Here are a few photos of EI-SAR taken on the 9th of November. She was doing some winch training with the Galway Bay Inshore Lifeboat. Apologies for the last photo. I hit the wrong button and it came out in B&W.
EI-SAR is unique in that it is the only Japanese-built S-61N in the world. Capt. Derek Nequest reckoned it was the "best-built -61 in the world"! Apparently Mitsubishi were going to set up an S-61N production line for the Asian market. This helicopter was built as a demonstrator in anticipation of a healthy demand. The orders were not forthcoming and this was the only one built by Mitsubishi in the end.
The CHC S-61N fleet underwent an upgrade in the last few years in line with the demands of a renewed contract with the Irish Coastguard. As well as a new paint job, various improvements have been made to the machines, including the addition of a second, back-up, winch. If you look closely you can see it clamped onto the body of the original winch. This is the first Irish S-61N I have seen with this fit.
500 Fan.