Bristow Photos

[Dave Ed]

Iran

Iran 2


Types known to have operated in Iran include WS 55s, Bells 47, 204, 205, 206, 212, Allouette 3 and HS125.
This is Bell 205, EP-HBK awaiting its next task.




Bristows had a long contract with the German geo-seismic company, Prakla. They were endeavouring to map out the Iranian countryside in terms of possible mineral deposits and to this end Bristows were tasked with moving the associated equipment from base to base. The pink caravan was a mobile workshop from which an aircraft could be maintained.




A typical base camp with a Bell 212 and the mobile workshop visible. The bases were operational for, typically, 3 months and surveying would be carried out in the mountains in Summer and on the plains in the Winter.





Conditions could be fairly basic as can be seen and stories of people waking up with frost on the sleeping bag have been heard.




Prakla mobile homes, 1978.





Prakla toilet, 1978. Susequently destroyed by wayward US drone strike.




A couple of Sundowners.......Levan Island.







The hangar at Zagros. Most types operated from here. The sign on the hangar door says Iranian Helicopter Aviation Company who were Bristows partners.




One of the mobile laboratories having just been delivered by a 212, in the background. These were hooked up by miles of cable to geo-phones which would pick up acoustic feedback from the surrounding strata after a series of explosive charges were detonated.




Aircraft could make up to 70-80 landings per day ferrying the labs, interconnecting cables, explosive charges and personnel. This is Bell 212 VR-BEE on a typical task. Engineers also doubled up as load masters.




Bell 206, EP-HAR, operating out of Bagharan.




Iran Zagros base. EP-HAY Bell 206A and EP-HAM Agusta Bell 204 with Gnome engine.