**ONLY ONE LEFT! THIS ITEM IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION**

Historical Note:     The Puma HC-1 is a twin engine medium sized transport and utility helicopter, filling a useful gap between the smaller Lynx and larger Chinook and Merlin fleets.  Despite entering service in the early 1970s, the Pumas have not gone through the same various stages of development as other similar machines such as the Lynx, instead retaining their original designation of HC Mk.1.   Along with the rest of the RAF’s Puma fleet at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, 230 Squadron has operated the Puma HC Mk.1 since the early 1970s. 

The Puma HC Mk 1 is the SA 330E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF and first flown on 25 November 1970. This is basically similar to the SA 330B used by France. The RAF placed an initial order for 40 Pumas in 1967, with a further eight attrition replacement aircraft in 1979. Thirty of these are planned to be upgraded to Puma HC Mk 2 standard, with new Turbomeca Makila engines, revised cockpit displays and new communications, navigation and defensive systems.

Flying extensively over Northern Ireland, as well as brief detachments to the Balkans, 230 Squadron left the province in 2009 to move to its new home at RAF Benson.  While in Northern Ireland the Pumas gave excellent service proving to be a reliable and capable transport helicopter.  

Info: Puma HC Mk.1 ,XW219, 230 Sqn, RAF Benson, November 2009