Comments on: RAF Merlin Recovery in Afghanistan

By: ArmChairCivvy

ArmChairCivvy — Wed, 18 May 2011 07:33:07 +0000

Software seems to cure everything, like the Osprey stability http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNI01QbMDd0&feature=related

Merc had to do it to their Smartcar after the moose avoidance test failed: euros 1500 per unit (at least in the early production runs); any profit margin left?
- in military, it gets passed on (to avoid canning the project altogether)

By: Stumpy

Stumpy — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Don’t worry the MRB’s didn’t ‘cut into the fuselage at the port, aft window’. The damage was caused post incident.

By: Merlin's Beard

Merlin's Beard — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:09:43 +0000

I spotted these pictures on the US Marines Flickr feed a little while ago and they left me puzzled since I hadn’t heard anything about a Merlin going down.

Good to finally know the reason why.

I suppose MoD doesn’t like publicising actual important news – like £19 million worth of kit getting totalled.

By: Richard Stockley

Richard Stockley — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:35:16 +0000

Jasons, unfortunately most helicopters, especially those with tail-rotors, have a tendency to roll when they hit the deck hard and at speed, even Blackhawks. But you’re right about the Puma and its unusually high C of G. Not such a good idea to stick the fuel tanks under the floor on an aircraft so slim.

Here’s one the French did earlier…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F2k-GWKW-w

Looking at the Merlin fuselage, it looks like the rotor blades cut into the fuselage at the port, aft window, which would be a concern for anyone sat in the vicinity. On the whole though the integrity of the fuselage structure looks to have held, which is a testament to the airframe designers.

By: Jasons

Jasons — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:47:27 +0000

I am assuming it rolled over. Slightly worrying that this incident follows the one at El Centro, California (does anyone have any news on if/when that one will be rebuilt).

Also I wonder what this means for future deployment of upgraded Puma in Afghanistan. Concerns have been expressed about high centre of gravity. Does this make it more vulnerable in brownouts?

By: Richard Stockley

Richard Stockley — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:58:07 +0000

Also, have a look at the other pics:

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/PublishingImages/2010/100626-M-0472W-091.jpg

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/PublishingImages/2010/100626-M-0472W-095.jpg

http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/PublishingImages/2010/100626-M-0472W-108.jpg

By: Richard Stockley

Richard Stockley — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:45:26 +0000

‘The aircraft is being assessed to see if it can be returned to service.’

Looks like this one’s going back to the factory for a few months – if we can afford the bill!

Glad everyone was ok.