Transport Aircraft

I saw this beauty in Palanga, Lithuania a few weeks ago…

1 on the tarmac as we landed, and then I drove past the airport about an hour later and a 2nd was on the ground unloading a massive amphibious type of craft….. then down at the shops I saw it depart….

drove back past the airport and the original one was still on the deck, so grabbed a few more pics….

it eventually departed the following morning…..

Every now and again I see (hear) a few Eurofighter Typhoons departing Palanga also, and the noise off them is fcuking incredible…..

No need. The Brits lease this Aircraft, among others, from Titan Air Leasing. Such Aircraft are available, in fairly short order, on a wet lease or dry lease basis, all painted up in national colours, if desired.

As evidenced by the large amount of money the leasing companies are trying to get from their insurance firms after Russia stole their aircraft. Not too mention the idea of flying civilian planes into combat zones as evidenced by the reports a Turkish C130 took fire in the last 24 hours.

We can easily afford a military transport capability if we want it, no need for “taking up from trade” issues, just buy a C130 or two and use them.

Wouldn’t disagree much with that, other than perhaps a need for a bit of redundancy and maybe at least a second 295, would help reliability issues and training capacity along with actually missions.

We've nailed our colours to the mast with the C295s and talk of a shared strategic lift partnership, which would most likely be A400M or joining the existing SAC which operates C-17 GMIII. There is now a zero chance of acquiring C-130s from the UK or anyone else.

RAF Hercs have lived a very hard life.

We could do with an extra 2/3 295s. Look at how hard the pc12s are worked

Flight crew, loadmasters, mechs and techs, squadron leaders and staff officers to keep 2 of 3 flying and on-call?

Probably 50 additional bodies above establishment, not to mind current shortages.

Pro rata for any additional C295s.

Believe me lads, aircraft are not the problem here. Its entirely an equation of bodies.

Martin has said repeatedly this week since Sudan blew up that he had ordered officials to look at the European Programs that Ireland might consider joining. Whether or not anything comes from that is a whole other question.

Id presume maybe wrongly but the defence forces and martin already know what grouping they want to join. The air corps made there case for joining the EATC if they had got the two WFP casas. So how long will it take for us to join one of the airlift groups?

Whatever aircraft the Aer Corp had in the past have given amazing service and value for money … additional C295 are in that bracket. What is ordered is only bare bones territory. The defence spokespeople are also being disingenuous this week when pointing to the new MPA - these are being equipped for a particular technical role, hawking about cargo or landing in dusty airstrips is not one of them.

However , as we know they are a limited enough aircraft in terms of tactical transport. Clearly for access to large scale aircraft the pooled EU option is the way to go, however as a sovereign state there may be occasions where mission’s could fall out side scope and we have no ability to transport certain equipment or vehicles …

certainly 1 transporter is better than none, but the c295:it is on occasion the equivalent of using a hatchback vehicle where a small van is the better option ….

To do what?

The main role of the PC12 is suppouse to be ISTAR not an air taxi for covid tests and officals. It could work in the med the same as the beckett will . If we have the extra pc 12 it could do the donkeywork same as the 4th an not be wasting hours on aircraft that where fitted out for ISTAR

Speaking of the PC-12's 2 of them returning home today after supporting the operation in Sudan

Why would the transport arriving allow us to free up an MPA for such a tasking? It can't replace it here and the two aren't enough as is.