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LYNX AH.1 XZ666 ‘Damien’
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Background of the Lynx Helicopter
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters in Yeovil, England.
The Westland WG.13 was the original design, which began development in the mid-1960s as a successor to the Westland Scout and Wasp.
The utility helicopter served in both civil use and then Royal Navy at first, but military interest led to development of battlefield and naval variants.
The British Army ordered over 100 Lynx helicopters under the designation of Lynx AH.1 ('Army Helicopter' Mk1) to perform several roles, such as transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles), reconnaissance and evacuation missions.
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
World Airspeed Record for Helicopters
The Lynx was set on operational duty in 1977 and has been used by more than a dozen other countries forces; it mainly served in roles including battlefield utility, anti-armour, search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare.
Between 1977-1984 the British Army made 113 Lynx AH.1s.
The Lynx' unique feature is that it can perform loops and rolls because it is fully aerobatic capable.
In this particular aircraft type, pilot Trevor Egginton achieved an airspeed record for helicopters on G-LYNX — a specially modified Lynx with Gem 60 engines and BERP rotor blades — when he reached the record 249.09 mph (400.87 km/h) in 1986.
This still remains unbeaten until now as recorded by official bodies responsible for verifying such records.
On March 19th ,1994 The IRA (Irish Republican Army) shot down ZD275 of the AAC at Crossmaglen Army base during The Troubles in Northern Ireland with an improvised mortar while attempting to land.
The pilot managed to crash land, destroying the aircraft, but all crew survived.
Lynx AH.1 — XZ666 History
Assembled in September 1978, XZ666 (“Treble Six”) had various modifications made to it such as weapons hard points installation and electrical fittings.
Notoriously known as 'Damien', it was mainly being used as a line cab or utility helicopter by the Army Air Corps' “Reserve Cab” with 655 Squadron, based at Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly from 1986-1990.
Early 1990 saw a large vertical crack discovered on its port side, 45cm forward of the centre section, to tail boom transportation joint. MARTSU (Navy Fleetlands) were called in and it was returned to GB for repair.
It replaced the aging Westland Scout to support the British Army, UDR and Royal Ulster Constabulary during 'Operation: Banner'. It was eventually written off from flight duties in 1994.