Just been listening to the radio 2 programme about John Lennon's last day.

Bear with me, but on the morning of 9th Dec 1980 I was awoken by that lovely batlady Mrs S with a cup of tea. May have had a pint or two too many pints of Smithwicks the night before, but I was totally confused by her telling me in her broad Belfast accent that 'That poor Mr Lenin' s been shot'.

'He's been dead since 1924' I replied to her utter confusion.

Some time after breakfast the truth dawned.

Same day my wife called from Somerset wondering why someone bad sent her flowers.

It was our first wedding anniversary. She had forgotten.

Sometimes you wonder if it's you that's lost the plot, or the rest of the world.

Arkroyal - reminds me of an OC Ops at Wyton, presented on waking with an envelope obviously containing a card - "Lovely, Dear, but it's not my birthday".


"No" responded Mrs OC Ops, "Bur it is your adjectival wedding anniversary!"

Bessbrook painting
 

Edward,
You were asking about photos of Besbrook: I came across a rather nice painting showing a Wessex and Gazelle on the pan. The painting is by David Rowlands and looks to be dated March 89. It's in a collection of paintings in the Westland centenary book. (the Art of flight) I am told the book can be bought via the big river with all proceeds to charity. £10 well spent. A few pages on there is a painting of a Gazelle over the Harland and Wolf cranes. Never knew Gazelle carried Nitesun although we did a few funny fits in the 80s. Those with a bent for aviation art or history may be interested.

The 'Mill' in the early noughties:
http://home.btconnect.com/aeroartist/A2puma.jpg

May be of interest

Report - - Killymeal House Army Barracks, Dungannon, Northern Ireland (April 2015) | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Anybody got pics of the Swift today would be interesting.
Many a good night Nutty.

RWY 72
 

What's the story behind the RWY 72 markings?

zic

The mighty No 72 (Basutoland!) Squadron of the RAF flew Wessex helicopters (twin turbine S-58s - ish) in the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland from 1969 'til the "Noughties", almost certainly the longest continuous operational service by any RAF Sqn, ever.

Dungannon was one of several FOBs that were their/our "second home when we are in NI" to quote the song..........

Sic transit gloria mundi...... Ozymandias comes to mind ....... :(

I wish I'd taken a photo of the top of the fence at Dungannon, where two chunks were missing. Both gaps had been appended with the names of the guilty pilots who had dragged their tail wheel through, rather than over.

Teeters, wasn't 72 also the largest squadron the RAF ever had? During my time on attachment it must have been at least twice as large as the other squadrons I had ever known about.

Luckily, it is not possible to write on a hedge.
If it was there would be one with my name on it.
It was put down to "Operating Hazard" - Thanks Boss!

lsh
:E

One advantage of flying a type with no tailwheel! :p

But I did once land at a hotel and after the pax had departed noticed the tail rotor was in a bush!

Shy
It was indeed - when Santini was boss - before the pussycat sqn arrived - they had 3 types - Wessi, Pume and Chinny - all on the same Sqn.

I think there's a picture somewhere earlier in this thread (being a sad bloke with nothing better to do on Boxing Day, I might look for it!)

I seem to remember them having more Wessex than the alphabet had letters.

There were 25 Wessex on strength 90-92 Foxtrot was an ex SAR cab that was being updated with a jammer Cougar etc. at the time Bravo had an incident at Bishops Court.
Normally 4 at Benson on minor/major.

I was thinking mid 70's to 80's

Yes I was thinking earlier it may have been different old drivers may remember a different situation.
Best
Jon

Of course TTH, if you've nothing better to do on Boxing Day, you could always start writing an account of RAF SH in the Troubles. A period of RAF history which seems to have missed out on its share of publicity.

Old Duffer

O-D,
Indeed, though perhaps HMSO could commission a second volume of Dowling's book which, IIRC, ends with the Puma entering service.

That would cover Banner, Corporate, Granby and the early bit of FRY.

... A period of RAF history which seems to have missed out on its share of publicity.

It certainly was - the term "Army helicopter" was always used in the media, even when the helicopter parked in the immediate background had the words "Royal Air Force" emblazoned on it. Seems that successive governments found it terribly embarrassing that the RAF was involved in a terrorist war on its own soil.

Swift!
 

Sadly demolished and is now parking spaces!