A local veteran spotted the rare sight of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying another military helicopter in the sky over Salisbury Plain. Robert Rodgers told Wiltshire Live that he was just putting some rubbish outside his home in Shrewton when he spotted something unusual in the sky last Wednesday (April 6) around 12.30pm.
He was unable to see exactly what it was, so he took his phone out and zoomed in to get a better look. Robert said: "I saw the Chinook carrying something unusual and couldn't quite make it out, so I took my phone out my pocket and used the zoom function to see what it was and was surprised to see the Chinook carrying a Merlin helicopter. I took a couple of photos as I knew if I told anyone, they wouldn't believe me."
As an army veteran, Robert has seen many Chinooks carrying things but says it was a first to see one carrying a helicopter. He said he suspects that it was a training exercise in the transportation of these aircraft or that the smaller helicopter may have broken down and needed recovery assistance.
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"The Chinook is my favourite helicopter that has been deployed on so many rolls from troop carrying to supply drops and casualty evacuation and that 'wokka-wokka' sound is just the best sound," he said
Chinooks are primarily used for trooping, resupply and battlefield casualty evacuation. With its triple-hook external load system, internal cargo winch, roller conveyor fit and large reserves of power, the aircraft can lift a wide variety of complex underslung or internal flight, including vehicles. It can carry up to 55 troops or up to approximately 10 tonnes of mixed cargo.
Secondary roles include search and rescue (SAR), and supporting a wide variety of specialist tasks, including the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) commitment. A Chinook crew comprises two pilots and two crewmen, supplemented by specialists dependent upon mission requirements.
