Previously: C-FPOI, Later on to: N230E, 9M-BCN, PP-LBP

VH-XCW was part of the Rotor Lift fleet based in Tasmania. It was operating as Firebird 700 during the fire season in 2019.

This privately-owned Bell 230 was photographed while refuelled at Corona airport. After Bell 222 production ended in Texas, the program was moved to Canada and the Model 230 born by replaced the original Lycoming LTS101-650C-3 engines with Rolls Royce (Allison) 250-C30G/2s. This aircraft was first flown as C-GLZA at Mirabel, Quebec in 1994, then exported to the USA as N230JP. As N4UV, it flew as an air ambulance with Mansfield Heliflight in Vermont and the University of Virginia Health System. Exported to Australia, it flew with RACQ CareFlight in Queensland as VH-XCW before imported as N230H.

Although owned by HDM-Flugservice, this Bell 230 sports Scancopter titles. Scancopter represented Bell in Norway at the time and D-HHEH was on a tour of most air shows and exhibitions in Europe in 1994.

The prototype Bell 230, C-GEXP, on a test flight over Mirabel Airport on Sep. 11, 1991. After 222B/222UT production ended in the late 1980s, Bell relaunched the line in Mirabel, Quebec as the Model 230 with RR/Allison 250-C30 engines replacing the 222's LTS101s. Two original 222B and 222UT prototypes became 230 prototypes. C-GEXP was originally a 222UT (msn 47503, N3177U and later N35AZ). The first 230 prototype flew on August 12, 1991. This airframe later received a cabin stretch and 4-blade rotor to become a Bell 430 prototype. It's been displayed for many years in front of the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada plant.

Started life as a Bell 222 (with appropriate c/n) then was converted to a 222B, 222UT and 230, as here, all with same c/n. Later it was converted to a 430 with c/n 43901.

Ex N230XX, RP-C8288, RP-C8180, N230FW, C-GAJH. Became ZS-RGV.

Entering the Navy apron. (Nikon D610 + Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR ED)