Newly decommissioned Navy Seahawk helicopter Tiger 75 has just landed at the Australian National Maritime Museum as the collecting institution’s newest, and one of their most exciting acquisitions in years.
“The 19.76 metre long tiger-striped Seahawk will be installed just in time for winter school holidays and is bound to be a huge hit with aircraft and navy fans of all ages,” comments Kevin Sumption, Australian Maritime Museum Director.
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The striking S-70B Seahawk is painted with Tiger stripes to reflect the 816 Squadron Crest, which depicts the head of a Bengal tiger, with the motto, ‘Imitate the Action of the Tiger’ drawn from William Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’.
Over the course of its 29-year career, N24-006/875 made multiple deployments to the Middle East and other international trouble spots, notes Sumption: “It was also one of two Seahawks aboard HMAS Newcastle that participated in the search and rescue operation associated with the ill-fated 1998 Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race. 2019 is the 75thanniversary of the Sydney to Hobart and that’s just one of the reasons we felt it should be on display.”
The Seahawk is joining the Museum’s permanent collection, offering a dramatic renewal opportunity for the Navy Gallery to represent the Navy’s role in civilian rescue operations.
The Seahawk replaces the older Westland Wessex helicopter, which will be transferred to the Australian War Memorial, most importantly ensuring it remains in a national collection as an integral chapter in Australian Navy history.
The complex and breathtaking de-install of the Wessex helicopter, and installation of the Seahawk is taking place from Monday 1 July to Saturday 6 July. Visitors to the Museum may be able to catch glimpses from the Tasman Light Gallery of the helicopter being lifted 10 metres into the air and impressively rigged into place in the 15 metre ceiling space above the Navy Gallery.
The Museum is grateful to the Royal Australian Navy for adding this exciting piece of naval history into the Australian National Maritime Collection.
Some galleries will be affected during this time to allow for the installation, namely the Wildlife Photographer of the Yearexhibition and Navy Gallery, which will be momentarily closed from Monday 1 July to Saturday 6 July, reopening 6 July if not beforehand.
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