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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.
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.
