ZA718 'Bravo November' heading to Cosford Museum

[Gary]

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the legendary RAF Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ helicopter.

The newest addition to the Museum’s collection has a distinguished career within the Royal Air Force. It was one of the original 30 Chinooks ordered by the RAF in 1978 and has been in service ever since, serving in every major conflict of the last 40 years. As a veteran of the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, Bravo November has seen four of its pilots awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for actions whilst at the controls of the aircraft.

Bravo November will depart RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 16 March and will travel by road on a low loader lorry. The Chinook will be on public display for the first time ahead of the nation’s Falklands 40 anniversary celebrations commencing 2 April.

Dr Peter Johnston, RAF Museum Head of Collections said:

‘The Chinook, and in particular Bravo November is a significant addition to the RAF Museum’s collection in the Midlands. As we look ahead to Falklands 40, Museum visitors will be able to appreciate the enormous efforts and sacrifices that were required for the campaign to be successful by seeing this most famous of airframes. Yet having also performed a variety of roles in worldwide operations since 1982, this highly decorated aircraft has been involved in major moments in British and global history, and carries further extraordinary stories of service, sacrifice, and heroism at home and abroad. The RAF Museum is delighted to welcome Bravo November into our collection, ensuring an icon of British aviation is secured for future generations to enjoy

Great news

[Phoon]

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the legendary RAF Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ helicopter.

The newest addition to the Museum’s collection has a distinguished career within the Royal Air Force. It was one of the original 30 Chinooks ordered by the RAF in 1978 and has been in service ever since, serving in every major conflict of the last 40 years. As a veteran of the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, Bravo November has seen four of its pilots awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for actions whilst at the controls of the aircraft.

Bravo November will depart RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 16 March and will travel by road on a low loader lorry. The Chinook will be on public display for the first time ahead of the nation’s Falklands 40 anniversary celebrations commencing 2 April.

Dr Peter Johnston, RAF Museum Head of Collections said:

‘The Chinook, and in particular Bravo November is a significant addition to the RAF Museum’s collection in the Midlands. As we look ahead to Falklands 40, Museum visitors will be able to appreciate the enormous efforts and sacrifices that were required for the campaign to be successful by seeing this most famous of airframes. Yet having also performed a variety of roles in worldwide operations since 1982, this highly decorated aircraft has been involved in major moments in British and global history, and carries further extraordinary stories of service, sacrifice, and heroism at home and abroad. The RAF Museum is delighted to welcome Bravo November into our collection, ensuring an icon of British aviation is secured for future generations to enjoy

.’

Great news

Great news as it is a very historic airframe, but I suspect it and a few other early build airframes have been taken out of service with no replacements yet again.

[Vulcanone]

Aside from the 14 they ordered last year. Which are replacing the oldest from 1980/81

[Agent K]

Great news as it is a very historic airframe, but I suspect it and a few other early build airframes have been taken out of service with no replacements yet again.

It's pretty well known and out there if you look that an order for 14 Chinooks to replace the older ones was placed by the RAF (MoD) last year,

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/1- ... ook-fleet/

[falconfighting]

Darn, I was hoping to catch her whilst she was still airworthy. At least she will survive in some guise

[Vulcanone]

I don't recall the last time it flew. Been a bit illusive for a while

[Unknown74]

Has that not been on the cards for a few Years now?

[lowlevelRAF]

It was secured a few years back that 'BN' would be preserved, just was not clear when until now.

[ZackG]

Anyone got an idea of timings for the movement yet?

[Condor68]

Will it be displayed with the Argentine chinook door it had in the Falklands.Imagine thats lying about somewhere as a trophy.

[Phoon]

Great news as it is a very historic airframe, but I suspect it and a few other early build airframes have been taken out of service with no replacements yet again.

It's pretty well known and out there if you look that an order for 14 Chinooks to replace the older ones was placed by the RAF (MoD) last year,

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/1- ... ook-fleet/

Which will not be here until at least 2026 and probably much later, therefore leaving us without replacements for a number of years.

[Agent K]

Which will not be here until at least 2026 and probably much later, therefore leaving us without replacements for a number of years.

Like AWACS, Nimrod, Sea/Harrier etc etc etc, there's no way we could or indeed would want to in my civilian aviation sector retire a fleet without an immediate replacement working up.

[Gary]

Cosfords Facebook page are updating the progress of BN, last update has them on the A34