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Post by phil82 on Mar 11, 2006 6:17:49 GMT 12
I'm not really a disagreeable bugger....!!but...despite it's graceful looks, there is a lot more to operating flying boats than meets the eye, which is why no one does operate them anymore! It's one of the myths that because an aircraft can land on water, that it is possible to do so all the time!
As for it's role [the Albatross], I don't think any development of any intended role had taken place, so there would have to be a huge question-mark over its ability to do an Orion-type function. There are actually very few types that have done this successfully, the Lockheed Orion [Electra] being one of them. I would argue that the RAF's maritime version of the Comet, in all its forms, is still one of the ugliest birds around, and if you met her in a pub you'd want no less than three paper bags handy. The latest version is the end result of YEARS of cock-ups in design and delay after delay at huge expense, and it's still ugly, though no doubt capable! The RAF will have 12, and the RNZAF 6 Orion P3 Z or whatever they finally call it, so we're not actually doing too badly.
The replacement? The ONLY affordable replacement for an Orion these days is another Orion. Remember, ours are like old axes that have had new handles and new heads fitted, and they've got many years life in them yet.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 11, 2006 7:53:37 GMT 12
I totally agree Colin. Of course it's not always possible to land on water - the Chathams Sunderland proved that for one instance, and there have been many more. But it is a capability the Orion cannot cary out at all, so is one added advantage. But you're right it probably would have taken a lot more development to make the Albatross carry out all the other capabilities of the P3K.
I'm just a fan of big flying boats, they look very cool.
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Post by phil82 on Mar 12, 2006 7:31:48 GMT 12
Then there was the classic case of the Sunderland scraping the runway at the opening of Wellington airport.....it must have been quite a day what with that and the Vulcan!
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Post by phil82 on Mar 12, 2006 7:34:19 GMT 12
I must say that promotion on this site is nothing if not rapid!
It normally takes a year to get from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 12, 2006 11:42:44 GMT 12
Hehe. You'll soon be up to your real rank in no time.
That Sunderland incident at Rongotai is fairly famous, but I have had the inside story a few times as I know Ray Tocker who was aboard, and was one of the two men who were dangled into the lower hull to fix the hole in flight. He said it was very dangerous indeed and they seriously thought they'd have to bail out and lose the aircraft. Last Anzac Day I caught up with him and asked him to tell the story to three mates of mine. They were all amazed by it.
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Post by beagle on Jun 17, 2017 13:18:40 GMT 12
11 years later and its getting very close to fullfillment
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