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HeliSDW: Great Stuff! One has to admit that happening upon rotary nostalgia in an hospital is something of a rarity. One wonders whether there would be milage in helicopter SAR crews befriending their local hostelries and perhaps donating a couple of scrap parts (tail rotors etc.) along with a couple of framed photos of their craft. Presumably this does already happen among some of the pubs closest to SAR bases? At on-base flying clubs/watering holes this sort of memorabilia is almost taken for granted but it would be great to see more aviation nostalgia out in the 'ordinary' places. (Still can't believe the UK gave in to a no smoking ban in pubs!).
Wigan: Great Stuff Too! Earlier in this thread there was mention of a 500C belonging to PPRuNer
Palma which appeared in an episode of the Avengers. Always great to see these 'helicopter TV stars' from the 60's. Given the slightly broader dimensions of the 206 you posted I'm assuming you have a wide-screen set!
I will match your red low-skid 206 (G-AWJL) screen appearance with one of my own .. G-BAKS (also mentioned earlier in this thread) and which appeared in a Bond film. Can't recall if John Crewdson flew her or whether it was someone else! Either way I think that BAKS may have shared a similar fate to that of AWJL.
BAKS getting ready to uplift 007!
Helipix: What can I say? I am in admiration, and immensely thankful for your comprehensive collection of UK registered helicopter images - in particular 206's. Brilliant! Your contribution towards our efforts on the Ferranti site are deeply appreciated.
Re: AZAG: In your image she wears the name 'MBJ Cadogan' on the forward door and which doubtless reflects her ownership by Cadogan Foamwork and Reinforcing between 1975-78.
However, prior to 1975 she was owned by Lord Dulverton of Batsford Park in Gloucestershire (from June '71 to October '75). Dulverton was of course the President of the Imperial Tobacco Company which in the 1980's sponsored a couple of aircraft which have previously been mentioned on this thread; Colin Chapman's Bell 206 'The Dancer' (G-AYTF) wearing the John Player livery and Noel Edmond's AS350B (G-NOEI) sporting Marlboro's red and white motif.
It would be most interesting if there was anyone who remembers flying Lord Dulverton around in the early 70's.
Lord Dulverton's AB206A which he owned between 1971-75. (Photo: Helipixman)
Equally nostalgic of course is 'Chalky' White's AB206B G-OJCB. I find it impossible to look upon this craft without remembering Chalky. His spirited flying was always fun to watch (especially as a youngster) and, well, he was just one heck of a nice guy.
I remember visiting an Italian restaurant (I wish I could remember the name) near Brooklands (a couple of times) with my godfather and Pat McHaffey and being flown there in Chalky's craft. My godfather and Pat had some sort of friendly rivalry between them. Bob drove a Rolls, Pat a Ferrari. Bob's pilots wore white gloves, Pat's wore black. Ferranti flew Agustas, Hanson flew Bells .. and so it went on. Of course being of Italian origin it was hard for me to begrudge Pat's appreciation of Italian food and cars and which sympathy was met by protestations from my godfather over issues of 'loyalty' lol!
Back to Chalky, and what I believe was JCB's first helicopter, delivered in April of '78 - presumably via Mann's as she was an Agusta. 'CB' had a bespoke interior (seats and side trimming) in which the initials 'JCB' were woven into the fabric. She was fitted with Ferranti's Stability Augmentation System and carried a Decca DANAC navigator. Chalky loved the Ferranti SAS!
Chalky White's runabout. Great memories of a thoroughly great guy. (Photo: Helipixman)
Moving on, have you noticed how given the right promptings [images] (
Helihub's Anglian Windows A109 on the Alan Mann thread and
Helipix's camouflaged G-OJCB on this page) it is possible to uncover vital nostalgic reminiscences from both
VFR440 and
TRC!!!
I hope during my next visit to the UK, with the help of the appropriate lubricants, to get the memorgy cogs of both sufficiently turning so that the site we are working on will contain a good number of interesting stories!
Am still searching for any information about John Dicken's career.
S.