Page 72 - Demo

72removed for return to the USA. My understanding was that themanufacturers of the Lycoming engine could not keep pace with thebuilders of the airframe.Thus in the six month period August to February we were runningvery fast to stand still, but then this was broadly the plan. The aircraftwere scheduled for a monthly flying rate of 30 hours rising 2 hours permonth per year over 5 years to 40 hours. We were at peace and this wasto be a very measured build up. We had no spare major component parts,nor were we provisioned for any.As the year turned into 1982 our deployment to Germany, scheduledfor March/April was postponed until later in the year. Although ourhangar accommodation was complete, the provision of adequatenumbers of (or indeed any) married quarters necessitated such a delay.This had a significant impact upon my groundcrew many of whom hadelected to serve unaccompanied at Odiham for the six-month build upperiod prior to deployment to Germany. Many were required to continueto do so for almost two years.Fortunately, I guess, the conflict intervened. Although, of course, wedid not feature immediately in what was principally a naval affair. Asyou have heard the Puma was the preferred choice.On 6 April I led a detachment of four aircraft to Culdrose foroperations in support of the Task Force. I, like many others, had assumedthat this force was positioned somewhere off Ascension Island whereas,in fact, it was not too far off Lands End. In the event we spent some twodays ferrying between Portsmouth and the Task Force loading essential,but omitted, items. The transfer, as an under-slung load, of a seven-tonbearing out to a major vessel really demonstrated the enormous utility ofthe Chinook. In the course of this exercise, conducted at night in quiteappalling weather, the Chinook came of age.I have no idea of the factors that called for our deployment at this latehour but, notwithstanding, it was decided that we should deploy aircraftto both the Falkland Islands and to Ascension Island. Numbers wereinitially very fluid and dependent upon a suitable vessel being located.Vessels were identified and pilots sent to docks nationwide to assesstheir suitability. In the event the Atlantic Conveyor was selected and Iconducted a reconnaissance of the ship as it was being adapted, mostnotably by the provision of a strengthened deck. Planning proceeded at apace, although it would be true to say that the aim was not always clearly