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