FighterControl

27.10.2014

ZJ124/H Merlin HC.3 Royal Navy (Arrival)

28.10.2014

ZJ124/H Merlin HC.3 Royal Navy (Departure)

Regarding this helicopter, I have two more small questions:

1) Are they operated by 846th NAS?

2) What is the exact designation? HC.3, HC.3A or HC.3i?

Thank you

JamesL093 wrote:Hi,

ZJ124/H is operated by the RAF and is a HC.3

James

I was under the impression that it has been transferred to 846 NAS.

Hi James, hi Mike,

it had Royal Navy titles

That´s why I am asking, if maybe because of the transfer to the RN, they have changed the designation.

They're all 824NAS now, a couple of more are out and about with Navy callsigns: viewtopic.php?f=342&t=105450

They are, however, still HC.3/HC.3As - none have been upgraded or modified as far as I can tell.

EGCC wrote:They're all 824NAS now, a couple of more are out and about with Navy callsigns: viewtopic.php?f=342&t=105450

They are, however, still HC.3/HC.3As - none have been upgraded or modified as far as I can tell.

Sorry chaps but wrong on all fronts.

824NAS is the Merlin Mk2 training unit based at Culdrose.

The situation in relation to RAF Merlins is as follows:

They don`t exist anymore as all Merlin Mk3/3A are under Royal navy command as from 30/9/14. 78 SQN disbanded on this day and 846NAS formed on Merlin. 28 SQN will disband next year at which point 845NAS will take over merlins too before both units return to VLN sometime during 2016.

In terms of upgrade, Mk3s become Mk4 and Mk3As become Mk4As on modification. The first entered this programme in late Oct at AgustaWestland. The programme is called the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP). In the end there will be 19 Mk4s and 6 Mk4As ie 25 in total. ZJ124 is currently a Mk3.

Hope that helps, Regards, Ian

Sorry, meant 846 (as per Mike's post!)

Thanks for spotting and the additional info Ian, appreciated

Thank´s Ian and all other guys for your help

ZJ124/H arrived as NVY 7412.

Slightly off-topic, but a couple of weeks ago, a helicopter from HMS Ocean made a short stop on the island during a exercise with the Hellenic Navy. What kind of helicopters are currently on board HMS Ocean? Merlins, Sea Lynxs and Apaches? Or, also some Sea Kings?

31.10.2014

Bell 412EP ex CP-2 Cyprus Police
Bell 412SP ex CP-4 Cyprus Police

I suppose on delivery flight to the new owner (anybody knows who is it?).

Hi,

some RAF-highlights again in Cephalonia

26.7

RFR7618 ZK563 Chinook HC.6 southeastbound

10.8

RFR1771 ??? Chinook ??? southeastbound

I am not sure about the callsign of the second Chinook.

If anybody has the serial of the second, it would be much appreciated!

Many thank's in advance

The callsign was "RFR7171" and it was ZK559.

It departed the UK on 08/08/2016, crossing the South Coast somewhere around 11.00BST.

What a quick answer

Thank you very much!

Best greetings
Marcus

No problem.

And a picture of this nice visitor:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=135266