| From an expert opinion of flying the | | | | and it's still not operational." |
| 'CH46 Knight': "I recently read an | | | | "It's a money pit ok, face it. I've had |
| article about replacing the CH46s. And | | | | enough 53E's, 46's and even UH-1's |
| they are in the middle of testing an | | | | hovering over my head to know plenty |
| alternative aircraft. The Osprey - if it | | | | about their capabilities. I've also had |
| ever goes into service will have a tough | | | | the V-22 hovering over my head and |
| time replacing the "46 in the hearts of | | | | struggling with a 5K load. Again, that |
| those who flew her or were rescued by | | | | was 10 years and it's still not up to |
| her! I was shocked to see a transport | | | | lifting its prescribed |
| aircraft - the Osprey - with ejection | | | | payload...internally or externally." |
| seats for the pilots!" | | | | "So why don't you tell us why the V-22 |
| "I'm stationed on new river with HMM-263 | | | | is such a kick butt aircraft and why it |
| prongs will always rule especially to be | | | | hasn't gone operation since its |
| flying with 38 + years of service. I get | | | | inception in 1983. Tell us why the |
| to see them fly 1-2 ospreys every day | | | | Marine Corps should continue to spend |
| and night not a bad plane for distance | | | | billions more beyond the 14+ billion |
| and speed but overall it will be a ok | | | | already spent." |
| plane but its going to be a long time | | | | "Tell us how the Marine Corps can |
| before you see the last CH-46E retired | | | | justify neglecting other Marine Corps |
| and placed at the front gate of new | | | | aviation with this chalk board " |
| river!" | | | | aircraft of the future" Tell us when the |
| "We have so many upgrades going on with | | | | V-22 Osprey will finally hit the fleet |
| the birds its insane to even think there | | | | and transport Marines into combat. |
| is a replacement aircraft in the works! | | | | Facts, I have all the facts I need about |
| It is truly amazing that the 46's are | | | | the V-22. And please don't get me wrong, |
| still in service. I was in HMM 265 | | | | I would like the V-22 to succeed, but me |
| 1963-64 when they were the first | | | | also am a realist and after two decades |
| squadron to receive the first two for | | | | of R&D, its way past time to look at |
| the Marine Corps. It seems that it is | | | | alternatives." |
| impossible to have been 40 years ago. | | | | "As supercobraz has stated, we'd all |
| They were truly state of the art | | | | absolutely LOVE to see the Osprey work |
| compared to the 34's. I remember they | | | | as designed but after 20 some odd years |
| were grounded some problem with the | | | | of R&D coupled with the ageing of our |
| hydra fluid foaming or something like | | | | venerable Phrog fleet, we are getting |
| that." | | | | justifiably skeptical & concerned that |
| "To answer about the hydro problems it | | | | the MV-22 will never deliver as |
| was because of the utility pump we had | | | | advertised." |
| at the time, It was very apt to internal | | | | "Your input, as an actual pilot would |
| failure supping hydro fluid everywhere | | | | add immensely to our ongoing convoys |
| then hydro fluid would get sucked into | | | | regarding the MV-22. Of course, knowing |
| the generators on the after trine and a | | | | that you are active duty and can't |
| fire would come next, we now have a new | | | | necessarily "enlighten" us with your 1st |
| hydro pump and it is almost problem | | | | hand knowledge is highly understood. |
| free. I just checked in down here at the | | | | BTDT! Any positive info on the MV-22 |
| "Osprey Test and Evaluation Squadron". | | | | Osprey is as welcomed here as the |
| This thing is great... I came from | | | | negative. Please feel free to share what |
| HMM-264 and I too love the Phrog. The | | | | you can with us." |
| V-22 will be a great V-22 but she will | | | | "I was a Black Knight many moons ago and |
| never be a Phrog! What this thing can do | | | | the Phyrog is still near and dear to my |
| is very impressive." | | | | heart after all these years, but I also |
| "I can tell you this much, I've been and | | | | know that all good things must go, all |
| close to the V-22 Osprey as any of you. | | | | in due time. We thought that the airfram |
| I have not just appeared from nowhere on | | | | was old back in the mid and late 70's, |
| this forum, I've been around long | | | | but it must seem ancient now. If there |
| enough. I have participated in some | | | | is a better bird for the mission, then I |
| early load test and downwash testing | | | | say, by all means, bring it on. |
| with the V-22. That was ten years ago | | | | |