UH1Ds and CH53s for BAOR

[uk 75]

Having moaned about "fantasy" alternate history threads I am going to be totally two-faced and float one of my own.
The German Army in the 1960s equipped itself with licencebuilt UH1Ds and CH53s.
In a surprise move, with Britain pulling troops and kit out of BAOR, the West Germans offer to kit out a Brigade with the same equipment as the three FRG air landing brigades.
After the usual row between the RAF and Army Air Corps, MOD decide that the offer is too good to turn down.

 

[Grey Havoc]

UH-1Ds and CH-53Gs for the Army Air Corps? Hmmmm.

 

[Siberia]

If the MoD were smart they'd ask for the UH-1E variant rather than the UH-1D so that they could theoretically be operated from ships like the CH-56G. It's a bit hard to be picky when someone else is paying though. The Treasury is still likely going to be casting a sceptical eye over the whole affair with concerns about operating costs and potentially extra skilled manpower required.

 

[RavenOne]

Then again AAC uses Bell 212 anyhow since 97..for, support troop training in Brunei and then Belize (no longer) under contract Commercial Owned MilItaly Registered contact with Cobham Helicopter (formerly known as FBHeliservices ). Also used at Middle Wallop, home of army aviation

my photos from Helitech 2011 at Duxford.



LaughIngly we looked at Sikorsky CH-53A for heavylift for RAF but bought Chinook.

cheers

 

[1635yankee]

Having worked on the CH-53 (mostly the D) as a test engineer at Sikorsky....

Great helicopter but also demanded quite a lot of maintenance.