Bristow Photos

[Dave Ed]

Falklands

Falklands Islands



Ever since Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands the British armed forces have maintained a considerable presence there, and in 1983 Bristows commenced a contract to supply three S-61s in support of the Falkland Islands Garrison.
For a short time an S-61 was also on contract to the oil exploration consortium during the first drilling campaign but this proved to be short lived as test holes did not live up to expectations.
Another small contract was the operation of a Dornier 228 for the Falkland Islands Government in a fisheries protection role.


The hangarage was provided by the military.





A lot of underslung work was carried out, typically between supply ships and shore, hence the need for rear view mirrors as can be seen in the picture below.Operations were based at RAF Mount Pleasant and this shot shows ex Aberdeen S-61, G-BBHM, parked in front of an RAF Tristar. The Tristars were used to ferry personal between U.K. and the Falklands via the Ascension Islands, the journey taking approximately 18 hours and covering 7,400 miles (ish).





The work involved ferrying personal and supplies around the islands' various outposts. This photo shows the "Club Class" area in the S-61 cabin. Fresh fruit available on this flight!





A legacy from the war were the infamous "Penguin Mines". Apparently, the enemy forced many penguins to swallow mines in the hope that they would wander into British held areas and detonate.






But seriously, the Islands shores are teeming with wildlife and flights to visit the Penguin and Sea-Lion colonies were one of the highlights of a Falklands posting. O.K. except for all of you that never got out of this place:
A fine collection of Bristows "wildlife".



And a few shots that illustrate the bleakness of the place including Stanley golf course, the most Southerly in the world - and the roughest? Pics form Chas Ducat if I remember rightly.














The Real Falklands!

Thanks to Andrew Rice for the following:

Bristow operations started in 1983 and were based at Stanley airport along with Phantoms, C130s and Seakings. There was no hangar and facilities were minimal. Accommodation was in barges on Stanley Inner Harbour (Now used as prison ships!). Washing was all done at the airport porta-cabin, except when the water tank froze.... Crew change was by C130 to Ascension, and sometimes all the way to the UK, with in-flight refuelling.
The first surveyor for the Mount Pleasant Airport was landed on the virgin site by Bristow S61 in 1984.
The following are pics from the early years.

Bristow offices and wheels at Stanley, 1984.






Getting there - Business class on the C130!, 1983.




Getting there 2 - C130 refuelling from a Victor tanker ex Ascension Islands.




The Coastel accommodation, Stanley inner harbour, c1984.




I'll add a few Falklands people pics in my next post..............