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Hello, C/N 61143 was the first S-61N - rebuilt from a S-61L in 1962! As far as I’m aware 61143 was one of the longest serving commercial S-61 ( I think the oldest was an S-61N C/N 61032). C/N 61143 is unique in that it is the only Japanese-built S-61N in the world. Apparently Mitsubishi were going to set up an S-61N production line for the Asian market. This helicopter was built as a demonstrator in anticipation of a healthy demand. The orders were not forthcoming and this was the only one built by Mitsubishi in the end, Mitsubishi gave it the C/N of M61-001. 61143 was purchased by BEA around 1970 and given the registration G-AYOM. It operated from Aberdeen airport (Dyce) ferrying passengers to a from North Sea Oil & Gas installations. She was in service with British Caledonian Helicopters, British Airways Helicopters, British International Helicopters, Brintel helicopters and Bond/ CHC Scotia. I believe it was upgraded at Bond / CHC for SAR operations as part of a contract with the Irish Coastguard. 61143 was registered as EI-SAR and served with the Irish coastguard from 1998 until 10th December 2013 where it stood it’s last SAR watch before being replaced by the new S-92A. A while ago my Dad heard a rumour that Sikorsky where considering having 61143 as a sort of museum piece, or something like that. However, it would appear that 61143 may have another lease of life - Carson helicopters have purchased a number of old S-61’s and refurbished / upgraded them. According to helis.com database 61143 was in Seaforth docks May 2014, ready for shipping to Canada for conversion for a logging company. As a tribute to this long serving aircraft I’ll be building 61143 as she was around 1974, serving BEA & the North Sea Oil & Gas industry from Dyce using the Revell 1/72 kit, whirlybirds S-61N conversion set and whirlybirds S-61N seats. http://www.airliners.net/photo/BEA-Helicopters/Sikorsky-S-61N-MkII/1443571/M/ Cheers Aaron
