I was about to ask on here if my eyes were deceiving me, as I'm sure I saw an Osprey flying along the Norfolk coastline a couple of weeks ago (Weird American plane, not the bird) but my grab-shot was useless. And then as if by magic, a Friendface feed throws this out: News – Osprey and MC-130J Arrive At RAF Mildenhall Anyone know if this is their first deployment in the UK, outside of airshows and the like? Strange looking beast, quite satisfying to watch.
Thanks for posting that Adam, the Osprey is indeed a stratnge looking animal and I hope to see one transition from vertical to horizontal flight some day - should be fascinating. Anyone got a link to videos of a transition?
Hello A Spring 2012 The four Ospreys were believed to be on an evaluation of the operability at Mildenhall with the possibility of taking permanent residency at RAF Mildenhall with the 352nd SOG. The deployment last spring was successful and in early 2013 the 21st SOS will take delivery of ten CV-22Bs. http://www.touchdown-aviation.com/reports/2012/raf-mildenhall--352nd-sog.php The aircraft will arrive in phases, beginning in the spring of 2013. http://www.stripes.com/news/ospreys-to-be-based-in-uk-for-special-ops-missions-1.177564 and finally http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123353774
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=osprey+v22&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WtD6Udi4GcOR7AbJv4HoDQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgrc=r8pA11IrrzITBM%3A%3BKY1dWif3HllMeM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages2.wikia.nocookie.net%252F__cb20130712205856%252Fbattlefield%252Fimages%252Ff%252Ffd%252FV-22_Osprey.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fbattlefield.wikia.com%252Fwiki%252FV-22_Osprey%3B3008%3B1937
I was gonna say 'V22 Osprey', but then looked it up and got confused... I really am arse at planes, but this thing in the air was a 'new' enough sight to make one committed nerd (me), 2 sprogs (one proto-nerd & one... magical realist might describe it best), the missus (allotment nerd) & the old dear all go 'ooh, what on earth's that?'. Now rather annoyed the shots I grabbed were a whited out blur as I'd messed with the settings, having been taking close-ups of pebbles just before. Sure we had a thread on here about Osprey & it's crash-tastic development. I say that a lot... lots of threads on here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3lbKqStvHI
Hi, Whilst drifting a bit off topic. The V22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft has been on active service in Afghanistan for some time now. Please see http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/234921/Osprey-attack-Our-Boys-in-a-deadly-swoop for a report on one such operation. Unfortunately one RAF Regiment Gunner SAC TOMLIN was killed in the action. Something in the report puzzles me. Quote "one US Marine patrol pinned down by heavy fire called in F-18 jets to scare away Taliban shooters." Scare away ??? Regards, Mick D.
Just terminology. They are probably referring to a "show of force", whereby a jet or Apache is called in to make a low pass over a Tali` position in order to disperse the bad guys without dropping weapons. Saves money and when there`s doubt over who`s a bad guy and who`s not, probably saves a lot of apologising and compensation payments. A lot of videos on Youtube of a "show of force" like this one (CAUTION - SWEARING INVOLVED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xbWFDU_5pE Very low but I don`t think he`ll beat this guy (not "show of force" related however): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJh8yLrS00A Regards, John
Hi John, Many thanks for that explanation, that does make sense. I was puzzled because the only action similar to that I saw was in the Yemen in the 60's were force was applied from the air as intended. I guess times, tactics and Politics have changed. Regards, Mick D.
A strange concept , I wonder what happens when the system fails and the rotors wont transition for landing , do the flight engineers have a handle to wind to get the rotors horizontal , it would be an interesting landing if they couldn't .
http://breakingdefense.com/2013/11/ospreys-flying-in-philippines-up-to-2k-marines-likely-by-next-week/
Addenbrooke's Hospital helipad destroyed by departing aircraft Addenbrooke's Hospital helipad destroyed by departing aircraft A hospital's helipad has temporarily closed after it was badly damaged by the draught from a departing aircraft. The structure at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge was thrown into the air as the USAF CV22 Osprey took off on Wednesday. Its crew had been taking part in medical transfer training. The East Anglian and Magpas air ambulances have been diverted to nearby Cambridge City Airport while repairs take place. A hospital spokeswoman said: "Patients are then transferred to the hospital in road ambulances with critical care staff on board, meaning we can continue to see and treat them as normal." Hospital helipad destroyed by departing aircraft
That was a lucky escape for the chopper. I once had the London Air Ambulance land on my work premises looking to attend a near drowning in the Thames. As they descended my 8m high cricket protective netting was being lifted by the helicopter's rotor blades and almost became entangled. It was a very worrying moment.
Now, will the USAF pay for the damages and repairs needed? Or will the pilots be spirited out of the UK before any questioning?