DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 330/08
Thursday, 9 October 2008
SEA KING SUPPORTS SUPERCARS
V8 fans will be treated to a helicopter display at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000,
with the Royal Australian Navy showcasing a Sea King helicopter.
The aircraft from 817 Squadron, based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, will make a
number of circuits around the track in the days leading up to the big event.
The Sea King has two Rolls-Royce Gnome gas turbines, which enable the 9.5-tonne
aircraft to travel at speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour. The two engines provide
a combined thrust of around 2800 shaft horsepower – more than four V8 Supercars
combined.
The Sea King is the workhorse of the Navy and is able to pick up loads heavier than a
V8 Supercar. Able to operate by day or night and in poor weather, at low level over
land and sea, the Sea King performs a variety of duties for the Navy. Tasks include
the delivery of people and provisions between ships and shore, search and rescue
missions and the detection and reporting of potentially hostile ships.
Sea King helicopters have also been called upon to provide assistance to the
community in times of natural disaster, including the 'Black Christmas Bushfire'
Crisis that swept through NSW from Christmas Eve 2001 until mid January 2002.
In addition to the roar of the V8 engines and the crowd, there will be some associated
noise with the display.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
