Bye Bye 72

[Tiger_mate]

Top CSE show this evening to celebrate the demise of No 72 Sqn Royal Air Force in the coming days. Many years of quality banter will go with the sqn, but be under no doubt, you will be missed:. .. .Sincerely hope that a Merlin awaits your badge (Airships please take note) as you can shove Eurofighter up your hoop.. .. .Love and kisses. .. .SHFNI Home of the Puma

[PTT]

Top party, people. An honour and a pleasure to have been there and to have worked with the people - aircrew, engineers and admin staff.. .. .PTT

[BEagle]

An excellent piece on 72 and 'Walter' on BBC 1 this morning!. .. .Which other air forces fly the same ac for 33 years these days?

[yellow and black]

Last night was the best night Aldergrove has had for a long time, and well needed as the place has gone through some rough times recently. . .. .The whole camp seemed to be there except for the flying soldiers who organised a diner night - hope it was good boys, one day you might stop cutting off your nose to spite your face and actually join in some of the fun.. .. .72 - you will be sadly missed, a fine Sqn populated by fine men. I have it on good authority that you will return very soon. . .. .Bon voyage on your final sortie around the UK next week. .. .Gentlemen it has been an honour.

[Tigs]

The end of a real era for the SH force. I hope to see the number back again soon. I remember the party at the 72nd aniversary - now that was good! By the sounds of it this one was definitly worth going to.

[Big Green Arrow]

Did anyone rim Day's glass....would he have noticed?. .. .See ya boys..it was nice.

[jiffni]

Fine style 72, and a cracking momento for the mess. My forehead and hand will certainly enjoy the soft padding.. .. .Y&B The biggest travesty is that your shower of sh-ite are staying and 72 are being mothballed. Imagine if the decision was to be made this week, think it might be the same?. .. .Sh dude as you know functions are booked a long way in advance. The Maple dinner is an annual function for 665 Sqn held in the 5 Regt WOs and Sgts Mess. It was decided to have it on that date long ago, before the 72 function details were released to the pongos. It is for Officers and SNCO of that Sqn and hardly dented the attendance of the party. As for the train, it is the property of 5 Regt Officers mess silver account and was not on display last night.

[HOG]

JIFFNI. .. .Your last paragraph sums up the AAC approach "anally retentive to the end" and as always taking life and "ones career" too seriously to boot !!!. .. .ENUFF SAID. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[Jeep]

Farewell 72 it has been an absolute pleasure working with you, drinking with you, flying with you and bantering with you. Safe flying wherever you all end up.. .. .Emerson C: I look forward to the continuing banter with your excellent Sqn over the next few months. I shall of course endeavour to prove you quite wrong over your doubts about my Corps.

[Blacksheep]

I was once physically assaulted by a group of drunkards from 72 in Changi Village for no reason whatsoever. The villains were out East browning their knees on 'Bersatu Padu' and had a strange attitude towards us 'locals' A couple of friends from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment helped me sort them out, but I've had a sh*t on with 72 ever since. . .. .Good Riddance!!!. .. .**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema

[Herod]

Couldn't cope without the Aussies then, Blacksheep? Chill out, it was a long time ago (May - Jul 1970 for all those young people out there). Bersatu Padu was fun, 72 did a good job.

[Dunhovrin]

Well thank god 72 and the Wessex have gone. It was always frustrating working with them. The Puma carried more pax further and faster than Walter did. So why then did 72 do a better job than us TigerTigerRahRah mates? And why could they still beat us back to the bar (which they ruled)?. .. .72 it was a pleasure drinking and working with you all (apart from JJ the DJ) - you will be missed by us civvies outside the wire.. .. .Dobbo. .. .PS Did the BIG scotsman make it for the do?. . . . <small>[ 25 March 2002, 20:10: Message edited by: Dunhovrin ]</small>

[Talking Radalt]

Saw the ten-ship arrive at Death Banana HQ tonight, just as it was getting dark. Haven't seen a sunset like that in quite a while.. .Wonderful stuff reminiscent of those heady end-of-Empire days when Walter was shiny and new. . .Just for once will someone tell all the inevitable noise complainants to get lost?. . . . <small>[ 25 March 2002, 22:17: Message edited by: Talking Radalt ]</small>

[jiffni]

HOG - You aren't one of the tigers that had their CR status taken away last friday are you? You certainly sound like one.. .. .As spec aircrew one doesn't have a career, one has a pastime and great fun it is too.. .. .Talking radalt - I agree, a great sight.

[Muff Coupling]

Saw the 10 ship..not bad..more formation work required by No's 3,6,7 and who was that stray <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Banter aside..I ahve worked with the Swift on and off for nearly 30 years..one word..professionals!. .. .Hope the number is not tarnished by some over budget fixed wing thingy! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[fobotcso]

Gulp, sob: near pile-up just north of Exeter on the M5 Northbound at 1730 yesterday (Monday) as I'm doing 90 and see the 10-ship (with whipper-in) coming the other way doing similar. God, what a coincidence! Couldn't have been more dramatic if it had been arranged. All kinds of memories had to be suppressed in the interests of road safety as I thought about the beast I'd flown in four Marks over 20 years and had some of my more exciting moments.. .. .I'm still upset, but maybe that's the Malt! God Bless, Gracious Lady. Thank's for the memories and for looking after me.

[PTT]

Jiffni. .. .I know you and I know you need help.. .. .PTT

[jiffni]

PTT - Are you offering help? Do give me a call.

[Big Green Arrow]

Dunhovrin...has the big scotsman got out of the nick yet?. .. .The banter between us (72 v 230) was fab. I've still got the piccies of me serving McSweat KittieKat at your inaugural dinner in NI. Did you eat some? I know Donitz (Douglas Bader) Dudman did!

[HeliAviator]

Chaps, great to see you at Odiham and its yet another sad end to a great Sqn.

[controller friendly]

As one of the many who spoke to you 72, it has been a pleasure. But what are you leaving us with?. .I heard the party was great on Saturday night, would have been nice to have been invited though!. .Not all us ATCers are mid 50's and even worse male. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> . .Could have had so much fun!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .. .Lots of luck. CF

[Winchie]

Farewell 72 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .. .Best tour I ever did in the Air Force to date, incuding, believe it or not sunny Cyprus. Fantastic flying (even in the rain!), great parties (finished off with a bottle of poteen mostly back on the street) and always a great and professional bunch to work with (except when with the Nav who was only ever lost for the first time - with EACH crewman... Blah! Blah!). .. .It's a shame that a Sqn with such a distinguished (recient) helicopter history has to go (perhaps) fast and pointy, but time moves on.. .. .All the best 72 guys who are finishing up this month. Walter still flies with us until (at least) next March so he's not dead yet!. .. .Yours Aye,. .Hoot and Roar! (I'd add something like RA!RA!RA! Tiger!Tiger! Etc if I knew what noise a scorpion made!). .. .PS Oh Yeah! SHDude - 'Emerald Toilet' - We could really fall out over that term! . .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> . .. .PPS 230 Sqn. Your Tiger mascot passed through here reciently on his way to the Middle East, I believe that he was liberated from your crewroom by some 72 Sqn mates. I can report that he was safe and well and that we passed him into good hands in Oman. RA ra. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[mutleyfour]

Cheerio 72,. .. .I had some good times in Omagh and Dungannon a few years back with the chicken leg. Hope to see you in the future with or without the daffey duck!. .. .Fly army! When you can! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[Emerson Cahooners]

CF. .. .Are you by any chance one of the lovely young ladies we hosted on 230 / 72 about 3 to 4 months ago when you arrived at EGAA? If you are then trust me, you're welcome in the O's mess anytime.. .. .Gentlemen, berate me if you wish, but you know you were thinking it as well!. .. .EC

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

The 10 ship just flew over my house. Great sight - people stopped all around gawping at it. Number 9 and 10 were straggling a bit mind.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .WWW

[KeithAlexander]

Just out of interest, I live on the North Down coast and always wondered why the Search and rescue Wessex which frequently buzzed my golf course had a yellow rotor blade? Is/was this a fairly standard thing to do? . .. .It's been sad seeing the helicopters leave. Any plans that 72 Sqn will be reborn with Merlins?. .. .And also, in the event I should go missing at sea some day, how much longer will it take for a Seaking to come from Prestwick or Valley to, say, Belfast?

[Jack Davidson]

Gents, talking of all things Wessex, I'm currently researching the history of No 28 Sqn, with a view to writing a history for future publication. Can anyone help with info,. .or dose any body know any ex 28 personnel who maybe interested in this project or even have a contact for the Sqn association?. .. .Regards. .Dave Jackson. .. .mail to. [email protected]

[Helmut Visorcover]

The single yellow blade was there so we could see them and tell them when to stop and drop off/pick up the blokes/turn left/right etc! Saves them carrying maps..v dangerous. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> . .. .Farewell to a fab sqn, top bunch of blokes and a great old bird. Always preferred working with you chaps as opposed to the big pussies.. sorry Tigers. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> Big Gazelle at the end of the day!

[f4aviation]

Bit of a feature can be found at Air-Scene UK <a href="http://www.f4aviation.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.f4aviation.co.uk</a> - it was an honour to fly with you!

[PANews]

In defence of 72, the formation was an eight ship one ... the other two were spares because no one really expected all eight [10] of the old ladies to complete the journey. The spare pair were ragged because they were add-ons ... and they all made it.

[stugrant]

At least 72 ended its days as a military squadron unlike the last operator of "Walter" the 84th flt FBH plc.

[bigley]

Thank god that week is over!! I am now going to sleep for the same amount of time the Wessex was in service. I was part of the formation and can tell you that, when we arrived at Shawbury, there were a few roughty toughties with damp eyes, myself included!! Thanks for all the nice posts about Walter, aren't Wessex brilliant!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[swifty]

an absoult pleasure and a honour! as part of the crew on Foxtrot, i think we all shead a tear on that final close down at Shawbury. many thanks to the guys from Benson, Odiham and Shawbury for helping the week run so smooth!. .Too many memories, too many beers.. .And i don't care what anyone says, she was'nt that fat?!. .. .Long live 72 !!!

[yellow and black]

bigley - you've been called a number of things but 'roughty toughty'...come on!. .. .All the best to the walter jockeys wherever you may end up. D Flt welcome to the fold.

[Orange Whip]

What a party. Goodbye to 72 and the "Mighty Wessex". The weekend at Aldergrove was huge and the departure from V813 brought quite a lump to the throat. It was certainly a sad day to see a Sqn with such a distinguished history disband. Its service in the Province may often have been routine, but it was equally vital and, I know, regularly appreciated. It may have been a while ago, but I am very proud to have served and flown with such a fine Sqn and top people; moreso since after a number of years, the spirit on the Sqn was identical to that which I remember. Thank you very much to 72 for putting in so much effort to make the final weekend such a memorable one, and to all those ex-members who missed it just 'cos they couldn't be ar**d - SHAME ON YOU. Let's hope the old Sqn regains an operational role soon; somebody finds out where the "Big Scotsman" really is and that the "Blond Ones" ribs get better soon.

[PANews]

North Weald Airfield Museum - now the spiritual home of the 72 Squadron Association - have posted a farewell series of photographs of the final overflight of the airfield on that final day at <a href="http://fly.to/northweald" target="_blank">http://fly.to/northweald</a> . .. .It has been great fun - and an honour - spending time with you during your final days at the 'Weald and Benson. May all your future postings be as great fun as 72.

[Arkroyal]

Almost tempted to indulge in a spot of crab bating here, but it's not really the place.. .. .Having served alongside 72 in the province some 20 odd years ago, I worked with some good blokes (I suppose that includes the big scotsman if it's who I think it is). Spent a couple of days flying the then RUC chief (Hermon) around in a 72 Sqn wessy 2 with Roy Citrine (lord rest his soul).. .. .Still, the Mk 5 was best, and 845 sadly said goodbye to the Wessex in 1986. Who'd have thought that she would last this long with the light blues. The reason of course being that she was irriplaceable, certainly not bettered by the SK4.. .. .Good luck 72, in whatever guise you reappear.

[Herod]

Now the old lady has gone to her well-deserved rest, what are the plans for preservation in museums? Are the RAF Museum and the IWM Duxford getting one each and, if not, why not?

[Tiger_mate]

Newark Air Museum already have one, complete with a nice 2FTS (red) nose, and the Ulster Aviation Society head the que for one. The politics involved in donating an aircraft for museum use are beyond belief hence thay will no doubt stay at Shawbury pending the scrapman whose money is as good as anybodies. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />

[PANews]

It seems unlikely that there will be many - if any - ex-72 HC2s with museums.. .. .The story goes that the ten [or whatever number remain] will stay tucked away for about a year acting as Christmas Trees to the Cyprus aircraft. When the Cyprus SAR Wessex pass to commercially contracted hands [Bell 412 or AS365N] they will then be sold to work again.. .. .If it is to be a scrapman you can be sure he is South American and not just yet.. .. .I bet Westland are heaving a huge sigh of relief... spares for one of their products for 40 years was definitely not planned!

[jiffni]

PTT aren't you the shortest puma pilot in NATO? Are you sure you know me? Was it your door that fell off, or another of your tigger mates?

[solotk]

Bye Walter.....
Great aircraft, and has carried my carcass from the wet wilds of over the water, to hot and high in Cyprus. Always a pleasure on a "de-bus" on a cold winters day, to hesitate momentairily in the exhast plume, and get enveloped in a nice hot blast and an aroma of fuel

It will be missed, it has a character that to my mind , the Puma never will have.

Tony
(self loading Brown cargo)

[Big Green Arrow]

The one at Newark is an ex 72 Sqn frame...I've flown it. They intend to eventually site it undercover blades spread. Anyone know where the Big Scotsman currently is? He has to be 'Out' by now. Sorry I couldn't make the bash, had other really very boring commitments that proved too difficult for my Seniors to allow me to break.

[SAGA LOUT]

Yeah I bet you were feeling the pinch after such a fantastic send off! I thought you were all looking a bit frayed at Benson. Well done all at 72 Sqn - great memories of Walter from Odiham, Aldergrove and Hong Kong. Mind you things may not be quite over - stay current lads you may be needed for a come back if the current Puma attrition rate continues!! Farewell 72 Sqn ....for the time being eh?