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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:42:30 PM »

And finally the implausible, but a lot more fun ones.

The Aqua Bus
No  backstory for this one, other than an internet “factoid” I read somewhere that the USMC refer to the LVTP-7/AAV-7AI as the School Bus (which could well be a total lie, it’s from the internet after all!).  Whether true or not, I thought “LVTP-7 as a school bus?  Hmmm”, and a profile was born.


Special Delivery
As part of the government sale of former military equipment, the Greendale Post Office purchased one Harrier T2.  The aircraft became the fast despatch vehicle for Greendale’s dynamic postie, Pat Clifton, who was often to be seen flying over the hills and dales round Greendale with is black & white cat, Jess.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postman_Pat

I was a bit too old for Postman Pat when he first hit the screen in the UK, but the show was required viewing when I was university (don’t ask why, I honestly can’t remember!)


The Mystery Machine Mk2
After their last adventure, where Old Mr Peterson had tried to get rid of those “pesky kids” using an IED and a barrage of RPG-7s, the gang had decided that the Mystery Machine didn’t offer a lot of protection. Luckily Scooby was able to get in touch with an old pal, Duke, a former US Army War Dog. Through Duke’s contacts the gang were able to get hold of a new van, which they immediately named as “The Mystery Machine Mk2”.  The new van offered all the protection they needed, but still had more than enough space to carry loads of Scooby Snacks.  Fully equipped and loaded, the gang were off on their next adventure........

2

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:38:23 PM »

Border Patrol

As part of his commitment to keep American safe from the hordes illegal immigrants surging over the US/Mexican border, President Trump ordered the transfer of 16 AH-64D Apaches from US Army stocks to the US Customs and Border Patrol service.  The aircraft were disarmed, but retained their rotor mounted radar system, as well as the sophisticated Arrowhead system in the nose. In place of the 30mm belly gun, a high power Nite Sun lamp was fitted, slaved to the nose sight.

Issued to units in Texas and New Mexico, the Apaches proved to be desperately over equipped for the intended role and were only used for 7 months before they were quietly returned to army control and the CBP returned to using its already successful fleet of smaller helicopters.

3

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:13:23 PM »

Stop Me and Buy One
No real reason for this one but prompted by a very old episode of the Mark Thomas Comedy Product.  Mark is a fantastic political satirist comedian.  In 1996 he drove a Saladin Armoured Car with a couple of ice cream cones attached round London to various government departments asking for a licence to export his “ice cream van” to Iraq. Brilliant episode 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Q-0-M0xPQ&t=480s

4

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:10:54 PM »

FedEx heavy lifter
As the USAF began to retire its C-141 fleet, some of the aircraft were made available to commercial operators. In the end only one customer was found, Federal Express.  FedEx purchased 8 C-141s for its long range bulk cargo operation, transporting outsized objects and cargos too difficult to fit aboard its standard freighter fleet.
Although well used, the C-141 fleet was expensive to operate and spares were difficult to obtain, leading to a decision to retire the fleet in 2017 and replace them with newly built C-17s instead.

5

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:09:44 PM »

Greater Manchester Police
James Anderton was a controversial Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP).  His hardline approach to policing made him a favourite of Margaret Thatcher and ensured that the GMP was more likely to receive special equipment, compared to other forces. 

In response to the Moss Side riots in 1981, Anderton requested riot control vehicles for the force.  None were immediately available, but the Thatcher government were willing to provide 6 Saxon APCs from army stock for use by the police. 

Fitted with a simple barricade remover and given a suitable paint job, including the then standard “jam sandwich” orange and blue side flashes, the Saxons were deployed to Manchester in late 1981.  In the event, they were not needed, as subsequent protests were far smaller and easily handled by the regular GMP units. 

The Saxons were returned to army control in 1983, but for many the image of a British police commissioner, posing in front of an armoured vehicle, was one that would be etched into their memories.

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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:08:44 PM »

Warsaw-Okęcie Airport
The post war expansion of Warsaw- Okęcie Airport saw the arrival of larger capacity aircraft.  A number of crashes at the airport in the 1960s, proved that the airport fire department required better equipment, especially if the incident involved a large jet aircraft. 

The idea of a protected fire tender was discussed by the airport management, with suggestions that surplus T-34 chassis could be used.  However, this was turned down, as most of the vehicles on offer were already worn out by years of service with the Polish armed forces. 

As an alternative the army had 10 Su-122-54s in storage. These had been given to the army by the Soviets, but after testing were declared surplus.  Virtually unused and built on brand new T-54  components, they were ripe for conversion.

The new vehicles were designed by collaboration between the army engineering workshops and the airport fire department.  The main armament was removed and, in its place, a high pressure fire foam gun was mounted instead.  The tank for the foam was carried in place of the original ammunition storage, while additional tanks were mounted on the rear of the engine deck.  A BTU-55 dozer blade could be mounted at the front of the vehicle, to be used for clearing debris in case of fire.  The commander’s position was equipped with a hand directed water jet (as mounted on most Soviet pattern fire tenders at the time).  To assist the driver, a large glass dome was mounted over the driver’s hatch, and the vehicle was fitted with numerous lights and driving mirrors.

The converted vehicles entered service in 1965, with 3 stationed at Warsaw- Okęcie, the other scattered round the other large airports of Poland.
In their new role the vehicles excelled, providing high levels of protection to their crews, while being able to help extinguish fires of high intensity.  They remained in role into the late 1990s, having been carefully maintained over the years.  They were finally retired in 1998, replaced by new Jelcz fire tenders.  All three of Warsaw’s vehicles were preserved and are now on display at various museums in Poland.

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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:07:02 PM »

“The Woofer”
Particularly heavy snow at RCAF Downsview in 1955 resulted in the need for a very heavy duty snowblower.   Engineers at the base decided to rig up a jet blower using the fuselage and engine of a redundant DH Vampire Mk3 and an M135 truck.  The wings, booms and tail of the Vampire were removed and a cradle was manufactured to support the fuselage pod and engine.  This cradle was mounted on the flatbed of an M135 truck, with the jet pipe extending over the back.  An extended trunk was fitted to the exhaust, with a wide mouth fitting at the bottom to help spread the heat.  After several trials, the snowblower, christened as “The Woofer” was put into use, proving very successful in its role. 

Like most equipment, it was only deployed occasionally, so remained in its basic state for many years, as it worked and did not really need improvement.


In 1972 the RCAF opted to purchase purpose built snowploughs for Downsview and the Woofer was offered to for sale.  Toronto City Airport bought the Woofer for $500 and refurbished the vehicle for future use.  It was used by the airport into the mid 1980s, when the Goblin jet engine finally failed, leading the Woofer to be retired.

8

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:04:38 PM »

John Sullivan – Aerial Yachtsman
The idea of an aerial yacht was one that had flourished on a small scale in the 1930s.  After WW2, the availability of surplus aircraft, most notably flying boats, meant that this notion would see light again.

John Sullivan, a Seattle based lumber businessman, was one who took the idea and ran with it.  Sullivan had flown PBM Mariners with the USN during WW2, so knew the capabilities of the type well.  He was able to purchase 2 PBM5A amphibians and 2 PBM3S from USN surplus and would use these to build himself and his family a flying yacht. 

Fitted with an improved galley, individual cabins, additional viewing spaces and a small motor boat that was carried under the wing, Sullivan took his air yacht on many excursions.  The type’s amphibious capabilities meant Sullivan was able to travel to places across North and Central America, using the “Freedom Bird” as his flying caravan and base for further holiday adventures.

Eventually as Sullivan’s children grew up and left home, the need for such a large aircraft declined and the Freedom Bird was finally grounded in 1962.  It was stored in a hangar at Paine Field, Everett for many years and was eventually presented to Museum of Flight, Seattle, after John Sullivan died in 1992.

9

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:03:16 PM »

Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze Testbed
After WW2, the PZL company was gradually put back on its feet.  Initially the company would build copies of former German aircraft or licence build more modern types for the Polish armed forces.  However the research department of PZL were quick to begin the design of new aircraft, which would require new engines.  By 1950 PZL had a prototype jet engine, the Orzeł, ready for testing.  A large aircraft was required to mount the engine for flight testing and the Polish Air Force were willing to loan one of it’s Lancasters to PZL for modification.

The outer engines and nacelles were removed and new custom built nacelles were built to house the new jets.  In this revised configuration the Lancaster was flown by PZL for the next 10 years, initially with the Orzeł engines, but later with newer engines as they came through the PZL development program.  The PZL Lancaster was finally retired in 1962.

10

Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares

« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:01:20 PM »

The Automobile Association Aerial Patrol

After WW2, as Britian’s road network expanded and car ownership expanded, the Automobile Association (AA) took on additional roles.  Aerial operations were one such idea, with aircraft being used to patrol Britain’s roads, helping with traffic management, looking for stranded motorists and spotting incidents.  Initially a number of De Havilland Rapides were used, but a faster type was required.  For this the AA acquired 8 former RAF DH Mosquito B2s, which could cover far larger areas at greater speed.  They were operated on road patrol duties through the late 1940s and early 1950s, until the cost of maintaining them became prohibitive and they were retired.