Irish Air Corps Visit – Wattisham Airfield

Irish Air Corps in 2005

A visit to Baldonnel was arranged in 2005 before the Irish Air Corps retired some of their older helicopters. A recent order had been placed for modern EC.135 and AW.139 helicopters, and we were keen to see the older types before they were replaced in service.

Alouette IIIs are shortly due to be replaced

Baldonnel, near Dublin, is the main Irish Air Corps base and houses the all the fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and squadrons. A varied transport and VIP fleet are based here, along with a squadron of modern Pilatus PC-9 advanced trainers and light attack aircraft.

Older SF.260s had recently been retired, and Cessna basic trainers are also still in service.

A varied rotary wing fleet of Gazelle, Alouette III and Dauphin helicopters are shortly due to be replaced by more modern types.

In addition, the Garda operate some fixed and rotary wing aircraft from Baldonnel.

A museum is also located on Baldonnel, which displays many examples of the aircraft types flown by the Irish Air Corps over the years.

A superb visit was had here, and everyone had a hugely enjoyable day, with superb Irish hospitality. Thanks go to our hosts for their efforts.

AIrcraft noted during our visit:

255 AS.355N Garda Air Support Unit
254 Islander Garda Air Support Unit
195 Alouette III 302/303 Sqn
196 Alouette III 302/303 Sqn
202 Alouette III Museum
211 Alouette III 302/303 Sqn
212 Alouette III 302/303 Sqn
214 Alouette III 302/303 Sqn
141 Anson C19 Museum
253 C.235-100MPA 101 Sqn
164 Chipmunk T20 Museum
168 Chipmunk T20 Museum
172 Chipmunk T20 Museum
199 Chipmunk T20 Museum
219 CM.170R Stored
221 CM.170R Museum
244 Dauphin Stored
245 Dauphin 301 Sqn
246 Dauphin 301 Sqn
247 Dauphin 301 Sqn
203 FR.172H Rocket 104 Sqn
205 FR.172H Rocket 104 Sqn
206 FR.172H Rocket 104 Sqn
208 FR.172H Rocket 104 Sqn
210 FR.172H Rocket 104 Sqn
243 FR.172H Rocket Wreckage
251 Gulfstream IV 102 Sqn
240 King Air 102 Sqn
34 Miles M.14A Magister Museum
260 PC-9M Flying Training School
261 PC-9M Flying Training School
262 PC-9M Flying Training School
263 PC-9M Flying Training School
264 PC-9M Flying Training School
265 PC-9M Flying Training School
266 PC-9M Flying Training School
267 PC-9M Flying Training School
183 Provost T51 Museum
237 SA.342L Gazelle Stored
222 SF.260WE Flying Training School
227 SF.260WE Flying Training School
229 SF.260WE Flying Training School
230 SF.260WE Flying Training School
231 SF.260WE Flying Training School
191 Vampire T55 Museum
198 Vampire T55 Museum