Aden with 2 Tp 1964

2 Troop on the move.

Al Roberts on a Recce
Who knows what he chopper is?
A reply from Alex Johnstone
The helicopter is a Westland Belvedere. It is parked up
because the covered vents to the left of the window are the
exhaust pipes which I remember very well.
I was "casevaced" from Radfan and was classified as walking
wounded. The walking wounded were formed into a line and we
were told to advance to the aircraft. Unfortunately the
engines were running. The entrance was just to the left of
the exhaust pipes so that we had a powerful blast of very
hot smelly air as we entered the Belvedere. We very quickly
took off and found another problem. There was a second door
at the back of the helicopter and this was also wide open.
This meant that the heat and fumes poured through the
aircraft until we reached about 70 mph. Above that speed it
was quite pleasant. I always wondered why they didn't board
us before the engines were started. Obviously before the
days of Health and Safety regulations.
Alex
With thanks to Al Roberts for this contribution.