The Sea King is craned on to the low loader before its final journey. Photo: Royal Navy
Rescuers have said a fond farewell to a workhorse that has been involved in hundreds of operations helping outdoor enthusiasts in distress.
The Royal Navy’s Sea King helicopter 30 has left its Ayrshire base for decommissioning as the search and rescue crews prepare to hand over to a civilian service in the New Year.
The Mk2 Sea King XZ578 was a familiar and welcome sight to walkers, climbers and other outdoor fans in western Scotland and northern England during numerous flights to aid mountain rescue teams and carry out other mercy missions.
The aircraft left HMS Gannet at Prestwick on the back of a low-loader, destined for the great hangar in the sky.
During a colourful career, up to its final rescue on the 15 September, which involved locating a walker in the Glencoe area, helicopter 30 flew 360 times and for more than 600 hours, including its most notable rescue on 17 January this year, in which two missing climbers were rescued from Ben Nevis. The crew was later awarded the prestigious Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award for their efforts.
Hugh Shand, a former plane captain of XZ578 and now senior engineer at HMS Gannet, said: “The average monthly flying hours for three fully serviceable Sea Kings is 125 hours. 30 flew for a total of 129 hours during one month in 2012, when HMS Gannet’s two other aircraft were unserviceable.”
The helicopter was originally built in 1976 and was first stationed at RNAS Yeovilton from June 1977 until August 1990. It became a part of 824 Naval Air Squadron that worked out of HMS Gannet in 1997 before finally becoming part at HMS Gannet SAR Flight in March 2000.
Hugh Shand seen in front of Sea King 30. Photo: Royal Navy
Although it subsequently remained mostly at HMS Gannet, it had periods working out of Leuchars, Aldergrove, Inverness, Perth Scone and in Germany, to work from Kiel-Holtenau.
The helicopter’s original side number was 08 but this was later changed to 30, the number most synonymous with the helicopter for the majority of veteran flyers at HMS Gannet.
The search and rescue helicopter service will be operated from 1 January 2016 by Sikorsky S-92 aircraft operated by Bristow on behalf of the Coastguard, from a new base at nearby Prestwick Airport.
William Little
14 December 2015Such a sad day for HMS Gannet and those who have been faithfully served by SAR Helicopters and crews who operated from there.
Their dedication and service will not be forgotten, it is possibly doubtful if it will be matched by their replacement.
Well done to all those brave lads and lassies of the Royal Navy for everything, all the best for the future.
Graeme Morton
14 December 2015Is it just me who is surprised it was only 360 flights?
C Logan
15 December 2015That won't be the airframe's total, nor is 600 hours - that must be "During its time at Prestwick" which may be only a year or two after decades at Culdrose
Jonny Hogg
15 December 2015Am I right in thinking that this helicopter attended flooding in Cockermouth on Dec.5th 2015,
Bob Pountney
15 December 2015Pity it couldn't have joined XZ592 at Morayvia, would have made a fine pair.
C Logan
16 December 2015No Jonny Hogg - this particular helicopter hasn't flown a rescue since September. A different red and grey Sea King from HMS Gannet attended the flooding (the usual strength of HMS Gannet has been 3 helicopters until recently) as well as at leaast one Coastguard helicopter.
Alun James
16 December 2015You are right Jonny Hogg she did attend the floods in cockermouth in December 2015.
Ben Cohen
16 December 2015Mk2? Try Mk5! I spent 8 glorious years involved in the depth maintenance of these great aircraft... such a sad time seeing them slowly dwindling away.
Jim Fraser
08 January 2016Good point Bob. Do we know if Yellow will be together with Grey and Red anywhere?
Mrs Sue Wood
03 December 2016I have a photo of number 30, taken 1st week September 1915 Husband and I were on the shore Port Carlisle, Solway Firth. It flue over us.
Thomas davidson
04 March 2017Well done lads we will miss you cheers thomast
Mike Zavilla-Davies
17 September 2019Guys, for anybody interested XZ578 left the UK on Friday 13th 2019 along with XZ598 to travel across Europe to Slovakia and will become exclusive accommodation in the mountains here. I spotted her on FleaBay looking very sorry for herself and snapped her up. I'd be interested in hearing from ANYBODY who can fill me in on any of her SAR work (anything significant) or anybody with original pictures of her. She'll be restored externally either to her Falklands War scheme and livery (If I can get two significant parts) otherwise she'll be restored to her Gannet condition and markings.
It's been a long road getting all the parts for her, still looking for a few if anybody can help.
regards,
Mike