The wendy housing was not originally painted black but may as well have been due to the soot. By 1980 they had a black panel on them which itself tended to get blurred edges due to more soot. If you are looking at this for modelling purposes, then not only were PIPS absent, but the forward portion of the engine cover was tapered down and the metal rotor blades are narrower then the GRP ones. In 1971, no hockey stick (tail rotor skid) was fitted.
http://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition...9/TN9038-6.jpg
1979??

It is sort of modelling related, both types of blades are available for this , the first , a 2009 230 cab should be available around June. This is related to a future release, when I don't know but it should be an early operational scheme, going by the pic of the Scout lift the tail skid was fitted about this time.

The first batch of Pumas did not have a tail skid. None of the OCU; XW 197-203; or 33 Sqn; XW 204-216. 230 Sqn continued with XW217 onwards. Around Trembling Two they were attached to the aircraft coming out of Westlands and a couple were isued to Odiham. "They are never going to be retrofitted" was the official line; until 219(?) had a tailstrike in Stanton PTA and was heavily rearranged.

Three weeks later ALL the Pumas had skids on.

Lifting – Not!
 

Why tail-skids are occasionally necessary – though on this occasion it didn't quite make contact with the tarmac as XW231 attempted to depart up the tube from spot 5. This was the only shot I took as 231's nose rose ever-higher –

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

before -

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

what I presume was full forward cyclic saved the day – no, it wasn't the Farmer and I'll not give the date or names. Potentially embarrassing.

After a couple of minutes rearranging what must have been fairly heavy boxes –

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

that day's ARB supplies finally got airborne. What advice would the Captain have given the Loadmaster?

Lay off the soda farls and Guinness?? :ok:

Thanks helidoris, would love any pictures from that era if you could post them or email them it would be great.

BTW revel are rereleasing the 1/32 poly intaked SA330 this year in German
Police markings.


OCU Puma circa 77 flood relief Wells next to the sea

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...rtspitches.jpg


OCU at Odious


http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f.../CWxw202-1.jpg

Yes, I'm almost 100% sure that particular photo was taken in Rhodesia, 1979, during Op Agila ("ceasefire" monitoring ops).

"Never listen to my crap advice about Puma loading again as long as you live, crewman".

"Roger Shy". (Kiddin' Shy)

Shytorque..............
 

The 'posed' photo (note u/c was up) over Victoria Falls was 33 Sqn XW204 and was taken in 1981(I think) when the Sqn went out to Rhodesia for the Ceasefire Monitoring Force. :cool:
We did a similar pose a couple of days later. Hovering in the spray gave one a hollow stomach I can tell you!! :yuk:
By the way, does anyone know what the Ceasefire Monitoring Force medal is worth these days? :)

I remember going to collect my body armour pre sortie only to find that Gimlet had signed out every set to layer the floor of the Puma as he was due to deliver some USL's to a site of dubious renown!

Dundiggin',

No, yer older than you think and yer memory's gone! The photo was taken late 1979 (or it might have been very early 1980). About six weeks after I joined the "other" squadron; I was in morning brief when Brian Wright announced the Op Agila deployment to us. :ok:

XMG '78
 

Ex Royal Engineer here, don't worry, I've got better! ....my last tour to the province was in 1978 and I recall being flown from I think Bessbrook Mill to XMG and when we arrived we were unceremoniously 'dumped' in the middle of the Gaelic Football pitch at the back of the RUC station. The only problem was that there was a match taking place at that time!!! It really didn't go down too well with the locals especially as we were about to change our attachment from the Green Jackets to 2 Para....which was their first tour since Bloody Sunday.

Quick question...... How many times did you guys catch a Wessex tail wheel on the fence at Dungannon RUC station. From what I saw you came mighty close many times :)

Could anyone tell me what Puma's were in N ireland 79, 80, 81?

Not the fence at Dungannon, but dragged one through the wire at G10, with the speed with which the bolt croppers were produced I don't think it was the first time!

There were two or three tailwheel dings on the fence at Dungannon in my time there in the early 90s. Someone had painted an arrow on the fence pointing to the best one and annotated it "OC A flight". :E

(And no, I didn't fly tailwheelers, so none were mine).

Fence Dings
 

Two, to be precise.
To my knowledge he was originally 72 Sqn STANO when the fence hit occurred, then OC'C', and here be he - as 2IC

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

Sqn Ldr 'Stormy' P*** M****n at Y453 on 29th March 1996, climbing down from the l.h. seat of XV721'H' while an anonymous TSW Refueller tops up Heavylift's tanks, Flt Sgt D*** McC*****e fits the intake cover and Flt Lt D***** S******d watches the fuel gauges. North spot, Killymeal, Dungannon.

The proof? As promotion progressed , the fence was updated, with B**** F*****n's advancement also recorded on 26th November 1996, thus -

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

In an earlier view, taken on 31st August 1994, XR528'T' arrives on the north spot with the fence graffiti in original condition.

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...mousPhotog.jpg

The gap at the 'OC 72' hit was caused by that section being cut out, apparently by POD, mounted on a plinth and presented to Mr F*****n on his departure from the squadron. BTW, Killymeal (453) was UDR/RIR – the RUC base was across the town on Castle Hill (Y452). Though it too had a helipad inside the fence, I assume Killymeal is what's being discussed by Aud and Shy.

And of course, this photo shows the exact location of the "I'm hit"! event........

lsh
:E

Ish...explain?

A Story?