Captured Argentine MB 339A?

Originally posted by DOUGHNUT
The Agusta 109 mentioned earlier were quickly put to use by the SAS as a fast response vehicle, these aircraft retained a ‘civil’ colour scheme so as not to draw attension to themselves.

More and more interesting! I knew that the SAS had a pair of Agusta 109s but not where they had obtained them. I live in Guildford very close to the old 8 MAP Depot RE in Stoughton and we used to have helos land there occasionally. Was surprised to see a light blue A109 come in fast one day with no obvious markings and kitted out with long “foot boards” each side under the cabin doors….t’was one of them. Was ready to catch him going back out with my 300mm telephoto but he went out a different route – very professional!

Puma ZE449 is a sad reflection on the ‘make do and mend’ adititude that prevails within todays RAF. The MOD bean counters would sooner spend a few quid on rebuilding a secondhand wreck, than place an order for much needed extra medium lift helicopter resources. In fact half a dozen ex South African AF Pumas are suppossed to be in store/rebuild to help out the overstretched helicopter fleet.
Other examples were a CH-47 Chinook that was returned from the Falklands, it was given a RAF serial but I dont think entered service. The Agusta 109 mentioned earlier were quickly put to use by the SAS as a fast response vehicle, these aircraft retained a ‘civil’ colour scheme so as not to draw attension to themselves.

A story was once told to me that after the first Gulf war the British army returned with more (a lot more) 105mm self propelled guns that were sent out. This being due to the fact the the Iraqi army operated several hundred of these machines, many of which were recovered, undamaged from army depots and returned home.

DOUGHNUT

Doubt that they would… They did, after all, leave the Falkland Islands after signing the surrender documentation with nothing but the clothes on their backs – and Argentina is more likely to demand sovereignty of the Falklands than one of a number of (relative) wrecks they left behind.

Flood.

Just out of interest, what’s the story with legal ownership? If ZE449 were to be requested back by her former operators, would they have a case?

Oops! Forgot them!
I know they aren’t historic forum material from the point of view that they are currently serving but has anyone got any pix of them as they are now? And the same with Puma ZE449?

Flood.

an the two AB109’s………

coanda

It is there – look in the index under MB.339AA (Aermacchi) – pg43.
Don’t forget the T-34C-1 Turbo Mentor 0729 which is also not on your list (at Yeovilton, pg196), Chinook AE-520 (at Fleetlands, pg71), or Puma PA-12 which eventually went into service as ZE449 with 33Sqn in 2000. Not to mention the other Hueys!

Flood.

Thanks Flood, as soon as I knew where to look I found her in W&R 18, was not in the index. Funny how I look at some of my old photos and find out these plane’s life story since 🙂

This is the former FAAMs MB339AA, 0767, which was with 1 Escuadrilla as ‘4-A-116’ at Port Stanley from 24/4/82. Captured 14/6/82 with some shrapnel damage. The rear fuselage and wings arrived UK 11/6/83 and was combined with the nose of 0761/4-A-110 to go on display.
Later it went to Filton as the engine change test bed for the ‘T-Bird II’ JPATS demonstrator before going to the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, first at Filton then in Derby, where it was last reported (3/02) as being in storage.
Info from Falklands – The Air War, and Wrecks and Relics – various editions.

Flood.