NH90 or S92 in West Midlands

[Helilover]

Hi Rotorheads,

I was in the town centre of Solihull, West Midlands yesterday afternoon when I heard a large helicopter overhead. Looked up to see (briefly) what appeared to be an NH90/S92 sized helicopter. It was of a similar shape to either of these types and had a horizontal stabilizer on the starboard side, underneath the tail rotor (which appears to be relevant to both!). It was painted either dark green or black and had two red rotating beacons (one on top of the tail, the other underneath the belly) which I thought was less common on modern helicopters. It was traveling from the direction of Birmingham Airport to the West/South West...

Can anyone confirm the type, who's it was and why it was in the area?

Thanks :confused: :)

[FloaterNorthWest]

Probably N908SW a Sikorsky S92 in dark blue. I know it was flying Saturday.

FNW

[Mikester540]

Two strobes?

It was probably the S-92.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0784429/L/
NH-90
http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/helicopter/NH-90/NH90_ILA2006_24_800.jpg
http://helimat10.free.fr/Bourget/18032003/vol/0054.jpg
S-92
http://www.sikorsky.com/Images/SAC_Sikorsky_Aircraft_Corporation/US-en/20060515_S92_Rescue.jpg
http://helimat10.free.fr/Bourget/18032003/vol/0033.jpg
http://helimat10.free.fr/Bourget/18032003/vol/0035.jpg

[Helilover]

FNW and Mikester540,

Thanks for the quick replies! Just checked out some photos of it...assuming it was N908W?

One thing I was certain about was the two red beacons as they really stood out. Don't remember noticing the long sponsons of the S-92 though - but I did only see it for a few seconds.

Cheers!

:ok:

[handysnaks]

Perhaps it was doing a trial for the West Mercian Militia:E

[Reflex]

We were just doing our thing.
We don't take the 92 out too much but there's one thing for sure it does tend to attract interest. Good feedback about the anti-colls though as we would actually like to put proper strobes on it as well.

[eglk01]

We were just doing our thing.
We don't take the 92 out too much but there's one thing for sure it does tend to attract interest. Good feedback about the anti-colls though as we would actually like to put proper strobes on it as well.
hi still waiting to see it at Blackbushe!! flypast at least sometime?
122.30 our freq
cheers
j.

[Helilover]

We were just doing our thing.
We don't take the 92 out too much but there's one thing for sure it does tend to attract interest. Good feedback about the anti-colls though as we would actually like to put proper strobes on it as well.

Hi Reflex,

Glad to be of assistance to you - I've always thought the combination of beacons and strobes works really well. A good example I can think of is the red beacons and white strobes on Bo105s. I think a number of the Bond Bolkows are configured in that way...?

BTW - If you operate N908W, that's a nice looking machine you've got! :ok:

Helilover

[heli1]

Hey Reflex..persuade your boss to bring it to HeliDays next year will you ,or at least a cross country to the Helicopter Musem some time!

[scruggs]

Hi folks,

I was looking on this website and notice that the West Midlands Police are due a new heli (G-WMAO [EC-135 P2]). Any idea when this is due? And will this be an addition to the fleet or will it replace the MD-900 that graces the skies at present.

http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/

Thanks all.
S.

Edit: Sorry guys, found what I was looking for straight away afterwards: http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/PANOctober06.pdf

[Helilover]

Hi Scruggs,

Check out the West Midlands Police website, if you haven't already:

http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/airops/new_aircraft.shtml

They've been updating the above page within the Air Operations section with details of the new bird - starting to look good now she's been sprayed!

Will be nice to see her flying some day soon but am not sure of the handover date as I think it's been delayed?

[scruggs]

Many thanks Helilover - I hadn't seen this page before. Looking very nice indeed!

S

[scruggs]

Quick follow up question - any ideas where this new machine will be based?

[bell222]

birmingham intl

[scruggs]

Thanks for the info. Seen as this new heli is an addition to the West Mids Air Ops, will the 902 remain at EGBB also or will that go to a new base?

Thanks,
S.

[chopper2004]

Probably the one I saw on display at Helitech 05, the one managed by Air Harrods and owned by the guy who's the lingerie king who used to own G-LAWS

[bell222]

the 902 will be a back up ship