UH-1 Falklands 1982

I remember something about the paperwork magically turning up in a dustbin in Port Stanley -is that right?

Tried to check this and found there were seven of these captured so no doubt the stories get confused.

It didn’t have the appropriate paperwork and was grounded before entering service.

I understood that it had been damaged in a heavy landing (?) at some time before its capture and this damage wasn’t discovered until after the repaint. Presumably the Argentines were so short of helicopters they overlooked this damage.

I always thought it was poetic justice the Falklands Islands government appropriating this helicopter after the former FIGAS aircraft (Beaver?) was destroyed during the conflict (ironically by the British). Not sure what FIGAS intended to do for a pilot (when British forces pilots were not available)?

Thinking about whether this helicopter was flown in these colours; I seem to remember it was resprayed aboard HMS Invincible. Surely it was at least flown-off afterwards?

Let Google be your friend…

http://www.helis.com/database/cn/13643/
http://dingopatagonico.deviantart.com/art/UH-1H-Huey-AE-424-307949504

more here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54961877@N08/5159201353
and here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34736908@N05/5419063339