Helicopters
There has been a lot of recent press speculation about our Forces the woeful lack of helicopters in Afghanistan
This is because tonight they all seem to by over FM Towers
Does anyone know where I can get a low milage late model ZSU-23-4 ?
Comments
Last time i visited my sister in Harnham there were swarms of them all along the A30 and back then there was a furore in the media about the shortages too.
Posted by: chris Edwards | August 18, 2009 12:40 AM
There was a gazelle over town last night making small circles in the sky for about an hour. Damn thing whines like a mossie that's just out of reach.
I just hope his NVG was working so that he could see that rare occurance, a second moon.
Posted by: nbc | August 18, 2009 9:54 AM
Perhaps the militiamen are right and it's those dreaded Black Helicopters!
Posted by: The Remittance Man | August 18, 2009 10:00 AM
The ZSU? Dreadful things, they overheated at the drop of a babushka. Now for a good and proper Bulldog, perhaps one of these might be on the used market? The Eminently British QF 3.7 Anti-aircraft gun:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_3.75_inch_AA
None of those pesky vacuum tube to overheat and replace, and I expect it makes a most statisfying thump when triggered. Blowpipes are for those that can't pull lead..
Posted by: Larry Anderson | August 18, 2009 3:15 PM
May I respectfully offer the services of the 40mm Bofors Gun. The 3.7" AA is an excellent weapon but needs a larger crew and Mr FM cannot have gunners just hanging about and it is rather lacking of rate of fire. You could drop a few sizes and use 20-23mm AA there are a variety of good models with a useful ground capability for keeping the Pikeys down as well.
Posted by: Michael | August 18, 2009 6:41 PM
This is what you want...
http://www.skylighters.org/quad50/index.html
Posted by: Old Trooper | August 18, 2009 10:52 PM
A Leo C1, firing Sabot, is quite capable against choppers out to 2500m or more. Generally, after the first two sabot rounds, you should be able to continue engaging with blanks, with equal success. Paraflares are useful as well.
Cheers
Posted by: J.M. Heinrichs | August 19, 2009 11:52 AM
Michael,
I agree that the Bofors 40MM is a legendary weapon indeed, probably the longest lived AA weapon out there. However, it too needs at least a crew of three.. Pointer, trainer, and loader. I was also thinking of Dear Mr. FM's usual preference for stout British designs first, before roaming abroad.
With regards to ground targets, the potential effect of 3.7 inch proximity fused rounds on say, a traveler caravan is a delightful if naughty thought..
Larry in Rochester
Posted by: Larry Anderson | August 19, 2009 1:30 PM
Sexiest (black) chopper ever made:
http://www.ginklai.net/images/news/557_3822ka52.jpg
Posted by: Brazilski | August 21, 2009 3:01 PM