New police helicopter images
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I saw here airborne yesterday evening in the Pontarddulais area of Swansea. First time I have heard an ec135 that close. As it passed over the first time even the kids popped thier heads up, it sounds quite distinct though we all agreed its not exactly a quiet machine, quite a bit of noise from it as far as I could see (I mean hear!)
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A 135 is quieter than most, it's noise footprint is a lot smaller, although it doesn't sound it in the dead of night. Agree with Thomas Coupling, patterned paint schemes equal camoflage. Different coloured cameras usually means a spare pod??
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Actually it was in the early evening though the area I live in is quiet. When it first flew over we all jerked our head up before I ran outside. We knew it was a heli but not a helui sound any of us had heard before. It did not sound quieter than the bolkow to me though, but that could be just my perception I suppose.
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I would love to see G-CHEZ keeping the camera on someone garden hopping in Anfield with an 800' cloudbase and poor visibility. Narrow streets and low cloud is helicopter country. However, horses for courses means that the Islander can do things the helicopter can't, like get there faster and stay up longer. 
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Blue Pod
The reason for the pod being blue in colour is that it is a cover, or at least that is what I have been led to believe.
As for the registration, I think that G-WONN is for "Whiskey Oscar Nine Nine" the internal (SWP) unit identifier on their Command & Control system.
As for the registration, I think that G-WONN is for "Whiskey Oscar Nine Nine" the internal (SWP) unit identifier on their Command & Control system.
Just Dropped In
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TC
I haven't been on that unit for some time. But when G-SAEW met it's untimely demise & was replaced by G-SEWP, it was felt by the hierachy that having SEWP the same colour may concern the good people of Wales.
As such an adaption of the blue/ yellow scheme was used to ensure SAEW & SEWP were never mixed up by concerned members of the public.
Cannot comment on it being carried on to the 135. But I think it's
Glad the South Wales consortium have finally got the machine they deserve!
Safe Flying boys!!
I haven't been on that unit for some time. But when G-SAEW met it's untimely demise & was replaced by G-SEWP, it was felt by the hierachy that having SEWP the same colour may concern the good people of Wales.
As such an adaption of the blue/ yellow scheme was used to ensure SAEW & SEWP were never mixed up by concerned members of the public.
Cannot comment on it being carried on to the 135. But I think it's
Glad the South Wales consortium have finally got the machine they deserve!
Safe Flying boys!!
I notice that the avionics pod is missing from the belly and that the low skids are fitted, is this because Bond are now supplying the aircraft and not McAlpine?
The pod is a customer option. It has the advantage of moving all the black boxes for the mission equipment out of the aircraft cabin.
The Garda Air Support Unit was mentioned earlier so here are two photos of the first two ships in the fleet.
Copyright;500 Fan.
Copyright;500 Fan.
Both photos were taken in September 2007. The AS355N was rumoured to be going to Jamaica at one point but I think it eventually went to the UK. Can anyone confirm this?
272 is the newer EC135T2. 254 is the Britten Norman Defender also in use. It may well have been a first (and a last) but 254, 256 and 272 were all airborne over Dublin City simultaneously at certain times during the visit of The Queen in May last year.
500 Fan.
Copyright;500 Fan.
Copyright;500 Fan.
Both photos were taken in September 2007. The AS355N was rumoured to be going to Jamaica at one point but I think it eventually went to the UK. Can anyone confirm this?
272 is the newer EC135T2. 254 is the Britten Norman Defender also in use. It may well have been a first (and a last) but 254, 256 and 272 were all airborne over Dublin City simultaneously at certain times during the visit of The Queen in May last year.
500 Fan.
Great shots 500!
Someone mentioned earlier on that 255 had gone to Norway and that he had recently flown her?
Are these Garda aircraft the only Police ships in Eire?
Someone mentioned earlier on that 255 had gone to Norway and that he had recently flown her?
Are these Garda aircraft the only Police ships in Eire?
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I can confirm that the air corps ships are the only police ones currently flying. I have sometimes wondered why the likes of Bond have not tendered in the way they have in the UK. Guess if they had been they would be also trying to find work for their redundant ships now also?
I do recall reading that the initial 135 had very poor range, so much so that they often sent the squirrel to the jobs that came up on the west coast, though I believe the younger 135 has all the grunt of a T2+
I do recall reading that the initial 135 had very poor range, so much so that they often sent the squirrel to the jobs that came up on the west coast, though I believe the younger 135 has all the grunt of a T2+
Garda Síochána
Anyone with any knowledge on the history and current operations of the Garda Síochána?
I believe this was their first aircraft:
AS355N 'Garda Sierra 255'
Anyone with any knowledge on the history and current operations of the Garda Síochána?
I believe this was their first aircraft:
AS355N 'Garda Sierra 255'
