IAC Dauphin

N.O.I.P.

Came across this while browsing around, thought someone here might be interested

http://www.aviatorsale.com/aix5314/

Edit : Not in buying it, just interesting to see where it ended up

cp251

I wonder if they ever sold any. But what's with the bloody silly tactical scheme? I imagine we will see one or two in a movie soon.

Reg'stoy

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Br1xcjgxVSY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jTkXm0Q9heY

Thought ye find these interesting. Ah yes great days working with them but the 'ship' now that was a different matter :mad:

Oilrig

IMHO, someone has a lot of questions to answer. The Dauphin was the dogs b0llicks at the time. So what happened?

USCG are still using them.

Any chance of a retrospective review on why we bought this a/c?

chickenhawk

I could be wrong but if I remember correctly they were costing too much to maintain and they were all due a major overhaul so it was more economical to buy new ones.

Nforce

From my understanding the IAC Dauphin had a bespoke avionics suite that was deemed too costly to upgrade. The MOD basically gave them away with unit prices around 80-100k iirc.
Off topic... but any info on the Alouettes that were recently put up for tender?

Steyr

The Irish Dauphins were the only type of a special batch "Custom" if you will of the Dauphin they had custom avionics etc etc and they were the only type of Dauphins like them in the world. It seems to me as spares grew thin as time passed by that for our type mothballing seemed the only option.

Oilrig

"The Irish Dauphins were the only type of a special batch "Custom" if you will of the Dauphin they had custom avionics etc etc and they were the only type of Dauphins like them in the world. It seems to me as spares grew thin as time passed by that for our type mothballing seemed the only option."

This seems to be the common opinion.

If the IAC was a company, a head would roll over this - believe me. F*ckwits.

Not aimed at members of said Corp, just directly aimed at whoever specced the contract.

Nforce

Wonder if the half mill recouped from the sale of the Dauphins/Gazelles covered the cost of the repairs for the AW139 during it's delivery flight?;):p

cp251

I visited Baldonnel soon after the Dauphins entered service. I remember being told that each cost £5 million. Of that £3 million was for the avionics alone. I don't know how true that was but there you are. Which were state of the art at the time. Although I imagine were the source of much stress for the avionics techs.

The truth is I think the Air Corps bought more capability than they needed or were able to maintain.

I also heard they were overweight as a result which cuts into endurance. The USCG had a similar problem but that was mainly down to fact that underpowered US engines were used to compensate for the fact that they were buying French helicopters. This meant the single engine performance was marginal at best which was a big problem because it wasn't that reliable either. Not good for a maritime rescue helicopter. But lately they were re-engined with the French engines.

V Bull

Nforce wrote: »

Off topic... but any info on the Alouettes that were recently put up for tender?

Just for you Nforce, a couple of photos of the old but beautiful ladies, the Alouette 111 on that very first day at school, as it were and the last few days, all wrapped up and ready for their next owner.

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The IAC are selling off six, 196 197 211 212 213 214 all in perfect working order, with spares etc etc, and will keep 195 as a fully working museum piece.

I remember them fondly, droping us off at various points along the border, and even better again, picking us up to go home, back to barracks.

Enjoy................:cool:

Nforce

Thanks a million for those pics V Bull. Look at the ole Chippies in the background too!!Really miss the sight and sound of the "glasshouse". I've a few pics of 214 a couple of weeks prior to the withdrawal of the Alouettes from service...i'll post them asap.
Glad to hear that the powers that be will keep one in flying condition.
OT...but is the museum up and running at Casement yet? I'd love to bring my son up for a look around. :cool:

Taken at the past open day at Custume Barracks,Athlone... 2 weeks before the heli's were retired

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0886.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0887.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0916.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0928.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0930.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0951.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0954.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0955.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0962.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0965.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0966.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/GeeTI/DSCN0978.jpg


Was talking to my FIL who got his parachute wings jumping from the Alouettes during the late 60's.

fireplace1982

nice pictures, any photos of IAC dauphins in action?

V Bull

Yes, Nforce, the museum is up and running very well, lots to see in it. They took over a large section of a hanger and put all their stuff in it, some items donated by ex-members of the corps and their families.

They have a restored Avro Anson, Fouga, Alouette 111 and I think they have a Vampire, lots to see, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to look around.

The PC-9 flight simulator is great, even though you will not be in it, as the pilot turns and twists, you actually feel as if your in the a/c.

Here's a blast from the past, they have an Avro Cadet that was restored and is actually flying, cannt get the photo to upload onto this message.....

Fireplace, will have a look and see what I have............

Nforce

Cadet is a recent purchase from New Zealand?
Who do I contact to visit the museum...or is it just arrive and go?:)

V Bull

Nforce, I'm not sure on that but here's a copy of the Defence Forces Telephone Directory as posted on the DF website

http://www.military.ie/dfhq/pubrel/GreenPages2008.pdf

Contact Air Corps directly on their general enquiries number and hopefully they will help 01-403 7800 and ask for the Public Relations Officer...

Nforce

Much appreciated, V Bull :cool: