Bristow Photos
Phil Sparks Snr
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: South East Asia
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Phil Sparks Snr
I did my 250-C20 course at H&S and Phil was the instructor. One of the best I've had, he explained the CECO fuel control system better than anyone I've ever come across. RIP Phil.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: West Sussex
Age: 84
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Phil took my first Allison course, great instructor. If my memory serves me correctly, after a hard mornings study, he would take everyone off to the local pub, for a lunch of something like Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, and chips with gravy, followed by a large pudding, washed down with a couple of pints, he would then expect everyone to stay awake for the afternoon session.
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Redhill
Age: 49
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Hello
Hi,
This is Angie Sugg nee Charman, daughter of Phil Charman who was an Engineer (amongst other things) at Redhill from 1966 to 2001. I was also at Redhill from 1997 to 2000 in Logistics in Hangar 7. We both got made redundant when Logistics moved to ABZ.
We have just spent the last 3 hours looking through these photo's, with Dad naming about 50% of the people in the photo's and telling a story of many of the aircraft and people!
I've sent him home now, we got to about page 60. I am sure he'll be looking at the rest when he gets home.
He frequents the BOGS gatherings and still see's quite a few people from Bristows (most of whom take great pleasure in telling me they remember me in nappies as Dad used to take me in when I was little).
It was inevitable I would end up working there as I grew up with Bristows being a big part of my life, taking my first Helicopter flight when I was 4, in a S61 to Southampton from Redhill. Eventually, during an AOG handcarry of a px switch to Bangladesh, my ultimate moment was flying down it's West coast from Dhaka to Chitttagong, again in a S61.
I have many photo's, mainly taken over the 8 or so years I was a handler during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I will try and post some at some point but I'm afraid I won't be able to tell many stories, hopefully Dad will get on here one day and be able to tell you some.
He sends his regards to anyone that remembers him, as do I.
Angie
This is Angie Sugg nee Charman, daughter of Phil Charman who was an Engineer (amongst other things) at Redhill from 1966 to 2001. I was also at Redhill from 1997 to 2000 in Logistics in Hangar 7. We both got made redundant when Logistics moved to ABZ.
We have just spent the last 3 hours looking through these photo's, with Dad naming about 50% of the people in the photo's and telling a story of many of the aircraft and people!
I've sent him home now, we got to about page 60. I am sure he'll be looking at the rest when he gets home.
He frequents the BOGS gatherings and still see's quite a few people from Bristows (most of whom take great pleasure in telling me they remember me in nappies as Dad used to take me in when I was little).
It was inevitable I would end up working there as I grew up with Bristows being a big part of my life, taking my first Helicopter flight when I was 4, in a S61 to Southampton from Redhill. Eventually, during an AOG handcarry of a px switch to Bangladesh, my ultimate moment was flying down it's West coast from Dhaka to Chitttagong, again in a S61.
I have many photo's, mainly taken over the 8 or so years I was a handler during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I will try and post some at some point but I'm afraid I won't be able to tell many stories, hopefully Dad will get on here one day and be able to tell you some.
He sends his regards to anyone that remembers him, as do I.
Angie
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: By a river
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Angie;
I was just thinking of your Dad the other day. I met him when I arrived at Bristow from Canada. I remember a lovely evening and dinner at your Dads place. That would have been early '70s.
Check your PM.
Regards
Gerry
I was just thinking of your Dad the other day. I met him when I arrived at Bristow from Canada. I remember a lovely evening and dinner at your Dads place. That would have been early '70s.
Check your PM.
Regards
Gerry
Angie
I also know your Dad, probably since around 1974. I think he worked in the old Hangar 5 when we were doing the S-58T conversions. I also remember him in Logistics but I left Bristow in 1996 and I have lived overseas since 1993.
I don't get back the UK but I do keep in touch with the BOGS who seem to have their lunches in Outwood.
Anyway, I am sorry to hear about your redundancy. You and your Dad can look back on your Bristow days as being the best, it was never the same after the Americans bought into it.
While I am no longer in it, I see it as just a US corporation with no soul, notwithstanding the valiant efforts of those old hands remaining.
I also know your Dad, probably since around 1974. I think he worked in the old Hangar 5 when we were doing the S-58T conversions. I also remember him in Logistics but I left Bristow in 1996 and I have lived overseas since 1993.
I don't get back the UK but I do keep in touch with the BOGS who seem to have their lunches in Outwood.
Anyway, I am sorry to hear about your redundancy. You and your Dad can look back on your Bristow days as being the best, it was never the same after the Americans bought into it.
While I am no longer in it, I see it as just a US corporation with no soul, notwithstanding the valiant efforts of those old hands remaining.
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: taking up the hold
Age: 53
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G-BBVA
Slight thread drift but I was sent this picture of N364FH (formerly Sumburgh SAR back up G-BBVA) currently working in Afghanistan. Note Carson Blades & removed sponsons.
FH Approach, Afghanistan.
FH Approach, Afghanistan.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 28th Feb 2011 at 19:07. Reason: Photo link added: image too large for PPRuNe
Up The Workers !!!
Some pictures of the Aberdeen Greenies from the Late 80's, hard at work as you can see
A Shift
C Shift (Pic from Percy)
Note - they were all suitably rested after the photo shoot - went and made a pot of tea to relax !!
A Shift
C Shift (Pic from Percy)
Note - they were all suitably rested after the photo shoot - went and made a pot of tea to relax !!
The pics of the fuselage hulks are from the early 80's when the Blister Hangar at Redhill was cleared. One day your shiny 225 will end up this way !
And here's a picture believed from a painting from the old Whirlwind Whaling Days
And here's a picture believed from a painting from the old Whirlwind Whaling Days
The former G-BIVX, in her new paint scheme:
Nah....not really, it was a photoshop image to mess with one of our pilots. The real paint scheme can be seen:
Here
Here are some more of her in action last year in the new role...
Nah....not really, it was a photoshop image to mess with one of our pilots. The real paint scheme can be seen:
Here
Here are some more of her in action last year in the new role...
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Aberdeenshire
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Barney Swinton-Bland
This guy is named in some photos. I knew a Barney Swinton-Bland many moons ago in London. Would loove to catch up on life. any takers? Would appreciate the help. If anyone knows him, We lived in SE London in the early eighties and my name is Hellen. Such a good friend. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Hellen
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: texas
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Squadron Leader Barney Swinton Bland was my flat mate for a short time in Abu Dhabi back in 1976. As I recall, Barney joined the RAF towards the end of WW2 and flew Lancasters out of Cyprus.
Barney must have been one of the RAF's first helicopter pilots because I remember him telling a story about being seconded to the US Navy in Key West, Florida when the Korean War broke out. The navy squadron was immediately transfered to the Korean theater, so Barney and another RAF pilot were left with nothing to do. Since the navy pilots had to leave their cars at Key West, it was arranged for Barney and the other pilot to deliver those cars to the pilots homes. Barney said he had a fabulous time driving all over the United States.
I didn't get to know Barney for long as I returned to the States not long after Barney arrived, but remember him fondly.
Barney must have been one of the RAF's first helicopter pilots because I remember him telling a story about being seconded to the US Navy in Key West, Florida when the Korean War broke out. The navy squadron was immediately transfered to the Korean theater, so Barney and another RAF pilot were left with nothing to do. Since the navy pilots had to leave their cars at Key West, it was arranged for Barney and the other pilot to deliver those cars to the pilots homes. Barney said he had a fabulous time driving all over the United States.
I didn't get to know Barney for long as I returned to the States not long after Barney arrived, but remember him fondly.
