NEW BOOK GETS YOU CLOSER TO THE ROYAL NAVY’S SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUADRON
NEW BOOK GETS YOU CLOSER TO THE ROYAL NAVY’S SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUADRON
In nearly half a century of Royal Navy Search and Rescue operations the Sea King has been involved in thousands of vital missions saving lives across the South West and in some of the remotest parts ofScotland. As a fitting tribute, a well known Owners’ Workshop Manual publisher has commissioned a book that allows the reader to get up close and personnel with one of the Navy’s most loved Flying Units.
The ‘Haynes Westland SAR Sea King Mk 5 Manual’ brings together for the first time an almanac of facts and figures that are complemented by pictures from inside 771 Naval Air Squadron at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and Gannet SAR Flight in Scotland.
Written by aviation photographer and author Lee Howard it has taken him just over a year to pull the book together with exclusive access to the men and women of the squadron and their vital work.
“2015 will be the last full year of Sea King SAR operation”, said Lee. “Therefore it is a timely opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who are key to this important role”.
The Navy provides Search & Rescue from two locations, RNAS Culdrose inCornwalland Prestwick airport inScotland, where dedication and passion of the crews have led to countless tales of heroism, which have defied near impossible conditions and pushed the Sea King and its crew to their limits. The book also chronicles some of major incident of recent years that have placed the Royal Navy’s SAR aviators and engineers in such high esteem with the public.
Lee’s initial reaction on being asked to write the book was, “No thanks”, but 45,000 words and over 300 photographs later he’s pretty pleased with his effort. “If anyone thinks that these books are simple, think again. Being accurate and readable as well as sourcing all the right material takes over your life. But I'm glad I did, it was great fun and both an honour and privilege to be allowed such access to both 771 NAS at RNAS Culdrose and Gannet SAR Flight in Scotland”.
Accepting the first book on behalf of 771 SAR Sqn and Gannet SAR Flight was Lieutenant Commander Scott Armstrong, CO of 771 Naval Air Squadron. He was impressed by the range of material Lee had acquired during the year and feel’s he’s captured the true ethos of the SAR units in the Royal Navy. “It’s a great read and it looks fantastic,” said Scott. “It’s a must have for anyone with a keen interest in what we do on 771 Squadron and the SAR Flight in Scotland. It’s certainly popular with my engineers and aircrew here at Culdrose”.