After posting those pics I did some in-depth research (Googled Sunderland Praa Sands 🙂 and there’s a page on the beaching)

Excellent find!

Are you sure about ‘EB being unique with the underfloor baggage stowage, I thought that ‘NL, NM, & DA all had it?
In the same way as ‘SH was my grandad’s favourite rapide, EB was his favourite S-61, they appear together in a British Airways corporate film!
The current situation with the possible loss of the heliport at Eastern Green, located at the end of the Paddington / Penzance main line, is an apalling one. To think that this service was revolutionary when it was started up and is amongst the highest in passenger numbers, and longest serving, facilities of its kind.
I can’t help thinking it is all part of a greater move to get rid of the Scillies helicopter service for good, replacing those magnificant, and remarkably well worked S-61Ns can’t be cheap.