The arrival of a blue-painted Sea King helicopter at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has brought back memories of the early days of Sea King operations at the base.

The Sea King has been painted in its original blue colour to mark both the 100th year of naval aviation and the 40th anniversary of the Sea King entering naval service. Since delivery of the first aircraft in 1969, the Sea King it has been at the forefront of UK military service, and 96 examples continue to be operated by both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in a wide variety of roles in all environments around the world.

When Sea King helicopters first entered naval service 1969 they were all painted dark blue, and remained that colour until the late eighties, when following the Falklands War, they were repainted grey. The colour of military aircraft is an important issue as factors such as conspicuity, or otherwise, have to be taken into account. Currently most operational military aircraft are painted grey, whilst training aircraft are painted black. Search and Rescue aircraft are always painted in bright colours - red and grey for the Royal Navy and yellow for the RAF - to make them very easy to see as they go about their emergency roles, however this year the blue Sea King will also be used by 771 Search and Rescue Squadron in the SAR role throughout its stay at Culdrose.

Outwardly the Sea King looks much the same as it did when it came into service but over the years the equipment inside the aircraft has been constantly updated. Some of the Sea Kings are now flying with the most up to date radar and communications equipment available and will be at the forefront of operational deployments for years to come.

Looking further back, it is worth remembering that naval aviation “took off” 100 years ago when the Admiralty decided to place an order for the Royal Navy’s first aircraft, His Majesty’s Airship One, “The Mayfly.” The first Naval Aviators completed their flying training in 1911 and the first launch from a Royal Navy battleship was achieved the same year. From those early years of Naval Aviation to current operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, Naval personnel and aircraft have played a leading role of which the blue, and grey, Sea Kings from Culdrose are a major part.