Royal Navy HC3 Merlin! !

[buzzer]

Thanks to malf for the heads up. Spotted this out side depth earlier.

Merlin ZJ124/H with navy title on the rear

[Malfatron Malkovic]

Seems it's just taken off, i have no idea if it's on test or delivery.

[somerset]

Oooooooooooh

[Unknown74]

Are all RAF Merlins going to the Navy? Or are the RAF keeping any at all?

[Nick.M]

Not great but to be honest does it really matter? You almost needed a magnifying glass to see the RAF markings.

[buzzer]

Are all RAF Merlins going to the Navy? Or are the RAF keeping any at all?

As fair as I'm aware all are being transferred to the Navy.

[Malfatron Malkovic]

Not great but to be honest does it really matter? You almost needed a magnifying glass to see the RAF markings.

I believe it's a(temporary) stamp of ownership more than anything, Nick.I guess it'll be 'tidied-up' during re-work. Seems the lads thoroughly enjoyed painting it in front of the crabs!
This thing was also in and out today, playing with the Baggers.

[EGDR]

Not great but to be honest does it really matter? You almost needed a magnifying glass to see the RAF markings.

I believe it's a(temporary) stamp of ownership more than anything, Nick. Seems the lads thoroughly enjoyed painting it in front of the crabs!
This thing was also in and out today, playing with the Baggers.

Ahhhh I thought I saw something unusual lifting off from RWY12 while we were driving past earlier, think that sorts that one out! Cheers

[Malfatron Malkovic]

No prob's.

[buzzer]

Not great but to be honest does it really matter? You almost needed a magnifying glass to see the RAF markings.

I believe it's a(temporary) stamp of ownership more than anything, Nick.I guess it'll be 'tidied-up' during re-work. Seems the lads thoroughly enjoyed painting it in front of the crabs!
This thing was also in and out today, playing with the Baggers.

He popped in for fuel (and a pee!!) Before departing of to Maryfield for a tasking then to RTB Bournemouth.
He's back again today and
using the same callsign of PINK2. bit more playing with the Baggers I would guess? !

[Malfatron Malkovic]

Noted on today's drive-past.
ZJ128/M, also wearing Royal Navy titles.

[Malfatron Malkovic]

Here's a snap of it from 4th of this month, still in Air Force markings

[buzzer]

Better snap than I managed buddy, well done

[EGDR]

Small write up in this months Air Forces Monthly about ZJ124

[buzzer]

Small write up in this months Air Forces Monthly about ZJ124

wonder who told them of my lucky catch then

[Vulcanone]

The hand over of the (first/or all) Merlins to the Royal Navy is on the 30th September according to Janes

Alas I can't find the link right now


Tim S

[Byronlightning]

They are all going across to the RN. A jungly mate has concerns over their robustness for the role, even after all the rotor and tail work, but at least the Junglies get to live on!!

[buzzer]

The hand over of the (first/or all) Merlins to the Royal Navy is on the 30th September according to Janes

Alas I can't find the link right now


Tim S

A little bird told me that the guys in depth were told there was to be no photos of the merlins with navy titles and no disclosing the fact that they have even been applied to the HC3, until the hand over at the end of the month! ! Guess they hadn't accounted for the eagle eyed spotters peaking through the fence camara at the ready!

[POL]

And Paul Heasman photographing it at Valley a couple of days ago.

[Red Hound]

The hand over of the (first/or all) Merlins to the Royal Navy is on the 30th September according to Janes

Alas I can't find the link right now


Tim S

A little bird told me that the guys in depth were told there was to be no photos of the merlins with navy titles and no disclosing the fact that they have even been applied to the HC3, until the hand over at the end of the month! ! Guess they hadn't accounted for the eagle eyed spotters peaking through the fence camara at the ready!

Wouldn't have happened in the days of NASU otherwise known as Naval Anti Spotter Unit.