| title (item) | field_cer_web | field_cer_navbox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westland Wasp |
To soften the political profile of the intervention, the first of 315 troops of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2PARA) to reach Anguilla during Operation Sheepskin did so on board two Westland Wasp HAS.Mk 1 helicopters of Naval Air Squadron 847. The Wasp was a small helicopter equipped with a unique four-wheeled caster undercarriage allowing it to land on small, pitching flight decks. It was designed as an anti-submarine helicopter, and all the examples were painted in extra dark sea grey overall (BS381C/640). The two Wasps involved in Operation Sheepskin were from frigates HMS Minverva (hull number F45; Leander-class) and HMS Rothesay (F107; Rothesay-class). Additional Paras followed and landed on the beaches in Gemini assault craft. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)