A FLIGHT of RAF helicopters are set to take to the skies above North Hampshire this afternoon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Puma.

Up to ten RAF Puma’s will take part in a flypast this afternoon, July 7, to commemorate 50 years since the helicopters were delivered into service in 1971.

They are scheduled to fly from RAF Benson to RAF Scampton from 10am to 11.49am, then RAF Scampton to Middle Wallop from 1.30pm to 3.34pm, and then Middle Wallop back to RAF Benson from 5pm to 6.31pm.

The Puma is a medium-lift support helicopter and has flown on combat and humanitarian operations around the world over the last five decades, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mozambique and the Caribbean. 

The helicopters have also supported Defence in the UK such as providing helicopter lift capability to flood relief efforts and most recently, the Puma played an integral role in the UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

To commemorate 50 years of service, Puma HC Mk2 XW224 has been given a brand-new paint scheme, the tail fin of the model is emblazoned with the union flag, while the standard Royal Air Force logo on the cabin door has been replaced with a bespoke Puma 50 logo.

Whilst flight timings and routes are subject to change depending on the weather, the helicopters are scheduled to arrive in Hampshire from 3.30pm as they make their way towards the Middle Wallop airfield where they will stay until 5pm.

They are due to appear in the skies above Andover at 5.03pm, then Odiham at around 5.15pm until 5.35pm.

They will then make their way across Basingstoke at 5.38pm and Bramley at 5.40pm.

The helicopters will then pass into Surrey before flying back into Hampshire when Odiham will get another flypast between 6.05pm and 6.15pm.

Here is the full list of flight times according to the Military Airshows website:

First leg

BENSON AD - 10.00am

HALTON - 10.20am

TRING - 10.21am

WALTERS ASH - 10.26am

NORTHOLT AD - 10.35am

HENDON - 10.40am

DUXFORD AD - 10.58am

WYTON - 11.08am

CONINGTON AD - 11.12am

WITTERING AD - 11.19am

BARKSTON HEATH AD - 11.30am

CRANWELL AD - 11.33am

WADDINGTON AD - 11.45am

SCAMPTON AD - 11.49am

Second leg

SCAMPTON AD - 1.30pm

ALREWAS - 2.03pm

STAFFORD - 2.11pm

STONE - 2.13pm

SHAWBURY AD - 2.24pm

SHOBDON AD - 2.43pm

CREDENHILL - 2.48pm

CHEPSTOW - 3.04pm

WARMINSTER - 3.21pm

KNOOK - 3.22pm

BOSCOMBE DOWN AD - 3.30pm

MIDDLE WALLOP AD - 3.34pm

Third leg

MIDDLE WALLOP - 5.00pm

ANDOVER - 5.03pm

ODIHAM AD - 5.15pm

ODIHAM AD - 5.35pm

BASINGSTOKE - 5.38pm

BRAMLEY - 5.40pm

BLACKBUSHE AD - 5.46pm

CAMBERLEY - 5.57pm

FRIMLEY - 5.59pm

FARNBOROUGH AD - 6.01pm

ODIHAM AD - 6.05pm

ODIHAM AD - 6.15pm

HENLEY - 6.25pm

BENSON AD - 6.31pm