M
ost of Britain’s Chinook force
is located at RAF Odiham in
Hampshire, with a single squadron
at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.
The Hampshire base houses three
Chinook units: 7, 18(B) and 27 Squadrons.
RAF Benson is home to 28(AC) Sqn.
The new HC6 variant is operated
exclusively by 7 Sqn and is tasked to
support UK Special Forces, (the Special
Boat Service and Special Air Service), as
part of the Joint Special Forces Aviation
Wing (JSFAW) and would likely be some of
the first aircraft deployed to trouble spots
when these capabilities are needed.
At present, 18(B) Sqn operates the HC4,
HC5 and HC6A, with crews undergoing type
conversion for the two latter variants. No.27
Sqn has the HC5 and HC6A variants, with
all crews fully qualified on both Marks.
These are the main logistics units and
will be tasked, when required, in heavy-lift,
transportation, battlefield support, searchand rescue, and evacuation duties, in
support of all branches of the British Armed
Forces.
No.28(AC) Sqn has HC4 variants and
is responsible for training, but will still be
deployed if necessary for the transportation
and battlefield support role.
The first UK Chinook order was placed
by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in March
1967 for 15 helicopters. They were intended
to replace the Bristol Belvedere HC1s,
but this commitment was cancelled in
November 1967. It was a further 11 years
before a firm order was made.
The MOD wanted 33 HC1s for the RAF,
based on the CH-47C variant, to replace the
Westland Wessex. The first, ZA670, made
its first flight from the Boeing plant at Ridley,
Philadelphia, on March 23, 1980. RAF
operations with the Chinook HC1 started in
December 1980 at RAF Odiham. The final
example, ZA721, was delivered on June 8,
1982.CHINOOK
ROTARY LEGEND
The Chinook is
nearing four decades
of service with the RAF
and is set to serve for
many years to come.
Peter Cooper profiles
this versatile workhorse.
RAF 100th ANNIVERSARY
48 Aviation News incorporating Jets January 201848-51_raf_chinooksDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 48 04/12/2017 14:34