Bristow Photos

[Tbolt]

that is Hughie Sutherland on the beryl in 1987, also on the op was Graham Conway, Kevin furlong, Eric Greensmith, Peter Morgan , Chippy Stokes and Then JJ munro took over from Graham after six months

[Dusty4501]

To clarify, the ship that carried G-AODA (Steve Hogarth's 'The Duchess') from Trinidad to UK in 1975 was built in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1960-69 by Lindholmens & owned by the Harrisson Line, entered onto the IMO register as 6614516 as the Linguist. It plied internationally for many years, making many visits to the Manchester Shipping Canal (MSC). In 1980, whilst at the MSC, its name was changed to Bangplee. Changed again to 'Unipol' in 1981 and in that same year met its fate, capsizing and breaking up in severe weather conditions at Chandler, Canada. Happy Xmas everyone.

[Alan Biles]

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l318/AlanBiles_51/IMG-20150204-008131_zpsdtpjawnm.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/AlanBiles_51/media/IMG-20150204-008131_zpsdtpjawnm.jpg.html)

[UCLogic]

See you still don't let Jan wash the mugs!!

[Smeagol]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m491/freds7/2015-02-13_51.jpg (http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/freds7/media/2015-02-13_51.jpg.html)

Not sure if this photo will upload, long time since I tried to do it.

It is of Wessex G-ASWI landing on the 23A platform, southern North sea in 1980. I was a regular passenger as I was then part of the Amoco management team during the compression platform installation.

Unfortunately WI was lost with all on board in 1981

(Appear to have failed miserably! Will try again later)

[Bedfordshire Man]

I flew with G-AODA during the nineteen eighties missile development trials mentioned in the recollections of Steve Hogarth and am currently scribing my memories of 42 years in the defence industry. I am having trouble tying down specific dates of our trials in the UK, Germany and France and having located The Duchess at the Helicopter Museum had hoped that they would have a copy of the F700. Sadly this was not the case so my next line of attack is to try to track down the pilots for these trials, Chippy Stokes and Martin Ford, in the hope that they might have the answers in their flight logbooks.
Does anybody out there have any idea where Chippy and Martin are these days and perhaps know how I might be able to find them?
Fingers crossed.

[S61-S92]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x690/g_aoda_lee_on_solent_may_june_1988_08fe4758cde9119678497cecf a7978ca415f444e.jpg

G-AODA Lee-On-Solent May/June 1988 (Picture by Nessboy)

[heli1]

Previous photos I have seen of this installation show a more conventional ball heli tele style turret. Can someone explain this cylindrical version and how it worked?

[Fareastdriver]

I think that somebody slackens off the piece of string and it rotates 90 degrees otherwise it would drag along the ground.

[chopper2004]

I attended Heli Expo last month and saw the 609 test prototype in Bristow and Eastern Airways colors to signify the exclusive agreement signed between AW and Bristow in commercial tilt rotor development.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_0525_zpsybfezpm9.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_0530_zps8aiakeep.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_0513_zpsxiccm4bs.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_0517_zps7ojrmdlz.jpg

Cheers

[Ainippe]

That looks like Ken Humphreys mantling that Whirlwind?

[nessboy]

IIRC Ken was the engineer and Stan Richie the pilot.

[Sevarg]

I don't think Compo (Ken) ever looked that young. :)

[Natasha02]

Married and in Spain ?? ( But we have been to Spain many times over the last 15 yrs)

Regards & thanks for the memories

23/04/15

Garth ? so soon ? RIP

[Tail-take-off]

There's a collection of photos gradually building up to mark the 60th anniversary of the company on the Bristow Facebook page for those who have a Facebook account.

https://m.facebook.com/467830136636415/albums/813827135370045

[Natasha02]

Great pics and for me memories however we were on 8 & 4 not 6 & 4
XV was not in the KCS Hanger in june 98 I did the lease deal late in 98
under threat from Grant as winter was approaching fast (-35) the hanger
chosen by Bristow had an earth floor and was not good for jacking up 212
Garth ( RIP) did the ferry on both XV & ER(99) with his knowledge !!!? of Russian ( I still recall "helping" Ringo with his PC return for XV ferry!!)
We in fact stayed in "Chagala" Hotel ( Sea Gull in Kazakh) for the first few months and then some pretty poor local aparts ( got better thereafter)
Had Redhill listened to Dallas ( re daily rates ) then we could all have stayed
in Hotel with OKIOC ( but then maybe with less fun) Dallas had an other good plan for accommodation ( similar to BHL and others in Iran etc) but was told by
K,G-P that " we dont buy property !!! ( Shetlands ???) So with help of Natash
I bought 2 aparts in Atyrau ASAP and have averaged 10% the last 14 years

You have a wonderfull site which I only came apon throu Andrew in KL this year
many happy memories from the pics. One day I might even forget / Forgive
the town in Texas near to Fort Worth .
RGDS

[mtoroshanga]

Glad to hear that you and Natasha01 are still around
Dallas is one of the best people I've worked with in 38 years with Bristow
Take care

[Natasha02]

Hi

As your post is new ,I reply ,Paul Glid´told me around 2000 that Chipy
had emigrated to NZ ( probably up some mountain ) As he will be in receipt
of BHL pension try through
AON
B.S.P.S
PO Box 196
Huddersfield
HD8 1EG

RGDS

[Natasha02]

Yes indeed EP-HAM did end up washed up on the beach south of Busher ( or at least what was left of the cabin) I flew over it's remains most days in a 205 on floats ,out of Busher en-route Scan Bay jack-up and 2 R&B rigs ( circa 1977/8)

Dick Chin I think was flying it at the time

I was with Schriener then ( HAS)

[TipCap]

I was in EP-HAM when it had its Tail Rotor drive failure just coming into land on the helipad at Zagross. Bounced twice and turned 270 degrees but remained upright before the rotors were shut down!!:eek:

[Fareastdriver]

Sure you didn't 'HAM' it up?

[TipCap]

Al

I said I was in it, not flying it. Doing the crew change flight. Was asked after the dust had settled to take the 2 pilots for a medical check in our Jet Ranger.
How things have changed these days

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/kernow_lad/205Zagross1.jpg

[Saint Jack]

I imagine that Frank B was more than a little upset when he heard about this.

[stacey_s]

Ah!! Frank B, where is he now?

S

[AS332L1]

Stacey

Frank was last seen working in Australia

[Good Vibs]

Bell 212 5N-AYX Takoradi date is 9 May 2003. Capt's Jamie & Mike
Bell 412EP 5N-BIP Calabar date is 20 March 2011

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Hey Mike !

Nice pics. The second one caused a lump in my throat from nostalgia........:{

Cheers,

NEO

[Good Vibs]

Yes, we were the "lucky" ones to have been there.
Hope all is well.
MS

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Fareastdriver]

Another Bristow machine in faraway places.

Super Puma on a beach in the Solomon Islands.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee224/fareastdriver/PumaonBeach.jpg (http://s229.photobucket.com/user/fareastdriver/media/PumaonBeach.jpg.html)

[Good Vibs]

Far away from everything.
Bell212 5N-BHO on Sedco 709... Date 17 June 1998
Capt's Martin & Mike
[/URL]

[Dusty4501]

When at Bushehr as Eng I/C, I regularly saw, while flying in B204B EP-HBG, the remnants of EP-HAM partially submerged in the sand on the beach. 'BG' met its demise when its M/R blades struck rock on an escarpment during the BICC power line construction project in mountainous terrain. It joined a 'graveyard' of other helicopters of various types, both civil and military.

[Ikoyian]

Thanks for the pics Good Vibs.

The helipad at Calabar was the view from my room back in the eighties. I was there with Art Swain and Ken Fletcher. Those were good days - apart from the CP at the time of course. I remember sitting in the bar at the Calabar accommodation block on a fine hot day, Art Swain asking to borrow some spanners to fix his BMW, Ken Fletcher remarking,' we will need the spanners for our engine change' and me saying, lets have another beer and think of a plan... good people and fond memories.

Ah, the Sedco 709. That brings more recent memories back. Trying to chase the thing all over the Gulf of Benin/Guinea (during the last drilling campaign 2005/6). Getting a fuel stop arrangement at Brass for the S76C+ to fill up to the gunnels was the clincher, fuel being rare as hens teeth in the region, and the politics surrounding landing permission! The nearest alternate land mass was Malabo for certain drilling blocks. The Pumas from Snake Island could make the trip, via PH at times, as they had the range but sometimes with only 6 pax on board. That played havoc with the seat/mile KPIs.

I must post some pics from Snake Island when I find them, a lot of good times were had there, as long as Niger Dock kept their distance!

Thanks again for the pics, lots of good memories.

[Non-Driver]

Another Bristow machine in faraway places.

Super Puma on a beach in the Solomon Islands.



Ah the legendary BHK. One of my final tasks at Bristow was to contract out a G-Check on that one. Awarded it under a fixed price to EC Malaysia who had ambitions to set up a 332 heavy maintenance facility. To say they had a steep learning curve and lost their shirt on it would be an understatement ! They ended up having to manufacture a production standard jig and ship out a load of experts from Marignane to remanufacture the entire lower fuselage. It was still in work when I left. It would have been scrapped had we known what we were in for when we started but it ended up being one of the best standard and most capable L's by the time they'd finished it. Strangely enough their ambition never went any further:E

[Fareastdriver]

With the big sponsons on it was faster than the rest of the fleet. We had to be able to go anywhere in the Solomons and back again without refuelling so we had available for medevacs a 300? litre tank in the cabin plus two big sponsons. The heaviest I have ever flown one was for the resupply at Rennel Island some 120 miles away. We would lift five drums of diesel underslung plus loads of rations (Pukka Pies and XXXX) inside the cabin plus fuel for the round trip. When we departed Henderson Field we weighed 20,000lbs with no wind and 30 degrees C.

We had to cross a 4,500 ridge almost immediately and the aircraft would stop climbing at 70 knots at 4,000 ft. I was then a case of threading between the Cu s and mountains to reach the sea the other side. Then down to 2,000 ft, 90 knots is all it could manage; feet up and fags out.

I can understand why the lower fuselage was knackered. We must have stretched it during those trips.

[Good Vibs]

http://<a href=http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/mikeingaborg/media/Bell%20412SP%205N-BGS%20on%20Senje%20Berge.%20May%202011_zpsq30loceo.jpg.html target=_blank>[IMG]http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s541/mikeingaborg/Bell%20412SP%205N-BGS%20on%20Senje%20Berge.%20May%202011_zpsq30loceo.jpg[/URL]
Bell412SP 5N-BGS on FPSO Sendje Berge
Capt Mike & SFO Uju...May 2011

[Good Vibs]

Excellent Turn-Around Crew at Naf Base, Nigeria
Bell412EP 5N-BIP...19 March 2011

[/URL]

[bellboy]

Nice picture, I still keep a copy of it in my logbook. GOOD FUN

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Mike,

Great picture. IIRC, in addition to great turnaround crews NAF Base also had the best Base Managers........ ;)

In fact the only Bristow Nigeria Base Managers at that time :ok:

They were good times. Excellent barbies at ERA and a generally contented workforce.

NEO

[Good Vibs]

First, you are so correct.
Any good operation is like a large family.
Everyone pulls in the same direction when you have the proper leaders.

Here is a view that many grew used too.

[/URL]

[S61-S92]

So that's Vince Cain and Dave McNamara gone after all them years in Sumburgh/Unst/Scatsta - (they took Alan Price with them so it's not all bad!!)

All the best for the future, Guys

;)
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/cimg0696_e267bac29e255c47420f59d18c91ee475e8df519.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/cimg0691_d1dfabf1b208b292d0640219eef8cafb883e6b3f.jpg

Scatsta Stalwarts gather for the farewell "Do" at the MBI
(Pete "El Pedro" Wood , Dave McNamara, Vince Cain, Keith Tomlinson and Ian Pearce ... looks like the Scatsta Branch of B.O.G.S !)

[terminus mos]

Best of luck old friends, worked with some of you in Unst over 30 years ago. A lifetime of service and many passengers owe their safe return home to your diligence and skill.

[finalchecksplease]

Wonder if Big Vince will take up geese hunting full time now ... :)

All the best to Vince, Dave & Alan, enjoy your retirement guys!

[Vespel92]

A picture of safe hands. All the very best Gentlemen :ok:

[Tail-take-off]

I worked with Vince and Dave in Unst for a couple of years. I have a slightly hazy recollection of sharing number of glasses of Vince's homebrewed cider.

Enjoy your retirement boys, you've certainly earned it! It was an honour to work with you!

[3D CAM]

Wonder if Big Vince will take up geese hunting full time nowBetty has never forgiven Vince for that.. only joking.

Not sure if he will be taking up welding either.???

I have already wished the boys all the best elsewhere but still, " All the best, now joining me in retirement." My days in Unst have to be some of the best times of my career and having known both Vince and Dave in a previous life, I can honestly say it was/is a pleasure to have worked and socialised with both over the last 45 odd years.
3D

[Dave Ed]

Ian Pearce in pic.


After leaving my British Airways apprenticeship on fixed wing at Heathrow I joined Bristows at Redhill and was soon on my first detachment, between Christmas and New year if I remember rightly, with Pearcey.


It was to fit a third landing light to a Wessex at very bleak Hull! How we've all aged since then...sank a few pints in those early years between us and many a forgotten weekend in The Panther in Reigate!


I hope all the experience of our "practical" generation is being passed on to the newbies but I fear not. I, personally, haven't seen an apprentice for about 25 years!!!


Happy retirement guys.......only 6 years to go and I'll be joining you.

[Ikoyian]

Best of luck in your retirement Dave and Vince.

Having worked with these guys I can say that it was probably the best team I have ever had the privilege to know and work with.

Scatsta, and perhaps the seats at the end of the MBI bar, will always have a fond place in my memory, you will be sadly missed, not only by the Scatsta operation but by the local community in Brae.

So tell me, is the tail of my plane still stuck into the side of the hangar?

[TipCap]

Best of luck in retirement guys. Pleasure working with you all those years ago

Retirement is good!

I was on the S61N conversion with Alan P in 1973. What a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then

TC

[XONBOY]

Its taken me some time...well nearly two years to dig into my archives. But here is a picture of Patrick O'Mara, Ex RAF, Bristow Helicopters Engineer in Port Harcourt, Lagos, in July 1967. He was the Engineer on many of the Helicopters there as well as being the Engineer / radio operator and Co-Pilot of the Riley Dove which they used for mercy missions. He is standing beside the Widgeon 5N-AGA which was eventually abandoned later that month. It was then appropriated by the Biafran Airforce. The Soldier standing by the Aircraft looks like a Nigerian solder to me not A Biafran. I don't know the identity of the pilot but some of you eagle eye rotorheads might know. I'm still trying to find his flying log book which has helicopter and Riley flights during this period.

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k639/xonboy/BRISTOW%20HELICOPTERS/Patrick%20OMara%20Biafra%20july%201967%20low%20res.jpg (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/xonboy/media/BRISTOW%20HELICOPTERS/Patrick%20OMara%20Biafra%20july%201967%20low%20res.jpg.html)

[Tail-take-off]

A short film by John Flexman

RpUDNfFPU50

[John Eacott]

Goodness, there are some memories! Especially the rotten Capalonga..... :hmm:

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Absolutely outstanding film !

NEO

[AS332L1]

Treasure Finder yes I remember G-BFVE with the fin I always forgot it was there and bumped into it on many occasions, great days brilliant film.

[Owl 83]

Thanks for the memories; Treasure Finder, 61's, Aberdeen and my time there in the late 70's on the 61.

[griffothefog]

Vince used to take me to work on the back of his BMW in Sumburgh when I was a young baggage handler in 1978... Great times, great guy...:ok:

[belly tank]

As an employee in AUSBU thank you!. Fantastic footage. You are correct in that overall the company is fantastic to work for. :ok:

Would love to see more videos if you have any.

[heli1]

Please can Bristow people past and present read the request under the thread Bristow Tigers.Any help appreciated.

[Tail-take-off]

Hi TTO..thread .posted earlier today at 10.18

Here's the link to save people having to hunt for it.

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/565373-bristow-tigers.html

[Dusty4501]

I recognise Pat O'Amara. The pilot looks very much like Clive Wright who became European General Manager when BHL's HQ was in North Block at Redhill, prior to the Main Building being completed in 1975. If it is Clive, I knew him well and he was the manager responsible for BHL's Manston SAR contract (May '71 - Sep 30 '74) of which I was chief engineer. Clive later became Manager of Middle Wallop. I know Clive had spent time in Africa with BHL. However, I could be wrong...

[Natasha02]

Great U-Tube indeed. The Capalonga could roll out of limits on damp grass, let
alone the ESB .Was it not an ex Hull ferry? It tryed to throw me off one day near the Vent ( ESB) ( BO105). First met it along-side Auk A in 79 .The Auk R.O. found out it was not "Dry" !!

[Self loading bear]

Was it not an ex Hull ferry?
No not a Ferry in now a days format (roll on roll off)
Built 1958 as a rather standard freighter as MV Bolton Abbey but indeed on a Ferry route Hull - Rotterdam so probably with extra passender capacity.
Transferred into diving vessel Capalonga in 1972 for the Adriatic. Extensively modified into Dynamic Positioned
Deep Sea diving vessel in 1977 in Amsterdam.
Scrapped 1983.
Cheers SLB

[Dusty4501]

The post mentions that fuelling arrangements for BHL's Manston SAR contract were entirely satisfactory from the outset etc. Not quite true. As the chief engineer throughout the contract (May 1971 - Sep 30 1974), I can update: The station's C.O. Wg Cdr Scott, made no secret of his dislike of BHL being there instead of an RAF unit. He refused to give us priority for fuel over any visiting RAF aircraft, even though we were SAR so the Company bought a small bowser which was partially buried adjacent to the dispersal pad and refuelled by the RAF's bowser periodically. Bowser drivers were civilian and sympathetic to us (a Peter Smith particularly) and generally refuelled us in a timely manner. G-AYTK & G-AYNP both carried HF as well. We also introduced a range of on-board equipment hitherto denied to our military counterparts to make lifesaving more efficient. The 22 Sqdn flight we replaced were withdrawn in 1969 to support Col Gadaffi's coup in Libya. The ensuing public outcry at the loss of SAR helicopters led to BHL's contract. There were other contenders. In spite of the enormous success of the operation, it was a political decision to return the RAF with 2 x Wessex. It is a sad fact that about half of the staff on that contract are no longer alive.

[Humberman]

Hi,

The Bolton Abbey was indeed the forerunner of the Ro Ro ferries which commenced services on the Humber in circa 1965 (North Sea Ferries MV Norwind etc) - with her sister the Melrose Abbey they covered the Hull-Rotterdam route from 1959 until 1971 when their owners -Associated Humber Lines went bust - they did carry 88 passengers in 44 twin cabins and freight and if you wanted to take your car it was lifted by crane onto the freight decks.As they could not compete with the ROrO ferries AHL failed.Affectionately known in Hull as the "Abbeys'" and considered by many a finer and more civilised way of travel across the North Sea than todays P&O cattle pens :)

For info she was built as was her sister to replace AHL's pre war aging fleet of steamers at Brooke Marine of Lowestoft in the days when we did build ships.

[XONBOY]

Hi There.
Did you know P.O'Mara in Nigeria?
Best
Sean

[Alizoo]

Just messing around online and found the post about Bob Innes - my dad - having died. He is in fact alive and well and kickin' ass.

You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bob.innes.35?fref=ts or message me your details and I'll put you in touch!

He is still wearing shorts!

All the best
Alison Moy (nee Innes)

[XONBOY]

Who are you aiming this message at?

[Phil Kemp]

There is a discussion about Bob Innes many pages back, as various correspondents had missed their annual Christmas card. Bob came back in person to report that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.

Yesterday, I reconnected with Alison (Bob's daughter, who went to school with me) on Facebook, which led to a discussion and reconnect to Bob. If any of you are so inclined, take a look at the Sumburgh Airport Archive on Facebook, there's some great pictures of all sorts of things related to the goings on there over the decades. Hey, maybe you have some pictures to add there? :)

[Dusty4501]

Hi Alizoo

Pleased to learn your dad has not passed on...! We were on the same contract in Khasab, Oman 1980/1. We were on the same shift, shared a room & flew together on the power line project. He did mention you and your mum. I have PM your dad via Face Book after seeing your post. Many thanks and very best wishes to Bob.

Colin (Dusty) Miller
Telford, Shropshire

[Fareastdriver]

For those at Bristows, Aberdeen in the 80s who may remember Jimmy Green, who died last week He was a rampie for a time and known as the ex Para who jumped at Arnhem.
I used to chase him around the pan with my S76.

[Oldlae]

I am advised that Cliff Saffron, latterly of Aberdeen, but of many operations abroad has passed away after a long illness.

[vfr440]

I am very sorry to read this (but thanks for the notification). I had the pleasure of working adjacent to his operation in Abu Dhabi, early '70s. Taught me a lot. RIP ole friend ~ VFR

[TipCap]

Cliff Saffron's Funeral will be held at 1.45pm on Thursday 3 March at the East Devon Crematorium, London Road, Strete Ralegh, Whimple, Exeter EX5 2PT.

Hope this helps

TC

[3D CAM]

Oh no, not another! How many stories are there about Cliff?
RIP mucker!!

3D

[parabellum]

Knew Cliff in AUH 1969 to 1970, great guy. Very sad news. Rest peacefully Cliff.

[Phil Kemp]

Another great and legendary figure from the old Bristow days gone. A tremendous man, and the source of more entertaining stories than probably anyone I have ever met.

A great guy, great boss and great friend. Vastly influential in my career with his generousity, knowledge and experience.

RIP Cliff. It was my great honour and privilege to have known you and called you a friend. You are the stuff of legend, and your memory will live on forever.

[mtoroshanga]

R.I.P. Cliff You were always a good bloke.

[Dave B]

I first met Cliff about 1967 on a course at Hatfield, along with Don Strange. I was still in the RAF at that time, and Cliff and Don were instrumental in some part to me making the decision to join Bristows.
I met him again in Abu Dhabi, when I did a months leave relief, at that time it was just one Whirlwind, me cliff and Ali the labourer were the engineering department. My bedroom doubled up as the tech records and admin office, so in my spare time, I could study the log books and learn how a Bristow operation functioned.
I also saw Cliff again in Nigeria, when he was doing a spell at Eket, and I was at Port Harcourt.
I learned a lot about running an operation from Cliff.

[Tail-take-off]

Some interesting nostalgia here Bristow Helicopters 1964-1966 | A collection of articles from a 36 year career in aviation. (http://www.ashpole.org.uk/bristow-helicopters/) including these photos:

http://www.dhc-2.com/G-APMP_Hiller_UH-12_Scone_nca_1280a.jpg

http://www.ashpole.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/WHIRLWIND-WITH-RUBBER-FLOATS1-1024x553.jpg

[Jemy]

Brian was an engineer for Bristow in Malaysia, Stornoway and the Falklands. Always a jolly Geordie with a great sense of fun.

Brian's Daughter has had an accident horse riding in Egypt and needs to be medevaced back to UK. Unfortunately she has no insurance, so Brian and his family are trying to raise £32,000 to get her back. Any help would be appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/bringhomeolivia

[Tail-take-off]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/G-BOEY_zps4sahmtq5.jpg

Paul Quick and myself taken by Alan Boswell. Redhill FTS 1989

Not the best image but it was taken into sun and the photo has been in the loft for over 20 years!

[hico-p]

'There will be many on this thread who remember Nick Owen. His wife Andrea has passed on the sad news that Nick is no longer with us. Next stop Gorleston Crematorium, 12 noon on Monday the 30th January. The crematorium is within the grounds of Magdalen Cemetery, Oriel Avenue, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, NR31 7JJ'.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Nick was EIC when I was PIC in Nigeria in the 90s. A different approach, but he was a very professional and knowledgeable engineer. Knew his stuff. RIP.

NEO

[stacey_s]

I had the pleasure of working with Nick in Nigeria for many years, first in Warri 1977 then later in Eket where he was Deputy Chief Engineer and finally at Calabar from where he retired around 1998, RIP old friend.

[Ainippe]

Another great loss with the passing of Nick Owen, a straight talker and good engineer - what more could you want. RIP Nick

[Phone Wind]

Nick was always a good engineer who told it like it was. RIP

[SASless]

Another Good One gone.....this is getting depressing as I am not feeling well myself!

Engineers like Nick made Bristow what it was.

I enjoyed many a Pint with him.

[Dave B]

Nick was very good to me and my wife, when I was new to Bristow at North Denes, he will be missed.

[Lee Howard]

Fascinating thread! I had brief involvement with Bristows with the start-up of the Belize Bell 212 contract in 2003 with many visits to Redhill to monitor progress on the reconditioning of the three aircraft (and two later examples). Echoing my separate posts on Rotorheads and Military Aircrew, I'd be keen to hear from any ex-Wessex 60 personnel in connection with my forthcoming Haynes Manual on the aircraft. Anyone with recollections of operating the type on the multitude of different operations either in the UK or abroad. Please PM me for more details.

[TIMTS]

Speaking of the Wessex 60

1/72 Westland Wessex 60 - Ready for Inspection - Aircraft - Britmodeller.com (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235015990-172-westland-wessex-60/)

[Lee Howard]

TipCap: Sent you two PMs recently but not sure you're getting them?

[TipCap]

Check your PM's

TC

[SoFarFromHome]

Dear Tail take off, Rotorheads people,

Please excuse a plank driver popping up here on your forum.

As a keen amateur photographer I have really enjoyed looking at your pictures.

Sadly I am better at 'improving' my photographs than taking them, and I enjoy restoring old photographs or improving images that friends have taken, and hopefully making them just as they had intended when they took the picture.

Its not a business, I'm a full time plank driver but enjoy this as a hobby.

If you have some old photos that have some damage, fading or wonky horizons and would like them brightened up, then please let me know and I would be happy to bring them, sympathetically, back to life.

Personally I like that a picture shows its age with time, but sometimes a little uplift can help improve them, what do you think?

Regards,

SFFH

[Tail-take-off]

Dear Tail take off, Rotorheads people,

Please excuse a plank driver popping up here on your forum.

As a keen amateur photographer I have really enjoyed looking at your pictures.

Sadly I am better at 'improving' my photographs than taking them, and I enjoy restoring old photographs or improving images that friends have taken, and hopefully making them just as they had intended when they took the picture.

Its not a business, I'm a full time plank driver but enjoy this as a hobby.

If you have some old photos that have some damage, fading or wonky horizons and would like them brightened up, then please let me know and I would be happy to bring them, sympathetically, back to life.

Personally I like that a picture shows its age with time, but sometimes a little uplift can help improve them, what do you think?

Regards,

SFFH

Hi SoFarFromHome

Delighted that you're enjoying the images here. All comers including Plank drivers (that's me these days too) welcome.

Thanks for the kind offer to restore one of my photos. However, for me at least, this thread is more about the quality of the memories than the quality of the images. Others may think differently.

King regards

TTO

[Clodhopper]

I worked with Dave Edwards at Redhill, great time and memories. I'm in touch with some of the other avionics guys (1980s), but all attempts to get in touch with Dave have failed. Can anyone help please?

[419]

Clodhopper,
I tried to send you a message but I think your preferences are set so that you can't receive these.
If you can change the setting to allow messages, I will send you some info.



New members do not have PM capability

Splot

[Clodhopper]

Dave Edwards[/I][/I]Clodhopper,
I tried to send you a message but I think your preferences are set so that you can't receive these.
If you can change the setting to allow messages, I will send you some info.


New members do not have PM capability

Splot

Thanks 419 & Splot. I have checked junk mail, but it seems that I have not been able to 'activate' the welcome email yet, so it looks as if Splot may have a point. Bit of a bugger as I appreciate your efforts. Will keep trying to sort it out.

[Senior Pilot]

Clodhopper,

There is nothing you can do until you move off the 'I'm new here' list. Part of the security in place to protect members against spammers and others.

Until then you have no PMs, and all posts are put into a moderation queue for me to check before being approved.

[SoFarFromHome]

Hi Tail Take Off,

Thank you for the kind reply.

No problem at all, agree the memories are what photos are all about.

The offer stands should anyone wish to discuss further. In the meantime I shall continue to enjoy the thread and wonder what if, to having learnt to fly helicopters!

Kind regards,

SFFH

[mtoroshanga]

Bill Petry sent me to take over from Nick after a fatal Wessex accident in Kuantan in 1975 without telling Nick. We were replacing Wessex with 212 s. No reflection on Nick, it was a rig cock-up. Unfortunately they didnt tell Nick so picture the scene!! Afterwards Bill said he knew we would work it out. Nick was a great man to work and play with as we did for a long while in Singapore RIP mate

[punkalouvre]

Off to Karatha next month to do some heavy checks on Bristows BK117s
will post some pictures when I get back.

[Hashed]

Bill Petry, that name takes me back! I used to be able to time a magneto on a Bell 47 in Teheran but it was all downhill after that.

[Saint Jack]

I believe it was (is?) Bill Petrie, not Petry, but what is the connection between him and magnetos, 47's and Tehran (presumably the 47's and 205's at Galle Morghe). Tell us more.....

[TipCap]

SJ

You're right. Bill Petrie

TC
(Iran 69-71)

[bondu]

Hi all,
I have just been informed by Paul's daughter, Josephine, that Paul died on Friday, 28th.
Due to circumstances, there will have to be a post-mortem, so Josephine could not give me any more details of the funeral arrangements.
I will post any further details here when I have them.

bondu

[bigglesbutler]

My thoughts go to Paul's family :(

[bondu]

Hi All,

Update on my post last week-
Sadly, the post-mortem on Paul was 'inconclusive', so no date for the funeral has been set. As soon as I have any further information I will post it here.

bondu

[Attila]

Hi All,

Update on my post last week-
Sadly, the post-mortem on Paul was 'inconclusive', so no date for the funeral has been set. As soon as I have any further information I will post it here.

bondu

Just to clarify, and sorry for any inconvenience, which Paul Cook are we talking about? An engineer or a pilot?

[bondu]

Attila,
Paul was both an engineer and then a pilot. He was an aircraft tech in the RAF before joining Bristow in Beccles, I believe. After gaining his CPL(H) he became a S61 co-pilot before converting to the S76.
I will be writing an obituary for Paul, so if anyone can shed light on his early years at Bristow, please feel free to pm me with any details or recollection.
Hope this helps.

bondu

[Attila]

Attila,
Paul was both an engineer and then a pilot. He was an aircraft tech in the RAF before joining Bristow in Beccles, I believe. After gaining his CPL(H) he became a S61 co-pilot before converting to the S76.
I will be writing an obituary for Paul, so if anyone can shed light on his early years at Bristow, please feel free to pm me with any details or recollection.
Hope this helps.

bondu

Thanks, Bondu.

Indeed he is the guy that I knew and I worked with him although I never flew with him. I was in Bristows, before being made redundant in 1999, and then going across to BIH the following year at Penzance, followed by going down to the sunny South Atlantic, so that must have been where I met him. Did he ever work for British International, or am I confusing him with someone else, or has my memory become somewhat befuddled over the years?

Rest in Peace, Paul, and my sincere condolences to your family.

[The Claw]

Not forgetting his involvement with BALPA.

RIP Paul, I miss your humour!

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa434/paulsphoto1/DSC06027.jpg

[jeepys]

Yes a great laugh in the ops room at Norwich.
He loved a shallow approach to a rig almost as much as he loved jags.

R.I.P big fella and thanks for your great Balpa work.

[bondu]

Hi all,

Paul suffered a fatal heart attack on his 61st birthday.

The funeral will be held at Horsham St Faith Crematorium, just north of Norwich airport, at 15:30 on June 5th and afterwards at the Whitehorse Hotel on North Horsham Rd.

I'm not sure what the arrangements will be regarding flowers or otherwise, but I will endeavour to find out and post on here.

bondu

[bondu]

The Whitehorse Hotel is on North Walsham Rd, NOT North Horsham Rd.

[The Claw]

The White Horse Crostwick
North Walsham Road
Norwich, Norfolk
NR12 7BD
+44(0)1603 737560

[S76Heavy]

RIP Cookie...What a shame. Remember him for his tireless work as a BALPA rep.

[Variable Load]

Bondu, Paul was with BIH/CHC on the S61 before heading south to fly the S76 with Bristow.

[Phil Kemp]

I worked with Paul in Kerteh, Malaysia, many years ago. Very sorry to hear this news. A good guy, gone way too young.

[212man]

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa434/paulsphoto1/DSC06027.jpg[/QUOTE]


Very sadly, photobucket have just changed their Ts&Cs and no longer allow third part hosting for free - it requires an upgrade to your 'subscription' for $399 pa! So, I guess a lot of these photos will have disappeared from this thread!

[demon_duck]

Check out the "Bristow Old Gits Helihub" page on face book....it's free!

[addscalamity]

Ferry Land

Many off us have faced the interesting challenge of ferrying aircraft by land, sea or air. I remember one of my Cyprus 412s arriving by lorry at Redhill 11 years ago....here are a few others......

There are many reasons why helicopters are moved about by lorry :
- It may have been damaged in an accident and needs to be transported to a place of repair.
- It may need transporting to the docks, in kit form, for an onward journey by ship.
- Scrapped or out of "useful life" machines need moving to museums or breakers yards.
- etc etc.

Below are just a few examples of the jobs carried out by Redhill's transport team.

29th April 1986.
Westland Widgeon from Warden Park school, Cuckfield, Sussex to British Rotorcraft Museum, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/ferryland1.jpg


13th May 1986.
Westland Whirlwind, ex Warden Park school, on its way to East Midlands Aero Park, Donington, Derby.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/ferryland2.jpg


6th March 1986.
Westland Wessex about to board the Red Funnel ferry at Southampton on its way to Cowes, Isle of Wight. Probably on its way to the breakers yard. Sad.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/ferryland3.jpg



13th March 1986.
Bell 212 arriving at Redhill's main hangar after a pick up from Tilbury Docks.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/ferryland4.jpg



April 1993.
Transportation of Aerospatiale SA321F Super Frelon from Marignane to The International Helicopter Museum,Weston-Super-Mare.
At the time this was probably the largest helicopter to be moved by road in Europe and took a total of ten days.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/ferryland5.jpg



Early nineties.
A couple of Bell 212s departing Redhill on their way to a UN contract in Somalia.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/un212slorry.jpg



"Rotor Runner II" and "Blade Runner II" - 1999.
"RR II" has a Tiger on board.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae157/skyweaver100/Ferry%20Land/bristowrunners.jpg

Wow these pictures take me back to my childhood. I believe all these pictures are of my uncles trucks and more spesifically jobs that my uncle did. If you have anymore please let me know.

[addscalamity]

Great to see those transport pix. Alan and later Bryan Collins were great supporters of the BRM/ Helicopter Museum and we built a great rapport with the very professional transport team. The most interesting move was moving the Hind from East Germany to Weston super Mare.
We were told to reduce the height to 13ft 9in as I recall to fit on their especial low trailer.We did that but when the trucks arrived they discovered the bridges were lower than in the west.....Our team had to work through the night to reduce the height still further and to avoid the convoy missing the booked ferry back from the Hook of Holland. Great memories and many thanks to those guys.it was a great shame when the company later closed down the transport department and outsourced.Thos guys really knew what they were doing and we had absolute trust in them. Thanks wherever you are.

This is a story I have heard a few times, my uncle was driving the lorry. It's really nice of you to take the time to thank the transport team. As a boy, he would take me all over in his truck. Of all the jobs he did, Bristows is the one he speaks of the most. He loved that job, he loved the challenge of turning up to a field, in the snow and helping to recover a helicopter, or going to France and picking up new heliporters. He said it offered challenges that no other job did. He always most fondly of the people though, the people of Bristows and the many other companies he dealt with, he always had a soft spot for the engineers and the amazing things they could do with very little, in the middle of a field, surrounded by snow lol

You're right, it was a shame they closed it down

[Subaru]

[QUOTE=Dave Ed;5494054][B][U][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]
There are two of my accidents in these pictures one is a tail rotor drive failure and the other was a fire in flight where the fuel tank blew up on a spray turn. I was not injured in either of them.

[ATISS]

Is George Arnold and John Dumville still around, also Colin Scott?
There were some contractors Don Deal, Alex Hay and several others, does anyone know of their whereabouts?
I remember:
Graham Woods
Paul Hill
Derek Cook
Keith Davidson
Pete "Smokey" Smith
Tony Coyne
and many others

[Ainippe]

John Dumville is about but works elsewhere,
Paul Hill died in an aircrash
Derek Cook passed away a few years ago now,
I believe keith Davisdoson also passed (C)
Smokey Smith is retired,
Graham and Tony - not sure

Not heard of George Arnold for years or Colin Scott

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Not sure if anyone on here remembers him, but Mike Moran passed away earlier this year.

Parkinsons I believe. He'd battled it for a long time.

NEO

[finalchecksplease]

Sad to hear that NEO, remember Mike well from various courses at Flight Safety WPB where he was an instructor after leaving Bristow.

[industry insider]

I am also really very sad to hear that. I flew with Mike many times. Mike, Daphne and Sanna were friends. MJM was a great Training Captain, we used to have fun working together and we used to laugh until we could laugh no more. RIP my dear friend.

[OvertHawk]

Sad indeed.

Never knew him in my Bristow days but he took me through the box at Flight Safety in a subsequent job.

I remember fondly being invited to his house in the afternoon for a barbecue with Daphne and Sanna and being treated like and old friend of the family even though we'd only just met. (The big Bristow Family!).

He was a superb instructor and wonderful person.

My sincerest condolences to Daphne and Sanna.

OH

[P2bleed]

Wonderful bloke who put on a huge fight with his medical issues.
Always had time for people even when feeling poorly and yes an outstanding instructor.
He will be missed.

[heliroger]

Was a great guy and a brilliant Pilot.RIP MJM.

[CYKFRotor]

Thanks to all who shared photos and stories! As a CPL(H) student in Canada seeing the photos and all the stories I'm so envious of the experiences you've all had. It seems the industry is so much more different and I hope to one day have crazy adventures and stories like the lot of you have had!

[Oldlae]

Graham Wood has passed (RIP) but George Arnold is still around.

[Lin100]

Anyone know anything about Billy Boyle?

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Anyone know anything about Billy Boyle?

Last I heard he had retired and was diagnosed with cancer. Don't know the outcome, hopefully positive.

NEO

[Grunt92]

I heard from Billy about a year and a bit ago and he was living with controlled prostrate cancer.

[Grunt92]

Dave White also succumbed to the PC but has happily, come through it ok.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Dave White also succumbed to the PC but has happily, come through it ok.

Great news, glad Billy came through. It's a bast**d. As you know, I had a hell of a fight. Now I volunteer on the same ward in the hospital that treated me. Much more satisfying than flying helicopters (or running underfunded/under manned operations) in far off places.

NEO

[Grunt92]

Yes I will contact them again. Have to catch up,with you NEO. Iwill give you a call.

[mogthe1st]

I saw on airmech.co.uk that Martin Boardley has passed, I don't have any details but felt I should pass it on. Great bloke, one of the best and a great engineer.
My condolences to his family and friends.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Martin was found in his house in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria a couple of weeks ago. Very sad.

Dave White is currently undergoing treatment for cancer again, he's positive about the outcome.

Also Stacey Shilling has just completed his 5th cycle of chemotherapy, he's fighting it like the man those of us who know him expect.

NEO

[212man]

Martin was found in his house in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria a couple of weeks ago. Very sad.

Dave White is currently undergoing treatment for cancer again, he's positive about the outcome.

Also Stacey Shilling has just completed his 5th cycle of chemotherapy, he's fighting it like the man those of us who know him expect.

NEO
Hard as! Go Stacey!

[stacey_s]

Hard as! Go Stacey!

5TH on Friday this week.

[SASless]

Shout out to Stacey and Dave....thinking about you!

I first met Martin in Iran and shared many a good time with him and learned to respect his ability.

Those were good days with him, the Brennan Brothers, Eric Smith, Robbie Duff, Jean Luc Micoud, Cuddles Scard, and so many others of back when Bristow was good fun.

[Dave B]

What is it about Bristow and Cancer, or is it just because we are all getting older. I have a theory that spending half our working lives sucking in exhaust fumes has not helped.
I remember balancing a 412 tail rotor once, the next day I had to take the morning off with severe gas ingestion. I had not realized that the downwash from the 412 is not the same as the 212, and working around the back does not do you any good.
On a personal note, I had a fight with non Hodgkins Lymphoma, but am OK now.

[TipCap]

Many of us are going down that road. 8 chemos so far, another 4 to go but Doc is happy with the results so far. No cure for my cancer but can be controlled. Got to be positive....

[Saint Jack]

I knew Martin from the old Rio Tinto operation in Sumatra, my first with Bristow. Yes, a good engineer and not a half-bad musician either.



Eight years with Bristow (please, NOT Bristows), almost all my working life on helicopters and on my third cancer diagnosis. the first two were skin cancers, one on my right elbow (arm out of window while driving in the tropics?) and the other in my throat, apparently the lining of the mouth and upper throat are medically considered 'skin'. Both cured and no further problems. But, now I've got Stage 4 prostate cancer which although non-curable is "manageable". After castration and six chemo sessions my doctor is very pleased with progress. To quote him, I'm "...going to be around for a long time."



My thoughts are with you all.

[mogthe1st]

I met a bloke in Liege when I was with TNT there, he was in remission from the big C, and he reckoned he had categorical evidence that the unburnt hydrocarbons we all breathed in when we were working was the cause of his and many other cancers. Pause for thought ?
I'm being treated for Barratts oesophagus (never could spell it!) but I think mine was caused by too many hot curries!

[TipCap]

Isn't it amazing, when you have the "Big C", how many people you know who have been affected directly or touched by it

TC

[Salusa]

So sorry to hear about Martin.

I had the pleasure of working with him at ADA when I was a young fresh LAE from the Bristow training factory and he very much took took me under his wing. Learnt a lot from him.

My father was in the Army with him and also again in Iran and I think Malaysia/Indonesia. He will also be saddened to hear of the passing of an old friend.

[helipixman]

Hi all

Just wonder if anyone else has seen this model ? Painted in Bristow scheme it seems to be a cross between a Bell 212 and a Super Puma ? I purchased it in Rhodes at a reasonable 24 Euros. It's approx 18 inches long.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1200x800/img_0533_8cc2e75341fdc2ec9476014ee6793df8658cec6a.jpg

Helipixman

[Fareastdriver]

Looks all Greek to me.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Looks all Greek to me.

Indeed. A Bell Puma ?

NEO

[Fareastdriver]

It's a project model put forward by an Accra taxi repair garage which was awarded $12,000,000 development aid by the United Nations.

[Sanus]

You can buy a life size Super Puma for €24 these days.

[P M Cawthorne]

As this photos thread seems to have quite a following I thought this would be a good place to remind you all that the Bristow S E Asia Reunion is only 8 weeks away.

Register on Facebook by searching Bristow S. E. Asia Reunion

Sorry, Pprune won't let me post the URL.

Hope to see lots of familiar faces!

Peter

[Nigel Osborn]

Bristow crews seem to have had more than their fair share of cancer problems, fortunately there are several survivors. I'm not aware of any other group having such problems. Has anyone done a study to see why Bristow crew suffered more than other companies?

[Tony Mabelis]

I don't think the big C can be attributed to working for Bristow, I retired after 50 years in aviation, of which 12 years were with Bristow.
Sadly I have had my left kidney removed due to the big C.
My Anesthetist friend says he is not surprised and attributes it to my old profession, where more or less all oils, fuels, solvents, paints and carbon brakes etc. are carcinogenic and us macho men never used protective gloves, did we?
Tony

[rogleale]

Hi Tony,
Just found these forums again, I'd forgotten about them. Our paths crossed a few times didn't they.
I just tried to post a few old pics but "Can't post an URL until you have 10 posts", when did that start?
All the best,
Roger

[industry insider]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x586/225_1_e793c89f8e7e8052c50f064d84c8931bf90cc5ef.jpg
Meanwhile, when the 225 was still flying in Australia, a nice shot of the newest 225 in Bristow

[212man]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x586/225_1_e793c89f8e7e8052c50f064d84c8931bf90cc5ef.jpg
Meanwhile, when the 225 was still flying in Australia, a nice shot of the newest 225 in Bristow

With perfect positioning for a change!

[Tony Mabelis]

Hi Roger,
Really nice to see you are still around!!
I think that the last time we met was at CSE in Oxford back in '88, you were recruiting, and I was doing my Aeroplanes II.
Since then I worked briefly for the Royal Flight of Oman, then 14 years with BMW Flight Service in Munich, followed by two years as a Tech. services engineer with the Jordanian Royal Flight.
I've been retired since mid 2011 and enjoy pottering in my model aircraft workshop, and meeting up with like minded old farts to go flying.
I'm sure a lot of guys knew you from Bristows, so expect a few replies on here which will help with getting your 10 posts!
By the way are you aware of 'Bristow old Gits Heliclub' run by Phil Johns on the dreaded Facebook, lots of old pictures on there.

All the very best,
Tony

[Attila]

Two more Bristow Pilot losses, I'm afraid.

John Whale, former Royal Marine pilot crossed the bar on 28th July, 2018, Big C, I believe.

Dave Duncan, former Royal Marine pilot crossed the bar on 9th November, 2018, lung disease, hardening of the alveoli.

RIP

[DavidCg]

EP-HAK came to me on the Sofiran contract on Lavan Island. We ended up with a great mix of aircraft. WS 55, Alouette 111 and Jetranger.
We used to fly the Al 111 to Dubai each week for a crew change.

Dave Smith also came to Lavan for a while and he and I were on Rashk 1 and watched as the Wadeco 111 had a blowout. That's a longish story!

[DavidCg]

That 205A at Piarco is actually a 204B. The 205s were at Galeota

[DavidCg]

Certainly brings back memories. The engineer with the aircraft when I was I Iran was Frank (Can't remember his surname but he married an Iranian lady) I went up to Zagross for a short while to carry out a 1000 hour check on that old bird

[hico-p]

... and I'm sorry to report two more ex FAA, ex Bristow

Tony Brewster flew west on 19th August 2018 and Nick Wiles very sadly followed on 20th November 2018. RIP

Nick and I shared adjacent stories in Lee Howards recent publication "Wessex Owners Workshop Manual". He survived a main rotor blade detachment!! and mine was a TR drive failure ... both of us very lucky to enjoy another forty plus years on this good Earth.

[Dave B]

Sad, to hear Nick Wiles has passed, he could not have been that old. I was the Chief Engineer in Port Harcourt when he had the blade failure.
We chopped the end off the blade, mounted it in a wooden base complete with the aircraft data plates, and presented it to him.

[Tony Mabelis]

Sad, to hear Nick Wiles has passed, he could not have been that old. I was the Chief Engineer in Port Harcourt when he had the blade failure.
We chopped the end off the blade, mounted it in a wooden base complete with the aircraft data plates, and presented it to him.

That sounds like an interesting story, how about recounting it for us?
Tony

[Phil Kemp]

I'm very sorry to hear about Tony Brewster. As a long time neighbour at Kolombangara at the top of the Ward Hill in Sumburgh, I used to have great conversations with him, and also run into him out hiking all over the place. A very pleasant and interesting gentleman.

For DavidCg, I might take a guess that your colleague in Iran was Frank Brimelow? I read on here once that he was living in Oz now as well.

[JimL]

Very sad to hear about Tony and Nick - RIP.

Jim

[Dave B]

Tony
There is not a lot else to say, except that Westland said that was the only Wessex blade failure they had heard of. There was no technical reason found for the failure. Sods law that of the hundreds of Wessex blades in service, we got that one.
Nick was on the approach to landing when the failure happened, he said that the vibration was so great, that he just drove the aircraft to the ground ,there was only one passenger, a local, who was last seen breaking the 4 minute mile into the medical centre. To my knowledge he was unhurt.
If the failure had happened in the cruise it may have been a different outcome.
As I said, we chopped off the blade from the brake to the tip, and Tony Hobdel mounted it on a piece of polished Nigerian wood. The aircraft was a wright off, so we could salvage the data plates and mounted them on the wooden display.
The only other Westland blade failure I have heard of, was an RAF search and rescue Whirlwind 10 at Leconfield in the sixties, others may know different.

[212man]

Sounds reminiscent of Al Streeter’s B212 blade grip failure. Final to PH IA when one of the lower tangs cracked from one side to the other, leaving the upper tang with all the load. Again, huge vibration and once on the ground it started bouncing itself around on the grass until Al pulled the T- handles. Equally, had it happened much earlier there would have been a very different outcome!

[stacey_s]

Frank Brimlow

[Dusty4501]

I negotiated the contracts with the authorities in Belgrade and Podgorica (formerly Titograd) , Montenegro) for technical support and major work to their Bell 212 & 206 aircraft on site and at Redhill. The 212's were normally test flown by Peter Barnes, hence the English voice.

[Dusty4501]

Hi Dave, you'll know EP-HAK was on the AGIP, Khorramshar contract on exploration work until late 1970. I was there for 2 yrs with Dennis Knight who was replaced by Graham Conway (RIP) plus Ken Kendall, Joe (HJ) Wright (RIP?) Ray Elliot and Dave Smith. Dave took over as CP after Joe Wright became EOC Dave was a brilliant CP and later, as everyone knows, became MP at Aberdeen. Dave & I did a major project together near the city of Qom for French civil engineers building a micro wave station on top of Mt Nazar. I started off on Lavan doing a Check 4 on EP-HAG with John Truslove, Peter Rhodes & Ron Swinn (RIP) before transferring to Khorramshar.

[rogleale]

Hi there all you Gulf veterans.
Looking through some old photos I realised that nobody has mentioned one of the well known characters that showed up on several of them.
Known to all as 'Phil' full name Philipose, the initial N, the name unpronouncable for a non-Indian! I worked with him for years as a friend and would like to know if he is still around. Anybody?
Roger

[Dave B]

Last I heard of him, he was working in Nigeria, I believe he then retired back to India. That was a few years ago.

[stacey_s]

Hi Roger

Sorry to say 'Ken' Phililpose passed away some trime ago, memory prevents me from remembering exactly when and why, I last saw him in Nigeria at Eket when I had him working for me on a work party many years ago (early 90's??).

[SASless]

Ken was very much a Gentleman and a darn good Engineer.

I always enjoyed. his company!

[Owl 83]

Old memories...
Met Ken in Dubai back in ‘74.
He had his hands full with all us new kid pilots.
Had not thought of him in ages.
Thanks to Stacey and Ralph for their memories.

[Ainippe]

Just a memory from years back, Ken arrived at our house having just flown into LHR. He hired a car to drive down and was stopped by the police near Crawley for supposedly having a rear light out. The copper knock on his window and Ken wound down the window and without saying anything handed him his Indian Driving licence. The copper then subjected him to 2 minutes of abuse about “Effin Indians ” “ wogs” etc etc and finished his tirade with threatening to get his car impounded.

Ken waited a minute then said “ thank you very officer - would you like my UK driving licence?” in perfect English, said copper got back in car without saying another word and disappeared- clearly worried he was going to get done for discrimination,!!

Ken thought it was highly amusing

[twinstar_ca]

Desperate times do call for desperate measures!!! :}:}:D

[SASless]

A bit of a change since I flew with the Ox, Marcus, and Dave on the 58T's!

At least Bristow seems to finally be hiring based upon "Looks" as compared to back then!

[Tail-take-off]

Just had a horrific image flash through my mind of Ox & Sparky in thongs 😮

[SASless]

Ox....Thong!

Some sights once imagined just cannot be un-imagined!

I still laugh thinking of all those Smoked Salmon Sammies he handed up to me upon realizing they were not boiled Ham, Mayo, and Bread.

Had he tweaked to me ordering them over the radio....I would not be here to tell the story.

[industry insider]

You'd be wearing thongs on your feet in Australia (flip flops).

Barbados wrote:



“We have always known that Bristow is just better than the other helicopter companies because, well, it just is” said a senior BRS Australia management spokesperson from his Darwin office. “We can’t understand why clients don’t realise this and are not more willing to pay our premium rates to help improve the stock price” added the spokesperson. “I shouldn’t reveal our plans but between us, the S-92 flight attendants are just the first of many innovations coming to Bristow”. Other measures are understood to include performance based pay for pilots using hand scanners so that pilots will be paid according to how many times they touch their joysticks in flight.

LOL

[Too Cloudy]

Latest EO for the S92 in Broome


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/img_0947_ef386b1c3d2ac55b4b284231dd0c30833f4589a0.jpg

[Brother]

Most of Broome is having a laugh at BRS expense over the skimpy girls going for a 92 flight. I hear its not worked out well for some of those involved though. bit silly taking the girls on an air test. i bet the client is impressed.

[212man]

Most of Broome is having a laugh at BRS expense over the skimpy girls going for a 92 flight. I hear its not worked out well for some of those involved though. bit silly taking the girls on an air test. i bet the client is impressed.
if true it would seem a number of people skipped the ‘decision making’ section in their CRM courses!

[SASless]

I see a Strike looming....when the Pilots realize the Flight Attendants are making more money on Tips than the Pilots are in wages!

[griffothefog]

I still have the memories of transmission oil dripping on my head...

[Fareastdriver]

Getting back to Aberdeen. Last month I went to Graham Lee and Keith Gates Funerals. I didn't know Keith that much but during my time at Aberdeen Graham featured a lot.

PiC Teeside, Chief pilot S76A, Tiger, then Yarmouth and China and Stornoway.. As an engineer said when I told him. "He always had a smile on his face."

[SASless]

Griffo......just old fashioned Sikorsky Pomade....slicker then Dapper Dan!

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

I'll never forget flying LHS with Peter Morgan on a double Beryl day when a passenger tapped me on the shoulder to tell me water was dripping from the cabin ceiling.

Without batting an eyelid he pressed the PA and announced that refreshments were being served in seat 1A. Never a dull moment with Peter !

NEO

[212man]

I'll never forget flying LHS with Peter Morgan on a double Beryl day when a passenger tapped me on the shoulder to tell me water was dripping from the cabin ceiling.

Without batting an eyelid he pressed the PA and announced that refreshments were being served in seat 1A. Never a dull moment with Peter !

NEO
One of his less controversial ones then. Not quite like the ‘“OIld Man of Hoy on the left hand side, and some xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx on the right hand side” announcement he made flying over Orkney one day!

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Oh Yes, and when asked what service we required en route to the Beatrice responding to Lossie radar with "Room Service please". We were on a line check with Brian Backhouse crumpled into the jump seat, me RHS with my head in my hands.

He got 6 months P1 U/S for that and couldn't care less.

NEO

[industry insider]

Oh Yes, and when asked what service we required en route to the Beatrice responding to Lossie radar with "Room Service please". We were on a line check with Brian Backhouse crumpled into the jump seat, me RHS with my head in my hands.He got 6 months P1 U/S for that and couldn't care less. NEO

I don't remember Pete Morgan but sounds like a very amusing character.

A line check with Brian Backhouse, ahhh yes, I remember those ones where the RNAV would mysteriously fail at SHD and not come back on line until the Thistle, working like mad with DR calculations and radios.

[Fareastdriver]

SHD and not come back on line until the Thistle, working like mad with DR calculations and radios.

Never a problem: I just tuned into the Consul at Stavanger which gave me distances to go. That was the first time he had heard about it.

Before your time Brian.

[SASless]

I used the Consol Station as well....when leaving the Ekofisk headed back to Teeside.

Then the ILS Localizer....and Sea Buoys leading to the Commercial Ship Channel as Radar Markers.


https://atchistory.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/consol-navigation-aid-1966.pdf

[SASless]

WRT to the 'lump' on the seismic 212 (which was used for the Prakla contract in Iran I believe) I suspect that the lump is the counterweight for the probe, but wait to be corrected (SAS do you have any ideas?)

"Thridle" asked that of me.....sorry to say I have no idea what that object might be as I was exiled to the Bush on Alouettes that were usually in very remote places.

The aircraft parked on the pipeline in Egypt was placed there by Gaza Sarkosy following an engine failure at a high hover required during takeoff. Just a few months ago, over a couple of large glasses of fine Scottish Whisky he told me the story when he visited the Goose Bay Tea House.

He still haunts places in Trinidad and he is very much enjoying his retirement.

[soggyboxers]

The bulge in the tail boom of the Prakla Seismos seismic survey 212s in Iran was not a counterweight to the MAD boom; it was a ground wave radiation detector. We had a sky wave radiation detector immediately behind the centre console, just forward of the electronics operator’s station and the ground wave detector was in a box which bulged out of the starboard side of the baggage bay. They both had to be calibrated to check background radiation at the start of every survey flight.

[DavidCg]

Hi Phil. Thanks yes it was Frank Brimelow. I wonder where he is in Oz

[DavidCg]

Gee, there are names from the past. I knew most of them. Worked with Graham Conway in Trinidad 1995 to 1997. We also set up radio stations on the top of mountains. These were for triangulation in the disastrous saga to find a lost sub sea completion well head that eventually became Rasht 21

[DavidCg]

Do you remember Kebab up at Zagross. We got him for a BBQ but no one had the heart to do him in so he grew to about the size of a horse before he was run over by a truck. He used to eat the tech logs and any thing else if you didn't watch him.

I remember Kebab well. He grew up with the small gazelles that kept the grass short on the seep sides of the helipad. Kebab thought he was a gazelle too and would try and bound up the slopes like them only to roll down again and woe betide anyone who was silly enough to bend over through the door of one of the helicopters as, if he spotted you, you would be butted!!!

[msh212alo3]

can you explain it?

[TUPE]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/fd581d16_0927_4864_a53b_cdc4c301a6a8_8725509ae3ae6b8e2df36b6 45d7e5ae4cb66b4eb.jpeg

[Jarrod Driedger]

Cannot find my old best friend Ronan Le Roi who is Katell’s brother.. if anyone is in contact with Katell still might you please ask her to look me up on FB perhaps? All the best- thanks
JD

There are indeed two different Yves, a Le Roi and a Le Roy; both in the helicopter business. Interestingly I know both of them, and Katell is about 50 feet down the hallway from me at Vector Aerospace in Langley - although I am more typically somewhere else in the World! ;)

The Kuala Trengganu Yves Le Roy can be found on Facebook however.

Belated Happy Birthday for Christmas Day!:D




[Tail-take-off]

Suggest that you message Phil Kemp directly

[thechopper]

Hans Holle left all burdens behind on December 10th, 2020

RIP

[industry insider]

That's very sad. I spent may hours with Hans in S-61Ns flying out of Aberdeen. Hans had an amazing and slightly wicked sense of humour and us young sprog co pilots used to look forward to flying with him. RIP HDH, you were a top bloke.

[osbormj]

My dad, Ken Osborne, passed away last June, 2021. I was just curious if anyone knew him and could pass along some pictures or stories. Thanks.

[SASless]

Your Dad and I crossed paths several times....never flew with him.

I do not have any photos of him unfortunately.

He was a good guy....and had a great sense of humor.

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

[Tail-take-off]

My dad, Ken Osborne, passed away last June, 2021. I was just curious if anyone knew him and could pass along some pictures or stories. Thanks.

PM sent

[Droopy]

Does anyone have contact details for the family of Jackie and Helen Gorman? I'm having a clear out and found a rather nice photo of Helen from Miri 1984.

[Nick Strange]

I worked with Ken in Iran in the late 70,s on Seis4 operation. Great guy and looked after his crew.

[ericferret]

Hi All

This I think is a big ask after so much time has passed. We are looking for photographs of Bristow Whirlwinds and Wessex operating from Tetney in Lincolnshire as well as any other relevent photos.
This would be circa 1964-197?.
Any leads gratefully received as would be any stories. We are in contact with a local man who flew many times from Tetney in this period.
Started as a local farm boy who got an offshore job as a deck hand and ended up as a senior driller for B.P.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/40-years-of-north-sea-oil-1071896

Just a taste of what was going on in those far off days, stolen from elsewhere on this site.

“On at least three occasions, by their skill and bravery, Bristow pilots have saved rig crews in dire peril. Early in 1968, when the Ocean Prince was being pounded by hurricane force winds, Captain Robert Balls flew out to the rig from the Bristow base at Tetney, near Grimsby - a distance of 100 miles - in a Westland Wessex 60 and, loaded with the minimum of fuel, transferred the 45 members of the crew, in three trips, to another rig 20 miles away. Captain Balls was later made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, and the citation read: "....... but for his initiative, bravery and splendid airmanship, the members of the Ocean Prince crew would have probably lost their lives". Just as the last group was lifted off, the helicopter platform collapsed and, soon afterwards, pounded by mountainous seas, the Ocean Prince sank.”

[helispotter]

Hi All

...Just a taste of what was going on in those far off days, stolen from elsewhere on this site...

“...Early in 1968, when the Ocean Prince was being pounded by hurricane force winds, Captain Robert Balls flew out to the rig from the Bristow base at Tetney, near Grimsby - a distance of 100 miles - in a Westland Wessex 60 and, loaded with the minimum of fuel, transferred the 45 members of the crew, in three trips, to another rig 20 miles away...”

That was enough to make me look for more material on this loss. Here is one with some images:

https://budsoffshoreenergy.com/2023/08/21/the-sinking-of-the-ocean-prince-1968-and-the-heroic-north-sea-rescue/

Sorry, too young and wrong country to be able to help with the requested photos. But I wonder what the nostalgia thread on PPRuNe, and sites like airliners.net and AirHistory might reveal with an advanced search?