Showing my age
NIck Lappos
Well to put things into their proper context (late sixties) we were still carrying out the dreaded DIDTACS whereby a Wasp with AS 12 (range about 6000 yds) was vectored into to a night attack on a Fast Patrol Boat (supposedley fitted with ship destroying `Stxy` missiles) by a second helo (Wx3;SK) who sat at a safe distance, whilst Joe Soap flew overhead at 3000 feet and provided vital illumination (4.5 inch parachute flares). Off course nobody mentioned in the brief the fact that the FPB had highly rated AAA that could blow anything out of the sky withing 4000 yards. There was no rush to play the ILLUMINATOR!!
So Nick, what I`m saying is that escorts still were still weaving in those days, What they do now perhaps somebody can tell us.
As to the ex-Navy jock that believes that landing and HIFR bring with them the same limits all I can say is that things must have changed `cos I was that driver and believe me the brief was to open up the manoeuvring limits. We were towed around like a dog on a lead and had a tough time keeping the hose intact. This was at night too!! Maybe the envelope is not completely opened up but it was a million miles from being a steady course and speed.