MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ war Chinook involved in the Afghanistan choppers controversy

Half of the Chinook belonged to a helicopter captured from the Argentine Air Force in 1982

The British Ministry of Defence has admitted one of its helicopters used in Afghanistan was a “cut and shut” – a combination of two aircraft, reported the London press on Friday.

The front of the helicopter is from an RAF Chinook which crashed in Oman in 1999 and the rear was taken from a former Argentine Air Force Chinook seized in June 1982 during the recapture of the Falkland Islands.

The MoD disclosed the details in a letter to Ian Sadler, whose son Jack, 21, a trooper in the Honourable Artillery Company, was killed by a mine in Afghanistan in December 2007. Mr Sadler, from Exmouth, Devon, has been fiercely critical of the inadequate equipment provided to British troops.

A MoD spokesman said: “The work was conducted by highly skilled aviation technicians and the aircraft returned to service after extensive air testing and signing off by the aircraft's 'design authority', Boeing.

”Like all aircraft in the fleet this aircraft is routinely inspected to ensure its continued integrity.

“The aircraft has operated satisfactorily as part of the Chinook fleet for over five years since completion of the repair with no adverse impact”.

The spokesman said it was “routine business” for the RAF to ensure the most effective use of resources.

Mr Sadler said: “Everyone I have told about the helicopter being a 'cut and shut' has responded with disbelief.

”It is penny-pinching and an insult to the young men who are going to Afghanistan and risking, and losing, their lives.”