196

Irish Air Corps Alouette III ‘196’ two days before the type retired from service after 44 years service. 196 carries a very unique paint scheme depicting the squadrons ‘unofficial’ mascot of ‘The Pink Panther’ which originated in the 1960’s as a joke to counter the RAF’s Mickey Mouse mascot on their SAR machines. This scheme was never seen by the public as the general officer commanding at the time refused to sanction it and had it removed immediately. This is the only photo of the scheme in its entirety.