Dates

Event

Constructed as a 352.

From 18 November 1981 to 21 January 1982

To Boeing Vertol Co, Philadelphia, PA with new c/r N37043.

9 December 1981

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n ZA709 as a Chinook HC.1.

21 January 1982

Civil registration, N37043, cancelled.
Exported to United Kingdom.

By July 1982

Transferred to 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham.
Operated with markings: BD
Grey-green camouflage.

25 July 1982

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at AAC Middle Wallop Airshow

Circa 1982

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At Yeovilton.

22 July 1995

Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: Chinook HC.2, Callsign ODM 96, of 7 Squadron at RAF Odiham on display at the 1995 International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

Converted to a Chinook HC.2.
New construction number, M7028, assigned to the airframe.

26 June 2003

Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: Chinook HC.2, callsign Lifter 2, of 27 Squadron visiting Carlisle in June 2003.

19 August 2009

Written off.
As part of a two ship flight both helicopters had dropped off their troops in the Sangin area of Afghanistan. Shortly after take-off ZA709 was struck by either a rocket propelled grenade or small arms fire which started an engine fire. The pilot manoeuvred out of the immediate danger area and landed approximately one kilometre away where the aircraft was safely evacuated by the four crew. They were quickly picked up by the other Chinook. Due to the hostile area that the incident occurred in, the damaged helicopter was destroyed by a 500lb bomb dropped by a USAF A-10A. This was to prevent it falling into the hands of the Taliban.