Corgi AA33419 Westland Sea King HU.5, HMS Gannet, SAR Flight, Royal Navy 2012 1/72

£59.99
MRP £59.99

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(Product Ref 94793)
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The Royal Navy Sea King SAR and commando support squadrons have often been referred to as 'The Junglies' in Navy slang. The term originated from the early years of military helicopter service, the RN first deploying helicopters in the Search and Rescue role to recover pilots ending their flight in the briney. Through the 1960s British forces were engaged in a number of small conflicts in the jungles of modern-day Malaysia and Indonesia. The troop carrying helicopter was quickly adapted for commando operations, rapidly inserting, moving and recovering troops from remote jungle locations to quickly bring matters under control. Hence the term 'Junglies' for the Commando Helicopter Force, whose aircraft became well suited to both troop movement and rescue roles.
The highly capable Sea King multi-role helicopter has been operated by the Royal Navy since the 1970s. The aircraft can be equiped as a basic RM commando troop transport, provide an airborne early warning radar platform or in a more offensive role as an anti-submarine aircraft using sonar bouys and torpedoes. Frequently the aircraft are capable of undertaking Search and Rescue roles in addtion, however specialist SAR squadrons are maintained around the UK where regular training activities may result in military personnel and civilians may find themselves in difficulty. The SAR role is also essential for the operation of aircraft at sea, particularly for fixed-wing aircraft flying from carriers. When a problem on take-off usually requires the pilot to go for an unplanned swim picking him up demands a very high level of flying skill from the SAR pilot.

The Sea Kings will soon finally leave the RN inventory, being replaced by the new Merlin helicopters.

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