A Bit of Nostalgia for you, 240 OCU Wessex and Pumas at work [Archive]

NutLoose

13th May 2008, 11:43

Have scanned some of my old pics and some taken by a bod called Dave Gaydon, thought you might like a look at the Raf 70's style :} you know when we still had Aeroplanes ;)

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Wells_Next_to_the_Sea_Sea_Wall_rebuilding.jpg

Quality isn't that good but you get the idea, have several more by the way.......... Remember the Puma before it got all the Junk nailed onto it :8

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/CX_XW200__240_OCU_Wells_sports_pitches.jpg

Occasional Aviator

13th May 2008, 21:45

I've certainly got XW200 in my log book - but not anywhere near as slick as that! I wonder if I have the Wessex (quite possible!)

wessex19

13th May 2008, 22:39

nice stuff mate. any more??

NutLoose

13th May 2008, 23:49

Might have...... :p

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/hook_up_copy.jpg

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Wells_Next_to_the_Sea_Sea_Wall_rebuilding_quarry.jpg

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Puma_Wells_Next_to_the_Sea.jpg

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Puma_2_Wells_Next_to_the_Sea.jpg

NutLoose

13th May 2008, 23:54

Oh and here's XW 202

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/CW_xw_202.jpg

Brand spanking new Chinook anyone? fresh off the boat :ooh: Tin blades to boot..

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/240_OCU_Bridge_of_Loch_Oich__FL_copy.jpg

Flyingblind

14th May 2008, 10:03

Nice photos, amazing to see the machines in their simpler life.

Al R

14th May 2008, 10:20

Why has no one locked up that man for standing on top of the lightweight without day glo bib, harness and helmet? I bet he never attended Vertigo Briefing either. And why has someone painted what appears to be.. a yellow line right along the side of it? If you drove it in Peterborough like that, all the taxis and minicabs would take the p#ss out of it, and upset it.

Great fots, I agree. The beauty of purity is that it seldom needs to be more than skin deep. Lovely stuff.

elf

14th May 2008, 10:56

Is that the Loadmaster's bottom hanging out of the port side on the photograph of XW 202?

NutLoose

14th May 2008, 11:24

Lol No, its the ferry tank, fitted instead of the front left pair of seats, it could carry 4 in total if memory serves me correctly......

As for the landrover, it was a cracking piece of kit and I bet you do not have anything similar these days.... it was called a Helistart, it had a built in 24 volt system with a lead stowed in the back that plugged in just above the tail lights on the left side. It allowed you to run and start the Aircraft off the Landrovers systems, the built on platform also had side rails that could fold up and had a large spot light on them for working at night....... Most rovers had a high viz yellow band at the time and I believe it was also NATO funded as it carried that on the bumper......

THE RAF also Trialed some London Cabs at the same time at RAF Upavon for general useage. Despite being painted blue grey with a yellow band on them, a Driver in Uniform and Royal Air Farce down the side, people would still hop into them when it went to pick up people from the local rail station and demand to be taken to xyz.........

Remember Corgi's little metal desktop model of the Chinook supported by a Landrover you can Buy?

Well the RAF trialed that Idea first :uhoh: ;)

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Puma_Recovery_2.jpg

cornish-stormrider

14th May 2008, 13:29

Nutloose,
That chinny carrying puma, you didn't take that at Benson? circa 02-03.

I was there when a puma got parked, wheels in the air after a minor prang.

Turned out to be the weight of the loadies butty box, it moved on touchdown and reroled it (pun)

Tallsar

14th May 2008, 14:34

rolandpull

14th May 2008, 14:46

Here is one of the 240 Chinooks taxying out on route to Turkey for Op Haven.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/rolandpull/Imag72.jpg

Al R

14th May 2008, 14:47

Roland,

240? God, those were the days when we had an Air Force eh?

Nutloose,

£49.99 and only 2,500 made. I think you'll find. :8

http://www.corgi.co.uk/public/pictures/large/AA99167.jpg

rolandpull

14th May 2008, 14:57

Ok AL R, as you are enthused here's two more! One on the ramp showing a better view of the OCU and 'Jack stickers. The second one is RAF leading a multinational 4 ship on said det. Spanish, American, Italian forming up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/rolandpull/Imag70.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/rolandpull/Imag82.jpg

Oh, we had a hell of an airforce back in '91.

chinook240

14th May 2008, 15:00

Some excellent photos, thanks, especially showing 'he who cannot be mentioned' in front of the Chinook.

Tallsar,

ZA 707 (BP) was the Chinook on ASI at the start of Corporate delivered by Atlantic Conveyor, and I thought ZA 714 went there later from Astronomer. ZA 711 was still at Odi in May 82.

NutLoose

14th May 2008, 15:32

I believe the Puma USL shot under CH47 BR ZA711 was taken in 82 at Odiham. 711 went on to be the first 7 Sqn SF cab later that year and for quite some time. BR had been the Ascension cab during Op Corporate (Falklands War) and had not long returned.
I even believe I might be the P1 in BR - just finished my CH47 "War course" on 240. The Puma had taken some wires near Petersfield if I recall!!
As someone said - dont they all look clean and simple - Oh for the days when their Airships believed that SH never went close to, never mind across the "FEBA" - the FEBA??? - I hear many a recent war veteran cry!!!:rolleyes:

Cheers

Tallsar that is correct :)

Thanks everyone for adding more pics :ok:

Prior to having a Chinook to carry them home, we towed one bladeless behind a Landrover 30 miles back along the A303 and up the hill back to base... :p much mirth ensued as we passed the pub :*

A few more for you :}

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/240_OCU_Bridge_of_Loch_Oich_copy.jpg

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/BS_18_Sqn.jpg

Pre RWR fit
http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/Refuelling_18_Sqn.jpg

charliegolf

14th May 2008, 17:18

Is that the Loadmaster's bottom hanging out of the port side on the photograph of XW 202?

John Mason?

CG:ok:

Tiger_mate

14th May 2008, 19:20

As the thread has drifted into a Chinook one, and the first Wessex is an 18 sqn aircraft, I thought it appropriate to add this bit of nostalgia never seen in the public domain before. This is some A level flying from all crew members which from somebody who does not do Chinooks is quite something.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2493094706_ddfe79816e.jpg

Who would want to be under that downwash? But I believe that there are 3 individuals on this Fire Watch tower being assembled in Germany in about '88.

The Helpful Stacker

14th May 2008, 19:29

Yikes, one of the H&S gurus would have a fit if they saw a slammer refuelling a Chinny dressed like that these days.

No gloves, no goggles, no silly plastic Tron helmet, no hi-viz vest and he is wearing fuel absorbent blue uniform. How did folk survive in those dangerous times eh?;)

chinook240

14th May 2008, 19:47

I flew the Buer Tower lift shown above, circa 1989! About 20 miles north west of Gut on the Teuterburg Ridge. Need to check my logbook but Dougie Vine was one of the crewman and Ian Warburton (RIP) was co-pilot for some of the sections.

The RE and JHSU built and rigged the tower sections and we lifted them into place - the top two were pretty tricky with no references to speak of but a calm Dougie doing the voice marshalling.

Role1a

14th May 2008, 20:11

Will a Lightning do.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc84/role1a/KLightningLiftFeb87.jpg

R1a

Occasional Aviator

14th May 2008, 20:53

Great pic! Do tell... I guess Germany due to the road markings, any more to this?

The Helpful Stacker

14th May 2008, 20:56

I guess Germany due to the road markings,

You're probably right but many training areas in the UK used to have continental road markings to help squaddies get used to driving on the wrong side of the road before they got let loose in Germany with a Chieftain.

rolandpull

14th May 2008, 21:08

That tower lift is awesome. It didn't matter at what height or whatever the conditions, there was not one time in 11 years of 'hooking' did I ever feel that I was 'exposed' to unacceptable danger under a Chinook. The crew knew their limits as did I. Happy days - every one.

Even my car liked flying.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/rolandpull/Imag49.jpg

Role1a

14th May 2008, 21:33

OA

Cant claim the picture as mine, but it is Germany I believe. It is not the Lightning from the most expensive Chinook OCU course ever though:E

R1a

Tiger_mate

14th May 2008, 21:50

Resonably certain that Tom P**** was also crewman on the Fire Tower lift.

wessex19

14th May 2008, 22:49

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/albums/Wessex-N7-224/AMOF_N7_224.jpg

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/albums/Wessex-N7-212/AMOF_N7_212a.jpg

http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/albums/Wessex-N7-211/AMOF_N7_211.jpg

http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/images/wessex3.jpg

NutLoose

14th May 2008, 22:50

Have amended the title to add the Chinook to the thread :ok:

As the thread has drifted into a Chinook one, and the first Wessex is an 18 sqn aircraft, I thought it appropriate to add this bit of nostalgia never seen in the public domain before. This is some A level flying from all crew members which from somebody who does not do Chinooks is quite something.

Tiger Mate the Wessex is actually not 18 Sqn but 240 OCU's. The OCU Wessex also carried the "B" prefix whilst 72 Sqn carried the "A" prefix , probably because 18 and the OCU operated in different countries..... they were BU, BV, BW, BY, and BZ whilst the OCU Pumas also wore the "C" prefix at the time.

Speaking of 72 Sqn

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/aircraftphoto/72_departing_copy.jpg

72 Squadron being evicted from Odiham ;)

Should imagine the photo section would have some cracking shots of this on file..

NutLoose

14th May 2008, 23:07

Nice pics wessex 19 :)

chinook240

15th May 2008, 06:25

Tiger Mate,

You're probably right, however, the bottom section was done by Garth B, the welsh QHI, with a different crew and my crew did the top.

oldbeefer

15th May 2008, 09:05

Prompted me to get the old log books out - was on No4 Puma Course (1971) - grand total of 30 hours in those days! Also remember collecting early aircraft for 230 from Yeovil - 222 trembled even then!

Gainesy

15th May 2008, 09:25

I bet you do not have anything similar these days....

I win, NutLoose, got one in my drive. (12v though).:)

Wessex Boy

15th May 2008, 11:51

Ooooh Nice Wessex Porn, Thanks!

I remember having to put on the tip covers and fold the tail on a Wessex in a Blizzard at Shawbury on my own without the landrover as a way of teaching me to respect the role of the Groundcrew....:O

exscribbler

15th May 2008, 14:01

Anyone (old boys!) know this Wessex recovering a casualty? I think it's XT880. The photos were taken from the cliffs at Cayton Bay, Scarborough, in July/August 1987.

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=1.jpg (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=1.jpg)

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=2.jpg (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=2.jpg)

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=3.jpg (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=3.jpg)

http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=4.jpg (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/?action=view&current=4.jpg)

Sorry, but I've not quite mastered the art of posting the pics instead of the links. Slow learner, me. :ok:

wessex19

15th May 2008, 14:32

Here's some more for Wessex boy

http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/images/wessex1.jpg

http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/images/725-5.jpg
Simon R after a tea bagging. I was in "32" in the background

http://www.navy.gov.au/publications/touchdown/may05/pressure1.jpg
the crew of 12 Wessex aircraft deployed to RAAF East Sale.

http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/images/stalwart-wally-wessex.jpg

Wessex Boy

15th May 2008, 15:53

Thanks Wessex 19, I have this one of me in the door of a 2FTS one
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p219/atkinsjs/Wessex.jpg
And the Shawbury Gate guard, the last one I operated before being chopped for my behaviour....(Lack of Personal Qualities they called it...)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p219/atkinsjs/WessexGateGuard.jpg

exscribbler

15th May 2008, 17:02

I've cracked the photo stuff at last; it's only taken all afternoon...

A proper Wessex at last! XT764 - an HU5, I think.

The first taken at Congleton Carnival in 1975; the second at Wombwell HS in 1977. Both times she belonged to 707 NAS.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/WestlandWessexHU5XT764707NASConglet.jpg?t=1210870684

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/WestlandWessexHU5XT764707NASWombwel.jpg?t=1210870655

exscribbler

15th May 2008, 17:06

Here are the others to save you clicking...

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/1.jpg?t=1210871041

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/2.jpg?t=1210871070

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/3.jpg?t=1210871098

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm250/exscribbler/4.jpg?t=1210871130

Anyone (old boys!) know this Wessex recovering a casualty? I think it's XT880. The photos were taken from the cliffs at Cayton Bay, Scarborough, in July/August 1987.

benzonar

15th May 2008, 18:43

I'm sure my father has loads of pics of Wessex and Chinooks. He was part of the recovery team that got the Wessex out of the drink in Hong Kong in the late 70s. I also remember the numerous ones he has of them with water bags slung underneath on their way to fighting fires on Ti Mo Shan.

He then was on Wokkas for a very long time, Odiham from 80-87, then Germany from 88-94. He was a techie and I'm sure would be well known to some of you, later in his career he developed the nickname of Sarsons. Can't think why! ;)

Still remember getting a jolly in a Chinook during an open day at Odiham in the early 80s, my father had given me two clear instructions before getting on.

1. Stay in your seat, do not move.
2. Do whatever the loadie tells you to do.

Imagine the paradox my young mind had to cope with when as soon as we were in the air the loadie told me to get up and move to the ramp.

Geezers of Nazareth

16th May 2008, 08:20

exscribbler,

it can't be 'XT880' as that didn't exist. It could have been 'XT680' which was a HC2 and is now in New Zealand.

[/spotter- hat OFF!]

Tallsar

16th May 2008, 11:00

Hi C240 - you are right - BR 711 became ET 711.
Cheers

exscribbler

16th May 2008, 13:36

Thanks for that, Gs of N. :ok:

It's such a cr*p print (now scanned) that the serial isn't clear. Where in NZ? I could ask my old buddy to get a snap of it for me - or, better still, go and take one myself. :)

The Helpful Stacker

16th May 2008, 15:34

If you want to see old Wessexes then Predannack is the place to go but don't go if you are easly moved, its carnage down there.:{

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2071342227_cf1e896c67.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2072137794_d293327dcc.jpg?v=0

These are pretty depressing too,

Clicky (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2071338247_703799ba80_b.jpg)

Clicky (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2072145326_278c8328ac_b.jpg)