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Maritime Role

Apache with main rotor blades folded

It was always envisaged that the aircraft would have a Maritime Role, and to that end they were supplied with folding main rotor blades to facilitate stowage inside a ship hangar.

Quite early in its career, a few aircraft had some maritime modifications carried out, to help with weather sealing and drainage, and other minor features.

656 Squadron has a long-standing maritime support role, so is usually the unit that embarks Royal Navy vessels for operating at sea, although other squadrons have also practiced this.

Later in its career a major modification was fielded to make the aircraft more survivable in the event of a ditching in water. Some flotation devices were added beneath the stub wings and alongside the pilot’s cockpit area, which when activated gives the aircraft a much more stable and upright floating stance, allowing the crews a much better chance of escape.

Army Air Corps Apaches have embarked and operated from the following vessels: –

RFA Argus (A135)

HMS Ocean (L12)

HMS Illustrious (R06)

HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)

HMS Prince of Wales (R09)

AAC Apaches operating from HMS Ocean
664 Sqn operating from HMS Illustrious. Crown Copyright
AAC Apaches operating from HMS Ocean
AAC Apaches aboard RFA Argus. Crown Copyright
656 Sqn aboard HMS Prince of Wales
Aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth
656 Sqn aboard HMS Prince of Wales
Aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth
Aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth
656 Sqn aboard HMS Prince of Wales
664 Sqn operating at night from HMS Illustrious. Crown Copyright
AAC Apaches aboard RFA Argus. Crown Copyright
656 Sqn aboard HMS Prince of Wales
664 Sqn aboard HMS Illustrious. Crown Copyright
AAC Apaches operating from HMS Ocean

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Some images…..

ZJ173 at Dishforth in 2004 ZJ187 at Wattisham in 2020 ZJ181 at RIAT Fairford in 2019 ZM706 on Wattisham approach ZM705 Airtest ZM706 returning to Wattisham

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