Always do a good pre flight...... [Archive]

John Eacott

19th Jul 2003, 13:10

Found this in my rogue's gallery. 1972 IntSAR, the 3M rep & I decided to see how well his new reflective tape worked, whilst the rest of the competitors were getting sloshed at the party.

Two Crab Whirlwinds, one returned to base with the F700's, the other one led a pair of USAF Huskies on a PR flight down the Thames. Next day's Daily Express, front page ;)

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/RAF%20Whirlwind%20Fly%20Navy%20small.jpg

ShyTorque

19th Jul 2003, 16:29

Ah, yes, the old yellow Whirlwind! That's where it all started for me....

John, tell us more of the story!

A similar thing happened at Odiham in 1979. 33 sqn had been practicing a 4-ship Puma formation to fly past at the station open day. Just before the display, one aircraft went u/s and there wasn't a spare so they borrowed one from the "other" squadron.

The 4-ship went as planned but as it broke left, away from the crowd, "Fly 230" in similar large white letters was revealed on the belly of the borrowed aircraft :ok: