Kestrel leased this Blackhawk from Firehawk Helicopters during the 2018/19 Fire season. This hawk is unique as it has only ever been in civilian use. Built for the Brunei Government HMSF. in 1986, it has gold everywhere in the internal fittings. Now stripped out and used for firefighting.

Crashed into Bass Strait on August 24, 1967.

Sold in the US as N176TM in 2000. The true identity of VH-ASF is a mystery. The c/n is a wartime rebuild number issued by de Havilland Australia and its original c/n and RAAF serial are not known. Originally registered VH-GAC in 1956 and became -ASF in 1958. Sometimes identified as c/n DHA273 which was destroyed in a midair collision in 1941. There is no correlation between the original c/ns and rebuild numbers. The lack of an RAAF serial suggests the rebuild may not have completed during the war.

VH-INZ was withdrawn from use in 1975.

Just finished a hard day's work In Bairnsdale Vic, Australia.This was the second S-2R to be registered VH-DQI.