You did a good job by showing all pic and most important, the fond memories. I was in Hong Kong 1 course when the school suffered the first down time in 92. Have you got any of our pic! many Thanks, West WU
Thanks. I thought it might have been this aircraft but on closer inspection it is not. Incidentally why the white nose? Is it to keep the avionics cooler? If so why not ose it elsewhere in hot climates?
Phil Johns our Avionics LAE held a strong view that a white nose would keep the avionics and perhaps, more importantly, the NiCad battery cooler.
He placed thermo sensitive strips under the black nose and took measurements in the summer. We then painted one nose white and took readings. The ravages of 'gin and time' deny me the ability to remember the difference, however we did paint the others white after analysing the results.
We, in fact, didn't carry too much in the way of avionics in the nose as they were unstabilised ships (straight rods) and panel mounted KX175 VHF Nav Comms. Nevertheless, we did think at the time they looked "cool" UG
I always got a kick out of seeing this one hung up on the wall in Redhill.....and part of the Bristow Calender.
Shot by Gunter Burmeister in Iran many Moons ago....of all the days... he took this one when I was wearing shoes. Usually shoved me rice paddy go fasty's under the seat until I got out.
I remember that Alouette well at Agha in 1972/3. I was mainly with the other one at Zagross with the first 212 (S/No. 30504) which we left in Iran when we did a runner. Great foto!!
I wonder if you can help me - I am trying to trace an old friend with whom I lost contact many years ago. His name is John French, and would be aged around 65 now. I know he was working as a helicopter pilot for Bristows Helicopters around the late sixties/early seventies, and your reference is the first I have found which might be hopeful.
If you can help in any way I would be most grateful.
sorry everyone - I haven't got the hang of this yet, and thought I was replying only to the sender of the post (Oldlae). Since what I send seems to be seen by all, can I please widen my appeal, and ask if anyone has news of John French? As stated in my previous post he worked as pilot for Bristows Helicopters in the late sixties and early seventies, and I would love to get back in touch with him.
This aircraft spent all it time at Zagross so never had the float fit. I believe that is why it was left in Iran. Photo was taken on the Zagross basecamp pad at about 8000 ft. Rig was at 11000' as far as I remember. The highest rig in the world. We did regular underslung loads to it with the 212 and Alouette 3. Load hooker on is Josef, one of the Iranian fitters. I was there for years, with Derek Cook first then as Chief Engineer.
I just came across this forum and found a few faces from the past .
Im not sure if you guys have heard , But Des Tweedy sadly passed away this year . Seemingly poor Des contracted diabetes , and it sadly got the better of him .
Des was a great bloke ..... I remember getting whiskeyed with him and a few others in house 2 at Asa Akpan , dont know how he made it up the following morning for the first flight ..... but fly he did !!!