The venerable SLR

[mrclark303]

Cinders, great images there for the family and Barry had a great sendoff too.

The Caribou was a brilliant aircraft to jump out of as well, very smooth just like the Andover in many respects. We are missing a medium service aircraft like that nowadays. All that is left is the trusty old Skyvan

Ah, the trusty Andover, going back a few years with that one Gil!

I have fond memories of the Andover's at Brize in the early 1980's.

They were superb aircraft, just the job when a Hercules was overkill.

Got rid of in the endless rounds of defence cuts to "save money" .. what a laugh, after the Andover was axed the RAF was forced to use Hercs to transport just a few pallets of gear (or small number of specialists) around Europe on the sort of short notice missions the Andover was perfect for..

Information

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[Gil Boyd]

Sadly we have to move with the times due to serious MOD cuts and more destined for the table in the New Year, but the Shorts SC7 Skyvan does what it says on the "box" literally, albeit they are on long term hire to 1 PTS RAF Brize Norton.
They are very basic boxes on wings, and have a tremendous short take off and landing area, so turn around is very quick with bods instead of carrying cargo which is what they were originally destined for, in the African states.

The tail ramp is the jump platform with no traditional side doors like the C130 or other Parachuting planes. The new lads do however have to complete a night jump as part of their wings course from a C130 fully kitted, so that often comes as a shock

As far as those who say Parachuting has had its day and noone continues to do it anymore is poppycock and this is a timely response:

Parachuting should remain an essential capability in Britain’s defence because dropping troops from fixed wing aircraft gives you strategic options beyond that which can be achieved by helicopter.
General Chief of Staff

[browningautorifle]

Parachuting should remain an essential capability

Don't worry Gil, we still have a dedicated para wing.