Sea King over Galway

[Fouga]

Anybody else see the dull grey sea king at 9pm heading over Galway City? very bright strobe lights on it heading from Moycullen direction towards Shannon i thought it might have been RN but have been told otherwise, still a nice sight to see! '>

[SousaTeuszii]

Hi Fouga,
There is a black / dark coloured S61 now based in Shannon. Last I heard it had something to do with the R22 guy in Galway and is moving into the old Links Helicopters hanger.
Could it have been it?

[Fouga]

Hmmm interesting but this was definately a Seaking not an S61, it was shorter than the S61 hence why im thinking SeaKing, Thanks anyway

[Frank]

Fouga,

I saw that S-61 while driving to work this morning, definitely not a Sea King, it's too long and it had no radomes, it looked just like the SAR S-61 except it wasn't painted red & white.


Regards,

Frank.

[David Scully]

Frank,

Its S61 G-VIPZ operated by Exec Helis Galway and will be operated for the Ryder cup was also used to transport VIPs to the recent HI FI music festival in the Midlands.
I will email you (now) some pics.

Dave

[SousaTeuszii]

David,
Is that the ex Harrods S61? they replaced one recently with an S92. I the believe the 92 is owned by an American customer and operated by Harrods.

[David Scully]

Hi ST,
Your correct ex Harrods machine now registered to Veritair Ltd and charted to Exec Helis Galway.
Previous ID G-DAWS

DS

[Fouga]

Thanks guys!

[Fouga]

Just got this!


G-INFO Record Number: 1 of 1   Search Again
 

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Registration: G-VIPZ   Current Reg. Date: 03/05/2006
Previous ID: G-DAWS  First Reg. Date: 03/05/2006
Status: Registered  De-Reg. Date:  

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Manufacturer: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT
Type: SIKORSKY S-61N
Serial No.: 61824
Mode S (hex):  
Popular Name: SEA KING
Generic Name: S61
Aircraft Class: HELICOPTER
Engines: 2       - 2 x GENERAL ELECTRIC CO CT58-140-2
 
 

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[clan]

I Spotted this also, but just thought the old eyesight was playing up. Fantastic looking

[SARMAN]

Don't mean to be picking holes in anyones information BUT, its not the ex-harrods machine, it did belong to some Lord in England before now.  I am told by one of the pilots it is now owned by one or two Irish men (who I don't know), although still on the UK reg because it is on the BIH AOC (British International Helicopters) and operated by one BIH P1 and the Galway man flying as P2, might be a nice nixer outthere for any S61 pilots.
It is a very smart set up inside 18 leather comfy seats with a trolley dolly area for refresments etc.. it also has the remains of a gun rack that the previous owner had a law passed in the house of Lords so he could take all the lords to Scotland for the weekend to do a bit of game shooting,
Tally Ho Chaps!!!
Lord whatever has in fact got himself a new S92 which happened to be the second of the production line,
So someone has a bit of pull!!!
    

[David Scully]

SARMAN,
Sorry G-VIPZ is ex G-DAWS (Harrods) and is registered to Veritair ltd (which could have Irish directors etc)

[SARMAN]

Well just going by what the pilot's and tech's who are operating it told me, did harrods have a gun rack in the back because this one did..
And on the side it has a company name of "Elite Aviation"

[SARMAN]

Pictures of G-VIPZ

[SousaTeuszii]

Hi Guys,
It was my understanding that this aircraft was operated by Air Harrods but not necessarily owned by them. They also operate the S92 which has replaced it. I had however heard that it was in fact owned by a US gentleman who did indeed like his bit of hunting in the highlands. Seems like some  'purple monkey dishwasher' chinese whispers although the AC register dosnt lie.
ST