SAR Sea King callsign

[rh226]

If the underside markings were like those in the last but one photo of viewtopic.php?f=18&t=88241, then it would have been a target tower TT.18 model from 100 Sqdn, not a PR model.

[EGDR]

It is my understanding that RN Merlins will always be quite capable of SAR due to their deployments on RN ships and aircraft carriers, in fact they are already used for this purpose and train in that aspect quite often.

You are correct, very occasionally you can hear the CU Merlins on a SAREX which can involve various scenarios including cliff winching and boat work usually in Fal Bay.

My brother was a Merlin mechanic in the Navy. When he was embarked on Ocean he was always telling me about SAR practice, nothing else to do it on RN ships, the Lynx can be fitted with a winch but well, not very roomy

[fencer]

If the underside markings were like those in the last but one photo of viewtopic.php?f=18&t=88241, then it would have been a target tower TT.18 model from 100 Sqdn, not a PR model.

That was what I saw ,it just seemed that the aircraft was 'having a look' by the number of passes it made and the directions of said passes and the steady cruising speed. At the time I thought it odd because I thought Canberras had been phased out and it seemed out of place for a target tug, also I'd never seen a Canberra overheard before.

[RichC]

The Canberras were quite frequent over Devon and Cornwall, but of the PR9 variant in the times/couple of years before retirement. They used to use the callsign SURVEY 39 or MARHAM 39 and used to call up London Mil saying they were on photo sorties and routed down towards Newquay quite often. Not sure about the Canberra over Boscastle but by the profile it sounds like a photo recce of the damage but i doubt that in target towing colours. They were all phased out by then (The Yeovilton Canberras) and only the Blue B2 and the PR9s existed (i think).

[rh226]

Rich,

You are right, of course. I set finger to keyboard a trifle too quickly. All RAF and FRADU TT.18s went in the early '90s.

The description of the TT undersides remains intriguing, though.

[RichC]

Interesting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-24588971

[EGDR]

Looks like chiv may keep SAR after all then

I think I may have kicked off quite the thread here, very interesting guys. Just as an aside, does anyone know what will happen to 771 after the retirement? I have heard that they will continue on in a different role, but I am skeptical of this

[Red Hound]

Going back to the Canberra discussion I wondered if operator of the aircraft was RAE/A&AEE/QinetiQ , whatever it was at the time. A quick internet search showed a Canberra TT18 in raspberry ripple topside and yellow black underside. Presumably that wouldn't mean the aircraft was purely used for target towing and Boscastle may have provided an opportunity to test new equipment in a real life situation. Speculation admittedly but it wasn't an RAF/RN TT18 hence my thinking of other possibilities.

[EGDR]

Chivenor will not have an SAR unit. North Devon will be covered by St Athen, which is opposite to what happens now as the south Wales area is covered by Chivenor..

Chiv is being reconsidered, read the article Rich posted

[fencer]

Going back to the Canberra discussion I wondered if operator of the aircraft was RAE/A&AEE/QinetiQ , whatever it was at the time. A quick internet search showed a Canberra TT18 in raspberry ripple topside and yellow black underside. Presumably that wouldn't mean the aircraft was purely used for target towing and Boscastle may have provided an opportunity to test new equipment in a real life situation. Speculation admittedly but it wasn't an RAF/RN TT18 hence my thinking of other possibilities.

Having looked at pictures of RAE Canberra B.2T WK128 in various in-flight attitudes it does seem very possible that it could have been that aircraft or one very similar. I accept it could have been a coincidence its appearance over Boscastle that day, but the number , frequency and directions of overflights that morning seemed intentional in relation to the village. Thanks for the suggestions Red Hound et al and apologies for interrupting the Seaking thread.

[EGDR]

I'm not saying it will definetly go there, it's just a possibility. It probably will go to St Athan though.

[buzzer]

Going back to the Canberra discussion I wondered if operator of the aircraft was RAE/A&AEE/QinetiQ , whatever it was at the time. A quick internet search showed a Canberra TT18 in raspberry ripple topside and yellow black underside. Presumably that wouldn't mean the aircraft was purely used for target towing and Boscastle may have provided an opportunity to test new equipment in a real life situation. Speculation admittedly but it wasn't an RAF/RN TT18 hence my thinking of other possibilities.

Having looked at pictures of RAE Canberra B.2T WK128 in various in-flight attitudes it does seem very possible that it could have been that aircraft or one very similar. I accept it could have been a coincidence its appearance over Boscastle that day, but the number , frequency and directions of overflights that morning seemed intentional in relation to the village. Thanks for the suggestions Red Hound et al and apologies for interrupting the Seaking thread.

RAE Llanbedr in south Wales were still operating there TT Canberras at this point. And it only being a short distance over the water for them my guess the crew were"having a closure look!!" When up on a sortie?!
Both of Llanbedrs Canberras were regular visitors in to St Mawgan for fuel.my guess is this day they did the same,just took a sight seeing detore on route

Back to the topic in question.
Almost certainly in the case of a downed pilot,and its quicker for a Merlin from Culdrose to be on seen,he will attend along with the SAR from newquay..or were ever it is based ... this is how it's been done for years.primarily station flight was there to provide SAR cover the the based pilots. They weren't contracted for civilian cover.but no doubt they did from time to time.
It all changed when the department of transport contracted them for coast guard SAR Work to.
Back to the future situation ,if a bus full of school kids and nuns! got stuck in flood water,and was in danger of being washed away. I could safely say that a Merlin crew would be one of the many that would attend anyway possible to assist there rescue.Just like at boscastle!!

[EGDR]

I always knew that if needed Culdrose would provide SAR for civilians with Merlins - it is their duty to protect the citizens of this country - they wouldn't refuse.

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi buzzer and kylegreetkernow,
Both of you are most probably right!! At the end of the day, our Forces assets would do anything to rescue our civilian people - including myself!! --Paul