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heli1
20th Jul 2009, 08:14
And now to the next one......who's flying into the HeliDays this weekend at Weston super Mare ??

Clitheroe Kid
20th Jul 2009, 08:25
I should be going in the 480. Not sure which day yet.

toptobottom
20th Jul 2009, 08:29
I'll be there on the Saturday.

A word of advice - don't arrange to meet anyone! :)

misbee
20th Jul 2009, 11:32
If you let me know who you are arranging to meet, I'll hold them hostage in my portakabin until you turn up ...

JTobias
20th Jul 2009, 12:18
Oh God, I didnt realise it was this weekend.
I think I'll be divorced if I go .

We'll have to see.

Joel

John R81
20th Jul 2009, 14:42
Can't.

Work
Wife
Money
Scotland

Too many excuses this time.

THM
23rd Jul 2009, 15:11
Any confirmed news on military attenders this year ?

I heard (un confirmed) German Army CH-53G, German Navy Sea King, RAF Sea King, French Gazelle, Army Historical Flight and local Air ambluance.

rotorboater
23rd Jul 2009, 15:15
I wouldnt mind going its a great event but havnt got a cab at the moment, I dont think I have ever been without it raining and this year dosnt look any different!

barnstormer1968
24th Jul 2009, 21:07
The CH53 is there and looked good today, just along from an RAF puma and SAR Seaking. There were two A109's (Belgian and police) and as I drove by, a skeeter was arriving on a trailer (it looked like a skeeter, but as I was driving, and it was under a tarp, I could be wrong).

helimarshaller
25th Jul 2009, 16:40
There were two A109's (Belgian and police)

The A109's are a Belgium Army example complete with TOW fit and one of the 32 Sqn RAF aircraft from Northolt and not police one.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/Longbow64_photo/Helidays%202009/A109_32Sqn.jpg

Other aircraft that had arrived on Friday night were:

Scout, Alouette & Skeeter of the AAC Historic Flight
AS555 Fennec - French Air Force
Griffon - DHFS RAF Valley
Puma HC1 - RAF

Skeeter did indeed arrive on a trailer. Pity that it can no longer fly.

HM

THM
26th Jul 2009, 18:19
For those that missed a great Helidays, and pilots BBQ, well done to the chef that was a hell of roaring BBQ to cook on and thanks to the German crew for the entertainment and refreshment. Some photos to wet your appetite for next years 20th anniversary event.

BTW what ever happened to those two really nice marshellers that use to do all the marshelling on their own.

http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-01.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-02.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-03.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-04.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-05.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-06.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-07.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-08.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-09.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-10.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-11.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-12.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-13.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-14.JPG

THM
26th Jul 2009, 18:22
BTW the white A109E is from 32 Squandron not a police cab.

http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-15.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-16.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-19.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-21.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-17.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-18.JPG
http://norrpress.co.uk/helidays09/Helidays09-20.JPG

widgeon
26th Jul 2009, 18:29
Great Photos , used to have an annual grudge rugby match between Yeovil and WSM divisions of Westland.

Hilico
27th Jul 2009, 20:48
Haven't been since '94, when I was in the Friends association. Being on one of the gates in the sunshine for two days led to the 'brown balaclava effect' (when I took my shirt off). Lots of aircraft, great ride to Filton and back in the S76 for fuel. I was collecting rubbish on the Sunday afternoon when the pilot of the Blackhawk came up to me and asked if it was OK to do a few manouvres when he took off. (A refreshing lack of class-sensitivity, don't you think, asking a dustman?). Best bit was single-handedly bullying the crowd back down the enclosure so the aircraft could depart, starting with those parked at the southern end; an adventure in megalomania I've not been able to repeat for fifteen years.

heli1
28th Jul 2009, 09:15
...and that's that then....Despite the rain on Sunday (and the very public performance by the RAF A109 crew with an umbrella to the strains of " I'm singing in the rain") it seems as a good time was had by all ...and the 20th Anniversary HeliDays is already set for 23rd-25th JULY 2010 .Put it in your diary now.

For the occassion ,the organisers hope to attract a representative from every air arm that has attended over the last 19 years.....so may need to stretch the seafront lawns a bit to accomodate !

Tidge58
28th Jul 2009, 20:20
and I thought my Dancing in the Rain was a master piece, a sight of beauty, one that will never be forgotten by all who saw it

John R81
29th Jul 2009, 12:04
Rub my eyes!

Seems my machine went without me.

Great photos

John

helimarshaller
29th Jul 2009, 12:12
BTW what ever happened to those two really nice marshellers that use to do all the marshelling on their own.

We both retired. Marshalling was enjoyable but it was all the other things we were expected to do that made us retire.

Are all those pictures from this year or are there some from previous events?

THM
29th Jul 2009, 13:39
All photos from this year only but some archive images can be found on the Helidays website HELiDAYS (http://www.helidays.org)

Some of us on stayed longer than a few hours and not only took photos of the Scout !!!

bolkow
29th Jul 2009, 23:03
The Irish should have sent one of their new Augusta 139's. It would provide status for them and a new machine for the rest of us to see close up.

heli1
30th Jul 2009, 10:26
The organisers did ask but the Irish, They say No !
Perhaps next year at the 20th ?

bolkow
2nd Aug 2009, 23:57
It must be economic reasons, I am aware they have been rationing the hours they allow their machines to fly quite significantly.
Yes, lets hope one appears for the 20th, it would be interesting to see. I do know they sent alouette 3's previously to the UK for shows.

THM
3rd Aug 2009, 15:43
Bolkow

Alouette III's now retired from Irish AAC but AW139's would be a welcome sight on the sea front, as would many of the overseas military and UK military next year.

206Fan
3rd Aug 2009, 17:29
Surprised the IAC didn't take the 139 down as it was at the RIAT the weekend before. Not as if they had to rush it back to ireland for anything :rolleyes:!