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ADF-SERIALS
Australian, New Zealand & Papua New Guinea
Military Aircraft Serials & History
 This site is devoted to providing as complete a record as possible of aircraft operated by the ADF, NZDF & PNGDF.
Included where known are brief summaries of the history and current status of aircraft employed in Australian New Zealand & PNG Military Service.

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ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A22 & RAN N22 Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel

 
 

 
 

Aerospatiale Squirrel Image Gallery
     
 
ADF.Serial Const No. Aircraft History
A22-001
N22-001		 1727 Delivered 28/02/84.
Took part in test program after buckling of tail of A22-24 during 1995.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
We were under the impression that this was going to the Museum of Army Aviation at Oakey QLD.
However it was transferred to the Navy 10/00 in the Blue/White paint scheme.
Reserialled N22-001.  RAN Code: 801. Still in the Blue/White paint scheme.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009.
Noted in Grey Scheme 05/2009.
Spotted at Moruya, NSW in May 2009 after precautionary landing due to Fuel warning light.
Spotted at Wings Over Illawarra Airshow 2014.
Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in service 723 Sqn RAN.
One of a very few aircraft to fly in all three services of the ADF
Repainted in its original blue and white scheme for preservation at RAAF Museum
Final flight to retirement at RAAF Museum Point Cook 5/12/2017

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-001/N22-001 (801)
A22-002 1728 Delivered 28/02/84.
Noted in Photograph marked as '2'.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
19/09/2001 Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTJ,
Has a large 246 painted on the rear door. Note at Avalon 2005 as VH-UTJ.
Used with the 2003 Victorian Bushfires.
VH-LUI
19/10/2007 Registered VH-EFT to Airborne Investments Pty Ltd, South Yarra, VIC and operated y Choppair Helicopters Pty Ltd, Cheltenham East, VIC,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-002
A22-003 1742 Delivered 18/03/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTM 19/09/02.
Has a large '242' painted on the rear door.
Used with the 2003 Victorian Bushfires.
26/03/2013 Registered VH-UTM to Rotorpower (Holdings) Georges Halls, NSW,

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-003
A22-004 1744 Delivered 13/04/84. Richmond Airshow 1988.
Crashed 1997, Canberra Fairbairn ACT.

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-004
A22-005 1754 Delivered 28/02/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-BUK 19/09/02.
Written Off

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-005
A22-006 1759 Delivered 12/06/84. Richmond Airshow 1988.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT. Sold 2002/20003.
This was reported at Essendon VIC marked with just a '6' late 2002 and early 2003.
Registered VH-ALP 20/03/03.
VH-TCE
01/07/2007 Registered VH-THJ to Australian Helicopter Traders Pty Ltd and operated by the Helicopter Services Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, Vic,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-006
A22-007 1762 Delivered 20/06/84. Was in Service ARDU.
Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-IDG.
29/06/2006 registered VH-IDG to Gumcurry Pty Ltd, East Devonport, Tasmania,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-007
A22-008 1763 Delivered 26/06/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-AHT 02/10/02.
Cancelled from Australian Register 30/06/06
I-????
Current?
A22-009 1765 Delivered 05/07/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold by tender in 2002 and registered VH-UTN 19/09/02.
29/04/2005 registered VH-UTN to Heli-Muster Pty Ltd Georges Hall, NSW and operated by Heli-Aust Pty Ltd Georges Hall, NSW,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-009
A22-010 1766 Delivered 10/07/84.
1989, Landed on under slung Load.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold and registered VH-ZSM 14/04/04.
22/03/2010 Registered VH-ZSM to Multifix Constructions Pty Ltd and operated by Gold Coast Leisure Services Pty Ltd, Main Beach, QLD,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-010
A22-011
N22-011		 1767 Delivered 18/07/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings. Now N22-011.
RAN Code: 811. Still in the Blue/White paint scheme.
Was in service 723 Sqn RAN, written off 15/05/01 at Wagga Wagga NSW.
It was doing pilot training and on approach was in a auto rotation practice, upon landing the aircraft had a large amount of ground resonance and the rear tail boom struck the ground and tore the boom away from the airframe. After this occurrence the fleets landing gear shock absorbers were all tested for serviceability, the crew were not injured just shaken by the incident.
Crew; Lt Grant O'Loughlan and Sqn Leader Peter Sammons.

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-011
A22-012 1743 F-ZKBY,
Delivered 06/07/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Sold. Registered VH-WEB 13/01/03.
26/02/2006 Registered VH-WEB to Central (QLD) Holdings Pty Ltd, Emerald, QLD,
Current

Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-012
N22-013 1726 Delivered 30/11/83. RAN Code: 23, 860.
Named 'Marvin the Martian' in 1998.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 1999.
Noted 25/02/02 all over grey with dark markings.
Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN,
Retired prior to 30/09/15.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-013 (860)
N22-014 1738 Delivered 01/03/84. RAN Code: 24, 861.
Served aboard HMAS Darwin during and after Gulf War 1990.
These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway.
Crashed Townsville early 90's. (Details unknown)
Noted East Sale 03/04/2003
Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN
Retired prior to 30/09/15.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-014 (861)

Empennage located in storage at Australia's Museum of Flight, Nowra NSW.
N22-015 1739 Delivered 09/03/84. RAN Code: 25, 862.
Previously in blue/white paint scheme currently overall grey.
Served aboard HMAS Adelaide during and after Gulf War 1990
These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN
Retired prior to 30/09/15.
12/2017 to Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-015 (862)
N22-016 1740 Delivered 09/03/84. RAN Code: 26, 863.
Previously in blue/white paint scheme currently overall grey.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN
Retired prior to 30/09/15.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-016 (863)
N22-017 1755 Delivered 24/03/84. RAN Code: 27, 864.
Served with FFG02, HMAS Canberra Flight - dates unknown, but was still painted in blue/white scheme.
Served aboard HMAS Success during and after Gulf War 1990.
These aircraft were modified to take a 7.62mm machine gun in the cabin doorway. Callsign TAIPAN 64, was embarked in HMAS DARWIN during 1991 for that ship's 'DAMASK 3' deployment, shortly after the Gulf War. It was airborne at the time of the ship's engine fire and could not recover to the ship until the Flight Deck had been cleared of debris ejected through the funnel during the initial explosion in the ship's engine unit. Following recovery, the aircraft was refuelled and flew ship's engineering staff to Bahrain, returning with USN FFG Engine specialists. During the deployment 864 never missed a mission through unserviceability. An engine change was performed whilst alongside in Bahrain, and the aircraft passed the subsequent check test flight first time. Named 'Barney Gumble' in 1998.
Onboard HMAS ANZAC during Operation WARDEN, East Timor 1999/2000 - however it hardly flew due to engine problems.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN, retired prior to 30/09/15.
Transported to the Australian War Memorial 30/08/17.

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-017 (864)
N22-018 1758 Delivered 18/06/84. RAN Code: 28, 865.
Spotted at Richmond Airshow 1988.
Spotted at Nowra Airshow 04/2002.
Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN, retired prior to 30/09/15.
12/2017 Gate guard HMAS Albatross, Nowra

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-018 (865)
A22-019
N22-019		 1768 Delivered 02/10/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00. Reserialled N22-019.
RAN Code: 819. Still in Blue/White colour scheme.
An attrition spare it was never meant to fly but permission was sought and granted for 819 to be flown
Went to the Navy without an Autopilot, later added by the Navy.
Spotted Canberra Skyfire 2013.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN.
12/2017 to Museum of Army Aviation Oakey, Qld

 Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-019 (819)
A22-020
N22-020		 1769 Delivered 28/09/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00. Reserialled N22-020.
Previously A22-020. RAN Code: 820.
Noted 25/02/02 still in blue/white colours.
Spotted on practice day for Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2015, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN as Taipan 20.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released

Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-020 "820"
A22-021
N22-021		 1770 Built in France 1984.
Delivered 06/11/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings.
Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-021.
Previously A22-021. RAN Code: 821. Still in Blue/White colour scheme.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2013.
Spotted at Centenary of Military Aviation at Point Cook 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in 723 Sqn RAN.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released.
27/08/2020 Registered VH-XBN to Muser Investments Pty Ltd.
Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-021/N22-021 "821"
A22-022
N22-022		 1771 Built in France 1984.
Delivered 22/11/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings.
Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-022.
Previously A22-022. RAN Code: 822. Still in in Blue/White colour scheme.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2013.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released.
02/07/2020 Registered VH-BKU. Currently registered to Gregory Garwood of Tasmania.
Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-022 "822"
A22-023
N22-023		 1772 Built in France 1984.
Delivered 27/11/84.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings.
Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-023.
Previously A22-023. RAN Code: 823. Was in Blue/White colour scheme until 2007.
After 'R' servicing repainted in grey Scheme.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2007.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2009.
Held by 723 Sqn RAN as a spare and is preserved as of 30/09/15.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released.
02/07/2020 Registered VH-VDO to Tour6 Pty Ltd of Seaford VIC.
Highlight for Album: Squirrel N22-023 "823"
A22-024
N22-024		 1773 Built in France 1984.
Delivered 27/11/84.
Incident which resulted in the buckling failure of its tail boom during 1995.
Was in Service ADF Helicopter School, Fairbairn ACT.
Transferred to Navy 10/00, still carry Blue/white markings.
Served with 723 Sqn RAN, later reserialled N22-024.
Previously A22-024. RAN Code: 824. Still in Blue/White colour scheme.
Spotted at Avalon Airshow 2005.
Spotted at Skyfire Canberra 2013.
Spotted at ADFA Open Day 2014.
Spotted at Centenary of Military Aviation at Point Cook 2014, flown as Taipan's display team.
Was in Service 723 Sqn RAN as Taipan 24.
12/2017 Sold details yet to be released.
31/08/20 Registered VH-XBV to Wealthlynx Pty Ltd of Keysborough VIC.
Highlight for Album: Squirrel A22-024/N22-024 "824"
 
     
Highlight for Album: Squirrel Formation Photos
     

The Author of this page is Darren Crick

Source: Australian Aviation Magazine, DSTO Website, AMOF Museum records and Photographs, CASA Aircraft Register, rotorspot.nl ,

Emails: Jim Bartok, Mark Taylor, Richard Siudak, Gordon Clarke, Mark Clayton, Anthony Haigh, Greg Hyde, Rod Cairns, Herb Ray, Dave Masterson, Graham Mison, Darryl Gibbs, Evan Sawyer, Andrew Pendergast, Brendan Cowan, Dave Coles, Gavin Barnett.

Converted to CMS 25th August 2025

Updated 24th June 2022