Eskies used as seats in ageing Chinooks
The Defence Force is using eskies as makeshift seats in its ageing Chinook helicopters because there is no other appropriate seating for door gunners on patrol in Afghanistan.
It says the eskies are secured with a ratchet strap and the gunners are attached to a safety harness.
"This decision was a practical alternative to the aircrew having to stand or kneel for lengthy periods when manning the guns," Defence said in a statement.
"This decision has been validated through the Australian Defence Force operational airworthiness process."
(ABC News)
And that's Australian ingenuity for you. I'd think the gunner was also wearing thongs so the hot shells didn't get into his boots.
It would be hot working over there so the pilot and crew could grab a tinny to cool them down while shooting. I think it is a great idea.
The main thing about that which is very very Australian is how the Chinook G variant crashes due to software glitches, the Govt promised the H variant long ago and has not delivered.
Then P.M sheds a tear when another one crashes.
What the hell's an "eskie"?
Googling "eskies" brings up some Eskimo dog breed. I figured you'd use kangaroos, probably cheaper. 
EDIT:
LOL so I went to google.com.au and searched for "eskies"... You mean a COOLER. :)
and the Aussies say, nah I'd prefer it mate
and the Aussies say, nah I'd prefer it mate
Sorry, I can't google.com.AU my way through the "thong" reference. It returns an ass crack cover.
As for your Chinooks, I at least hope you got one of the nicer ones with a backrest.
And it would seem that:
"The portable ice chest was invented by Richard C. Laramy of Joliet, Illinois."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooler
I haven't checked the Australian wikipedia though.
I think you'll find the sad reality is that those Chinooks are probably hand me downs from the US Army. They replaced the seats with some cheap Wallmart coolers painted black before they EBay'ed them to the Australian government.
I do wonder though how they got them certified to be attached to a rotary wing aircraft.
I may be simple in my way of thinking but how can it be an ice cooler?
I mean is there some magic device that cools down the ice?
Esky for me all the way as that is what I grew up with.
It's the same as stubbie holder v's stubbie cooler.
Ahh logic, it's all just a matter of perception.
Pugwash,
I could not agree with you more.
I cop a bit of flack for always using the old stubbie holder in winter. I tell people excately the same thing about keeping the hand warm.
That way if I meet someone while at a party I don't give themn the old cold wet fish type handshake.
Works for me.
This is what I picture Australia as:
That, the Chinook coolers and the sweet wind/waves we don't get here.
gotta switch it up and become a lefty.
Don't know about that.
Righty tighty, lefty loosey.
Now am I talking about my mind or my sailing.
Can't remember, better have another beer and just go with the flow.
Go you little Aussie battler
Cheers.
