Culdrose v Yeovil -One base for the Grey Fleet

[rangeblind]

Ok both have their merits. However, the buzz is the Grey fleet must amalgamate in one base, which of course makes sense to the budget people. With Merlin (MCSP) secure, and Future Lynx on the cards, surely someone has got to make the call. For what its worth and mainly to provoke debate, Lol….. by the time an old dodgy airframe like the Lynx gets some bolt on goodies its never going to be able to reach the sea areas from Yeovilton, so by default Gods Country has it.

 

[Dajar]

Who says Future Lynx is on the cards? The budget has already been re-directed towards updating the remaining white elephants produced by that well known maker of garage doors in Yeovil. If we are lucky, they may even incorporate some software from the 90's this time to allow the pingers to find all those nasty submarines.

 

[MarkDip]

I dont think pingers exsist now Dajar - they are Maritime Patrol Helicopters

 

[Dajar]

The only thing that the Merlin has regularly patrolled is the inside of various hangars at Culdrose. I think the main weapon system design of the aircraft throwing itself at the ground does limit its use as a Maritime Patrol Helicopter. As for Cornwall being "Gods country", who would voluntarily want to live in a cul-de-sac where you have to travel 150 miles to reach civilisation?

 

[MarkDip]

You sound a bit bitter - do you speak from experience or just someone based at Yeovilton?

 

[Dajar]

Why did we ever close Daedalus? Immediate access to the Solent, a useful slipway for load/unload, Browndown Camp up the road and the Bun Penny.

I guess the lack of a road infrastructure and the fact that lots of Senior Officers wanted some peace from all those noisy aircraft meant it was doomed.

 

[MarkDip]

totally agree with you, instead those poor little lynx's can only just make it to the sea areas to do their work before returning to refuel again. It cant before long before they move to Culdrose. Then there will be some complaining!

 

[southside]

As a serving Observer at Yeovilton I can't wait to get down to CU. The run ashore is better than Ilchester. The nightlife is better, the houses are cheaper, the totty is more attractive and (apart from 771) the aircrew are more professional.

 

[MarkDip]

I guess you are the bitter "southside" from the PPRUNE forums?

Maybe you can go Merlin ;-) (if you are good enough of course)(or maybe you are a chopped pilot?)



.............inbound.............take cover

 

[Junglie]

As a serving Observer at Yeovilton I can't wait to get down to CU. The run ashore is better than Ilchester. The nightlife is better, the houses are cheaper, the totty is more attractive and (apart from 771) the aircrew are more professional.

An interesting viewpoint about the aircrew being more proffesional!!!
Have you anything to base this observation on Southside? Is your view based purely on life at Yeovilton or have you been out to the Operational environments that the other aircrew communities from Yeovilton have and still are operating?

Dare i ask how many Operational medals you wear Southside?

 

[AllTrimDoubt]

Wasn't aware that many Observers worked "Southside..."

(But concur re locals appearance)

 

[Bagwafu]

Don't think he said he worked, just served.