Our Fleet
Please find all of the download files for these aircraft under the Resource Hangar page of our website.
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Augusta Westland AW139
This is our primary UK SAR aircraft, with a cruise of 140kts and a top speed of 160Kts it makes quick work of getting from one side of the UK to another! Please note in order to start this aircraft you MUST start it from cold and dark, if you do not do this the fuel will be consumed within a matter of minutes, we have made a tutorial linked HERE after you do learn how to fly her you may well never turn back (Also works in FSX but not tested by myself)
Sikorsky S-55 (Westland Whirlwind)
A real throwback to UK SAR in the 1960's here! This aircraft is is based on an example displayed in a museum and a VSAR we fly her at UK airshows and to demonstrate how SAR was during the early age of helicopters.
Avro Shackleton
This aircraft is used as one of VSAR's long range search aircraft, fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks, the useful time on task of this aircraft is quite phenomenal.
Bell Eagle Eye UAV
This aircraft allows VSAR to live up to it's SAR2G (second generation search and rescue) name! This UAS is equipped with a HD zoomable camera and controlled via a remote ground station using telemetry. It has phenomenal range and will cruise at around 125 knots. Perfect for patrolling busy beaches from a height on busy days, and take off and land vertically!
Beriev BE200
An aircraft from Russia, the Beriev BE200 is a multi role, Fire bomber/long range SAR aircraft used by VSAR. Capable of dropping water or retardant, and landing on land and water, it is truly a versatile aircraft to have in the fleet.
General Dynamics Canberra
Here at VSAR we have something for everyone! We use this Canberra for long range observation and search missions, providing many hours of high speed flight allowing for fast response times and hours of searching!
Orion P3
This aircraft was put into service as part of a mission detailed "operation prowler" this initiative was created in order to for fill the need for aircraft with long range, signal finding equipment capable of locating a PLB or ELT or similar signals, also used for visual searches, this aircraft is one of a group we have at operational readiness H24 providing fast responses to any mission that requires such an aircraft.
Nimrod
Also part of the "operation prowler" initiative this aircraft is capable of mid air refuelling, allowing this aircraft to search while staying airborne until the search is over, the long nose variant and the standard variant are included in the downloadable pack, with the long nose variant housing state of the art signal finding equipment, visual searches at lower levels can also be conducted over land or water making this aircraft yet another versatile addition to our ever growing fleet.
PBY Catalina
This flying boat provides an excellent platform on which we can rely in order to conduct medium range search operations, with the added bonus of being able to conduct short field landings allowing it to refuel and be airborne again within a range of most of the planets costal waters, this is a perfect candidate in order to search, then land near any potential casualties for a possible recovery without the need for any additional parties involved. And its not just that! This aircraft also is a fire bomber capable of carrying a load of retardant or water in order to suppress any potential fire.
Grumman Ag Cat
This aircraft nicknamed "The Red baron" is part of our fire bombing division, a converted crop duster which is now capable of dropping water or retardant on a small fire in the most remote of places, (also capable of performing aerobatics, this aircraft is sometimes displayed at airshows)
Boeing 747 Freighter
The queen of the skies! At VSAR we utilise the Boeing 747 for our heavy transport roles, this aircraft can deploy to any location worldwide and is capable of carrying our light helicopters, and our Eagle Eye UAS, this means we can deploy, and conduct aid and search missions quickly is one sweep.
L1011 Lockheed Tristar
Three variants of this aircraft are currently in service with VSAR, the first one is VSAR's airborne hospital unit, this is essentially what it says on the tin, a flying hospital capable of providing airborne care worldwide at any time, this allows us to either perform international medical evacuations, or land away, and provide a mobile hospital unit while the aircraft is parked up at the location. During humanitarian and disaster response scenarios, this aircraft is accompanied by the second aircraft pictured, this allows a team of ground based search workers to be deployed to recover survivors. The cargo hold provides ample room for equipment too. The third aircraft pictured above is the Royal Cape SAR variant providing medevac and SAR services to the surrounding areas.
Kaman SH-2 Seasprite
This helicopter is used by VSAR as a SAR aircraft, it can operate off ships, confined areas, offshore platforms and of course conventional helipads making this a perfect candidate for another SAR helicopter in our fleet.
Airbus A350
This aircraft acts as a long range, rapid response aircraft capable of delivering a quick response to international crisis such as natural and man made disasters, where a search crew will travel on board the aircraft to the affected location, and the aircraft will become their home from home as they conduct their ground based search roles.
Global Hawk UAV/UAS
This UAS is deployed when long range, intercontinental search and rescue is needed, such as a downed aircraft in a large area of water. It can provide a video down link to teams on ships, and its shore based control station and gives many hours of useful time on task or on scene, this means that rescue aircraft, or vessels can monitor a situation before deploying, especially useful when the rescue aircraft does not have sufficient fuel capacity to give a useful time on the scene of search.
Predator UAV/UAS
This UAS is capable of providing an eye in the sky for other SAR aircraft or vessels and to locate the incident in question saving fuel and allowing aircraft to operate at maximum range without having to worry about useful search times and multiple refuels ect.
GAF Jindivik UAV/UAS
The Jindivik was used as a target drone up until 2004 at MOD Llanbedr in North Wales, today the aircraft is operated by VSAR as a search/observation aircraft providing a fast (up to 450kts) response time to incident local to its home base, located at that base will be a ground station. Recovery of this aircraft can be performed either onto a runway, a grass field, or even onto the ocean should the need arise as we have modified the aircraft to be watertight on the hull of the aircraft's fuselage. Not too dissimilar to the way gliders are recovered should the need arise to "land away" be that in a field, on the ocean, or on a beach. The ground logistics team have a trailer capable of carrying these aircraft after the wings have been removed, this team will then recover the aircraft to base, should the landing be on water, a vessel will recover the aircraft. The aircraft is also capable of deploying a small life raft for survivors to await rescue.
Diamond DA-42 Twinstar
The Diamond DA-42 Twinstar is used by VSAR as a primary twin engine flight training aircraft for our fixed wing pilots. Its incredibly economical diesel engines allow for cheaper operating costs. This allows our pilots to perform hour building and training flight for as many hours as they need.
Mil MI26 Helicopter
This aircraft, from Russia provides our main heavy lift aircraft, this ensures that following an incident, all objects and items can be recovered from the site to prevent further risk. Such items can include, but are not limed to aircraft, vehicles and rubble.
King Air C90
The King Air C90 is used as a primary local search aircraft conducting search missions and patrols at medium and low level in order to assist rescue teams, and alert them to any potential rescues or situations which are developing.
Westland Sea King Helicopter
The mighty Sea King, the flagship aircraft of all of the VSAR fleet the Sea King provides the ideal platform for search and rescue missions and allows for long range rescues in the most challenging conditions. This aircraft really is the land rover of the skies! VSAR operates this aircraft in the RAF Rescue livery (pictured above) the Royal Navy Rescue Livery and the AEW livery utilising the dipping dome in order to search for objects under water.