Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

Helicopter flying through Tower Bridge

Wikiposts
Search
Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

Helicopter flying through Tower Bridge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 1st Jun 2012, 13:37
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Helicopter flying through Tower Bridge

Helicopter to fly through Tower Bridge

One of those routine Port of London Authority notices that makes you sigh, open to see what it is then sit up and type WHAT is very loud letters. Such moments are why I subscribe to them – for those rare nuggets of joy in the operational tedium.

In a couple of weeks time there will be filming along the Thames involving a helicopter.

And it is going to fly THROUGH Tower Bridge on one of the evenings.

The official notice sayth:

8th June 2012 10.00 – 20.00 Battersea Rail Bridge to Wappingness at various locations.
9th June 2012 10.00 – 22.00 Battersea Rail Bridge to Wappingness including a flight through Tower Bridge (Late evening).
Contingency

10th June 2012 06.00 – 20.00 Battersea Rail Bridge to Wappingness at various locations. If required.
I think it is fair to suggest that an awful lot of people will be in the area on that Saturday evening looking out for a helicopter doing something we are unlikely to see again.

I gather this is filming for a James Bond movie, although that is not confirmed. Then again, it does sound very bond-like.
Helicaz is offline  
Old 1st Jun 2012, 19:47
  #2 (permalink)  

Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Alles über die platz
Posts: 4,694
Received 38 Likes on 24 Posts
Been done!

First 2 minutes


Hitchcock Gallery: image 2950 - Alfred Hitchcock Wiki

SilsoeSid is offline  
Old 1st Jun 2012, 20:42
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Milano, Italia
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Given that the article refers also to Hawker Hunters and flying boats .. I thought I might mention that a Saunders Roe (Nautical) SRN4 hovercraft, The Princess Margaret, also 'flew' through the bridge in 1969:


Seaspeed's SRN4 'The Princess Margaret' passes through Tower Bridge during a promotional exercise along the Thames in 1969



In the video (at 0:42) a Westland Widgeon momentarily appears
Savoia is offline  
Old 2nd Jun 2012, 11:24
  #4 (permalink)  
TRC
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's been done more recently too, For the film 'Thunderbirds'.


Last edited by TRC; 2nd Jun 2012 at 11:27.
TRC is offline  
Old 8th Jun 2012, 08:12
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Helicopter through tower bridge

Frenzy was flown by John Crewdson

Thunderbirds was Al Davis with the cameraman Simon Werry
si354 is offline  
Old 8th Jun 2012, 08:23
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have flown over Tower Bridge many years ago in a Bell 47. It is on the standard single engined helicopter route through London. I could have flown under the bridge, but above the road, quite easily. I would have had my collar felt by the CAA if I had done though. There is plenty of room as can be seen from the picture from TRC above.
Flap 5 is offline  
Old 8th Jun 2012, 08:58
  #7 (permalink)  

Avoid imitations
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,573
Received 422 Likes on 222 Posts
The most difficult thing about the "stunt" is getting CAA permission to do it!
ShyTorque is online now  
Old 8th Jun 2012, 13:26
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: retirementland
Age: 79
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps it will be the RAF Merlin shown in the trailor.
Shell Management is offline  
Old 8th Jun 2012, 17:09
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lost again...
Posts: 900
Received 120 Likes on 55 Posts
The "RAF Merlin" shown in the Trailer is not an RAF Merlin at all!
OvertHawk is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2012, 06:43
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Milano, Italia
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So did anyone catch of glimpse of the 'act' yesterday? My 'Brit-sources' tell me there was a white and blue/green 109 Grand in the vicinity (or at least circling along the Thames) yesterday afternoon!

The most difficult thing about the "stunt" is getting CAA permission to do it!
Indeed. Lol!

TRC, were you involved with the red 355?

The "RAF Merlin" shown in the Trailer is not an RAF Merlin at all!
Go on then Overt .. enlighten us please!
Savoia is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2012, 08:07
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lost again...
Posts: 900
Received 120 Likes on 55 Posts
Sav - Apparently they used AW's demonstrator because the RAF did not have any capacity to lend them a Merlin (hardly surprising at the moment).

OH
OvertHawk is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2012, 20:37
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Warrington, UK
Posts: 3,837
Received 75 Likes on 30 Posts
This was uploaded to YouTube earlier today:

MightyGem is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2012, 21:13
  #13 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks for posting the video, I wonder what it will look like when the CGI/editorial people are done with it!
Helicaz is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2012, 21:57
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southwater
Age: 73
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I was up there to-day having disembarked off a boat at Westminster pier. The two helicopters made lots of very (to me) low level passes around the river environs and around the Palace of Westminster. It looked really great in the weather conditions.
RedhillPhil is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 00:14
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sunny Scotland
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have some photos!



FlyingGiant is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 06:05
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Milano, Italia
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Long overdue that an Agusta appeared in a Bond movie. Well done!

Does anyone know who the drivers were?

I must say that I do hope that Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli can reprise the success of Casino Royale because their last effort, the awkwardly named 'Quantum of Solace' (I mean really!) was, in a word, awful!
Savoia is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 06:45
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Norwich
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
What makes everyone think this is the Bond movie??

Skyfall is due for release in 4 months - I'd be surprised if they were filming this late. It might be that they need a few extra shots, so its not impossible, but I'd imagine it was all 'In the Can' by now.
Special 25 is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 07:24
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Norwich
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Answered my own question. Bit of Googling, and the Daily Express says it is for the Olympics - so, must be true??!!

A couple of clips online. A practice flypast and then three formation passes under the walkways.









Last edited by Special 25; 10th Jun 2012 at 07:27.
Special 25 is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 07:24
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Cape Town / UK / Europe
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Helicopters Flying Through Tower Bridge | Terence Eden has a Blog
Tableview is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2012, 07:45
  #20 (permalink)  

Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Alles über die platz
Posts: 4,694
Received 38 Likes on 24 Posts
The Express actually says;
One eye witness said: “A crowd started to gather as the helicopters swirled. People seemed to think they were filming for a James Bond film.”

The Port of London Authority said the choppers were filming footage for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Express.co.uk
SilsoeSid is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.