Qld Government (QGAir) Rescue Bell 412 Helicopter VH-ESD at Mackay and Gladstone Airports - Heading to Retirement!

On Monday 8 April, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Bell 412 helicopter VH-ESD was noted flying South from its Townsville Airport base to Archerfield via Mackay and Gladstone Airports. 

VH-ESD at Mackay Airport  (File photo)

I suspect it was flying into retirement given that QGAir Rescue flew its brand new Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 VH-EGK into Townsville last Sunday 31 March - see Blog post below.

VH-EGK arrives into Townsville  (File photo)

VH-EGK appears to have taken up service out of the Townsville Airport Base as "Rescue 521" also on Monday 8 April.

Another pair of QGAir Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopters - VH-ESH and VH-EZJ - remain in Far North Queensland and seems to be alternate operating between Townsville and also the QGAir Rescue Cairns Airport base. 

Late in 2018, fellow QGAir Rescue Bell 412EP VH-ESB looked to fly into retirement departing Townsville and ending up at Mudgee in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 April, VH-ESD continued South from Archerfield to Tamworth and then Mudgee on New South Wales.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Leroy  ©