Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter (SAR Helicopters) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 VH-SLU Pops into CQ Airports

An interesting visitor to some Central Queensland Airports on Saturday 1 August was the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter (SAR Helicopters) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 VH-SLU "Lifesaver 21" which was noted ferrying North to Cairns.

It looked to start the day at Noosa and called into Bundaberg, Rockhampton (pictured), Mackay and Townsville Airports before arriving into Cairns.  VH-SLU looked to fly up from its base near Sydney the previous day.

VH-SLU "Lifesaver 21" operates alongside fellow BK117 helicopter VH-SLA "Lifesaver 23", although during the last week, a pair of McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters N38MD and N365JA were spotted arriving at the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Base at Cape Banks, reportedly replacing at least one of the BK117 helicopters while they are "in maintenance".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos from Rockhampton Airport!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©