Before joining the TNI-AU fleet in October 2004, this 1978 built airframe has been operated by airlines in China, Canada, Cayman Islands, Paraguay, Brasil, Uruguay and finally Indonesia. It was initially assigned to the VIP Skadron Udara 17 at Halim (as pictued here) but with the arrival of additional and more modern VIP B737's, the TNI-AU decided at one point to transfer this legacy airframe to Skadron Udara 5 at Makassar, which was already equipped with three "Maritime patrol" B737-200. Consequently, A-7304 was reserialled to AI-7304 (AI stands for "Angkut Intai" = Maritime patrol).

This 1978 built Hercules was the 1st "civilian" L-100-30 delivered to the TNI-AU. It was initially assigned to Skadron Udara 31 based at Halim and around the year 2000 transferred to VIP Skadron Udara 17, also based at Halim. SkU 17 is tasked with supporting the transport of Government officials and operates another C-130H-30 serialled A-1341 (c/n 4870) in the same paint scheme. Some five Boeing 737's of different versions are also assigned to Sku 17, while the AS-332 helicopters previously operated by the squadron as well have been assigned to newly established Skadron Udara 45 around 2010.

ex F-WWEB, OY-CIO, EC-JCF, 3B-NBK. Became EC-MEC

With a total of 123 MBB BO-105CB/CBS licence produced by Nurtanio-IPTN in Bandung (becoming NBO-105's), this rugged helicopter enjoyed high popularity among the armed forces and private operators of Indonesia. HR-1518 pictured here is one of at least seven NBO-105's operated by the TNI-AU (Indonesian AF) but assigned to the national SAR agency, better known as BASARNAS (Badan SAR Nasional). In addition, the agency recently added at least two AS-365N3 plus one AW139 to its fleet. All BASARNAS helicopters are kept in this typical orange paint scheme.

Arriving Penzance from Tresco

Lifting off at Penzance heading for Tresco

The Tresco Heliport terminal seen from BS323 operating from Tresco to Penzance

Getting some TLC in the early morning at Land's End before the day's first flight to St. Mary's on the Isles of Scilly