Helicopters were a rare sight in New Zealand when the HMAS Sydney visited Wellington in May 1955. The first New Zealand owned helicopter, a civil Hiller UH-12, had flown only four months earlier. The Sycamore from 723 Squadron put on a demonstration at Basin Reserve, which is Wellingon's cricket ground. XD656 experienced engine trouble and was forced to ditch into the sea near the submarine HMS Telemachus on November 21, 1957. Photo from: Evening Post/ Alexander Turnbull Library

Sycamore HR.51 ordered by the Royal Navy but supplied to the Royal Australian Navy, retaining its UK serial. Stored for display at RANAS Nowra.

XD653 was delivered to the RAN in 1953. In 1965 it was flown to the Navy's apprentice training school HMAS Nirimba at Schofields to be used as a training aid. It was later moved to the Naval Aviation Museum at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, New South Wales.

Became VH-SYC in 1967.