September 27, 2025Sep 27 Namely me. The Royal Navy are in the Channel Islands this weekend "carrying out training and strengthening existing relationships with the islands governments emergency services and local cadet force's. Of course, I couldn't miss that could I, so yesterday I drove to the school rugby field where the Merlin had already landed and the pilot told me they were taking off at 4. Came back at 4 for an awesome Merlin takeoff! What a machine! Best was yet to come... today was even better. Missed the landing, so once again drove to the school. 12 o'clock this time, I was told, for the departure. So I had a quick look at the Merlin, went to do some shopping, went home for a bit, and then made sure I was back in time for the takeoff. OMG! Boy was I not disappointed. I was the opposite side of the rugby pitch this time and along with numerous others we were VERY close. After the three engines had fired up and they had boarded the cadets, the Merlin took off... and I was promptly blown backward against the parked car behind me. 😁 Awesome! A bloody hurricane complete with flying debris. Good job a policeman had moved us further back because we were originally even closer. 🤣Greater than 6000 combined horsepower from those engines generates impressive rotor wash. But wait, more to come. I was just leaving thinking that was it, and another Merlin came thundering over the trees and landed for the rest of the cadets. I believe they were taking them to Guernsey and then Sark. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/equipment/aircraft/merlin Edited September 27, 2025Sep 27 by martin-w
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