Sea King over Regents Park

[Cheib]

I was out walking the dog a few weeks ago and...happened to have my camera and a Sea King flew over before landing briefly in the park. I believe they are used to bring emergency cases to either UCLH or Great Ormond Street. These must be pretty old helicopters by now?

[s2kjock]

Only UK based SAR chopper the RAF has to my knowledge.

I grew up near a base and they often overflew - I'm sure I recall yellow Wessex flying overhead too ...........

Pre coastguard cover and the air ambulances they were the only way to get urgent stuff to and from hospitals in Scotland. They still fill in up here, as IIRC the Scottish Air Ambulances (perhaps all?) can't fly at night or in poor weather conditions (?)

[roryfizz]

Yeah they are still operated by the RAF and the Royal Navy at various locations around the UK. Yes they are getting very old now and spares are becoming and issue. Also their age is apparently throwing up problems not previously experienced. However it is all being privatised in the near future to provide new airframes under a PFI agreement.

Its a shame the mighty Kings are going, I flew a Jungly (Commando Helicopter Force) one at RNAS Yeovilton and had a trip in one out of RAF Leconfield recently and the air crew and engineers work really very hard get the best out of very old airframes.

[muppetdave]

What's replacing them then?

[roryfizz]

In the search and rescue role two types I think.

The AW-139
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW139

And

The S-92
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-92

The S-92 especially is an incredibly capable cab, and the aw139 whilst small with some restrictions will probably still prove to be a capable machine too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...

Though there are still some unresolved issues so far as I know.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...