Could we do this now?
 

Just found this amazing video.



I know the army still has an 'Air assault' Brigade, but for the life of me I can't see anything 'Air' on google; Just masses of pictures of paras out in Iraqistan. Is it just another paper tiger or do we genuinely have enough wobbly lift to put a sizeable force into action?

I think we can just about afford the musical accompaniment these days.

That was probably the equivalent of "A" Flt in a typical Soviet Squadron. ;)

I hated big helicopter formations and in a battle situation would want to fly no further back than number 2.

#1 flies over, enemy says "Wassat?" :confused:
#2 flies over, enemy cocks weapon. :suspect:
#3 gets it. :E

While I was on MAOTs, I saw a similar thing on an exercise. For the life of me I can't remember if it was New Zealand Farm or Otterburn, but the AAC turned up en masse, 20-30 cabs, line abreast like the video. Quite impressive.

But (and I am saying this as a soldier), it would have been more impressive if the RAF had done the same thing with Wokkas and Pumas!

The "massed crash" was always a miracle of coordination (to get that many airframes in the same spot), engineering (to get them all "s" on the day) and willpower (not to flinch when you saw your wingmate drifting towards you). As taydual says, probably couldn't afford the music now.

PS. My God all those cars look really dated considering it was only "96! It was either the only hot day of summer or someone has stolen that guy's shirt...

The Massed Approach/Crash/Airmiss used to be the finale to the Wallop Airshow. I did 3 or 4. If that's 1996, I'm in one of the wheeled Lynx. Experienced it once from the crowd line and it's very impressive(and noisy considering the Lynx and Gazelle must be two of the noisiest helicopters ever built) as they get close and closer.

We once topped the hundred mark with a bit of help from a couple of Pumas and a Chinook.

Impressive numbers - think I was at that show. However, a load of Gaz/Lx were never going to conduct Air Assault; gainfully employed as screen and scout for the assault force, and perhaps some C2 and 'liaison' work (ie acting as a Colonel's taxi...).

Today? SH is about the only growth industry save ISTAR; 60 Chinooks, 20 plus Merlin and Puma provides 16 AAB with more lift than in '96'. Don't forget that 16AAB are part of JHC, alongside the LIFT assets, the RAF SH Force and RN CHF.

Shy torque, I know what you mean. We entered Kosovo as a 14 ship plus escort (8 Chinooks, 6 Pumas plus US AH64) - however, the day before we briefed and crewed-in to assault Pristina airfield (against the Russians) in daylight as an 8 ship in line astern. I was flying #7 and feeling distinctly unhappy....luckily Gen Jackson pulled the plug (or was it Capt Blount....?).

Of course, if you've got air and ground superiority (you have, haven't you?), you don't need to put down an assault force. BTW, where did the Skeeter come from?

The Skeeter didn't come far, it was from the Army Historic Flight at Middle Wallop.In fact its still there, only grounded (as are all Skeeters) after the authorities panicked and grounded all of them when no one could find any supporting drawings or stress calcs for the wooden rotors and the rest of the dynamic bits.

When 9 Regiment AAC reformed in 92 at Dishforth, we inserted the entire Regiment onto the pan by Lynx 9. I think we only had 6 serviceable, but we only had to pick the troops up from behind the hangars.

Being involved entirely as a spectator, the massed approach was one of my most memorable aviation moments. The first time I saw it (1991, I think), the aircraft rose up from behind the horizon in front of the crowd one by one, working out from the centre towards both ends of the line. Naturally your eyes will follow the line one way, and when the last helicopter in line rises up, you suddenly realise that the same thing was happening at the other end. Spectacular.

The flypast at the start of Culdrose air day used to be impressive as well. I'm sure that there used to be two diamond nine formations of Gazelles as well as one of Sea Kings back in the 1990s.

I was there that year as well was damm impressive just popped from behind any tree it seemed

"finale" ??
 

It was never the "Finale" it was always the opening scene in my days!!

In the 80s one would regularly experience a score or so of helicopters milling about the grass at a West German SH base.