An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2019/Jan 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 34 | BY LT EOIN BLAKE PHOTOS: ARMN SEAN CASSAN O n 4 October the Air Corps retired the last of its remaining Reims Rocket FR172H aircraft. A familiar sight in the skies over Ireland, the fleet has completed just under 64,000 hours of flying over 47 years of unwavering service to the state. Based on the Model 172, originally manufactured by Cessna Air- craft Co, the Reims Rocket was constructed under license by Reims Aviation for delivery throughout Europe and the Middle East. Although originally developed for civilian flying, the Reims ver- sion of the 172 was a capable and adaptable, multi-role, military platform. Powered by its 210hp Continental engine, the Reims Rocket boasted a higher cruise speed, higher fuel capacity, and short field take-off and landing capabilities. Notably, the Reims Rocket featured a strengthened hard point under each wing that were capable of carrying a Matra rocket pod, each of which housed twelve 37mm unguided air-to-ground explosive projectiles. The original eight aircraft were ordered by the Department of Defence in response to rising tensions and activity in Northern Ireland throughout 1970. Four aircraft were delivered on 4 October 1972, with four more arriving within nine days. The aircraft were registered 203-210 respectively. Initially, all were assigned to the Advanced Flying Training School, Casement Aerodrome, but in 1973 were posted to Air Station Gor- manston to replace the aging de Havilland Chipmunks. It was in Gormanston that the aircraft began to really prove their worth. A new pilot-training syllabus was developed, with army cooperation at the forefront of operations. From their base in Gormanston the fleet became renowned for its roles in border pa- trolling, Garda co-operation, and regular escorts of cash, explosives and prisoners. In addition, the Reims Rockets were utilised in a target-towing role for ground-to-air firing by the army and Naval Service. This took place in the air-firing range, off the coast of Gormanston, where a large orange drogue was towed on a 1,500-metre cable behind the aircraft, with the tow winch and control unit installed in the rear of the cabin. An electronically operated missed-distance in- dicator, which was attached to the cable, could show the operator how close a round had passed to its target. This information could then be relayed to personnel on the ground or onboard a naval ves- sel, who were involved in the firing exercise. Many military personnel who underwent parachute training courses found themselves jumping out of a Reims Rocket, as these aircraft could be prepared for parachuting by removing the rear seats and the right-hand control column, and replacing the right- hand front seat with a rear-facing seat. Lightweight seats were then fitted in the rear of the aircraft and the right-hand door was removed. A small platform fitted on the right-hand main landing gear strut allowed for parachutists to position themselves outside the aircraft, while ensuring that the starboard wheel was ad-

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