Chinhook Bravo November
Chinook Pilots ....
Some of the "A" model Chinooks I flew starting in 1968 are now living a new life as "F" models....and looking good! Shame the Mob cannot find a way to do the same for the pilots that flew them into combat in the 60's!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rompers Green
Age: 69
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Hilife
Not Quite. The first three Chinook Chinook lifts were all done onto MV Leicesterbrook which was quite a small container ship. There wasn’t much clearance to work with at all. We also lifted a Sea King, a Harrier that wrapped itself up in the tin strip at Port San Carlos, all the Pucaras from Stanley airfield and a Phantom. The Sea King was taken to PSC and was flying a few days later. The Harrier was taken to an RFA (Fort George IIRC). The Toome had its engines removed but was still kin heavy. We put it onto Leicesterbrook which was very interesting. No hydraulics no brakes and because of the downwash no one on deck wanted to chock it. Very nearly a wet Toome. Ho Hum! Some of the Pucaras went onto Atlantic Causeway (Conveyer’s sister ship) and some onto Contender Bizant.
Astronomer sailed down to the Falklands with three Chinooks as well as about 6 Wessex and 3 Scouts and a big fuel bowser all in the two hangars built out of containers on the forward deck. Big Ship!
Not Quite. The first three Chinook Chinook lifts were all done onto MV Leicesterbrook which was quite a small container ship. There wasn’t much clearance to work with at all. We also lifted a Sea King, a Harrier that wrapped itself up in the tin strip at Port San Carlos, all the Pucaras from Stanley airfield and a Phantom. The Sea King was taken to PSC and was flying a few days later. The Harrier was taken to an RFA (Fort George IIRC). The Toome had its engines removed but was still kin heavy. We put it onto Leicesterbrook which was very interesting. No hydraulics no brakes and because of the downwash no one on deck wanted to chock it. Very nearly a wet Toome. Ho Hum! Some of the Pucaras went onto Atlantic Causeway (Conveyer’s sister ship) and some onto Contender Bizant.
Astronomer sailed down to the Falklands with three Chinooks as well as about 6 Wessex and 3 Scouts and a big fuel bowser all in the two hangars built out of containers on the forward deck. Big Ship!
"BN" returned from the Gulf a couple of months ago, and is currently undergoing deep maintenance - she'll be back with us for our next jaunt early next year - and yes, she still has the plaque commemorating CORPORATE. Two DFC's on the same cab 21 years apart. Respect!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: east of england
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Navaleye,
You might be interested to know that the original co-pilots door now resides in the Falkland Island Museum, having washed up on a beach in 1991 and was handed into 78 Sqn by a local. Caused quite some consternation until we realised where it was from.
As to the brass plaque. We were told to take it off. And we said we had done so; but it was still on the old bird when I left the Sqn in 2000. Some orders have to be dis-obeyed!!
You might be interested to know that the original co-pilots door now resides in the Falkland Island Museum, having washed up on a beach in 1991 and was handed into 78 Sqn by a local. Caused quite some consternation until we realised where it was from.
As to the brass plaque. We were told to take it off. And we said we had done so; but it was still on the old bird when I left the Sqn in 2000. Some orders have to be dis-obeyed!!
