Formed at RAF Middle Wallop as a joint RAF /Army unit on 1 Apr 1955 to explore the operational uses of the helicopter. It was initially equipped with Sycamores and Whirlwinds. After many landings made on an area of grass marked out as a dummy carrier deck, the unit deployed to HMS Theseus in Oct 1955 for a period of intensive live deck landing practice.
The Whirlwind HAR.2s and Sycamore HC.12s and HR.14s embarked HMS Ocean and sailed for the Mediterranean. On 30 Oct 1956, the unit was renamed the Joint Helicopter Unit and subsequently took part in Operation Musketeer, lifting in elements of 45 Commando into Port Said on 6 Nov. Following the initial assault, the unit disembarked to El Gamil airfield between 8 and 28 Nov, the Whirlwinds departing to HMS Eagle on 22 Nov and the Sycamores on 28 Nov before transferring to HMS Ocean for the voyage back to the UK.
The unit returned to Middle Wallop and continued its operational research and evaluation work, although 6 Whirlwinds served in Cyprus between Dec 1958 and Feb 1959, working alongside 653 Squadron. It moved to RAF Andover but its days were numbered by a movement within the British Governments then War Office (now the Ministry of Defence) for the RAF to control the utility helicopters of the day. The Army viewed them as Battlefield Support helicopters; the RAF as Short Range Transports. The JHU was disbanded on 31 Dec 1959 to form the core of 225 Squadron, the next day.
The unit returned to Middle Wallop and continued its operational research and evaluation work, although 6 Whirlwinds served in Cyprus between Dec 1958 and Feb 1959, working alongside 653 Squadron. It moved to RAF Andover but its days were numbered by a movement within the British Governments then War Office (now the Ministry of Defence) for the RAF to control the utility helicopters of the day. The Army viewed them as Battlefield Support helicopters; the RAF as Short Range Transports. The JHU was disbanded on 31 Dec 1959 to form the core of 225 Squadron, the next day.
As a member of this unit from its' formation in 1955 I remember embarking on an aircraft carrier and sailing for the Mediterranean HOWEVER, Despite being almost 85 years old , I'm almost certain that the ship was HMS Theseus and HMS Ocean had naval helicopters at Port Said .
My father has a picture of him in this unit. Its noted as "B Flight" and dated August 17th 1956 at Middle Wallop. There are 33 people in the picture with the Whirlwind helicopter behind them.
Late 1958. Jehu Whirlwinds arrived by Beverley at RAF Nicosia. To operate in the anti EOKA terrorist campaign. Coordinated by the TACC Tactical Air Control Centre in the government secretariat at Nicosia City. TACC was manned by 1 Wg Cmdr. 4 Sqn Ldr's, 4 Cpls and 12 airmen. Wing Cmdr Richie was CO. Sqdn Ldr Watkin Jones was on of the four Sqdn Ldr's . All 5 former WW11 fighter pilots. The Whirlwinds of Jehu operated alongside the Sycamores of 284 Squadron, the AAC Auster's of 653 sqdn , the Chipmunks of 114 Sqdn and a Pioneer Sqdn whose number is escaping me at this mo. As a very young airman at the time, it was a wonderful experience to serve on this small unit. Operations ceased with the granting of Cyprus independence in May 1959.
JEHU reformed with Whirlwinds at RAF Nicosia Cyprus in Dec 59. Operating on anti EOKA ops, under the control of RAF TACC . Tactical Air Control Centre in Government Secretariat in Nicosia.until the May 59 at least . When the Cyprus emergency ended. With an independence agreement.
Locations
| 1955-1958 | EGVP | AAC Middle Wallop |
| 1956 | HEPS PSD |  Port Said / El Gamil |
| 1958-1959 | EGWA ADV | Andover |
| 1958-1959 | LCNC NIC |  Nicosia (Lefkosia) International Airport |
Models
| 1955-1959 | Type 171 Sycamore |
| 1955-1959 | Whirlwind |
Operations
| -- | Operation Musketeer |
|
Airframes (14)
| Reg | Model | C/N | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XG500 | sycamore 4 | 13245 | 1954 | 1 |
| XG502 | sycamore 4 | 13247 | 1955 | 2 |
| XG507 | sycamore 4 | 13402 | 1956 | 3 |
| XG515 | sycamore 4 | 13369 | 1955 | |
| XG523 | sycamore 4 | 13377 | 1955 | |
| XG548 | sycamore 4 | 13388 | 1956 | |
| XJ362 | sycamore 4 | 13266 | 1955 | |
| XJ764 | har.2 | wa110 | 1956 | |
| XJ765 | har.2 | wa111 | 1956 | |
| XK968 | har.2 | wa139 | 1956 | |
| XK969 | har.2 | wa140 | 1956 | |
| XK970 | har.2 | wa141 | 1956 | |
| XK986 | har.2 | wa142 | 1956 | |
| XK988 | har.2 | wa144 | 1956 |