Puma XW208
Knowing how any photography we take at Newark Air Museum has to adjust to whatever voluntary work is being carried on at the time, inspired us, after becoming museum members years ago, to both consider becoming volunteers ourselves when we moved closer. Hence why in 2025 I’m presently involved using my writing skills for pieces for the new website and my husband has joined the Cockpit crew, eager to answer visitors’ questions. By Jan McGeachie
One of the major restoration projects currently underway is Aerospatiale Puma HC Mk 1 – XW208.
Following its arrival from RAF Cranwell seven years ago, it’s been a privilege to watch the active restoration of NAM’s Puma helicopter, one of only a few on display in the country.
The airframe arrived lacking in certain quarters but soon became a focus of fascination for every return visit we made having learnt how long it had taken to achieve - long admired by many who had seen them fly or land in the museum grounds.
Originally designed in France by Sud Aviation, following its maiden flight during the mid-1960s, the first standard Puma took to the skies September 1968. The NAM’S own Puma, thanks to co-operation and networking in the helicopter rebuilding community, acquired its missing tail boom from East Midlands Aeropark so we were able to photograph Puma XW208 when that was fitted. It still awaits its four blades being attached (and its two turbo shaft engines) but the refurbishment of its cabin, thanks to the dedicated passion to acquire its missing parts, has moved on a pace.
Designed as a medium lift support helicopter to transport sixteen or carry six casualties with four nursing staff , capable of operating at both night and day in anything from the cold of the arctic to the warmth of the desert in a vast variety of roles, (movement of troops, supplies, weapons, ammunition, my affection for Puma’s originate from seeing them in flight in civilian form flying from Dyce in late 70’s early 80’s for Bristow Helicopters out over the North Sea either to the rigs or on search and rescue exercises when on occasions, you would see its strop lowered and raised on the Puma’s starboard side.
The Puma was selected by RAF for its versatile capabilities and ease of maintenance plus the addition of GPS and night vision going onto be manufactured jointly by Aerospatiale and Westland and during the 1970s became popular in other European countries, the latter models being produced in Romania well into the 21st Century.
With two hydraulic systems operating independently of each other, one to power the flight controls and the second under carriage and rotor it was designed to fly even with only one functioning engine with pilot and co-pilot handling dual controls whilst its winch operator has control over any adjustments needed using the autopilot, so a very versatile helicopter which explains its popularity.
33 Squadron were the first in the RAF to receive the Puma late in January 1971 at RAF Odiham ordering a total of 48 Puma HC Mk 1 which took part in the Falklands War and used by British special forces (SAS) praised for its stealth capabilities based also RAF Gutersloh and RAF Belize as well as commonly used during the Northern Ireland troubles in the 1990s. Pumas were sent on disaster flood relief missions as well as peacekeeping operations, deployments to protect oil fields or during the Iraq War move troops into the area.
The Puma's service life extended when the Mk2 entered service in 2012 and sadly retired in 2025 with three flying in formation on their Farewell Flight from their home base at RAF Benson with Newark Air Museum included on route for its Farewell flypast on Thursday 27th March, acknowledging its Puma XW208 restoration, thanks to former 33 Squadron engineer Kev Graham.
The Puma’s long service role has since been taken over by Jupiter helicopter based at RAF Valley and RAF Shawbury.