8 Flight Army Air CorpS

8 Flight AAC (Army Air Corps) is a little-known and rarely spotted fleet of 4 Agusta A109 and 2 Gazelle helicopters that support the Special Air Service.

Painted in civilian colours, the Agusta A109s of 8 flight can blend in to normal civilian air traffic and thus allow the SAS to be transported quickly but covertly. In addition to covert transport, 8 flight Agustas can also fly the SAS into action during Counter-Terrorism operations.

8 Flight is based at SAS HQ at Credenhill, near Hereford. 2 of the Agusta A109s were captured from the Argentines during the Falklands conflict.

Both the A109 and Gazelles can be armed with machine guns and rocket pods if required, although 8-flight helis are unarmed in most circumstances.

8 flight Agustas are fitted with external threat detection and jamming pods

photos of 8 flight A109s (courtesy of Airliners.net) :

Agusta A109 Specifications

AAC Gazelle helicopter - helicopters like this supported SAS and 14 Company operations in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. DoD photo by: TSGT G. DENNIS PLUMMER

Westland Gazelle Specifications

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