Operation Pegasus: Go! Go! Go!

"We were awakened this morning by the roar of helicopter rotors as flight after flight of Wessex helicopters landed in the abandoned Pen-y-Pound Cricket Ground here in Abergavenny to pick up waiting lines of Paratroopers before heading towards the Welsh lines in the hills to the west. Other helicopters, Pumas and Chinooks flew overhead, after picking up their cargoes from marshaling areas in Bailey Park in the centre of the town. What we are witnessing is a major operation unfolding. Bob Langley for the, BBC."

"From advanced Government positions we can hear the far off crackle of small arms fire. During the last two nights we have seen tracers in the Hills. Unconfirmed reports suggest these were members of the Special Air Service attacking Free Welsh outposts and potential helicopter ambush positions".

"Lieutenant-Colonel Angus Mackenzie gave a short briefing outside the cricket pavilion to assembled officers...

"Gentlemen and members of the press. Today we are launching the largest operation of this war to date. We are confident of a successful outcome. I expect my officers and men to treat our fellow countrymen  who have taken up arms against the Government with respect. You have your orders. Dismiss."

"With that Colonel Mackenzie strode to a waiting Gazelle helicopter from the Army Air Corps which took off and headed west towards the Black Mountains. Brian Hanrahan, BBC News, Abergavenny". 


Cheers
Mark

The Lynx Effect

 
The Winter of '79 air forces continues to grow with the addition of a Corgi 1/72 , Westland Lynx AH.1 (655 Sqn, Operation Banner,1983) courtesy of Ms Santa!

The British Army ordered 113 Lynx AH.1 to fulfill a broad variety of battlefield roles. These ranged from tactical transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (equipped with eight TOW missiles), to surveillance, tactical reconnaissance and CASEVAC (casualty evacuation). First deliveries began to arrive with the Army Air Corps from December 1977, and continued until 1984 when it was superceded by the AH.7 model Lynx and more recently the AH.9 and AH.9A.

655 Squadron actually flew Westland Scout helicopters in 1979, when they moved to Omagh in Northern Ireland to carry out anti-terrorist duties in support of 3 Brigade. The Squadron deployed to Shackleton Barracks at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry in 1982 where they changed over from the "much-loved" Scout to the Lynx, a modern, faster machine, with far greater endurance and a larger capacity for carrying tactical units.

This lead to the Lynx taking on a significant role within the Northern Ireland, security effort. "Eagle  Patrols" consisting of a pair of Lynx helicopters conducted 'snap' Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) over wide operational areas. One Lynx inserted/extracted airmobile troops or Special Forces who would conduct these VCPs, whilst the other Lynx maintained overwatch of the inserted VCP with a reaction force large enough to deal with any terrorist contact. Additional firepower could be provided if needed, from a door mounted GPMG.

Perfect for use in future Winter of '79 games.

Cheers
Mark

Westland Scout

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Never properly thanked Eli for sending me an Airfix Westland Scout for Winter of '79. So here is a very public Thank You to Eli.

Known as "The Flying Landrover", the Westland Scout was a versatile light helicopter that saw service with the Army Air Corps and Commando Brigade Air Squadron RM, from 1963-1994. In it's basic form it was much used for reconnaissance and border patrol duties. Bench seating in the rear of the cabin allowed 4 fully equipped squaddies to be inserted into 'indian country' and it could also double up  in the CASEVAC or ground support and attack roles.

The basic Westland Scout was unarmoured but it could have a gunner with pintle mounted GPMG in the rear for ground support, or be fitted with 4 SS11 /12 wireguided missiles and 2 GPMGs mounted on the skids. The skid mounted GPMGs were sights were a rudimentary cross made with a chinagraph pencil on the canopy in front of the pilot! Nevertheless, the GPMGs proved successful in operations in both Aden and Borneo. The missile booms and 4 missiles could be fitted in 20 minutes "with rotors still turning" as proved during the lead up to the battle of Mount Tumbledown in the Falklands War of 1982.

The SS11's gave the Scout a powerful anti-tank capability. In the Falklands War armed Scouts attacked Argentine naval forces in conjunction with other helicopters and undertook precision long-range 'sniping' of Argentine artillery and.command assets.

Probably the Scout's most famous role came in the 1982 movie WHO DARES WINS. Perfect fodder for Winter of 79.

Cheers
Mark