A RARE former Thai military aircraft has been spotted at Southend Airport during what is understood to be its first appearance in the UK.
Heliswiss International's Kawasaki Vertol 107-II landed yesterday before taking off again this morning, and has been hailed one of the rarest sightings at the south Essex airport by aircraft enthusiasts.
This aircraft is believed to be the sole Kawasaki Vertol 107-II in Europe and is operated by Heliswiss International, a Swiss helicopter company.
This 1963 Vertol was purchased from Columbia Helicopters in early 2023, who had owned it since 1976 after its career with the Royal Thai Army.
It was delivered to Heliswiss after a number of years in the USA, making its first appearance in the UK this month to carry out an underslung lift, the Echo understands.
The rare aircraft took off from Southend Airport this morning, landing again at Aérodrome de Rethel Perthes in France on its journey home to Switzerland.
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