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Old 15th Sep 2016, 21:18
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Lokwyr
 
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Para Reg air squadron

Prior to becoming 664 Sqn, the Para regiments had their own flights. They were amalgamated into 21 Flight before my posting to them in 1969. Aircraft then were 6 Sioux AH1 and 6 Scout AH1. There were a couple of Scouts with XP tail nos (890/ 891 ?). All had the Pegasus decal on forward doors. The all-metal tail rotor blades replaced the earlier wooden bladed items in or about 1970. In'69 all our Scouts had the fully bulged rear doors to seat 4 rear pax.
The Link 2 photo (Sid's) Makarios Iii In Nicosia, Cyprus On February 21, 1964: Makarios and... News Photo | Getty Images definitely shows XP889.
The rear doors are the earlier version with the small bulge low to accommodate the casualty litter handles (Wasps never had the big-bulge doors due to fitment of the flotation gear fitment).
I suspect that the Scout in photos (Links1 & 2 above) were taken during either an emergency detachment or an exercise that happened to be at the right time; the S/Sgt pilot isn't wearing Cyprus theatre uniform
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