M1A1

This rifle always reminds me of that TV show from way back in the day called Combat! Out of all the squad members had rifles, maybe one guy with a carbine but the Sargent always had M1A1 FA.

After that I would look at what each soldier would carry in any show or movies out of curiosity:)

That's right Shaun. The helicopter suffered a fault and crashed into Morrow and a couple of kids killing them all. Morrow was decapitated. I remember my dad telling me about it when I was a teenager. Sad.

It was my Mum that told me about it, She was so sad (She absolutely loved a good movie did my Mum) and I'd forgotten about those poor kids ! it was a great shame, such a tragic loss of life.

Helicopters are dangerous. 

It reminds me of a time in history where I was in what I thought was a dangerous situation.

I was refueling a Rotors turning Puma in Salamanca, South Belize in the Jungle base I was stationed at as a lone RAF guy among ARMY and Special Forces. It then shut down it's engine which was not normal. I asked the crewman/winch operator what was going on and he said a problem had surfaced. The Tail rotor inspection hatch/flap had a failed catch and was opening under vibration. If this hatch opened in flight it would strike the tail rotor with catastrophic results in flight. The crewman/load master asked me if I had any bodge tape. I said yes I do. With that the crew. pilot and all got out and started wrapping bodge tape around the tail of the chopper enclosing the inspection hatch. After ten minutes they were satisfied that the job would hold out for the 300 mile ride back to the main airbase in the north. Now the funny thing was that I was getting on this chopper for a taxi ride back to main base for my weeks R&R. I was apprehensive to say the least.

We took off for the long haul over the jungle canopy. About an hour into the flight the loadmaster was hanging out inspecting the tape. He signaled to the pilot to land asap. The pilot found a clearing in the jungle and landed quick.  The crew and me got out again and re-applied some more tape over the stuff that had blown loose.

We took off and eventually landed at main base. I was never so glad to walk into the Naafi bar for a drink in my life. Great experience. One week later I was flying back down south to my base in what was known as 'white knuckle airways' or the Belize airforce propeller plane, and that was another experience in itself to be told another day. 

I don't have one yet Billy but I really want one as well. I am looking forward to you getting yours mate!

Did you manage to find one used or is it an RFD job?