Originally Posted by
ex-fast-jets
I first met BN when it landed on HERMES after a timely airiest when ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was hit. I then saw it a few more times at Port San Carlos when it was doing a great job in support of land forces. It certainly deserves its place in aviation history.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
Likewise, I remember her arriving on deck, being given some gas and daily codes and then fired off to the islands. There was a rumour that the F700 was rewritten from memory by the maintainers, who also fitted a cockpit door from an Arg Chinook after it was jettisoned (quite rightly!) by the co after they hit a lake at 90kts in the dark.
Nearly 40 years ago - and now Europe is ringing with the sound of clashing steel again.
Merde!
Mog