It was interesting to see that the RAF's oldest Chinook helicopter, Bravo November, has been retired but, fortunately, it has now been preserved at the RAF Museum Cosford. This was the only Chinook available to British forces in the Falklands war following the sinking of the Atlantic Conveyer.
Three actually Jim............no duff
Very brave crew down south moved 2 PARA lock stock and barrel.
Shame it didn't come to OUR museum at Duxford make a great entrance way into Airborne Assault museum!
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Pilot was Squadron Leader Dick Langworthy and his co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Andy Lawless moved two companies from Goose Green to Fitzroy in atrociuos conditions, brave men rewarded with medals commensorate with their selfless bravery.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
We were watching and wishing we could join you. I remember all that. That was a DFC. Here's what Wiki tells about BN history. Bravo November - Wikipedia
I remember seeing this when it was first shown on UK TV, the aircraft having just picked up seriously wounded soldiers in Afghanistan and then the pilot getting shot.
I remember my first ride in a CH-47D model. The thing was leaking hydraulic fluid from the roof of the cabin. Of course it was a little disconcerting, so I mentioned it to the crew chief. He said," Not to worry Captain, it only a problem when it stops leaking."
I remember that Boeing Vertol (Helicopters) use to publish really nice unit posters for units using the CH-47. I wonder if they did the same for UK units?
We had the predecessor, the Bristol Belvedere - or Bedeviller - in Malaya. Nobody ever wanted to move in one because they all carried their own fuel supply, in 44 gallon drums strapped in the fuselage! Load carrying capacity, zilch! Then we saw our first US air forceChinooks......
Belvedere landing to resupply the 2 PARA outpost in Borneo on the Indonesian border.
Plaman Mapu where 36 lads of 2 PARA who were left in camp as others did fighting and ambush patrols, saw off an attack by 400 Indonesian SF on the 27th April 1965 which saved the Malaysian Federation from collapse against President Sukarno's efforts to take over the whole of Malaysia/Borneo/Sarawak and Brunei.
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 04-03-2022 at 04:41 AM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA