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This will be a place to share info that may be helpful in selecting a subject.

Aircraft that have been used for search & rescue, medevac and similar missions

Fixed wing

Airbus A310

Airco DH-4

B17 / SB17

B24

B29

Beech 18

Boulton Paul Defiant

C-17

C-46

C-47

C-130

Cessna 150

Cessna 172

Cessna 180

CP-140 Aurora

DHC-2 Beaver

DHC-3 Otter

Dornier 24

Dornier 328

Dornier Do-15 Wal

Ford Tri-motor

Grumman Albatross

Grumman Goose

Grumman Widgeon

He59

JU52

L-5 Sentinel

Nimrod

O-1 Bird dog

O-2 Skymaster

P47 Thunderbolt

P5M Marlin

PBY Catalina

PBM Mariner

PB4Y1 Liberator

PB4Y2 Privateer

SB17

Piper Cub

P0-2

Shinmaywa US-1

Short Sunderland

Supermarine Spitfire IIc

Supermarine Walrus

Vickers Warwick

Waco CG-4A

Westland Lysander

Rotary wing

Aerospatiale Allouette 2

Aerospatiale Allouette 3

Aerospatiale Lama

Aerospatiale Puma

Augusta A109

Augusta Westland EH101 Merlin

Bell 47

Bell 204

Bell 205

Bell 206

Bell 212

Bell 412

CH-46 Sea Knight

CH-47 Chinook

CH-53 Sea Stallion

Eurocopter AS350

Eurocopter Dauphin

Eurocopter EC135

Eurocopter EC145

Eurocopter Super Puma

Hiller UH-12

HH-3 Jolly Green Giant

H-19 Chickasaw

H-34 Choctaw

HH-43 Huskie

HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant

HH-60 Jayhawk

HH-60 Rescue Hawk

HH-65 Dolphin

KA-27 Helix

MBB BO-105

MBB / Kawasaki BK-117

MH-60 Black Hawk

Mi-8 / Mi-17 Hip

Piasecki HUP

Piasecki CH-21

SH-3 Sea King

SH-60 Sea Hawk

UH-1 Iroquis

UH-60 Black Hawk

UH-72 Lakota

Westland Wessex

Westland Whirlwind

Kits available with an OOB option

Fixed wing

C-130 Hercules, USCG, 1/72 Heller, 1/144 Minicraft

DC4, (R5D) USCG, 1/144 Minicraft

B-17, (SB-17) Air sea rescue with life boat, 1/72 Academy

Avro Lancaster, RCAF Rescue, 1/72 Hasegawa

Avro Lancaster, RAF Rescue with life boat, 1/72 Hasegawa

Grumman Goose, USCG, 1/72 Sword, 1/48 Czech model

Grumman Albatros, USCG or USAF Air Rescue Service (different kits), 1/72 Monogram

Grumman Duck, USAF Air Rescue Service, 1/72 Airfix

F-27, Maritime with Spanish SAR markings, 1/72 Esci

Shinmaywa US-1, Japanese SAR aircraft, 1/72 Hasegawa

Helicopters

HH-3 Jolly Green Giant, USAF CSAR, 1/72 Lindberg, 1/72 Revell

SH-3 Sea King US Navy, 1/72 Fujimi, Lindberg, 1/48 Hasegawa

HH-43 Huskie, USAF rescue helicopter, 1/32 Testors, 1/72 Mach 2

HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant, USAF CSAR, 1/72 Italeri

HH-65, USCG, 1/48 Trumpeter, 1/72 Revell of Germany

H-19, USCG HO4S-3G, 1/72 Revell, RCN 1/72 Italeri

UH-19A (with floats), USAF Air Rescue Service 1/72 Italeri

UH-19B (w/o floats), USAF Air Rescue Service 1/72 Italeri

H-21 USAF rescue helicopter, 1/72 Italeri

H-21 RCAF rescue helicopter, 1/72 Hobbycraft

Bell 47 (with floats), USCG, 1/35 Academy

HH-1F, USAF rescue helicopter, 1/72 Italeri

Bell 412, Netherlands AF search & rescue, 1/72 Italeri

Wessex HAS.3, RAF Search and rescue, 1/72 Italeri (This kit is the wrong version for the RAF, the HU5 kit would be more accurate)

Allouette 3, Securite Civille, 1/72 Heller

AS350 "A-Star", Securite Civille 1/48 Heller

CH-113 Labrador (aka Vertol 107) RCAF rescue helicopter, 1/72 Hobbycraft (This kit is actually a CH-46, the Fujimi Vertol 107-II-3 or -5 kits would be more accurate for a CH-113)

Vertol 107 / HH-46 multiple rescue options available, 1/72 & 1/48 Fujimi, 1/72 Airfix

CH-149 Cormorant RCAF rescue helicopter, 1/72 Italeri

Eurocopter EC135, various rescue / law enforcement options, Revell 1/72

Eurocopter EC145, various rescue / law enforcement options, Revell 1/72

Agusta A-109K2, various rescue options, Revell 1/72

Aftermarket

Fireball Modelworks, offers a variety of decals and resin kits for USCG, firefighting and rescue subjects including USCG HH-60J

http://webpages.charter.net/osborn82/

Cobra Company offers a 1/48 conversion for the HH-60J Jayhawk

http://www.cobracompany.com/

Belcher bits, offers RCAF subjects, includes some firebombers and rescue helicopters

http://www.belcherbits.com/index.htm

Linden Hill sells several decal sets / resin conversions that would fit into the GB. In particular look for Whirlybird, Rotorcraft, and Heritage.

http://www.lindenhillimports.com/

Heritage Aviation Models has some resin conversions for the Italeri H19 / HO4S-3 kit to make various versions of the Westland Whirlwind (used by RN & RAF for SAR). You are on your own for decals though.

http://www.heritageaviationmodelsltd.com/

Siam Scale offers Royal Thai Navy SAR decals for the Heller Canadair CL-215 (sorry no link)

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A time line of aerial rescue.

1870-71:

The first aerial rescues occurred during the Franco-Prussian War when 164 wounded French soldiers were evacuated from the siege of Paris using observation balloons. There is some debate about whether this actually occured or if it was simply a proposed method of transport.

1915-1918:

During WW1 aircraft are used to transport small numbers of sick and injured soldiers.

The French Air Service used aircraft to evacuate sick soldiers from Serbia in 1915.

In 1916 the French Air Service modifies several aircraft so they can transport 2 stretchers. These aircraft were completed and ready for use in 1917 transporting their first patients during the battle at Amiens.

In 1917 the first British air evacuation occured when a wounded soldier in Turkey was flown to a hospital reducing a 3 day ground transport to a 45 minute flight.

In 1918 the US Army converted Curtis JN-4 two seat biplanes into air ambulances capable of carrying one stretcher case. These later became standard issue at all US airfields. The US Army Medical Service also used aircraft to transport surgeons to the site of aircraft crashes to assist in the ground transportation.

1920:

A DeHavilland DH-4 was modified allowing it to carry 2 patients and a medical attendant.

1921:

The Curtis Eagle was built allowing 4 patients on stretchers or 6 ambulatory patients to be carried.

1923:

The British Royal Air Force used Vickers-Vernon troop planes to evacuate 200 soldiers afflicted with dysentery from Kurdistan to Iraq.

1928:

The United States Coast Guard establishes an aviation section equipped with 7 flying boats. Unlike earlier aircraft used to assist in the agencies enforcement mission these aircraft were purchased specifically to extend rescue services to ships in far out to sea.

Aerial Medical Service is founded in Australia becoming the world’s first air ambulance service. It was established to provide medical care for those in remote parts of the Australian continent. The AMS became the Flying Doctors in 1942, and was renamed again in 1955 becoming the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

The Soviet Union and Canada also began air medical services around this time, and may actually pre-date AMS.

More info from Ross blackford

In late 1927 or early 1928 (can't remember which) the Soviet Union initiated its aeromedical service, just before us so we Aussies were actually the second to do so. In the USSR Kalinin and Shavrov both designed aircraft that could be used as ambulances, the Sh-2 could be adapted to the role quickly and the Kalinin K-5 was purpose designed for the role. In the USSR a Czech doctor, joined forces with Kalinin and Shavrov to provide a very comprehensive aeromedical service to the Soviet 'outback'.

1936-38:

During the Spanish Civil War, the Luftwaffe begins using the Ju 52 to transport seriously wounded soldiers from the Condor Legion back to Germany.

1939-45:

When WW2 started most nations had not advanced Air Sea Rescue techniques beyond those used in WW1, for the most part the crew of a sunken ship or downed aircrew had to rely on luck, hoping to be picked up by a passing ship.

Once the war began aircraft were quickly adopted as a means for searching for survivors and delivery of supplies until surface craft could reach them. Flying boats and seaplanes were also used due to their ability to land and rescue survivors. By1944 conventional long range bombers equipped to carry an air dropped life boat were entering service.

1939:

The Luftwaffe selects the He 59 float plane for use as an air sea rescue aircraft.

During the Polish Campaign, the Luftwaffe establishes 2 aero-medical companies. More than 2500 wounded soldiers are transported between September 18 and October 16, 1939. By the end of the war, the Luftwaffe was operating 11 aero-medical companies using modified Ju 52 and Fi 156 aircraft. In addition to the specialized aircraft operated by the aero-medical companies regular transport aircraft were used to move less seriously injured soldiers. The Luftwaffe transported approximately 2.5 million wounded soldiers during the war.

1942:

The USAAF opens a school for air evacuation training nurses and medical technicians. Available cargo aircraft began being used to evacuate seriously injured soldiers. This proved particularly valuable in the remote battlefields of the Pacific and North Africa. By the end of the war the USAAF had transported more than 1 million patients by air.

The USAAF receives its first helicopter, a Sikorsky XR-4. This is the first helicopter accepted for military use. Although initially adopted for submarine hunting its potential for search and rescue was quickly recognized.

1943:

February 15, The US Coast Guard organizes their first helicopter detachment.

October 16, The US Navy receives its first helicopters.

1944:

January 3, the first humanitarian mission is flown by a helicopter. A Sikorsky R-4 flies blood plasma from New York City to a hospital in New Jersey during a blizzard that grounded all aircraft in the region.

April 23-May 4, A US Army Sikorsky YR-4B evacuates a total of 21 wounded and injured personnel in Burma during a service test with the 1st Air Commando Group.

May, German FA 223 helicopters were used to recover a crashed Do 217, one of the helicopters crashed during the attempt and was itself recovered by another FA 223.

Later in the year an FA 223 attempted to rescue 17 people stranded in the snow on Mt Blanc, the helicopter crashed during the attempt killing the crew.

1945:

March 14, A Bell 30 is used to rescue two fishermen stranded on an ice flow in Lake Erie.

November 29, A Sikorsky R-5 equipped with a winch rescued two crew members from their sinking barge. This was the first recorded rescue where the helicopter did not land, it was also the first using a winch.

1947:

February-March, during US Navy evaluation trials using a Sikorsky S-51 for plane guard duties, four pilots / crewmen were rescued from the sea.

1950-53:

The helicopter proved its utility in rescue and medical evacuation missions during the Korean War. During the three years of fighting, helicopters rescued more than 900 airmen and transported more than 20,000 wounded reducing the time from injury to arrival at a field hospital by 2/3 compared to WW2. In WW2 it took an average of 6-12 hours for a soldier to reach a hospital, in Korea most were receiving care 2-4 hours after being wounded.

1952:

The Swiss Air Rescue Service REGA began using helicopters for rescue and medical evacuation.

1954:

The USAF adopts the C-131A Samaritan its first aircraft specifically designed for the aero-medical evacuation mission.

1956:

During a test flight an Alouette II rescued a mountaineer having a heart attack near the summit of Mont Blanc becoming the first helicopter to perform a mountain rescue.

1962-75:

The Vietnam War further proved the value of helicopters for use in rescue and medical evacuation. The time between injury and advanced care was reduced by half compared to Korea, with most wounded soldiers being transported from the field to a hospital within 1-2 hours. Helicopters rescued more than 2700 downed airmen, and transported over 400,000 wounded during the war. The successful use of helicopters in Vietnam soon led to similar advances in civilian medicine.

1963:

Belgium begins using military helicopters to transport sick and injured civilians.

1965:

The Helicopter Emergency Lifesaving Patrol (HELP) is established in Philidelphia, PA. This service combined medical personnel from local hospitals with traffic reporting helicopters.

1969:

The Maryland State Police and the University of Maryland begin a statewide air ambulance program.

The USAF adopts the C9 Nightingale, a DC-9 modified to perform aero-medical evacuation.

1970:

West German auto club ADAC begins a nationwide air rescue service using helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

The US Department of Transportation begins the MAST (Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic) pilot program with the Department of Defense. This program provides military aircraft & crews to support civilian emergency operations.

1972:

St Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado starts Flight for Life, the first dedicated hospital based service in the US.

1973 - 1983:

The USAF, USN and USCG retire their rescue flying boats leaving helicopters as the primary rescue aircraft. The USCG retired their last HU-16 Albatross in 1983.

1996:

A Nepalese Army Eurocopter AS350B2 rescues a climber from the slopes of Mt Everest at 20,000 feet making it the highest recorded rescue by a helicopter until 2004.

2003:

The German Luftwaffe outfits an Airbus A310 for aero-medical evacuation.

2004:

An Indian Air Force Cheetah (license built AS315 Lama) rescues 3 climbers attempting to reach Kamut Peak in the Himalayas. The rescue occurred at 23,240 feet making it the highest recorded rescue by helicopter.

2005: The last C-9 Nightingale aircraft are retired. In their place aero-medical evacuation modules are used which can be loaded into available C-130, C-141 and C-5 cargo planes.

Edited by Aaronw
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World War 2 Rescue Services

Canada

No.2 Air Observer School, near Edmonton, Alberta was frequently tasked with searching for downed lend lease aircraft enroute to the USSR. Due to the remote locations the aircraft were found it was often difficult to provide any aid to the downed crews. In 1942 the unit commander Wop May, a WW1 ace asked for volunteers to start a parachute rescue group. He was further assisted in 1943 when he was allowed to send some of his volunteers to the USFS Smokejumpers School in Missoula, Montana. By 1944 an official Para-rescue school had been started, and similar units were being established at other locations in Canada. These Para-rescue teams were eventually organized into the current Canadian Forces Search & Rescue squadrons.

United States

CONUS

Search and rescue over land was primarily assigned to the Civil Air Patrol, rescue at sea was assigned to the US Coast Guard.

Atlantic

The US Coast Guard provided Air Sea Rescue off the East Coast of the US.

NW Europe

Due to high losses of air crews downed at sea, in 1943 the Eighth Air Force formed a sea rescue group. When the unit was founded the recovery rate for crew down at sea or over the channel was less than 5%, by the end of the war this number had increased to more than 40%. In addition to more specialized aircraft, rescue packs that could be carried and dropped by P-47 and P-51 fighters were developed.

China, Burma, India

Unlike Europe, downed crews in the CBI theatre were often able to evade the scattered enemy forces long enough to reach friendly forces or eventually return to friendly territory on their own. Additionally many cargo planes flying “the hump†would crash due to mechanical problems, leaving the crews alive but far from help and unable to make it to help on their own.

The first organized air rescue in the CBI was known as Blackie’s gang, named for the commander Captain John “Blackie†Porter. The unit was equipped with a pair of C-47s which could parachute supplies and medical personnel to assist the survivors until a ground team arrived, their first rescues occurred in 1943. The USAF considers this unit as the foundation for their current Para-rescue service.

In 1944 Air Transport Command re-organized rescue operations under the 3352nd Air Search and Rescue Squadron. Along with additional fixed wing aircraft, this unit was assigned some of the first Sikorsky helicopters.

Pacific

Beginning in January 1943 PBY Catalina’s were being assigned to air sea rescue duties. Late in 1943 US Submarines also began being tasked with rescuing downed aircrews. Initially the submarines were directed to coordinates provided by passing aircraft and relayed through multiple organizations. Later long range naval patrol aircraft were fitted with radio equipment allowing them to communicate directly with submarines and surface vessels greatly speeding up rescues.

Heavy bombers were also converted for air sea rescue, these aircraft would be used to pinpoint the location of downed crews then coordinate pickup with a local rescue station, surface vessel or submarine. They could also drop supplies and inflatable life rafts.

In 1943 Higgins Industries looked at a life boat being used by the RAF. In 1944 the Higgins lifeboat was available, it was a 27 foot self-righting air droppable lifeboat that could be carried under a B-17. This boat was equipped with two motors, fuel and other supplies allowing downed crews to reach safety on their own if necessary. B-29s were also modified to carry a lifeboat but these did not enter service until the end of the war. Some of these lifeboat equipped B-29s were used during the Korean War. In addition to more specialized aircraft, rescue packs that could be carried and dropped by P-47 and P-51 fighters were developed.

More info from gmat

The USAAF used Waco CG-4A gliders to medivac casualties from Burma, New Guinea, and the Remagen Bridgehead.

The following info comes from Silent Wings, by Gerard M. Delvin.

New Guinea: Shangri-La Valley rescue mission. CG-4A from the 433 TCG used in three flights to rescue three survivors and evacuation team from a C-47 crash. C-46 used to tow the glider to the site.

Remagen Bridgehead: 304 Squadron, 442nd TCG coverts 2 CG-4A gliders into flying ambulances. Carries 12 wounded, six on each side. Heavy duty nylon rope attached to the steel tubing roof and anchored to the wooden floor. The straps contained loops to hold the stretchers, three deep. 18 inch vertical clearance between stretchers. 402nd TCS tows the two gliders. One is 257578 with a light colored fuselage stripe aft of the wing. Cannot determine if there is a stripe on the wing. Lt. Suella V. Bernard of the 816th Medical Evacuation Squadron flies on one glider and is the only female to participate in a glider mission in WWII.

Burma: 1st Air Commando 1st Glider Flight, when used to resupply Chindits, often evacuated sick and wounded if the glider was recovered.

From England, the 5th ERS used used razorback P-47Ds to carry rescue equipment in a pod. The 15th FG developed a rescue pack using a fuel tank. P-51Ds from Iwo Jima.

United Kingdom

When WW2 began air-sea rescue was performed by surface vessels or flying boats that happened to be available nearby. During the “Battle of Britain†the RAF had a high loss rate of pilots downed over the channel. As a result of this experience, the RAF established the Directorate of Air Sea Rescue in January 1941, but it took nearly a year before official air sea rescue squadrons were active. In 1943 a 32 foot canoe shaped lifeboat became available for mounting under an Avro Lancaster. The boat could be dropped by parachute to survivors in the water.

More info from Julien UK

The RAF also used fighters and former fighters for SAR. 275, 276, 277, 280 & 281 Sqns flying Boulton Paul Defiants were tasked to ASR. The Defiant was equipped with a pair of under-wing pods that contained dinghies.

The Spitfire IIc was modified for ASR work The two flare chutes in the fuselage were modified to take a dinghy and a container with food. Air-Sea Rescue Spitfires were unusual in that they carried yellow codes and had a 12" black stripe along the bottom of the fuselage from the spinner to the tail.

Australia

The RAAF established air sea rescue units in 1944. These units were equipped with PBY Catalinas and Martin Mariners.

Germany

Germany was the only nation to begin the war with a dedicated military air sea rescue service, the Seenotdienst (Air Sea Rescue Service). In 1935 the Luftwaffe organized a unit for rescuing seaplanes; it was poorly equipped but provided an opportunity to experiment with different methods and equipment. As war loomed in 1938 it became more obvious that there would be a need for a specialized air sea rescue service. In 1939 the Heinkel 59, a large float equipped biplane was selected specifically for use as an air sea rescue plane. Due to their humanitarian mission these aircraft were painted white with red crosses. Following accusations from the British that these planes were conducting military operations, they became legitimate targets for the RAF. As a result the air sea rescue planes began to receive the standard camouflage patterns for their area of operation.

Following the fall of France, a number of French seaplanes were adopted for air sea rescue.

Edited by Aaronw
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USAF Air Rescue Service (1946-1966, 1989-1993) Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Service (1966-1989)

Based on lessons learned in WW2, the US Army Airforce organized the Air Rescue Service as a subcommand of the Military Air Transport Service in 1946 to provide rescue of aircrews outside the 135 mile radius covered by local base rescue units. The ARS continued under the USAF when it became an independent branch of service in 1947. Flying boats such as the PBY Catalina, Grumman Duck and Grumman Albatross were used for air sea rescue into the 1970s. As the helicopter developed it became the primary aircraft used for rescue, eventually replacing flying boats. The last USAF flying boat, an HU-16B was retired in 1973.

Early in the ARS history there were incidents where medical personnel were parachuted into a crash site, but it was not until late in 1947 that an official Pararescue unit was authorized. These units primarily consisted of medical personnel from outside of the organization that were jump qualified. In 1949 an Air Rescue Specialist course was created to provide ARS personnel with the medical skills needed to provide emergency care for downed crews.

During the Korean War the Pararescue service grew and every rescue squadron eventually included a pararescue component. During the war helicopters began to play an increasingly important role in rescuing personnel. By the end of the war the Air Rescue Service had evacuated more than 8000 casualties and rescued nearly 1000 men down behind enemy lines. During the war the primary helicopters in use by the ARS were small piston engine helicopters, the Sikorsky H-5, Bell H-13 Sioux, and Hiller H-23 Raven. The larger more capable Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw was added later in the war.

Following the Korean War, the Air Rescue Service was cut back and there was little support for the development of new equipment or techniques. One high point during this period was the adoption of a new turbine powered rescue helicopter. Kaman provided a turbine powered version of the HOK-1 to the USMC and USN for evaluation. The USAF also evaluated this aircraft and in 1959 adopted it as the H-43 (HH-43B after 1962).

The Vietnam War saw further refinement of the equipment and tactics used by the Air Rescue Service. In 1966 the Military Air Transport Service was reorganized as Military Airlift Command, and the Air Rescue Service became the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service to include their involvement with NASA. During the Vietnam War the ARS / ARRS rescued 4120 people.

There had been little development in combat rescue operations following the Korean War and in 1961 the primary rescue helicopter in the USAF was the HH-43B Huskie.

This helicopter had been primarily designed for local base rescue so had a relatively short range and no defensive weapons or armor. As the US involvement escalated the ARRS found it was without a suitable helicopter for flying the CSAR missions it was being tasked with. Despite its short comings the HH-43 served as the primary USAF rescue helicopter in Vietnam for several years, and remained an important rescue aircraft until the early 1970s.

Aircraft designed for use in the CSAR role started to appear later. The HH-3 “Jolly Green Giant†joined the ARRS in 1965, followed by the HH-53 “Super Jolly Green Giant†in 1967. Both of these included armor, heavy weapons and the ability to be re-fueled in flight.

In addition to new helicopters, the integration of combat support aircraft was also improved. Rescue missions frequently being aided by light attack aircraft like the A-1 Skyraider and A-7 Corsair II which used the callsign “Sandyâ€. Light observation aircraft were used to locate and mark the positions of downed crewmen and coordinate close air support. HC-130s were to provide overall command of rescue operations.

The UH-1 based HH-1H was adopted in 1973 as a light rescue helicopter to replace the HH-43B.

As the Vietnam War drew more resources, USAF reserve units began to fall short of equipment. In early 70s the USAF acquired a number of excess US Navy SH-34 Seabats. The ARRS assigned several of these SH-34s to reserve rescue units where they served as the HH-34J Choctaw from 1971-74.

Just as the ARS had been cut following the Korean War, the ARRS faced major cuts and general neglect following the withdrawal from Vietnam.

Although the ARRS was not involved in the failed rescue of hostages from Iran, in 1980 the USAF transferred all CSAR duties and the HH-53s of the ARRS to the 1st Special Operations Wing. This change left the service with HH-1H and HH-3 aircraft along with a small number of the new MH-60 helicopter.

In 1989 the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service returned to the earlier designation Air Rescue Service and in 1993 the ARS was disestablished. At this time peacetime and combat search and rescue duties were transferred to rescue groups under Air Combat Command.

Today peacetime and CSAR duties remain under ACC using a combination of HH-60G, MH-60G, HC-130N, and MC-130P aircraft. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is used for CSAR operations like the earlier A-1 Skyraider and A-7 Corsair II and is assigned the same “Sandy†call sign during CSAR operations.

Helicopters used by the ARS / ARRS

Sikorsky R-4

Sikorsky H-5

Bell H-13 Sioux

Hiller H-23 Raven

Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw

Piasecki H-21

Kaman HH-43B

Sikorsky HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant"

Sikorsky HH-53C Pave Low "Super Jolly Green Giant"

Sikorsky HH-34J Choctaw

Bell HH-1H Iroquis

Sikorsky MH-60

Fixed wing used by the ARS / ARRS

Grumman Duck

Consolidated PBY

Grumman Albatross

HC-130

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Government Flying Service (Hong Kong)

The GFS is responsible for search & rescue, air ambulance, police and firefighting in a 400 mile radius around Hong Kong. It was founded in 1993 when Hong Kong was under British rule to take over non-military air operations from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.

The GFS operates approximately 2 dozen aircraft including the AS332 Super Puma, EC155, Sikorsky S-76, and S-70A Blackhawk helicopters. The fixed wing fleet includes the BAE Jet Stream 41 and Beech Super King Air.

Argentine Naval Prefecture

The PNA is a national police force that patrols Argentina’s coastal waters and navigable rivers. It’s responsibilities include search and rescue within these areas. The primary search and rescue aircraft used is the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, but it also operates several CASA C-212s for patrol and an Aerospatiale SA330 Puma.

Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard was founded in 1962 under the Department of Transport consolidating many traditional coast guard duties under one agency. Prior to its creation these duties were being performed by several different agencies including the Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Life Saving Service and the Department of Transport. The increasing sea commerce following WW2 that led to the creation of a separate coast guard also resulted in a growth period through the 1980s. In 1994 the Canadian Coast Guard was transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. In 2005 the CCG was declared a Special Operating Agency, it still remains under the DFO but this status provides considerably more autonomy than before. As it is not technically a law enforcement agency the Canadian Coast Guard frequently works in joint operations with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Canadian Coast Guard operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft including MBB BO-105, Bell 206, Bell 212, Bell 407, Sikorsky S-61, DHC-6 Twin Otter, DHC-7 "Dash 7", DHC-8 "Dash 8", and Beech King Air 200.

Icelandic Coast Guard

The Icelandic Coast Guard was founded in 1926, it is a military service responsible for Iceland’s coastal defense and maritime search & rescue. The services primary duty is defending the sovereignty of Iceland territorial waters and enforcing Icelandic law within the 200 mile economic zone. It has traditionally provided services from a small fleet of coastal patrol ships, but added an aeronautical division in 1955 when it acquired a PBY Catalina. It currently operates two AS-332 Super Pumas, an SA-365 Dauphin 2, and a Bombardier DHC-8 which is used for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.

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United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is one of the five Armed Forces in the US. It is best known for it’s maritime search and rescue mission, but is also responsible for marine safety, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, maintaining navigable routes through ice, and national security. In time of war the USCG can be transferred to the Department of the Navy, which occurred during both World Wars (1917-19, 1941-46).

The USCG traces its history back to 1790 when the US Revenue Cutter Service was founded. The primary mission of the USRCS was to prevent smuggling and piracy, a secondary mission was to rescue ships in distress. The United States Life Saving Service founded in 1848 is another ancestor to the USCG. The USLSS was initially a volunteer organization with stations along the East Coast of the US, but by 1900 it included full time manned life saving stations on the Atlantic, Pacific oceans and Gulf Coast. In 1915 these two agencies were merged into the United States Coast Guard. It was initially an agency under the Department of the Treasury, but in 1967 it was moved to the Department of Transportation. In 2003 the USCG was moved again becoming part of the newly formed Department of Homeland Security.

The US Coast Guard holds a unique position for a Federal Agency being one of the fire armed forces and being a law enforcement agency. Icebreaking officially became part of the USCG’s mission in 1936, but the service had been running ice patrols since its days as the Revenue Cutter Service. In 1939 the Lighthouse Service was merged with the USCG.

US Coast Guard Aviation

The USCG can claim to have been involved with powered flight from the days of the Wright Brothers. Surfmen from the Kill Devil Hill Life Saving Station in North Carolina provided muscle helping to move the Wright Brother’s plane to its launch site for their first flights.

The USCG officially began experimenting with aircraft in 1915, borrowing a Curtis Flying Boat from a Virginia flight school. In 1916 the first 6 USCG pilots began their flight training at the Naval Aviation School Pensacola. In 1916 Congress authorized 10 air stations but no money was appropriated to fund them, so none were established until years later.

During WW1 USCG aviators were assigned to Naval Air Stations in the US and overseas. In 1919 a Coast Guard Pilot was assigned to one of the 4 USN flying boats that flew across the Atlantic.

In 1920 the USCG took over a closed Naval Air Station at Moorhead city, NC using flying boats borrowed from the Navy, the station closed in 1921 due to a lack of funding.

In 1925 Congress appropriated money allowing the USCG to purchase its first aircraft, 3 Loening OL-5 amphibians and two Chance Vought UO4 float planes. These aircraft were operated from air stations at Cape May, New Jersey and Gloucester, Massachusetts. These aircraft were primarily used to patrol for the whiskey smugglers that had become prevalent following the enactment of Prohibition in 1920.

In 1928 the USCG formed an aviation section which started to plan for the needs of a long range “flying lifeboat†that could be used to assist ships in trouble well out to sea. In 1931 the USCG acquired its first aircraft specifically bought for search and rescue, two Douglas RD-2 Dolphins. These were joined in 1932 by five General Aviation PJ-1 Flying Lifeboats designed to USCG specifications.

USCG aviation got a major boost in 1934 when Henry Morganthau became the Secretary of the Treasury. As an aviation enthusiast he used his position to help the aviation section grow, first by transferring the US Customs Aviation detachment to the USCG, and later securing additional funding from the Public Works Administration. By 1936 the USCG was operating 42 aircraft from 6 air stations.

During WW2 the USCG was transferred to the Navy. Its primary responsibilities became air sea rescue and anti-submarine patrols. The USCG aviation section was credited with assisting in the rescue of more than 1000 seamen, and for directly rescuing more than 100 during the war.

The USCG had become interested in the possible uses for the helicopter following demonstrations in 1938. In 1943 the US Navy tasked the USCG with the development of anti-submarine warfare techniques for the Sikorsky helicopters then entering service. The USCG also started a helicopter training school in Brooklyn, New York which trained many US and British helicopter pilots during the war.

Following the war the USCG continued to use many ex-USN aircraft particularly flying boats such as the PBY-5A Catalina, PBM-5 Mariner and P5M Marlin, these were soon joined by the HU-16 Albatross. In 1946 the US Coast Guard began participating in the International Ice Patrol reporting on the location of ice bergs dangerous to shipping.

The USCG also continued its interest with the helicopter which by the mid 1950s made up 20% of all USCG aircraft. In 1957 the USCG made plans to modernize their aviation section, eliminating most of the WW2 era aircraft and increasing the number of helicopters in service, by 1963 helicopters made up just over ½ of all USCG aircraft.

During the 1960s the USCG adopted two amphibious helicopters, the HH-52A Sea Guardian and the HH-3F Pelican which remained in service until the late 1980s. Their replacements the HH-65 Dolphin and HH-60J Jayhawk continue to serve as the Coast Guard’s primary rescue aircraft. The last USCG flying boat was retired in 1983.

The USCG adapted the US Navy’s rescue swimmer program in 1984, adding another capability to their rescue helicopter units. In the late 90s the USCG started looking for an additional helicopter for its drug interdiction mission. In 1999 it leased a small number of McDonnell Douglas MD-900 as the MH-90 Enforcer to experiment with the use of armed helicopters to stop the fast speed boats favored by smugglers. In 2001 these were replaced with eight Agusta A-109E helicopters leased until 2008 as the MH-68A Mako. Improved and armed versions of the HH-60J and HH-65C have been adopted as the MH-60T an MH-65C. In 2008 the MH-65C replaced the MH-68A.

US Coast Guard Aircraft

Flying boats / Float planes / Amphibians

Chance Vought UO-4 (1926-34)

Chance Vought O2U Corsair (1934-40)

Consolidated PBY Catalina (1942-54)

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado (1944-46)

Curtis H2L (1920-26)

Curtiss SOC Seagull (1938-44)

Curtis SOC3 Seamew (1943-45)

Douglas RD Dolphin (1931-41)

Fokker / General Aviation PJ-1 (1932-41)

Grumman JF-2 Duck (1934-41)

Grumman J2F Duck (1942-48)

Grumman JRF Goose (1943-54)

Grumman J4F Widgeon (1941-48)

Grumman HU-16 Albatross (1951-83)

Hall PH-2A (1938-44)

Hall PH-3 (1940-44)

Martin PBM Mariner (1943-56)

Martin P5M Marlin (1956-61)

Loening OL-5 (1926-35)

Vought OS2U Kingfisher (1942-44)

Fixed Wing, land based

Beech JRB (1943-56)

Boeing PB-1G (1945-59)

Curtiss R5C-1 Commando (1943-50)

Curtis SB2C Helldiver (1945)

Consolidated PB4Y-1 (1944-51)

Consolidated PB4Y-2G (1945-60)

Convair C-131 (1976-83)

Dassault HU-25 Falcon (1982-present)

Douglas O-38 (1931-34)

Douglas R4D Skytrain (1943-61)

Douglas R5D Skymaster (1958-63)

Fairchild C-123 Provider (1960-72)

Grumman E2C Hawkeye (1987-91)

Gulfstream VC-37A (2002 – Present)

Lockheed C-130 (1960 – Present)

Stearman N2S-3 (1943-47)

Viking OO-1 (1931-41)

Helicopters

Agusta MH-68 Mako (2001-2008)

Bell HUL-1G (1953-67)

Bell HTL-1 (1947-55)

Bell HTL-4 (1953-61)

Eurocopter HH-65A (1984 – Present)

Eurocopter HH-65B (2001 – Present)

Eurocopter HH-65C (2004 – Present)

Eurocopter MH-65C (2008 – Present)

McDonnell Douglas MH-90 (1999-2000)

Piasecki HRP-1 (1948-51)

Sikorsky HNS-1 (1943-48)

Sikorsky HOS-1G (1945-49)

Sikorsky HO2S-1G (1946-50)

Sikorsky HO3S-1G (1946-57)

Sikorsky HO4S-2G (1951-57)

Sikorsky HO4S-3G (1952-64)

Sikorsky HO5S-1G (1952-54)

Sikorsky HUS-1G (1959-62)

Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard (1963-89)

Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican (1968-94)

Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk (1991 – Present)

Also lots of good info and photos at these sites

http://www.uscg.mil/history/

http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/

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Some air medical transport providers

Air Methods

Air Methods was established in Colorado in 1980 and now serves as the largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems throughout the United States. Mercy Air and LifeNet operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Air Methods. The company products division designs and installs aeromedical transport equipment.

Air Methods transports more than 98,000 patients annually who require intensive medical care from either the scene of an accident or general care hospitals to highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. Air Methods operates a fleet of 300 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at 249 bases in 42 states, and is headquartered in Englewood, Colo.

Through a contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the company provides air ambulance services in response to disaster situations.

PHI Helicopters

PHI began as Petrolium Helicopters Inc in 1949 providing aerial support to the oil and gas industry along the Gulf Coast of the US. The companies helicopters were occasionally used to evacuate injured oil workers from offshore platforms and rescue victims of natural disasters.

In 1981 the company expanded its services to include dedicated emergency medical aircraft. The Air Medical Group now operates a fleet of 60 medical helicopters throughout the US. This division also designs and installs aero medical equipment for helicopters.

Era Helicopters

The company began in 1948 as Economy Helicopters doing aerial mapping of Alaska. In 1950 the company started to provide aeriel support to the oil and gas industry in Alaska. In 1958 Economy merged with Rotor Aids, taking letters from both companies they became ERA Helicopters. In the 1970s operations were expanded from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico. The companies helicopters have frequently been contracted to assist with natural disaster relief.

In 2007 Era MED, an air medical division was formed to take over the aero medical services of the Keystone Helicopter Corperation.

In 2009 Era joined with Priority 1 Air Rescue to provide search and rescue and air ambulance services in the Gulf of Mexico.

REGA

REGA is the Swiss air rescue service, founded in 1952. It initially used para-rescuemen trained by the RAF (UK) and STOL aircraft fitted with skis.

In December 1952 the service made its first helicopter rescue using a Hiller 360.

In 1956 REGA sent rescue personnel to the US to assist with the recovery of bodies from a mid air collision over the Grand Canyon.

In 1970 REGA pioneered the use of the winch to deliver rescuers to a mountain without landing.

In 1973 REGA purchased a Lear jet for use as an air ambulance.

In 1980 a REGA helicopter crew performed a mid air rescue freeing a skydiver who had become entangled in the tail wheel of the jump plane.

REGA currently operates a fleet of 13 rescue helicopters and 3 jet air ambulances capable of carrying 4 patients. The air ambulances are primarily used to transport ill / injured Swiss nationals who are travelling abroad.

ADAC

ADAC is Europes largest auto club. In addition to breakdown services, the organization has also provided emergency medical services since 1962. ADAC currently operates 44 emergency medical helicopters stationed throughout Germany. It also has a fleet of jet air ambulances used to transport ill / injured members outside of Germany.

Bond Air Services

Bond is the largest operator of Air Ambulances, police and fire aviation units in the UK. They currently operate EC-135 and BO-105 helicopters from 17 bases in the UK. They have headquarters in Glasgow and Staverton. They began offering helicopter support services to off shore oil rigs and lighthouses in the 1970s and in 1987 began their first air ambulance service in Cornwall.

Bond Offshore Helicopters

Bond Offshore Helicopters provides search and rescue in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the area around the Shetland Islands. They utilize two AS332 Super Puma helicopters, one stationed at Sumburgh in the Shetland islands and one based at an offshore oil rig in the North Sea.

Loganair

Loganair is a Scotish airline that offers air ambulance services. In addition to its regular flights the airline has had an agreement with the Scottish Ambulance Service since 1967 to provide air ambulance services. They operate several Britten Norman Islander converted to air ambulances from airports in Glasgow, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

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Sure, nice addition to WW2 Air Sea Rescue.

I got this from Wikipedia under those two aircraft, if you know of a more detailed source for Italian WW2 Air Sea rescue I'd be happy to see it.

When Italy entered the war, on 10 June 1940, four Squadriglie for air-sea rescue missions were formed in Orbetello. They were the 612a in Stagnoni, with planes marked DAMB, GORO, BUIE, CANT (the prototype) and POLA, and the 614a in Benghazi, with DUCO, ALA, DODO and DAIM. Two other sections with two aircraft each were based in Torre del Lago and in the Aegean Sea at Leros. They were later transferred to Rhodes.

Z.501's were used for search-and-rescue missions and anti-submarine patrols. They were responsible, in collaboration with Italian ships, for the destruction of HMS Union and damaged three other submarines. Generally the aircraft's main task was search and rescue missions, and perhaps because of this it was called Mammaiut (another theory is that because it was helpless against enemy aircraft). Even its sea capabilities were not good and often the Z.501 needed to be helped by ships.

The Z.506B was first used as a reconnaissance/torpedo bomber in the Spanish Civil War. Later in the war, it was used in maritime patrol and air-sea rescue missions. A special air-sea rescue version, the Z.506S Soccorso, was produced; it was used in small numbers by the Luftwaffe.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I picked up over the net from Hannants in England some more CH-146 Griffon decals

www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=ML729005

SAR and 60th Anniversary schemes ;

Along with two more Italeri kits .

I searched around ARC's site and found some walk-around pic's of the camouflage CH-146 ;

I've tried matching the camo colors with some Tamiya acrylic paint , I think XF-51 Khaki Drab is a close match to italeri's instructions of FS.30118 Field Drab and XF-58 for FS.34097 Field Green .

italerich146griffenpain.jpg

picture001ga.jpg

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