RS02 & RS04 Back In The Sky

RS02 & RS04 Back In The Sky RS02 and RS04 are an ex Belgian Air Force Sea King MK48. Over the years, they have already proven that they are capable of achieving the impossible.

The Sea King served the Belgian Air Force since 1976 until March 2019.The primary roll was conducting SAR.Here you can follow the project to give RS02 and RS04 a worthy 2nd life. Westland Sea King MK48
To replace the succesfull Sikorsky S58 in the Search and Rescue role the Belgian Air Force ordered five Westland Sea King Mk48 helicopters in april 1975. In a first phase all aircraft were used for

training at RNAS Culdrose before being delivered to Koksijde on 8 November 1976. Since being declared operational the number of succesful lifesaving Sea King interventions has never stopped increasing. The Sea King managed a total of 3309 SAR interventions, 1757 persons saved and a total of 60.000 flying hours. Historic Helicopters is a hugely enthusiastic team of people who live and work to preserve historic helicopters. Witness to this are their Whirlwind Mk10, Navy Wessex Mk5 and the 3 Sea Kings they already own. They are in excellent and flying condition. Historic helicopters is a non profit organisation focused on charity.. The goal is to present historical helicopters to a wide audience in the UK and Europe. Historic helicopters want to let people experience the experience of these exceptional aircraft. We want to bring the aircraft to the people and let them enjoy the stories behind these aircraft and their sometimes epic missions that they have flown. I’m convinced our team is the only one in the world in private ownership that can accomplish this tribute to the Sea King and SAR community. You can support us, please donate to keep this project running. BE14 0018 9110 0983


RS02&RS04backinthesky

Let's hope we see RS02 flying at an event this Summer. πŸ™
01/03/2026

Let's hope we see RS02 flying at an event this Summer. πŸ™

Step inside the heart of Historic Helicopters as we take you on a brief behind-the-scenes tour of our hangar and the iconic rotary aircraft we preserve, main...

Anyone have any idea what NDT is or why a helicopter undergoes X-rays? Check it out.
15/02/2026

Anyone have any idea what NDT is or why a helicopter undergoes X-rays? Check it out.

TRY HOLY! https://uk.weareholy.com/hamiltonGet Β£5 off your first order with code 'Hamilton5' (orders over Β£14.99) and 10% off any following orders with code ...

For 43 years, the Sea King made the difference between coming home or not.Always ready to respond, this emergency rescue...
15/01/2026

For 43 years, the Sea King made the difference between coming home or not.
Always ready to respond, this emergency rescuer stood on daily alert to intervene whenever needed. Through its constant training flights, the Sea King became a well-known and trusted icon along the Belgian coast.

Over the years, 3,309 rescue missions were carried out and 1,757 lives were saved.
A true legend of search and rescue β€” and a symbol of hope when it mattered most.



For 43 years, the Sea King made the difference between coming home or not.Always ready to respond, this emergency rescuer stood on daily alert to intervene w...

The Seaking Back in the Sky team wishes you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026!Thank you for your continued suppo...
31/12/2025

The Seaking Back in the Sky team wishes you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026!

Thank you for your continued support and shared passion for aviation heritage. We hope to see you again β€” or meet you for the first time β€” at one of the upcoming events this year.

Here’s to a new year full of flight, history, and great encounters ✈️🚁

Ever dreamed of feeling what it’s like to fly inside a Sea King?
09/12/2025

Ever dreamed of feeling what it’s like to fly inside a Sea King?

In this video I has the opportunity to ride in one of most legendary helicopters ever built – the Sea King! This video we fly across Somerset and Devon, over...

27/11/2025

What a very nice tribute to the KING.

The KING is back for Christmas.
24/11/2025

The KING is back for Christmas.

Are you looking for a hobby instead of a job, this is your change.
04/11/2025

Are you looking for a hobby instead of a job, this is your change.

JOB TITLE: SKILLED TECHNICIAN MECHANICAL.
LOCATION: CHARD, SOMERSET
SALARY: TO BE NEGOTIATED (SELF EMPLOYED)
HOURS: 36-40 HOURS PER WEEK (TUESDAY - THURSDAY 0700-1900 FRIDAY 0700 - 1200)
We are seeking an technician/fitter to join the small team of full time Engineers at Historic Helicopters.
The successful applicant must have previous aircraft experience, preferably Sea King and or Lynx and must be passionate about ex military vintage Helicopters.
As an Engineer within a small team, you will be involved in carrying out routine scheduled maintenance and corrective maintenance from first line fault rectification to depth 2 maintenance on various aircraft, including Sea King, Wessex, Lynx, Whirlwind, Wasp and Scout.
You must be familiar with the MOD 700 log book and series of paperwork and be able to raise part one entries and associated paperwork.
You must be willing, on occasion to travel away with the aircraft to Airshows or filming. When on filming assignments, duties will include first line servicing, fault diagnosis and corrective maintenance ( if necessary ), liaising with film crews and delivering a safety brief and maintaining a safe working environment.
At Historic Helicopters we pride ourselves on providing placements for work experience students from a local college studying aviation, you must be willing to act as a mentor for these students during their placements.
If you’re interested please send a covering letter and a CV to [email protected].
Look forward to hearing from you.

A very nice report about flying the Sea King. The good old days.
30/10/2025

A very nice report about flying the Sea King. The good old days.

Former Sea King SAR pilot, Paul Humphreys gives us a guided tour of XZ590 (including the cockpit) based at the brilliant https://www.nelsam.org.ukHelp to kee...

🚁✨ A Legend of the Belgian Skies ✨🚁For decades, the Sea King MK48 stood as a guardian of the North Sea, always ready to ...
03/10/2025

🚁✨ A Legend of the Belgian Skies ✨🚁

For decades, the Sea King MK48 stood as a guardian of the North Sea, always ready to take off from Koksijde Air Base. 🌊 From daring rescues in stormy weather to countless training flights, this helicopter became more than just a machine β€” it became a symbol of safety, courage, and hope.

The unmistakable sound of its rotor blades once meant one thing to those along the coast: help is on the way. πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ
Today, although the Sea King has retired from active duty, its spirit still soars. It remains an icon of Belgian aviation history, inspiring both aviators and everyday people who remember its life-saving missions.

Thnx to https://www.avisual.be/ for the awesome footage.

https://youtu.be/Wec3W4XwCXk

For decades, the Sea King MK48 stood as a guardian of the North Sea, always ready to take off from Koksijde Air Base. 🌊 From daring rescues in stormy weathe...

Meet the Historic Helicopter Lynx.
25/08/2025

Meet the Historic Helicopter Lynx.

Flying the Last Airworthy Westland Lynx – the World’s Fastest Helicopter (249 MPH).This is the only MK7 Lynx helicopter still flying in the UK today.Today I ...

With immense gratitude, pride, and emotion, I had the honour of receiving the two original registration plates of Sea Ki...
03/07/2025

With immense gratitude, pride, and emotion, I had the honour of receiving the two original registration plates of Sea King RS02 (OO-SEE) and Sea King RS04 (OO-KNG) from the founder of Historic Helicopters, Andrew Whitehouse.

These plates were mounted inside the helicopters when they were officially registered in Belgium, and they made the journey across the Channel to the UK. Now, both plates have returned home β€” flown back to Koksijde aboard RS02 and officially handed over during the Open Door event at their home base.

They will be given a place of honour.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks once again to Andrew Whitehouse and the entire Historic Helicopters team for their daily dedication in giving these legendary helicopters a dignified and loving home.

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Chard

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