The Sea King - What a wonderful helicopter!!

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi All,
After recording the recent television programme (presented and narrated by John Sargeant) - this evening I had the pleasure of viewing it!!
The programme was very well presented. The superb onboard filming was done out of R.N.A.S. Culdrose (SAR) & R.N.A.S. Yeovilton (Junglies) with
the various green Sea Kings. These extremely reliable helos have been used all the way through - from the 1982 Falklands War, to the Iraq wars, thence to the Balkan Conflicts and also onto to Afghanistan - in its various colours and guises, this helicopter has been proved to be (probably) one of the best military helicopters ever!!
Unfortunately it seems that after 2016, all SAR operations are going to be privatised - (let alone military operations), for the civilians around the coasts etc -
in my own personal opinion, this could be a disaster!!). What on earth would happen if we had another 'Boscastle' incident in say - 2020!!
It seems such a shame that this is going to happen - over many years we have seen these Sea Kings carry out so many operations.
All that I can say to all of my many mates on here - the Sea King is on the way out - PLEASE keep all photos, videos, etc, etc, of this iconic aircraft - once gone -
it will be lost for ever!! (Hopefully, there will be at least a few saved into various museums!!)
May I suggest that at least a few of these Sea Kings should be preserved at the new Classic Air Force Museum at Newquay (the MOD, probablygiven half a chance would scrap the whole lot!!)
But at the end of the day, it is not ONLY the helicopter - but it is also the crews - these are the REAL heroes!! --Paul

[C24]

Just a quickie; Sea King arrived at CulDrose [HMS Seahawk I & II] in '67/8.


I certainly agree that we should collect & preserve any existing photos and snap any between now and when they go. If I had taken one set a week of Tornados/Harriers at RAF Cottesmore...

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi C24 & SeaKing93,
Many thanks for your replies - I know what you mean about the photographs, it's always a good thing to take pics of helos and a/c whenever you can!!
(However, I am a right one to talk!! - a few years ago I visited Belgium and just outside Liege there was an aircraft museum full of interesting a/c and helos,
including a Dakota and an old SAR Whirlwind (from the Belgian Navy I think??). I took some photos on my ancient mobile phone - with it's limited memory
I've only got about 20 pics during the whole trip -( including Grand Place in the centre of Brussels). Unfortunately I do not have the program and cable to
transfer it to the computer, so on the phone for the time being at least, there they will have to stay!!!)
Also re the museum - yes, that's good - I didnt realise that any Sea Kings were in any museums (apart from Falmouth Maritime Museum which I knew about),
however, I have heard through the grapevine that this one is probably only going to stay there until about the middle of 2013 - where it will go after that
is anyones guess!! Thanks again --Paul

[RichC]

In your original post, you say that privatising the SAR could prove a disaster in terms of saving lives around our coast.
I'd think the current HMCG crews would beg to differ, seeing as they are privatised (CHC currently owning the helicopters). They provide a sterling and top professional job at the moment with the helicopters supplied. With most, if not all of the crews being former RAF/RN SAR pilots/crews.
Most of the current Seaking SAR stations will be kept on with large very capable helicopters, much more modern and in most cases, longer endurance and faster to the scene. A few of the stations down this way might get the chop. Chivenor for example and Portland is slated to close. Chivenor is an option.

If a Boscastle event happened again, there will still be plenty of helicopters available. They don't have to rely on dedicated SAR helicopters to provide a water rescue. Culdrose has ample enough helicopters to support such a large scale event.
In the Boscastle incident, Helicopters from Culdrose, Chivenor, St Mawgan and Portland were on scene.
With St Mawgan no longer having Seakings and Chivenor possibly disappearing (SAR wise) and Portland disappearing, then Culdrose will have a burden however as 771NAS has more than one helicopter available it shouldn't be a problem.
And within an hour or two, another couple of helicopters could be on scene from Valley and Lee On Solent.
If helicopters were in the area from the RAF or RN they would be inclined to assist be it Merlin, Puma or Chinook.

[RichC]

Bob,
Agreed, what i mean't was, Culdrose with a civilian outfit (SAR)...

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi RichC,
Yes, many thanks - I've taken on board everything that you have said - re the Coastguard service, no problems with that whatsoever. They do a brilliant job.
I presume that if there was another Boscastle type incident, sufficient helicopters would be found if necessary, albeit either civilian or military ones, -
or a mixture of both --Paul

[RichC]

I will miss the Seaking over here, living between Culdrose and Yeovilton. As CHC no longer have the contract or are in the running it seems to be a toss up between Bristow and Bond. Bristow will take on the contract from CHC until the Seaking contract comes to fruition using S-92s. (I assume AW139 at Portland and Solent still).
Bristow want to use the S-92 for the Seaking replacement.

[RichC]

If they go the same way as CHC then we can kiss goodbye to HF... they'll still need Kinloss Rescue as they are the Aeronautical Rescue Control Centre, even the CG Helos go through to them but via Sat Phone and Text instead of HF.

[Snoop 95]

I mentioned this on a thread in The Mess about the BBC Sea King programme, but no-one seems to know the answer, so I thought I'd try "closer to home".
The lady who had her baby on board the helo between the Scilly Isles and the mainland said that registering the baby was not straightforward. She had to choose between ..........and "Germany where the aircraft was registered". A brief sight of the Birth Certificate showed that it was headed something like UK Forces in North West Europe and Germany.
Don't understand. Can anyone explain please?

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi Snoop 95,
Sorry mate - no idea at present!! - I too saw this and I thought 'that's strange' - why was the aircraft registered in Germany - being a Royal Naval Sea King
you would think that it should be registered in the U.K. - (a Google internet search check of the (for example) serial number: e.g: XV123 (Westland Scout helo in this case) should reveal it's recent and also, past history). Exactly where registered though, in many cases that could perhaps remain a mystery!! --Paul

[lmgaylard]

While with 845 NAS on Thursday, I was told that CHF are down to 18 SK4s and the last 'tiger stripe' scheme should go in the next 3 weeks.....

[RichC]

When talking to the pilot of one of the IFOR/Winter Tiger schemed Seakings at Ten Tors 2011, he did say that particular airframe was a Falklands War veteran and has a lot more hours than others. It wouldn't surprise me if it/they (think there was two in the scheme?) would be going soon.

[lmgaylard]

When talking to the pilot of one of the IFOR/Winter Tiger schemed Seakings at Ten Tors 2011, he did say that particular airframe was a Falklands War veteran and has a lot more hours than others. It wouldn't surprise me if it/they (think there was two in the scheme?) would be going soon.

ZA298 is probably the airframe he was talking about as it is the oldest and has served in all the conflicts/wars since it entered service in 1980.
I think I'm right saying there were three 'Tiger Schemes', but not 100% sure.

ZA298 in Afghanistan just after being hit by a RPG...Crown Copyright.

Picture10 by lewis gaylard, on Flickr

ZA298 as it is today...from Thursday..

ZA298 (34) by lewis gaylard, on Flickr


ZA298 (45) by lewis gaylard, on Flickr

[Cessna954]

Both tiger striped cabs are post Falkland's built machines, ZE425 F/F September '85 and ZF115 F/F June '85.

They're going to be missed when they're gone but we should have three years left of Sea Kings at VL, albeit in dwindling numbers.

However, I equally like Merlins so not all's lost and I read a month ago that the money for the 'navalisation' of the Merlin's has now been secured and set aside.

Neil

[lmgaylard]

Both tiger striped cabs are post Falkland's built machines, ZE425 F/F September '85 and ZF115 F/F June '85.

They're going to be missed when they're gone but we should have three years left of Sea Kings at VL, albeit in dwindling numbers.

However, I equally like Merlins so not all's lost and I read a month ago that the money for the 'navalisation' of the Merlin's has now been secured and set aside.

Neil

It will be good at VL for a short while to see Sea Kings and Merlins operating together.....

As for the funding, I think part funding has been agreed but not whole. According to Head of Merlin Transition Team (MTT), they are still trying to get the funding for the tail and main rotor-fold mechanism, which is fundamental to ship-born operations.

[Cessna954]

According to the FAA website the programme is for 846 NAS being equipping with ex-RAF Merlin HC3s in 2015 and 845 NAS following in 2017 with the first fully navalised Merlin HC4. Let's hope they get the money to do the full mods on them.

[lmgaylard]

846NAS will be the dual-role squadron, so that's why they will be getting Merlin first.
845NAS will get an interim upgraded Merlin in 2016 with the first full Merlin HC4 in 2017.....

That's what I was told......