...the UH-60 Blackhawk is a rarity in my neck of the woods, although the Aussies operated them for years, they didn't often cross the Tasman. There is one that does heavy lift work around the country and it's been in Nelson for two days now. I went down to photograph it at work.
Two weeks ago, nelson had record levels of rainfall and suffered severe flooding, with hundreds of homes destroyed by floodwater and mudslides. No one was killed, but hundreds of families have been left without homes because of it. Because Nelson is surrounded by a ring of hills, mudslides and dislodged trees tore through properties, so the Blackhawk guys offered their services to aid in lifting dead tree trunks away from where they landed. Here are some shots of the choppah, called "Kahu", which is the name of a native hawk.
Tea break...
Home for the night.
More images here: Blackhawk over Nelson
Thanks for looking.
Two weeks ago, nelson had record levels of rainfall and suffered severe flooding, with hundreds of homes destroyed by floodwater and mudslides. No one was killed, but hundreds of families have been left without homes because of it. Because Nelson is surrounded by a ring of hills, mudslides and dislodged trees tore through properties, so the Blackhawk guys offered their services to aid in lifting dead tree trunks away from where they landed. Here are some shots of the choppah, called "Kahu", which is the name of a native hawk.
Tea break...
Home for the night.
More images here: Blackhawk over Nelson
Thanks for looking.