ADF Serials - Squirrel

ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A22 & RAN N22 Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel

ADF.Serial	Const No.	Aircraft History
A22-001 N22-001	1727	Delivered 28/02/84. Took part in test program after buckling of tail of A22-24 during 1995. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. We were under the impression that this was going to the Museum of Army Aviation at Oakey QLD. However it was transferred to the Navy 10/00 in the Blue/White paint scheme. Reserialled N22-001. RAN Code: 801. Still in the Blue/White paint scheme. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009. Noted in Grey Scheme 05/2009. Spotted at Moruya, NSW in May 2009 after precautionary landing due to Fuel warning light. Spotted at Wings Over Illawarra Airshow 2014. Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in service 723 Sqn RAN. One of a very few aircraft to fly in all three services of the ADF Repainted in its original blue and white scheme for preservation at RAAF Museum Final flight to retirement at RAAF Museum Point Cook 5/12/2017
A22-002	1728	Delivered 28/02/84. Noted in Photograph marked as '2'. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. 19/09/2001 Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTJ, Has a large 246 painted on the rear door. Note at Avalon 2005 as VH-UTJ. Used with the 2003 Victorian Bushfires. VH-LUI 19/10/2007 Registered VH-EFT to Airborne Investments Pty Ltd, South Yarra, VIC and operated y Choppair Helicopters Pty Ltd, Cheltenham East, VIC, Current
A22-003	1742	Delivered 18/03/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTM 19/09/02. Has a large '242' painted on the rear door. Used with the 2003 Victorian Bushfires. 26/03/2013 Registered VH-UTM to Rotorpower (Holdings) Georges Halls, NSW,
A22-004	1744	Delivered 13/04/84. Richmond Airshow 1988. Crashed 1997, Canberra Fairbairn ACT.
A22-005	1754	Delivered 28/02/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-BUK 19/09/02. Written Off
A22-006	1759	Delivered 12/06/84. Richmond Airshow 1988. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold 2002/20003. This was reported at Essendon VIC marked with just a '6' late 2002 and early 2003. Registered VH-ALP 20/03/03. VH-TCE 01/07/2007 Registered VH-THJ to Australian Helicopter Traders Pty Ltd and operated by the Helicopter Services Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, Vic, Current
A22-007	1762	Delivered 20/06/84. Was in Service ARDU. Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-IDG. 29/06/2006 registered VH-IDG to Gumcurry Pty Ltd, East Devonport, Tasmania, Current
A22-008	1763	Delivered 26/06/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-AHT 02/10/02. Cancelled from Australian Register 30/06/06 I-???? Current?
A22-009	1765	Delivered 05/07/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTN 19/09/02. 29/04/2005 registered VH-UTN to Heli-Muster Pty Ltd Georges Hall, NSW and operated by Heli-Aust Pty Ltd Georges Hall, NSW, Current
A22-010	1766	Delivered 10/07/84. 1989, Landed on under slung Load. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold and registered VH-ZSM 14/04/04. 22/03/2010 Registered VH-ZSM to Multifix Constructions Pty Ltd and operated by Gold Coast Leisure Services Pty Ltd, Main Beach, QLD, Current
A22-011 N22-011	1767	Delivered 18/07/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Now N22-011. RAN Code: 811. Still in the Blue/White paint scheme. Was in service 723 Sqn RAN, written off 15/05/01 at Wagga Wagga NSW. It was doing pilot training and on approach was in a auto rotation practice, upon landing the aircraft had a large amount of ground resonance and the rear tail boom struck the ground and tore the boom away from the airframe. After this occurrence the fleets landing gear shock absorbers were all tested for serviceability, the crew were not injured just shaken by the incident. Crew; Lt Grant O'Loughlan and Sqn Leader Peter Sammons.
A22-012	1743	F-ZKBY, Delivered 06/07/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold. Registered VH-WEB 13/01/03. 26/02/2006 Registered VH-WEB to Central (QLD) Holdings Pty Ltd, Emerald, QLD, Current
N22-013	1726	Delivered 30/11/83. RAN Code: 23, 860. Named 'Marvin the Martian' in 1998. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 1999. Noted 25/02/02 all over grey with dark markings. Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN, Retired prior to 30/09/15. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released
N22-014	1738	Delivered 01/03/84. RAN Code: 24, 861. Served aboard HMAS Darwin during and after Gulf War 1990. These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway. Crashed Townsville early 90's. (Details unknown) Noted East Sale 03/04/2003 Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN Retired prior to 30/09/15. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released Empennage located in storage at Australia's Museum of Flight, Nowra NSW.
N22-015	1739	Delivered 09/03/84. RAN Code: 25, 862. Previously in blue/white paint scheme currently overall grey. Served aboard HMAS Adelaide during and after Gulf War 1990 These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN Retired prior to 30/09/15. 12/2017 to Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra
N22-016	1740	Delivered 09/03/84. RAN Code: 26, 863. Previously in blue/white paint scheme currently overall grey. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN Retired prior to 30/09/15. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released
N22-017	1755	Delivered 24/03/84. RAN Code: 27, 864. Served with FFG02, HMAS Canberra Flight - dates unknown, but was still painted in blue/white scheme. Served aboard HMAS Success during and after Gulf War 1990. These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway. Callsign TAIPAN 64, was embarked in HMAS DARWIN during 1991 for that ship's 'DAMASK 3' deployment, shortly after the Gulf War. It was airborne at the time of the ship's engine fire and could not recover to the ship until the Flight Deck had been cleared of debris ejected through the funnel during the initial explosion in the ship's engine unit. Following recovery, the aircraft was refuelled and flew ship's engineering staff to Bahrain, returning with USN FFG Engine specialists. During the deployment 864 never missed a mission through unserviceability. An engine change was performed whilst alongside in Bahrain, and the aircraft passed the subsequent check test flight first time. Named 'Barney Gumble' in 1998. Onboard HMAS ANZAC during Operation WARDEN, East Timor 1999/2000 - however it hardly flew due to engine problems. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN, retired prior to 30/09/15. Transported to the Australian War Memorial 30/08/17.
N22-018	1758	Delivered 18/06/84. RAN Code: 28, 865. Spotted at Richmond Airshow 1988. Spotted at Nowra Airshow 04/2002. Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN, retired prior to 30/09/15. 12/2017 Gate guard HMAS Albatross, Nowra
A22-019 N22-019	1768	Delivered 02/10/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00. Reserialled N22-019. RAN Code: 819. Still in Blue/White colour scheme. An attrition spare it was never meant to fly but permission was sought and granted for 819 to be flown Went to the Navy without an Autopilot, later added by the Navy. Spotted Canberra Skyfire 2013. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN. 12/2017 to Museum of Army Aviation Oakey, Qld
A22-020 N22-020	1769	Delivered 28/09/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00. Reserialled N22-020. Previously A22-020. RAN Code: 820. Noted 25/02/02 still in blue/white colours. Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN as Taipan 20. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released
A22-021 N22-021	1770	Built in France 1984. Delivered 06/11/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-021. Previously A22-021. RAN Code: 821. Still in Blue/White colour scheme. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2013. Spotted at Centenary of Military Aviation at Point Cook 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in 723 Sqn RAN. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released. 27/08/2020 Registered VH-XBN to Muser Investments Pty Ltd.
A22-022 N22-022	1771	Built in France 1984. Delivered 22/11/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-022. Previously A22-022. RAN Code: 822. Still in in Blue/White colour scheme. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2013. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released. 02/07/2020 Registered VH-BKU. Currently registered to Gregory Garwood of Tasmania.
A22-023 N22-023	1772	Built in France 1984. Delivered 27/11/84. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-023. Previously A22-023. RAN Code: 823. Was in Blue/White colour scheme until 2007. After 'R' servicing repainted in grey Scheme. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009. Held by 723 Sqn RAN as a spare and is preserved as of 30/09/15. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released. 02/07/2020 Registered VH-VDO to Tour6 Pty Ltd of Seaford VIC.
A22-024 N22-024	1773	Built in France 1984. Delivered 27/11/84. Incident which resulted in the buckling failure of its tail boom during 1995. Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-024. Previously A22-024. RAN Code: 824. Still in Blue/White colour scheme. Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005. Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2013. Spotted at ADFA Open Day 2014. Spotted at Centenary of Military Aviation at Point Cook 2014, flown as Taipan's display team. Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN as Taipan 24. 12/2017 Sold details yet to be released. 31/08/20 Registered VH-XBV to Wealthlynx Pty Ltd of Keysborough VIC.

Highlight for Album: Squirrel Formation Photos

The Author of this page is Darren Crick

Source: Australian Aviation Magazine, DSTO Website, AMOF Museum records and Photographs, CASA Aircraft Register, www.rotorspot.nl ,

Emails: Jim Bartok, Mark Taylor, Richard Siudak, Gordon Clarke, Mark Clayton, Anthony Haigh, Greg Hyde, Rod Cairns, Herb Ray, Dave Masterson, Graham Mison, Darryl Gibbs, Evan Sawyer, Andrew Pendergast, Brendan Cowan, Dave Coles, Gavin Barnett.

Updated 24th June 2022

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