Information
This helicopter was constructed by Sikorsky Aircraft as a C-model back in 1991 - destined for a costumer in Japan (reg. JA6692). It later found its way to Italy via America (reg.
N62375). Owned by Spei Leasing and operated by Eli Air the aircraft spent a few years as
I-PRLT before it was sold to Cayman Islands via UK-based Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 1997. After a period as VIP helicopter with an official Cayman Islands registration (
VP-CHC) it was sold to the north-eastern parts of USA.
As Norrlandsflyg lost its ordinary SAR helicopter in Visby (
SE-JUJ) a replacement helicopter had to be found rapidly. The German
D-HOSB was temporary leased from Wiking Helikopter Service GmbH while searching for an avaliable machine. The American VIP helicopter
N803S was found. It was currently operated by Boston-based Super Vip and owned by Sabrina Fisheries Corp. The low-time S-76C aircraft was purchased by Norrlandsflyg and was soon transported to American Keystone Helicopter Corporation for SAR modifications.
SE-HAV was delivered to Luxembourg in a Boeing 747 on 22 March 2005 and was instantly assembled. It was flown to its new base in Visby the next day and spent a week for final adjustments. The helicopter with the suitable registration
SE-HAV ("hav" means sea in Swedish) entered SAR service at approx 15:00 on 5 April and made its first mission at 22:35 the same day.
"Lifeguard 997" (later 907) served the Baltic Sea for nearly four years before it was replaced by a brand new S-76C++ (
SE-JOB) in early-2009. Upon its retirement
SE-HAV was initially meant to be modified to an EMS helicopter in order to serve the retiring EMS helicopter
SE-JUC in Gothenburg.
SE-HAV was sent to Keystone in the US for EMS and C+ modifications in 2009, but the EMS conversions were canceled as a new replacement helicopter for Gothenburg had been found (
SE-JUX). The C+ conversion was performed and
SE-HAV returned to Sweden as a more powerful SAR helicopter. The callsign was changed to Lifeguard 908.
The helicopter entered service as a backup rescue helicopter together with the retired Sundsvall helicopter
SE-JUY (both replacing the S-76A++
SE-JUZ).
On 1 November 2011 the
Swedish Maritime Administration acquired all the stocks in Norrlandsflyg's parent company Scandinavian Helicopter Invest (SHI). The new helicopter division was named SMA Helicopter Rescue, which became a
subsidiary to Sjöfartsverket Holding (administered by the
Swedish Maritime Administration). All the SAR helicopters were included in the deal. The purchase also involved the EMS helicopters
SE-JUC and
SE-JEZ.
SMA Helicopter Rescue was formally incorporated in the
Swedish Maritime Administration on 22 January 2014.
Aeroseum Aviation MuseumFollowing a long period for sale,
SE-HAV was towed to the massive aviation museum Aeroseum's exhibition in the mountain hangar at Säve Airport on 6 November 2018.