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Army bids farewell to Lynx helicopter with flypast tour | Army bids farewell to Lynx helicopter with flypast tour |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The British Army has bid farewell to the Lynx helicopter with a commemorative flight. | |
The aircraft has been decommissioned after almost 40 years in service. | |
Four remaining Mk9 Lynx left from RAF Odiham in Hampshire shortly after 09:00 GMT on an aerial tour, taking in military bases and locations associated with the helicopter. | |
The flight culminated in a V-shaped "air procession" along the River Thames in central London shortly before 16:00. | |
Commanding Officer of 657 Squadron, Maj James Peycke said the army was saying "farewell to the iconic machine". | |
"It is hugely emotional saying goodbye to the Lynx after six years of flying, and it carves out a big chunk of your heart." | "It is hugely emotional saying goodbye to the Lynx after six years of flying, and it carves out a big chunk of your heart." |
Maj Peycke, who was flying in the lead Lynx, called the aircraft "hugely manoeuvrable". | |
There is "never a dull day when you are flying", he added. | There is "never a dull day when you are flying", he added. |
Described as a primary battlefield utility helicopter, over the decades the Lynx has also destroyed tanks, evacuated wounded personnel, gathered intelligence and provided humanitarian support. | Described as a primary battlefield utility helicopter, over the decades the Lynx has also destroyed tanks, evacuated wounded personnel, gathered intelligence and provided humanitarian support. |
The British-made aircraft entered service in 1978 and has been used during military deployments to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. | The British-made aircraft entered service in 1978 and has been used during military deployments to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. |
It is set to be replaced within the British Army by the Wildcat, which has more powerful engines and can operate at a higher altitude. | It is set to be replaced within the British Army by the Wildcat, which has more powerful engines and can operate at a higher altitude. |
The Lynx aircraft were led by a Chinook helicopter during their formation over the Thames in London. | |
The Royal Navy mounted a similar tour in March last year to say farewell to its Mark 8 Lynx before decommissioning the aircraft. | The Royal Navy mounted a similar tour in March last year to say farewell to its Mark 8 Lynx before decommissioning the aircraft. |