Out of Retirement - Discussion thread

[NARSES2]

The 140mph is in ideal conditions and  I'd be the first to admit that a North Atlantic storm is less than ideal. I have the greatest respect for WW2 Swordfish crews and those on carriers that supported them.

Having been in mid Atlantic during a "blow" so do I  and I was on a 50,000 tonne ship.

[PR19_Kit]

I'm sure I've mentioned this before on here, but it bears repeating.

At a BoB Display at RAF Abingdon in the 60s the wind speed rose to horrendous levels and the promised FAA Swordfish display, presumably by 5A in those days, kept on getting delayed according to the announcer. He explained that the aircraft had taken off from Yeovilton before the wind started to rise but they'd get to Abingdon 'eventually'.

After a LONG time the Stringbag appeared over the horizon and crawled across the airfield, and having arrived at crowd centre it stopped! The pilot apparently radioed the tower and explained that they really couldn't do any meaningful display, but to show how versatile the Swordfish was they were going to show us a 'Reverse Loop', and promptly proceeded to do just that!

This involved raising the nose a little and opening the throttle, which produced a vertical climb with the aircraft in an almost horizontal attitude, and then he backed off the throttle quite a bit and proceeded back across the airfield in reverse!    The next step was to lower the nose and adjust he throttle so that the aircraft descended pretty well vertically, but still remaining in a horizontal position, and from that point he just landed the aircraft and taxied to the hardstanding.

Needless to say the performance received tumultuous applause, but I doubt if the crew got back to Yeovilton that night!

[Rick Lowe]

Brilliant, thanks for that! Raised a smile. 

[TheChronicOne]

Could be an interesting new way to bomb something. 

[Rheged]

Admiral A B Cunningham's autobiography, Having Been a Sailor, has the following quote on p416 in the hardback edition:-

  "I believe the Germans reported that the British had some helicopters in the Western Desert which were very accurate bombers. These were probably the old Swordfish going upwind"

[TheChronicOne]

"Helicopters" 

[McColm]

There's the BAe Nimrod MR.2P which might have been brought back into service after the cancellation of the MRA.4 until the Boeing P-8 is ready.
I was thinking of changing the jet exhaust pipes to the Tonka or Typhoon,  adding a few more underwing pylons plus a few more sensors to the fuselage.

[McColm]

The Space Shuttle would be an ideal platform for a space airliner as it was built to be reused,  I've got the Revell 04863 1/144 Boeing 747 SCA & Space Shuttle in my stash. I might replace the engines on the Boeing 747 and change the decals now that the RAF are involved in the UK space industry.

[tigercat]

   Thanks for the interesting Swordfish stories

[Dizzyfugu]

With some time and checking my long project list, three more ideas beyond the Scottish Gripen have turned up that might be eligible for this GB.

[Caveman]

With the current goings-on on HMS QE, some SHARs might be appropriate for this.

[tigercat]

There's always the myth of the Strategic Steam Reserve for anyone fancying making one of the Dapol  locos,  Steam  Engines slumbering  under a hill like a mechanical King Arthur  until recalled to service in an hour of need ,

[zenrat]

There's always the myth of the Strategic Steam Reserve for anyone fancying making one of the Dapol  locos,  Steam  Engines slumbering  under a hill like a mechanical King Arthur  until recalled to service in an hour of need ,

Hmmm, an A4 Pacific with a small nuclear pile replacing the firebox.  Brought back into use to meet zero carbon footprint legislation.

[Dizzyfugu]

Found another potential project - this time a vehicle!

[PR19_Kit]

Hmmm, an A4 Pacific with a small nuclear pile replacing the firebox.  Brought back into use to meet zero carbon footprint legislation.

And the driver controlling it by remote control from the guard's van!