HISTORY
50 YEARS OF PUMA Written By: Flt Lt T J Mullins
1971-1981.
A
s we reflect upon the first decade of the Puma’s history one would expect a nostalgic experience, but the stories shared by those of the time or captured in the photograph albums offer a stirring similarity to the operating routine, sense of occasion and esprit de corps of the Force today. It could be training with the British Army on Salisbury Plain, operations in the Caribbean, deployed as 1563 Flight, NATO Tiger Meets or the underslung rescue of a heifer! Stories such as these are not confined to the early history, they also feature in the recent memory of 33 Sqn and 230 Sqn of today. Equally familiar were the humorous moments at the expense of the wet-behind-the-ears junior pilot’s misfortune, or the youthful mischievous activity out of the Master Aircrew’s sight, beautifully recorded in Sqn Line Books. Puma as a machine was first conceived in 1967. France and the United Kingdom reached a bi-lateral agreement over a joint helicopter development program, in which their two industries would create three rotary types. Sud-Aviation in France had developed its SA300 design as a medium transport helicopter in 1965, and this formed the basis of the SA330 Puma, to be built on production lines in France (by Sud-Aviation and Aerospatiale) from 1970 and the UK (by Westlands). An SA330 was delivered to the UK in 1968 and Westlands subsequently built 48 to Puma HC Mk 1 standard, flying its initial example for the first time on 25 Nov 70.
34 ISSUE 3, 2021 / LANDING ZONE
The type entered service with 33 Sqn in Jun 71, commanded by Wg Cdr Fred Hoskins, who was an aircraft apprentice prior to commissioning as a pilot in 1951. Wg Cdr Hoskins flew Hornets in the Far East with 33 Sqn, eventually returning as the CO. In Jan 72, 230 Sqn were equipped with the latest helicopters, both squadrons operating from RAF Odiham. Soon, the milestones began and on 8 Feb 74 Flt Lt Dick Langworthy was the first to log 1000hrs flying Puma, in just over two and a half years since the aircraft had entered service. In 1975 Pumas were deployed on Operations in Belize, as 1563 Flight at Belize International Airport, Ladyville. They supported the British Army deter aggression from neighbouring countries (notably Guatemala, during its civil war), provided a Search and Rescue (SAR) capability and supported jungle training. At the time, SAR was a new capability for the Pumas, though in 1976 the Force was abundantly praised following the successful rescue of a Harrier pilot after they ejected following a bird strike. Chief Tech Phil Smith recalls his time in Belize: “I was too young to go to Northern Ireland, so my Chief [Technician] at the time got me out to Belize. We used to take the Pumas out in a Hercules; to fit them in the tail boom, gearbox and rotor used to come off, as well as the main head, gearbox and sponsons it was a very tight fit! Though we soon got it down to a fine art so that we were able to have two weeks relaxing on the Cayman Islands, it was brilliant. We would get dropped off by Puma for BBQs on the beach.”
A small detachment of Pumas was also stationed at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. One helicopter was galvanized into action by the Royal Green Jackets to rescue a cow belonging to a Mr Cooney. The cow was successfully lifted safely from the sticky mud, which provided a welcome change to the usual Northern Ireland routine. Long Course 8 were still practicing a CSAR (cow) capability even in 2020! NATO Tiger Meets were a key feature of the battle rhythm in the first decade of Puma Service as they are now, as were training exercises in support of the Army. The following
extract seems quintessentially insightful of a normal day on the Puma Force five decades ago, and it’s refreshing how it is reminiscent of today. “Meanwhile, the rest of us were playing war for two weeks in the Pennings on Salisbury Plain. Flt Lt Smith happened to remark, “living in the field is all very well, but at my time of life, I am missing the porcelain pleasures of life.” Never ones to miss a hint, the crewman who were living in luxury at Upavon dutifully delivered a porcelain toilet to our LP, complete with soft loo roll and instructions how to use it!”
