Formed initially in 1980, and in its current guise since March 1990, the Army Historic Aircraft Flight (AHAF) maintain one example of each aircraft operated since the Army Air Corps (AAC) inception in 1957, in order to preserve the AAC’s aviation heritage.
Auster AOP Mk.9 - XR244 - (G-CICR):-
The Auster Mk9 started to replace the Auster Mk6 in 1956 and continued in service for a further ten years during which time the AOP Squadrons helped form the Army Air Corps (AAC). XR244 was built at Rearsby in 1961. She remained at Middle Wallop for all of her operational life in the training role.
In her final years she was used to train pilots for Forward Air Controlling and other flying training in readiness for the introduction of the Beaver. XR244 transferred to the AHAF on 11 September 1981.
The first operational Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadron, 651 (AOP) Sqn formed on 1 August 1941 and was initially equipped with the original Taylorcraft/Auster Mk1. These were soon replaced by the Auster Mk3 which had much improved rear vision and performance. In 1944-45 the Mk3 was replaced by the Mk4 and Mk5, both of which were fitted with an American Lycoming engine. After the WW2 most AOP Squadrons were disbanded and those left were re-equipped with Mk6s as the main AOP aircraft and Mk7s for training.
The Auster Mk9 started to replace the Mk6 in 1956 and served for another ten years during which time the AOP Squadrons were absorbed into the Army Air Corps.
De Havilland Beaver AL Mk.1 - XP820 -(G-CICP)
The Beaver XP820 was issued to the AAC in October 1961 and shipped to the Far East for 11 Flight, 656 Light Aircraft Squadron. She was transferred to 30 Flight Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) at Seletar, Singapore and remained until June 1967. XP820 was then sent back to the UK and joined 132 Flight Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) at Old Sarum.
The unit became 132 Aviation Flight in January 1970 and moved to Netheravon in September 1970. 132 Aviation Flight disbanded in January 1974 and XP820 moved across to 6 Flight AAC where she was used in the VIP transport role. She finished her active service at the AAC Centre, Middle Wallop before being transferred to the Army Historic Aircraft Flight in May 1989.
The Canadian built de Havilland Beaver AL Mk1 entered service in 1961 to undertake the medium range requirement for communications flying. A former Director of Operations during the Borneo campaign stated that the Beaver was one of the best investments the British Army ever made because of its reliability and cost effectiveness. This statement was borne out when the type became the Army's primary surveillance platform in Northern Ireland and helped avert many terrorist initiatives.
Agusta Bell Sioux AH Mk.1 - XT131 (G-CICN)
The Agusta Bell Sioux AH Mk1 , was one of the first fifty ordered by the AAC and built by Agusta SpA at Gallerate in Italy in 1964.
These were ordered as stop-gaps for the Westland-built Sioux which started production in the Spring of 1965. The aircraft was arrived with the AAC at Middle Wallop on 3 July 1964 and for the duration of her service was used there for flying training and engineering familiarisation. XT131 was transferred to the Development and Trials Flight on 18 November 1977 until being subsumed into the AHAF on 11 September 1980.
Westland Scout AH Mk.1 - XT626 -(G-CIBW)
XT626 served from 1963 until the late 1980s, seeing out service with the Territorial Army at Netheravon. She joined the Army Historic Aircraft Flight on 30 March 1994.
The Westland Scout, developed from the Saunders-Roe (Saro) P531, was one of the few exclusively British designed helicopters built in quantity. First flight was on 20 July 1958, with a Blackburn Turmo 603 engine. The British Army was wanted it as a light battlefield helicopter and the first pre-production and development variant flew in 1960. A month later the British Army placed an initial contract for the Scout AH Mk1, which differed from earlier models only in having powered controls.
The first Scout AH Mk1 flew in March 1961. It began to enter service early in 1963 as a replacement for the Saunders-Roe Skeeter. 160 Scout AH Mk1 helicopters were built and since 1963 have been standard multi-role tactical aircraft with skid landing gear, a five/six-seat cabin and the Nimbus 101 or 102 turboshaft engine. External loads included two litters in side mounted pods and the SS-11 wire-guided anti-tank missile.
The Scout worked in close-support, liaison, light freight, medivac, communication, reconnaissance, search and rescue and training roles.
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