WIX Archives
Re: Falklands warbirds
Posted by TonyD on Sun Jan 06, 2002 03:10:01 PM
In reply top Falklands warbirds posted by simon king on Sun Jan 06, 2002 07:00:40 AM
Simon
Regarding Chinooks, only one served during the war (and was the sole survivor of the Atlantic Conveyor helicopter cargo), she was put to huge use in the war and holds the record for number of armed normal sized soldiers carried at 80! The Canadians tried to beat it but cheated! BN is dedicated to Sqn Ldr Dick Lovell (I think) who did much of the Falklands flying. The airframe still carries the BN (Bravo November) lettering and the aircraft is ZA718. She incidentally was the first aircraft converted to HC Mk 2 status and served as a test aircraft at Boscombe Down up to 2 years ago. What a bird! She went on snow & icing trials in 96/97 and was conveyed over the Atlantic on the replacement Atlantic Conveyor. If ever an aircraft deserves to be earmarked for a museum, it is ZA718.
I will leave Dave Burke to sort out the Harriers. Pucara wise, several airframes were brought back deck cargo as 'booty'. Unfortunately this, poor paint finish and standing outside has seen the survivors in very poor condition. Boscombe Down flew one example which is now in the Cosford museum. I own the cockpit of a spares ship (533) that was scrapped by the Museum of Army Flying. As I was liberating the cockpit (only part the scrappy would let me save) a woman remarked 'why are you saving that ?$"! piece of S&%$' - a sentiment probably heard following WW2. Another museum has the cabin og a Falklands Scout.
Regards
Tony