Westland Puma HC1 Active service Utility RAF Helicopter. GAV 2134-183
Originally a French product which saw its maiden flight in 1965 the Puma was subsequently adopted as part of a joint Franco British programme with production shared by the two countries. SA 330E Version produced by Westland Helicopters for the RAF under the designation Puma HC Mk. 1. Westland Puma HC Mk 1 This is the SA 330E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF and first flown on 25 November 1970. This is basically similar to the SA 330B used by France. The RAF placed an initial order for 40 Pumas in 1967, with a further eight attrition replacement aircraft in 1979. 30 of these are planned to be upgraded to Puma HC Mk 2 standard, with new Turbomeca Makila engines, revised cockpit displays and new communications, navigation and defensive systems. The first two Pumas for the Royal Air Force were delivered in January 1971 to RAF Odiham for training with the first operational squadron (33 Squadron) forming on 14 June 1971. Royal Air Force – The RAF ordered 48 Puma HC Mk 1 and in addition received a single ex-Argentine SA 330J Used by Prefectura Naval Argentina captured in the Falklands War, and six ex-South African SA 330L purchased in 2002. No. 33 Squadron RAF No. 230 Squadron RAF No. 1563 Flight RAF
Size: 4013px × 6098px
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. Grampian Region. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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