Westland Scout Helicopter XV121

[Scout Leader]

Can anyone help me to trace any history for a Westland Scout helicopter that was with the British Army / forces from around 1967 ? Maybe you flew her or worked on her ? I am hoping to assemble a complete history for this aircraft which I now proudly fly on the UK civil register and believe to be the finest remaining example ! Any photos, documents, stories or recollections of any sort would be very gratefully received.

[taxydual]

Just type XV121 into Google. You'll be amazed at the gen the result uncovers.

[TommyGun]

I was at the AAC Museum in Middle Wallop on Friday 13th June...I'm sure they had a Scout on display there. I'm sure they have plenty of info for you.

Edit: Although Army ID cards don't get you free entry if you're Royal Engineers, like myself...you have to be Army Air Corps or the little old lady who resembles Heinrich Himler will take your money!:)

[Python21]

As a Bootneck pilot I flew XV121 for 27 hours between July and September 1973 when it was based at Long Kesh and belonged to 660 Sqn.

P21

[Sloppy Link]

How about a photo of her as she is now?

[Lurking123]

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6223640

[Faithless]

Have you thought about posting this on the Arrse site?

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewforum/f=24.html

Might get some results on there!

[Sloppy Link]

Thank you 123.

Scout Leader, I was going to dig out my log book and check for you however, that paint job shows a lack of respect for the Queen of the skies.
I regard it akin to a Bentley 4.5 painted red opposed to racing green, a JPS Norton with a pink and gold paint job, a poodle dyed purple. Red peas. It can be done but those that do it are regarded by the sane.....as eejit's.

I will accept, better it is flying at all, but come on Scout Leader, you can do better than that.

:ugh:

[Total Reaction]

Well at least its still green'ish and flying, checked the log book but this one avoided me, scout leader I might have some pilots notes in a box, now where did I put them.................................:confused:

[Torque2]

Last flew xv121 on 24 nov '81 with 659 sqn 9 regt AAC Detmold. :ok:
Had an interesting EOL up the banks of the Mosel river on07 April that same year in 121 with Graham Thorpe crewman. Engine changed in situ and field airtested before returning it to Detmold.:ok::ok:

[Blacksheep]

You'll be amazed at the gen the result uncovers.Apart from discount carpets and Scrapheap Challenge there's lots of photos of his own wobblycopter. :hmm:

[diginagain]

Last flew xv121 on 24 nov '81 with 659 sqn 9 regt AAC Detmold.

That being the case, I may well have pushed it in and out of the hangar, polished the windows and filled it with Avtur.:\

[gsa]

Sorry to go off at a tangent. Is there any reason why the civil scouts don’t have the big rear doors? Is it the rules under which they fly or just aesthetics and fuel consumption.

[Two_Squirrels]

It was at Bosocmbe Down in January 1987 for trials on a Strobe Light and Landing Lamp. I flew in it twice. One of my first flight trials.

[kluge]

Slightly off thread - I found the remains of a Scout in a Hong Kong film studio.
No markings on it and the airframe is well stripped.
My research leads me to believe it was a former 660 Squadron AAC helicopter.

Would anyone know any further history of Scout ops in HK or is ARrSE is the best place to find out ?

Thank you.

[Geezers of Nazareth]

Kluge,

if you can get back to that particular Scout ... open the rear port door and lift up the padded back-rest on that side (which is probably not there, as it's been stripped, but you get the idea ...) and there _should_ be a little plate with an 'F8/nnnn' number on it. If you can let me know that number then I might be able to help to pin it down to an exact airframe.
That number is the 'pod-number'. All the Westland Scouts and Wasps were made up from various parts, and each part had a distinct number. These numbers are not the same as the manufacturers 'construction number', which (as far as I can tell) there is no plate on a Scout or Wasp to help.

XV121 from the original query should have a pod-number of 'F8/6043' on that plate (does it?). According to all the records that I have ever seen, XV121 should have a manufacturers construction-number of F.9696. Is there a plate on XV121 with that stamped on it?

[/sad mode - off]!

[Blacksheep]

Taking the work that's done on helicopters over the years, there's very little of the original left in any of them. XV121 (or any other number) is just the number on the tech. records file.

Example from memory: Whirlwind HCC10 XV763 in for a Minor* - new engine, transmission, transmission platform, main rotor gearbox, front and rear 'A' frames, cabin floor, landing gears, tail cone (with rotor transmission) and tail rotor gearbox. If that's a 'Minor' imagine what a Major might involve. :ooh:

[goudie]

Blacksheep, Shades of Trig's (Del Boy) broom; He'd had the same one for 14 yrs., only had 6 handles and 8 heads and 'still as good as new'!

[peterperfect]

Kluge, regarding your Q

One of 660's Scouts based at RAF Sek Kong ended up submerged (up to the pilot's moustache but no further !!!!) in a duck pond up near the Mai Po marshes in circa 1979 (tail rotor driveshaft went west during a dawn II sweep I recall), a very slim chance it might be bits of that one you found in the studios ? pp

[kluge]

Thx chaps.
The thlot pickens.
I will research and report back.
Apologies all for thread drift.

[Rafair7643]

I wonder if, Scout Leader, you are perhaps the owner of this machine?

If so, then you pass over our cottage most weekends on your way in and out of Scone.

We're situated on the North Bank of the Tay (2 cottages on the first hill) and ours is the one with the Golden Retriever which just loves to bark at the Scout (ah bless)

Sorry for the tangent.

Stew

[diginagain]

I wonder if, Scout Leader, you are perhaps the owner of this machine?

If so, then please, please, please put it back into its original colour scheme.

But don't change the sound.:ok:

[silvereagle]

Not sure how up to date this is, but here is a link which offers locations for all the Scouts. All the airframes I know are correct!

Demobbed Aircraft (http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=957)

[Newforest2]

Rafair.

ScoutLeader says he flies XV121, so presumably he is the owner. XV121 is now G-BYKJ. No UK Scouts seem to be registered to owners north of the border so your Scout sighting is a little mystery, for now!

[Rafair7643]

Hi Newforest,

According to the info I have (word of mouth) there is a Scout (XV121??) based at Glenrothes (EGPJ) which is owned by a chap from Edinburgh [hence my enquiry with the OP].

The fact that the linked image was taken at Scone, kind of lead me to believe that they were one and the same.

Cheers

Stew

[Torque2]

Siloe, yes, autorotation with flares was practised and they were very effective, the ground still comes up at a fair old rate though!!

[FRAG7]

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/images/xt626.jpg

The only true example of an Army Scout. The Queen of the skies.

[kluge]

For those interested a couple of chaps posted a reply to query on the AH&N thread.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/aviation-history-nostalgia/335353-westland-scout-remains-hong-kong-film-studio.html#post4272257

[PICKS135]

Rafair7643 wroteAccording to the info I have (word of mouth) there is a Scout (XV121??) based at Glenrothes (EGPJ) which is owned by a chap from Edinburgh [hence my enquiry with the OP].


According to 'Scottish Aviation News'. This Scout is

G-BYKJ Westland Scout AH1.

A Scout also resides in Dunfermline alledgedly

XR627 Scout AH1

However dont think this is a flyer

[Scout Leader]

Yes, inspection reveals that XV121 does have a plate F9696.
I would be very grateful for any information you may have on her ??

[Scout Leader]

Thank you to everyone who has posted a reply to my original enquiry back in the Summer looking for history on XV121 / F9696 - Scout AH1.
The aircraft is flying from Glenrothes (Fife) Airport and also was based at Edinburgh for a while.
She will return to original colour scheme and military markings next year.
( I wasn't the one who painted her metallic green ! )
Which is the best colour scheme to return her to ?
Apparently there were so many layers of paint / different schemes when she was stripped for painting into civilian colours it's hard to know what was the original.
Can anyone give advice on this ?

[Al R]

Such a pretty thing. The Airfix model had a box cover of one flying low over some CVR(T) if I remember correctly.

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/images/xt626.jpg

Almost right.

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/boxart/airfix/airfix_scout.jpg

[jonwilly]

" According to 'Scottish Aviation News'. This Scout is

G-BYKJ Westland Scout AH1.

A Scout also resides in Dunfermline alledgedly

XR627 Scout AH1

However dont think this is a flyer "

XR 627, XR 628, XR 629 and XR 630, where 8 Flt cabs Plymouth 67-71.
All cabs where ex 8 Flt Aden. XR 601 was the fifth Scout.
john

[Clockwork Mouse]

Scout Leader
I think XV121 may have been in 6 Bde AAC Flight at Barnard Castle in 1969, moving to 660 Avn Sqn when it formed at RAF Topcliffe in 1970 and moved across to BAOR with 660 Avn Sqn in 1971 to Salamanca Airfield, Soest.
The AAC Museum in MW should be able to provide more detailed and accurate info.

[BEagle]

Airfix...........

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Internet/scout.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Internet/zxzxz.jpg

Currently being auctioned on eBay.

[ExGrunt]

Al R

The tank in Beagle's picture of the box cover is a Centurion MBT variant which would date the picture as pre 1966 when Centurion MBTs were replaced by Chieftains.

BTW:

I agree with Silsoe that the right scheme would be the green/black.

For your information the rules at the time were 2/3 green, 1/3 black. If the paint is the same as we used on vehicles the green was a special Infra Red paint, which matched the IR properties of foliage.

[breakscrew]

SilsoeSid,
Back in the late 70's we used to do night 6 monthlies in NI, as well as normal daylight ones. It always ended up doing an engine off onto Ballykelly airfield, having fired the 2 flares; first at 1500' and the second at 1000'. Even more exciting than during the day!

[parabellum]

Both the Ugandan Police Force and the Bahrain Police Force also flew the Scout but I can't find their pictures/colour schemes. I think the AAC one is still the best.
In BEags picture the bag under the picture looks like the result of a non-fatal engine failure I saw on Salisbury Plain when flying the Hiller!

[diginagain]

ISTR a couple of Sprouts still flogging around at Wallop in a fetching Brown/Green scheme in the mid 80s.

[parabellum]

I think at least one of those at MW, mid eighties, was with the trials flight? The late Maj.N.A.F. Edwards, RE, my old boss from previous years, was flogging around Wallop at that time.

[dbarrott]

XR603 at RAN Historic Flight HMAS Albatross in flying condition awaiting documentation. Wears RAN colours (Dark Blue and White, RAN designation N8-102 and civil registration number VH-NVW.

[MOSTAFA]

I last flew it in March 94. Incidently, which was the same month we flew the final Scout Flypast at Middle Wallop. It was a Staff Continuation Sortie (SCT) of 1.4hrs and I had somebody called "Symes" with me.

I seem to remember him being a old Scout pilot (Then a retiring 1 Star, I think?) Did several EOLs on NV North Field to try to remind him of the old days -As I remember he was still quite proficient!

[parabellum]

There was a Captain Symes RAOC on our course, (No. 173), at Middle Wallop in Oct 1964 to 65, could that have been him?

[BarbiesBoyfriend]

When I was in 662, we had five black and green ones and another in the older green and tan scheme (it was XP849 I think).

Seeing as the AAC Historic flight one is black and green, why don't you do the older scheme as depicted on the Airfix kit.

849 had a glossy finish so it would be easier for you to keep it looking smart compared to the matt finish on the others.

(One of our pilots took me for a fly in her one fine day. Wonder what happened to Bob Glonek?)

XV121 was at Detmold on 22 2 79 and 22 5 79

[Grys Dweizelschidt]

If it was at Detmold on those dates I may well have pushed, pulled, cleaned or refuelled it.

Re Bob Glonek; he was a founder-member of 664's Sumo Flight when the Sqn moved to Dishforth in 92. The formerly all-Gaz squadron didn't quite know what to make of the influx of old and bold gentlemen of portly stature and nervous disposition.

[BarbiesBoyfriend]

Grys

I was an Air Trooper (on 662.) You too?:)

[Grys Dweizelschidt]

Me too, once upon a very long time ago.

[Raincheck]

Oh no! can that be the immortal Albert Le ?

[ambidextrous]

To fill in just a little more; I flew this machine out of RAF Ballykelly in N.Ireland and RAF Topcliffe whilst on loan to 660 Squadron from February 1970 until June 1970, hope that helps?
with fraternal greetings,
ambi:ok:

[Wizzard]

I had a very good friend in 662, his name was Airtrooper Hooper. Anyone remember him?

Thread drift - sorry:O

[PhamousPhotographer]

Seeing as the AAC Historic flight one is black and green, why don't you do the older scheme as depicted on the Airfix kit.As on

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx299/PhamousPhotographer/Image01November1976Phamphotog.jpg

XV136 at Lisanelly, Omagh. November 1976.

[ericferret]

What a great photo that really takes me back.

RL Bedford's, Queen of the Road!!!!

[Lingo Dan]

Nice pic' of 136!!

Never flew 121 but 136 figures frequently in my logbook from 1974 to 1976 with 651 Sqn. On this day in 1974, did a standby in 136 at Ft George in support of 39 Regt RA!

How time flies!

Sorry for being a little off-topic!

[Low Ball]

I was the resident QHI in NI Feb 76 to Jul 77. I have 7 entries in the log book for XV 121 during the period Aug 76 to Oct 76. Most of this was PNG training for incoming pilots interspersed with Bessbrook and Armagh day duties.

Happy days

LB

[Elephant Ears]

I was a blackie at 658 Sqn in Netheravon about 1988 when the current grey/green paint scheme came in. We painted our Scouts in that, but I don't think it was universally adopted before the Scout fleet was retired. Why not make your Scout the only example of the last paint scheme?

Who looks after her now? I fly a desk these days but would love to get my hands dirty again keeping a Scout going.

[exmover_and_happy]

Can anyone explain to me why the engine on the Scout and Wasp was totally exposed? Was it just to make servicing in field simpler or to save on weight possibly?

To the untrained eye it looks like it would be more prone to problems - especially on the Wasp as everything would be more exposed to salt water damage.

[diginagain]

TBH, putting an engine cowling on the Scout/Wasp wouldn't serve any useful purpose. Aerodynamically, especially. Just more to remove for access to the donk.

Never worked with Wasp, but at a guess the cab would be given a thorough washdown after over-water ops, just as we did with our Scouts in FI.

[ewe.lander]

Whilst with 660 in HK I landed a Scout (looking sexy with Wasp style 'FLOT' kit) on the USS Coral Sea...... Big American with big hands said "SUrrrr you have lost your Engine Cowlings......and are you some kind of Meeee-morial flight??" Errrrr.....yes I suppose so? v v happy days :ok:

[Vascoingles]

Unfortunately the last that I heard of Bob Glonek (one of the last real hard men) is that he was not of the best of health

[Vascoingles]

Just been chacking records and I actually flew in that one when it was based at Detmold.

The pilots were Bill Scarratt and Bill Couper

[fredsgrandaughter]

Have never know u was a copilot dad:)

[ewe.lander]

Vas - that's a hell of a 'double bill'!! banter must have been savage......:E

[Vascoingles]

two excellent pilots amongst the best I have seen in swing wing and 2 bigger than life characters, lost contact with Bill Scarrat over the years but I am still in contact with Bill Couper who is now living on Madeira

[diginagain]

Sorry to learn that Big Bob's unwell. A founder-member of 664's Sumo Flt, and a larger-than-life character. Flown and worked with Bill Couper and Bill Scarratt too. Last I heard of Bill S was of his swimming prowess after dropping a B206 into a Cumbrian lake......

[Vascoingles]

I had heard of his attempt to break the world swimming records for helicopter pilots

[Sconce]

After leaving Arborfield and Middle Wallop one of the first Scouts I worked on at 660 Sqn Soest 1972-4 including a tour in Long Kesh 1973.

[BarbiesBoyfriend]

Last time I met Bob Glonek was at Prestwick air show in (I think) 1985. Time before that would have been babysitting his kids in Munster. I hope he's well.

Sorry for thread drift. He was a legend in the Scout though!

[RODHJ]

You may have been there at the same time as me, i was fuelling the thing, washing and chasing Irish girls ,which wasnt hard!!

[parabellum]

washing and chasing Irish girls


Always a good idea to wash them first!;)