Helicopter 'towed' to RAF base

The Wessex was transported using a Chinook

An RAF base received a special aerial arrival when a helicopter was flown in to replace the site's existing "gate guardian".

The red and white Westland Whirlwind helicopter which has stood guard at the gates of RAF Shawbury since the early 1980s has deteriorated and become badly weather-beaten.

RAF bosses decided it was time to replace it with a helicopter more recently used to train air crews at the base.

The decision led to Thursday's delivery of a twin-engine Wessex.

The Wessex, which was used at RAF Shawbury's Flying Training School until 1997, was transported from Staffordshire using a Chinook helicopter.

The Whirlwind was removed last week and taken to the Phoenix Aviation Museum at Lutterworth in Leicestershire.

The new arrival will be placed on static display opposite the main guardroom at the air base.