RedFlag: Please let me add my welcome, to the forum and the thread, as well as my appreciation for having made contact with us.
There are, as you have doubtless seen, several PPRuNers who know your Dad, including
VFR440 (above),
ANW and
GeoffersInConrwall and there are plenty of others who know
of him.
My godfather was pilot to John Broome (original developer of Alton Towers) and I suppose we may share some similar experiences in that John Broome was an intensely generous man and similarly offered my godfather the use of his aircraft for personal engagements. I have many and fond memories from this period.
John Broome's first pilot is also on the thread:
Paco and, as mentioned earlier on by
Earl, the Towers aircraft was situated not far from Eaton Hall at Stretton Hall in Tilston.
I am sponsoring the development of a tribute website which is documenting the history of
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/417...licopters.html and, during the life of this thread, have decided to expand the site to include details of selected corporate and private helicopter operations in the UK from the 70's and 80's and into which your father's story as personal pilot to the Duke would fit nicely! On this matter I have sent you a PM.
Among the characters you will discover here are
Dennis K, referred to affectionately by my godfather as
'Dennis the Menace' and who has either flown, owned or has some connection with virtually every flying thing mentioned on this thread! Dennis, as you will have read, bought G-TALY from his lordship whereafter she became G-CSKY and which was the aircraft I did my PPL course in. She was a lovely little thing and I would be delighted to see some photos of her in her prime as it were!
There are many other experienced, knowledgeable and interesting persons on this forum and who you are sure to get to know.
Again welcome, and .. happy posting!
S.