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Originally Posted by Ruby2Shoes
Mr Reaper
The 'slow flying jet' part sounds about right. It wasn't a chopper because he said plane but he was disappointed that it wasn't a fast jet, so it was clearly something in between.
Would this A10 have the capability of this kind of extraction? I don't know if the blokes are usually winched up or if they just hang on and then drop off. He often seems to jump (parachute-less although he's airbourne too) from some great heights. Do you think they would be winched up routinely in which case the A10 would need to have a suitable hatch underneath? If there are any SF pilots out there, couldn't you ask around to see who did this extraction this week? I would really like to personally thank them.
I know a bit about British planes because I used to work in Gibraltar which had the RAF based out there but I'm an idiot when it comes to anyone else's airforces.
Talking of jumping from great heights, during his recent leave he jumped from a girl's 2nd floor window the next morning as her parents were waking up. He apparently left two very large heel marks in the lawn. He's a bit of a naughty boy with the girls!
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Ruby2Shoes
What you describe is very puzzling and perhaps...just perhaps...there are some wires crossed in the message. I am involved in US Air Forces...specifically Special Operations aircraft, with 30 years experience and a Master's degree in Aeronautical Science. Please riddle me this Mum; if a fixed wing aircraft such as the A-10 picked someone up via a cable supended by a balloon, and somehow gets winched up under the aircraft...just how will the aircraft land without killing the suspended individual? An A-10 does not "hover" to let people off...instead it lands at about 80-100 MPH depending on how heavy it is. To keep from becoming "runway Pizza, just how would soemone keep from getting dragged on the runway by a cable? Does he hang onto the pylon/bomb rack? Does he climb over the wing and hang on for dear life like a 1920s "barnstormer? What about multiple personnel like you described..the plane only has one seat...and it's under glass ...and occupied by the Pilot. No room for passengers now is there.
I don't think they would parachute to safety once out of harms way either since a parachute would likely be more a a hazard than an asset. If the parachute would open when being "towed" the aircraft would experience control problems and the person being extracted would likely be ripped in two. I'm not sure what sort of "hatch" underneath an A-10 would do either, the A-10 can not fly without the weight of the gun as ballast and even if it could, there's not room for one person in the gun bay let alone three. The only American I know who has ever attemped such a feat is Bill Braxley...have you heard of him 'cross the pond?
What you describe seems more like a helo emergency extraction...cable, but no balloon.
Who wouldn't like Pie & Chips?
Gunpig