Royal Australian Navy Eurocopter AS-350B Squirrel helicopters operated by 723 Squadron have been in operation since 1984 and are normally used in the lead in helicopter training role (earlier on they did fly off navy frigates in the surveillance and utility role). Every now and then though they put on a bit of a show.
At Wings Over Illawarra 2017 we got to see one of the last public air show performances of the RAN AS-350BA Squirrel Pairs Display Team. Watching the two Squirrels perform paired maneuvers and almost dancing in the sky was great to see, especially given this is likely to be their send off show as they head into retirement.
The 12 AS-350B Squirrel helicopters currently in service with the RAN are soon to be retired and replaced by new Airbus EC-135 T2+ military training helicopter that feature a glass cockpit and advanced avionics. 15 of the new helicopters will be operated at HMAS Albatross for joint training of Navy, Army and civilian helicopter pilots.
Like the crazy pilots of Vietnam!! It’s a wonder that they don’t crash into each other!!
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Mad skills!
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