The British Army Unit Light Helicopter Project

Abstract

The revival of flying in the British Army dates from the Air OP flights of the Second World War, manned jointly with the RAF and highly successful in their limited role. In 1957 the Army took over full responsibility for its own aviation and in the previous year had already agreed with the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Supply to purchase the Saunders-Roe Skeeter. This two-seater aircraft had been under development since 1948. It was designed for worldwide use and with its 215 hp Gypsy Major engine it was supposed to have a service ceiling of 10 000 ft and an ability to climb at 180 ft/min outside ground effect at 4000 ft and ICAO + 30°. By 1958 the Skeeter had been accepted into service, but on its tropical trials in Aden in 1959 and 1960 it could produce only marginal power and the cylinder head and oil temperatures were above limits. It was therefore relegated to use in temperate climates and the Army was faced with the situation of still having no helicopters deployed in the Far East and Middle East. We had to make do there with the Auster, a fine, if rather senior reconnaissance aircraft, able to carry out only a few of the many roles required of an Army aircraft. A new aircraft, the Saunders-Roe P531, which became the Westland Scout, was ordered in 1959.