour and back out to the IOW a little higher over Hayling Island this afternoon.

Did quite a few circuits over a couple of hours. Interesting bird, sounds a bit heli even in the cruise configuration. Guess it is the size of the props.

[Boatbuoy]

I saw it too, again the first time I've seen one.

I suspect it was actually a CV-22B, this is a USAF variant which the 352nd Special Operations Group operate out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, primarily for the rescue of downed pilots behind enemy lines.

They've come under quite a bit of stick from the locals near the base as they are significantly louder (especially in the hover) than the MH-53 Pave Low that they replaced. As a result they've been using other locations for circuits to share the pain; lucky for you and I!

[onyx39]

There's an exercise on the isle of wight currently Im told.
It will be visiting Odiham for hot refuels later, as it did yesterday.

[ecsrobin]

http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/army-exercise-get...

[SeeFive]

That is interesting, thanks for the replies folks.

[s2kjock]

Boatbuoy said:

I suspect it was actually a CV-22B, this is a USAF variant which the 352nd Special Operations Group operate out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, primarily for the rescue of downed pilots behind enemy lines.

Do these variants winch recover or land in the case of aircrew recovery?

I just recall reading somewhere that the Osprey was not great at winch recovery.

Sadly I have yet to see an Osprey in Jockland.

[ecsrobin]

s2kjock said:

Boatbuoy said:

I suspect it was actually a CV-22B, this is a USAF variant which the 352nd Special Operations Group operate out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, primarily for the rescue of downed pilots behind enemy lines.

Do these variants winch recover or land in the case of aircrew recovery?

I just recall reading somewhere that the Osprey was not great at winch recovery.

Sadly I have yet to see an Osprey in Jockland.

Speaking to osprey crews they are only good at crashing.

[eccles]

ecsrobin said:

Speaking to osprey crews they are only good at crashing.

Out of interest, when did the last on crash?

[ecsrobin]

eccles said:

ecsrobin said:

Speaking to osprey crews they are only good at crashing.

Out of interest, when did the last on crash?

May this year. 2 dead 20 injured.

[onyx39]

possibly the reason why the Marine One was never changed to an Osprey, which would be the perfect Presidential aircraft.


http://gizmodo.com/the-president-gets-a-personal-o...

Edited by onyx39 on Thursday 3rd September 10:10

[NM62]

There was a fascinating documentary on the evolution of the Osprey on PBS America ( On Sky ) - the Marines seem to love it now after early teething troubles and budgetary issues.

Well worth a watch if it's repeated.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Just come across this thread. In answer to the question about winch capable then they are not. In development it was impossible to mount a winch to the side or rear as the was from the props was to large for a winch man to safely operate.

All the CV's that are based at Mildenhall are part of the 7th SOS 352nd SOG and insert USAF special forces on clandestine operations mainly in Africa. All search and rescue ops for downed pilots are undertaken by the Pave hawks based at Lakenheath.

[mph1977]

onyx39 said:

possibly the reason why the Marine One was never changed to an Osprey, which would be the perfect Presidential aircraft.


http://gizmodo.com/the-president-gets-a-personal-o...

Edited by onyx39 on Thursday 3rd September 10:10

don;t forget the Not invented here issues that prevented licence- built Merlins from joining the USMC

[Johnnytheboy]

Bump!

Yesterday evening I saw two of these together flying over Dorset. At a guess by direction, from Yeovilton.

Never seen any before, quite an unusual sight and noise - like a 'muted helicopter'.

[Trevatanus]

Johnnytheboy said:

Bump!

Yesterday evening I saw two of these together flying over Dorset. At a guess by direction, from Yeovilton.

Never seen any before, quite an unusual sight and noise - like a 'muted helicopter'.

Based at Mildenhall, spent a couple of hours playing at Bovingdon, then back to the Hall.

[Johnnytheboy]

Trevatanus said:

Based at Mildenhall, spent a couple of hours playing at Bovingdon, then back to the Hall.

I've no reason to doubt you but they were 20 odd miles north of Bovington flying parallel to it. Maybe they aren't allowed to fly over the relatively populated south coast?