MV-22B Osprey (5)
My model represents one of the first production Ospreys, which was used during the type's first OpEval (Operational Evaluation) in 1999-2000. Four Ospreys were assigned to USMC squadron HMX-1, which flew them under conditions as close as possible to operational missions, to check whether the Osprey was ready to enter service.
Military innovation unfortunately doesn't usually happen without lives being lost. Unfortunately the OpEval ended in a tragedy. During a night mission at Marana airport, Az on the 9th of April 2000, one Osprey crashed, killing all the Marines on board. A second aircraft made a hard landing and was written-off. When another Osprey crashed a few month's later, in December, all the Ospreys were grounded, while the program underwent a comprehensive review. They returned to flight only in 2002.
MV-22B Osprey (5)
My model represents one of the first production Ospreys, which was used during the type's first OpEval (Operational Evaluation) in 1999-2000. Four Ospreys were assigned to USMC squadron HMX-1, which flew them under conditions as close as possible to operational missions, to check whether the Osprey was ready to enter service.
Military innovation unfortunately doesn't usually happen without lives being lost. Unfortunately the OpEval ended in a tragedy. During a night mission at Marana airport, Az on the 9th of April 2000, one Osprey crashed, killing all the Marines on board. A second aircraft made a hard landing and was written-off. When another Osprey crashed a few month's later, in December, all the Ospreys were grounded, while the program underwent a comprehensive review. They returned to flight only in 2002.