Wattisham Airfield: Prince Philip climbs aboard an Apache helicopter during trip to military base

The Duke of Edinburgh has visited a key Army base in Suffolk for a guided tour – and even climbed into the cockpit of its flagship aircraft, the Apache attack helicopter.

Prince Philip, 93, came to Wattisham Airfield, near Stowmarket, earlier today where he spoke with serving recruits, their families and children from the nearby primary school.

His Royal Highness, who was not accompanied by the Queen, was shown the vehicles ranging from the Apache – which the base’s 7 Air Assault Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan – to the Watchkeeper drone and Foxhound protected patrol vehicle.

The Duke, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was told about the rocket-propelled Bloodhound Super Sonic Car project, which aims to reach a record breaking 1,000 mph.

Models of the vehicle were presented to children from Ringshall Primary School who had taken part in a science project organised by the assault battalion to build balloon-powered cars inspired by Bloodhound.

Corporal Jordan Bridges, 26, said: “Prince Philip was very interested and said it was great to know that Bloodhound and REME soldiers were helping to make school science lessons more exciting.

“This was the first time I’ve worked with children and I really enjoyed the experience, helping and educating the children about engineering. I was surprised by the level of understanding they had of the problems they encountered, for example friction in the wheels and how to reduce it.”

The British Army is supporting Bloodhound, bringing the technical training and experience of REME soldiers to help drive the project forward.

The Duke, also, met soldiers’ families at an active session put on by REME’s welfare unit.