we were in full receipt of the RN
PR machine in the early 80's
Picture the scene at Valley, early '80s, a visit from a group of Well Informed MP's. One WIMP says " Oh, I thought the Navy did all the Air Sea Rescue!"
That was when Culdrose had the only dedicated RN sar flt, albeit with 2nd line crews (SAR was even described as a tertiary role for 819) and the RAF had nine flights.
Oh well, I think red and white quite fetching, better than orange and black - that's too '70s
