RAF Merlins to join Navy, Chinooks to Benson

[Chris558]

What a day of future change it's been for the RAF today. AND... now, (It's just been on the local news) they want to send all the RAF Merlins to the Navy, apparently to replace the Sea Kings...WHY??? Silly question - to cut costs of course!

To take their place at Benson, my local, the expanding Chinook force will move in, presumably from 2012.

Does this spell the end for Odiham???

[DaveB]

Well matey.. the RN have been and are responsible for all major Merlin checks since.. Ooo.. forever I think.

As for Chinooks at Benson.. besides Merlins, Chinooks are the second major traffic there anyway though not as a base it has to be said. Very little Puma activity these days. It may be the death knoll for Odiham

ATB

DaveB

[Chris558]

Hi Dave.

Well I know the RAF's Helos come under control from the JHC, but the thinking seems to be that the Merlins are not up to the 'hot 'n' high' performance that the Chinook is in Afghanistan. Therefore, demote to the 22-strong Merlin fleet to the Navy and get 22 'Wokkas' instead.

This means there will be no additional Helicopters... something I thought the Forces in Afghanistan were crying out for.

It just seems strange to suddenly disgard that version - with rear loading ramp specifically for tactical transport, and re-use them as, what, Rescue types? The Navy may not be best pleased.

Can't say I'll be best pleased with all the racket that 'Wokka-Wokkas' make! Merlins look and sound better.

[SkippyBing]

with rear loading ramp specifically for tactical transport, and re-use them as, what, Rescue types?

Hmmm, what use could the Navy have for tactical transport helicopters........hmmmm.... rhymes with bunglie......hmmmmm

No I've got nothing.

[DaveB]

Ah.. 22 Merlins go and 22 Wokkas arrive. I'd not picked up on that

As Skip said, I can't fathom what the RN will do with 22 tactical transport helicopters. Handy for the Marines to get around in but otherwise, not the most useful tool for the RN.

ATB

DaveB

[Garry Russell]

GIves the powers that be the chance to say they've given the RN 22 extra helicopters by re deploying their existing helicopter capability to areas where such an increase is needed.

They just forget to mention it's giving Esimo's freezers

[SkippyBing]

Oh no, they're definitely replacing the Junglie Sea Kings, fairly smartish from what I've been hearing. Which upgrades the second oldest tactical transport fleet.
Incidentally there are 27 Mk.3/3As, not 22, allowing for the one that crashed recently.

[Trev Clark]

From what I have heard, both Odiham and Benson are safe (for now), but why order more Chinooks due in 2012, if we are leaving Afganistan by the end of 2011 . It makes sense (with the beancounters) to have the Navy using all the Merlins (they fit on a ship better) and the RAF all the Wokkas (less spares to juggle with)......I wonder why this was not thought of before, like when they were ordered! Pumas will probably die out and possibly 33 will be a new Chinook unit. The older ones (that I flew in, when God was a boy) are older than the Sea kings/Commandos, dating from 1972.