'Helitak 331' on station at Benalla to fight bushfires in Victoria's high country.

This chopper was in Bendigo, probably to give the usual resident VH-VAA/HEMS3 a break for maintenance. It has quite an interesting history, having been built in 1982 and initially been registered N2276P, probably for flight-testing. It was the one and only Bell 412 supplied to the Panamanian armed forces, serialled FAP-1101, later HP-962. On return to the USA it was allocated N22976 but may not have actually ever been registered. In any case it was exported to Australia and registered VH-NSP(2) on 24 January 1985.

This aircraft carried no markings but was identified from the cn plate in the cockpit. Built in 1982 it has since become F-GVEF and it had previously been used as a firefighter in Sardinia

First registered in the USA as N3172D and entered the Australian register as VH-AHH with Lloyd Helicopters in June 1987. registration changed to VH-NSV Australian Air Ambulances 1st. August 2001 also served CHC Helicopters Australia. Seen here in the CHC Colour scheme.

First registered in the USA as N3172D and entered the Australian register as VH-AHH with Lloyd Helicopters in June 1987. registration changed to VH-NSV Australian Air Ambulances 1st. August 2001 also served CHC Helicopters Australia.