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REIMS ROCKET FR.172H
Built in 1972 by Reims Aviation in France under a licensed agreement with Cessna, eight Reims Rocket FR.172H aircraft upon arrival in Ireland were assigned to the Advanced Flying Training School which would be responsible for the introduction of the type in IAC service.
The eight were later assigned to Army Co-Op Squadron at Gormanston in Co. Meath and subsequently assigned to No. 204 Sqn of the Irish Air Corps in Baldonnel.
Serving for 47 years until the type's retirement in October 2019 the ‘Cessna’s’ as they were referred to is the longest serving aircraft operated by the IAC.
Having a six-cylinder, fuel-injected, air-cooled, Rolls-Royce Continental IO-360D engine (built by Rolls-Royce in the UK under an agreement with Continental Motors), the engine is capable of producing 210bhp.
In its operational lifetime, it would have been used on various mission and roles, such as Irish border surveillance (originally bought for £20,000 each during the early part of the Troubles in 1972), cash escorts, target towing operations, wildlife surveys, parachute training and general transportation flights.
Strengthened hard points under each wing meant the ‘Cessnas’ could each carry 24 Matra 37mm unguided air to ground rocket projectiles in rocket pods.
Air to ground firing exercises were undertaken over the Air Firing Range at Gormanston.
By the late 1970s, air firing had ended and the rockets pods had been withdrawn from use.
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
UAS Restoration Team on the Reims Rocket
UAS Volunteers who have worked on Reims Rocket (Cessna) FR.172H Skyhawk II restoration, with the team led by John Dunphy include Leonard Craig and Des Regan.
Manufacturer: Reims Aviation
Model: Reims Rocket (Cessna) FR.172H Skyhawk II
Registration: 203
