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Aviation History
1958
1958 - 0589.PDF
FLIGHT, 2 May 1958 605 For the detection role the crew normally consists of pilot, observer and underwater controller (i.e., sonar operator). The first job of each crew during a squadron's work-up is simply to learn to operate as a close-knit team, for a task of accurate detection by helicopter is not an easy one. The pilot has to hover accurately for long periods while the sonar transducer is lowered and operated; and has to fly accurate legs or "jumps" in between the hovering periods. The observer has to keep a precise plot of the helicopter's position (and that of the submarine, if located), and pass instructions for the jumps to the pilot—in short, supervise the entire tactical operation. And the underwater controller has perhaps the most unenviable job of all. While many of the more interesting aspects of this job, as it concerns the particular American sonar equipment carried by the Naval Whirlwinds, may not be disclosed, the general principles and problems of asdic operation obviously apply. The transducer dome is lowered into the water; it is rotated until an echo is received; and this is indicated as a bearing and distance from the helicopter. In practice, the sequence is not quite so simple, for considerable skill is needed by the operator to distinguish and interpret the slight echoes hidden in the background wake of the regular "pings." Not every echo will be from the target sub- marine and, even when initial contact has been established, the echo may easily be lost through incorrect interpretation of the submarine's movement. For the strike role a two-man Whirlwind crew of pilot and observer is adequate, while for search and rescue the sonar operator is trained in winching operations. A special lightweight manual winch has been developed for use when the Whirlwind is carrying its anti-submarine equipment; at other times, for example during search and rescue or troop-carrying operations, the Mk 7 can be fitted with the standard hydraulically-powered hoist. The practical concept of using Naval helicopters for routine anti-submarine work on a large scale—as opposed to limited exercises—is still relatively new. There has, therefore, been no proven work-up syllabus for 820 to follow. The squadron's flying programme during the current five-month work-up period is concentrated logically on full-crew training, after an initial period of pilot training. This initial flying included general familiariza- tion; hovering and jumping practice; continuation training, in- cluding autorotation, engine-off landings, manual flying and general flying practice; simulated and actual instrument flying; night flying; formation flying and external load carrying. The crew-training phase began with area familiarization and navigation and search exercises, followed by asdic familiarization and training (for both observers and under- water controllers) with submarines. During these asdic operations the submarine is first limited, and then unrestricted, in its move- ments. The tracking of submarines by Whirlwinds operating in pairs were next on the programme, together with co-operation exercises with ships and fixed-wing aircraft. Also included is practice in the attack role using the homing weapon; and in winching, planeguard duties and night navigation techniques. For many of these exercises the Magilli- gan range near the mouth of Lough Foyle is used as an advance refuelling base. The sea exercise areas are located between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Islay, and the use of Magilligan (ten minutes' flying time from Eglinton) as a turn-round base for the day's flights can save much time. The squadron's maintenance parties have become accustomed to spending a day in the isolation of the Magilligan sandhills, overlooked by Ben Twitch (Binevenagh), where the only other occupants are the rather boot-faced Ulster cattle whose preference for the helicopter landing area has to be firmly discouraged. Contact with civilization, i.e., Eglinton, is by a telephone link from the site's single multi-purpose hut. Concerning tactical details of the opera- tion of 820's Whirlwinds, the subject itself is effectively dunked in the sea of security s> A dramatic view of H.M.S. "Springer," seen -•• just after surfacing at the end of a sonar tracking exercise off the Northern Irish coast with one of tjie Whirlwind HASJs of 820 Squadron. The same Whirlwind is pictured in the heading photograph on the previous page. "Flight" photograph Acting according to the highest traditions of the Service, 820 Squadron has displayed considerable initiative in anti-submarine—and other— activities. The adoption by the squadron of the Windmill girls is perhaps an example. Whirlwinds T-Tungo, Z-Zulu and V-Victor (above) are shortly to be renamed after Terry Keighley, Zoe Allen and Victoria Patterson (left to right, betow). restriction at present. It is clear, however, that these tactics are being continually evaluated, improved and refined as experience with the new techniques grows. The basic tool of dunking sonar (or dipping asdic) is undoubtedly one of the best methods in existence for detecting a submerged submarine. Helicopters are ideally suited to the anti-submarine defence of the fleet. A Whirlwind cannot carry both detection equipment and the strike weapon but, having established contact by means of its sonar gear, it can call on a weapon-carrying Whirlwind, or ships or fixed-wing aircraft, to make the kill. The value of such heli- copters is obviously greatly increased when they are operating in pairs; one machine can retain contact, for example, while the other jumps to a new position. The commanding officer of 820 Squadron, Lt-Cdr. F. W. Wilcox, was previously an instructor with 705 Squadron at Lee- on-Solent. Among his senior officers are Lt-Cdr. Brian Mat .hew, air engineer officer; Lt-Cdr. F. K. Steel, torpedo and anti-sub- marine officer and senior observer; Lt-Cdr. Richard Martin, training and analysis officer; and Lt. A. A. Hensher, senior pilot. As a postscript to the anti-submarine activities of 820 Squadron, Flight can reveal that an important item of securitVHciassified equipment is now under development at Eglinton. This is a small model windmill, of plastics construction and featuring rotating vanes, intended for small-batch production and subsequent mounting on aircrew bone-domes. The squadron's link with the Windmill Theatre is soon to be cemented further with the naming of individual aircraft after alliterative young ladies of this estab- lishment. While the squadron's aircraft initials include X, Y and Z this is no easy task. All is well, however, thanks to Miss Xenia Scott, Miss Yvette Davies and Miss Zoe Allen. K. T. O. WHIRLWINDS FOR AUSTRIA AND CUBA ON Tuesday last (April 29) the first four of six Whirlwindsordered by the Austrian Government from Westland Aircraft were due to be formally handed over to Gen. Poul Lube, C-in-C. of the Austrian Air Force, at Yeovil. They are the first British helicopters, and also the first of that size and capacity, to be ordered for the A.A.F. During the past few weeks four Austrian pilots, headed by Col. Gustav Hauck, chief helicopter pilot and instructor of the A.A.F., have been at Yeovil for Whirlwind familiarization training and were to fly the aircraft to Vienna (see photographs, page 590). „«..,..,_ Westland also announce that two Whirlwinds have been shipped to Havana for service with the Cuban Air Force. The company's chief flying instructor, John Fay, has flown out there to test the aircraft and also to familiarize Cuban pilots in handling them. The order follows one recently obtained by the company for Widgeons for the Brazilian Navy and is the outcome of a three months' South American tour by the Westland sales staff.
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