Please can anyone tell me about the “Operation Heliotrope” flights by 230 OCU Hastings, unofficially 1066 Squadron, during the 1976 Cod War versus Iceland ?
I understand up to twenty sorties were flown dropping supplies to RN ships at sea defending/protecting British trawlers in disputed waters off the Icelandic coast.
Which aircraft were involved, from where were the missions flown, has anyone ever written a book about these ops.
Thanks in anticipation,
Be lucky
David
By: AvgasDinosaur - 6th July 2009 at 23:18
A total of 158 British Aerospace (BAe) Nimrod and 20 Handley Page Hastings sorties were flown in support of the Royal Navy between 24 November 1975 and 2 June 1976.
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1976.cfm
Equally interesting is the earlier use of Maritime Patrol Britannias
In an effort to conserve Nimrod flying hours, a small number of fishery protection sorties were also flown by Bristol Britannia transport aircraft from 20 July 1973.
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1973.cfm
Any former Brit or Hastings crew out there wish to cast some light ?
Thanks in anticipation, for your time and trouble,
Be lucky
David
By: TwinOtter23 - 26th June 2009 at 21:51
Hi David,
I helped Tim do some of the background research for the prints and I’ve just dug out my notes from 1993. 😮
The ‘Heliotrope’ research mainly came from dialogue with ‘Jacko’, who also delivered TG517 to Newark. At the time we drew a negative response from the Air Historical Branch about the missions, because at that time they were still covered by the ‘30 year rule’. Fortunately other sources enabled us to verify the details of what Naval vessels were on patrol etc.
We had some interesting dialogue about the sister print “Operation Plainfare” in Wingspan magazine. With some people insisting details on the print were wrong, including whether or not it flew ops out of Schleswigland to both Tegel and Gatow in August 1949 – I still have copies of Log Book entries showing it did.
Sadly I don’t have any such entries for ‘Heliotrope’ but I will check at the museum next week.
By: AvgasDinosaur - 26th June 2009 at 20:41
Thanks for that. Yes I have Tim O’Brien’s excellent print. According to Tims comprehensive notes Squadron Leader K.R. “Jacko” Jackson MBE, AFC flew 4 heliotrope sorties whilst squadron commander of 1066 squadron at Scampton. I now know from you that TG517 flew 4 of the missions. I think the total was in the region of 20 such flights. Did they all depart from Scampton?
Be lucky
David
By: TwinOtter23 - 26th June 2009 at 16:46
Newark’s Hastings has 4 ‘Heliotrope’ Op markings [dayglo fish] on its nose and I believe there are Log Book entries available in the Museum Archive for some of these sorties. I’m not aware of any book that is totally dedicated to these Ops.
The same aircraft was featured in an aviation print by Tim O’Brien GAvA dropping mail and supplies in canisters to the RN ships on patrol off Iceland. I understand theses were launched by hand from the cargo door!
I recall a talk at school in 1976 / 77 from a ‘1066 Sqn’ member, who was then based at RAF Scampton about the Ops but no more details I’m afraid.
I believe that ‘Jacko’ Jackson might have flown some of the Ops.
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June 26, 2009 at 4:22 pm