When A Wildcat Met A Wild Crocodile

The Royal Marines caught some interesting visuals on their state of the art electro/optic camera, as they flew over Australia's Northern Territory.

In a rare visit to Darwin, cameras on the Royal Marines Wildcat helicopters captured footage which appeared to be a crocodile moving through a river in the outback.

Two Wildcats and more than 30 sailors and Royal Marines from 847 Naval Air Squadron are assigned to the French assault ship FS Dixmude for Exercise Jeanne d’Arc.

The five-month deployment is part of an agreement by the UK and France to enhance maritime operations

Following a changeover of staff in the port of Darwin the Wildcat flew out over the nearby area to practice its navigation skills.

Lieutenant Paul Melling, the training officer for the 847 detachment, who have been working alongside the French Navy helicopters in a show of co-operation, said: “It was a fantastic to experience the Outback which we’d seen on the ground from the air and working closely with the French was a real pleasure.

“It also allowed us to practise some reconnaissance skills on the local crocodile population.”

French Navy helicopter pilot Lieutenant Henri flies an Alouette which is more than 50 years old. He said he was impressed with the Wildcat, which has been in service with the Royal Navy for only a few years.

 “It was very interesting having two aircraft from two very different generations flying together. A good contrast of the old and the very new.”

Two Wildcats have been involved in various operations as the French ships come to the end of their five-month mission to the Middle East, Asia and South Pacific.

The helicopters are reported to have taken part in winching people and supplies, search and rescue duties, and transferring loads between the vessels.