Externally mounted Schermuly flares were installed on RN Whirlwind Mk7 helicopters in winter 1957.
Intended as emergency ground illuminating equipment they were an initial response to a night flying requirement in an aircraft with a highly unreliable engine.
The installation was immediately and successfully adopted by the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit (JEHU) and the RAF for anti terrorist operations in Cyprus using Sycamore helicopters.
Wunper