any pics of AB139s yet?

[pilatus]

have there been any pics of the AB139s on the production line yet or is it still to early for that?they must be starting to look like a helicopter now!?has anybody seen any pics of them yet?!

Any pics just look like an assembly line of parts so far. The first group of technicians are in Italy on the tech course so they might come back with some better shots. Hope to get them soon.

[SARMAN]

Anyone got any idea what sort of roles the 139's are going to be kitted out in then they do arrive, i.e. SAR, VIP, Air Ambulance, troop transport, fast rope arms etc?'>  

Are they to be fitted with a hoist/flir and will they be 4 axis machine anyone know anything??

If they are to be used for SAR is there any crew's to do SAR?

[pilatus]

they are to be used primarily as support for the army!but will have the provision to be kitted out for SAR if needs be!they will also have an air ambulance fit weather radar night vision goggles and door mounted gpmg(general purpose machine gun)!oh and hoists for fast roping aswell!

[Pink Panther]

Word has it the tech crews are going to be trained up as SAR crew.

[sealion]

I'm looking forward to seeing how the door gunners course will work....

[pilatus]

i wonder will the door guns be fitted only on excercises or publicity shots!?it would be sweet looking up seeing it flying over your house with guns hanging out the sides!

[RMR]

I cant see them flying around all the time with guns hanging off them....it would look farely cool though!!!

[Pink Panther]

Oh, I'm sure the passengers in the back on an air ambulance flight would be well impressed allright..

[Buran]

Quote

it wold be sweet looking up seeing it flying over your house with guns hanging out the sides!

well as long as you hold having armed military manoeuvres in the seriousness that they deserve.

[Buran]

dont forget, the Air Corps are still tasked with inland SAR and mountain rescue

[RMR]

Of course its great to see them carry out the more important duty of sar but it would just be a new sight to see a chopper armed even just the once...

[SARMAN]

Buran
I think you have been mis-informed the air corps are no longer tasked with in-land SAR and mountain rescue all the taskings of this nature are now part of the Irish Coast Guard all inland water ways are ICG and as always the mountains of the country are ICG responsibility.
Except of course your talking about military casualtys on tactical training.
What sort of medical training will the tech crews be given if any or is this no longer a priority?'>
It would be really cool to see these choppers being gunned fast roping ARW or something along those lines..

[pilatus]

hopefully we will see them gunned with army rangers fast roping out of them!well the army ranger was asked what heli they would like from the 3 put forward for evaluation but they said blackhawk,but anyway the point is that the if the rangers were given a say then they are to be one of the main users of the choppers!will they be delivered in time for salthill airshow this year!if they are you can bet your ass the air corps will be showing them off!for them its too good an opportunity to turn down plus they want to show the public what their money is being spent on!

[Buran]

SARMAN
ive nothing in particular to base what i said on, so i stand corrected.
I think my thoughts came from something the minister said at the time that he withdrew the air corps from SAR,
and then discussions that were had here at the time the specs of the AB139s were published (and the SAR capability was included).