End Of Another Era: The South Atlantic Flight
This pensioner has been slow to appreciate a MoD report to replace the Red Plum with HMS PROTECTOR. While taking this ex-commercial vessel into the ORBAT with a very capable ice-hull for the 'droggys', it nails any future for Endurance Flight to the pinboard of history. You may note from the picture below that this Red Plum replacement has a platform for the flight deck and cranes where the hangar might have been.
Pilots and Observers have operated in Whirlwinds, Wasps and Lynx in the most exhilarating, lonely and occasionally scary non-diversion flying known to the Fleet Air Arm. While I do apprecate this pragmatic decision to maintain capability and to retain an effective presence for the RN and UK interests in the South Atlantic, I really mourn its passing.