Cruelbreed
07-18-2009, 01:14 PM
UK Soldiers Fly In 'Cut And Shut' Helicopter
Saturday, July 18 09:40 am
© Sky News 2009
A British helicopter used in Afghanistan was a "cut and shut" combination of two different aircraft, the Ministry of Defence has admitted. Skip related content
The front of the twin-engined helicopter is from an RAF Chinook, which crashed in Oman in 1999 when its rear blades touched the ground.
The rear was taken from a former Argentinian Air Force Chinook helicopter seized in June 1982 during the Falklands conflict.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the helicopter was air-tested successfully and re-entered service in 2003.
It disclosed the helicopter's past in a letter to Ian Sadler, whose 21-year-old son Jack, a trooper in the Honourable Artillery Company, was killed by a mine in Afghanistan.
Mr Sadler, from Exmouth, Devon, has been fiercely critical of the inadequate equipment provided to British troops.
He said the helicopter was an "insult" to soldiers, adding: "Everyone I have told about the helicopter being a 'cut and shut' has responded with disbelief.
"It is penny pinching and an insult to the young men who are going to Afghanistan and risking, and losing, their lives.
"It's disgusting the way they are treating these young soldiers."
An MoD spokesman said it was "routine business" for the RAF to ensure the most effective use of resources.
He added: "The work was conducted by highly skilled aviation technicians and the aircraft returned to service after extensive air testing and signing off by the Aircraft Design Authority, Boeing.
"Like all aircraft in the fleet this aircraft is routinely inspected to ensure its continued integrity.
"The aircraft has operated satisfactorily as part of the Chinook fleet for over five years since completion of the repair with no adverse impact."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090718/r_t_skynews_uk/tuk-uk-soldiers-fly-in-cut-and-shut-heli-45dbed5_1.html?printer=1
Saturday, July 18 09:40 am
© Sky News 2009
A British helicopter used in Afghanistan was a "cut and shut" combination of two different aircraft, the Ministry of Defence has admitted. Skip related content
The front of the twin-engined helicopter is from an RAF Chinook, which crashed in Oman in 1999 when its rear blades touched the ground.
The rear was taken from a former Argentinian Air Force Chinook helicopter seized in June 1982 during the Falklands conflict.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the helicopter was air-tested successfully and re-entered service in 2003.
It disclosed the helicopter's past in a letter to Ian Sadler, whose 21-year-old son Jack, a trooper in the Honourable Artillery Company, was killed by a mine in Afghanistan.
Mr Sadler, from Exmouth, Devon, has been fiercely critical of the inadequate equipment provided to British troops.
He said the helicopter was an "insult" to soldiers, adding: "Everyone I have told about the helicopter being a 'cut and shut' has responded with disbelief.
"It is penny pinching and an insult to the young men who are going to Afghanistan and risking, and losing, their lives.
"It's disgusting the way they are treating these young soldiers."
An MoD spokesman said it was "routine business" for the RAF to ensure the most effective use of resources.
He added: "The work was conducted by highly skilled aviation technicians and the aircraft returned to service after extensive air testing and signing off by the Aircraft Design Authority, Boeing.
"Like all aircraft in the fleet this aircraft is routinely inspected to ensure its continued integrity.
"The aircraft has operated satisfactorily as part of the Chinook fleet for over five years since completion of the repair with no adverse impact."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090718/r_t_skynews_uk/tuk-uk-soldiers-fly-in-cut-and-shut-heli-45dbed5_1.html?printer=1