THE British Army paid a special tribute to a battlefield helicopter series through a commemorative tour across England on Tuesday.

The Army Air Corp’s last five remaining Lynx helicopters flew from its RAF Odiham base to sites the aviation assets were “fondly associated” with including Middle Wallop’s Museum of Army Flying.

The Lynx also flew across locations in Upavon, Yeovil and Wattisham throughout its farewell tour, ending in a V5 ‘air procession’ along the length of the River Thames over central London.

The Lynx helicopter first entered the service in 1978 and served in countries including Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

The world record holder for the fastest helicopter was used to destroy tanks, gather intelligence, provide humanitarian support and “wow the crowds” at air shows to name a few purposes.

A British Army spokesperson said: “Age has finally caught up with the Lynx and although it’ll be a tough act to follow, Wildcat will replace the Lynx.

“With its superior avionics uprated engines and improved capability it too will prove a formidable force over any battlefield of the future.”