Flying Light Helicopters with the Royal Marines: Collective Tales From Marine Air 489

Between 1965 and 1995, a small and elite unit of Royal Marines called Rotary Aviation flew light helicopters. Officer and senior non-commissioned officer pilots had the unique privilege of being both Commandos and aviators, flying from warships and operating ashore to support the Royal Marines. This book describes the evolution and technological advances of Royal Marines aviation, flying the Westland Sioux, Scout, Gazelle, and Lynx helicopters. It also describes the rigorous training undertaken, including flying from ships at sea and operating globally from Malta, Northern Ireland, the jungles of Brunei, the Pyrenees, Arctic Norway, and Northern Iraq. The author provides a vivid first-hand account of military rotary wing flying that will appeal to aircrew, aviation enthusiasts, and military historians.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 01 September 2021
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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Little has been written about Royal Marines rotary aviation, the small and select unit that operated light helicopters between 1965 and 1995. Officer and senior non-commissioned officer pilots had the unique privilege of being both Commandos and aviators, flying from warships and operating ashore in support of the Royal Marines. Initially called Unit Air Troops, which then coalesced into 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines, they operated in hostile environments, including the Arctic, mountains, jungles, and deserts. Robert Wilsey served in the Royal Marines from 1969 to 2000. Having qualified as a pilot, he served through much of the existence of the Royal Marines Air Squadron, from a junior pilot right up to becoming its commanding officer. In this unique book, the author tells of the evolution and technological advances of Royal Marines aviation, flying the Westland Sioux, Scout, Gazelle, and, ultimately, Lynx helicopters. He describes the rigorous training undertaken, including flying from ships at sea, and of operating globally from Malta, Northern Ireland, the jungles of Brunei, the Pyrenees, Arctic Norway, and, in 1991, Northern Iraq, protecting the Kurds during Operation Haven. Colonel Wilsey also describes the challenges of the British military's basic and advanced rotary flying training, from both a student's and flying instructor's perspectives. He explains the pressures of leading a flying display team and relates stories of numerous incidents and accidents, many amusing, several chaotic, and some tragic. This is a vivid first-hand account of military rotary wing flying that will appeal to aircrew both civil and military, aviation enthusiasts, and military historians.

\n Weight: 684g\n
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 33 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781399002509\n \n