CH-124 Sea King; Legendary ASW helicopter and example of a deeply flawed defense procurement process

[@andrewhamilton600]

During the final retirement flight of the Seaking in 2018 at Pat Bay, four flew in formation. The Cyclone was supposed to be part of the flight but was down for maintenance.

[@catchemdeep7184]

As is tradition.

[@bobbyboucher4101]

Hey Andrew how's it going? Your a cyclone boy now.

[@billfarley9167]

Your biting sarcasm is not lost on me. I feel your pain, dude.

[@johnandrews3568]

As a former fed employee and with friends in DND I can tell you the procurement process is still a colossal clusterfuck at the best of times. That said... outstanding vid as always. Better than NFB standards.

[@Lancecorprol17]

Another great video. Thank you for continuing to highlight Canada's amazing history in aviation and our Canadian Forces.

[@polyus_studios]

Cheers! It's a labour of love

[@Vanavanapagan]

@@polyus_studiosI’m not even Canadian, but your videos are among my absolute favourites! Keep up the amazing work!

[@dhardy6654]

What is wrong with you? I just watched the same video and I saw absolutely nothing amazing and it's hard to even call what is in this video an actual military. Pretty much what I got is Canada has been in a permanent recession for 100 years and instead of just buying equipment from us, you try to manufacture it in Canada and that just takes longer, costs more and the product sucks. The only amazing thing is that your military ranks behind tiny Singapore and being that weak you think you are some kind of ally. Lol

[@NewfieOn2Wheels]

An unexpected surprise to see this video. My mom was an engine tech for sea kings during the late 80s/early 90s aboard HMCS Nipigon.

[@chrisandstephanieashley3510]

Growing up at CFB Shearwater in a Sea King family, i have nothing but the best memories listening to my Dad and hanging around them at the base. The Dec 2018 farewell was a truly emotional and special event for the many who attended.

[@SamMichaud]

Your dad is a legend in the Sea King community.

[@scottdunlop7442]

You've become the MOST Canadian thing on the internet. Thank you.

[@spingebill8551]

Got to see these close up in the hangar up CFB Shearwater with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets! The war veteran heli mechanic touring us around definitely had a bias towards the Sea King when comparing them to the Cyclones which were then in the final stages of procurement lol.

[@coleomo]

I lived in canada my whole life and am interested in military history yet have never heard or come across the fact that we used to have Canadian aircraft carriers. really awesome, thanks for this.

[@billfarley9167]

Where in hell have YOU been? HMS Puncher, HMS Nabob, HMCS Warrior, HMCS Magnificent, HMCS Bonaventure. All Light Fleet Class carriers except the Puncher and Nabob.

[@coleomo]

@@billfarley9167 Guess I just never dived deep enough! its very cool to know we had them, but also a bit sad they are gone and we went in a very different economical direction military wise. I'd jump at the chance to serve aboard a aircraft carrier for Canada.

[@allannantes8583]

@@billfarley9167I will give you 98% on your exam, as the nabob came 1st and the puncher came second. Haha just kidding as 98 % is pretty darn good.

[@MrEMeat-kk9tc]

Great video. Good to see you posting new content again.

[@polyus_studios]

Cheers thanks!

[@adamb2258]

Couldn't agree more. Missed you while you were gone!

[@Heyello]

Perhaps the next story could be about the Cormorant? It's a fantastic airframe with quite a story, especially when you consider the contract debacles surrounding the replacement of its predecessor, the Labrador.

[@memes4themasses365]

I live in Halifax, we used to watch sea kings fly over our houses every day

[@Jim.Hummel]

I used to work for SEACOR, the parent of Era Helicopters years ago and fondly remember seeing N92EH (20:34 in the video) both in person and in promotional materials.

[@alhuttges8050]

Buddy, the quality of this deserves twenty times more subs.

[@richardsharpe3622]

These videos are both historically intriguing and educational. As a kid I remember hearing about previous accidents involving the Sea King and arduous procurement of a replacement on the news. Love your videos on Canada's aviation and naval history. Keep them coming!

[@epikmanthe3rd]

Not to start a flame war, but *maybe* defense procurement shouldnt be hinged upon campaign promises. Canada's F-35 debacle seemed to be almost as embarrassing as the Sea King replacement.

[@GrizzAxxemann]

I'm still trying to figure out what the biggest farce in recent history has been: The Sea King replacement, the Hornet replacement, or the Sidearm replacement.

[@444mopar]

@@GrizzAxxemann Any time government gets involved. Even when the Sea Kings were built it was typical government vote-buying in Quebec.

[@mikemontgomery2654]

@@GrizzAxxemann you’ve forgotten the Buffalo replacements. That one seems to get more laughable by the day.

[@GrizzAxxemann]

@@mikemontgomery2654 Good point. Weren't they trying to get a replacement for the Buffalo and Twin Otter with that Spanish design that's been taking forever?

[@mikemontgomery2654]

@@GrizzAxxemann they did. They’re called the kingfisher. Already grounded too. Sounds like stress cracks in wing frames. Haven’t heard any updates since that one.

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

New video! I've been looking forward to this; love the channel's production and content!

[@ScottCrouse]

Excellent video as always, well put together and excellent footage. We used to joke when they flew over to duck as there might be parts flying :). Would love to see a video on the Tracker one day.

[@jocelynhurtubise2420]

Thank you for your in-depth explanation. It’s professionally written and very informative. You spent a lot of time on this, I deeply appreciate it. I hope someday you will do a video on the mighty Avro CF-105.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Welcome to the Canadian military, where far below average or acceptable is the best the government will ever give you.

[@RuiRuichi]

That's like most of the world military.

[@rrocky6220]

It's called "Military Grade".

[@karsonbollinger546]

Lmao

[@leerubybritvic1990]

Canada military is always been good.Better than America.

[@alpearson9158]

know nothing !

[@BrianZinchuk]

"I will take my pen and write 'Zero 'elicopters!' - Chretien." That's exactly what Chretien said. And look at what it wrought. Too bad we got out of carriers.

[@alpearson9158]

unfortunately far to expensive to operate

[@dsnsawcp4234]

Well done, you have the best videos I seen on Canadian military procurement history

[@kilotun8316]

Heh, I remember that we used to call these things "4000 spare parts flying in close formation". Thanks for the video, got me all nostalgic.

[@polyus_studios]

That's hilarious!

[@philsalvatore3902]

"A loose formation of parts flying the same way on the same day". That described a lot of helicopters of the era. Oh yeah, and "if it ain't leakin' it ain't workin'" You just knew that if you didn't see a pink stripe aft of the engines then you better check all the fluid levels very carefully because you probably ran out.

[@allannantes8583]

@@philsalvatore3902a lot like the screaming Detroit diesels, they always left their mark where ever you parked them. They didn’t even need a fire hydrant close by.

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@allannantes8583 I used to drive Crown Coach school buses with Detroit 6-71 diesels. Those things used and dripped so much oil and our fleet equipped them all with big Purifiner filters we used to joke we never needed to change the oil, we did a running oil change daily. I was literally adding a gallon a day.

[@jamespeter6398]

As always, another video that leaves me wondering why you don't have a regular series on the History Channel. Thanks for the hard work Brad, very informative.

[@peaceraybob]

A refusal to do a video on the abduction of Elvies by Nazi UFOs?

[@mattrika4874]

Yet another brilliant video, thanks to all at Polyus! Got 4000hrs on the Sea King (made in the UK by a famous wonky garage door manufacturer) and it was a tough old bird! Did other operators have the Frame 290 cracks?

[@mikemontgomery2654]

I think the RAF did but, that only served to speed up their imminent retirement.

[@kenmitchell2298]

I maintained the Australian Mk50 Seaking for 10 years, and yes we had frame 290 cracks.

[@mattrika4874]

@@mikemontgomery2654 The RAF grounded the SK fleet in 1983 when they discovered some cracks that had propogated. I think they were retired in 2013? so it wasn't exactly a speedy retirement. I saw a stop drilled crack that was quite scarily long.

[@mikemontgomery2654]

@@mattrika4874 there you go. I thought it was closer to 2013 that they found the cracks, or there abouts, that they found the cracks. Not surprised they had to wait until later, the Merlins had their share of issues.

[@DavesRocketShop]

Talked with a pilot aboard HMCS Winnipeg about landing on the deck in a pitching sea. He said there were no flight simulations. His first landing at sea was it.

[@philsalvatore3902]

In the US Navy we had full motion simulators from which we could select different ship classes to land on that even had a simulated LSE waving you aboard, but they do not even begin to recreate the real deal, or the suction your arsehole creates on the seat cushion as you wait for that relatively calm moment to plop her on deck.

[@MrLamchp]

I have been fixated with US air power since I was a teen. Thanks to this channel, I am learning about my own country's rich military aviation history.

[@ianbell8701]

The Sea King engineering control was under the authority of the Helicopter & Systems Division of Pratt & Whitney Canada where I worked from 1981 until the work was handed over the IMP in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I worked on airframe engineering upgrades. Thanks for the memories.

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

Is this the same IMP as in 'my wages include my pension?'

[@philsalvatore3902]

I was often impressed with some of the upgrades on Royal Navy Sea Kings. SIx bladed tail rotors, more powerful engines, composite blades, Westland really developed that airframe fully.

[@Nahlol72]

Glad to have you back!

[@serial_designation_victoria]

I was very lucky to visit 443 maritime helicopter squadron on Vancouver island back in 2022 due to me being in air cadets got to see the inside of a ch-148, really interesting stuff

[@jamieshields9521]

Interesting history👍SeaKing were definitely one kind but could never understand why it wasn’t replaced by Seahawks n Canada just like Australia had its problems too. Australia look to Sea Sprite SH2G for OPV n ANZAC class at the same time they had few Seahawks. Nearly billion dollars in operation, delays n cancelled OPV with SH2G finally Australia went with MH60R Seahawks.

[@shawnmiller4781]

Yup, heaven help you if you buy an airframe that is in large scale service

[@philsalvatore3902]

I never understood why the Aussies and New Zealand had such a bad experience with the Sea Sprite. I don't recall the SH-2Fs in the US Navy ever giving us anything other than excellent service. The pilots liked them. I had an opportunity to fly one once and it is probably one of the nicest flying helicopters I ever flew.

[@shawnmiller4781]

@@philsalvatore3902 If I recall the Seasprites the Aussies got were refurbished airframes

[@MilledSteel]

Cool video, love the old footage of those war birds

[@JosheyG34]

What you don't mention is the cancellation of the eh101 was about 80% the cost of buying the helicopter in the first place

[@dogsnads5634]

It wasn't that much...but it was $900m CAN...the Chretien administration was dire, the later selection of the Cyclone was purely political as well....no way it should have won based on risk alone, as AW-101 was already in service successfully, compared to the paper design of CH-148.....but there was no way for them to re-order AW-101 without looking ridiculous for cancelling it in the first place...mind you at least they didn't pick the NH-90 as that has also turned out to be a pile of crap... The only positive for Canada is that they managed to buy 9 AW-101 from the US for spares/new aircraft for the Cormorant SAR helicopter fleet for a dirt cheap price, because it turned out the US Government was also running an incompetent helicopter procurement programme to replace their SeaKing's....in this case the ones that transport the President from the White House...after completely messing up their AW-101 purchase by changing the requirements so often that eventually it got cancelled....they then purchased the S-92...which is now also delayed and massively over budget... Seems to be a theme with the S-92.... Meanwhile the AW-101 Merlin just keeps on trucking....

[@gryph01]

As part of the settlement, we bought some for SAR duties (The Coromant). If the Government didn't cancel it, we would have more helicopters for less cost....

[@andrewgiblin3468]

@@gryph01 that's not true the cancellation of the NSA/NSH contract, approx $500M outright plus the already $200M of funds expended was completed and completely independent of the Cormorant purchase. I was/am heavily involved in both programs as the Det Cmdr in Westlands in the early 90's when the program was cancelled and have been running the Cormorant program in Comox for the last 23 years. From the inside the government is far far more incompetent that can ever be accurately relayed in this excellent vid!!!

[@swright5690]

Andy Giblin. My goodness. I never imagined our paths would cross on a youtube channel.

[@NationalistPop]

The Sea King a mighty iconic U.S. designed and manufactured helicopter. 🇺🇸

[@Mike88Actual]

Excellent video sir!

[@greghenderson9528]

well done, love the historical dumpster stories of my beloved nation. Sadly our procurement has and always will be bad. Would love a video about how much money the government has wasted in all the different procurements.

[@314299]

Another excellent production, thank you,

[@tomatoflight]

Love your channel! Keep it up

[@TW2308]

There is no one in this world more short sighted than Canadian Politicians.. The peace dividend 😂😂😂😂😂

[@scottwhite2483]

Another awesome video!!!!

[@harryb8945]

Brilliant video yet again. Always love your content.

[@MikeSiemens88]

Completed my CF career in Ottawa supporting the Labrador SAR Helicopter fleet. Got there 1991 until retiring 2001. So 10 years more or less in the support & procurement world of DND. IMO it's not the procurement process that is flawed, rather the political interference by changing governments making election promises & budget constraints. The Directorates responsible for each fleet work tirelessly keeping them operational & those stood up for replacement programs know what is needed. Our SAR Directorate was housed in the same trailers added on to the building on the base at Rockliffe & I worked next to my contemporaries in the MHP Directorate. The number of manhours spent on the procurement process is mind bogglilng. These are experts in their field having almost all served at operational units at one time or another. When all that work is negated by a political decision to cancel an already ordered aircraft, you can imagine the dismay in the Directorate, knowing they are back at square 1. The Labrador replacement was a similar fiasco, cancelling the EH-101 only to end up with essentially the same aircraft years later. Fortunately for the Sea King fleet, when the Labradors were finally gone it freed up a lot of the upgraded T58-100 powerplants for that fleet as this engine was a shared asset.

[@polyus_studios]

You make a good point. It's changes in the governments that cause the process to get stopped and restarted again and again. If the procurement people could be left alone to do their job we'd be in a much better position.

[@loganholmberg2295]

Its a national shame the way the seeking was handled. Unfortunately most other precurment for the armed forces haven't gone much better. The procurement of the Leopard 2 tanks and the LAV program being the only exceptions IMO.

[@matthewdupuis232]

Another great one, Brad!

[@raynus1160]

Excellent essay - well done!

[@mafmaf6417]

If anyone wants an idea about how f'd up our procurement processes is, the Seaking replacement is the example.

[@angrypandaification]

Great video as usual. The Cyclone program, oof... It's nothing I didn't already know, but man is it embarrassing.

[@lau4893]

I love your videos and I hope you can keep making more :)

[@hmmjedi]

A good video on the Seaking I got to know the sound of this bird as I was based at an RAF base which had 202sqn SAR helo's based there... On another note at the time I thought it was crazy that the EH101 was cancelled by Canada then re-ordered in SAR role and a different more expensive airframe and unique to anyone was purchased instead as the EH101 has proven to be a good ASW helo... but hindsight and all that goes with it comes to mind...

[@scottcoley1906]

Some horses just shouldn't be replaced, but renewed and upgraded. 😎

[@Stellaknot]

Love your content please keep it up. Soooo gooooood

[@allannantes8583]

I hear you.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

3 hours off the HMCS Iroquois in one of these was enough for me, Sea Cadets Summer 2000, the RCAF pilots kept screwing with me, tossing bolts on the floor and saying "OH that's important, we need to fly back to Shearwater", Petty Officer Ed shaking me and yelling at me to drink water or i'll pass out from the heat. Our gumby suits had buckets of sweat in them when we got back to the Iroquois, I was never so happy to be on a flight deck.

[@polyus_studios]

Haha at least they had a good sense of humor about their old bird!

[@allannantes8583]

Are you telling a fib? It may have been something other than sweat.

[@Bartonovich52]

Thing is… did it really need replacing? Marine One (aka.. the Presidential Helicopter) is still an S-64. Civilian helilogging and firefighting companies would love to get their hands on such low time, well maintained, and gently used airframes.

[@philsalvatore3902]

I think you meant Marine One is an old S-61. The S-64 is the Skycrane.

[@StoneCresent]

In retrospect, the NH90 ran into its own technical difficulties and was possibly just as poor an option as the S-92 albeit in different ways.

[@jameson1239]

Still leaves the EH-101

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@jameson1239 I don't know. It has three engines which creates a really complex drive system. CH-53Ds had two engines and were very reliable helicopters, but the 53E with three engines was a maintenance nightmare and were failure prone. I haven't heard anything good about the EH-101. Blackhawks and Seahawks are ultra reliable and can take a real pounding. Sometimes buying off the rack makes more sense than a custom tailored product.

[@jameson1239]

@@philsalvatore3902 the EH-101 is already in service in Canada as the CH-149 and the 15 of them have more flight hours then any other fleet oh EH-101s in world

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@jameson1239 But look at the problems they are having with tail rotor couplings (a problem shared with Denmark and other users) and the high number or maintenance hours per flight hour in part driven by the frequent inspections of the tail rotor coupling problem. My point is that buying an off the shelf MH-60R gets you a very reliable, proven ASW helicopter that is in production and has a huge support infrastructure. Maybe the extra stuff the Canadian military wants isn't worth the aggravation? Sometimes good enough is exactly that. Just a thought to ponder.

[@jameson1239]

@@philsalvatore3902 we’re having when I search up EH-101 tail rotor coupling issue I can only find articles from 2005-2008 I also managed to find an article which said that maintenance hours per hour of flight time was 22 hours of maintenance for 1 hour of flight in 2005 for reference an Apache is around 35 hours of maintenance for 1 flight hour and the sea king was around 30 by the end of its career I can’t for the life of me find any info on the MH-60R in that regard. But honestly I would have been fine with any helicopter except the one we got and the NH-90 I just think it would simplify logistics if we had more of one type of helicopter vs less of different types

[@coolmikefromcanada]

at the base i work at we had a cyclone fly through, except they didn't announce that they just said "a cyclone will be landing in 15 minutes" and i understandably got a little worried

[@williamheayn3760]

I'm sure all future procurement contracts going forward will have a clause preventing incoming governments from cancelling orders.

[@christopher480]

awesome too see some vids about our forces.....although they will be pretty short......our forces are pretty tiny considering our land mass.

[@philsalvatore3902]

When you read about these defense procurement problems consider the fact that about 85% of the renumeration of an executive in a big defense conglomerate is based on stock price and cash flow. Being on time and on budget does not enhance their corporate bottom line. What does is being late and over budget. The broad market actually rewards companies that are behind and over budget. Being behind means more years of income and being over budget means more income over those years. So guess what? Corporate officers excel at being late and over budget. Example, in the teens the US reorganized and rebaselined the entire F-35 program because it was so far behind an over budget. The US Government program manager was fired. His industry counterpart, the Lockheed-Martin program manager however was promoted. If you have ever had to deal with them you know how hard it is to get anything from them on time and on budget. It will require major changes in public law that many politicians will fight because they are more interested in protecting jobs in their districts than in protecting their country. Just my two cents.

[@beer1for2break3fast4]

Most of hose ships were destroyer escorts not destroyers. Only the Iroquois class were destroyers 14:52

[@dpforth]

I remember from my time in Shearwater a sticker: "Sea King, flying yesterday's aircraft tomorrow" 🙂 And they flew for at least another 10 years.

[@FreeManFreeThought]

Oh lord, I remember for a while there were "crusty crab seal of approval: it's not just good, it's good enough!" stickers around. There were lots of stupid ones, but those two stick to my mind.

[@stevenhattrick9495]

Very informative video. I do recall a dual counter rotating rotor Russian helicopter was considered briefly as a replacement at some point. Also noticed the American pronunciation of puma (“pooma”) instead of the Canadian “p-yuma”.

[@allen480]

Most of us call them cougars.

[@stevenhattrick9495]

I say mountain lion, but I guess none are wrong.@@allen480

[@Seaking6464]

If anyone reads my username I think they’ll know why I liked this video Also huge thanks for covering Canadian aviation history, I don’t think they’re are any other channels like this

[@RM-we7px]

How many projects could we have with all the cancelled programs?

[@theitchysailor2929]

2019 the fleet of cyclones were grounded because they had cracks in the squish plates so Regina didn’t have its helo for most of her deployment that year

[@WoahYeah1984]

Could you do a video on the ch 112 nomad helicopter?

[@polyus_studios]

Definitely. I've got a 'helicopters of Canada' video planned. Still gathering resources for it. If you have any good pictures or video send it to me!

[@rgt4848]

The Canadian procurement system is, in a word, stupid. Great video as usual. Thanks

[@Peorhum]

I remember at the time trying to stop the cancelling of the EH 101. No one of any party wanted to buy the EH-101 at the time. The NDP wanted to stop all military purchases regardless. The liberals thought the cold war was over and the new helicopters were not needed. While all conservatives I knew did not want their taxes to pay for them. Peace dividend was all the talk at the time and of all the people I spoke to, only one changed their mind and agreed the new EH-101 was needed. I think it was stupid to promise to cancel the Eh-101 BUT given the politics of the time I can understand why the government of the time did so, and at the time the liberals felt they HAD to keep their promises and cancelling the EH 101 was a relatively easy, even if foolish promise to keep. I hate that so many make it partisan, it really was more then partisanship that cancelled the EH-101.

[@polyus_studios]

I totally agree. I tried to frame it in the video as a difficult purchase given how much our world was changing. People forget how we felt between the end of the cold war and the start of the afghan war. Peace was a wonderful thing and at that moment in time, we really didn't need helicopters to support it

[@Scott-zt3fz]

And the CH124s continue to fly with Rotor Maxx in Parksville,BC.

[@kurtpena5462]

Best Helicopter Ever.

[@joellb2918]

our procurement process is such a shame but at the same time, we have to realise that it is more a political process then a process that really tries to replace equipment unless people start to die in them.... graduated in 2013 from RMC, CDS speech to our class was that the future was bright, with the army getting new vehicle and the air force getting the 35. Had the time to retire in 22 before the contract of the 35 got actually signed... such a shame. People in the forces are great and folks working in replacement projects work really hard but if it seems like it won't get some vote for the politicians class, it's all for naught.

[@Flecktarn2296]

I have met countless people who think the Canadian army is just some simple push over but no we are not and I am proud of my Canadian military heritage

[@johnosbourn4312]

The Silorsky Designation of the Sea King is S-61, not S-63.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

I wouldn't call the Sikorsky S-62 an all new design as many features of the fuselage appeared a year earlier of their S-61 which looked like a single engined S-62.

[@kidmohair8151]

it is interesting that the government paid the cancellation fees, but apparently the manufacturers did not pony up the late delivery penalties. for whom does a government work. the people it supposedly represents. or the arms manufacturers. (hint: the latter)

[@Idahoguy10157]

The Canadian defense budget is such it can afford supporting an air force and a coast guard

[@kent5400]

The Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence spent an awful lot of dollars and person-years to not get any helicopters. When I started flying on Sea Kings in 1988 they were already in service for 25 years and the saying of the day was: "It's a great time to be HS [shipborne helicopters]" because of the impending replacement. That saying soon evolved into a cynical mocking of our political masters and their constant meddling in the procurement process for political gain. Colour me jaded.

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

Sikorsky: We are having significant vibration issues, and as we know that's not good for a helicopter. DoD: No, it is not. Sikorsky: We are going to have to cancel Sea King. DoD: **Pokemon theme song plays in background** No you will not. Our Founding Fathers made an oath to be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them is our great test, to train them is our call.

[@philsalvatore3902]

We used to joke about the "Sikorsky Shuffle". On approach as it decelerated through 40 knots the Sea Pig shook so hard the whole instrument panel was a blur.

[@Saguanay]

"Rest-e-gouch"

[@springtime1838]

Did Sikorsky ever offer the MH-60R to the Canadian Forces because considering the S-92 around the same time originally lost the VH-3 replenishment program to the AW101/VH-72(now spare parts for the CF) but now were going to have the S-92 troubles and all for POTUS VIP work i have to wonder what was actually being offered maby they were hoping to sell Cyclone's to the USN or at least saying probably to both country's govs that they weren't going to be the only users

[@dogsnads5634]

MH-60R doesn't have the performance necessary to meet the requirements...

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@dogsnads5634 This is one of those things that mystifies me. What does Canada need that the MH-60R doesn't provide in terms of ASW performance? And the second question would be is that something else worth all the heartache of developing a unique to Canada version of a different helicopter rather than just buying the off the shelf 80% solution? We have struggled with this on the US side, do we make the best weapon and accept the delays and cost over runs that seem to be inherent in such an approach, or is a 75-80% solution you can do today good enough and get that to the fleet fast, then upgrade later if you really have to have that remaining 20-25%.

[@jeffpkrueger]

You know a lot about Canada and its military. Question: what would Canada have sent to Ukraine up-front had they responded differently when Russia invaded? Seems Canada missed a HUGE opportunity to support ukraine, support the significant voting-population of Canadian-ukranians and also.... offload all the old hardware for a great cause while ensuring it would be replaced with new and improved. This vid is on 55-yr old Seakings. What about the over-the-hill F18's that coulda / shoulda gone to Ukraine the week Putin invaded? and all the other equipment? What would you have sent as a means to backfill & upgrade the canadian military?

[@philsalvatore3902]

There will be some CF-18s becoming surplus soon ........

[@pegcity4eva]

I knew someone who crashed in not one but two sea kings

[@polyus_studios]

Unlikely guy

[@RM-we7px]

f35 process shows it’s still a clusterfuck.

[@montymontague8526]

little bit of spice this time

[@lightningwingdragon973]

WAIT! IS THAT HOW YOU PRONOUNCE IT? BRE-DOOR?

[@assessor1276]

Great video, but please learn to pronounce “Restigouche” (it sounds like her nickname “Rusty Guts”) and also “Saguenay”, sounds like “Sag-en-ay”.

[@agl1138]

Dodging the NH90 was wise. But why do smaller militaries (ie not the US) EVER by a bespoke product? It is always a disaster

[@x--.]

Ah, nothing like a good ol' fashioned government fails at procurement video to wake you up in the morning with much head shaking. At least it wasn't about 'Go Big or Go Home' United States procurement failures.

[@davidhapka5410]

Canada goes cheap and goes home....preferring to freeride on the US military.

[@allen480]

Yep

[@marcbilodeau6927]

Why are we still set on buying US equipment is beyond me!

[@alpearson9158]

simple a ridiculous amount of political pressure

[@krispayne729]

If don't forget that 1ofthembrandnewcyclonehelicopterswentdowniin 2020 The black sea because I guess it was having abionics issues

[@Strelnikov403]

Restigouche is pronounced RES-tee-goosh, not resti-gooCHEY.

[@leerubybritvic1990]

🐦🐦

[@davidbaldwin1591]

B52: Noisy, and old.

[@allen480]

Say that when you are under one flying at 41000 feet and dropping more than sixty 500 lbs bombs through a solid cloud cover. The D model during VN dropped 108 bombs. Many Ho Chi Minh Trail bicycle mechanics were transferred off planet.

[@Bdoodee]

You shouldn’t post videos like this that show the Canadian military in its entirety. It lets the world know we can easily be taken over with little to no resistance.

[@toddw6716]

Come on, it’s Canada. They aren’t geniuses up there anyway. Just hockey goofballs.

[@alpearson9158]

hmm unlike our US neighbours Canada is the highest educated nation worldwide thus the comment above is pointless except for the hockey part

[@allen480]

@@alpearson9158 eh? (Couldn’t resist. lol)

[@BigBodyBobProductions]

My Dad flew the American version of this, the SH-3. Said it was like flying a bread truck

[@philsalvatore3902]

Yep. Slow, and boring but a stable instrument platform, which is what you need for all weather day and night ASW warfare.

[@billfarley9167]

The sailor driving the Clarkette in front of Sea King #10 (8:40 in the video) was Red Henderson. He was later killed towing a McDonnell Banshee down the deck when a 20mm hangup went off and penetrated the back of his seat and through his upper torso. He was taken below to Sick Bay and died soon after. A great guy and a friend to all. (ex flight deck crew, now retired)

[@polyus_studios]

Wow that's an incredible memory. Thanks for sharing that with us. Working on these ships must have been nerve wracking sometimes. Losing a friend must be the worst part

[@JoshuaC923]

Wow, rip🙏🏻

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

Polyus, the story and may others are mentioned in 'Hands to Flying Stations' by Soward.

[@ninetalis]

So terrible to hear, we tend to forget how often this happens where people lose their lives doing seemingly mundane tasks for the military during peacetime. Thank you for remembering him and not letting him be an unknown face. Gone but not forgotten.

[@jacob476]

What is a 20mm hangup

[@theafro]

Here in the UK, Hundreds of people owe their lives to the mighty Sea king, They're truly iconic.

[@20chocsaday]

I have seen one land on a patch of lawn behind a high hedge. The grass clippings in my eyes were unexpected. Stopped me from getting a decent photo. Later a rubber dinghy was set in the middle of a large piece of lawn with spectators around the roped off area. It swooped in, hovered, let down a person on its rope to safely rescue the liferaft and possibly the conservative candidate for a nearby seat. I slept through a genuine rescue just off the coast of the island I was on.

[@jimsquire9048]

I am guilty of making the joke, " Come join the Canadian Navy's Air Wing. You can fly the same machines your great grandad did."

[@GoViking933]

Thanks for making this, we appreciate it. It’s hard for us Canadians who care to talk about the Sea King Replacement Debacle without getting frustrated, yet you handled it coolly and factually 👌🏼

[@razorburn645]

Canada seems to be horrible a procurement.