Aircraft Profile: Reims Rocket
The Reims Rocket is a four-seat light utility aircraft once used by the Irish Air Corps for patrol, surveillance and communications duties. A high-performance development of the Cessna 172, it was built in France by Reims Aviation under licence from Cessna.
Powered by a fuel-injected 210 hp Rolls-Royce Continental IO-360-D engine driving a constant-speed propeller, the Rocket has a strut-braced high-wing layout and fixed tricycle landing gear. The Irish Air Corps took delivery of eight FR172H Rockets in 1972, followed by one FR172K in 1981.
Reims Rocket 208
208 was built in 1972 by Reims Aviation in France, with construction number FR17200348. It was delivered to the Irish Air Corps and registered as 208. Operating from Gormanston, County Meath, and later Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, it served in the Army Co-operation role.
208 carried out border surveillance, aerial reconnaissance, escort duties in support of the civil power, parachute training, liaison and general transport flights. It remained in Irish Air Corps service until the type was retired on 4th October 2019. On 30th November 2022, the aircraft transferred to the IHFF and was registered with the Irish Aviation Authority as EI-HFE.