On June 20, it was announced that the Ministry of Defence was on the look-out for two large corporate jets to use as transports for the Royal Family and government ministers. Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of this, the UK doesn't wave the prestige flag often enough... No, this set my mind to what I think is a worrying trend to drop the age-old process of giving our service aircraft names in favour of numbers. On April 1 (when else?) the RAF took delivery of its latest aircraft; one of three AgustaWestland A109Es for use by 32 Squadron at Northolt. This helicopter is called the Power by its manufacturer, but I suspect the RAF will just call it an A109.
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