Identification of this Pilot - is it HRH Duke of York or not?
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Andy
Whether or not it is Prince Andrew in the SK pictures, we can safely say the SK pictures and the picture of Prince Andrew and his bearded companion in Stanley are not linked. In the SK pictures, the pilot is wearing camouflage clothing. Prince Andrew in Stanley is wearing a camouflage jacket but it is on top of a goon suit (survival suit).
I'm also doubtful that the Stanley companion is the pilot in the LHS of the Seaking. Yes he is bearded but lots were at that time. ASW Seakings had a crew of 4, so every possibility that he was an Observer or an Aircrewman. I think he's the Observer and I have a name in mind but let's see what any ex 820 crews have to say on the matter.
So back to your initial question - is it Prince Andrew in the Seaking? You'd better send a polite enquiry to Buckingham Palace!
Whether or not it is Prince Andrew in the SK pictures, we can safely say the SK pictures and the picture of Prince Andrew and his bearded companion in Stanley are not linked. In the SK pictures, the pilot is wearing camouflage clothing. Prince Andrew in Stanley is wearing a camouflage jacket but it is on top of a goon suit (survival suit).
I'm also doubtful that the Stanley companion is the pilot in the LHS of the Seaking. Yes he is bearded but lots were at that time. ASW Seakings had a crew of 4, so every possibility that he was an Observer or an Aircrewman. I think he's the Observer and I have a name in mind but let's see what any ex 820 crews have to say on the matter.
So back to your initial question - is it Prince Andrew in the Seaking? You'd better send a polite enquiry to Buckingham Palace!
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Sorry Ruffles but at that time the 820 SeaKings were always crewed by 2 pilots, especially one with HRH in the front RH seat.
I know this as a fact. I was there (and bearded!!)
I know this as a fact. I was there (and bearded!!)
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Flypro - very aware that it was 2 pilots. I'm just suggesting that the bearded person accompanying Prince Andrew in Stanley could be an Observer or Aircrewman. I'm not suggesting that the person in the LHS of the Seaking pictures is an Observer or Aircrewman i.e. they are not the same person in my opinion!
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the replies. Although it may or may not be HRH, and I believe the pilot has been identified as part of 825 (?), it is still an interesting activity to try and date the photo given the uncertainty of the airframe.
I have another question to ask HRH, about which exocet attack his comments were made about "laying on the floor with missiles flying around and doing a Rubik cube", so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. The missile reference is continually used by the "other side" as a confirmation of the attack of the 30th, when I think it's more likely to be from the 25th when Invincible fired 6 sea darts what is believed to be a chaff cloud.
Thanks once again. Absolutely fascinating.
Andy
I have another question to ask HRH, about which exocet attack his comments were made about "laying on the floor with missiles flying around and doing a Rubik cube", so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. The missile reference is continually used by the "other side" as a confirmation of the attack of the 30th, when I think it's more likely to be from the 25th when Invincible fired 6 sea darts what is believed to be a chaff cloud.
Thanks once again. Absolutely fascinating.
Andy
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Barnstormer,
Altam is correct regarding the Stanley photo.
Seaking 93,
820 airframes were young and very well maintained so to the best of my knowledge, 706 were not called on to provide airframes at any time.
Altam is correct regarding the Stanley photo.
Seaking 93,
820 airframes were young and very well maintained so to the best of my knowledge, 706 were not called on to provide airframes at any time.
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Flypro,
Spot on there, Sir. 820 had an exceptionally good AEO who made damn sure that all his aircraft were kept in optimum condition and delivered maximum availability. Backed up by an excellent CO.
Best Regards as ever to those who have actually done the job,
Engines
Spot on there, Sir. 820 had an exceptionally good AEO who made damn sure that all his aircraft were kept in optimum condition and delivered maximum availability. Backed up by an excellent CO.
Best Regards as ever to those who have actually done the job,
Engines
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SeaKing93 - the 825 NAS aircraft were predominantly 706 aircraft. It's just unfortunate that my logbook is registration numbers only not side numbers otherwise we could close this once and for all. I have a phot of the 8 a/c on deck on Causeway but can't see the side numbers so no help.
I have another question to ask HRH, about which exocet attack his comments were made about "laying on the floor with missiles flying around and doing a Rubik cube", so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. The missile reference is continually used by the "other side" as a confirmation of the attack of the 30th, when I think it's more likely to be from the 25th when Invincible fired 6 sea darts what is believed to be a chaff cloud.
In any case, the attack really took place. If the Exocet missed Invincible by 4 feet or 40 miles, is another thing.
Thread Starter
Clearly, he was talking about the May 30 engagement. He was flying on the 25th...
In any case, the attack really took place. If the Exocet missed Invincible by 4 feet or 40 miles, is another thing.
In any case, the attack really took place. If the Exocet missed Invincible by 4 feet or 40 miles, is another thing.
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This has turned into a very interesting thread which hopefully will be resolved at some point, I guess the only person that can shed some light onto the question will be the man himself, if it is him, what was he doing flying a HAS2 and when was it.
The known facts are that its a HAS2, it has the code 91 on the nose, the code is painted black so the photo was taken after March 1982, there is no record of a Sea King going south with the code 91, after post Falklands leave the squadron re-embarked and went west to the US, so why was HRH at the controls of a HAS2 and when?
Interesting indeed
The known facts are that its a HAS2, it has the code 91 on the nose, the code is painted black so the photo was taken after March 1982, there is no record of a Sea King going south with the code 91, after post Falklands leave the squadron re-embarked and went west to the US, so why was HRH at the controls of a HAS2 and when?
Interesting indeed
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My guess is that it is a 706 SQN OFT Flight cab embarked in either ENGADINE or HERMES either late 1982 or early 1983. After this, 706 OFT Flight resumed operating SK Mk5. I concur that the LHS pilot was John Skinner. In late 1982, only 706, 824 and 819 SQNs were operating Sea King Mk2.
I dont think that the photo was during the Falklands War as it was not a 825 A/c.
The other SQN in the War operating the Mk 2 was my flight 824 C Flight in FORT GRANGE and 824 A Flight in OLMEDA (I think). The side numbers of 824 cabs were 350 - 355. There were a number of spare Mk 2 aircraft available either late in the War or early after it as one of our Mk 2 aircraft that ditched in late June after an engine failure was replaced almost immediately. I dont think that any other unit used any of the spares before they went back to the UK.
I dont think that the photo was during the Falklands War as it was not a 825 A/c.
The other SQN in the War operating the Mk 2 was my flight 824 C Flight in FORT GRANGE and 824 A Flight in OLMEDA (I think). The side numbers of 824 cabs were 350 - 355. There were a number of spare Mk 2 aircraft available either late in the War or early after it as one of our Mk 2 aircraft that ditched in late June after an engine failure was replaced almost immediately. I dont think that any other unit used any of the spares before they went back to the UK.
Thread Starter
This has turned into a very interesting thread which hopefully will be resolved at some point, I guess the only person that can shed some light onto the question will be the man himself, if it is him, what was he doing flying a HAS2 and when was it.
Thread Starter
The other SQN in the War operating the Mk 2 was my flight 824 C Flight in FORT GRANGE
You wouldn't happen to be the guy from 824 C flight that took some excellent photos while on Fort Grange, would you, including a RAS alongside Invincible?