Farewell Lynx Flight

[big john]

Buried deep in the forum, and as only 200 people have seen it, I thought I'd bring it to a more prominent position.
viewtopic.php?f=108&t=156769&p=959979&h ... ht#p959979
The original notice from the AAC
https://www.armyflying.com/events/all-e ... nx-flight/

[iainpeden]

Useful to get the timings. The point on the map I'm interested in is Tilton-on-the -Hill, just east of Leicester; what's the significance for the Lynx?

[Amp]

Iain, Lynx accident 1999 at Tilton, per Google.

[iainpeden]

Thanks - I remember now.

[C24]

Good move bigjohn, thanks for bringing the matter to a wider audience.

A sad occasion in many ways.

[Sean Mac]

Slight change with regards to VLN the aircraft will now be flying in from West to East.

Sean

[Sean Mac]

Small route change, The aircraft will now pass W-E over Yeovilton this is so a flypast of Westlands can also be conducted.

Sean

[Rotörhead]

Shame I'll miss this, I have exams either side of the 16th and won't be anywhere near. By the looks of the route they'd pass right over the top my house too... if I was there!

[wezgulf3]

Iam pretty torn where to go, Middle Wallop will be into the sun (if its out!) but will they land on SPTA?? sad day none the less?!

Wes...

[POL]

Go south-side at Wallop, doable with a 300+ lens

[slogen51]

Odiham when they lift?

[Supra]

Small route change, The aircraft will now pass W-E over Yeovilton this is so a flypast of Westlands can also be conducted.

Sean

Better for the light....if appropriate?

Odiham when they lift?

Do Middle Wallop outbound, Odiham inbound, lunch between?

[Blackcat1]

Shame they can't do Sennybridge, used to see them often there.

[Yammer]

Have 657 sqd accquired any Wildcat cabs at Odiham to replace their Lynx AH9 - I assume 657 aren't for disbandment.

[slogen51]

They were a special forces unit - at Odiham you would often see lynx with door mounted weapons. I don't know if they were modified lynx but I wonder if the wildcat has a similar role yet?

Odiham based Lynx pilots were tragically killed in an lynx accident at Kandahar a few years back

[Yammer]

Yes indeed - they often visit my county, Herefordshire.

A look on the WWW suggests 657 sqd is to disband, more here

"657 Squadron, the AAC unit that operates the Lynx Mk9A helicopter in support of the Special Forces (SF) is to be disbanded next year. The squadron was the last AAC Lynx unit still flying the type and it was previously thought that it would eventually convert to the Wildcat AH.1, or perhaps even a specialised SF Wildcat variant. It has now been decided that there is not enough money for new aircraft for 657 Sqn and it will therefore be disbanded in 2018.[1]

The AAC will still, however, maintain a cadre of aircrew trained to support the Special Forces. Rather than a standing, dedicated unit, the “extreme high readiness” Special Forces Wildcat Flight will stand up a small flight of 2-4 Wildcat AH.1 helicopters - drawn from the existing AAC Wildcat fleet - for special operations on an ad hoc basis.


source

http://www.eliteukforces.info/uk-milita ... s-uksf.php

[100arw]

The above report also added:

<<A report in the Times quotes Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources stating that any shortfall in SF helicopter support will be made up by a detachment of Puma HC2 helicopters, presumably operated by RAF pilots from 33 and 230 Sqns. It was also claimed that the decision not to persue a Wildcat SF variant was due to the Special Forces wanting "a better aircraft". >>

[Youdy71]

Does anyone know where the FARP would be positioned at Shawbury as I've not been before?

Mark

[Vulcanone]

So how many folks are going to try Odiham for the start in the morning?

[ChrisCwmbran]

Can anyone explain to me what the St Athan bit means please and whether what it says implies a best spot to be for us down there? Tia.