Latest Reports
HH-101A Caesar
- Category: Aircraft In Focus
On 23rd January 2014, the first Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) AW101 for Italy made it’s maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s factory in Yeovil, Somerset. Officially named the AgustaWestland HH-101A Caesar, the Italian Air Force has ordered 15 examples to replace the Sikorsky HH-3 Pelican for personnel recovery and special forces operations.
The first aircraft’s UK test registration is ZR352 and it’s sister aircraft shortly to begin test flying will wear ZR353. These first two are set for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Canberra PR9 XH134
- Category: Aircraft In Focus
On Monday 31st July 2006, Canberra PR.9’s XH134 and XH135 arrived at Kemble Airfield to their new owners and at exactly 11:58hrs, XH131 followed them into Kemble, making it the final flight of the type in RAF service. XH131 and XH135 were both initially purchased by Nigel Spurr who shortly after sold them to XH134’s owner, Mike Davis and were looked after by Delta Jets.
60 Years of SAR
- Category: Aircraft In Focus
2013 marks the 60th anniversary of Royal Navy Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) . Between January and March 2013 alone military Search and Rescue units attended 389 incidents, resulting in 433 callouts and 403 persons being moved which shows just how important SAR is to the United Kingdom. Rick Ingham Photography took a closer look at 771NAS and their life saving work...
.jpg)
Vickers VC10: End of an era
- Category: Aircraft In Focus
On the 25th September 2013, ZA147/F the last Vickers VC10, made it’s final landing at Bruntingthorpe bringing an end to the type’s 51 years and 3 months in the air.
Originally a ship manufacturer, Vickers eventually moved into aviation producing airships, then a French Monoplane design. But Vickers’s earnt it’s reputation firstly in World War 1 producing more than 4,500 airframes and afterwards converting a Vickers Vimy to cross the North Atlantic non-stop.
Op Herrick 19
- Category: Exercises
The 7th Armoured Brigade, otherwise known as ‘The Desert Rats’ have been taking part in their Final Training Exercise (FTX) on Salisbury Plain before their deployment to Hellmand Province in Afghanistan to take over the role of Task Force Helmand (TFH).
Finnish Hawks at RAF Valley
- Category: Exercises
On Monday 02nd September 2013 six BAe Hawk Mk51’s from the Finnish Air Force arrived at RAF Valley in Wales for a weeks exercise with 4 Sqn.
Armée de Terre at Middle Wallop
- Category: Exercises
As part of an ongoing development of interoperability between the UK and French armed forces, the Army Air Corps invited a contingent of French Helicopters to AAC Middle Wallop.
Exercise Pashtun Dawn 17
- Category: Exercises
Exercise Pashtun Dawn 17 took place between the 14th August and 3rd of September 2012 on Salisbury Plain.
The pre-deployment ex was to prepare 4th Mechanized Brigade for their deployment 'HERRICK 17' in October 2012 to replace 12th Mechanized Brigade on a six-month tour as the lead formation of Task Force Helmand.
Page 2 of 3