A Pair of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Bell 429 'Global Ranger' Helicopters - N49-049 & N49-218 - Pass Through CQ Airports Heading North

This post has been updated with thanks to information provided by Bob C that the RAN Bell 429 "Medusa 50" is in fact N49-218 with 'side number' 050.

On Wednesday 22 June, a pair of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Bell 429 'Global Ranger' helicopters were noted passing through Central Queensland while heading North from RAAF Base Amberley to Townsville.  They were noted to be N49-049(049) and brand new N49-218(050).

File photo taken by Shinpow16  ©

N49-049(049) - flying as "Medusa 49" - touched down at Bundaberg Airport for fuel.

N49-218(050) - flying as "Medusa 50" - touched down at Gladstone Airport for fuel.  Soon after, it was joined by N49-049 and both helicopters were then later noted flying North to Mackay Airport in formation as "Medusa Black".

They were then noted flying onward from Mackay Airport to Townsville.

Meanwhile, following on from our Blog post from yesterday, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-032 and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) marked MRH-90 A40-028, which both arrived at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 21 June, remained parked was overnight reportedly with technical problems.

But early on Wednesday 22 June, A40-032, followed a short time later by A40-028, both departed Rockhampton Airport separately for RAAF Base Amberley as "Destria 32" and "Destria 28" respectively.