Emergency Management Queensland Bell 412 VH-ESD Passes Through Gladstone and Mackay Airports

On Wednesday 27 August, Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) (State of Queensland) Bell 412 helicopter VH-ESD was noted passing through Gladstone and Mackay Airports while heading to Townsville from Archerfield.  

Local plane spotter Anthony S was at home when he heard the unmistakeable sound of the big Bell's Pratt & Whitney engine, and captured a couple of photos as it landed at Gladstone Airport. 

After departing Gladstone, VH-ESD was noted at Mackay and the later Townsville where sister ship VH-ESB is currently operating. 

And while we on the subject, EMQ's Bell 412 VH-ESD was involved a potentially nasty incident back in May this year when it was conducting a winching operation about 72 km WNW of Townsville, and while performing a manoeuvre, the tail rotor collided with some foliage causing some damage.

All photos taken by Anthony Schulz  ©