Air Corps receive first AW139

[markd]

Hi guys,

The first of four Agusta Wesland AW139 was handed over to the Air Corps in Italy yesterday. The photos of the new machine can be seen in the FlyingInIreland Magazine photo gallery by clicking http://www.flyinginirelandmagazine.com/photo/thumbnails.php?album=11



 
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Regards,
Mark Dwyer
www.flyinginireland.com

[sealion]

Excellent photos. Not before time.

It looks like a proper Military Helicopter


Just noticed the Ser No is 274. What happened 273 and 272?

[warthog]

hate to gripe but the orange around the emergency windows looks a bit crap,it's too wide a stripe and kind of defeats the camo scheme! plus why didn't they come up with a low-vis roundel? i'd rather see the roundels done in three shades of grey or at least muted/pale green,white and orange on a camo machine!


otherwise it's a beaut,reminds of the old pics of the puma!

oh and i have it on pretty good authority that we certainly are getting the optional order of two more machines  

[FiSe]

...and I would like to see big shark mouth on the nose  

Bell design can be seen on shapes of those "things", so this reminds me of 'Nam era Slicks, hence the shark mouth, for explanation.
And if no-one, I'll paint them  

Otherwise, nice to see more new stuff coming...

[Fouga]

I dont like it it looks cheap and more of a VIP Heli than troop transport........very disappointing. '>

[sealion]

Quote (Fouga @ 13 Aug. 2006,17:01)

I dont like it it looks cheap and more of a VIP Heli than troop transport........very disappointing. '>

What makes you say that?

[Fouga23]

Quote (Fouga @ 13 Aug. 2006,08:01)

I dont like it it looks cheap and more of a VIP Heli than troop transport........very disappointing. '>

It's a troop transport   '>? It indeed looks like some sort of VIP thing to me

[Guinness]

Nice lookin' bird

Guinness

[Shamrock145]

Well we've come a long way when people can gripe about the colour of the aircraft!!

Does any know what their designated call sign will be ...

Alpha, Alpha Whiskey, Alpha Hotel ... ?

...145

[The Blue Max]

Its was quoted in the indo article about "the new AW139 that has capabaility to be armed with Two x FN GPMG Machine Gunsaswell as other weapons"

Does anybody what other types of weapons the aircraft are able/wired to carry?

Are refering like of 12.7mm HMG Gun Pods or rocket pods etc??

[warthog]

illustrations i've seen have shown the ab149 (or is it ah149?)
military version fitted with gun pods and rockets but i'm not aware that we've bought these,i guess they're an option down the road if we wish but for now it's two GPMG's i'd say

[Fouga]

It not fair i wanted this!

[SousaTeuszii]

Hi Fouga,
I have to agree I wanted those as well. But it was a hard fought battle just to get the AW139 and not that ancient french tub of S***E with a new cockipt stuck on the front. Good luck to the National Guard! moving from Blackhawk to EC145! That would nearly be enough to make people join a front line unit.
With regard to weapons the Irish machines will be able to mount a single GPMG through the first rear cabin window on each side. There are no other weapons provisions, weapons or plans for such like.
I must say I am a bit dissappointed with the colour scheme. It is obviously the same colour as the EC135 which is the business but whats the story with the 'shoot me orange' window frames. I hope that it is just for the type cert and even if it is it shows the AW139 as a civil aircraft.
I must however congratulate the Air Corps on getting these machines and wish them all the best for the future. I know that despite the wishes of many second floor people in Baldonnel the guys and girls in No 3 will fight to utilise these machines in the way they should be ie in a field covered in muck and carting troops around the place.

Still. Once you have riden Black Lightening the rest are but cheap copies.

[SousaTeuszii]

Frank,
Maybe you can help me out. Have a look at the full size photo of the AW139 in flight. The 'shoot me orange' around the windows appears very linear and constant in colour. Is it possible that these photos have been retouched to add these in? I presume that these are Agusta released photos.
Still the ELT is bright red, why can it not be green or black. Its a radio beacon not a visual signal. If you hunt this yoke down and find nothing else in the area to look at then theres not much left to look for.

[Old Redeye]

Congratulations to the IAC for finally takin gon these excellent, modern aircraft.  That said, they are not true tactical aircraft with eh necessary armor, self-sealng tanks and self-protection systems.  However, they will provide a basis for the Corps to move into modern tctical helo ops in the form of NVG's, precision nav, etc.  Now comes the decison on excercising options and a follow-up order.  The overall requirment is for at least 8 aircraft to support national tasks and overseas deployments.  Does that mean four more 139's or wait for the 149?  

Recommendation - wait for the 149 and take advantage of the IAC 139's to work closely with AW and the UK armed forces to develop the 149.  Why the UK?  They are about to negotiate for 40-60 battlefield helos to replace RN Commando SeaKings, RAF Pumas and Army Gazelles.  They will be Provately Owned, Government Operated - meaning essentially fully deloyable and fully military leased aircraft flown by military crews.  The full requirment will likely be satidfied by two types, with the EC-725 and the AW-149 being front runners.