Seasprite...

[darren.crick]

G'day all,

I got this tonight, does this mean a decision on the Seasprite has been made and they are slowly making their way to the fireground????


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Hi how are you
just wondering if you knew anything about the sea sprite sitting in the fire training area at Albatross

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:P

[Dean]

Wow. A billion dollar bonfire!

[darren.crick]

was it not you who said "burn them all"???

[Dean]

No. I said to use them as heavy duty boat anchors.

[Warhawk]

And to think that Kaman state that they fixed them and that they will be ready by Xmas.

Mind you there's rumour that a tender went out for three(3) civil helios for continuation training for 805Sqn a month or two ago.

I still feel that it was Australia's fault in the specs. Big promises and "can do" rather then incremental improvements on an existing "good" design.

How's our mate's RNZAF aircraft going per original 1990's standard with 80's technology going??????????????????????????????????????????????????

Meanwhile, if dumped, what's the long delay on getting some replacements and refurbishments per second hand Seahawks,.....you know, the USN ones that are getting replaced by SH-60Rs.

Oh what all of that money could have bought for the Navy(8 more S70 Seahawks) and Army(like 250plus M2s and M3s to replace old M113s to keep up with the M1A1s!)

Personally, from what I've read, there's not much more required to get them "AOK". Flight control nose up problem has been fixed. Software seems to be the problem still tying all of the weapon sensors and black boxes

I still think that they will be kept.

Gordy :huh:

[Demon50]

Does that mean that the Seasprite has been "dumped" on the fire dump (ie chucked out !) or in the fire section for training of personnel ?

There can be a huge difference in interpretation of that message so perhaps we should not jump to any conclusions and await a definitive sighting.

Could it be a Sea King fuselage or cockpit section for instance that may have been misidentified ? I have a picture of a Sea King cockpit section on the dump at Nowra some years ago so perhaps it's still there and that's what has been reported as a Seasprite.

[darren.crick]

I'd say if it was a seasprite it would be parked there, kaman have a facility out near the far side of Nowra...

I have a local person looking into it...

[Demon50]

Another thought on the alleged dumped Seasprite.

If we purchased any extra airframes for spares and/or training purposes, perhaps one may have been stripped of all useful parts and the hulk dumped as it's no longer required.

I find it hard to believe that one of the 11 serviceable helicopters would be dumped when a decision regarding the Seasprite's future has still not been made. Imagine the Media frenzy !!

[Dave Masterson]

Guys, I was at Nowra today and it is a Seasprite on the fireground. Its parked next to the old Wessex..the a/c is grey in colour with the U.S star on the upper fuselage. Couldn't see any serial No's though. Its most likley one of the airframes that the Navy bought for spares and training. Its been stripped out.

Dave

[Brendan Cowan]

Yes,

I wonder if it one of the following as noted on our SeaSprite page:

151316 n/a waiting 153 151316 8H0037 To AMARC 18/06/93. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CN 09/02/99. For spares and ground instruction.

151330 n/a waiting 167 151330 8H0046 To AMARC 30/08/93. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CN 02/10/97. For spares and ground instruction.

152204 n/a waiting 188 152204 8H0016 To AMARC 25/08/92. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CN 09/12/98. For spares and ground instruction.

152206 n/a waiting 190 152206 8H0036 To AMARC 04/06/93. To Kaman at Bloomfield, CN 05/11/98. For spares and ground instruction.

:)

BC

[darren.crick]

Dave sent me this...

Attached Image

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Dave,

Looks like proof positive of the type.

Good work!

Now for the story........

BC