It was also handy to have some Mk 5 expertise on 72; in the chaos of early 1982 "on the bus off the bus" Falklands preparations, 72 - briefly - took on and flew the 845 Sqn's Mk 5s, just after 72 had deployed as far as Benson (en route FI) before coming back again. The story went like this.
Plan A. 845 Det NI told by RN they would remain in Norn Iron for the duration.
Plan B. RN decide they want the aircrew, but 72 can keep the cabs and the maintainers. OC 72 tasks Trg Off and his team (fine fellows all!!
) to train a "suitable cadre" of Mk 5 pilots for day/VMC operations - no Nitesun then on Mk 5. (crewmen had already flown on 845 cabs to help out the RN.) Duly accommplished by aforesaid fine fellows, and tasking - including a day BBK - carried out by RAF crewed Mk 5s.
Plan C. RN decide they want the cabs and the maintainers too - cue mega RAF reinforcement of 72........
Plans A-C all happened within about a week or 10 days in May......
Order and counter-order is a sure recipe for disorder........
And don't get me started on 847..............
