MFG5 gatekeeper shines in new splendour

Sikorsky H 34 with the registration 80+59 at the entrance to the Nordholz naval air base. Photo: Author

It had been missing since March 2020, the Sikorsky H 34 with the registration 80+59 at the entrance to the Nordholz naval air base. It came to Nordholz from MFG 5 in Kiel in 2012 to keep watch over all naval aircraft. Its restoration has now been completed and since 1 October it has been back in its place in new splendour.

Thanks to the initiative of Chief Boatswain Adrian Weingart from the NH 90 technical squadron, the aircraft was made fit for the future last year by comrades and employees of the Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopter.

In addition to repairing the rotor blades and the rotor head, various holes had to be closed. However, the focus was on the colour scheme. Great importance was attached to details such as the correct attachment of the warning notices, so that the rotary wing aircraft can now shine again in its authentic splendour. Beautifully finished all round, the aircraft will easily outlast the next few years. "If the helicopter were to rust away, the paint would remain," says Norman Thum from Airbus Helicopters, who supported the project with a donation of paint.

Author: Marco Pannasch