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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares
« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 09:54:54 PM »
C-130K Hercules
As the RAF moved to a fleet of new C-130J aircraft, the older C-130Ks were sold off to other operators.

One aircraft was retained by the UK Government and then transferred to the Royal Mail.  The aircraft is used for transporting bulk mail within the UK, particularly for mail being moved from London to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The service continued until 2020, when the Hercules was withdrawn and replaced by a Boeing 737.  Following retirement, the Post Office C-130 was sold to Marshal Aviation for refurbishment and onward sale.
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares
« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 09:52:55 PM »
Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle
The British Army had operated 400 Panther CLVs, but in the post-Afghanistan drawdown of military equipment, the Panthers were declared surplus.  Before seeking overseas buyers, 100 vehicles were earmarked for transfer to British police forces for use in extreme situations.  20 each were provided to the London Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police. The Sussex force use their Panthers for anti-terror patrol duties at Gatwick airport, while the Met vehicles are based at Heathrow for similar duties.  The other 60 were transferred to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, joining the PSNI fleet of heavily protected vehicles, mostly Tangi and Pangolin Land Rovers.  The PSNI vehicles have been modified with mesh skirts, like those mounted on the Land Rovers, while heavy duty mesh riot screens can be fitted to cover the vehicles windows if deployed on riot duties.

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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares
« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 09:50:41 PM »
The British Government has always had a process for the sale of surplus military equipment, but transfers from the military to other government bodies has traditionally been very restricted.  However, under the austerity provisions of the Noughties, this changed and there was a limited release of former military equipment to other organisations.

Westland Sea King
Sea King helicopters were being retired by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force but were still capable aircraft.  HAR3s and HU5s were made available to other UK bodies, resulting in the transfer of aircraft. 

Her Majesty’s Coastguard
The UK Coastguard had long been a Sikorsky S-61 operator, so taking on Westland Sea Kings was not a huge step.  6 former RAF HAR3s were transferred following a refurbishment and were made ready for service.  Like other Coastguard helicopters, the Sea Kings were operated from dispersed bases round the UK coast.  They were operated mainly on SAR duties, as well as the occasional medevac mission.  The six aircraft were individually named after the characters from the children’s book and TV series Noddy, carrying a name and image of their character on the aircraft nose.
As the older S-61 fleet began to be replaced by new S-92s and AW189s, the Sea King fleet was also slated for retirement, with final stand down of the former HAR3s occurring in 2021.


The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond
Trinity House has been responsible for the lighthouses around the UK coast since 1609.  Helicopters have been used by the corporation since the 1960s, being used for a range of support duties.  The corporation was offered 4 former RN Sea King HU5s, which were readily accepted.  The Sea Kings have been used widely to support the lighthouse network, as well as to patrol navigation lanes and buoys for which Trinity House is also responsible.


The Metropolitan Police
London’s Metropolitan Police is the largest force in the UK, with responsibility for policing the capital and a large chunk of its suburbs.  Increasing calls on the Met’s aerial division led to the transfer of former RN HU5s to the force.  These were used for general policing duties, as flying “squad cars”, for high risk prisoner transfers and a myriad of other roles.  The fleet continues in use, with current plans calling for the replacement of the Sea Kings from 2030.

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Swords to Plowshares GB / My take on Swords into Ploughshares
« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 09:45:43 PM »
My immediate reaction when this was chosen as the theme for the Group Build was "What??" Total Blank.

However, when I had time to process, I was struck with a range of ideas.  I've decided to group them into two categories, those that could have a grain of possibility, and those that were totally implausible (but fun!)

So, here are my profiles.

Mark
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: 1/35 Waldschlepper RS 1500
« Last post by Robomog on Today at 09:22:55 PM »
That looks brilliant !

I understand why you left it pristine but doesn't it just scream out for a load of groceries in the back  ;D ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<
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Aero-space / Re: FW-189A-2 - (Heeres)/31 - ICM 1:72
« Last post by Rod The Fixer on Today at 08:54:15 PM »
Ready for take off ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: 1/35 Waldschlepper RS 1500
« Last post by LemonJello on Today at 08:30:54 PM »
Very well done.  I like this with the minimal weathering, fresh off the showroom floor!
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: BTR Arctic Explorer
« Last post by Buzzbomb on Today at 07:29:18 PM »
Quote from: Frank3k on Today at 09:33:09 AM
That came out great, and the snow looks realistic (from a Los Angeles perspective). This vehicle might also work on Mars with some mods.
Quote from: apophenia on Today at 02:57:22 AM
Ooo ... that is nice! With that bubble dome on top (and maybe without the Finnish url), that could easily pass for an off-world transporter  :smiley:

Fully agree, some more de BTR ing around the engine deck and it could really be a Sci Fi Traveller style ATV.
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: BTR Arctic Explorer
« Last post by perttime on Today at 12:57:03 PM »
All snow isn't the same. There's two or three dozen Finnish words for specific kinds of snow. I'm sure that this fits one or another...  8) ;) ;D
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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: Two Possible Ideas That I am Thinking About Doing
« Last post by finsrin on Today at 12:34:46 PM »
A long ignored kit.  Refreshing to see you are building one.  Neat configuration !
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