GFS operates from the eastern end of Kai Tak International Airport and will move to Hong Kong’s new airport at Chek Lap Kok in mid 1998. Passengers einbark on Black Hawk VR-HZJ, whilst a Boeing 747-2L5B of Air Hong Kong taxies to the active runway.

Examples of the three types of aircraft currently in service with the GFS - from front to rear: S-76C (VR-HZH), Black Hawk (VR-HZJ) and Super King Air (VR-HZN).

One of the GFS’ three Black Hawks (VR-HZJ) landing at Kai Tak. Note the cargo hoist over the starboard cabin door and Nitesun on the port side of the forward fuselage.

A SpectroLab Nightsun (white/black light) 30 million candlepower spotlight is permanently fitted to the Black Hawks.

HKG-2, one of four Alouette IIIs operated by the HKAAF, photographed at Sek Kong in 1978. The Alouette IIIs carried out numerous tasks from SAR to supporting the police during the 1967 riots in Hong Kong.

The introduction of helicopters in 1958 allowed the HKAAF to offer many more services to the community than ever before. Westland Widgeon II VR-HFM (seen here) crash landed in January 1965; the first serious helicopter accident to occur in Hong Kong.

SA 365C Dauphin HKG-2 over the New Territories. The Dauphins provided a quantum leap in performance over their predecessors, having a range almost double that of the Alouette III.

Mk 24 Spitfire VN485 at annual camp, Sek Kong, 1954. This was the last of six Mk 24s to be operated by the HKAAF and is now on-loan to the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

Three Avro Tutors were used for ab initio training of cadet pilots in 1936.

S-76A+ VR-HZD on the apron in front of the GFS hangar at Kai Tak. Of the two S-76 variants in service with the GFS the C model has more power and can carry a greater load than the A+. The main external difference is the C model’s thinner fin and tailplane.

Engineers working on S-76A+ VR-HZD in the GFS hangar at Kai Tak. It is testament to the standard of maintenance that the helicopters have been used for WIP duties, their passengers including the Prince of Wales and the Pope.

Having served with the GFS for almost a decade, the Super King Airs are scheduled to be replaced within the next 18 months. Note the FLIR pod beneath the fuselage of VR-HZM. It was photographed after having completed a sortie in support of air traffic controller training, flying numerous radar assisted approaches at Kai Tak.

Musketeers HKG-4 and -5 formating over the New Territories in 1972. The two Musketeers were the RHKAAF’s first brand-new fixed-wing aircraft and provided basic training.

Fireflies HKG-10 and -11, seen here over Kowloon, were the first of four of the type to enter service with the GFS. They were fully aerobatic, had a comprehensive avionics suite and proved to be an excellent ab initio trainer.

Auster Mk 6s display the HKAAF’s ‘Winged Dragon’ insignia on their cowlings in this formation flight over the New Territories in 1955.