SHFNI Stories!
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I believe that Flip-Flop had a rear-view mirror mounted on an extendable aerial for the purpose of monitoring his Crewman. He also had boot laces that you could tie together 
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Thud and Blunder
Many, many funny stories about Chox. He was normally the crewman of choice for Scotty and Jan when they were going off to Scotland to be naughty.
He also used to party with the Techies which endeared him to all. As I wrote it would be interesting to learn what became of him....
Many, many funny stories about Chox. He was normally the crewman of choice for Scotty and Jan when they were going off to Scotland to be naughty.
He also used to party with the Techies which endeared him to all. As I wrote it would be interesting to learn what became of him....
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First 72 Encounter
Another (any) excuse to resurrect the SHFNI thread.
Mid-afternoon, Saturday 5th November 1988 as Flt Lts N**l S******t, Paul S****e and Sgt B****r H****s bring XR517'N' in to a remote Co Tyrone field to extract a search patrol. Identical winter sunlight here today as I type this, 23 years and many memories later.
Mid-afternoon, Saturday 5th November 1988 as Flt Lts N**l S******t, Paul S****e and Sgt B****r H****s bring XR517'N' in to a remote Co Tyrone field to extract a search patrol. Identical winter sunlight here today as I type this, 23 years and many memories later.
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The same month that the afore mentioned P1 had his infamous cup of coffee over the centre console incident! This was just one incident in a litany that caused the boss to give us a stand up bollocking and warned the next crew who crossed the border due to navigational errors would be court marshalled - yes it was he who did it!
A fact that was pointed out by his later to be Harrier pilot crewman, once he was a good km into the RoI.
A fact that was pointed out by his later to be Harrier pilot crewman, once he was a good km into the RoI.
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A great thread which brings back some good memories - of border violations, bollockings, the good fun of rattling around for 7 hours a day in S Armagh and the ever-present threat of being "windowed" by big Scottie.
I remember the cover of the Auth' Sheet book was appropriately entitled "Support Helicopter Force, Northern Ireland" and below these words some wag had written " - and may the Force be with you."
I saw that the day I arrived in 1982, and it was still there in 1984 when I left.
I remember the cover of the Auth' Sheet book was appropriately entitled "Support Helicopter Force, Northern Ireland" and below these words some wag had written " - and may the Force be with you."
I saw that the day I arrived in 1982, and it was still there in 1984 when I left.
I was flying AEF cadets at Aldergrove this summer and XR 529 was outside the old SHQ ( I last flew it in 1979 on 18 Sqn).
After 30yrs the place had changed alot. There was only one part of the old SECO hut 72 Sqn Ops area left - the Officers' Mess had changed a great deal - no porta cabins round the back - bar extended - lots of new permanent rooms so the only bit I really recognised was the facade and front door.
The weather was still the same though!!
HF
After 30yrs the place had changed alot. There was only one part of the old SECO hut 72 Sqn Ops area left - the Officers' Mess had changed a great deal - no porta cabins round the back - bar extended - lots of new permanent rooms so the only bit I really recognised was the facade and front door.
The weather was still the same though!!
HF
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Aldergrove Gate Guardian
And three shots of 'E' during her working life. All at Killymeal,
the first one, taken on 20th April 1994, has XR529 on the centre spot with patrols from 1Bn Royal Anglian Regiment. Crew details anyone??
Here, D**e G*******s, D****r B***h and K***y McL******n have just lit the fires and prepare to lift from the AM2 pad outside the Buzzard Cell; 18th January 1995.
And finally
14th October 1996 was the last time I recorded 'E', again on the AM2, fresh from shops and a credit to 72's engineers and groundcrew. I believe it suffered a double flame-out in a snowstorm going into one of the Greens, possibly Newtownbutler, later that year, (anyone know the details?) Chinooked back to Aldergrove, found to be beyond economic repair – transmission/gearbox damage as well – and being hangared on 'C' Site ensured a 72 Wessex remained for eventual Gate Guardian service when the other ten departed in March 2002.
the first one, taken on 20th April 1994, has XR529 on the centre spot with patrols from 1Bn Royal Anglian Regiment. Crew details anyone??
Here, D**e G*******s, D****r B***h and K***y McL******n have just lit the fires and prepare to lift from the AM2 pad outside the Buzzard Cell; 18th January 1995.
And finally
14th October 1996 was the last time I recorded 'E', again on the AM2, fresh from shops and a credit to 72's engineers and groundcrew. I believe it suffered a double flame-out in a snowstorm going into one of the Greens, possibly Newtownbutler, later that year, (anyone know the details?) Chinooked back to Aldergrove, found to be beyond economic repair – transmission/gearbox damage as well – and being hangared on 'C' Site ensured a 72 Wessex remained for eventual Gate Guardian service when the other ten departed in March 2002.
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Artwork on the Hangar roof.
As one of the artists , I just wonder how many people on this here thread remember seeing it? I do recall part of my rocket form the SENGO was that people on the Belfast shuttle could see it in certain wind conditions! I do remember when I flew back there on a wokka in 88 for the Gibraltar funerals that they had all gone....
It's the angle, there was a sloping tarmac bit from the edge of the concrete down to the base of the fence. It makes it look a lot tighter than it was...although there was a tailwheel shaped dent in the top of the fence!
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As Floppy Link says, its the angle.
When the TFC fuel tanks were removed and replaced by the metal tanks with hydrant piping it was all fitted along the back edge behind XR529's tail, with a line of Armco to prevent squaddies jumping out at night from falling down the (fairly substantial) slope, and there was still plenty of space.
Dungannon later became one of the least popular dets for TSW as, because of the catholic school right next door, restrictions on a/c movements were tightened up and thus it became a very slow, visitor free site.
When the TFC fuel tanks were removed and replaced by the metal tanks with hydrant piping it was all fitted along the back edge behind XR529's tail, with a line of Armco to prevent squaddies jumping out at night from falling down the (fairly substantial) slope, and there was still plenty of space.
Dungannon later became one of the least popular dets for TSW as, because of the catholic school right next door, restrictions on a/c movements were tightened up and thus it became a very slow, visitor free site.
Photo taken from the other direction showing the slope down to the fence on the left. Gus and TSW doing the refuelling. This was in the days before the individual concrete pads were changed into the mega-pad, around 1991 I think.
A few more, apologies for the poor scan quality...
Yo Vanilla! "Vanilla Ice" checking the head at Y453
The line at V813
Hueymeister's aircraft gets a lift back to the DA2...
Normally if you let a crewman near your camera you'd get pictures of arses. This was a pleasant surprise from P**l C****e!
Northbound to Y453 from Newtonbutler, Gazelle sandwich!
Yo Vanilla! "Vanilla Ice" checking the head at Y453
The line at V813
Hueymeister's aircraft gets a lift back to the DA2...
Normally if you let a crewman near your camera you'd get pictures of arses. This was a pleasant surprise from P**l C****e!
Northbound to Y453 from Newtonbutler, Gazelle sandwich!
sad question, but does anyone know why the winner of the colour-scheme trials on the Wessex fleet (the two-tone green wiggly one) didn't get rolled out on to the rest of the RAF SH fleets?
seems rather bizaare to hold a trial, pick a winner and then confine the result to one a type, even though there were two other types doing the same job, in the same location, at the same time?
seems rather bizaare to hold a trial, pick a winner and then confine the result to one a type, even though there were two other types doing the same job, in the same location, at the same time?
Avoid imitations
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The Wessex needed better camouflage because they were so slow.
But surely there were only "Army helicopters" in NI. I heard and read it many times, on the news and in the papers, so it must be true.
But surely there were only "Army helicopters" in NI. I heard and read it many times, on the news and in the papers, so it must be true.
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Green & Grey
The Wessex needed better camouflage because they were so slow.
as in this October 1992 view of XR498'X' on the 'old' concrete south spot – taken from beyond where Floppy-Link's cab was parked in # 475. Replen facilities look fairly basic at that time, (were the fuel bladders Chinooked in?) but at least TSW were there.
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sad question, but does anyone know why the winner of the colour-scheme trials on the Wessex fleet (the two-tone green wiggly one) didn't get rolled out on to the rest of the RAF SH fleets?