SHAR and Apaches

[Weaver]

Had an interesting day today helping a mate do a delivery. The delivery was to a VERY posh country estate, and it sounded like it was going to get interesting when the instructions over the intercom at the gate ended with "go round the back of the hangars and I'll meet you by the plane". Turned out the plane was an ornamental Sea Harrier FA.2! We didn't have time to have a close look at it and I wasn't inclined to ask nosey questions, but it looked to be very well kept, which is always heartening.

Then on the way back, a circling helicopter in the distance (just south of Birmingham), turned into two circling helicopters, which got my attention, then as we got closer they resolved into a pair of Longbow Apaches. They flew around in circles several times over what looked like an industrial area, then headed off west. No clue what it was about and I couldn't tell if they were AAC or US Army, but they definately had the MMW radar on the rotor mast. Seemed to have stores on the pylons too.

[rickshaw]

Do you realise that you'll now have to be eliminated after revealing the secret plans of the One World Government?   

[PR19_Kit]

An FA2 SHAR? 

And HMG would have us believe they sold them all to the USMC for spares or some other such twaddle.........

[Weaver]

An FA2 SHAR? 

And HMG would have us believe they sold them all to the USMC for spares or some other such twaddle.........

No it was the GR.7/9s that went to the USMC. Some of the SHARs were retained at Culdrose for ground training and the rest went to museums, gate-guardians and auction:

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=963

[kitnut617]

An FA2 SHAR? 

And HMG would have us believe they sold them all to the USMC for spares or some other such twaddle.........

No it was the GR.7/9s that went to the USMC. Some of the SHARs were retained at Culdrose for ground training and the rest went to museums, gate-guardians and auction:

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=963

Nice discovery Harold 

They do tend to appear in the most unusual places, this one below is owned by someone in Red Deer Alberta, saw it at the 2013 Airdrie Airshow

[Weaver]

I read a few comments on line this morning suggesting that the SHAR I saw is not only well-maintained but has been restored to theoretically flyable condition. However the owner isn't interested in climbing the mountain of permissions/certifications neccessary to acually go through with it, and who can blame him? Good to know that at least one is being preserved to a no-expense-spared standard though.

[PR19_Kit]

An FA2 SHAR? 

And HMG would have us believe they sold them all to the USMC for spares or some other such twaddle.........

No it was the GR.7/9s that went to the USMC. Some of the SHARs were retained at Culdrose for ground training and the rest went to museums, gate-guardians and auction:

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=963

Ah yes, so it was, thanks. 

I was thinking that the one flying out in the US was the only one that had 'escaped' but it looks like quite a few did. Good thing too for 'The Last British Interceptor'.

[Captain Canada]

Yes, great spotting Weaver ! What a surprise that would be. I had no idea there was one out in Red Deer.....cool !