Watched it again earlier, good program, it's the sort of thing that when you see one you know it's heading off to save a life or rescue some one in need of transporting an iconic machine  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Yes It was good,I have very good memories of that Helo and the wessex .Flying in to drop zones in Norway,N.Ireland and some very sunny place's... Its a shame were not see them flying any more ..as for private SAR scary I have heard the Coast guide having issue with the new small Helo's,and in my old job be4 I retired we have had to put people into the police Helo..

But then things move on and every thing comes to an end ,hope Merlin fills the very big boots with an old lady retiring .. Iain

Quote:

The winch-men do an unbelievable job Thumbs Up Thumbs Up

+1

Couldn't believe it when Shiner Wright popped up!

Many years ago (1987 it turns out) I spent a day winter climbing on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe with a friend. It was a beautiful, frozen and clear day. We watched a Wessex IV going from top to top. It passed by many times and we wondered
what might have been happening on each of its jobs. Anyway, we stopped off at Bridge of Orchy for a bite to eat on the way home. The Wessex flew low overhead. We reckoned on it's way to Ben More. Fed and watered we left and started the drive back to Glasgow via Crainlarich. Suddenly in the darkness there was an explosion. At once we thought about the helicopter.
There was a big fire and flares shooting out of it. It was high on the hill in the darkness. It must be Ben More but sure it can't be the helicopter. As we drove by the foot of the mountain it was clear that indeed the helicopter had gone down. All hell had broken loose. One person was killed (a chap I had actually met during a Duke of Edinburgh walk) and the climber they had been trying to save also perished. Actually, the story is better told by this chap:

http://heavywhalley.wordpress.com/2012/01/...ainlarich/

To be honest, with the work they do, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.

Moving stuff.
We take these guys for granted and expect them to put themselves in danger when we need help.
I have reservations about taking SAR away from the military. The RN & RAF create the best pilots because expertise comes first and expenses like fuel costs come second. While I expect the private sector will employ ex military pilots, will they get enough flying hours to keep their skills honed, or will they be limited in training flights due to fuel costs etc ?
Time will tell but I think we'll miss the service the military currently provides. _________________
Gone - 2010 Rimini XS

Military pilots will have more bottle and will not be hindered with H&S the same way a for profit pilot will be..
I have flown with both and the military pilots certainly have more bottle...Saving lives should never be about profit.
A bit of fog and a civilian will not land..(out in rig land)

Most uk SAR Piolots will leave the military and fly for the coastguard or whoever takes over. Big respect for the big yellow taxis, flown in many of them. About time they go, the last one I flew in had no working wipers and faulty hydraulics!

Excellent programme, I know the Sea King hailed from across the sea but I look upon it as British, shame we're buying American again

John Sergeant did 'grate' me a little by calling Culdrose Culrose, thought it would have been picked up before broadcasting.