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Operation Heliotrope - Hastings
Please can anyone tell me about the "Operation Heliotrope" flights by 230 OCU Hastings, unofficially 1066 Squadron, during the 1976 Cod War versus Iceland?
I understand up to twenty sorties were flown dropping supplies to RN ships at sea defending/protecting British trawlers in disputed waters off the Icelandic coast. I have established that Squadron Leader K.R. "Jacko" Jackson MBE, AFC flew 4 heliotrope sorties whilst squadron commander of "1066 squadron" at Scampton, and now know that TG517 flew 4 of the missions, though can not ascertain that these were the same four, or that TG517 was the Boss's ship back then. TG 517 has 4 dayglo fish on her nose as mission zaps, has anyone any record of these marks on other Hastings? Which other aircraft were involved, from where were the missions flown, all from Scampton? Has anyone ever written a book about these ops? Thanks in anticipation, for your time and trouble, Be lucky David |
They were recce missions to reduce the workload on the Nimrod fleet. Don't think any supply dropping was carried out.
More bizarrely back in 1973 Britannias were used for these missions! Details gleaned from:- Amazon.co.uk: royal navy cod war |
In an effort to conserve Nimrod flying hours, a small number of fishery protection sorties were also flown by Bristol Britannia transport aircraft from 20 July 1973. A total of 158 British Aerospace (BAe) Nimrod and 20 Handley Page Hastings sorties were flown in support of the Royal Navy between 24 November 1975 and 2 June 1976. Any former RAF Britannia or Hastings crews care to add to the brief notes found on the RAF museum website, please ? Thanks in anticipation, for your time and trouble, Be lucky David |
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