New Air Corps EC135s - First pictures

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

I've just got my hands of the first pictures of both of the new Air Corps EC135's.  Both heli's are still wearing their temporary German civil test reg and markings, the Air Corps reg & roundels have yet to be applied.

Medium sized pictures are below, click here to see the full size pictures.






Regards,

Frank.

[Silver]

The look the biz!

Wonder will we see 'AIR CORPS' painted on them ?

[nibog]

Are they different versions??

Look at the skids.

The first pic certainly seems to be the civil type while the second appears to be the military type (EC635?).

Any ideas...

[clan]

Will the Air Corps roundels be sort of faded to blend in with the green like other Air Forces or will it be the bright green white and orange as it usually is?
Smashing looking piece of kit. The Gazelle would have looked fantastic in that colour.

[IAS]

Maybe this has been asked before but can anyone tell me why the AC buys the civil 135 instead of the military 635 and then paints them to look military?

Is it because of price (probably), JAA/IAA certifications, the fact that the pilots will qualify on the civil machine (marketable in later life - cynical), whatever?

IAS

[clan]

I thought the tender stated the aircraft had to Military specification.

[John K]

Great photos as ever, Frank. I bet you wish you'd had that weather for your MP Exercise in the Curragh!

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Here's link to a pic of one of the new heli's in flight:

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=407401


Regards,

Frank.

[pilatus]

the helicopter has not been delivered to Baldonnel Ireland but it has been unofficially been delivered to the air corps as air corps personnel are flying it i believe!

[Fouga]

She looks the Business! will she be kept in that colour?

[pilatus]

yip thats what she will look like!but what about the aircorps roundel will it be hi vis like the existing one or will it be a more low viz one ie like the one on netherlands helis which are different from the ones on their fighters!?

[P.Doff]

Friday week(November 4th) lads and lasses!! Thats when they're due to arrive.

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Here's an edited picture from Eurocopter to show what the markings on the heli's will look like:



Click on the picture for a bigger version

[Turkey]

'Word at the moment in Bal' that the EC-135's will arrive on Thursday, [time not yet available] with an offical recption on Sunday.

[pilatus]

will they be delivered in irish markings or in the german markings just like the pc9s were delivered in swiss markings!?but at least when the pc9s where delivered they had irish roundels already applied!