SE-JUL

This unique image shows the disassembly of the last BK 117 in Sweden, SE-JUL, as it hangs in a sling from the ceiling - getting its skid-gear removed. The helicopter has been in service as EMS helicopter on the island of Gotland in 10 years, but has now been replaced by a brand new state-of-the-art Eurocopter EC 145 (SE-JJC). SE-JUL has carried out approx 300 mission each year, spread over a majority of inter-hospital transports to the mainland, but also some emergency missions on the island.rnrnThe EC 145 arrived to the base at Visby in late-November 2005 and entered service in early-December, thereby replacing SE-JUL. The BK 117 was flown to the Stockholm-based maintenance centre Patria Helicopter at Arlanda Airport for disassembly on 5:th of December, packed onto a truck and transported to Amsterdam, from where it was flown to Australia in a Martinair Jumbo Jet cargo airliner. The new owner, Australian Helicopters Ltd, has its base along the coast near Brisbane and has already two BK 117s in its fleet. This one is their third one and will enter service as EMS helicopter.