Mick Sharp

WO1 (Retd) Michael Sharp

It is with great sadness that I inform the wider Army Aviation family of the recent death of WO1 Michael Sharp. WO1 MJ “Mick” Sharp served with the Army Air Corps, and was a most professional Army aviator. He was involved in various important exercises in Kenya, as well as taking part in the film “Who Dares Wins”. He also took part in the Falklands War with 656 Squadron, and received a Mention in Dispatches for that campaign.

WO1 Sharp along with Brig Colin Sibun are well known for the ‘The Argentine Huey’ story where a serviceable Huey helicopter that had been abandoned at Port Stanley racecourse was recovered by themselves, even though they had never flown the Huey before. However after much flicking of switches and pressing of buttons it eventually burst into life, hampered only by a massive vertical bounce and with no radios compatible with their own they managed to keep all the needles in the green as they flew it home. Once safely landed they were faced with the problem of shutting it down which was overcome by simply switching off the fuel and waiting until everything stopped turning. The REME then worked their magic on the Huey and after translating the salient parts of a Spanish copy of pilot’s notes, the helicopter was used for mail and freight deliveries around the islands.

The funeral of WO1 Michael Sharp will take place on Wednesday 10th June at 12.30 at Basingstoke Crematorium, Manor Farm, North Waltham, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG25 2BA. Should anyone wish to make a donation, please send to St. Michaels Hospice, Basil de Ferranti House Aldermaston Road Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 9NB

info@stmichaelshospice.org.uk The family welcomes anyone to attend the funeral and the celebration of his life, which will take place afterwards at the Wheatsheaf pub, North Waltham, Basingstoke RG25 2BB. Our thoughts are with the family at this time.