DORSET residents had chance to say goodbye to a soon-to-be retired Royal Navy helicopter today.
It marks the official decommissioning of the Mk8 Lynx helicopter which goes out of service on March 31 after 41 years of operations.
#farewellLynx fly past over #poole & #bournemouth this afternoon #rnas #wave #flypast pic.twitter.com/ui3CM2eUah
— Mike Batson (@mikebatson5d) March 17, 2017
Four helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton conducted the flypast across southern England, touring military sites associated with the Lynx.
They were seen over Portland between 12.37pm and 12.42pm and over Lulworth between 12.44pm and 12.49pm.
The aircraft served with 702, 815 and 829 Naval Air Squadrons at RNAS Portland.
The helicopters were also seen heading over Lyme Regis earlier in the day between 11.44am and 11.49am.
The Lynx is being replaced by the new AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopter.
The last deployed Lynx helicopter flew home for the final time last week as HMS Portland ended a nine-month deployment.
The Lynx, which was flown by Lieutenant Laura Cambrook, was welcomed back to RNAS Yeovilton by Commander Phil Richardson, the commanding officer of the base.
“We are delighted to welcome back 208 Flight, who have been embarked in HMS Portland for the last nine months,” he said.
“They have operated in every environment, from the oppressive mid-summer heat of the Arabian Gulf to the harsh conditions of the South Atlantic.
“They have conducted lifesaving missions at extreme range, fired sea skua missiles for their continuation training and have delivered a most impressive level of aircraft serviceability of an ageing yet hugely successful airframe.
“We welcome them home after a very successful deployment. They are the last Lynx deployed after a very successful history of Lynx helicopters being embarked and integrated within the Royal Navy’s frigates and destroyers.
“Their success and experience will be transferred across to the Wildcat as 815 completes its transition to this new aircraft type. Welcome home 208 Flight – last of the Lynx.”
Lynx farewell flypast Friday, March 17
9.58am-10.03am: Depart RNAS Yeovilton
10.07am- 10.12am: Glastonbury Tor
10.20am- 10.25am: Rolls Royce Filton
10.30am- 10.35am: Weston-super-Mare helicopter museum
11.08am- 11.13am: Devonport
11.23am- 11.28am: Britannia Royal Naval College (will follow the coast to Lyme Regis).
11.44am- 11.49am: Lyme Regis Return to RNAS Yeovilton
12.18pm- 12.23pm: Depart RNAS Yeovilton
12.23pm- 12.28pm: Leonardo Helicopters
12.37pm- 12.42pm: Portland
12.44pm- 12.49pm: Lulworth
12.52pm- 12.57pm: Sandbanks
1.08pm- 1.13pm: Fleetlands
1.13pm- 1.18pm: Navy Command Headquarters
1.29pm- 1.34pm: Odiham
1.53pm- 1.58pm: Depart Odiham
2.13pm- 2.18pm: Isle of Dogs Westbound following River Thames
2.45pm- 2.50pm: Middle Wallop
2.50pm- 2.55pm: Boscombe Down
3pm- 3.05pm: Compton Abbas
3.13pm- 3.18pm: Arrive at RNAS Yeovilton
Lynx farewell flypast
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