#1625 Puma 50th Anniversary Flypast Print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1625 - Puma 50th Anniversary Flypast 7 July 2021.
On 29 January 1971, the first two Royal Air Force Puma helicopters were delivered into service. Today, a formation of ten Puma helicopters departed RAF Benson as part of a training sortie which incorporated flypasts of notable locations for the Puma Force over the past 50 years. These included the RAF Museum at Hendon, RAF High Wycombe, RAF Halton, RAF College Cranwell, The National Arboretum, RAF Shawbury, Joint Helicopter Command Headquarters in Andover and finally RAF Benson itself. The Puma, a medium-lift support helicopter, has flown on combat and humanitarian operations around the world over the last five decades, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mozambique and the Caribbean. As part of today’s training sortie, the Puma Force worked with the Grenadier Guards to conduct an extensive air assault troop movement. The helicopters have also supported UK resilience such as providing a helicopter lift capability to flood relief efforts and more recently the COVID-19 response. Based at Kinloss Barracks, the Pumas deployed at short notice in the early stages of the pandemic to provide vital transport for personnel and equipment in Scotland and northern England, as well as being on standby 24/7 to support any task required in the UK. Group Captain Nick Paton, the Puma Force Commander and Station Commander at RAF Benson, said: “Since the Puma first came into service in 1971, it has successfully contributed to operations and humanitarian missions around the globe. Today is a poignant day for all who have served and continue to serve on the Puma Force as we mark 50 years of outstanding service. The commitment and professionalism of the whole team, whether aircrew, engineers, or support staff, has been exceptional. They deserve to be proud of everything they have achieved together over the past five decades.” The formation flight was led by Group Captain Nick Paton in XW224, the aircraft which has recently been unveiled with a special Puma 50th anniversary paint scheme. The scheme was designed to pay homage to the RAF Puma’s heritage, with the colours replicating those worn by the Puma HC1. The badges of all Squadrons which have operated the Puma HC1 and HC2 are emblazoned on the engine housing.
Puma HC2s involved in this flypast were:
XW224, ZJ956 'Y', XW216 'G', XW231 'N', XW237 'R', XW209, XW214 'F', XW204 'B', ZJ954 'W', XW232 'P'