At the end of the
Second World War, the RAF's Air Observation Post squadrons were spread across
the globe. Most were equipped with small Austers of various marks - excellent
spotting platforms for the Army but limited in load carrying capability and
extremely basic - albeit functional - aircraft. Although the RAF was
equipped with numerous communications types, none of these were as suitable or
as rugged as, for example, the Noorduyn UC-64 (as used by the Americans during
the war) to provide in-theatre transport for British Army personnel.
So the answer was to
order Norsemen of their own. What to do, though - take used, ex-US
examples (a cheap and attractive option, given the parlous state of the British
Treasury in the late 40s), or order new ones from Canada that would last much
longer? The latter option was chosen - a popular decision given Canada's
unflinching support for Britain during the war.
So it was that 24
Norsemen were purchased and designated 'Norsemen CC.1', the first entering
service with 657 Sqn in 1947. 657 was the only full squadron to equip with
the type (additionally acting as the Norseman Operational Training Unit), the
remainder being operated by numerous Flights around the world.
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Unsurprisingly, the
Norseman proved to be a rugged, reliable aircraft and saw notable service in
support of the British Army during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and in
Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising. With the formation of the Army Air
Corps in September 1957, the RAF transferred its remaining Norsemen to the Army,
when they were redsignated 'Norseman AL.1'. Mindful of the Norseman's
utility and the need to preserve the capability it represented, the Army Air
Corps sought to replace the type and again looked to Canada for the answer -
this time in the shape of the De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. Beaver
AL.1s replaced Norsemen in the early 1960s, after which most of the Norsemen
were scrapped.
Fortunately one was
preserved (VX113 formerly of 651 Sqn), and is currently held in the reserve
collection of the Museum of Army Flying at the Army Air Corps Centre,
Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
Model built straight
out of the box, markings from Xtradecal sheet X720401
Kitbasher
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images below to see larger images
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