Aérospatiale Puma

Puma 'Black Peter' at Newquay

A few weeks ago three Pumas arrived at Newquay Airport for fuel before working with troops on Bodmin Moor. One of the Pumas was ZJ955, painted earlier this year in special markings to commemorate 230 Squadron's 95th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the loss of Sunderland JM673 which was painted in a non standard black colour scheme and coded P - Peter.
On the 28th November 1944 JM673 took off for an anti-submarine patrol over the east coast of Ceylon flown by Flt Lt Ingham of the RAAF. The weather in the patrol area deteriorated to cyclonic conditions and recall messages were sent to the Sunderland. There was no reply, JM673 and its crew of 10 were never seen again.

ZJ955

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XW219

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XW237

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[IMG]/community/162042=23403-Puma over Treligga.jpg[/img]

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A low flying Puma over Trebarwith today travelling northeast. The first image shows the top of the quadrant shelter at Treligga on the left skyline.

Think this may have flown at low level to the west (St Mawgan?)last night after 2230, very quiet saw anti-collision lights. Since the Puma has had new engines etc. is it quieter?

Does anyone know why the Puma mark two is written in Roman numerals? I was under the impression that the RAF went over to Arabic numerals in the late forties for mark designations.

canberra wrote:

Does anyone know why the Puma mark two is written in Roman numerals? I was under the impression that the RAF went over to Arabic numerals in the late forties for mark designations.

Where have you seen it written in Roman numerals? Official service designation is Puma HC2.

Believe it or not RAF news which is of course the official newspaper of the RAF. So I take it that as RAF news designates it as Puma II then that must be the official designation!!! And ever since the mark 2/II has been in service every article has used II and not 2.

Its been over 20 years since I've read the RAF News but the official RAF/MOD website refer to it as the Puma HC2.

www.raf.mod.uk/RAFbenson/aboutus/pumahc2.cfm

And in the latest RAF news yet again its written as II not 2. I feel a stern email coming on!!

After the Tornado leaves service will the Puma be the longest serving aircraft or are there some of the original C130s still knocking around?

And who remembers when the grand plan was for the EH101 to replace the Puma, and for the Puma to replace the Sea King in the SAR role??? It was called project SABRE, which stood for Standard Battlefield Rotary Equipment.