Del'd: 8 - 1983 to 2008

Sikorsky S-61 H-3
in
united kingdom HM Coastguard









HM Coastguard S-61 H-3

S-61N Mk2 operated on behalf of HMCG by Bristow Helicopters in Scotland and on the south coast of England.
Bristow had previously had SAR experience with the S-61N when it started a private SAR service around the North Sea hydrocarbon fields in Feb 1978 for BP. Its first involvement with HM Coastguard was when it took over contract SAR cover for the Shetland Islands based at Sumburgh (EGPB) in Dec 1983, from British Airways Helicopters. These two airframes operate as Rescue 117 and Rescue 118.
SAR operations expanded with Bristow in May 1987, when the Hebrides contract was let. Up to two airframes (one is on standby) are based at Stornoway (EGPO) and operate as Rescue 119 and Rescue 120.
Bristow's third S-61N contract with HMCG was taken on in Jun 1988 from a 202 Squadron Sea King HAR.3 detatchment at Lee-on-Solent (EGUS). When on SAROPS it uses callsigns in the range Rescue 174 to Rescue 176.
When the Royal Navy's plans to withdraw from RNAS Portland (EGDP) emerged, it would leave a gap in SAR coverage. Bristow's fourth SAR contract was for a single helicopter to be based at Portland. On operations, it is Rescue 172 or Rescue 173.



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  News


Sikorsky Honors HM Coastguard

Sikorsky Honors HM Coastguard

18-Jul-18 - Sikorsky celebrated 35 years of partnership with the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). HM Coastguard began using the S-61 in 1983. Nowadays flies 12 S-92 #anniversary
Sikorsky and Bristow Embark on New SAR Era

Sikorsky and Bristow Embark on New SAR Era

03-Mar-15 - Sikorsky today recognized Bristow Helicopters Ltd.’s upcoming launch of the U.K. search and rescue (SAR) contract and the company’s dedication to SAR over the past 40 years.



  Units


YearsUnitsBase
1995/08Portland DistrictPortland Heliport
1988/08Solent District Lee-on-Solent
1987/07Stornoway District Stornoway
1983/08Shetland District Sumburgh



List of Aircraft


C/NModBuiltID     In this OrgIn other Org
61-712 s61n.mk2 1973 G-BBHL HM Coastguard, owned and maintained by Bristow; based Stornoway in the Hebrides...
Bristow G-BBHL: Bristow Nov73-Sep08, Sikorsky serial N4032S
Carson Helicopters N364HH: Carson Oct08-Nov10
EP Aviation N364HH: EP Aviation Nov10-Jul16
EP Aviation N817AR: EP Aviation Jul16-Mar19
Construction Helicopters Inc N817AR: Construction Helicopters Inc at Howell, MI Mar/Dec 2019
Construction Helicopters Inc N712HG: Construction Helicopters Inc at Howell, MI from Jan20
61-713 w/o 2002 s61n.mk2 1973 G-BBHM HM Coastguard, op by Bristow; 2002 based at Portland on the UK south coast, as t...
Sikorsky Helicopters N4033S: Manufacturer test serial; exported to UK Nov 1973
Bristow G-BBHM: Bristow Dec73-Dec91, Sikorsky serial N4033S; lsd Maldiv...
noted at Aberdeen EGPD
Bristow May93-, w/o 15jul02
Aberdeen to Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 8Q-HUM: Maldives Islands Dec91-May93, rtn Bristow
61-718 s61n.mk2 1973 G-BBVA HM Coastguard operated by Bristow
Bristow G-BBVA: Bristow Feb74-Sep08, to N364FH
EP Aviation N364FH: EP Aviation Apr10-May19
Construction Helicopters Inc N364FH: Construction Helicopters Inc at Howell, MI May/Dec 19
Construction Helicopters Inc N718HG: Construction Helicopters Inc at Howell, MI from Jan20
61-737 s61n.mk2 1974 G-BCLC HM Coastguard, op by Bristow; based at Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands
Bristow G-BCLC: Bristow Jan75-Jan08, for HM Coastguard
noted at Aberdeen EGPD
Sky Cats Puma Corp N502SC: Sky Cats Puma Corp Mar08-Mar14; conv to S-61 Short
04jun11 pictured near Yorkville, Illinois
Construction Helicopters Inc N502SC: Heligroup 502 Llc at Missoula, MT from Mar14; CHI Aviat...
61-751 s61n.mk2 1975 G-BDIJ HM Coastguard, op by Bristow; pictured; based at Lee-on-Solent; Carries the na...
Bristow G-BDIJ: Bristow Oct75-May83, to Malaysia
Bristow Malaysia 9M-AYF: Bristow Malaysia May83-Jun84, back to G-BDIJ
US Department of State N436LC: State Dept from Oct10, rereg N751AW
US Department of State N751AW: Baghdad, Iraq
seen flying along the coast adjacent to RAF Akrotiri, ...
07jul15 at Coventry City, UK
12jul16 GSA Auction on sale with N216WW. To be confirm...
Croman Corp N629CK: Croman Corp from Dec16
Nov18 undergoing rework at Croman Corp’s White City f...
61-752 s61n.mk2 1974 G-BIMU HM Coastguard, op by Bristow; 24aug97 Main rotor tips damaged by striking rock f...
- VH-CRU: Australia, Sikorsky serial N4024S
British Caledonian Helicopter G-BIMU: Caledonian Helicopters Jan81-May90
Bristow G-BIMU: Bristow May90-Oct15
pictured (pic1) at De Kooy, Netherlands during Heldair...
rtn to UK after ending Dutch SAR contract. str at Norw...
pictured (pic2) stored at Norwich airport. Sister G-BP...
- N7563W: Withrotor Aviation at Lakeview, OR from Apr16
61-765 s61n.mk2 1976 G-BDOC Owned and maintained by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguard. In 2003 ...
Bristow G-BDOC: Bristow Mar76-Sep10
in SAR-Meet 2009 at Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands
US Department of State N426GE: US State Dept Nov11-2016?
EP Aviation N765AW: EP Aviation Sep16-Jan20
- N765AW: Clayton International Inc at Peachtree City, GA by Feb2...
pictured with N493WR and N471WR in storage at Peachtre...
Feb/Nov 2020 for sale Sikorsky S61N 1976 - Price: $1,20...
61-822 s61n.mk2 1979 G-BPWB HM Coastguard, op by Bristow; asg Portland and carries the name "Portland Cas...
Irish Helicopters EI-BHO: Irish Helicopters 1979-1989, all red livery
Irish Helicopters 1991-1997; Rescue for the Department ...
Bristow G-BPWB: Bristow May89-Feb91
Bristow May97-Nov15
pictured at De Kooy, Netherlands during Heldair show
rtn to UK after ending Dutch SAR contract. str at Norw...
picture stored at Norwich
Air Greenland OY-HUF: Airgreenland; Mayor inspection at Nuuk

    No longer with this org.




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