Aldergrove to lose Islanders and Defenders

[Army Air 847]

On my travels around the interweb I found this artical, I have to say NI seems to be losing all it's aircraft especially when the last of the Gazelles go


[A further reorganisation of UKSF aviation comes in the form of the move of the AAC's fixed wing surveillance aircraft to the RAF. 651 Squadron AAC currently operates a fleet of Islander and Defender surveillance aircraft. Under plans to transfer the governance of the "Fixed Wing Manned Aerial Surveillance Capability" from the Army to the RAF, the aircraft will move to new base and be manned by RAF crews.]

Full link to article: http://www.eliteukforces.info/uk-milita ... s-uksf.php

[PR9]

Waddo?

[Precinct7]

That report is dated October 17,
was there not talk at the time that the RAF are not interested in receiving Islander & Defenders ??

[Supra]

Not sure what role the Islanders in the RAF would have? The days of having a 'Station-Hack' are long gone! Maybe they could be interim 'Coastwatch' Islander ASW1 until the much vaunted P8 is integrated
If the RAF take-on the Defenders won't that dilute (to a degree?)the case for retaining the Sentinels?

[Vulcanone]

Not really given the differences between whatever kit a Sentinel has in it. The clue being you don't see many Defenders with large under fuselage fairings or any on top of the fuselage either.

[POL]

From what I understand, the transfer was mostly administrative; the Islanders were withdrawn from use (both AAC and RAF) and the Defenders are still flown by Army Air Corps crews.