Replacing the venerable Sea King after 51 years of service, the Merlin has been named SAR Queen in 330 Skv service. This aircraft was part of the detachment at Rygge AFB serving the south east part of Norway.

Ex ZZ105.

From the Royal Norwegian Air Force's rescue squadron, 330 Skv at Sola, one of 15 in service

Arrived last night from Vágar for a night stop. Seen departing this morning from runway 30 en route Yeovil. ZZ102 is the serial worn.

Impressive new heli for Norway: EH-101 "SAR queen"

One of 16 AW.101s on order for the Luftforsvaret (Royal Norwegian Air Force). It carries a British military serial for testing and it was displayed at the Farnborough airshow prior to delivery. It was later allocated serial 0273 in Norwegian service. The badge behind the cockpit is that of Hovedredningssentralen (Joint Rescue Coordination Centre). There are two in Norway - South (Stavanger) and North (Bodø). They use the same badge. All rescue helicopters are allocated to 330 Skv whose motto is Trygg Havet. There is a double meaning. The English translation may differ depending on the task of the squadron. 'Secure the Seas' in MAROPS and 'Safety on the Seas' in SAROPS.

Picture taken just after her first very short flight. Delivered to RNorwAF as 0273

Scheduled to be the eleventh AW101 for Norway (as 0279) but unusually just wearing 'RESCUE' titles. During testing normally the Norwegian flag is visible and the new serial under black tape but on this machine all other markings have been carefully blanked out.