Pictures of the mothballed controversial Super Puma helicopters have emerged online.
The photos show what is understood to be a number of EC225s in plastic wrap in a hangar at Aberdeen heliport.
At least one of the EC225s has the tail sign G-ZZSC, a Bristow 225.
EC225s have been banned from flying in the UK since a fatal crash off Norway last year, that killed 13 people including Iain Stuart from Laurencekirk.
But in a move that caught industry by surprise, aviation watchdogs paved a way to a possible return by lifting flight restrictions earlier this month, with certain safety caveats.
The was met with anger and frustration from workforce representatives who claim that offshore workers have made their feelings towards the aircraft.
Unions want a public inquiry into a string of North Sea accidents involving the Airbus manufactured Super Pumas.
They claim to be getting by using alternative helicopters.
Several supermajors including Royal Dutch Shell have also ruled out using the helicopters again in UK operations.
Others companies such as BP are waiting until a root cause of the Norway accident is identified and public confidence restored.
Bristow and fellow chopper operator Babcock have not ruled using the Super Pumas again in the future.
A return to service is subject to a testing regime and a safety case.
CHC Helicopters said that the firm did not have any Super Pumas in its UK fleet.
Two of Bristow’s Super Pumas were rolled out onto the tarmac at Aberdeen Airport this week after a lengthy period in storage.
However rather than signalling their return, Bristow said it is preparing to send them back to the owners.
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