#548CU1 Chinook HC2
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 548CU - ZA718 'BN', Chinook HC2, 78 Squadron, Mount Pleasant Airfield, Falkland Islands.
No. 78 Squadron was formed on 1 November 1916 as a Home Defence squadron flying BE 2C, BE 2E, BE 12 and BE 12A aircraft. Flying from south-coast bases, the prime role was to protect London from Zeppelin and Gotha attacks. During WWI, the squadron was progressively re-equipped with Sopwith 11/2 Strutters, FE 2Ds, Sopwith Camels and, in October 1918, Sopwith Snipes until it was disbanded on 31 December 1919. It reformed on 1 November 1936 as a bomber squadron flying Handley Page Heyfords from Boscombe Down and, at the outbreak of hostilities, moved to Disforth where it re-equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys. During March 1942 the Whitleys were replaced by Handley Page Halifaxes and these aircraft were utilized in notable operations such as the first 1000 bomber raid on Cologne and attacks on the Scharnhorst. In May 1945 78 Squadron transferred from Bomber to Transport command and started its acquaintance with the Middle East flying Dakota IVs and Vickers Valettas C1s until it disbanded at Fayid in Egypt on 30 September 1954. Reformed at Khormaksar in Aden on 24 April 1956 as a short-range tactical transport squadron it was initially equipped with Scottish Aviation Pioneer CC1s and later with Twin Pioneer CC1s and CC2s. During June 1965 the Twin Pioneers were replaced by Wessex HC2 helicopters for use in the support of the British and Federal Armies. The Squadron moved to Sharjah in the Persian Gulf in June 1967 and remained there until the British withdrawal from that area when it disbanded on 1 December 1971. On 22 May 1986 the amalgamation of 1310 Flight operating Chinook HC1s and 1564 Flight operating Sea King HAR3s saw 78 Squadron reforming for the third time at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. These Flights had been individual units since the 1982 Falklands conflict. The Chinook aircraft were updated to HC2 standard in February 1994. 78 Squadron now supports the British Forces in the Falkland Islands in the Support Helicopter and Search and Rescue roles.