Flypasts over part of Wiltshire and Hampshire mark anniversary
The Puma helicopter is marking 50 years of service with the RAF
Last updated 7th Jul 2021
A formation of Puma helicopters will mark 50 years of Royal Air Force service with a flypast over various locations in west Hampshire and south Wiltshire today (7th July).
The special flypast will include AAC Middle Wallop near Andover, Salisbury Plain, and Boscombe Down near Amesbury.
The flypast will start and finish at the Puma base at RAF Benson, north of Reading.
Timings:
RAF Benson (start) 1000
Salisbury Plain 1521
Boscombe Down 1530
Middle Wallop 1534/1700
Andover (Joint Helicopter Command HQ) 1703
Odiham 1715/1735
Sandhurst 1800
Farnborough 1801
RAF Benson (finish) 1831
Route Details
On 29 January 1971, the first Royal Air Force Puma helicopters were delivered into service.
One of the helicopter's taking part in the commemorative flypast is Puma HC Mk2 XW224 which has been given a unique new paint scheme.
The aircraft scheme is similar to that which the first Puma HC Mk 1 aircraft were painted when they were delivered in 1971.
What is a Puma?
The Puma, a medium-lift support helicopter, has flown on combat and humanitarian operations around the world over the last five decades, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mozambique and the Caribbean.
The helicopters have also supported Defence in the UK such as providing helicopter lift capability to flood relief efforts and the coronavirus pandemic. In early 2020, the Pumas deployed at short notice to Kinloss Barracks to provide vital transport for personnel and equipment in Scotland and Northern England in the early stages of the pandemic, as well as remaining on standby 24/7 to support any task required in the UK.
RAF Benson
RAF Benson is home to two front-line Puma HC2 helicopter squadrons and one Operational Conversion Unit, flying a mix of Puma HC2 and Chinook HC4 helicopters.
It is also home to the Operational Evaluation Unit of the Joint Helicopter Command.