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