Apache (Not an Indian)

Today running late on the way back to Aberdeen from Dundee (again) after lunch. I was taking a short cut from Stonehaven to PeterCulter via Netherly. As I got near Milltimber I came across an Army Air Corps Apache helicopter that had made a controlled landing.

The attack helicopter, part of a NATO's Operation Joint Warrior training exercise, suffered a mechanical failure forcing it to land in a field near Milltimber.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 11.52am alerting them to a “full-scale emergency incident with an aircraft”, but the crews were stood down before the Helicopter could reach Aberdeen International Airport.

A spokeswoman from the Army said: "An Army Apache attack helicopter has made a controlled landing due to a mechanical failure, there are no injuries.” The police where on scene as I passed and the crew where inspecting the Helicopter.

As I was running late and all ready in trouble with my Rock! I pushed on; later in the afternoon an RAF Chinook arrived and dropped of service personnel to guard the Apache, and relive the local police.

This evening on the way to the Livery yard we diverted via the LZ (much to trying the patience of my best friend), and I took this picture of the chopper tucked up for the night.

I last saw one of these in the flesh back in 1977 when an America prototype YAH-64 one visited RAF Gutersloh where I was stationed with 21 Signal Regt (Air Support) attached to 18 Squadron Wessex, providing secure communications support for the Wessex the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).

Designed to hunt and destroy tanks, the Apache attack helicopter has significantly improved the Army's operational capability.

The Apache attack helicopter can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect classify and can prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a mix of weapons including rockets; Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun, as well as a state of the art fully integrated defensive aid suite.

In addition to the distinctive Longbow radar located above the rotor blades, this aircraft is equipped with a day TV system, thermal imaging sight and direct view optics.

The Army Air Corps operates alongside the other Combat Arms of the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps. In my day the Army Air Corps where known as “Tiny Winnies” air force. I.e. smaller than the RAF which they where then and was nowhere near as a big organistaion as it is to day within the British Army.