S-92, Merlin, CH-53 & civil Chinook, Liverpool (new images)

[viscount]

Digging back through the logs, have looked at the 'heavy lift' helicopters visiting Liverpool. The Sikorsky S-92 and EH-101 Merlin are relatively recent types, interesting though how so far, all the Sikorsky S-92 have been civilian, all the EH-101 Merlin have been military.

From further back, the CH-53 Jolly Green Giant and BV-235 Chinook. While visits by CH-53s only spanned a few years, the Chinook has been an annual regular since 1973! Chinooks from the U.S.Army were once common on flights connected with the U.S.Army depot at Burtonwood, while many of the R.A.F. ones were delivered through Seaforth Docks and once were common on operations around Britain too. Over 20 different Chinooks visiting in a year was not uncommon for a while. There were though, for a brief period six civilian Chinooks on the British register. For now, at any rate, I'm just covering these civilians.

A great number of S-61/Sea Kings have visited Liverpool since 1964. Maybe sometime ..... I'll add to this thread.

As always, illustrations are welcome. The civilian Chinooks at Liverpool were once the subject of an enquiry on the former xsorbit nwan forum - does that postee still have those photos to re-post?

[viscount]

The Sikorsky S-92

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2003

At the conclusion of a European sales tour, S-92A company demonstrator, N492SA arrived at Liverpool from Stansted at 1120 on Wednesday 8th October and placed in Hangar 2 for its stay here. On Friday, 10th it departed for Seaforth Docks en route to the U.S.A. at 0906.

It was two and a half years before the results of that sales tour started arriving for customers in Europe.

2006

In shades of yellow/green protective coating, G-GHCK arrived en route to oil-rig transportation provider CHC Scotia on Wednesday 22nd March at 1051, leaving for Aberdeen after taking on fuel at 1211.

2007

Next S-92A through Liverpool was OY-HKA for CHC Denmark. On Thursday 7th June it arrived at the airport 1640, took on fuel and left for Aberdeen 1755.

2008

Four yellow/green protective primer coated S-92A, all ex-factory, routed through on delivery for the customer to paint to their specifications. On 8th January two together, with G-IACE arriving 1219 and night stopping before departure for Aberdeen at 1135 the next morning, with G-IACD arriving from Seaforth at 1617 and having taken on fuel continued to Aberdeen at 1740. The next of this batch G-IACF routed through on Friday 15th February, again Seaforth Docks to Aberdeen, at Liverpool for fuel 1358-1525. Final S-92A delivery through Liverpool of the year as G-CFHA on Wednesday 13th August, 1327-1454 on the familiar Seaforth Docks-Aberdeen routing.

2009


G-CGCI S-92A by KS on Flickr

On Tuesday 21st July S-92A G-CGCI followed the familiar pattern, Seaforth Docks, for fuel and departure to Aberdeen, 1643-1817. Both G-CFHA and G-CGCI did not remain in Britain long before departing to serve the oil industry in Nigeria.

2010

On Tuesday 6th July G-CHCS for CHC Scotia, this one fully painted, in an attractive red/white/blue scheme, was noted at Seaforth Docks on delivery from the USA. It was Thursday afternoon 8th before the aircraft passed through Liverpool to take on fuel. During September another delivery passed through the docks and airport, this time destined for Norway.LN-OQL arrived at 1634 on 16th September from Seaforth, leaving after a fill of fuel for Aberdeen at 1752 under the call-sign 'HKS90H'.

2011 & 2012

No visits by S-92s in 2011 or 2012, although there have been some further deliveries through Southampton.

2013

First delivery of a helicopter inbound through the docks for some time brought Sikorsky S-92 G-WNSE into LJLA for fuel around lunch-time on Friday 24th May.

2014

Just the one: G-CIJC in primer, on delivery, taking on fuel while routing Seaforth Docks to Aberdeen, lunch-time Thursday 25th September. For Bristows

2015

With Bristows commencing their new contract to provide SAR facilities for the Irish Sea, North Wales and North West of England region during the summer from their new base at Caernarfon, it was not long before the two Caernarfon Sikorsky S-92As appeared at Liverpool initially training then for fuel after SAR missions. First was G-MCGK on several occasions during October, with G-MCGJ following on Friday 30th October due to an incident off Hilbre Island. This pair would become regular visitor for a good few years. Before the end of 2015 they would make 6 landing visits to JLA and for a training go-around on a further occasion. The usual call-sign used is 'SRG 936' when written, or "Rescue 936" when spoken, the call-sign was 'inherited' from the RAF Rescue Sea King HAR.3s of 22 Squadron at RAF Valley when they 'stood down' and the operation became civilianised.

2016

The Caernarfon based pair of G-MCGJ and G-MCGK would visit 12 times to land in 2016, plus a further training flight that performed a go-around. The majority of visits were fairly brief taking on fuel while on a search mission, or occasionally on their way back to Caernarfon after a hospital flight. Also they would call on training flights from Caernarfon, or sometimes simply go-around during the training flight.

2017

Again just the Caernarfon pair of G-MCGJ and G-MCGK visiting to land for fuel on 8 occasions and with training go-arounds on a further 4 occasions.

2018

Less visits by the Caernarfon pair G-MCGJ and G-MCGK, making just two visits each for fuel and just once during the year for a training go-around. However another of the Coastguard/Bristow fleet G-MCGG called for fuel on Sunday 20th May as 'SRG 936' routing from an off-airfield location to Caernarfon. This must have been deputising for one of the regular pair.

2019

As with the previous year, the Caernarfon based pair visited Liverpool on 4 occasions for fuel, and for just go-arounds only on a further visit. Of note on 16th February G-MCGK called for fuel during a search off Cosby and on 8th October G-MCGJ called for fuel while on a search over the River Mersey.

2020

An increase in activity in 2020, but mostly while on training missions, as presumably experience of actual rescues was down during the year of 'lock-downs'. Just 2 landings for fuel G-MCGJ morning of 30th August and G-MCGK evening of 28th August, but the helicopters called for go-arounds while on training flights on a further 8 occasions. One of the Coastguard's Humberside based Sikorsky S-92As, G-MCGH called for fuel as 'SRG 912' on the evening of Sunday 30th August, arriving from and departing to off-airfield locations.

2021

No visits in the first quarter of 2021, but a go-around was noted in May.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

920004 N492SA Sikorsky test & demonstrator, f/f 15.10.01
920030 G-CHCK CHC Scotia
920046 OY-HKA CHC Denmark
920065 G-IACD Bristows
920066 G-IACE Bristows
920068 G-IACF Bristows
920082 G-CFHA CHC Scotia, now 5N-BLX still with CHC
920103 G-CGCI CHC Scotia, now 5N-BMN still with CHC
920125 G-CHCS CHC Scotia
920132 LN-OQL
920190 G-WNSE CHC Scotia
920240 G-CIJC Bristows
G-MCGG Bristows, opr for UK Coast Guard
G-MCGH Bristows, opr for UK Coast Guard
920251 G-MCGK Bristows, opr for UK Coast Guard
920248 G-MCGJ Bristows, opr for UK Coast Guard

This type review updated mid May 2021.

[viscount]

The EH.101 Merlin

2002

First Merlin HC.3 to visit Liverpool Airport was ZJ129/(N) on 4th February, arriving from Benson at 0855 and leaving for Stafford, en route back to Benson at 1237. Flight number SHF124 inbound and SHF284 outbound.

2003

On Tuesday 4th March ZJ133/(R) from and to Benson as SHF290, on the ground 1249-1459. Later in the year ZJ136/(U) on Tuesday 26th August, from and to Benson as SHF316 in the evening, 1755 to 1843.

2004

Two Merlin HC.3's on the same day, Wednesday 25th February, with ZJ126/K from Benson to Linton-on-Ouse as SHF306, at Liverpool between 0944 and 1304, with ZJ125/J a little later, landing 1356, departing 1411 after only a brief call, as SHF297.

2005

Late in the year, on Thursday 24th November, ZJ127/L arrived from Benson, via a go-around and Shawbury en route, at 0959 and after a brief stop, at 1019 departed for a return to Benson, calling SHF284.

2006

We had to wait until late in the year for the next visit, this time ZJ131/P on 12th October, operating from and to Leeming, 1528-1653 as SHF310.

2007

Yet again, the only Merlin of the year was in the final months. This time Merlin HC.3A ZJ994/(AC) on Friday 12th October, at Liverpool 1035-1204, from Benson to Shawbury as SHF321.

With the pace of operations and commitment to Afganistan operations building, no Merlins called at Liverpool Airport in 2008, 2009.

2010

On Sunday 16th October, although 5 Merlins were expected en route from Prestwick to Culdrose, only Royal Navy Merlin ZH858, calling 'Navy 500' landed around lunch time. The first visit by a Fleet Air Arm Merlin to Liverpool Airport.

2011

While there have been a few occasions when Merlins have been seen crossing through or routing around the zone, a RAF example made a low approach and go-around during October 2011. Indeed 3 examples were noted using the ILS during 2011: ZJ128, ZJ134 & ZJ995. None landed though.

2012, 2013 & 2014

2014

No Merlins noted landing, although some were noted overflying and just occasionally using the ILS and overshoot while en route elsewhere. For example in the second half of 2014 RAF Merlins ZJ990 and ZJ137 were noted routing over Liverpool City Centre on Thursday 3rd July and ZJ124 as 'SHF 314' performed an ILS and go-around on 09 at 1128 on Monday 13th October en route to Lossiemouth.


Three Merlins by Beemer328i, on Flickr


ZJ124/H EH-101 Merlin HC3 Royal Navy by Beemer328i, on Flickr


ZJ990/AA EH-101 Royal Navy by Beemer328i, on Flickr


"ZJ137/W EH-101" by Beemer328i, on Flickr


2015

The hand-over of the RAF Merlin fleet to the Royal Navy was completed during the first half of the year, the ex RAF aircraft replacing the Commando version of the Sea King. Merlin HC.3 ZJ121/E en route Shawbury to Crosby (Altcar) made a run along 27 following a go-around approach at 0945 on Thursday 25th, calling 'Commando 525' with 'Royal Navy' on the side.

Conventions. Individual aircraft codes in (-), show that the allocated code was not observed/reported at the time. The flight number/call-sign 'SHF' in words is 'Vortex'.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

An initial order for 22 Merlin HC.3 placed for the RAF. Serials ZJ117 though to ZJ138, coded in sequence A through to X (less I), and operated in the UK by both 28 Sqdn & 78 Sqdn, A further 6 were obtained from the Danish Air Force, known as HC.3A and registered ZJ990,992,994,995,998 & ZK001, coded AA to AF in sequence, and operated by 78 Sqdn.
ZJ125/J
ZJ126/K
ZJ127/L
ZJ129/N
ZJ131/P
ZJ133/R
ZJ136/U
ZJ994/AC
also ZH858 Royal Navy.



The 2006 visit by ZJ131/P while on the main apron.

[viscount]

The Sikorsky CH-53

1979

On 11th June two CH-53G 'Jolly Green Giants' of the West Germany Army 'Heer' flew over Liverpool on en route into Woodvale at 1645. This caused a stir amongst the spotter fraternaty, but not as much as on the next day when 84+19 and 84+21 landed at Liverpool from Woodvale, before continuing on for Wattisham. The following month, on 24th July CH-53G 84+11 flew over Liverpool en route into Woodvale, but this time, regretably, did not call at Speke the next day.

1980

The following year, on Thursday 16th October, CH-53D Sea Stallion 151168/15:CJ of U.S.Marine squadron HMH-461, with call-sign "Haley 15" landed briefly at the Airport 1516-1532. The helicopter was based on U.S.S. Iwo Jimo, the tower records showing the helicopter was noted arriving from Seaforth and leaving for USS Iwo Jima. There is a thread elsewhere in this section of the forum 'Carrier visits to the Mersey' with more details of the visit.

[viscount]

The Boeing-Vertol BV-234 Chinook

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1981

On the evening of Wednesday 13th May, Chinook 234LR of British Airways Helicopters G-BJAC arrived from Prstwick with a spare Chinook crew, leaving later to return to Prestwick. For the gathered spotters, the sight of G-BJAC performing a full ILS approach and landing on 27, followed by a long, on the ground taxi around the link and down 35 to the terminal apron was rather bewildering for a vertical take-off and landing capable machine! The following day, Thursday 14th G-BWFC arrived from the docks at 1955 before night stopping at leaving the next morning for Gatwick.

The next two Chinooks for BAH presumably were delivered via Southampton, the final two though used Seaforth. On Wednesday 16th September G-BISO routed through from Seaforth for fuel, then onto Gatwick.

1982

The winter of 1981/1982 was a severe one, with much transport chaos due to heavy regional snowfall. In January South Wales was particularly badly hit. Faced with a chronic shortage of engines at Halewood from their Swansea engine plant, Fords contracted BAH to bring engines by air while the roads and rail network in South Wales was shut down. A number of flights were operted by Sikorsky S-61s, but on Tuesday 12th January Chinook G-BJAC arrived from Swansea 1147, leaving for Ebbw Vale at 1333 after unloading. It was due to bring a second load later in the evening, however due to fog at Liverpool, 'AC diverted to Blackpool!

The sixth and final Chinook 234LR delivery for BAH brought in G-BISR on Tuesday 29th June, from Seaforth at 1130 and stopped for an hour for fuel before leaving for Gatwick.

1985

The Chinook had a troubled time in service with BAH. G-BISO capsized some time after an emergency North Sea landing 2.5.84, 8 miles NW of the North Sea Cormorant Alpha rig and recovered intact. Subsequently contracts calling for the use of the Chinooks were cut back, one of their fleet was now surplus and sold to a new owner in Alaska. Consequently G-BJAC on Thursday 10th January arrived at the Airport from Aberdeen at 1155, later departing 1415 for Seaforth and ACL ro-ro container ship for return to the USA.

1989

On 6.11.86 a second major mechanical failure, this time leading to a major incident, killing 45 of 47 aboard, destroying G-BWFC on approach to Sumburgh. This led to the type losing favour with the oil companies and the type being withdrawn by British International Helicopters with the remaining three sold in the USA, two of these passing through Liverpool docks. G-BISR arrived from Aberdeen Thursday 16th February at 1630, night stoping before the short hop to Seaforth Docks the next morning at 1205. This was followed by G-BISN on Thursday 13th April, arriving from Aberdeen at 1707, night stopping before onward to Seaforth Docks the next morning at 1238. The final BIH Chinook to leave these shores was G-BISP (the only UK civil Chinook not to call at Liverpool), presumably exported via Southampton Docks during June.

As so often happens in these type reviews, memory is at odds slightly with printed record. In the case of Chinook, I recall one coming to Liverpool to lift heavy air-conditioning plant onto the roof of a city centre building, but cannot find any mention in the logs. Perhaps memory is confusing Chinook and Sikorsky S-61, perhaps it happened but the Chinook did not call at the Airport. I'll keep searching for an answer though!

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Details of the six British Civil Chinooks:

C/no.   Regn.   UK Del  UK Dep      Subequently
MJ-001  G-BJAC  Feb 81  Jan 85      N234CH, C-FHFH w/o Ivo Comox, BC on 30.10.97.
MJ-002  G-BISO  Sep 81  w/o 2.5.84  Capsized, immersed in sea water. To N235CH.
MJ-003  G-BISR  Jun 82  Feb 89      N237CH, P2-CHI
MJ-004  G-BWFC  May 81  w/o 6.11.86 Destroyed in a fatal crash into the sea off Sumburgh
MJ-005  G-BISN  May 81  Apr 89      N238CH,C-GHFP, N238CH, P2-CHY, N238CH, C-FHFB
MJ-006  G-BISP  May 81  Jun 89      N239CH, C-GHFP, N239CH, C-GHFJ, N239CH
In USA(N) and PNG (P2-) owned by Colombia Helicopters International (CHI), in Canada (C-F, C-G) leased to Helifor.

[Beemer]

Scanned and posted for Viscount.

G-BWFC at Liverpool on delivery from the USA to British Airways Helicopters 14-05-1981, Seaforth - Gatwick


G-BWFC Chinook 234LR by Beemer328i, on Flickr


G-BWFC Chinook by Beemer328i, on Flickr

ZA681 Chinook HC.1 on delivery 03-06-1981. Seaforth - Odiham


ZA681 Chinook by Beemer328i, on Flickr

[viscount]

In July 2010, Sikorsky S-92 G-CHCS for CHC Scotia Helicopters was delivered to Europe via Seaforth Docks and Liverpool Airport.

[Beemer]

G-CHCS arr 27 LJLA 08-07-2010 @ 13:42hrs.


G-CHCS S-92A by Beemer328i, on Flickr


G-CHCS S-92A by Beemer328i, on Flickr