[ad_1]
Back in 1971, the first RAF Puma helicopters joined the service and they have been an integral part of many missions since. A medium-lift support helicopter, the Puma has been used in several humanitarian and combat operations around the world.
Over the last few decades, the Puma has flown to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mozambique and the Caribbean.
The Puma has also assisted with flood relief efforts, providing helicopter lift capability.
Most recently, the Puma played an integral role in the UK’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pumas were deployed last year to help transport equipment and personnel to northern England and Scotland during the early period of lockdown.
READ MORE: EU shot itself in the foot! Bloc tried and failed to steal UK business
To commemorate 50 years of service, Puma HC Mk2 XW224 has been given a brand new paint scheme and it took its maiden flight with the new colour scheme earlier this month.
The tail fin of the model is emblazoned with the union flag, while the standard Royal Air Force logo on the cabin door has been replaced with a bespoke Puma 50 logo.
To mark the impressive milestone, a formation of up to 10 aircraft will leave RAF Benson on Wednesday morning for a special commemorative flypast.
RAF Benson said on Facebook: “Tomorrow (7 July) a formation of Puma helicopters from RAF Benson will mark 50 years of Royal Air Force service with a national flypast.
“The first Puma helicopters were delivered into service in 1971. A formation of up to 10 Puma helicopters will depart RAF Benson tomorrow morning as part of a training sortie that will include flypasts of notable locations for the Puma Force over the past 50 years.
“This includes sites that hold historical significance for the Puma Force as well as those that provide support to delivering current Puma operational capability.”
RAF Benson also shared a map of the planned fly past, but they said the aircraft would be “unable to fly over everywhere”.
The airforce base also said the maps “provide an illustrative example of some of the locations that will be visited” during the flypast, along with “approximate timings”, but these could be subject to change at short notice.
People are being urged to share their images of the flypast under the hashtag #Puma50 and to watch the flypast safely “in accordance with all regulations”.
DON’T MISS:
Face masks not gone yet! Majority will STILL wear coverings [INSIGHT]
GB News Colin Brazier claims face masks ‘could be worse than Brexit’ [VIDEO]
UK records highest Covid daily death count since April [ANALYSIS]
Where will the RAF flypast take place?
The flypast on Wednesday will consist of three legs, with the first leg being a visit to RAF Scampton.
The helicopters will then travel to Middle Wallop before returning to RAF Benson.
According to the Military Airshows website, the schedule for Wednesday’s flypast is as follows:
First leg
BENSON AD – 10.00am
HALTON – 10.20am
TRING – 10.21am
WALTERS ASH – 10.26am
NORTHOLT AD – 10.35am
HENDON – 10.40am
DUXFORD AD – 10.58am
WYTON – 11.08am
CONINGTON AD – 11.12am
WITTERING AD – 11.19am
BARKSTON HEATH AD – 11.30am
CRANWELL AD – 11.33am
WADDINGTON AD – 11.45am
SCAMPTON AD – 11.49am
Second leg
SCAMPTON AD – 1.30pm
ALREWAS – 2.03pm
STAFFORD – 2.11pm
STONE – 2.13pm
SHAWBURY AD – 2.24pm
SHOBDON AD – 2.43pm
CREDENHILL – 2.48pm
CHEPSTOW – 3.04pm
WARMINSTER – 3.21pm
KNOOK – 3.22pm
BOSCOMBE DOWN AD – 3.30pm
MIDDLE WALLOP AD – 3.34pm
Third leg
MIDDLE WALLOP – 5.00pm
ANDOVER – 5.03pm
ODIHAM AD – 5.15pm
ODIHAM AD – 5.35pm
BASINGSTOKE – 5.38pm
BRAMLEY – 5.40pm
BLACKBUSHE AD – 5.46pm
CAMBERLEY – 5.57pm
FRIMLEY – 5.59pm
FARNBOROUGH AD – 6.01pm
ODIHAM AD – 6.05pm
ODIHAM AD – 6.15pm
HENLEY – 6.25pm
BENSON AD – 6.31pm
[ad_2]
