84 Sqd. The Griffins were replaced by the Puma on 31st March 2023. Photo opportunity courtesy of 84 Sqd. No squadron markings applied as yet.

I was birdwatching in the Akrotiri saltmarshes when I suddenly saw a U-2 performing touch and go's at RAF Akrotiri, so I raced to a place which I though would be a good place to take a picture of the aircraft, only to find out that I was too close under the centerline. The sun was a challenge as well. Nevertheless, I was happy with this "up close and personal pic" of the dragon lady!

Two RAF Akrotiri based Puma helicopters, this ZA940/V together with ZJ955/X, were assisting the Cyprus firefighting service with putting out a wildfire close to Limasol. I saw both Pumas flying back and forth to RAF Akrotiri while birdwatching in the Akrotiri saltmarshes adjacent to the airbase.

Operator (Helicópteros del Pacífico) logo on port side only. Left on 17th Oct for Larnaka(LCA) with CC-DER for the journey to S. America. LV-JUQ left LCA on 20th Flt details courtesy of 'Flight Radar.' IATA codes used. 17th AKT - LCA - 28m 24th LCA - MLA - 5hr 45m 25th MLA - XRY - 7hr 45m 26th XRY - SID - 9hr 6m 27th SID -SSA-12hr 27m 28th SSA - ASU - 8hr 24m 28th ASU - CNQ 2hr 45m(approx time) 29th CNQ - GEZ - 2hr 45m Total flt time 46 hr 20 min!! I know this a/c has dual controls but in some of those 'legs' over the sea and the forests of Brazil they must have been glad to see the next airport!!!

Operator logo on port side only. This aircraft and LV-JUQ were just coming to the end of the firefighting season and were due to leave for South America. Both left for Larnaca (LCA) on 17 Oct 2023. Flight info courtesy of 'Flight Radar' for CC-DER: AKT - LCA 28mins. They then left on separate dates. IATA codes used. 20th- LCA - MAH Flt time 9 hr 6m 21st - MAH - FUE Flt time 7hr 32m 2nd - FUE - SID Flt time 5hr 30m 24th - SID - NAT Flight 8hr 48m 25th - NAT - ASU Flt time 10hr 21m 26th - ASU - SCL Flt time 6hr 1m1m 26th - SCL - ? Flt time 4hr 40m (Track lost heading down the middle of Argentina). Total time 52hr 26m approx!!

RAF Akrotiri Flying Club aircraft.

RAF Akrotiri Flying Club aircraft.

Preserved within the base. ex8787M. ex 84 Sqd/A flt('Scorpion' on cabin sides & 'Ace of Spades' motif on fin) Large plaque on a stone in front of the a/c carries quite a bit of information. Some of it reads - This aircraft was the first Whirlwind in Cyprus and arrived 17th June 1969 to carry out hot weather trials. After completion of the trials and a detached service with 1563 Flight at Nicosia another 7 Whirlwinds joined the aircraft to reform as 84 Sqd on 17th January1972. The Sqd was re-equipped with the Wessex HAR.2 in December 1981. XD184's last flight was on1st March 1982

ex9870M. Fin painted red at last refurb' Small copper plague on stone commemorates the unveiling by Chief of Defence Staff, Sir David Craig on 12th May1989. The larger stainless steel plague details the history of the airframe. It was deliverd to Akrotiri on19th May 1988.

84 Sqd Scorpion on nose intake. UN blue band around rear fuselage and "Joker" on fin. ex 9327M. Was originally exhibited near to the ATC squdron but now resides opposite the 84 Sqd hangar/offices within the base. There is a memorial plaque on a large stone in front of the a/c which reads - "Wessex Memorial - In Memory of all those who have served on No. 84 Squadron"