If the two naval helicopters were dedicated to naval roles only it would have had a better chance. As it was they were being dragged away on everything from SAR to MATS.
There were advantages to having the Air Corps operate and maintain what was a small fleet of what were at the time some of the most advanced helicopters in the world. They were after all the first helicopters ANYWHERE delivered with a glass EFIS cockpit and FADEC. The Naval versions should have been crewed solely by naval personnel, even under the auspices of Air Corps training, administration and doctrines.
Why a dedicated Naval Air unit was never formed is a still a matter of mystery. The splitting of assets may not have been desirable to the Air Corps brass but it may actually have made it easier to make a case to the Dept of Finance for an overall increase in fleet numbers.
Regarding thread split, a separate thread under the rough heading of "The Demise of Naval Aviation" is definitely warranted. Lumping this discussion with one on the current location of ex IAC aircraft does neither subject justice.
Whether or not this should be discussed in a military heritage and history context or as a a current topic when there is no movement on the horizon for the NS in the manned avaition sphere is a matter for the mods.
There were advantages to having the Air Corps operate and maintain what was a small fleet of what were at the time some of the most advanced helicopters in the world. They were after all the first helicopters ANYWHERE delivered with a glass EFIS cockpit and FADEC. The Naval versions should have been crewed solely by naval personnel, even under the auspices of Air Corps training, administration and doctrines.
Why a dedicated Naval Air unit was never formed is a still a matter of mystery. The splitting of assets may not have been desirable to the Air Corps brass but it may actually have made it easier to make a case to the Dept of Finance for an overall increase in fleet numbers.
Regarding thread split, a separate thread under the rough heading of "The Demise of Naval Aviation" is definitely warranted. Lumping this discussion with one on the current location of ex IAC aircraft does neither subject justice.
Whether or not this should be discussed in a military heritage and history context or as a a current topic when there is no movement on the horizon for the NS in the manned avaition sphere is a matter for the mods.
Comment