The RAF operates the Sea King in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role, and the big yellow helicopters have become a familiar sight on television news programmes as they carry out rescue operations all around the United Kingdom. To assist in this role, the Sea King is fitted with advanced all-weather search and navigation equipment and a computer to assist positioning. In the hover, it can be 'flown' by the winch operator, who can position the rescue harness with great accuracy. The Sea King can carry 18 passengers and has a radius of action of 280 miles.

Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce H1400-1 Gnome turboshafts of 1,660shp

Rotor Diameter: 62ft 0in (18.90m)

Length: 55ft 9.75in (17.01m)

Max Speed: 143mph (230km/h) at sea level

Accommodation: Crew of four and provision for up to 19 passengers

Recognition: Long fuselage with boat-hull bottom and sponsons either side of the cabin into which the main undercarriage wheels retract. Engines mounted above the cabin with the five-blade main rotor on top. Short tail section stepped up behind the single rear wheel. Six-blade tail rotor on port side of the short stabiliser. a radar 'dustbin' is located on the top of the fuselage behind the engines.

• 78 Squadron (Dual SAR), Falkland Islands - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 22 Squadron (A Flight), RMB Chivenor - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 22 Squadron (B Flight), Wattisham - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 22 Squadron (C Flight), RAF Valley - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 202 Squadron (A Flight), RAF Boulmer - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 202 Squadron (D Flight), RAF Lossiemouth - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 202 Squadron (E Flight), RAF Leconfield - 2 Sea King HAR3
• 203 (Reserve) Squadron, RAF St Mawgan - 3 Sea King HAR3