32 Sqn AW109S up for sale
 

Saw this on my fb feed that Sloanes flogging 32 Sqn AW109S GrandNew

https://www.sloanehelicopters.com/us...YUj24dUrqWUVn4


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....05a782c34.jpeg

One careful owner, never raced or rallied.........:)

used to be one lady owner !

Wasn’t it 2 lady owners all be it the second one for a very short period of time!

She may have owned it but I don't think she ever flew in it because she always preferred the S76.
I think her daughter may have used it a few times.
Are 32 getting a replacement?

Yes, there's a tender out for a twin engined VIP/Comms helicopter.

May the good lord save them from the AW 169

Well,there`s still a nicely run-in WX Mk4 around,will take 12 at a push....

ah this one then

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2022/W49/788398401

cheers

Did somebody say 'Puma'?

Australia has a few NH90s going cheap - could replace this and the Puma.

Not any more according to Helihub: https://helihub.com/2023/08/18/briti...pter-contract/

"...A tender was issued for a renewal of RWCSAT for five years with one option year, initially “to be delivered as soon as practicable following 1 Apr 23”, but after a further six month extension on the current contract, bidders were advised that the process was withdrawn and no contract was awarded..."

h14

It’s done. The Royals are getting 139 in approx 2 years.

Is that The King's Helicopter flight? (to replace their S-76s. A civilian operation)

Or the RAF's 32 Sqn as per the topic under discussion?

I would guess just 32 Sqdn; I think the S76 (G-XXEB) is operated under a different contract with civilian crews although of course, KCIII may well decide otherwise if he's being 'environmental'.

They are absolutely entirely different operations - And TKHF is not a "contract" - It's an in house operation run and staffed by the Royal Travel Office.

I'm just unsure about which one it is that Nowherespecial is referring to with his suggestion that "The Royals" are getting a 139.

The MOD statement above seems pretty specific that they are dropping the 32 Sqn helicopter role. To then decide to replace it with a significantly larger aircraft seems a bit odd.

I was wondering if TKHF had decided to replace one or both of their 76's - XXEB as you said and XXED - with a 139.

The tender was for two aircraft to replace both S76.

Rumour has it, the signature was for three, so maybe 32 Sqn still in scope too…..

A footnote to the sovereign grant report published at the end of June, says "This includes authorisation to lease two helicopters to replace the existing helicopters (one leased, one owned), associated maintenance and other costs, based on the Business Case authorised by HM Treasury. The resulting contracts were signed in May 2023."

That would imply they're talking about The King's Helicopter Flight not 32 Sqdn.