Help with a RAF Puma photo please.

[Dark Avenger]

While browsing through Airliners.net, I ran across this photo:
http://img335.imageshack.us/img335/98/05185086ej.th.jpg (http://img335.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05185086ej.jpg)
in http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0518508&size=L&width=1024&height=707&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22Chzn%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20NAQ%20%28SVAQ_VA_FRG%28%27ZVYVGNEL%27%2C%20fcrpvny%29%3E0%29%20%20beqre%20ol% 20cubgb_vq%20nfp&photo_nr=303

I was wondering (although, frankly, it has kind of a "fake" look) the thing under the nose, is it a gun, or whatever?

[D-gin]

Nevermind........I made an irrelevant comment.

[Forrester]

While browsing through Airliners.net, I ran across this photo:
http://img335.imageshack.us/img335/98/05185086ej.th.jpg (http://img335.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05185086ej.jpg)
in http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0518508&size=L&width=1024&height=707&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22Chzn%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20NAQ%20%28SVAQ_VA_FRG%28%27ZVYVGNEL%27%2C%20fcrpvny%29%3E0%29%20%20beqre%20ol% 20cubgb_vq%20nfp&photo_nr=303

I was wondering (although, frankly, it has kind of a "fake" look) the thing under the nose, is it a gun, or whatever?
tow hook? most choppers have the ability to be town by the front wheel.....

[Eggy]

Yes I think so as well, would be a good way to get the helo out of the hangar. :D

[jerka71_1]

The AC is raised on jacks. Could have something to do with it?!

[Dark Avenger]

Tow hook would be one good explanation, thanks for that guys, but, unless it is a manual steering device or something, how would it hitch up to the towing vehicle?


The AC is raised on jacks. Could have something to do with it?!
Maybe, but it seems that it is located in front of the nosewheel leg, while the jack is behind the leg...

[DeltaWhisky58]

The only armament I'm aware of being used on the Puma is the door-mounted 7.62mm GPMG. Whatever that is pictured above, I'm pretty certain it's not a gun of any sort.

[Marvin!!]

Mock-up for movie purposes? I'm thinking either the "gun" or the whole aircraft?

[Dark Avenger]

The only armament I'm aware of being used on the Puma is the door-mounted 7.62mm GPMG. Whatever that is pictured above, I'm pretty certain it's not a gun of any sort.

I also thought it was strange, hence this post, because I knew exactly that. Perhaps a RAF guy can shed some light.


Mock-up for movie purposes? I'm thinking either the "gun" or the whole aircraft?
No, if you see my source, it is clear that it is undergoing maintenance.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I also thought it was strange, hence this post, because I knew exactly that. Perhaps a RAF guy can shed some light.


No, if you see my source, it is clear that it is undergoing maintenance.

If you go to the other RNAY Fleetlands pix in the site that one comes from, you'll see that the engineers there have mocked up stupid-looking missiles on a Gazelle, perhaps this is another attempt at "Spanner humour"?

[Dark Avenger]

Ah, yes, I recall seeing that one, thnx mate.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I've seen similar "wind-ups" on RAF bases in the past.

[Lancero]

tow hook? most choppers have the ability to be town by the front wheel.....


This is how Puma's are towed:

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/858/puma2a1yv2.jpg

http://www.azoresairphotos.com/fotos/800x600/10.jpg

[RAFREGT.]

its a device used to lock the front wheel during maintainance, when up on jacks.

[Dark Avenger]

Thanks for the (inside) info! ;)

[SAS73]

This is a Rumanian Puma. And I am sure that the under nose thing its a cannon.


http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4521/puma69476gw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[helomech]

Looks like a mockup for a cannon for Le ****Bag.......

[SAS73]

Looks like a mockup for a cannon for Le ****Bag.......


"****Bag" WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

[helomech]

You've never heard of Le Sh_itbag.......?

AKA as Team Fifi?......TF Pepe Le Pew..?

[Dark Avenger]

This is a Rumanian Puma. And I am sure that the under nose thing its a cannon.


http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4521/puma69476gw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
That one is actually a cannon, a GIAT M621 in a THL-20 turret.

[SAS73]

That one is actually a cannon, a GIAT M621 in a THL-20 turret.

See what I mean

[Dark Avenger]

Oh, yes, I do see what you mean.
Here is a photo of me cuddling a Puma (September 2005 ARCHANGEL Airshow, Greece).

[lightfire]

Romania has Hinds, right? So they make Pumas a sort of gunships,not enough? Though it doesn't look too bad, is it still capable to transport same amount of troops/cargo?

[Dark Avenger]

Wrong (I think). I have never found a mention of Romanian Hinds anywhere. Hips yes, Pumas yes, Alouettes yes, but no Hinds.

[lightfire]

My bad.. I though nearly all ex-Warsaw pact countries have/had Hinds.
And indeed it is IAR-330 Puma SOCAT, romanian version http://www.roaf.ro/en/dotare/socat_en.php
though 20 mm cannon..is it effective, not too weak?

[Dark Avenger]

It's an effective compromise between firepower, weight and ammo capacity requirements. And for what they need it it's sufficient.

[bilbo baggins]

IF that is the Rumanian version of the Puma then the cannon is GIAT Industries THL20 20mm chain gun (nose mounted) BUT............

1) The Intake Dust Filters are far more reminiscent of the original South African PUMA's (not the later ORYX)

and 2) The UK Government procured at least 6 surplus SA Puma's held in store, to re-manufacture and put into service as Attrition replacements for RAF Pumas lost in accidents.

Even if the subject Puma was photo'd in Rumania it means nought as IAR got the contract to rebuild them, having the most current manufacturing experience on the type.

Regards,

BUG