Bristow Photos [Archive] - Page 4

Rosh

9th Mar 2009, 00:12

Some pics taken while having a refam on the 332L, in Malta. :)

G-BMCX was then prepped for the ferry flight across the Med to Tripoli for the night, and onwards to Benghazi, Libya.

Feb 2009.

Training in Malta

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07899.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07894.jpg

Al Findlay and Daryl (aka Denzel) Kelly taxiing.
(Smoke is in the background, not from the No 1)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07906.jpg

Valletta, Malta

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07853.jpg

Silema, Malta in the background.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07917.jpg

Malta Luqa International

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07872.jpg

Sundown

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07891.jpg

Engine out (Nothing to do with me.). Al Findlay, Les Milton, Ian Shields, Mike Stearn.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07888.jpg

All set for Libya.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/rjaypalan/DSC07843.jpg

Tail-take-off

10th Mar 2009, 10:33

Upland Goose

G-AVKS engine failure after take off practice by Dick Tudor which resulted in a puzzled look by Mike Lightfoot (HP7) when the helicopter hit the ground and decided to slice the tail off.

Oviously repaired as it was sold by BHL in 1983 & is still flying in France as F-GDPD.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-AVKS001.jpg

Upland Goose

10th Mar 2009, 11:05

Tail Take-Off

Yes G-AVKS was repaired quickly and was put back on the line. Uniquely, she had two "horizon lines" painted on the bubble, as I think one of them was original and did not match our other Bell 47's.

All in the interests of standardisation - not that I would have noticed!

UG.:rolleyes:

flyer43

10th Mar 2009, 20:54

Oviously repaired as it was sold by BHL in 1983 & is still flying in France as F-GDPD.

In fact it had to go through an even greater repair scheme in 1981. In the very early days of my time as a commercial instructer, I let my student impose substantial damamge to that helicopter at the end of a practise EOL!
Windsheer at about 150ft caused a dramatic increase in the rate of descent - yours truly reached for controls at same time as student applied very harsh flare, putting tail rotor through the ground! The rest of the ride was quite exciting!
I still have the largest remaining piece of the tail rotor as a momento.
And to save any of you out there the effort, it was entirely my fault - a case of leaving things just that little bit too late! However, we both survived. I did another 3 years basic instructing and my student completed his CPL/H.

TipCap

16th Mar 2009, 20:45

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/Scan10004.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/Scan10005.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/Scan10006.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/Scan10007.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/Scan10011.jpg

SASless

16th Mar 2009, 20:56

AM wound up in the surf off Lavan or Kharg did it not. Someone tried to lift it with a 212 but could not as I recall as it was full of water after one of the floats had broken off.

TipCap

16th Mar 2009, 21:10

Dead right SASless. The pilot concerned recounted to me the story of "AM". Iranian Helicopters got a few hours out of it after Zagross before making like a boat. Never flew it with floats, just ski's. The ex Elivie B204, EP-HAN had floats and was based on Lavan. Never flew the Lycoming engine 204 before but because I had 204 on my Iranian licence, albeit the R-R Gnome engined one, it was OK for the Iranian CAA so I just got into it with the checklist and off I went!! Haven't things changed these days

parabellum

18th Mar 2009, 09:55

Anyone able to recount the full story of the 'evacuation' of Bristow Helicopters from Iran when the Mad Mullah took over? I heard it was an incredible feat of organisation and John Willis played a considerable part in it. Would appreciate hearing more.

forget

18th Mar 2009, 11:08

... the 'evacuation' of Bristow Helicopters

Pick up a copy of 'Whirlwind' by James Clavell. If you ignore, in the first half dozen pages, the sound of a Jet Ranger engine going 'putt putt putt' it's a great read. Very factual and well researched, the Tehran office Mr Fixit is called 'Hotshot' - and it's Fred Saraffian to a T. :eek: Anyone who spent that time in Iran will recognise others.

The first I knew of the 'escape' - I'd left Bristows some two years earlier and was wandering around the outside of Dubai airport. Through the wire I spotted Bill Barnet loading 212s into a Lufthansa 747F. I got the full fascinating story - through the wire - from Bill.

Here's the book.

Alibris UK: 9773728955 (http://www.alibris.co.uk/booksearch.detail?S=R&bid=9773728955&cm_mmc=shopcompare-_-base-_-isbnUK-_-na)

parabellum

18th Mar 2009, 23:48

Thanks Forget, I'll follow that up.

HOGE

19th Mar 2009, 00:21

Leading from the Front: Bristow Helicopters, the first 50 years, by Andrew Healey (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leading-Front-Helicopters-Revealing-Hardcover/dp/0752426974)

This has a chapter on the Iran affair.

Upland Goose

19th Mar 2009, 20:40

Whilst working in the Channel Islands, I bumped into Alan Bristow on the apron, having just arrived in his King Air.

His mission - to do a few holds and ILS's with his pilot wife just to blow the cobwebs away!

More importantly, he said he came down to Guernsey regularly to take James Clavell's widow out for a nice lunch at the La Fregate restaurant,

My, how he had mellowed from his swashbuckling days at BHL.

UG:)

P.S I noticed the other day that King Air was up for sale. Sadly, it looks like the legendary Pelican has finally become grounded - I guess it happens to us all one day. Not too soon for some of you, I hope.

SASless

19th Mar 2009, 21:47

http://www.faasquadron.org.uk/2003yeoh1.jpg

Do you refer to this young fellow?

flyer43

19th Mar 2009, 22:02

That's the bloke what still owes me a pint!! Where did you spot him?

SASless

19th Mar 2009, 22:13

The piccy came from a Fleet Air Arm gathering.....I snitched the piccy from their site.

A Bristow news letter has another photo from his birthday with a teenaged blonde thing smiling at him.

He is a real helicopter pilot in all regards!:ok:

flyer43

19th Mar 2009, 22:18

Now, that reminds me of some other stories about him. However, since this is only a rumour network I can't share that information here....... :mad:

leading edge

20th Mar 2009, 06:29

Unfortunately the "Old Man" is very sick these days and although he needs constant medical attention, he still has his temper in tact....it will be the last thing to go!!

Pofman

20th Mar 2009, 20:56

SASLESS #796

Don't like the shirt but the correct tie.:ok:

Phil Kemp

20th Mar 2009, 23:42

I think I owe that man a beer. A lot of them in fact, because he has bought a lot of them for me in the past.

Thanks Big Al. :ok:

Oldlae

21st Mar 2009, 23:44

This qualifies as a Bristow photo with the Wessex in the background, however, there is another connection, the photograph is of four ARCO executives, the gentleman on the right is the father of Randall Stafford (Bristow Group VP and General Counsel based in Houston). Next to him is Paul Raversies the President of ARCO International at the time. Randy is trying to identify the other two men and to confirm where the photo was taken, probably GY. Has anyone any knowledge of the occasion and names?

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/fchammings/arco3.jpg

TipCap

23rd Mar 2009, 11:22

Yes North denes would be favourite for me. I was based there from 1971 to 1973.

We started to paint the Wessex in the new colour scheme (R/W/B) in 1973 so it could be just before that time

XA290

24th Mar 2009, 19:05

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/SAVE0014.jpg?t=1237920890

Found some snaps of the redhill crew room circa Dec 1989 i think. Most of HP33 and HP34

L-R Miles Davis, Dave Gribben (front) Simon Cotterell, Zul (think thats how you spell it) Matt Arnold, Sinaul Akbar, Andy Beattie, Dave Baines, Steve Bell, John Morley (he was doing prayers that day), Simon Platt, Neil Walter, Ian Scott, Dave Johnson (back) Graeme Hall

TipCap

24th Mar 2009, 22:01

Here's a few more photo that I found hiding in my log books :ok:

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

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

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/WessexND72.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/tiree1.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/tiree2.jpg

Senior Pilot

25th Mar 2009, 00:00

Tip Cap,

Old memories! I had a rubber stamp with the Hargreaves' cartoon on it: and I'm still waiting to have it returned by whoever "borrowed" it :hmm:

TipCap

25th Mar 2009, 00:15

Not guilty this time :D

Just a few photos from my stint with Irish Helicopters SAR in Shannon

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/kernow_lad/irish1.jpg

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/kernow_lad/manning.jpg

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/kernow_lad/irish2.jpg

212man

25th Mar 2009, 01:30

XA, now there's blast from the past! Did you take the photo? I see Tim is missing, or is that his hand and knee on the left....

Mo also, maybe in the Deac's office....:ok:

SASless

25th Mar 2009, 01:34

212man....somehow you don't look right without a bottle of Gulder in your hand instead of the softie.

Thridle Op Des

25th Mar 2009, 06:03

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/Scan10028.jpg

For those who wondered where the Redhill FTS photos went, this was found in a box at Norwich containing all the course photos and photocopied, hence the low resolution. I believe the photos should still be in Norwich, maybe someone could let us know.

I only know two of the members, Matt Ward (third from left) with me here in DXB and a 777 skipper and next to him on the right; David Cameron, now assisting the Sprite drinking member of HP34(?) in BSB. Maybe someone else could help with the other names.

TOD

flyer43

25th Mar 2009, 08:10

Wasn't the one 3rd from the right found guilty in the All England Sheep Dog Trials in 1999?

Reflex

25th Mar 2009, 08:15

Looks like Richard Ward 2nd left.

He's on B757/767 withFirst Choice, now Thompson. He still knows how to fly rotary though!

212man

25th Mar 2009, 09:58

TOD,
The guy on the far left is with CHC I believe, as a director for their African operations, or similar. The guy on the far right is Ahmad Abdullah - our Chief pilot in BSP, and the guy next to him was chopped and is in Eket as an engineer.

Your brother will know the names - he has told me but they escape me!

Regartding the photos, they are now on the wall - as they rightfully should be - in the Bristow Academy in Florida. Sadly, some were damaged beyond repair by leaks I think, so the history is incomplete.

Grumpyasever

25th Mar 2009, 10:16

When the Redhill FTS closed and training moved to the US I understand RPLW sent the "Hall of Fame " to Norwich so that is where it should be found today.
In the HP27 photograph Babajide Adebayo is on the left and Michael Essien is second from the right, these were the first two Nigerian cadets to come to Redhill for the full CAA CPL(H) course. They completed, as I remember, some 25 hours in a Cesna at the old AST Perth before starting in the Bell 47 at Redhill. Babajide eventually went on to great things in Aberdeen but sadly Michael was not cut out to be a pilot. Far right is Ahmad Abdulla who when last I met him was Chief Pilot BSP.
G

212man

25th Mar 2009, 10:26

Grumpy, see my comment above regarding the photos....must be too much Calvados :ok:

heliski22

25th Mar 2009, 11:04

#805

You mean Steve Bell had to learn to fly?

I thought he was born that way!!!!!!

22

XA290

25th Mar 2009, 11:51

Guilty as charged 212 - i took it and yes i think Tim fell off the end!

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/SAVE0017-1.jpg?t=1237981303

HP34 July 1989 (nearly 20 years ago)

Back L-R Dave Baines, Graeme Hall, Andy Beattie, Gordon Crookshanks, Simon Platt,

Front - Sinaul Akbar, Ian Scott, Mo Wilson, Dave Gribben, Dave Johnson

There were a lot of Daves on the course. Nearly had a fourth (Dave Barker) but he had second thoughts after the first day of the course and realised that helicopters were not for him. How he arrived at that decision we will never know as the closest he got to a helicopter was the uniform store in Gatwick.

soggyboxers

25th Mar 2009, 12:26

TOD,

The student on the extreme left is Jide Adebayo who I last heard of in Capetown as MD of CHC Africa after he left Aberdeen. He like Matt Ward, was my student. Next to Jide is Richard Ward who is now flying fixed wing. I last spoke to him when he was about 35,000 feet above me on his way to somewhere slightly more salubrious than my own location at the time. Next in line Matt Ward is now a 777-300ER Captain with Emirates and I had a good evening out with him in Dubai a few months ago. He looks the same as ever. I, however, have gained rather too many of the avoirdupois due to excessive ingestion of red infuriator. The chap with the mop of blond hair was a lazy waster who never amounted to anything :}.

My old one-eyed instructor's assistant, the Chief Barking Instructor, sadly died of the tumour which caused her eye to be removed and was replaced by another Springer Spaniel who was also often taken 'walkies' along with her own randy Yorkie, by the delightful 'Spanners'. I still have a photo of the Chief Barking Instructor going 'walkies' in an R22 with me.

Ah, happy days :)

unstable load

25th Mar 2009, 15:35

Soggy, TOD

Sadly CHC Africa is no longer, but Jide is now with Court Offshore which arose from the ashes of CHCA.

soggyboxers

25th Mar 2009, 15:43

UL,

If you see Jide please send him my best greetings. What's he doing with Court? I used to keep in touch with him whenever I went to UK on leave, but since his departure I've lost touch.

XA290

25th Mar 2009, 16:32

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/GardenShot.jpg?t=1237998363

Ladies and Gentlemen - the bus drivers have arrived!

on the lawn of the White House May 1990

L-R Andy Beattie, Dave Baines, Simon Platt, Ian Scott, Dave Gribben, Sinaul Akbar, Gordon Crookshanks

magbreak

25th Mar 2009, 19:02

we need to talk XA regarding my modelling fee on the photos you've posted :ok:

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu6/magbreak/212.jpg

Dave Johnson and Simon Platt try a 212 for size (G-BGLL for the spotters out there :)) Dave Baines and Ian Scott look on.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu6/magbreak/outwardbound.jpg

Left to right: Sinaul Akbar, Ian Scott, Dave Gribben, (The mad knife instructor rear row), Gordon Crookshanks, Mo Wilson (now Jones), Simon Platt, Dave Johnson (sitting, it was all too much!), Dave Baines, Graham Hall (sitting), Andy Beattie, Pete "the meat".

Tail-take-off

26th Mar 2009, 09:11

Magbreak

That 212 shot looks like a Ray-Ban commercial:E

Tail-take-off

30th Mar 2009, 18:39

Found these on youtube:

UEI6G6nkuSo&feature=related

R9pXIg_5PmA&feature=related

D87iyBSvs_o&feature=related

PMcN1B_483k&feature=related

rbyb5L6BXwM&feature=related

Perhaps Lionel would like to comment on them?

VeeAny

30th Mar 2009, 21:07

Interesting to see that well known aviation expert Jim Ferguson in video 4/5 :ugh:

I know he has done others a disservice as evidenced in several other threads on PPRune.

Tail-take-off

2nd Apr 2009, 20:43

HP30 Course photo.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP30.jpg
Where are they now?

Colin Finnie trgically died along with several other Airtours crew members when the Cessna light twin they were passengers in crashed at Glasgow. Nigel Hoult & Jim Trott are at BA. John Lawn is with Virgin Atlantic. Rowan Greenwood now with the CAA. Nigel Fursland & Mark Reeder I think are still at BHL. Mark Jackson now CHC at Lee-on-Solent recently appeared on "Seaside Rescue" demonstrating nerves of steel while rescuing windsurfers & the like.
Remi Fashanu unknown.
R. Adebisi, S. Pearl & E. I. Efem didn't complete the course

HP31 course photo.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP31.jpg
Where are they now?

Mike Orton is at bmi flying the A320 series. Shukri Yussof was a Shell Brunei cadet & went on to be a Training Captain. Alan Wilkinson & Andy Spencer are now also with Shell Brunei. Robert Osuhor left to join BIH but now flies fixed wing for BA?? Max Hoskins flies an Air Ambulance in the south west. Ian Hooker was killed when G-TIGH crashed near the Cormorant 'A'. Paul Missingbrain-Tuesday & John McIntyre (who probably still hasn't smartened himself up) I believe are still with BHL. Tim Chibbs unknown. Dave Knott left shortly after completing the course & M. Shogbonyo didn't complete.

HP32 course photo.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP32CoursePhoto.jpg
Of those still with BHL Simon Sorrell & Jonathan Huntley are in Aberdeen, Julian (Griff) Griffith-Jones is in Den Helder, Richard Bissell is in Australia & Simon Hornsby also featured on Seaside Rescue.
Ian Steward is with Emirates, Chris Hennigan with Easyjet at Edinburgh, Nick Bill & Andy Rowley are with bmi & Wendy Winnard was last heard of with CHC in Nigeria. Martin Smith didn't complete the course but went on to be a Training Captain & is now presumably with Flybe (via BA Connect).
The un-named course member (front right) is Karen Wilson who got a better offer & left after 3 weeks of ground school, & prior to her first flight, to join BA. Out of spite her name was left off the picture. Karen was replaced by Quentin Mayberry.

Quentin has been seen on TV a couple of times recently (see below)

Experienced helicopter pilot on ditched aircraft | Video | stv.tv (http://video.stv.tv/bc/news-helicopter-pilot-int-190209/)

Interview with former helicopter commander Quentin Mayberry | Video | stv.tv (http://video.stv.tv/bc/news-pilot-interview-nweb-260309/)

SASless

3rd Apr 2009, 02:22

Anyone have a way to get in contact with Hal Bohne?

A former college room mate of his named John Townsley is looking to get in touch.

Townsley was a door gunner on my crew in Vietnam and we get together quite often.

I can relay a phone number and e-mail addy.

Epiphany

3rd Apr 2009, 09:37

TTO,

Tim Chibbs is well known to those of us in the HEMS industry in Australia - say no more.

Lionel Sole

3rd Apr 2009, 19:16

Yes.

that model helicopter is still in Jon Stripling's office and the tail rotor still hasn't been fixed!

soggyboxers

3rd Apr 2009, 22:09

T-t-o,

Richard (Bex) Bissell is now in Nigeria, what is Simon Hornsby (trainset) now doing? Wendy 'Windsock' was actually with both Bristow and Schreiner in Nigeria and was last with CHC in Angola. She's taking a few 'gap years' at present :}. Robert Osuhor is an Airbus Captain with Emirates, Tim Chibs doing firefighting and EMS down under and Remi Fashanu last heard of in Canada.

Tail-take-off

5th Apr 2009, 18:06

HP24
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP24.jpg

HP26
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP26.jpg

HP28
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP28.jpg

HP35
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP35.jpg

HP36
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP36.jpg

HP37
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP37.jpg

HP38
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP38.jpg

HP39
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP39.jpg

Tail-take-off

5th Apr 2009, 18:16

HP40
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP40.jpg

HP41
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP41.jpg

HP42
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP42.jpg

HP43
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP43.jpg

HP45
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP45.jpg

HP46
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP46.jpg

HP48
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP48.jpg

HP49
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP49.jpg

XA290

5th Apr 2009, 18:17

Tail-take-off

Top job. Where have you managed to source all the pictures of the accused?

Can we expect a few more in due course once your scanner has cooled down?

XA

Tail-take-off

5th Apr 2009, 18:19

HP52
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP52.jpg

HP53
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP53.jpg

Thats All Folks....

Somebody give Andy Beattie a medal for that lot:D:D:D

SASless

5th Apr 2009, 19:17

Oni with hair!

Now that is a sight!

T4 Risen

5th Apr 2009, 19:42

What about the last course? HP 54? surely they get a mention?

HOGE

5th Apr 2009, 20:18

Apparently, the big box of photos at Norwich was missing a few courses, so if anyone has a copy of HP33 or HP54, feel free to post it.

soggyboxers

5th Apr 2009, 21:12

TTO,

Many, many thanks for bringing back so many happy memories of carefree days at Redhill FTS, giving many engine-offs and surviving :}

Okon Etuk, aka David Uno-Ekwang, now known as David Uno, I last heard of in Malabo with CHC. O O (Olawale), now Philip Agunbiade is now an Airbus 330 Captain with Thomas Cook Airlines (or whatever it's called now). Akin Oni on the way to great things with Bristow in Nigeria after his recent return from being GM Northern North Sea. Ike Eze tragically died in a B206 crash at Biggin Hill many years ago. Obi (Wanobi) Nwana after being CTC Bell 412 for Bristow is now an aviation advisor for Chevron in Nigeria. Mark Wake sadly died in an S76 accident in the SNS. Whatever happened to Dave Reid after he left Nigeria? Tim Rolfe is the S92 guru with Bristow in Aberdeen, and Tim Glasspool one of the Chief Pilots with Bristow at Aberdeen. I think Gary Queen was last at Lee SAR and David Denman has now given up gazing at pretty sheep at Den Helder and is my Capo di tuto capo on the S76 at Norwich :}. George Santos is Crew Planning Manager? with CHC at Aberdeen at Dapo Oyeleke about to be GM SNS for Bristow. Jamie Jamieson grew a beard and discovered earrings. For any old students or friends whose names I have omitted I apologise, but I've always tried to keep up with movements and have always been so pleased to see how your careers have progressed in so many ways. I hope you've found aviation as much fun as I still do :}

huey

6th Apr 2009, 08:39

Hi,

Anybody know what John Rawlings from HP37 is up to?

Huey

Tail-take-off

6th Apr 2009, 18:45

Anybody know what John Rawlings from HP37 is up to?

John is currently with Virgin at Heathrow flying the A340.

Stinger

8th Apr 2009, 20:55

re: Parabellum's request earlier in March,

"Anyone able to recount the full story of the 'evacuation' of Bristow Helicopters from Iran when the Mad Mullah took over?"

This rather dog eared copy of the Daily Express of 8th May 1979 (front page - no less!) has just fallen out of an old photo album:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TffTJeVZYIE/Sd0OUp-nvLI/AAAAAAAABcU/ktAsqISHBzQ/s640/Daily%20Express%208May79.jpg

Oldlae

8th Apr 2009, 21:29

I got involved by turning up to work at Redhill one Sunday morning, I was the Chief Eng of FTS, I went to the main hangar and bumped into Bill Petrie, I was then told to go home to pack a bag and return with my passport, after arranging for a 206 and pilot, John French and I were flown to one of the Heathrow Hotels on the north side flying over the main runways and put on a flight to Luxembourg. We made contact with Cargolux about meeting one of their 747F at about 2am local. The aircraft arrived and out of the a/c came Jean Dennel, Jack Church, Dick Menhennick and Alan Arckless and they were mightly relieved to see us. In the meantime several trucks from Redhill had arrived and we proceeded to unload the 212's from inside and put them on the trucks ensuring that that the height of the load was below 4 metres because of going under bridges. The 747F had to be turned around by 6am which we managed. We had a bit of a party that night, first time I had frog legs and escargot. Only two rooms were booked at the local hotel so we had the Redhill drivers giving us hot beds, very early the next morning after our party. All the engineers received a £200 bonus except John and I as they reckoned we had already drunk that amount, nonsense! Alan was later offered £200 from the Daily Express for his story but having told the management about the offer he was told not to accept, he left BHL soon after. £200 was a lot in 1979.
Jackie Griffin, Mike Griffin's wife, a contributor to a local newspaper was asked by AEB to write up the story, shortly after her story was produced, James Clavell wrote Whirlwind.

parabellum

9th Apr 2009, 00:15

Thanks for all that info gents.:ok:

Tail-take-off

9th Apr 2009, 07:34

Following "Operation Sandstorm" the 212s arrive at Redhill (pictures from skyweaver):
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/iran212slorries.jpg?t=1239262388

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/212s_redhill_big1.jpg

stacey_s

9th Apr 2009, 13:42

Just before this, myself and another engineer flew from Dubai to Teheran on an afternoon off in the Company HS125 and helped steal all the serialised components of these machines, we even got armed Iranian guards to help us load a Bell 212 Reduction gearbox on board which some wag had labeled with the address, MR C Box, 212 bell street redhill, when I returned to Dubai the same day JT (Johnny Truslove, area manager at that time I believe) and Bob Potts my Chief Engineer asked me where had I been on my day off, Teheran I proudly responded, the answer was not quite what I expected, apaparently I'd gone into a country under revolution leaving my passport behind and not telling anyone I'd gone there, the things you do when your young and proud of who you work for!!!

Oldlae

9th Apr 2009, 21:38

Well done Stace, who was the other engineer? Who asked you to go on the 125? Did you get £200?

stacey_s

10th Apr 2009, 05:40

Having a Senior moment on the name! but I believe he used to drive an Aston Martin DB5 if thats any help?, no one asked me to go, just an afternoon nicking bits from Iran seemed more exciting than an afternoon in the 'Zoo' that day!!!

Tail-take-off

10th Apr 2009, 07:35

The history of BHL is full of anecdotes like this. The company is what it is because of the people who do, & have previously, worked for it. This thread has run & run because of the chracters involved. I hope it continues to do so. Keep the stories & the photos coming.:D

As someone who spends a little time in Tehran, with work, I find the Iran stuff fascinating.

Oldlae

10th Apr 2009, 08:09

Stace,
The only engineer I know who drove a DB5 was a Brian G, if it helps.

Tony Mabelis

10th Apr 2009, 11:28

Stace......Have you checked over your shoulder recently for guys sporting several days designer stubble!

Oldlae

10th Apr 2009, 18:17

Stace...Not Brian G try Barry G. Another senior moment.

Phil Kemp

11th Apr 2009, 00:10

Barry Glover had a couple of Astons. Where is he now?

I'm sure I must know you oldlae, as I was around Redhill all that time and even in the FTS. I think that is Bill Denman doing the Gene Kelley bit there on the top of the 212's. :8

Oldlae

11th Apr 2009, 08:41

Phil,
Check your PM's.

stacey_s

12th Apr 2009, 16:21

Ah yes Senior moment cleared, Barry G, correct Oldlae, Tony I'm always looking over my shoulder and not just for unshaven gentlemen, well thats what comes from a slightly colourful past!!!

Oldlae

13th Apr 2009, 19:15

Wessex at PH after ground resonance 1975.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/fchammings/wessexph.jpg

Don Strange helping to recover, can't make out the other two.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/fchammings/donstrange.jpg.

Tail-take-off

16th Apr 2009, 10:52

Now that skyweaver is ofline I have contacted Dave Edwards & Asked his permission to upload the photos to PhotoBucket. Copies of all the skyweaver pictures can be found here: Skyweaver photos - Photobucket Groups (http://photobucket.com/skyweaverphotos)

Sorry but they are not sorted into any kind of order othere that alphabetically by file name.

The following copyright information is taken from the original website & I guess still applies.
Copyright.
Users may download material displayed on this site for noncommercial, educational purposes only, provided all copyright and other proprietary notices contained on the materials are retained.
The contents of this site may not be used for commercial purposes. However, permission is not required to create a link to the web site or any pages contained therein.

phive

16th Apr 2009, 14:01

Interesting to see the interest in 'Sandstorm' and the finish of our operations in Iran! This is a year of anniversaries as it is 40 years ago that we started the school at Galeh Morghi, and 30 years ago since we fled! Somebody has rightly said that Jackie Griffin wrote down the 'final chapter' of that time in February '79 at AEB's request, and it was then passed to his friend (?) James Clavell who pieced together his book 'Whirlwind' from those notes. Jackie interviewed those of us who had been involved and passages in the book reflect a lot of what happened. There were of course other 'interesting' times not least the final departure from Tehran! We had obtained permission from the DCA at Mehrabad and arranged (without the knowledge of our Iranian staff) with the captain of the 125 to arrive at Tehran at a particular time in the early afternoon. JIW and I then left the office at normal lunchtime and met some British Embassy spooks plus 2 dogs (and Dogfood the cat!) at Mehrabad. The dogs were in travel boxes/cages and the Revolutionary Guards/Customs were interested to know why there appeared to be a space under the dogs! One of the Embassy people said that the dog was very fierce and it was imprudent to investigate further which luckily satisfied the AK47 toting guard. I often wonder what was hidden under the dog! We then joined a very long queue to pass through passport control. I was by now getting anxious that the 125 would have landed, and as we had usually been able to meet the aircraft on the hardstanding the captain would leave thinking that we hadn't been able to make it! He had been asked not to call the office on VHF for obvious reasons! We still had about 30 yards to go to the head of the queue when three armed Guards came along the line checking on people. Luckily I had decided to be in uniform (well - white shirt and epaulettes anyway) and one of them recognised me and asked what we were doing. "Just going to Dubai for a few days with my colleagues!" I said. "You should go to the front" said my best friend, and took us to the desk, grabbed our passports and stamped them. As he was doing this BY, the 125 captain, appeared and said he had been on the point of leaving and thought he'd have a last look for us! So we rushed out, climbed on board and off we went. Never saw the spooks again, and Dogfood ran away from The Zoo in Dubai!! So that for us was the end of Tehran. Sad in many ways to have left behind some of the office people who had been our friends and to whom we had not been able to say goodbye.

Oldlae

16th Apr 2009, 14:11

Re the Wessex at PH I think the two chaps with Don Strange are, on the right, John Baker and Tony Hobday in the centre.

Big Tudor

17th Apr 2009, 22:23

Well jings, crivens and help ma' boab. Is that Rob Torenvlied on HP26? Went to school with the chap, and what a gentleman he was, although the tache was a little too much!;)
Haven't seen him for 25 years, anyone know his whereabouts?

XA290

17th Apr 2009, 23:24

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/untitled.jpg?t=1240010477

HP54 - The Last Redhill Course

In the photo starting Back Row L- R

Chris Ostler - Now flying VIP's in Surrey
Richard Trives (Brother of Rob) - Flying for Dan Copter in Holland
Daryll Kelly - Flying for Bristow International (Maybe Mauritania)
Gus Vatnsdal - Bristow Australia
Guy Holmes - Aberdeen
Rory Stewart - Chief Pilot, Aberdeen
Caroline Lloyd - Now married to a Bristow pilot - Aberdeen
Alan Lewis - S61 & EC155 Training Capt Norwich
Jane McGill - British International Helicopters
Paul Mattinson - Bristow, Norwich

145kts

18th Apr 2009, 20:05

check out Jane McGill !! Foxy chick....

heli-man

18th Apr 2009, 21:18

Married now...

http://www.webgreatbritain.co.uk/falklands/personal/TomJane.jpg

Tail-take-off

19th Apr 2009, 08:24

HP54 - The Last Redhill Course

When would that have been then? I'm guessing 1998 or 99.

I see the thread has passed the 200,000 views & has 860+ replies over 44 pages. When I started the thread I thought I might get a dozen or so photos posted. How wrong can you be? (I notice that the BEA/BIH thread stalled at about 3 pages.)

Please keep scouring your attics & do keep us up to date with recent photos. All of those posted so far are fascinating.

TTO

Barndweller

19th Apr 2009, 08:56

HP 54 started May 1998 graduated March 1999.

School was being closed down round them as they were finishing - very sad.

Last one out switch off the lights!

Tail-take-off

27th Apr 2009, 09:05

G-BBVA Sumburgh 1989.

VA was the interim SAR aircraft at Sumburgh when the contract started circa 1986? Until G-BDOC was modified with the full LN450 fit. However when this picture was taken she was the back up aircraft & flew very little.

She was used, from time to time, for conversion courses. So for a while the majority of the her landings were single engine (either rejected take offs or single engine landings). Here she is being refueled for one of my famil flights with Bill Wood. During my subsequent 1179 & base check, with Mal Harvey, I carried out a reject with a respectable landing. However the tail wheel collapsed. I still maintain that the landing in question was not the cause but I dare say that a number of my practices during the preceeding few days may not have helped.

Anyway VA was AOG for a while until a new tailwheel unit was located in a scrap yard in the USA. I completed my base check in Aberdeen a few days later with Bill Oliver.

One thing I remember vividly about that week in Sumburgh was looking out of my window in the Sumburgh Hotel watching Mal Harvey do a downwind quickstop to the threshold of runway 33.

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

HOGE

27th Apr 2009, 12:09

TTO

Following on from the broken tailwheel, how many tailwheel lock pins did you break in your S61 flying career? One of the ones I sheared is now a much used bottle opener sitting in my kitchen.

Where's Mal Harvey these days?

Tail-take-off

27th Apr 2009, 13:49

HOGE

I cannot recall whether I did or didn't break any tail wheel lock pins. I know it was common for them to be broken. It's likely that I did at some point but compared to the many embarrasing things I have done breaking tail wheel pins is not significant enough to remember.

I heard Mal Harvey had a brain haemorrhage outside the line office in Aberdeen a number of years ago. Someone found him collapsed at the bottom of the steps. Don't know if he recovered or not.

Tail-take-off

27th Apr 2009, 13:59

see link here: http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/371688-alan-bristow-rip.html

http://gi97.photobucket.com/groups/l229/GIVXG4CHIZ/bigal.jpg

ken knight

27th Apr 2009, 17:17

Mal is alive and well and presently living just down the road from me here in Balmedie. Made a very good recovery from the brain op.

Tail-take-off

27th Apr 2009, 18:20

Ken

Thanks, I'm very pleased to hear Mal is well. He was great to fly with, An excellent Training Captain and a real Gent.

TTO

JoeBloggs1999

27th Apr 2009, 20:45

"the Wessex were retired after the Ben Breach G-ASWI accident in 1981 and were replaced by Bell 212s BJJO BJJP and BJJR.

JR met its end sadly with Pip Smith and Tony Liston in 1985 during a night Rowan Crew change to the Cecil Provine."

Minor correction....BJJR met its end in 1984 (I know Tony Liston's widow)

Joe

ssangyongs

28th Apr 2009, 04:58

are those asian are from Malaysia?

TipCap

28th Apr 2009, 07:33

When I was at Lee-on-Solent with SAR, if you broke the tail wheel locking pin for any reason and it was your fault, the engineers made you change it under their supervision ........

HOGE

28th Apr 2009, 08:26

Lucky I never went to Lee-On-Solent then!

3D CAM

28th Apr 2009, 09:02

TipCap
if you broke the tail wheel locking pin for any reason and it was your fault,

It was always your fault!!!!:D
3D

Tail-take-off

28th Apr 2009, 09:25

From the http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/371622-identification-required-please.html thread:

Loweskid

taken in the far north of Scotland on 30th December last year. I was stood on the summit of Cranstackie (just south of Durness) and the aircraft was flying west to east, maybe from the Western Isles (just a wild guess).

http://www.lowefoto.co.uk/konica/301208-2.jpg

Thanks Loweskid

redsarboy

29th Apr 2009, 10:10

Hi,

Could anyone tell me if bristow have any SAR contracts at the moment?

Tail-take-off

29th Apr 2009, 12:27

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01393/bristow_1393931c.jpg

http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/image/Alan_Bristow_3069521.jpg?width=210&height=210

Alan Bristow: founder of Bristow Helicopters | Times Online Obituary (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article6187419.ece)

Alan Bristow - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/finance-obituaries/5245637/Alan-Bristow.html)

Tribute to Alan Bristow | Lasting Tribute (http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/bristow/3069476)

mark one eyeball

30th Apr 2009, 10:49

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the HP20 Course photo? Is it hanging up somewhere??

Tonka Toy

10th May 2009, 10:36

When you've put all this together in a book, I'll buy a copy!!:D

JuanaWhirred

15th May 2009, 17:14

Yes, I remember Peter Peckowski at BEAS. He let me take off a Jetranger once, having myself learned on Brantley B2B, Hughes 300C and Augusta G47. My licence expired in 1979...
I have recently had digitised some old Super 8 movies, and there are a couple of shots of him teaching me, and taking up my then partner...
Interestingly, tomorrow, I am off for the week-end to the Helicopter Museum at Weston-Super-Mare where I hope to use one of their simulators, and see whether I still have the handling skills secreted somewhere in my neural membranes, and who knows, maybe a circuit or two with an instructor...
I have no memory of his smoking, but why would I, pretty much all of us did then...
Hope this is of interest to you...
Yours faithfully
Anthony Hudson

Tail-take-off

29th May 2009, 08:53

http://www.andydale.com/army/falklands/full/The%20Falklands%20Tour%201986%20-%20RAF%20Stanley%20Bristow%20Westland%20Sea%20King%20Helicop ter.jpg
http://www.andydale.com/army/falklands/full/The%20Falklands%20Tour%201986%20-%20RAF%20Stanley%20Bristow%20Westland%20Sea%20King%20Helicop ter.jpg

http://www.11sphinxbtyweb.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/bristow.jpg
http://www.11sphinxbtyweb.co.uk/4957.html

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/74/178676619_a6b1868382.jpg?v=0
Falklands - Eric refuelling at Hill Cove on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23147336@N00/178676619)

mtoroshanga

29th May 2009, 18:26

Great pix, that must have been the one day a year when we did not have horizontal rain and 40 knot fog. Spent nearly 4 years there with a great bunch including Major Tony Coleman, see Alan Bristow funeral. A great chap.

Tail-take-off

1st Jun 2009, 20:55

http://www.breogfjellsport.no/files/pictures/upload/svalbard2004_utklipp5-2_800.jpg
::BreogFjellsport.no - Svalbard - Svalbard 2004 (http://www.breogfjellsport.no/fjellomraade/svalbard/articles.php?s_id=60&articleID=316)

before repaint:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1139560M.jpg

& after:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1107885M.jpg

http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1059243M.jpg

idle stop

2nd Jun 2009, 12:59

The picture of -LJ reminds me of the particularly 'Black Friday' when she was trucked from Redhill for a D Check at Ostermann's in Sweden. It was a day when Tech Services' hangar work at RH was in its death throes, and a number of engineers left that day.
I ferried her back to UK from Arlanda, after doing the CofA flights in Sweden. I was fortunate to have Alan Biles along with me, as just into Germany -LJ threw a MGB Chip warning. Soon sorted, we made it back to Wallop at the end of two very long days: shortish legs as standard fuel tanks only.
The rather lurid green (not a BHL idea!) led quickly to the Army's nicknames for her of 'Huey Green' and 'Kermit'.

Bath Bonnie

2nd Jun 2009, 19:05

Can any one tell me what has happened to oscar Charlie, G-Bdoc, I had a very enjoyable 2 hr flight over Shetland a few years back courtesy of Norman Leask, I do hope she's not been broken up.
thanks
Regards
Terry

Rescue1

2nd Jun 2009, 22:23

Hi Bath Bonnie

"OSCAR CHARLIE" Is still flying out of Den Helda in Holland still doing a great job :D

R1

Wiretensioner

3rd Jun 2009, 08:26

I think you will find its Den Helder dear boy.

Wiretensioner

Bath Bonnie

3rd Jun 2009, 19:15

Thats great news, thanks for that, I hope when it eventually retires it goes to a museum like Weston or Duxford, the work its done and the lives its saved it desrves that.

Tail-take-off

4th Jun 2009, 18:53

I hope when it eventually retires it goes to a museum like Weston or Duxford, the work its done and the lives its saved it desrves that.
I totally agree, however Bristow is a business so when OC is surplus to requirements I'm sure it will be sold to the highest bidder. The reason there are so many Wessex 60s & whirlwinds in museums is that they had no value. I really do hope that OC continues to fly because it strikes me that with the heavily modified config the 4 SAR machines are oddballs & are thus likelty to be broken up for spares.:eek:

squib66

4th Jun 2009, 19:16

BTW What happened to the 206 G-AVII??

Scotsheli

5th Jun 2009, 18:01

Still in Narrrwich I believes my lovely...

Thridle Op Des

7th Jun 2009, 10:22

Ian White sent me the following shots of the fledgling flyers of HP15 (April 1980 to Dec 1980, I know, it should have been in sepia tint to match the era) with promises of more to come later....!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/IanWhiteHP15Photo1.jpg

I believe this is Steve Watts in UK, I seem to recollect it was the only metal bladed G2 we had and there always appeared to be a half inch of manifold pressure missing, not a popular machine for the dual instruction SE confined area.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/IanWhiteHP15Photo2.jpg

70% of HP 15, not sure where the other three were, I think the camera was resting on a rock or something.
Paul Quickly, Tim Collins, Ian White, Keith Mileman, Nick Nack Norman, Mark Cameron, Steve Watts (looking relieved he got back safely from flying UK).

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/IanWhiteHP15Photo3.jpg

The 'Swan' (someone with a sense of humour I guess - those up on the BHL history; can anyone think of any other Bristow Helicopter with a name? 'Proper' ones now, not just the name you wanted to give it in private). A G2 floating past at 'a fast walking pace' in the background.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/IanWhiteHP15Photo4.jpg

The 'Graduashion' from a different angle, apart from some of the proud but perplexed parents in the background we have Andy Edgecomb, Steve Watts, Keith Mileman, Nick Norman & Tim Collins.

XA290

7th Jun 2009, 11:33

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/SAVE0023.jpg?t=1244373021
On the subject of aircraft names -

G-BIMU above conducting mountain flying in South Harris 1991. Photo shoot was for the company calander that year.

The name can almost be seen as "Loch Fyne". A name inherited from its British Caledonian days. After a little incident were the pilot and winch-op allowed it to contact a hill on the north west coast of Scotland during a SAR mission, the chief pilot at the time (who may or may not have had something to do with the blade tip modifications that took place) thought that the aircraft name should be changed. It was named after the hill that it hit!

It was changed to " Stac Pollaidh" pronounced Stac Polly

[IMG]http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/IMGP0104.jpg?t=1244372986

This is Stac Pollaidh

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/SAVE0024.jpg?t=1244373450

This is G-BIMU arriving at Aberdeen airport with a little assistance from the RAF who lifted it out of the peat bog at the bottom of the hill. The Chinook had to stop at RAF Lossiemouth on the way to Aberdeen with a MGB chip warning. It was suspected at the time that it was to allow a photo opportunity next to the yellow competition at the time but no photographs ever surfaced. Perhaps Crab could find some :ok:

All the Aberdeen based aircraft used to be named. The Tigers were named after local fishing ports and the S61Ns were named after Scottish mountains. The aircraft have lost their names following rebranding. Its a shame really as they lose a connection with their locality. There is a new company plan to name the aircraft after any employeee who is currently employed with the company and who has been employed for more than 35 years. Once they leave the company the name is dropped.

I gather that the first S92 in Scatsta is to be renamed " The Glove" as it was his idea :mad:

C.C.C.

7th Jun 2009, 11:36

Some more great shots Thridle Op Des.

As I recall they slowly fitted metal blades to a few more of the G2s, and indeed did we not end up with G5 tail rotors on the back end requiring the battery to be moved forward into the cockpit (previously in the tailboom). That then made the very small Confined Area at Betchworth rather interesting. And it was the South West Confined Area at Redhill that was the harder one but I've seen a 212 & a 412 in there as well.

It looks like the part course shot was on a quite day as four of you are not even in flying suits - I guess the rest of us were flying.

Naming our helicopters has been mentioned again recently. You should remember your 212 conversion at Aberdeen in G-BCMC - 'Desert Fox' - aka the Desert Rat (last known as EC-HFX).

Thridle Op Des

7th Jun 2009, 12:33

Glad you like the photos ccc, as I say there are more lurking around, I believe the number 2 daughter b/f has been detailed with the task.

As usual you are correct, I have always had problems with East vs West :O, we are lucky here in the sand pit, odd numbered flights go West (or is that East?) but if in doubt it seems to be best to engage the AP and let the aircraft find it's own way there.

I don't recollect 'Desert Fox' having its name lovingly hand painted onto it's flanks (wherever a 212 flank is), but stand to be corrected with photographic evidence as long as the date stamp is 1985. Thanks to XA290 for reminding me about the ex BCal 61's, I think the 214ST were also named when they were in the tartan.

As regard the metal blade saga, I seem to recollect that we got the large instructors (if they are reading I will qualify that by saying 'not fat - but large'). where as our buddy trainees seemed to get the 5' 2" racing snakes. I'd prefer a 212/412 into the SW confined area with a twinpac (-3 or -3B) than 24.5" MP - these young un's have no idea etc, etc.

SASless

7th Jun 2009, 15:07

Number "Two" daughter.......you're getting to be an old man there Laddy!

Thridle Op Des

7th Jun 2009, 15:37

Ah I should have made clear - Ian's No2 daughter, not mine, have cat will travel - no daughter, 1 or 2

TOD

C.C.C.

7th Jun 2009, 15:51

Spent some time going through my photos, Airliners.net & GINFO to make the following list.

SK61Ns G-BGWJ 'MONADH MOR', meaning 'Big Hill' (it is a Munro), G-BGWK ‘DUNROBIN’, G-BPWP 'PORTLAND CASTLE'.

AS332Ls G-TIGB ‘CITY OF ABERDEEN’, G-TIGC 'MONTROSE', G-TIGE ‘CITY OF DUNDEE’ G-TIGF 'PETERHEAD', G-TIGG 'MACDUFF', G-TIGJ 'ROSEHEARTY', G-TIGL ‘PORTSOY’, G-TIGM 'BANFF', G-TIGO 'ROYAL BURGH OF ABROATH', G-TIGP 'CARNOUSTIE', G-TIGR ‘STONEHAVEN’, G-TIGS 'FINDOCHTY', G-TIGT ‘PORTKNOCKIE’, G-TIGV 'BURGHEAD', G-BLPM ‘BALMEDIE’, G-BLRY 'PENNAN', G-BMCX ‘LOSSIEMOUTH’, G-BRXU 'CRAIL', G-BWMG ‘CATTERLINE’, G-BWWI ‘JOHNSHAVEN’, G-BWZX ‘MUCHALLS’, G-PUMH ‘GARDENSTOWN’.

BELL 214STs G-BFKN 'LOCH BROOM' (meaning loch of rain showers).

SK76s G-BHBF 'SPIRIT OF PARIS'.

BELL 206s G-AVIG ‘START POINT’.

WS 55s G-AODA ‘DORADO’, G-AYNP ‘CYGNUS’.

Some of the photos online are not clear enough to make out their names.

Hopefully others can add to the list.

PS Could not find any photos of G-BCMC, but it was the spare aircraft on the Brent in 1985, and I'm sure it was named 'Desert Fox' on the pilot's side.

C.C.C.

7th Jun 2009, 16:10

Could not find any photos of G-BCMC
But the 3rd member of our conversion course has done just that. The proof is here in 1981 at Aberdeen:

http://www.abpic.co.uk:80/images/images/1027709F.jpg

soggyboxers

7th Jun 2009, 20:21

C.C.C

Yes, it was always Desert Fox. I did my conversion on it with 'British' Holcroft and Dick Vaux prior to going to Iran. I'll see if I can find some photos of it next time I'm home in August.

fkelly

7th Jun 2009, 20:50

Names..........what's the Gaelic for "This aircraft isn't paid for yet"?

C.C.C.

10th Jun 2009, 14:49

Found some more photos from my days at Redhill.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_01.jpg
George Bedford (Principal, Redhill FTS) looking over the Bozz's (Alan Boswell, Instructor, Redhill FTS) model railway in a briefcase. It is Z gauge, and one of them included a scale size model of 'Harold the Helicopter'.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_02.jpg
Cockpit of Bell 206 G-BAUN (now G-OAMI), used for charter work and visual training. As well as a cockpit out of a museum it was fitted with a Trimble TNL 1000, which I think we got for free when Bristow first ordered the Trimble TNL 2000s.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_03.jpg
Cockpit of Agusta Bell 206 G-AWMK. Long term resident of the Redhill FTS which finished its BHL career after a fuel tank explosion (now G-GAND). I had the privilege of teaching a self funding student for his CPL(H) in MK, and IF was very interesting with a AI which had no pitch datum information (just a moving horizon line, and if you got extreme the words dive or climb), rather a case of 'this is what 5 degrees & 10 degrees nose up & down looks like'!
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_04.jpg
Cockpit of R22B G-BOAM (now De-registered), which was added to the original fleet of 5 R22s in 1989. Very well equipped for IF with HSI, slaved RMI & DME. For IF training we used a fabric screen which fitted between right edge of instrument panel and front edge of right door, together with a hoodwink. Some of my students who cheated by looking up above this IF screen were greated with real IMC to make them look at the instruments!
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_05.jpg
As myself & an engineer held T&T licences it was a simple paperwork exercise to get approval to complete a C of A renewal on Bell 212 9Y-TIJ (now ZJ969).
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Bristow/Redhill_06.jpg
With the loss of the 212s at North Denes, and not always having one at Redhill, we had to chase around the country/world to get training & checking completed. During some days training & checking at Blackpool in 1996 I was asked by the Pilot in Charge to do a days duty to give his other pilot a day off. Here we see G-BWBP (ex 9Y-TFA, now C-FBUC) working for Esso on the Glomar Adriatic XI. This was one of the first contracts to bring in the Drug & Narcotics testing for all staff, now an accepted industry standard. Spent a couple of very pleasant days doing training & checking at Barrow-in-Furness courtesy of some very friendly Vickers staff.

pumaboy

10th Jun 2009, 15:51

Here are what I remember to the names of the Tigers
G-BLPM Balmedie
G-BLRY Royal Burgh of St Andrew
G-BLXR Cromarty
G-BLXS Inverbervie
G-BLZJ
G-BMCW Monifirth
G-BMCX Lossiemouth
G-BMGV
G-BMBV
G-BRWE Tayport
G-BRXU Crail
G-BSOI Methil
G-BTCT Anstruther
G-BWWI Johnshaven
G-BWMG Catterline
G-BWZX Muchalls
G-PUMH Gardenstown
G-PUMI
G-TIGB City of Aberdeen
G-TIGC Royal burgh of Montrose
G-TIGD Newburgh
G-TIGE City of Dundee
G-TIGF Peterhead
G-TIGG Macduff
G-TIGH City of Edinburgh
G-TIGI Fraserburgh
G-TIGJ Rosehearty
G-TIGK Cullen
G-TIGL Portsoy
G-TIGM Banff
G-TIGN Buckie
G-TIGO Royal Burgh of Arbroath
G-TIGP Carnousty
G-TIGR Stonehaven
G-TIGS Findouchty
G-TIGT Portnockie
G-TIGU Branderburg
G-TIGV Burghead
G-TIGW Nairn
LN-OBA
LN-OMI
LN-OLC

This was the AS332L Tiger fleet from 1982 since then a few have come and gone.

MI was never named due to the time the machine was in storage until the time the machine was painted in the new livery as all Tigers adopted the new livery the names of the Tigers was dropped as was the Norsk Machines were never named along with G-BLZJ and G-BMBV as they were leased from Helikopter Service for a short period of time.

Sad to see out of all the AS332L's based at Aberdeen there are not many left :{:{:{

If there is any missing please send me a pm

Tail-take-off

11th Jun 2009, 09:03

I thought some of the 61s were named after Scottish castles. G-BDOC was Tolquhon CastleXplorer - Tolquhon Castle (http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/scotland/tolquhon/tolquhon.php)

CCC
I flew G-BOAM on my HP course but G-BOEV didn't crash until the day before our graduation (I remember it was tucked away in the MT hanger during our graduation ceremony, then of course we all said to our parents & guests come next door & look at what we've been flying - see below)

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

I think G-BRRY replaced EV. (Sorry for being picky):8

pumaboy

11th Jun 2009, 09:52

Don't have all the 61's names or the whole fleet
G-AZCF
G-AZDC
G-AZNE
G-AZRF
G-BAKA
G-BAKB
G-BAKB
G-BBGS
G-BBHL Glamis
G-BBHM Braemar
G-BBHN
G-BBVA Vega
G-BBVB
G-BCLA
G-BCLB
G-BCLC Craigievar
G-BCLD Slains
G-BDDA
G-BDII
G-BDIJ Crathes
G-BDOC Tolquhon
G-BDRH
G-BEKI
G-BEKJ
G-BFMY Diamond
G-BFPF
G-BFRI Braerich
G-BFZC
G-BGWJ Monadh Mor
G-BGWK Cairn Gorm
G-BHOF
G-BHOG Ben Macdui
G-BHOH Ben Avon
G-BHPU
G-BIHH
G-BIMU Loch Fyne
G-BPWB
G-BSVO
G-BXSN

This is the Bristow S61N fleet but as through there life 3 x 61 were taken fom Bcal and were named after Scottish Lochs as the bristow fleet were named after Scottish Castles

I only have names for some of the fleet but if anybody can help with the older machines that were sold off early in their career.

C.C.C.

11th Jun 2009, 19:34

I think G-BRRY replaced EV
Yes, my mistake. Original post edited. G-BOAM was an addition to the original 5 R22s. What was the registration of the demonstrator that ended up on its side with Bill & the Bozz?

Tail-take-off

11th Jun 2009, 21:02

G-BOAM was, when I flew it, in a hybrid colour scheme comprising the standard Robinson red & white (the alternative to the blue & white also available) plus the Dayglo mast fairing & tail areas as in the picture of G-BOEW at the bottom.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-BOAM001.JPG

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-BOEW001.JPG

mazakari

11th Jun 2009, 23:55

Taken on the 1st of June 2009 - AVII's last flight, on her way to her new home. Not a fitting end for any helicopter, but II ?? :{

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/jonnygsxr/DSCF2291.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/jonnygsxr/DSCF2317a.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/jonnygsxr/DSCF2318.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/jonnygsxr/DSCF2339.jpg

maz

TipCap

13th Jun 2009, 22:16

I seem to remember a G-AZNE. That was the one Russ Smith (RIP) ditched off the back of a drilling rig in the North Sea just before I arrived in Aberdeen in 1973

TC

Brilliant Stuff

14th Jun 2009, 15:45

May one ask where the 206 is heading to?

902Jon

15th Jun 2009, 09:30

It is going to the U.S to be broken up for spares. Apparently it is would be uneconomic to try to de-engineer it down to a basic 206B standard.

Special 25

15th Jun 2009, 20:35

How much can it be worth ?? Sending it to America for spares on an aged aircraft ??

Bristow can't be getting a lot for it - I thought the Helicopter Museum idea would have been better.

carholme

15th Jun 2009, 20:41

Isn't G-AVII an Augusta Bell and if so, why would it be going to the US, where legally, it cannot be used for spares.

carholme

HOGE

15th Jun 2009, 20:47

Anybody got a picture of II after the skids collapsed on the dispersal at North Denes back in the early 90's, or a picture of the concrete where some wag had inscribed "G-AVII fell here...."

XA290

18th Jun 2009, 21:09

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/IMGP0005.jpg?t=1245358899

A slightly closer view of an EC225 than normal. It was taken during a formation flypast at Aberdeen to mark the 40th anniversary of the first North Sea crew change.

The Chase aircraft was G-PUMI - the date July 26th 2007.

The date of the flypast was before ATC introduced new wake turbulence separation limits obviously :ok:

SASless

18th Jun 2009, 23:46

Are those "semi-retractable" main gear wheels?

Scotsheli

19th Jun 2009, 21:05

Nice close up of the 225. Now i'll be seriously impressed if someone has a snap of G-BKFN's fly by on its last revenue trip...as i recall no one told engineering it was "incoming!".

TTFD

20th Jun 2009, 10:15

Can't remember if this was it's last revenue flight, but was certainly very close to it. Taken on 20 Apr 2007.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww280/225driver/Helicopters/G-BFKNOffshoreEGPD2004071.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww280/225driver/Helicopters/G-BFKNOffshoreEGPD2004072.jpg

Tail-take-off

30th Jun 2009, 11:37

I think this is a BHL 212 on the left in a non standard colour scheme.
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/9790873.jpg
the photos is titled
Helicopter ramp and Old Bristow Hangar at Khark Airport

& is from Panoramio - Photo of Helicopter ramp and Old Bristow Hangar at Khark Airport (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9790873)

Comments anybody?

parabellum

30th Jun 2009, 14:26

Is that Khark also known as Kharg in the Persian Gulf?

If so, used to be the plum Bristow posting, week on, week off, families in Tehran etc. and you could see the rigs from the heliport!

Took the first AB206 in Iran into there one day whilst doing a round trip to Lavan, one of the engineers used to working on the Series III Whirlwind, (dozens of grease nipples in the rotor head), looked at the 206 rotor head and said, "I can see unemployment staring me in the face"!

stacey_s

30th Jun 2009, 15:31

Both Those 212's belong to Abu Dhabi Aviation, the photo was taken approximately three years ago before the USA put pressure to withdraw from Iran.

Stacey
(ex-Chief Engineer)

Tony Mabelis

30th Jun 2009, 19:08

42 years ago on Das Island, and me 21 years old.....there were 53 grease nipples to be tweeked on each S55/3 rotorhead on the daily inspection....those were the days!!
As they were the only nipples available for tweeking on Das.

Oldlae

30th Jun 2009, 21:23

Tony,
There are only 41 nipples on the WS55/3 rotorhead, 13 on each blade mechanism and one on the azimuth star and one on the scissors, I think you have included the T/R and the TRDS nipples.
And possibly the u/c grease points.

phive

2nd Jul 2009, 19:30

I think that two S58Ts were named Castor and Pollux when being prepared at Redhill. The trouble was that the signwriter spelt Pollux the 'other' way and had to repaint!!! :O

Makiwa

2nd Jul 2009, 22:24

Stacy is correct, these are indeed ADA B-212's. I know since I was flying them and I took the photo. Summer of 2006.

spinwing

2nd Jul 2009, 23:59

Mmmmm ....

......Stacey
(ex-Chief Engineer)

Yeah so sorry to hear about that (whilst I was on leave too!).
:(

You still gunna be around for a catch up in Van 8 in 2 weeks time??

swift313

7th Jul 2009, 00:49

You did a good job by showing all pic and most important, the fond memories. I was in Hong Kong 1 course when the school suffered the first down time in 92. Have you got any of our pic! many Thanks, West WU

Tail-take-off

9th Jul 2009, 10:32

Thanks. I thought it might have been this aircraft but on closer inspection it is not. Incidentally why the white nose? Is it to keep the avionics cooler? If so why not ose it elsewhere in hot climates?

http://gi97.photobucket.com/groups/l229/GIVXG4CHIZ/212_dubai_big1.jpg

Upland Goose

9th Jul 2009, 18:02

The story behind the white noses.

Phil Johns our Avionics LAE held a strong view that a white nose would keep the avionics and perhaps, more importantly, the NiCad battery cooler.

He placed thermo sensitive strips under the black nose and took measurements in the summer. We then painted one nose white and took readings. The ravages of 'gin and time' deny me the ability to remember the difference, however we did paint the others white after analysing the results.

We, in fact, didn't carry too much in the way of avionics in the nose as they were unstabilised ships (straight rods) and panel mounted KX175 VHF Nav Comms. Nevertheless, we did think at the time they looked "cool" UG:cool:

NutLoose

11th Jul 2009, 01:40

Someone on a modelling forum has discovered these and put up the link.......

Lot of images and interesting to boot....... Enjoy

Skyweaver photos - Photobucket Groups (http://gs97.photobucket.com/groups/l229/GIVXG4CHIZ/)

SASless

11th Jul 2009, 04:23

I always got a kick out of seeing this one hung up on the wall in Redhill.....and part of the Bristow Calender.

Shot by Gunter Burmeister in Iran many Moons ago....of all the days... he took this one when I was wearing shoes. Usually shoved me rice paddy go fasty's under the seat until I got out.

http://gi97.photobucket.com/groups/l229/GIVXG4CHIZ/alouette_persia_big1.jpg

mtoroshanga

13th Jul 2009, 12:10

I remember that Alouette well at Agha in 1972/3. I was mainly with the other one at Zagross with the first 212 (S/No. 30504) which we left in Iran when we did a runner. Great foto!!

Tail-take-off

14th Jul 2009, 13:17

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP50.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HP51.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z74/Tail-take-off/HK01.jpg

Tail-take-off

14th Jul 2009, 13:57

the first 212 (S/No. 30504) which we left in Iran when we did a runner.
That would be this one EP-HBJ ex VR-BEG:

http://gi97.photobucket.com/groups/l229/GIVXG4CHIZ/212iran1.jpg

As I recall from the BHL book it was part way through a check so was left.

Were any other aircraft left behind? I recall something about a couple of jetrangers????

Chris9

14th Jul 2009, 14:05

Hello Oldlae,

I wonder if you can help me - I am trying to trace an old friend with whom I lost contact many years ago. His name is John French, and would be aged around 65 now. I know he was working as a helicopter pilot for Bristows Helicopters around the late sixties/early seventies, and your reference is the first I have found which might be hopeful.

If you can help in any way I would be most grateful.

Kind regards,

Chris

Chris9

14th Jul 2009, 14:10

sorry everyone - I haven't got the hang of this yet, and thought I was replying only to the sender of the post (Oldlae). Since what I send seems to be seen by all, can I please widen my appeal, and ask if anyone has news of John French? As stated in my previous post he worked as pilot for Bristows Helicopters in the late sixties and early seventies, and I would love to get back in touch with him.

Many thanks in advance.

Oldlae

15th Jul 2009, 12:59

Chris9.

The John French I knew was an engineer, he had a Wessex in Denmark and started Miri as Chief Eng. He must be over 70 now, he retired to Hampshire.

Ainippe

16th Jul 2009, 06:53

The only John French I knew was an engineer and I believe that he has passed away - couple of years ago.

mtoroshanga

16th Jul 2009, 11:32

This aircraft spent all it time at Zagross so never had the float fit. I believe that is why it was left in Iran. Photo was taken on the Zagross basecamp pad at about 8000 ft. Rig was at 11000' as far as I remember. The highest rig in the world. We did regular underslung loads to it with the 212 and Alouette 3. Load hooker on is Josef, one of the Iranian fitters. I was there for years, with Derek Cook first then as Chief Engineer.

Eket

17th Jul 2009, 23:14

Hi

I just came across this forum and found a few faces from the past .

Im not sure if you guys have heard , But Des Tweedy sadly passed away this year . Seemingly poor Des contracted diabetes , and it sadly got the better of him .

Des was a great bloke ..... I remember getting whiskeyed with him and a few others in house 2 at Asa Akpan , dont know how he made it up the following morning for the first flight ..... but fly he did !!!

Take care Des .....

mtoroshanga

20th Jul 2009, 11:34

I was really sorry to hear about Des Tweedy. Des was a real gentleman and a good man to have around. Knew him well in Port Harcourt days. RIP.

XA290

20th Jul 2009, 12:31

HP 12 - 1978

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/HP12.jpg?t=1248092458

L-R Ken Thompson, Richard Hambly, Graham Chiverton, Simon Wijker, Unknown, Jan Schildkamp, Stewart Roberts, Cor Sanders, Jooles ?, John Hopkins.

mickjoebill

20th Jul 2009, 13:40

That picture of pilot and management taken in the 70s...and all flaring at once :ok:

Such co-ordination is improbable today?

Mickjoebill

Flap 5

21st Jul 2009, 12:19

Those were the days you would dress smartly for the photo!

swift313

27th Jul 2009, 04:01

Big Thanks for the photos! West

K1W1phil

28th Jul 2009, 15:07

Most certainly is Kharg/Khark/Khargh Even the Iranians didnt know how to spell the name properly! while waiting to travel there with Iran aseman from Tehran the sign in the departure lounge changed spelling continually,,, very confusing for a non Farsi speaker! the white heli looks like it has the Logo of Abu Dhabi heli's
Was a shambles when I was there, would have been good in the Bristow days I reckon

Ainippe

3rd Aug 2009, 14:36

I was also in zagross in 1977 with the then CP Harold Palmer, I believe he is still about. I went up there with a 212 for a while before transferring to Seis 4.

Tail-take-off

12th Aug 2009, 18:48

Some interesting pictures og G-BGWK here (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm65/zaher1988-2/s61-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php%3Ft%3D150715%26page%3D4&usg=__nkPV1qf100mfezwgscC4BlJU2zc=&h=698&w=1000&sz=138&hl=en&start=16&um=1&tbnid=9yHHX4ugTuj0NM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbristow%2Bs61%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1). Anyone know the story?

bellboy

13th Aug 2009, 06:38

Probably the aircraft arriving in Lebanon, it's new home I think.

Tail-take-off

13th Aug 2009, 21:07

I'll look out for it on my next trip to Beirut. Is it on contract or has it been sold? I see it's still wearing BHL colours but no company name.

Tail-take-off

13th Aug 2009, 21:23

Just checked G-INFO (http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=BGWK)which lists the owners as:

ABSOLUTE FIRE SOLUTIONS (UK HELICOPTERS) LTD
C/O HOGAN AND HARTSON CORPORATE SERVICES LTD
JUXON HOUSE, 100 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
LONDON
EC4M 8BU

Than exported to Lebanon so I guess it has been sold.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm65/zaher1988-2/s61/IMG_0077.jpg

The same goes for G-BCLD.

Rather bizare BHL acquired G-BDDA (ex BA, BIH, Bond) then moved it on to Lebanon by the same company name.

Any info anyone?

Looks like they are getting one of the ex SAR machines too:
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae152/lebz06/P1060758.jpg

Unless of course they realised after signing the contract that the SAR aircraft are too heavy or too complicated to demod necessitating the sourcing of another aircraft.

HOGE

13th Aug 2009, 21:49

They'll be those limited edition S61Ns with the tail rotor on the starboard side.....

Tail-take-off

14th Aug 2009, 19:56

They'll be those limited edition S61Ns with the tail rotor on the starboard side.....

and doors on the l!:ok:

Thridle Op Des

19th Aug 2009, 12:25

Here are some more photos kindly sent to me by Ian White, the story here is that an Aviation Magazine photographer came up to ABZ to capture some of our finest at work, naturally (!) Ian White and Andy Edgecombe were chosen from the cast of thousands. I think that these were taken around 1986 ish, it appears that it was mid August at the time judging by the weather.

Planning the Mission, empty coffee cup at the ready.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09013.jpg

Andy strapping the beast to his bottom
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09007.jpg

Eng sweltering in the sun, waiting for action
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09005.jpg

Happy Bears boarding (note the happy ground dolly in her wellies)
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09003.jpg

Almost ready for the 'off' to the exotic location
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09004.jpg

The evening return
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09011.jpg

Others in the briefing rooms - maybe others can supply names.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa266/thridleopdes/18-8-09009.jpg

TOD

Tail-take-off

19th Aug 2009, 18:06

Was BHL trying to convince themselves they had more aircraft at the time by painting one registration on one side & a different one on the other?

Sorry to be flippant but I couldn't resist getting that in before HOGE.;)

Fareastdriver

19th Aug 2009, 20:42

The nearest one in the after flight picture is Doogal Douglas. Died of a heart attack whilst working in China. Super chap, an awful lot of people went to his funeral.

XA290

19th Aug 2009, 22:01

Good to see that it's still the same clock hanging on the wall of flight planning in Aberdeen today - 23 years later.

They made clocks to last in them days.

XA

Thridle Op Des

20th Aug 2009, 04:12

For the pedants; don't you remember those delightful double Beryls plus aircraft change?

Ian tells me that it is Simon Wijker behind Doogal.

I'm pleased to see that BHL (whatever cost centre they are called these days) adheres to the 'if it ain't broken - don't fix it' philosophy.

Regards

TOD

Hippolite

20th Aug 2009, 07:28

Double Beryl?

In the early Tiger days, it was double North West Huttons. Combined with the old original seats, it made for a sore botty.

Non-Driver

20th Aug 2009, 08:27

Rather bizare BHL acquired G-BDDA (ex BA, BIH, Bond) then moved it on to Lebanon by the same company name.

Any info anyone?

This machine was never operated by BHL, it was EI-CNL with CHC for many years, working on Irish SAR. It was one of the four machines OLOG bought off Dobbin when he was a bit strapped for cash after buying HS/Bond and this one was immediately leased back. There was another S61 in Brazil and the two 332L's G-PUMH/I which were operated by BHL or subs. The reason it briefly became G-BDDA again was to allow export CofA to Lebanon after CHC had finally handed it back.

pumaboy

20th Aug 2009, 09:43

Bristows had aquired 3 AS332Ls from Helikopter Service LN-OMI ex G-PUMJ and G-PUMH, G-PUMI as well as G-BDDA after the Bond BIH merger

G-PUMH is now in Germany for the Federal Police
G-PUMI is now in Nigeria as 5N-BKJ
LN-OMI is now at Norsk Helikoter
G-BDDA is now in Lebanon

XA290

22nd Aug 2009, 00:42

Some photographs found in the old Aberdeen training school following a clearout.

They were just about to go in the skip. They date from 1981.

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19817.jpg?t=1250901105http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19816.jpg?t=1250900952

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/1981.jpg?t=1250900347

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19811.jpg?t=1250900581

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19812.jpg?t=1250900793

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19814.jpg?t=1250901385

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19815.jpg?t=1250901288

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19813.jpg?t=1250901491

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss319/xa290/19818.jpg?t=1250962315

Phil Kemp

22nd Aug 2009, 01:02

Have those pictures been cut out from wanted posters? :eek:

I remember all those faces when they were youngsters. I was young once too! :ooh: Some good memories of working with all those individuals, and in the case of one or two, of nefarious activities in various locations around the world! :ok:

Mushroom_2

22nd Aug 2009, 11:26

Famous at last. I've finally got my picture on the Internet.

SASless

22nd Aug 2009, 11:31

Just proves Bristow never hired based upon "Looks"!:uhoh:

HOGE

22nd Aug 2009, 23:41

Obviously helped to have a dodgy tache or wacky sideburns in those days!

Tail-take-off

29th Aug 2009, 20:09

I suppose you could just about call what Paul Bentley is sporting a tache but it's not a patch on the Royal Marine issue ones of Donut & Streeter. The tache must be the only bit of the Bootneck uniform that doesn't get handed in when they demob!

C.C.C.

8th Sep 2009, 07:40

It is going to the U.S to be broken up for spares.
I guess that the GPS was not part of the package as it changed that lorry for a flatbed trailer and was seen northbound on the A90 just south of Stonehaven yesterday (08/09/09).

A Gate Guardian for the new Bristow Aberdeen office & simulator complex?

Tail-take-off

8th Sep 2009, 12:51

copied via this thread http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/388113-40-years-sar.html
From the Shetland Times Kieran’s hanging on after 40 years (http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/2009/September/news/Kierans%20hanging%20on%20after%2040%20years.htm)

http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/2009/September/news/Kieran%20Murray.jpg

Photo: Malcolm Younger, Millgaet Media

SHETLAND coastguard’s well known winchman Kieran Murray yesterday (Monday) celebrated his ruby anniversary with the airborne search and rescue service, an unrivalled record.

In a career that has lasted almost twice as long as the coastguard have been operating in Shetland, the 61 year old has taken part in some of the most awe inspiring rescues ever to take place in UK waters.

Joining the Royal Navy at 15 to escape his childhood home of Derry it did not take him long to discover that he wanted to take to the skies…without leaving the sea behind.

“We used to watch the fixed wing aircraft flying past and one day I spotted this little red-nosed helicopter, which I enquired about and was told it was a search and rescue Whirlwind. I thought, I fancy that,” he remembered.

That was back in 1969. Already a navy diver, he trained to join the airborne squad and “the rest is history”.

It was 1983 before the coastguard service was set up at Sumburgh to provide an emergency service for the growing amount of activity offshore, and Kieran was there right from the beginning.

He had started working for Bristow four years earlier and so when they won the coastguard contract he was already part of the team, moving to Shetland with his wife Anne and family.

Kieran has counted the number of lives he has helped save over the 40 years he has been in the job, and it comes to more than 1,000. The number grows to 4,500 when you count the number of folk he has helped in rescue missions.

Of those, the one that stands out above all others came in the darkest year for marine disasters off Shetland…1993.

However it wasn’t the Braer oilspill that he remembers, but the Lunokhods, the Soviet klondyking fish factory ship that foundered off rocks under the Bressay lighthouse on 11 November that fateful year.

“It must have been two o’clock in the morning when we got the call that this vessel was going on the rocks at Bressay. I noticed how bad the weather was when I was driving into work, seeing the junction boxes on the electric poles lighting up because of the salt hitting them,” he recalled.

The southerly wind was blowing at 80 knots, the ship was sinking and there were 56 frightened men on board.

“Visibility was very, very poor and because of the proximity to the rocks and because it was sinking we had no option but to winch from the left hand side, and that in itself is unusual.”

The first lift saw the coastguard crew manage to retrieve all the crewmen who were on the deck, and they were promptly flown to the Clickimin.

On their return an RAF Sea King had already been to the ship and seen no one else on board, so they had left for the lifeboat where there were casualties on board.
“We came alongside and thought, there’s thirty three people there, but they must have gone. Then all of a sudden we saw a flare lit from the back of the boat and they all appeared. We managed to winch them all aboard. It was standing room only.”

That incident has gone down in history as the largest number of people rescued in a single winching operation, and earned the team the American Rescue Crew of the Year award.

The other incident that stands out in his mind was very different. Christmas Day 1995 was the whitest Christmas Shetland has seen in recent years, so white that every road was blocked and the medical services were worried about the very young and old suffering from hypothermia with the power supplies down.

Kieran was on duty preparing for a quiet day when the call came in. “The snow was so deep you couldn’t drive to work, so the helicopter had to come and pick us all up. That day we just flew and flew and flew. We didn’t get back to the hangar for our Christmas dinner until 10.30 at night. That was very a satisfying day.”

Over the years the service has stayed pretty much the same, Kieran says, but the technology has changed.

The old workhorse Sikorsky S61 has been replaced by the highly computerised S92, a sign of the times that he does not feel at home with. “I’m not a computer person,” he admits.

Digital cameras have even taken the shine of his enthusiasm for photography, which has seen many of his spectacular shots from various aerial vantage points published.

Aside from the computers, the job has not changed that much, he claims. Outside the fishing fleet has got smaller, some of the fishing boats have got bigger and there is less work going on offshore, but inside the coastguard everything remains familiar.

It is a job he continues to love, his enthusiasm passing on to his 31 year old son Kieran who now works alongside him as a pilot based at Sumburgh. “You never tire of flying around here,” he says, a smile beaming across his face.

norwyreq

22nd Sep 2009, 21:32

Post deleted due complaints.

bigglesbutler

23rd Sep 2009, 09:10

NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thats scarred me for life now, it's put me RIGHT off flying the 92.

:(

Special 25

23rd Sep 2009, 11:44

That is a pretty terrible image - Is there any explanation as to why three, I believe 'Man-kinis' is the technical term, are issued amongst the Bristow Ferry Flight equipment ??

Thank goodness the Old Man wasn't around to see that !!!

SASless

23rd Sep 2009, 12:21

I heard they wuz RN Tropical survival suits!

T4 Risen

23rd Sep 2009, 14:23

I am never ever ever going to look at "numpty" in the same light again!!! and IM you should know better!!
T4

3D CAM

23rd Sep 2009, 17:03

What an advert for Bristow:eek:! I very nearly spilt my beer!!
There is a future management team if ever I saw one.:D
3D

SASless

23rd Sep 2009, 21:36

There is yet another re-organization taking place....reckon this time they may be cutting right down to the bare essentials if this new uniform issue is any indicator of things to look forward too.

212man

25th Sep 2009, 19:59

I didn't realise Bristow had 92s in Kazakhstan!

Zaphod1

25th Sep 2009, 20:22

I can't believe you deleted that photo - it was a classic everyday picture of life in the rotary world.

Made me laugh that's for sure.

Owl 83

26th Sep 2009, 13:13

Why did you delete that photo? I thought it was funny and showed a sense of humor. As for the "complainers", well enough said.

mtoroshanga

26th Sep 2009, 13:56

Well said Owl, what a bunch of tree-hugging Spotty Richards. A great foto in the true spirit of the old Bristows. What would they say about John Skipper doing @The dance of the flaming A--hole'?

SASless

26th Sep 2009, 15:28

Heck, I thought that photo was a sure bet for the annual Bristow Calendar!

It had to be one of the funniest in Bristow history!

roundwego

26th Sep 2009, 20:20

Don't let the PC police rule over the majority. Bring back one of the best photos I have seen in a long time. Even better than the Trinidad Belle - well maybe not quite !

Senior Pilot

26th Sep 2009, 20:22

There weren't any complaints here at Rotorheads: was it someone who knows you :confused:

Mind you, it was a bit of a shock to the system when the page opened :p

biggestboy

26th Sep 2009, 22:03

Amongst anyone who as ever actually touched the controls of a helicopter - that photo is a classic.

Amongst the pencildickpushers they have no sense of humour.

Enough said!!!!!!

Flap 5

27th Sep 2009, 19:53

What photo?

MamaPut

27th Sep 2009, 20:49

If anyone wants to send me the photo again via PM, I'll post it elsewhere on an alternative venue. Such a classic, fun, amusing photo shouldn't be censored by the killjoys.

Troglodita

28th Sep 2009, 11:07

Mamaput

classic, fun, amusing

You have just given the "killjoys" all the justification they feel they need!

Those clean-cut zealots of the 1000 yard stare make Ayatollah Khomeini look like Billy Connelly (are there 2 x l's?) on mescalin.

We know which side of the hair shirt goes on the inside these days!

Trog

demon_duck

28th Sep 2009, 14:03

How sad.

Bristows used to be a place where people could have a laugh, at others and themselves.

How times change.
:(

SASless

28th Sep 2009, 14:16

Have the Men dance Mr. Christian!:ok:

Fareastdriver

28th Sep 2009, 14:35

Years ago in China somebody used to knock up a monthly skit on the operation. It was titled 'Depressing Journal' after the Aberdeen paper 'The Press & Journal'. It was very popular and nobody minded when one of their innocent remarks was exaggerated beyond recognition in a humourous way.
Redhill got hold of a copy. A terse communication. The will be no unofficial publications at Bristow sites.

End of stories.

SASless

28th Sep 2009, 15:03

At Papa Charlie, the Paragon Contech contract in Iran circa 1975, the windsock was encircled by white washed rocks and the name of the camp (Papa Charlie). One evening, some of the lads changed it to "Here for the Beer". Next day...CP announced that would be changed...and quickly.

He departed for his time off in Tehran....when he arrived it had been duly altered but this time it was the in the form of the universal call for "Uckers".

Upon shut down....he was seen to be in a bit of pique as he hurled and kicked pretty white stones all over southeastern Iran.

He later wound up at Redhill.....wonder if he is the same guy?

mtoroshanga

28th Sep 2009, 19:54

Hi SASLESS you obviously know the humourless talentless wa-kers that brought Bristows into the place it is today in the state of things. A once great company whose name is used to disguise a bunch of clowns who could not riun a KFC stall, which is probably where they came from. What happened after Airlog took over is history now but the Old Man must be rotating in his grave like a tail rotor drive shaft. I spent 34 years with Bristow all over the world and am completely neutral as you may gather. Bring back the old days where a bit of humour made the all the difference.

Saint Jack

29th Sep 2009, 10:40

SASless: Do you, by chance, mean the Prakla Seismos contract in south western Iran. Yes, we did fool around with whitewashed stones at some of the camps but I don't remember the indident you mentioned - perhaps I was on time-off. If you were there you'll be very familiar with flying the Labo around and a cabin full of boxes of dynamite. Or when we operated in the marshes around Khorramshar and the improvised floating landing pads would float away as a result of the downwash on approach and you had to go chase them to land on, much to the consternation of the seimis crew who would have to wade through chest-deep water to get back to the seismic line.

If you were there at the end of that contract, you'll probably also remeber the CP buying the toilet from the German party leader for us to take to the next seismic contract which was a French company with the initials GBS. Very similar work but the food was fantastic.

SASless

29th Sep 2009, 13:36

St. Jack,

Paragon-Contect was a geological survey contract using Alouette III's and JetRangers and the odd Schreiner Lama and was based east of Bandar Abbas out towards the area where Afghanistan and Iran join. It was the first full fledged geological survey of that part of the country and was a Bush Camp in the full sense of the word. Tents, Camel Spiders, thatch roofed building for Engineering, all maintenance done in the open....open pit bomb sight toilets complete with Scorpions...Goat, Egg Plant, and beans for dinner....every night. No heat of any kind during the Winter until New Years Eve when we burned up half the Jet Fuel stash in the Fire Water Pit.

Our big entertainment besides Robbie Duff's sense of humor was flying kites, building hot air balloons, and UCKERS! Whence our changing the rocks to spell out "UCKERS YA F@CKERS" around the Wind Sock.

I made lifelong friends in that camp and enjoyed it more than any place I worked in Bristow. The Black Sardine is the fellow I refer to who went to chunking rocks, later he ran Nigeria then moved up to Redhill.

mtoroshanga

29th Sep 2009, 18:18

SASless Do you remember the Agha contract with Alouette 3s when we lost the toilet and shower module on a rig move with the result we had to go bush and wash in the rig water pool for three months. Then there was the earthquake that killed about 5000 people at 4 o'clock one morning. Joe Ballint and I had one of these two man accomodation portacabins and thought someone had hit us with a truck.

SASless

29th Sep 2009, 18:52

I was assigned to the NAR Rig....I think it was....crew changed out of Shiraz and located in the mountains kinda near Lavan Island. French rig...good food very isolated location...two days of crew changes plus maybe a third day for other reasons but mostly standby.

Also remember an Earthquake that killed almost twenty thousand folks if I remember correctly....near the low camp on the BICC if my alcohol ravaged brain is right. We flew over the village that was worst hit for days and saw Backhoes digging trenches to bury the dead.

Best Contract was theh SAIPEM pipeline....not much flying...and excellent chow....and drink!

mtoroshanga

29th Sep 2009, 19:27

Thats rright,we crew changed out of Shiraz as well. Then I went to zagross which had to be the ultimate. The rig was at about 11000 feet and we had the first ever 212-#30504. great times except when we got socked in on crew change days.

forget

29th Sep 2009, 20:16

The rig was at about 11000 feet and we had the first ever 212-#30504

Et Voila! (Bit risky for a Geordie. :hmm:)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/ZAGROS.jpg

forget

29th Sep 2009, 20:37

Which reminds me SASless, some things stick in your mind and I believe we are acquainted. Outside of the Galleh Morgi hangars one morning; I’d bought my 5 year old son a toy helicopter which worked by pulling a string, rotors spun - and it flew. Worked very well. I’d made a couple of flights and the suggestion was made (I’m sure it was you?) ‘Give it a good yank’.

Pause for effect ------------- ‘And where would I find one?’ :p

As I say - some things stick in your mind. :)

SASless

29th Sep 2009, 21:06

The one time I distinctly remember such an event ....was at the BICC lower camp....Eric Smith was re-torquing the head on the Alouette...sweating bullets he was....sweat rag about his head....Sun blazing down....I strolled by in shorts and flip flops heading for the cool mountain stream with a beer in mitt. I looked up and wanting to be of some assistance and deeming moral support appropriate....uttered those very words.....to be told in Reply...."Did not know there was such a thing!" Insulting fellow....pure near spilt my beer in shock and dismay.

Please to recall....one cannot expect much from a Race of people that try to make Salt Water Tea.

mtoroshanga

30th Sep 2009, 11:12

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.

bellboy

1st Oct 2009, 12:52

Was Kebab a pilot or engineer?

Fareastdriver

1st Oct 2009, 13:00

If he chewed tech logs he must have been an engineering goat.

Troglodita

1st Oct 2009, 14:21

Forget

Noticed the Bermudan registration on the 212 and just wondered how many of us are still lurking around who held a Bermudan licence from the old days

Ken Smith got me mine by return of Telex much later than those photos in 1985 to ferry the 212's which avoided the revolutionary guards down to Nigeria.

Caused a bit of confusion with ATC in the middle of the Sahara who seemed to suspect all was not above board with strangely registered helicopters passing through their remote back yards!

Trog

js0987

1st Oct 2009, 15:32

Bristow's Abu Dhabi operation used Bermudan registered aircraft. I always thought Bermuda was to aircraft like Monrovia and Panama were to ships. - flags of convenience.

Speaking of the Bermudan CAA, I fondly recall an inspection by one of their inspectors in Abu Dahbi. Someone put up on the wall a "wanted poster" - an American wild west tradition that our British collegues found fascinating - with a picture of Alan Saunders proclaiming: Wanted by the CAA for falsifying paperwork." Needless to say when JT (John Truslove) saw it, he went ballistic not to mention paranoid that the inspector might have seen it. Evidently the inspector never saw it and JT relaxed later at the concrete bar.

mtoroshanga

1st Oct 2009, 18:36

Forget
Youve made my day, I was there with many good boys including Ken Foster who I believe is no longer with us . When I get home will look out some pics.
Kebab was a goat.We had an enormous dog as well, can't remember his name.
Regarding VP registrations, when I went to Morrocco with a 204 and an Alouette I got my 204 licence in the post, I had never seen one but no problem.

parabellum

2nd Oct 2009, 00:38

Seem to have mislaid my Bermudan pilots licence, issued by post in 1968 but did come across my first Iranian temporary permit to fly, also 1968, issued in Teheran by the Iranian Ministry of Roads!!

SASless

2nd Oct 2009, 01:03

I value my Upper Volta Commerical License .....number 29 I think it was.....will have to dig it out of the Attic. I flew every single one of the helicopters in the country....all three of them. Later followed by Iranian, Bermudan, Indonesian, British, and Nigerian particulars in addition to my US license. One looks like a credit card, one is still tied with string, the other comes in a very, very, very expensive white booklet, and the rest are paper or cardboard.

Saint Jack

7th Oct 2009, 07:54

Perhaps this isn’t quite the correct place to post this but I believe it will interest a lot of current Bristow and ex-Bristow people out there. The recent tragic earthquake in Indonesia, centered near the town of Padang, brought back a lot of memories.

My first posting after joining Bristow was the Rio Tinto Operation at Padang in the early 70’s where the crew were; Chunky Lord (CP), Klaus Linke, Yves Le Roy, Keith Wilkinson (CE), Roger Tingley, Mike McCormack and Martin Boardley. Over time, others that came to the operation were Bill Pollard (who replaced Chunky as CP), Chris Dillon, (who replaced Keith as CE) and Chas Newport (who replaced Chris as CE). Another name I remember as an engineering leave relief was Pat Bolt.

The helicopters were a couple of 206A’s (one Bell and one Agusta if I recall correctly) that were fitted with water-methanol injection to improve performance. Another 206A had been involved in an accident prior to my arrival when, taking-off from a stream, it is believed the rear of one skid got caught under a rock and flipped the helicopter over. No one was hurt but the helicopter was written-off.

Another name that comes to mind is Barry Newman (is that correct?), who was the Area Manager based in Jakarta. He was flying to Padang on a Merpati Airlines Viscount that tried multiple approaches into Tabing in bad weather but then crashed into the sea off Padang killing everyone onboard. The helicopters would also occasionally have difficulty getting into Tabing during bad weather, pilots had to be very mindful of the high ground surrounding the airport on two sides. To make the situation worse, the people at the airport tower had a strange habit of switching off the NDB in really bad weather thinking that nobody would be flying in conditions like that!

This was a seismic operation and all of the work was conducted from temporary field camps. Padang was only a base that was used for maintenance and this was done in the Indonesian Air Force hangar at Tabing Airport. Domestic accommodation at Padang was the Rio Tinto staff house, known simply as ‘The Blue House’ because of the exterior colour.

When the number of people at Padang exceed the capacity of The Blue House, the overflow was housed in local hotels and one of these was the Mariani International Hotel. Now remember, this was the early 70’s and ‘Mariani International Hotel’ didn’t quite match expectations that the name conjured up, but it was clean and comfortable. The hotel was owned by Mrs. Mariani who would meet every arriving flight and ask everyone “Do you need a hotel?” She did this constantly and must have recognized most of us after a while but that never stopped her asking, you couldn’t help but admire her.

So it was with a great deal of sadness that I learned that one of the many buildings destroyed by the earthquake was the Mariani International Hotel. My thoughts and condolences go out to the fine people of Padang and West Sumatra.

Ainippe

8th Oct 2009, 07:24

I was also doing Seismic in Iran in the late 70's at Seis 4 after coming from Zagros. I seem to remember people like Martin Boardley, Malcolm Coppinger, Izzie Freedman, Turkey Heirs(?), unfortunately it has dissolved into the nether.... We moved around a fair bit doing the same thing slinging a Labbo around and tons of dynamite through mountains for Prakla... Ken Osbourne later became CP with Peter Harris as CE or EIC. Eric Smith even came and joined us as well!! A couple of really good fillies there as in Willie Canlas for one.

As life was a bit monotonous we were always playing practical jokes on people - we decided that our CP Ken Osbourne should get up early one morning even though he was due to lay in - we started a Cobra drill in his tent at 5 a.m. to much swearing and shouting. However two days later he then flew a 212 over our tents at 5.30 a.m. and blew us all into the surrounding sand whilst blissfully asleep!! Aaaah those were the days. Gachs Saran - now theres a nother story:ok:

Nigel Osborn

8th Oct 2009, 07:39

Saint Jack

I see you too worked with Chris Dillon. Our families were great friends & sad to say Chris died tragically in West Australia quite a few years ago now.

Dave B

8th Oct 2009, 16:01

Hi everyone.
I have just found this site, and have joined because I can add some history to some of these pictures.
The picture of the wessex and 58T shown on page 27 is correctly stated as being on the Redhill ramp, and I can remember the day very well. The 58T was the first completed conversion, and was being flown by a sikorsky test pilot, who seemed to spend most of his time flying at a high speed backwards.
The 58Ts had been purchased from the German Army, and were flown across to redhill in original Piston engine configuration, by a team of Bristow Pilots. There were some old engineers with misty eyes at the sound of those big double bank radials as the aircraft came in to land.
The first aircraft failed its performance criteria after conversion to the PT6, and Sikorskys only comment was "oh, we thought that might happen". I remember AB stomping around saying "who advised me to buy these things" (the cleaned up version)

I in the mean time was struggling to get the Wessex, G-BAWJ up and running, this aircraft has featured well in this thread, first appearing on page 1, as the one being lifted out of the Indonesian Jungle. We repaired it at Redhill, taking Two years, owing to supply problems.
It was then flown out to Lagos by Jock Cameron, where it received its Nigerian certification as 5N-AJK. It was then flown down to Port Harqourt by I think Nick Wiles. (he of 5N-AIR fame, as one of the few people to walk out unscratched from a main rotor blade failure)

After about 18 months of good service, it was involved in a roll over accident due to ground resonance. The mind plays funny tricks at these times, I was in the office doing paperwork, when I heard the aircraft taking off, and then a large thump, followed by silence, I wandered out to see what had happened, and then went back in the office to carry on work, it was then that it hit me, I thought WTF, and rushed out to find Chief Pilot Mark Wilkins stopping the Nigerian Fire Department from covering everyone in foam. The left hand oleo leg landed up about 6 inches from the left ear of a senior Shell Dutch manager who was sitting in the left hand seat.
John Baker had been on a pair of steps, inspecting a Whirlwind tail Rotor, when a piece of Main Rotor Blade whistled past his head.

The aircraft was again rebuilt in PH by a team under Doug West, and returned to service.

Its final demise was after I left PH, when a tail Servo motor made a break for freedom, and tail rotor control was lost.
If ever an aircraft was jinxed, this was it, though to knowledge nobody was seriously hurt in any of its Three accidents.
Hope this was of interest at not Too boring.