RAN Bell 429 Helicopter Major Attraction at Navy Week Tasmania

Tasmanians were treated to an unlikely Navy grey surprise as they celebrated the 2013 Royal Hobart Regatta. Nestled beside the colourful carnival rides and the Derwent River, a Navy Bell 429 helicopter proved to be one of the most popular attractions on the Regatta Grounds over the February 9-11 long weekend.

Regatta revellers took the opportunity to get an up-close look at the 723 Squadron (SQN) (CMDR M. Shand, RAN) aircraft and have their photos taken with the air crew.

The aircraft was on hand to help celebrate Navy Week Tasmania (February 3-11) and the 175th running of the Regatta.

The smiling 723 SQN crew of LEUT Jake Wadsworth, LEUT Callum Newton and LSA Aaron Smits were kept busy with several hundred people passing through the aircraft each day of the Regatta.

LEUT Newton said it had been a great opportunity to showcase Navy’s aviation capability.

“We’ve had a good cross section of people coming through and learning about aviation and what the Navy does,” LEUT Newton said.

He said the crew had enjoyed the Regatta and flying over the rugged and spectacular Tasmanian scenery.

“It’s a really good experience flying in a different airspace and over different terrain,” LEUT Newton said.

“We’ve been looking forward to coming down to the Regatta for a long time,” he added.

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Naval Today Staff, February 14, 2013; Image: RAN