Glad you like the photos ccc, as I say there are more lurking around, I believe the number 2 daughter b/f has been detailed with the task.
As usual you are correct, I have always had problems with East vs West
, we are lucky here in the sand pit, odd numbered flights go West (or is that East?) but if in doubt it seems to be best to engage the AP and let the aircraft find it's own way there.
I don't recollect 'Desert Fox' having its name lovingly hand painted onto it's flanks (wherever a 212 flank is), but stand to be corrected with photographic evidence as long as the date stamp is 1985. Thanks to XA290 for reminding me about the ex BCal 61's, I think the 214ST were also named when they were in the tartan.
As regard the metal blade saga, I seem to recollect that we got the large instructors (if they are reading I will qualify that by saying 'not fat - but large'). where as our buddy trainees seemed to get the 5' 2" racing snakes. I'd prefer a 212/412 into the SW confined area with a twinpac (-3 or -3B) than 24.5" MP - these young un's have no idea etc, etc.