The Blue Eagles Apache. Worthwhile??
Discussion
The AH used in the Blue Eagles team is flown by a Middle Wallop instructor crew, with the airframe belonging to the AH training squadron at Wallop. If it wasn't flying at displays it would be sitting in a hangar in Hampshire anyway, so it's not a question of whether or not an Apache is being 'held-back' from being deployed. The Gazelle is in the process of being phased-out, and there just aren't the crews or cabs for participation with the Eagles anymore.
I'd the word "training" should have something to do with it
as with the Chinooks of the RAF the Army needs aircrews and training the guys is the only way of making up a deficit
I'm told there are far fewer crews than available operational aircraft
costs money and time to do this and the aircraft are committed to their training role
Our forces are always being short changed by Guvvmint I reckon
more A/C in theatre means more trained crew needed first
If only we werent wasting money on bankers...
oops pollyticks
sorry
as with the Chinooks of the RAF the Army needs aircrews and training the guys is the only way of making up a deficit
I'm told there are far fewer crews than available operational aircraft
costs money and time to do this and the aircraft are committed to their training role
Our forces are always being short changed by Guvvmint I reckon
more A/C in theatre means more trained crew needed first
If only we werent wasting money on bankers...
oops pollyticks
sorry
Yes, the 'training' Apaches are based at Wallop, as JVaughan says. 673Sqn AAC is the AH conversion unit, and has a dedicated number of AH on strength at Wallop to train new crews and refresh previous ones. The airframes will be rotated about the AAC AH fleet over a period of time, but regardless of the requirements overseas 673Sqn will have 'x' Apaches sitting on the dispersal at Middle Wallop during the week. The Blue Eagles AH is drawn from the 673Sqn strength as required. I don't know if they try to use the same airframe each time; the Eagles tend to use the same Lynx every time for displays IIRC, as it easier to keep track on fatigue life on airframe and gearbox when it is the same helicopter being turned upside down several times a week.
The Gazelle will be in service for a couple of years yet, although in reduced numbers. 7 Reg AAC(V) was a major user, headquartered at Netheravon, but were recently disbanded as a Gazelle operator. It is not used as a combat helicopter anymore; ISTR they used to recce/forward spot for artillery, and for the Lynx when it was used as an anti-tank platform, but the role has been absorbed into AH, which tend to go out and recce/target sort & designate/shoot stuff as a pair.
According to the clowns-in-charge in London, if there is a future requirement for a Gazelle replacement it is likely to be some leased civvy type.
The Gazelle will be in service for a couple of years yet, although in reduced numbers. 7 Reg AAC(V) was a major user, headquartered at Netheravon, but were recently disbanded as a Gazelle operator. It is not used as a combat helicopter anymore; ISTR they used to recce/forward spot for artillery, and for the Lynx when it was used as an anti-tank platform, but the role has been absorbed into AH, which tend to go out and recce/target sort & designate/shoot stuff as a pair.
According to the clowns-in-charge in London, if there is a future requirement for a Gazelle replacement it is likely to be some leased civvy type.
speedtwelve said:
Yes, the 'training' Apaches are based at Wallop, as JVaughan says. 673Sqn AAC is the AH conversion unit, and has a dedicated number of AH on strength at Wallop to train new crews and refresh previous ones. The airframes will be rotated about the AAC AH fleet over a period of time, but regardless of the requirements overseas 673Sqn will have 'x' Apaches sitting on the dispersal at Middle Wallop during the week. The Blue Eagles AH is drawn from the 673Sqn strength as required. I don't know if they try to use the same airframe each time; the Eagles tend to use the same Lynx every time for displays IIRC, as it easier to keep track on fatigue life on airframe and gearbox when it is the same helicopter being turned upside down several times a week.
The Gazelle will be in service for a couple of years yet, although in reduced numbers. 7 Reg AAC(V) was a major user, headquartered at Netheravon, but were recently disbanded as a Gazelle operator. It is not used as a combat helicopter anymore; ISTR they used to recce/forward spot for artillery, and for the Lynx when it was used as an anti-tank platform, but the role has been absorbed into AH, which tend to go out and recce/target sort & designate/shoot stuff as a pair.
According to the clowns-in-charge in London, if there is a future requirement for a Gazelle replacement it is likely to be some leased civvy type.
Robinson R22? The Gazelle will be in service for a couple of years yet, although in reduced numbers. 7 Reg AAC(V) was a major user, headquartered at Netheravon, but were recently disbanded as a Gazelle operator. It is not used as a combat helicopter anymore; ISTR they used to recce/forward spot for artillery, and for the Lynx when it was used as an anti-tank platform, but the role has been absorbed into AH, which tend to go out and recce/target sort & designate/shoot stuff as a pair.
According to the clowns-in-charge in London, if there is a future requirement for a Gazelle replacement it is likely to be some leased civvy type.
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