Aviation, Aircraft I have worked on.

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Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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I've also worked on these two plus the one that has the flying ability of a house brick. Can Hutch name them?


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Nov 16, 2015
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Is the top one a Mongoose, lower heli EH 101, Merlin,
Not a clue about the sand coloured Brick. Looks nasty though.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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Looking at the Mangusta/Mongoose and Apache, it looks more like an Apache to me - the tank looks like a US Abrams M1
 
Nov 11, 2009
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The Merlin is a big beast when compared to the Sea King. It created a whole new challenge for landing and handling on Type 23 and 22 frigates. It made moving your caravan using the mover on to your drive during an earthquake seem simple. For interest here a paper circa late 1980s which gives an excellent description of what was developed. That project got me many trips to Yeovil and Loanhead.

 
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Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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In order...

Apache AH64...not sure what version. We were contracted by BAe Systems to develop some electronics for their Defensive Aid Suit. Never got to play with one.

EH101/Merlin....ASW. We worked with TMSL to help them design some electronics to interface to Sonar Buoys. Got an invite to go and play with one but it coincided with a visit from the boss of our parent company, so couldn't go.

Abrams M1A2 main battle tank. We were contracted to design some processing electronics and interfaces. The most intriguing was a Voice Alert module. We weren't allowed to know what the messages were but speculated it would be on the lines of;Hatch Ajar;Fasten Seat Belt; Incoming.

Did get to go in one at the factory in Michigan. Due to safety reasons I wasn't allowed to get in the complete assembly but they separate the Turret and Hull. So with the Turret on a stand I could crawl inside and stand upright. Not somewhere I'd like to be in combat.
 
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Aug 8, 2025
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I have built parts for a few of the helicopters mentioned. De-icing kit for the Merlin, ballistic protection on the Apache and I don't actually know what the bit I made did on the S-92, but something engine intake related.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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When some people say, a Buccaneer Takes off and then decends to operational height. A lightning getting up to speed
View attachment 9311
And with a quick rotate can exceed the speed of sound going vertically upwards - which was standard practice during Quick Reaction Alerts (QRAs), to get above the incoming MIGs.
 

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