Engaged on oilrig support work.

In February 2024, LifeFlight placed an order for three new AW139. VH-LF2, the 1st delivered in December 2024, also introduced LF's new overall blue / yellow paint scheme, followed by VH-LF3 (c/n 32085) and VH-LF4 (c/n 32091) a few weeks later. During the Verticon 2025 show, a follow-up order for four additional helis was announced. The new helis bring the LifeFlight AW139 fleet to 14 aircraft, meaning all of LifeFlights six Queensland HEMS bases will operate just one type. Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast and Roma already did, Bundaberg (Bell 412) and Mt Isa (BK117) will soon transition.

Pictured in front of LifeFlight's new "Clive Berghofer" maintenance facility inaugurated in August 2024 is this 2018 built AW139, which was first operated in China (as B-702U) before LifeFlight bought it in November 2020, but mainly leased it to several Air Ambulances services since then, among them Westpac Rescue, Toll Group and the Australian Army. The latter used it in the SAR role out of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Back with LifeFlight since September 2023, retaining this (hybrid) overall white paint scheme of its former lessees.

Testflight from Leonardo Aviation, Vergiate Apt. along Stresa coast line. Registration is a temporary code for test flying.

Departing to Queensland is this brand new AW-139 on delivery to the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service Ltd.

G-RESI arriving at the Bristow Helicopters facility in Aberdeen following a positioning flight from Lee-on-Solent.

Taken during test flight for Norwegian Lufttransport

Near Stresa.

Near Stresa.

During factory test flight.

For maintenance by Gulf Med Aviation Services.

Operated by Kaan Air.

Cont'd from previous image. New airframe for the UK's 2nd Generation SAR (UKSAR2G) program, consisting of 18 helicopters assigned to ten permament 24/7 and two seasonal (during summer) bases around the UK. The fleet will be of three S-92's, nine AW189's and six new AW139's, of which G-RESI is the last delivered. The other five new AW139's are G-RESA, G-RESB, G-RESE, G-RESF and G-RESH. UKSAR2G is a comprehensive program aiming to transform the UK's SAR program into a modern, efficient and latest-technology-based service.

Pictured during delivery flight from Milano (MXP) via Bern to the UK. G-RESI is the last of six new AW139 ordered by Bristow after being awarded the UK's 2nd Generation SAR by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) in July 2022. The new UKSAR2G program is valued at 1.6 billion GBP for the 2024 through 2034 periode and implements lessons learned from the previous 10 year SAR contract, also held by Bristow since 2013. The transition phase from the "old" to the "new" contracted started on Sept. 30, 2024 and needs to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. See next image for additional details.

Making a tight turn in with B350 G-ETPR not far behind