The Rotary Nostalgia Thread

[tjef2808]

Mentioned on here earlier was the accident involving G-BCOT whilst carrying out ground runs and hover checks after maintenance at SEN outside Hangar 2, the home of HH.

It was gone 5:30p.m, pitch black when the aircraft was wheeled out for David Voy to run.

Geoff Dentith and Mary (Can't remember her surname) were the engineers supervising the run and being a mere apprentice I was walking out to my motorbike which was parked by some cars alongside where "OT" was being run on my way home.

As I walked across, Geoff D was alongside watching belt engagement etc when the aircraft went light on the skids, tilted backwards then started to go over to one side and swivel round.

At this point I dived behind a car but heard the horrendous din as the blades hit the concrete. After it went quiet I came out from behind the cars to see "OT" facing the opposite direction, back on its skids, one toe section missing and GD sitting alongside the aircraft.

Poor "OT" was sitting there looking like a palmtree with the rotorblades curled around the mast in an odd fashion.

Geoff D had a thigh injury and IIRC limped for a fair while afterwards but was a very lucky man. David Voy was an absolute star (As he always was) to get the aircraft back on its skids.

As someone else on here said, the three control tubes which went up the mast were twisted I think due to mal-assembly of the swashplate. As the aircraft went light on the skids the control tubes tried to correct orientation giving a massive cyclic input with the end result.

Lucky escape all round, with the "BDKD" incident, BBRS with a couple of scares over London with David Voy and IIRC Steve Forde I never really had a great liking for the F-28A (Sorry Dennis:)) I think we had a loan Enstrom F-28A for a while (G-BALT maybe) which when we returned it to Shoreham a Pitts or something similar taxied into it not long after.

Give me the Bell 47 anyday!!!

[Savoia]

BUCC09: Most enjoybale photos, well done! :ok: Perhaps Griffo will have some recollections of these operations?

Tjef wrote: Oops, sorry but appear to have taken over this thread somewhat with Helicopter Hire stuff. Please say if I have outstayed my welcome!!!
Nonsense! Without such contributions the thread would be dead so (as least from my side) keep posting away! There are doubtless many others in addition to myself who thoroughly enjoy this slice of East Coast British rotary nostalgia!

Regarding BFYA, and as you probably know, she was of course an ex-Ferranti bird.

And regarding BAML .. very little out there on her, just this shot (below) of her wearing 'Heliscott' titles. Do you by chance have an impression of her?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PpKm0K6cOH4/Tr4JF6kYWUI/AAAAAAAAGRg/QeWsZogo9A8/s650/BAML%2525201.jpg

Tjef wrote: Highland Helicopters (Who were they?)
Sadly I don't know but I am hoping that Wiggy will come to the rescue!

[tjef2808]

BAML from what I remember was not a particularly reliable bird and had to be used as HH's own 206's were actively engaged elsewhere. BAML/BAZN were also used on other projects.

The ship Marc Wolfe flew through the building was an Air Hanson ship but cannot remember the reggie. I think some pipework was put on the front of the ship for the scooping up of the wheelchair scene too.

BBCA & BBUY popped up later in my life with Aeromega BBCA as itself and BBUY as HRAY (Then HMPH)

At one stage we had HUMT, HMPH & HMPT all belonging to Mightycraft (Humphrey Walters).

HMPT was a wreck when we bought it (D-HARO Rotorflug) and we took a bunch of components from Martin Pipe's old aircraft and built HMPT on the D-Reg and then exported it to the UK while in the hangar at Stapleford.

I love the 206 and still enjoy seeing/hearing them in the skies over Essex.

[Savoia]

The ship Marc Wolfe flew through the building was an Air Hanson ship but cannot remember the reggie. I think some pipework was put on the front of the ship for the scooping up of the wheelchair scene too.
Details on the ship used in 'For Your Eyes Only' appear in post 44 on page 3 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-3.html) and in post 472 of page 24 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-24.html). The craft is question (G-BAKS) was the personal mount of Lord Dulverton.

BBCA & BBUY popped up later in my life with Aeromega BBCA as itself and BBUY as HRAY (Then HMPH)

Then this shot (not very clear) may bring back some memories:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SLUO3Q-tRIU/Tr4pTbUbUsI/AAAAAAAAGSE/1AybpflyA3w/s800/Aeromega%252520206%252527s.jpg
Aeromega JetRangers at the Westcliff Leisure Centre c. 1980's. G-HRAY (left) G-BBCA (centre) and something else in the brown tones

And an image of Dennisimo's BBUY from her Air Anglia days:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-43mdoDMQfzg/Tr4pTGhJGgI/AAAAAAAAGSI/zl--mcAKTcU/s800/G-BBUY.jpg
Air Anglia Bell 206B as sold by Dennis Kenyon

I love the 206 and still enjoy seeing/hearing them in the skies over Essex.
Don't really enjoy flying the 206 anymore (there are simply too many better craft out there) but she is (for me) one of the most nostalgic birds in rotary history. In the 60's and 70's just about anyone who was anybody had one and I thoroughly enjoy viewing images of JetRangers past!

[wiganairways]

Hi Sav,

Sorry to say that i have never heard of them, though there is a company offering PPL training in a R22, based in Inverness, the web site address leads to adverts, the Bell 47 G-AZVX history dosen't give Highland as an owner, history is, 30-05-72 to 05-11-82 with Helicopter Hire, then 24-01-83 to 03-02-84 with Adela Aerial Services International Ltd, Sherrington, then dereg to Cyprus, whether or not maybe Adela leased it out to Highland Helicopters, anybody know Adela Aerial or what they did?

Wiggy

[wiganairways]

Grand old 109 still hovering about,

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6295110625_2bdfe39a5e_z.jpg

has been with Castle Air since 1989,

floating round Jersey in the Channel Islands on the 30th October, being used to view 'Sand Art' from the air.

also

the last Jet Ranger in the G-A series, has now been deregistered, G-AVSZ was still holding on until this month, although static now, she was still on the register, 1st one now is G-BARP.

Wiggy

[DennisK]

Ah yes ... how well I recall the Pitts incident. I was on my way to White Waltham to pick up Alan Endsor, the MD of RMC's Lesiure and the Thorpe Water Park. Alan was learning to fly rotary as his company RMC had purchased Spooner Aviation. .As we waited on the WW apron, I was watching a stunning aerobatic performance overhead. The Pitts landed and taxied toward us for the clubhouse. It wasn't until he had barely 50 yards to go that I decided the pilot hadn't seen the parked Enstrom, so we hurriedlly bailed out just in time to see the prop slicing chunks out of the Enstrom's nose cone. I think the Pitts pilot was that superb aerobatic guy, Richard Goode, but if not, he will know who was. And G-BALT, serial no 127 it surely was!

Oh and another little oddity. The HH 28A, G-BCOT had the dubious priviledge of being written off no less than three times.

No 1. When I opened the container ex Menominee 'twas sad to see the M/R gearbox had cut loose in heavy seas. The heavy box and smashed into just about every panel of the Enstrom's airframe. Insurers paid out for the resultant TCL

No 2. Was David Voy's night air test at Southend when the three push/pull M/R hub controls had been connected up 120 degrees out of phase. (Yes it can be done!) David must have performed a miracle to keep the old girl on its skids.

No 3. Occurred when Spooner Aviation converted the A model to the turbo-charged C version and used her on its crop spraying contract. Our pilot Derek Alexander was flying under a 33kv HT line in rain when he suffered a 'flash-down' strike. Pilot OK, but G-BCOT was totalled.

Sorry lads ... but sixty-one years and 14,000 hrs in the flying business ensures I've seen more than a few 'happenings' like the above. Best wishes and safe flying to all. Dennis Kenyon.

[tjef2808]

N143AL was the second aircraft supplied from the Lafayette stable of Air Logistics to Heli Hire.

This was used to obtain the necessary operating licence for North Sea Ops but sadly was never used in earnest.

The 212 can be seen in delivery scheme and the HH scheme prior to being registered G-BIDC.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb417/tjef2808/N143AL1-1.jpg

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb417/tjef2808/N143AL2.jpg

[Savoia]

As part of a UK-wide series of 4 experiments during the late 1960’s to evaluate the usefulness of helicopters in normal police work, the North of Scotland played host to one such experiment. Between 21st February and 20th March 1968, RAF Kinloss in Morayshire was the base for a pair of military Scout helicopters piloted by Army Air Corps pilots, with police observers.

The Forces which participated in the experiment, and the officers involved, were: Scottish North-Eastern Counties Constabulary (Insp. Charles Inglis), Ross & Sutherland Constabulary (Insp. Charles Rhoden), Inverness-shire Constabulary (Insp. Murdoch J MacLeod) and Inverness Burgh Police (Sgt Richard Young).

The SNECC HQ Force Information Room at Bucksburn (Aberdeen) acted as Police Control Centre for the experiment and a Police Operations Room at the RAF base was manned by Sgt MacInnes (SNECC) and Constables A Ross (Inverness-shire) and R MacLeod (Ross & Sutherland).

As well as various operational police incidents in which the helicopter participated – which included assisting mountain search and rescue teams - another interesting use was made of the helicopter, as recorded by Inspector MacLeod:

“The Chief Constable of Inverness-shire (Andrew McClure) wished to visit Police Stations at Glenelg, Broadford, Dunvegan, Uig, Portree, Ardvasar, Mallaig and Fort William. Normally a visitation such as this would entail two days at least. However on 15th March 1968, such visitation was carried out in a flying time of approximately three hours, a considerable saving of valuable time”

The comprehensive report produced by Inspector MacLeod illustrated numerous examples which he concluded “The experiment clearly indicated the inestimable value of helicopters to the Police Service”.

Sadly we do not have the names of the Army Air Corps personnel involved but .. anyone with an inkling as to who participated, please do chip in.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SXX9mHHr_pI/TsDuBqT2idI/AAAAAAAAGTU/CsDL9DmSqKM/s576/ScotPol2.jpg
(L-R) Insp M.J. MacLeod, Chief Constable Andrew McClure, Chief Inspector Hugh MacLeod (Sub divisional Officer, Fort William) and Constable Angus Macdonald, at Fort William on 15th March 1968

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uPlDnglwpJ4/TsDt880_1QI/AAAAAAAAGTI/8Pk6VIOCBks/s800/Inspector%252520MacLeod%252520and%252520PC%252520Ross%252520 %252528both%252520Invernessshire%252529%252520in%252520front %252520of%252520the%252520chopper.jpg
Inspector MacLeod and PC Ross (both Inverness-shire) in front of the Army Scout

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cxqf8mXzwtQ/TsDt7XjI-yI/AAAAAAAAGTE/pbQD2bJ8kK4/s720/Back%252520row%252520%252528L-R%252529%25252C%252520Sgt%252520Young%25252C%252520Insp%2525 20MacLeod%25252C%252520Insp%252520Rhoden%25252C%252520and%25 2520Insp%252520Inglis%252520Front%252520row%252520-%252520the%2525204%252520Army%252520Air%252520Corps%252520pi lots.jpg
Back row (L-R), Sgt Young, Insp MacLeod, Insp Rhoden, and Insp Inglis
Front row: The 4 Army Air Corps pilots

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wH6pryoSUpk/TsDt6UcWw4I/AAAAAAAAGTM/5jhPdVXmPsw/s720/RAF%252520Kinloss.jpg
British Army Scout at RAF Kinloss on exercise with the Scottish Police during an evaluation programme in 1968

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TnFkOPlO82I/TsDuAXskypI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/bpI6EC_9zEs/s720/ScotPol1.jpg
(L-R) Sgt Dick Young, Insp Murdo James MacLeod, Constable Sandy Ross, Insp Charlie Rhoden

With thanks to the families of the late Supt. James MacIntyre and of the late Inspector M.J. MacLeod (both of the Inverness-shire Constabulary) for these photos.

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-knR3bnQeSew/TsHp7xPPRtI/AAAAAAAAGUI/KF6qKOKR2Ec/s640/roy%252520bradley.JPG
Roy Bradley with a Widgeon during his tenure as a test pilot with Westland in the 1950's. Prior to Westland Roy had flown with Helliwells and before that with the Fleet Air Arm (1941-46)

[Shane101]

That "Eye of the Needle " Widgeon must surely have been the last airworthy example of the type (Widgeon or Dragonfly) in 1981, very interesting.
Anyone think there were examples flying after this?

[Shane101]

Sav,

Amazing Video! Great to see actual film of APTE from the time and to see how the people lived. Thanks for putting the word out on info on her, looking forward to what else might come back from everyone.

I haven’t seen "The Guard" yet, heard its top notch, though as I now live in London I was surprised to see a giant Irish Garda uniform as I rounded the corner in the tube station

As for pix of Widgeons, here’s a few I dug up, including one on floats. Plus Norman Parkinsons iconic fashion photography featuring G-APTW over Paris in 1960. Plus Ferrantis G-APVD when she was new in 1959 and a private Dragonfly plus a couple more-enjoy.

P.S I would like to reiterate Savs encouragement to all in terms of posting, more the merrier I reckon (hoping this older stuff isn’t too distant to be interesting)


Shane

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384976_10150366127446837_596011836_8712420_1272915086_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166920_10150366131776837_596011836_8712427_854463428_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166920_10150366131811837_596011836_8712428_1645247070_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/166920_10150366131816837_596011836_8712429_859985932_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166920_10150366131841837_596011836_8712430_1096124371_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166920_10150366131851837_596011836_8712431_519525289_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375630_10150366134476837_596011836_8712441_1110527441_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/375630_10150366134486837_596011836_8712442_1384264075_n.jpg

Anyone know the pilot here? Wonder how comfortable or uncomfortable this young lady is!

[Shane101]

After viewing the Pathe clip in the previous page I came across this little gem. John Crewdson, his 47 and its roadgoing helipad!

NEW HELICOPTER (aka MOBILE HELICOPTER and HELIPORT) - British Pathe (http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=547)

[DennisK]

Hi all ... 'this little pic' is one of the HH classics ... In fact an enlarged version of Gill Aldam embracing the Tour Eiffel with pilot John Crewdson at the controls sits proudly on the wall at the Aviator Hotel at Sywell Aerodrome. There's also a published pic of Gill in her modelling heyday posing while enclosed in a cube of ice! (Gill was a film stunt girl tho') And another with John Crewdson hauling a 30ft diameter metal ring as a camera mount. I seem to remember the River Thames is in the background. Regards to all 'Nostalgia' posters. Dennis Kenyon.

[TRC]

Anyone know the pilot here?

Well, it looks like John Crewdson to me.....

[Savoia]

Shane, some fabulous Widgeon images there and how apt that you were able (albeit unawares!) to tie it in with the discussion on John Crewdson. Well done!

Given that we recently looked at G-AWAP it seemed only reasonable to re-post an image from earlier in the thread when (as with the recent photo) she wore Film Flight titles. I received a PM enquiring as to whether I knew anymore about Film Flight .. sadly I do not but, if there's anyone out there who does then, as always, please do chip in! :ok:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ttB9-_e-sF4/TsOvbUsMWlI/AAAAAAAAGVM/J-taVj--OZs/s800/G-AWAP%252520Film%252520Flight%252520Helipixman.jpg
Film Flight's Alouette II G-AWAP at an undisclosed location prior to being purchased by John Crewdson (Photo: The Helipixman Collection)

On the previous page Chopper2004 enquired about a Bell 222 used by Air Hanson during the making of a movie which TRC identified as "Ishtar".

Just to say that the craft used was most likely one of the two below:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9KxNVdbR8Vc/TsOrachhe4I/AAAAAAAAGUs/ykal59Y0UEM/s800/BLSY%252520Blackbushe.jpg
Air Hanson's Bell 222A G-BLSY at Balckbushe c. early 80's

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q1QJL8Zt_sU/TsOraf5Q_QI/AAAAAAAAGUw/voCa_fSbA9c/s640/G-OSEB%252520B222%252520Birmingham%252520Int%25252028%252520Oc t%25252088%252520%252528Paul%252520Massey%252529.jpg
Bell 222A G-OSEB at Birmingham International on 28th October 1988 (Photo: Paul Massey)

The photogrpaher of the image above (Paul) mentioned: "This photo was taken in a bit of a rush as the aircraft arrived just as I was leaving the airport."

OSEB was previously BNDA and went on to be OJLC when bought by John Laing and is now registered to Heron Helicopters c/o the Herne Bay Golf Club and flies as G-NOIR.

[chopper2004]

What about the Widgeons used in the thrillers based on the Alistair Maclean books such as

Where Eight Bells Toll
The pseudo RN SAR Widgeon.

Also was that Alouette II above owned Film Flight, used as the AAC one used in the same film delivering Phillip Calvert (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) to the hq at the opening, or was it a genuine AAC Alouette II?

Caravan to Vaccares

Who owned that French Widgeon flown by the bad guys who delivered our hero into the deadly matador competition at the end?

[TRC]

The pseudo RN SAR Widgeon. Also was that Alouette II above owned Film Flight, used as the AAC one used in the same film delivering Phillip Calvert (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) to the hq at the opening, or was it a genuine AAC Alouette II?


Film Flight are credited here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067976/companycredits) for providing the Aviation Services, so I guess it was one of their Widgeons and one of the Al IIs mentioned somewhere above. Edit: Comparing the photo of the Al II below with that in post 1070, it's G-AWAP.

Caravan to Vaccares
Credited to Helicopter Hire Ltd (so same as above). Graham Hill the F1 driver is credited as playing the helicopter pilot!

[exwessex]

Another McLean adaption 'Puppet on a Chain' also features a very brief appearance by a Film Flights supplied Alouette 11- G-AWAP if memory serves me correctly.

[Savoia]

Chopper2004; No time to respond to this interesting question tonight but .. for now:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K4p-e6dP1RQ/TsQJe15RGaI/AAAAAAAAGWU/weBLRXBKZY8/s400/Eight%252520Bells%252520Alouette.jpg
When Eight Bells Toll Alouette II

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y4F4Cb-st_E/TsQJe5ryW-I/AAAAAAAAGWY/nIcL9aiOA3o/s400/Eight%252520Bells%252520Widgeon.jpg
When Eight Bells Toll Widgeon

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fw_UtZYxIBY/TsQJgeOaaCI/AAAAAAAAGWg/2_dLImeXOD0/s512/Macmillan%252520Widgeon.jpg
Westland Widgeon carrying Harold Macmillan on a visit to the North West flying over the Manchester Ship Canal. According to the North East Aircraft Museum this helicopter appeared in the film "When Eight Bells Toll". The steamer on the Ship Canal is the Steam Ship 'Salford City'. The estuary and mud banks in the background are those of the River Mersey

[chopper2004]

Many thanks Savoia and TRC for the info very much appreciated

[TRC]

Who owned that French Widgeon flown by the bad guys who delivered our hero into the deadly matador competition at the end?

Can't answer that one, sorry.

[Shane101]

Coincidence indeed there by me with the Widgeon-John Crewdson crossover.

Eignt bells- wonder if they really burnt one of the Widgeons! I've seen the film and it doesn't look like a model that they break. Could have been a prop I suppose.

[TRC]

... wonder if they really burnt one of the Widgeons! I've seen the film and it doesn't look like a model that they break. Could have been a prop I suppose..

I reckon it was a surplus/damaged fuselage. It looks too good to be a mock-up to me - even on some modern 'big budget' numbers the mock-ups can be pretty dire. The Huey in 'Sahara' that gets shot down for example, to name just one.

[longbox]

Great pics of the 222's I currently have G-NOIR in our hanger, I have been flying her for the last 12 months and she is fantastic, she is going onto the N reg at the moment and may be having a very distinctive paint scheme applied that all helicopter pilots will know!!

[Savoia]

LB: Might one assume therefore that the craft-noir will live up to her name and sport colours not dissimiliar to those intrinsic to the mammal below?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V2suVFZAwjY/TsT5pwMh7vI/AAAAAAAAGXc/PvfsjWvsVFE/s290/orca.jpg

If so, I hope its not asking too much for you to post an image once she's 'done'!

In post 240 (http://www.pprune.org/5995365-post240.html) from page 12 I relayed a story from the early 80's when my godfather flew the Bell demonstrator N2221W during Ascot week after Bell's then Chief Pilot was instructed by Heathrow to 'give them a call' on arrival at Battersea!

The 222 should have been far more successful than she was but, as we know, early problems with the Lycoming engines, high maintenance costs and that beautiful Bell 'whop' all acted against her.

Happy flying!

[Bravo73]

LB: Might one assume therefore that the craft-noir will live up to her name and sport colours not dissimiliar to those intrinsic to the mammal below?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V2suVFZAwjY/TsT5pwMh7vI/AAAAAAAAGXc/PvfsjWvsVFE/s290/orca.jpg



Sav,

You mean like this?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Airwolf_side.jpg

:E

[1helicopterppl]

Longbox,

The CAA website is quoting de-registration, will she be remaining in UK on N-reg ? at Manston ?

looking forward to pics of new colours/scheme......

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bz7aqGQ4SsM/Tq0n8oRwWyI/AAAAAAAAF7A/5DVRKb9hv4c/s500/DAW%252520Logo%252520-%252520small.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m8Cl9RZjK-Q/TsXt-Qt296I/AAAAAAAAGYY/4iw2J-STauA/s501/Archeologists%252520and%252520Air%252520Force%252520pilots%2 52520check%252520their%252520position%252520on%252520a%25252 0map%252520Panama.jpg
US Air Force S-51 in Panama c. 1950's with archeologists and Air Force crew surveying map

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeR1NkpHulk/TsXt_Vr4eXI/AAAAAAAAGYo/AQAozhMEQyY/s501/Dragonfly.jpg
US Air Force S-51 approaches an awaiting vehicle c. 1950's

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RiuYa3fC-BE/TsXt96UVC5I/AAAAAAAAGYc/5blHfYUBGxU/s600/DF1.jpg
Westland Dragonfly G-AOJV departs Birmingham Airport during the operation of BEA's scheduled passenger service between Cardiff and Liverpool in 1950

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9egZFmfC_AQ/TsXuBX6JEpI/AAAAAAAAGY8/iqq7BzFlEvw/s600/Widgeon%252520APPS%252520Batt%252520July%2525201960%252520BU A.jpg
Claimed as operating for British United Airways (but later operated by Bristows and formerly G-ALIK) seen here at Battersea in July 1960

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fdiGD9wSRY4/TsXuADX76oI/AAAAAAAAGY0/sUFgyzzVpvs/s502/King%252520Hussein%252520pilots%252520his%252520helicopter%2 52520over%252520the%252520gold%252520Dome%252520of%252520the %252520Rock.jpg
The late great King Hussein of Jordan pilots a Westland Widgeon over Jerusalem c. 1950's. As is often the case .. the Widgeon's cyclic appears somewhat distant from the pilot's seat and, in this case, remarkably close to the instrument panel!

[Geoffersincornwall]

Just a bit of memorabilia I stumbled on in the loft whilst looking out old photos. During our 6-week trip to Sarajevo the Castle Air Long Ranger was the only foreign helicopter allowed in the country. It turned out to be a right royal adventure!!! The contract was with ABC and we were to provide camera and sling load capabilities as well as pax transport.

We were obliged to fly with a Jugoslav Army security officer on every trip. At first it was a Colonel but too many trips with the doors off led to some delegation to two young captains. The colonel was so relieved that we had been 'good boys' that he awarded Jerry Grayson the first set of wings he had been awarded (he was a fast-jet jockey) and to me he gave this 'weapons badge'. I was very honoured and keep it safe as a momento of a quite remarkable period. One day the whole story will be told - another chapter in my memoires perhaps??

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6357815563_8467a8cd53_z.jpg

[Savoia]

A delightful memento indeed, well done!

Castle Air .. Long Ranger? Didn't realise they had operated one. Do you recall the registration perchance?

[Zishelix]

It was Air Force and Air Defense Staff&Commanding Academy Badge of the YPA (JNA)... a collector's item now :)

[griffothefog]

Collectors item? So is Geoff these days :E

[76fan]

I believe that Castle Air's LongRanger was G-LRII in 1981

[Geoffersincornwall]

Correct - photo will follow. have I got the nomenclature right?

Longranger with C20B = 206L
Longranger with C28 = 206L1
Longranger with C30 = 206L3

There being no such thing as an 'L2' if I have it right although I seem to remember publicity material referring to the Longranger2. ???

G.

[Savoia]

All correct Geoffers! :ok:

I think it was a 'B' series C28 in the L-1 which, for clarity, was marketed as the 206L1 LongRanger II.

Thanks to 76Fan I see now that LRII went straight from CSE to Castle. :ok:

As you may know, Roy Flood bought his first 206 from Ferranti (G-BAKX) in 1978; I say Ferranti, it was in fact Mohammed Al Fayed's ex-craft which had been managed by Ferranti and which had a Ferranti interior fitted.

Thanks Wiggy (for the post below). :ok:

[wiganairways]

Sav,

G-LRII Bell 206L series II s/n 45249 year built 1979

CSE Aviation Ltd., 18-05-79 to 23-07-79
Castle Motors (Trebrown) Ltd.,Liskeard 20-08-79 to 24-09-81
Castle Air Charters Ltd. 24-09-81 to 14-04-86
Carroll Industries Leasing Ltd., London 14-04-86 to 06-11-90
Carroll Aircraft Operational Services Ltd., Farnborough 06-11-90 to 22-02-91
Air Hanson Aircraft Sales Ltd. 22-02-91 to 30-04-91

to the USA

Still on N reg. as N165BH, Phoenix Helicopters LLC, Wilmington.

[wiganairways]

Sav,

G-BAKX Bell 206B S/N 906 Year new 1973

Royco Group Ltd., Beaconsfield 27-12-72 to 09-04-74
Milord Car service Ltd., London 26-04-74 to 03-11-75
Harrison Helicopters Ltd., Droitwich 03-11-75 to 10-11-75
Harrison Construction (Midlands) Ltd. 10-11-75 to 15-03-77
Genavco Air Ltd., London 15-03-77 to 14-08-78
Castle Motors (Trebrown) Ltd. 15-08-78 to 06-08-79

to Eire EI-BHI

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IwstJGkvTuw/Tq0rcUfPtTI/AAAAAAAAF7g/DIAelo3860I/s200/ac%252520logo%2525201%252520-%252520small.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QD13Mq6hY6o/Tsc5mdplhqI/AAAAAAAAGZk/ei_2TL40Rf0/s502/H300%252520sprays%252520tulips%252520for%252520insects%25252 0and%252520fungi%252520on%252520a%252520tulip%252520farm%252 520Nr%252520Haarlem%252520Holland.jpg
A Hughes 300 sprays rows of tulips to provide protection against insects and fungi on a farm near Haarlem in Holland c. 1970's

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wuOvZrUBB7M/Tsc5l77JVII/AAAAAAAAGZs/fIg6g2D5y2U/s501/helicopter%252520spray%252520insecticide%252520on%252520pepp er%252520field%252520Eastville%252520Virginia.jpg
A wheeled Bell 47 sprays insecticide on a pepper field in Eastville, Virginia c. early 1960's

[RPM AWARE]

Hi chaps, sorry to butt in....

Anyone happen to know what colour Bell 206B G-TILI ( F-GHFN) started life as, in or around 1976 .....or even better, have pics ???
Many thanks:ok:

[Geoffersincornwall]

This is a October 1981 - Andouki Airport, Brunei. The original Brunei-Shell colours. In the background is a Bell 212 on charter from Heli-Services Singapore - 9V-BMB.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6216/6363127807_27b0828ee5_z.jpg



This is PH-NZA on UN duty in Croatia as the UN191- March 1994. We got $100 a day 'danger money' and had a kevlar floor under each seat. Only one bullet hole in 2 years.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6232/6363130529_5dced3c8a4_z.jpg


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6362986795_e26b73e687_z.jpg

[Savoia]

Geoffers, as always, brilliant!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--OqVerpyWyQ/Tssb6DH9TVI/AAAAAAAAGc4/tEo9t8uFV9o/s300/II%252520Logo%252520s.jpg

On page 44 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-44.html) we showcased a Swiss Super Puma belonging to Eagle Helicopters being flown single pilot on the Italian side of the Alps during a lift job - but today, renown aviation photographer Dennis Wüstefeld has kindly contributed his own excellent take of a Swiss Puma:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7CS5NX7P9wI/TsscyWQ_lhI/AAAAAAAAGdU/4dxHdrIOcFs/s720/Swiss%252520AF%252520TH89%252520AS332M1%252520Meiringen%2525 2011%252520Oct%25252011%252520%25255BAxalp%252520Fliegerschi e%2525C3%25259Fen%2525202011%25255D%252520%252528Dennis%2525 20W%2525C3%2525BCstefeld%252529.jpg
Swiss Air Force TH89 AS332M1 Super Puma at Meiringen on 11th October 2011 during the "Axalp Fliegerschießen" (Photo: Dennis Wüstefeld)

Dennis, many thanks for this great image! :ok:

[longbox]

Sorry for a late reply, yes the colour scheme is spot on, I will put pictures of her on, she will be seen all over the UK and I will post up where she will be. She is going onto the N reg.

It is still the only helicopter I know that has that draw to her, where ever you land a crowd forms instantly!

[sycamore]

Maybe it`s just you ,Gary...!

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--nnGQqDuTJ8/TspOKGkn4_I/AAAAAAAAGb8/vxfZOPPjfPM/s200/BiB%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2xoDZIAN8NQ/Tsxt7crdqeI/AAAAAAAAGd4/5jUW7gldLs0/s880/B2%252520G-ARVY%252520Denham%252520April%2525201962%252520%252528Peter% 252520Fitzmaurice%252529.jpg
Brantly B-2 G-ARVY at Denham in April 1962 (Photo: Peter Fitzmaurice)

The image above is one from a collection taken by the late Peter Fitzmaurice and comes to us via Bill Teasdale (who's wonderful work has featured several times on this thread). Bill is now the custodian of Peter's fine collection and has written: "I have recently acquired the photo collection of the late Peter Fitzmaurice who sadly died in an aviation accident two years ago. He was well known for his wonderful photos taken in the 1950's and 60's and it is the wish of his widow, Susan, that we should continue to display his photos where they can be appreciated and of value."

Well Bill, they are certainly appreciated here on Nostalgia! Our thanks to Susan Fitzmaurice and for Peter too .. if he's up there reading this!

Not much on the books about "Garvy", she seems to have been a BEAS demonstrator of sorts. Another shot of her, this time at Oxford, to follow in time to come.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n_C-lLCt4aA/Tsxt7aGnMzI/AAAAAAAAGd8/PpANydBugTw/s720/B2%252520G-ASHJ%252520Elstree%252520Sep%25252064%252520%252528Brian%252 520Nichols%252529.jpg
Brantly B-2B G-ASHJ at Elstree in September 1964 (Photo: Brian Nichols)

Another fine example of a 60's Brantly in Britain - this one from Brian Nichols who has graciously agreed for his work to be displayed here on Nostalgia.

From BEAS (the Brantly distributor) ASHJ went to Francis Wallis of Loughton in Essex in 1967 and from Loughton to Sunderland in County Durham in 1971 when she was bought by Robert Ryan of Ryan Aviation. Her final owner is recorded as Antony Dean of Leeds.

~ ~ ~

Observe the difference in the canopies between the B2 and the B2B. I know it sounds somewhat childish but .. I remain adamant that when I get the chance I am going to ask someone with an example of the original B2 canopy to place a blade over one of the roof 'bubbles' and pull full pitch and then take a photo revealing the clearance between the blade's trailing edge and the top of the bubble! Yes, I know there will be clearance but .. my guess is that it won't be much - especially with a static blade! The things we think .. lol!

For more Brantlys in Britain see pages: 16 through 20, 44 through 45 and 47.

[Geoffersincornwall]

Don't know the background to these but they look interesting and somewhere along the line (about 1968) I 'acquired' them for my scrapbook.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6388536991_15851a5d94_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6388529547_d3633b2b2c_z.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6388526673_a9873abe1b_z.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6388521941_e29c43291a_z.jpg

G.

[Saint Jack]

'Geoffersincornwall' in his Post #1100 commented that he "Don't know the background..." to his photo's, I think I can assist:

1st Photo: They're trees.
2nd Photo: Another tree.
3rd Photo: A field and more trees.
4th Photo: The wall and part of the roof of a large hangar.

Hope this helps.

[treadigraph]

A bit of Eastern European nostalgia...

Back in the late 70s - 1978 if I recall correctly - I saw a Polish (I think) Mi-2 whopping eastwards over this neck of the woods (Croydon). I believe it was in the UK for a while, does anyone recall what it was doing here? It wasn't at Farnborough that year

[1helicopterppl]

Longbox,

should look good then, you keep saying N-reg but what ? N222* ?

[Geoffersincornwall]

I should have been more explicit. I know not the origin or the subject matter of the photos but maybe someone else does, beyond the obvious that the first is a civvy Skeeter and the rest look like the Westland Whirlwind production line at Yeovil circa late 1950s.

G.

[Savoia]

Treadigraph, I cannot personally recall having heard anything about an Mi-2 over south London but there are doubtless others who may.

What I do remember (and I think it was early 70's) was that our Russian friends brought across an Mi-10 (the one capable of carrying a bus beneath it) and solicited a number of prospective clients including Bristows.

Sadly, I've been unable to dig-up anything about it.

[longbox]

Sadly most of the really good 222 N regs have already gone, however there is one that I think will suit all expectations, as soon as the trust is complete I will share with you

[treadigraph]

Did a quick bit of research on Google; the Mi-2 I spotted was SP-SWG and can be seen at this link (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1001392/) on Air Britain's website. Amazing what you can find on line.

I had thought it was here for a month or two, perhaps PZL/WSK used it for a marketing opportunity with the various UK companies while it was here, which might explain its presence over the SE. I don't think I've ever seen another one.

I remember there were some Polish fixed-wing aircraft at Farnborough that year which was around the same time.

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZOkNb6mjizk/TtBtbOJczGI/AAAAAAAAGgc/npiaIGLUbTw/s150/bc%252520logo%252520s.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--HcE79RI1b4/TtBuiU2aOoI/AAAAAAAAGhY/Bvi9b9Apfj0/s800/D-HDCI%252520at%252520Hannover%252520Airshow%25252030%252520Ap r%25252074%252520%252528Peter%252520Nicholson%252529.jpg
MBB Bo106 D-HDCI at the Hannover Airshow on 30th April 1974 (Photo: Peter Nicholson)

On 25th September 1973, D-HDCI (above), the MBB 106 test bed, made its maiden flight. The 106 was intended as a 7 seat derivative of the 105 and sported a wider cabin capable of accommodating 3 seats in front and 4 in the rear.

An uprated transmission was to deliver an output of up to 692shp with a single-engine output of 380shp compared with 636shp and 370shp respectively for the 105.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G3lU-bVFE40/TtBuiP_UzcI/AAAAAAAAGhU/0oXlE894cdQ/s320/bo106_01.jpg
The Bo106 in 'prophetic' pose with MBB's technical team in 1973 revealing slightly EC130'esque features

And ..

Do you remember this:


Griffo wrote: At 90 degree odds with the world! No patient on board .. honest!

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4625-1/SCAN0103.jpg

Well if you enjoyed Griffo's 'at odds with the world' photo I have a couple of Bölkow images winging their way to Nostalgia which you will love!

[Savoia]

From page 41 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-41.html):

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w6P6kkr8wJU/TjLDwwdIJdI/AAAAAAAAEQE/l1xP0nDBepQ/Cranfield%2525202%252520Sep%25252077%252520%252528Peter%2525 20Nicholson%252529.jpg
Bell 206B G-BBCA belonging to Time Aviation seen at Cranfield on 2nd September 1977 (Photo: Peter Nicholson)

This 1973 'B' model 206 was first delivered to Ben Turner Helicopters of Ripley but, most interestingly for me, appears to have been the second 206 in the Hambros Bank stable after G-AWOM. She was registered to Hambros between 1973-77 after which she went on to serve with Time Aviation, Air Hanson, Helicopter Hire and a host of additional owners concluding with Heliflight of Staverton before being transferred to France in 2009. Interestingly, she managed to maintain the same registration despite her many owners.
Now, and with thanks to a contribution from Graham Sparkes, we are able to see her in a pose from 1982:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wNbxmJ5TrKg/TtGxe6i40dI/AAAAAAAAGh8/jT1THRDUEfE/s800/G-BBCA%25252C_AB206B_Jet_ranger_II%25252C_13_Apr_1982.jpg
Bell 206B G-BBCA belonging to Barker's Plant Hire seen at Blackpool's Squire's Gate airport on 13th April 1982 (Photo: Graham Sparkes)

As mentioned above, this craft had a string of owners but is seen in the latest capture while in the employ of Barker's Plant Hire of Newcastle-under-Lyme. From there she moved to Southend (the following year), initially to 'Harvest Aviation?' and then to Helicopter Hire in '84.

For some great Helicopter Hire memorabilia check-out TJEF2808's recent posts on pages 52-54.

To BBCA's right is ex-Bristow Bell 47G-2 G-AXCC and just in the frame is the nose of Agusta-built Bell 206 G-HYDE of Cheshire-based Hyde Tools.

RPM Aware wrote: Anyone happen to know what colour Bell 206B G-TILI ( F-GHFN) started life as, in or around 1976 .....or even better, have pics ???
RPM, your request did not go unnoticed but, as you've probably discovered, there's precious little out there on this craft which seems to have started life in Mexico as XC-BOQ. However, PPRuNe being what it is you never know, someone may well drop in with something satisfying!

[Bob Griffiths]

Sand! It was the same in Dubai and Das! Haven't been on this site for many years but I see you have a few refs from my past. Your brother has been reading them and worked out the why's and wherefore's. I understand you took a trip to Das and visited the Tavern Bar. Trust you enjoyed it. By strange coincidence, I started writing up my ditching near Brightlingsea in 1966 because I found that the man who pulled me out had died last year so I will be sending his family the story that he probably never told them about.

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OcnMtHV-qIQ/TtNzJl5a6UI/AAAAAAAAGjE/0Buz3DxDxDU/s200/ss%252520logo%252520s.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yi-_dHf8xmo/TtN1AXA3XLI/AAAAAAAAGjk/MgkM59bEwC8/s880/Sycamore%252520HR52%252520WG%252520AF%252520LC103%252520Hann over%2525207%252520May%25252062%252520%252528Ken%252520Ellio t%252529.jpg
Bristol Sycamore HR52 LC103 of the West German Air Force at Hannover on 7th May 1962 (Photo: Courtesy of Ken Elliot)

[chopper2004]

I scanned these from shots I took during Paris Airshow 2001, around the Place de l'Concorde, where this was outside the museum.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0018-1.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0016.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0015.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0019.jpg

I think its in the International Helicopter Museum now at Weston Super Mare having been donated by French after it finished its trials?

Cheers

[chopper2004]

Also on the first day of SBAC Farnborough 1998 I got close to the 2nd prototype of the now cancelled :{Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 :)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0021.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0020.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0023.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0022.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/scan0030.jpg

[Brilliant Stuff]

Yupp the 365 now resides at the Helicopter Museum in Weston Super Mare.

[smoth1976]

Gay Absalom is my step-grandmother (my grandfather's second wife) and still lives in Warwickshire.

[Savoia]

C2004 well done, nice images.


F-QWAP Fly By Wire demonstrator

Yes, I can see the wires! :p

Smoth: Welcome to Rotorheads.

We would love to hear anything you might be able to communicate from Gay. Please let her know that my godfather, Col. Bob Smith ex-MD of Ferranti Helicopters is still about (now in his 90's) as I know they knew each other.

I had been saving this clip for when something 'Absolomish' came up; I suppose this would be your great step-grandfather!

British Pathé Clip of Gay Absolom's Father (Rowland) Going to Work in a Brantly (http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=1932)

Rgds

Sav

[Geoffersincornwall]

Not quite sure about feeling nostalgic about this particular extravaganza conducted East of Godhaab (Nuuk) in March 1977. The water temp was close to zero and the air temp -15 deg C. We had to move the ice flows out of the way to launch the liferaft and the wind was a cruel 20 knots so the raft was tethered to the quay so as not to loose it out to sea.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6424634921_dc65eb6ae3_z.jpg

The S61 survival pack contains a 'shotgun/rifle'. This Czech-made 12 bore/7.62 weapon was designed to enable the survivors to protect against Polar Bears and to hunt Ptarmigan and similar game.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6424635645_33d952db45_z.jpg

It was bl***y cold - a 'never again' experience.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6424636991_7c612fc67c_z.jpg

We spent the night in a 25 man raft in arctic grade sleeping bags that are vacuum packed into small bricks and carried as part of the normal kit. Anything left outside the sleeping bag would be frozen solid by the morning so you slept with your boots alongside you and passed a less than comfortable night. Still, when morning came you were still alive despite temps of -20 deg C. You were well enough to gather mussels on the beaches of the Fjord and light a fire.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6424636293_26f88b65a2_z.jpg

G. :)

[DennisK]

It's been too many years since I was able to have a regular chat with that lovely lady and rotary pilot Gay Absolom. (later Gay Barratt) It might not be generally known she was the lady pilot in the 'To the Manor Born' series flying a Spooner Aviation Enstrom ... G-PALS for the reggie buffs! A tall, elegent lady blonde who flew the pants of the difficult old Enstrom Shark I seem to recall. The filming was completed at the Crinkley Bottom 'Manor House' now a hotel. Was it Creech St Thomas or something like that?

In fact I think Gay was the first female commercial heli pilot in the UK. She was certainly flying when I came in to the rotary industry circa 1972! Would love to have some words from her on the thread. Dennis K.

[Savoia]

Great stuff Geoffers! Seem to recall some Air Greenland 61's being shown on this (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/422537-nordic-news-2.html) thread.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Smvhr-uX5-E/TtW7a-QDV9I/AAAAAAAAGkI/42CKMyfJ7ew/s512/British%252520Army%252520Sioux-helicopter%252520aboard%252520HMS%252520Bulwark.%252520Helsi nki%25252C%252520Finland%2525201971.jpg
British Army Westland Sioux aboard HMS Bulwark in Helsinki, Finland in 1971

Quite what the Bulwark was doing in Helsinki I don't know - perhaps they had gone there in an early attempt at cold weather training à la Geoffers!.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JQBXg3tNV6I/TtW7ar8LXxI/AAAAAAAAGkM/lcPXgq9mDfw/s800/WB47G-3B-1%252520G-BFEI%252520Cranfield%2525208%252520Jul%25252085%252520%25252 8Don%252520Hewins%252529.jpg
Trent Helicopters Westland Bell 47G-3B-1 G-BFEI sits in Cranfield's lushous grass on 8th July 1985 (Photo: Don Hewins)

My thanks to Don Hewins for this (and his previous) contribution to Nostalgia. As always, a great photo Don! Note the Schermuly dispenser on the craft's lower rear hind quarter.

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--p9lS5FXwtA/TtciBPDWfDI/AAAAAAAAGlU/wipjJdlSN-8/s200/AN%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aqffDNEYpx0/TtckHOdpIdI/AAAAAAAAGl0/oNxv9R6jBYI/s720/AS350B%252520VH-NFO%252520Schofields%25252010%252520Nov%25252085%252520%2525 28Wolodymir%252520Nelowkin%252529.jpg
AS350B VH-NFO at Schofields on 10th November 1985 (Photo: Wolodymir Nelowkin)

A newly registered VH-NFO attends the Schofield Airshow in November 1985 at HMAS Nirimba.

[Savoia]

Well if there's anyone reading who is planning on buying an aircraft please make sure that you either purchase it from a reputable supplier or, if that is not possible, recruit a capable consultant (one who can refer you to a string of satisfied clients) to manage the pre-buy survey.

I've always said that I wouldn't let PPRuNe interfere with my day job but this was sufficiently long ago not to impinge on the sensitivities of my often persnickety clients:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l6wV6gIGpVg/TixvhJcr5iI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/1XFg-gymNTg/s720/Exterior%2525204.JPG
PPruNer Savoia, with client from the Middle East in tow, conducts a pre-purchase inspection on a GII SP

Most of the planks I conduct pre-buys on involve a two and a half, sometimes three day, affair that takes in the log books and paperwork (one and a half days), flight testing (half a day) and physical inspection (one day). That is aside from the numerous specially ordered inspections which will already have been performed such as borescopes on the engines, x-rays of critical components etc. etc. (all depending on the condition and type of craft).

Granted, my services are not cheap but .. in return the client gets an iron-clad assurance (through the pre-purchase consulting agreement) in which my business is liable for any recourse arising from dissatisfaction which can be attributed to the quality of the inspection. I do not view my guarantee as a risk but an asset because, so long as you are conversant with what needs to be done, the process (while involved) is pretty straight-forward and clients enjoy the fact the your work comes with an assurance.

Sadly, it is always the few corner-cutting non-professionals (across both the fixed and rotary wing industries) who create bad press and cause unnecessary losses for clients who, if it is their first time buying, can become sufficiently disillusioned so as to give-up altogether.

Moral of the story; stick with reputable professionals in everything you do when it comes to aircraft acquisition (and operation). It may cost more 'up-front' but it will even out in the long run and, crucially, insure you against losses such as those written about in the post above.

[Savoia]

Posted on behalf of the Maestro:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ybs1StI1cQ4/Tq0T67Ao50I/AAAAAAAAF5A/U46_3SN2u9E/s701/G-AYTF%252520at%252520Leeds%252520Castle%2525201983.jpg
Dennis 'The Menace' Kenyon with Bell 206 G-AYTF (aka The Dancer) at Leeds Castle in 1983

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9PJSOCGTudU/Tq0T0FhoMoI/AAAAAAAAF5E/D2mcDl-2svw/s883/Skyline%252520Hangar%2525201984-5.jpg
Dennis' hangar at Booker in 1985 harbouring some Nostalgia Thread 'stars' including G-WIZZ and G-CSKY (formerly G-TALY)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--UFqxrpvYJ4/TteQDXIdNcI/AAAAAAAAGms/PDG120Y9xR8/s800/F28A%252520G-BAHU%252520Blackbushe%2525201986%252520%252528Don%252520Hewi ns%252529.jpg
Enstrom F28-A G-BAHU at Blackbushe in 1986 (Photo: Don Hewins)

Based on Dennisimo's previous comments BAHU may have been a 'Presidential' model with its half-covered door (or perhaps this was just painted over!). She was in the Maestro's Shoreham stable in 1972 from where she was sold to Ben Turner. The craft seems to have spent some time in Ireland in the late 70's before being sold to one of Dennis' business partners Peter Millward.

[PANews]

The answer to the earlier question about who made up the army complement of Aerial Peeler in Scotland is extracted from a history of police aviation a free download book on a well known site......

The Scottish task was allotted to 10 Flight, normally based at Carter Barracks, Bulford, Wiltshire.
Four pilots were eventually directly involved in flying the Westland Scout AH1 helicopters in the support mission. Major Maurice Taylor [Lancashire Fusiliers], Captain Jerry Jones [Royal Corps of Transport], Ronnie Matthews [Duke of Edinburgh’s Regiments] and, lastly, Lt. Norman Overy.
Matthews replaced Overy early in March after the Lieutenant was posted elsewhere. Major Charles Wastie, Captain’s Paul Lyle and David Dance shared their time between police flight support and local military requirements using a DHC2 Beaver AL1. To this mixed band of military men Aerial Peeler III became affectionately known as “The Peeping Police Saga”. Their compatriots
were four observers provided by the local police - each held the rank of inspector to ensure the use of the Kinloss Officers Mess although one of their number was actually a sergeant. Charles Rhoden, Murdoch [“Murdo”] McLeod, Charles Inglis and Dick Young, the sergeant. Under normal circumstances police sergeants and constables are only “worthy” of accommodation in the Sergeants Mess.
Also in the police party was Superintendent Alec Findlay, in overall command, and acting as the controller of operations, with a sergeant and two constables manning the Kinloss Control Room

[Savoia]

PANews well done, that was a great discovery and completes the post! :ok:

For those just joining the thread PA is referring to post #1063 (http://www.pprune.org/6806594-post1063.html) on page 54 which talks about a special exercise conducted by the British Army using Westland Scouts conducting evaluation missions for the Scottish Police in 1968.

Thanks to PA we can now complete the crew photo:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cxqf8mXzwtQ/TsDt7XjI-yI/AAAAAAAAGTE/pbQD2bJ8kK4/s720/Back%252520row%252520%252528L-R%252529%25252C%252520Sgt%252520Young%25252C%252520Insp%2525 20MacLeod%25252C%252520Insp%252520Rhoden%25252C%252520and%25 2520Insp%252520Inglis%252520Front%252520row%252520-%252520the%2525204%252520Army%252520Air%252520Corps%252520pi lots.jpg
Back row: (L-R), Sgt Young, Insp MacLeod, Insp Rhoden, and Insp Inglis
Front row: (Order unknown) Major Maurice Taylor of the Lancashire Fusiliers, Captain Jerry Jones of the Royal Corps of Transport, Ronnie Matthews of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Regiments and Lt. Norman Overy

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rrGqa5bSL3M/TtvV9tLy-zI/AAAAAAAAGoY/5t6-VYIjQgs/s800/AS355F1%252520G-TALI%252520Cranfield%2525208%252520Jul%25252085%252520%25252 8Don%252520Hewins%252529.jpg
AS355F1 G-TALI at Cranfield on 8th July 1985 (Photo: Don Hewins)

Just in today from Don .. G-TALY's successor G-TALI visiting Cranfield. When the son of the former pilot (Ken Davies) to the Duke of Westminster signed-up to PPRuNe in order to post evidence of his dad's ferry flight with G-TALY from Frosinone to Fairoaks (together with PPRuNer Geoffersincornwall) he mentioned that the Duke was sufficiently gracious to as to permit Ken to use TALI to visit the PFA Rally.

For those just joining Nostalgia .. this thread began life as the "G-TALY" thread and so we are always thrilled to see both her and her sister TALI. G-TALY can be seen in Dennis Kenyon's photo in post #1123 above wearing the registration G-CSKY.

Both aircraft were named after the Duke's wife, Natalia, a descendant of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0qznhjJ6juM/TuGb5Z4GWRI/AAAAAAAAGos/X9OaMbuVSi0/s180/GG%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tLlC-XUUWEo/TuGcOLocw5I/AAAAAAAAGpM/x7TSVd0G_fE/s723/g-bbhw%252520luton%25252084%252520Anton%252520Heumann.jpg
Westland Gazelle SA341G G-BBHW at London Luton in 1984 (Photo: Anton Heumann)

Delivered from Westlands in 1974 to Bruce Fletcher of Leicester and on to McAlpine's the same year. Bought by MW Helicopters in 1998 when she became G-IZEL and latterly G-WDEV now registered to 'Cropspray Ltd' of Marksbury, Bath.

More Great Gazelles on the following pages: 24 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-24.html), 39 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-39.html) & 46 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-46.html)

[Zishelix]

Savoia, thanks for posting on (always) interesting Gazelle theme :)
My two cents...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gS_FyAntFUI/TuHARD6lxHI/AAAAAAAAAgI/tLFVF5VkQ4I/s600/G_IZEL_May93.jpg
G-IZEL at Faro Portugal 29May93 photo by Pedro Aragao

[Savoia]

Zishelix, it is as though you have risen from the grave! Welcome back.

Wiggy, for you:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-crCtmvii9us/TuLoahtJkII/AAAAAAAAGxs/vm8H3AP9Ib4/s800/EC135T2%252520SPHU%252520with%252520SPAO%252520Glasgow%25252 0City%252520HP%25252027%252520Jul%25252011%252520%252528Udo% 252520Haafke%252529.jpg
EC135T2 G-SPHU (with sister ship G-SPAO) at Glasgow City Heliport on 27th July 2011 (Photo: Udo Haafke)

[Agaricus bisporus]

We (the owner and I) flew IZEL down there from UK in one and a half days via somewhere in Normandy, Biarritz and Madrid Quatro Vientos (nightstop) and back in just one day. Same owner as the lovely G-BESS pictured previously in these pages.
In it's previous ownership IZEL had been old man McAlpines personal hack, had extraordinarily low hours and had been thoroughly under used and over-maintained. It was beautifully presented with black leather seats - a glorious machine and an utter joy to fly. Still smelled like a gaz though.
Anyone know where it is now?

[bolkow]

G-SPHU was recentyl if not still covering for the air ambulance in Swansea and I have seen it here a good few times, it sure gets around considering the distance to Glasgow from here.

[Brilliant Stuff]

Bolkow are you aware SPHU is a stand in when the others are on maintenance?

[Savoia]

In the mid 1950's BEA decided to operate a regular helicoptor service between Nottingham and Birmingham, calling at Leicester on the way.

A site off Lenton Lane in Nottingham (where Willow Road is now situated) was acquired and an area of tarmac laid to accommodate landings. The service began in 1956 but was a short-lived affair running only for a matter of months.

The two images below were taken by Ada Marriott, who lived on Gregory Street. They show passengers getting on the helicoptor and in the middle a number of locals, including her own mother, Sarah Wesley, posing for their photograph in front of the aircraft.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SasKjOxs6Is/TulXBObzICI/AAAAAAAAG0M/JdUKKylHUsk/s377/lenton_lane_heliport_3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rlPzeBYU_08/TulW_rlWlkI/AAAAAAAAG0I/xibqeYE0RVo/s388/lenton_lane_heliport_2.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DxylU4gjODo/TulXBeTnFtI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/QqTvNyrg9h0/s471/south%252520bank.jpg
The craft used for this service was G-ANUK, seen above in float-equipped configuration departing London's South Bank

G-ANUK, Westland Whirlwind S-55 Series 3: 1954 Westland Aircraft > 1955 BEA > 1957 The South Georgia Company > 1961 Bristow Helicopters.

[Savoia]

Earlier in the thread we touched upon John Crewdson's trips out to 'Sealand' in the North Sea. It seems however that he was not the only one to venture onto these decommissioned forts as in 1990 the Port of London Authority chartered a Twin Ecureuil to do something similar:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_yMzpl7HvXg/TvGKFwdZ1xI/AAAAAAAAG30/UFrNNtGZ6Aw/s471/Gun%252520tower%2525205.jpg

http://www.bobleroi.co.uk/ScrapBook/SutchCityPics3/ShivSandsTideGuage1990.jpg
An AS355F lands atop decommissioned 'Maunsell Fort' G5 in the North Sea in 1990 (apologies for the atrocious image)

Evidently the Port of London utilised a fort which was formerly part of Radio Sutch's 'Shivering Sands' facility. The PLA maintained the 'G5' searchlight fort for their remote 'wind and tide' gague.

I flew once with Bristow's SAR team from Lee-on-the-Solent (this would have been mid-90's .. S61) and the driver pointed-out some sort of concrete facility off the south coast (a small ex-WW II installation) and which was equipped with a helipad. I think the facility had been converted to a home (of sorts).

[bolkow]

Yes, Brilliant Stuff, was aware of that, but not aware it covered the whole lot North and South.

[treadigraph]

Sav, that sounds like the Nab Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nab_Tower) off the eastern end of the Isle of Wight.

[griffothefog]

Treadi,

Definitely NOT the Nab...

There are some concrete structures off the south coast that were converted to plush accommodations and resemble round co-centric forts but now with helipads. :roll eyes:

The Nab tower was a piece of **** metal deck that sloped from one side to the other and the BO105 was the perfect size to fit :ok:

[treadigraph]

Griffo, do you mean the three in the Solent, or are there more out there?

Energetic bunch, our forebears...

[Senior Pilot]

Sav, that sounds like the Nab Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nab_Tower) off the eastern end of the Isle of Wight.

It would seem to be the searchlight tower of the Shivering Sands fort: Radio Sutch (http://www.bobleroi.co.uk/ScrapBook/SutchCityPics3/SutchCityPics3.html).

[treadigraph]

Ah no, Senior Pilot, I was referring to Sav's last para about his trip from Lee-on-Solent... :)

[Savoia]

Inspired by Griffo's "At odds with the world" photo in post 607 (http://www.pprune.org/6402148-post607.html) on page 31 and more than six months in-the-waiting to obtain these images un-watermarked and with the photographer's permission .. I am thrilled to be able to present these great Bölkow shots:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gyGse5q3Z3A/TvJ7CNC_27I/AAAAAAAAG4c/z-tEOj3GPoo/s512/DSC_3660.JPG
Swedish Air Force MBB Bo105CB3 09217
(Photo: ©Rickard Gillberg/Nordic Rotors (http://www.nordicrotors.com/))

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--6BQdE66ygI/TvJ7BrJo05I/AAAAAAAAG4Y/5fAt1QZgK9g/s512/DSC_3626.JPG
Swedish Air Force MBB Bo105CB3 09209
(Photo: ©Rickard Gillberg/Nordic Rotors (http://www.nordicrotors.com/))

These images were taken on 16th September 2005 on the outskirts of Stockholm by Swedish photographer and helicopter pilot Rickard Gillberg (also the Head of Publishing at Nordic Rotors) during his visit to 'Team Vingarna' (the Swedish Armed Forces helicopter display team). Rickard joined 'Vingarna' during one of their practice sessions and captured these striking images.

In their day (between 1995-2010) the Swedish Armed Forces Helicopter Wing (http://www.nordicrotors.com/company.php?name=Swedish%20Armed%20Forces%20Helicopter%20Win g) operated more than twenty HKP 9's (Bo105's).

[longbox]

Hi Guy's, the forts look like the collection of forts of the North Kent coast, i fly over them every day, I don't think there are many I would land on now, and certainly not shut down! very interesting to look at though

[Savoia]

Back on page 15 (post 289) I made reference to a LongRanger which was owned by Essex Oil founder David Thieme. In my reminiscence I recounted how wonderfully impressive this craft was - she was one of Europe's fist LongRangers pre-dating even Ferranti's G-BFAL.

When I encountered her it must have been the summer of 1978. She was still on the French register flying as F-GCGZ. In those days Ferranti Helicopters performed almost all of Team Lotus' charter requirements and, when their fleet was fully committed the Colonel would sub-charter the chaps from Manfred Mann.

I was at Biggin Hill (during the Brands Hatch Grand Prix) and had been 'dumped' there in between shuttles when this azure apparition made a high speed large semi-circular sweeping approach opposite what in those days was the Air Touring Club (distinctive back then for its fleet of yellow Rallye aircraft). In waltzed this 'stretched' JetRanger (it was my first time to see a LongRanger 'in the flesh' as it were) in a most impressive colour scheme and .. as a youngster .. pretty much took my breath away!

There was no holding me back and as soon as she was shut down I was standing next to the driver pummeling him with questions. The craft's azure finish was overlaid with a crimson flash complimented by 'mirrored' silver accents. Inside she sported an all-white leather ensemble set off with lush sheepskin carpets. It was quite simply the most beautiful helicopter I had ever seen.

She was owned by David Thieme the oil trader who for a couple of years became the official sponsor of Lotus Team and it was doubtless Thieme who urged Colin (Chapman) to trade-up to something more 'respectable' (sorry Dennis) and which led to the purchase of G-AYTF .. the Dancer.

The first time I flew the Dancer (1980) she was wearing the 'Essex Motorsport' livery (identical to Thieme's LongRanger) and I was as chuffed as a youngster could be. I have the photos in Blighty and will retrieve them when next there.

I think it was probably the following year (1979) when Thieme had the craft transferred onto the Monégasque register when she became 3A-MSX (and where I think she was upgraded to an LII) . From her time with Essex this craft went on to serve in Spain where she flew as EC-DYO and later in Switzerland flyung as HB-XRX.

I never imagined that I would see this wonderful craft again and you might appreciate my surprise therefore when the Swiss photographer Anton Heumann wrote to me saying "Oh, but I have a picture of that helicopter":

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FwxicFfRXm0/TrV7f658LeI/AAAAAAAAGK4/2sNTe2cu9dU/s800/3A-MSX%252520206L%252520Essex%252520Oil%252520visiting%252520Be rn%252520Belpmoos%2525201980%252520%252528Anton%252520Heuman n%252529%252520%25255BF-GCGZ%25255D.jpg
Essex Oil's distinctive Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II 3A-MSX landing at Bern Belpmoos Airport in Switzerland in 1980 (Photo: Anton Heumann)

The image (while deeply appreciated) does not do justice to how wonderful this craft appeared in real-life but .. I am thrilled to be reminded of what was for me a very special piece of machinery.

[Geoffersincornwall]

Hiller of 705 NAS at CU 1968

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6554000731_bc69a8d03c_b.jpg

Sea Kings of 824 NAS fly past the last of the beautiful old 'open-bridge' Cavalier Class Destroyers in 1970. From Wikipedia HMS Cavalier is a retired C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by J. Samuel White and Company at East Cowes on 28 March 1943, launched on 7 April 1944, and commissioned on 22 November 1944.[1] She served in World War II and in various commissions in the Far East until she was decommissioned in 1972. After decommissioning she was preserved as a museum ship and currently resides at Chatham Historic Dockyard.[2]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6554000005_b0ecb84704_b.jpg

When you lived on a 'real' carrier back in the '70s you had to put up with the occasional 'visitor'.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6554001785_59446daa77_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6328892752_5605d28e49_b.jpg

G. :ok:

[Savoia]

Great shots (as always) Geoff but .. what is that ahead of the F4?

[CharlieOneSix]

Looks like a Tu-16 Badger to me.

[Savoia]

Continuing the MBB theme ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nl0u3gVBVf0/TvOy2WCC3xI/AAAAAAAAG44/ktF_HAJHisM/s720/BK117A-1%252520D-HBKA%252520Farnborough%2525205%252520Sep%25252080%252520%252 528Derek%252520Ferguson%252529.jpg
MBB BK117A-1 D-HBKA at Farnborough on 5th September 1980 (Photo: Derek Ferguson)

This example was the second (German) prototype of the BK117 (Kawasaki only built one prototype) and was exhibited at Farnborough 1980. German and Japanese certification was achieved in December 1982 with US certification in March 1983.

Some 450 117's were manufactured; around 330 in Germany and about 120 in Japan.

[Savoia]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bfe16JcwwQY/Tvlf3PCJ5QI/AAAAAAAAG7I/TjVj0uk8NYs/s600/XX377%252520Norway.jpg

I managed to secure the above image which credits the Gazelle pictured as being XX377 but .. extracts from the MoD report (http://www.mod.uk/nr/rdonlyres/ef248aae-5b25-4cb4-be90-ee096980354b/0/boi_loss_gazellexx377.pdf) into the loss of 377 read:


"Gazelle helicopter XX377 of 656 Squadron Army Air Corps, the air element of 5 Infantry Brigade, was tasked to fly signal specialists from Darwin to a Radio Rebroadcast Station on Mount Pleasant Peak. The conditions for the sortie were good with excellent visibility and a full moon."

"As the sortie was to be flown within the airspace of 5 Infantry Brigade on a Brigade mission in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures there was no requirement for report to be made to any outside authority. Consequently there was no prior knowledge of this sortie in the HQ of Commander Land Forces Falkland Islands, Commodore Amphibious Warfare, the Carrier Battle Group (CTG 317.8) or any ship including HMS Cardiff."

"Gazelle XX377 was fitted with IFF but the weight of evidence leaves no doubt that this vital equipment was switched off during the sortie."

"The Gazelle had been called forward from Goose Green and, having collected two passengers and equipment from 5 Infantry Brigade HQ at Darwin, launched at 03:50Z on 6th June. About seven minutes later radio contact was lost and a ball of fire together with the sound of an explosion was reported by those personnel manning the Radio Rebroadcast Station on Mount Pleasant."

"Post Accident Reports embracing forensic evidence and engagement data convinced the Board that HMS Cardiff shot down the Gazelle with a Seadart missile."


My questions are: a) Would there be snow on or within the vicinity of Mount Pleasant in June? and b) If XX377 had been 'skewered' by a Seadart .. would she still have the bulk of her fuselage intact (perhaps if the missile hit the rotors but .. unlikely).

I am wondering therefore if this image is not in fact either XX378 or XW905 both of which crashed in whiteout conditions in Norway in their recovery efforts in response to the whiteout and subsequent crash encountered by Puma XW234.

Any 'enlightenment' is welcome!

[Zishelix]

Savoia, you're right... it's XW905. Photo taken probably 25Feb82.

Btw, good find :ok:

[Savoia]

Zishelix, Merry Christmas!

Well I hope one can be excused for getting a little confused as '82 (with the advent of the Falklands Conflict) was a busy year for UK mil rotary accidents:

First there was this three cab pile-up in Voss, Norway on 24th February involving a Puma (XW234) and two Gazelles (XW905 and XX378) on training exercises. A summary reads: "During exercises in Norway in February 1982 an RAF Puma suffered a whiteout. It force-landed near Voss suffering only slight damage. An RAF Gazelle, XW905, was sent with ground crew to assist the Puma but also suffered a whiteout and crashed. An Army Air Corps Gazelle, XX378, was then sent to assist both of the downed aircraft but it too suffered the same fate."

The following month, in March, a Navy Gazelle, XX397, from 705 Squadron crashed in Cornwall during a wing-over manouevre.

Then in April there was the two cab pile-up involving Wessex Mk 5's (XT464 and XT473 from 845 Naval Air Squadron) on South Georgia island during their attempt to extract SAS troops.

On the same day in May two Army Gazelles (XX402 and XX411) were both downed (in separate locations but related duties) by small arms fire in the Falklands.

Then in June was the tragic incident involving Army Gazelle XX377 which was downed (by mistake) by HMS Cardiff. Five days later, on 11th June, another Gazelle (XW896) flew into rising ground in the Suffield training area in Alberta, Canada.

In August Gazelle (XX452) crashed at Andover after the instructor crossed his hands on the controls during a training exercise and in December Gazelle (XX400) flew into power lines in County Armagh.

And there were more besides!

[SASless]

In August Gazelle (XX452) crashed at Andover after the instructor crossed his hands on the controls during a training exercise

Reckon that one was preventable....CFS can sure teach some silly stuff! That is one exercise that should be left to the coloured pencils exercise.:ugh:

[Zishelix]

Sav, UK Serials (http://www.ukserials.com/) (Losses), right? :)

[hihover]

Forgive my dimness if you already get it, but we didn't teach anyone how to cross their hands and instruct at CFS(H), we allowed student instructors to see how quickly things could go wrong if they did....with a staff instructor in the other seat.

Tam

[Zishelix]

If I remember well, there was few comments on this thread about SABENA's rotors... an old postcard just found.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-56qF-f1yu9Y/TvrJPBU5FyI/AAAAAAAAAgY/mwa6eOQTuWY/s800/Sabena.jpg

[Savoia]

Zis, yes, on page 12 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-12.html) there is a piece on Sabena's rotary fleet which, at one point, was moderatley substantial (for the day) and mainly consisting of S-58's.

Your image shows one of their Bell 47's (a D model with the enclosed tailboom). There were only three D's listed on the Belgian register in the 'SH' sequence and which were respectively: OO-SHX, SHY and SHZ and your image is therefore most likely to be one of these. The craft appears to be landing at some sort of stadium and it would be great if someone recognised the building or .. perhaps it was an early Zaventem?

More Bölkow Classico ..

Well, as the Swedish Air Force were preparing to dispose of their Bölkows .. the Albanians were gearing-up to take delivery of theirs:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9vZg8qg54uA/Tvlq5CBodcI/AAAAAAAAG7k/hcvqqlm2IUU/s640/The%252520first%252520Bo%252520105E-4%252520that%252520entered%252520service%252520with%252520th e%252520Albanian%252520Air%252520Brigade%252520in%2525202006 .jpg
The first Bo105E-4 enters service with the Albanian Air Brigade in 2006

And .. more Bölkow "At Odds with the World" cabin shots:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XOS7k_gljSw/Tvv7Z46B8hI/AAAAAAAAG8c/6CK57PFE99w/s720/Chuck%252520Aaron%252520105CBS.jpg
Red Bull display pilot, Chuck Aaron, pulls his 105CBS into the vertical as he prepares to go 'over the top' in one of his trademark loops

[Savoia]

Richard Seymour Retires


A former squadron commander has retired as RNAS Yeovilton's community relations officer after a 50-year career with the Navy.

Commander Richard Seymour, 68, of Hardington Mandeville, joined the Navy in 1961 at the age of 18. At least six generations of his family have served the Royal Navy.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7nFFJ8K4xZo/TvzB5RBWtnI/AAAAAAAAG9U/v4K4y-PTVKk/s425/Richard%252520Seymour%252520Wessex.jpg
Cdr Richard Seymour with a Wessex helicopter similar to those he flew in 1968

He qualified as a commando pilot in 1967 at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and flew the Wessex and Wasp helicopters in his early career.

In 1972 he earned the Air Force Cross for rescuing 42 people from a grounded cargo ship during a tropical storm near Hong Kong. Flying a Wasp helicopter he returned to the stricken ship time and again so the crew could be winched to safety.

Cdr Seymour first came to Yeovilton in 1973, and commanded 846 naval air squadron in the late Seventies. It was the first squadron to have the Sea King helicopter; still in service today.

During the Falklands war Cdr Seymour was senior naval officer on the Merchant Navy ship SS Atlantic Causeway – a container vessel converted with a hangar and flight deck to carry aircraft to the conflict zone.

He said: "The Merchant Navy crew were absolutely brilliant. They did a wonderful job and saw ships close to them come under attack."

He returned to Yeovilton in the early Nineties to take up a job leading the flight staff and accident investigation centre.

In 1996, he took up a civilian post of community relations officer and has become a well-known figure in communities around Yeovilton where its helicopters regularly fly. He said: "It has been wonderful. A perfect job for me. I have been acting as a link between the air station and communities. It is very important for people to know what is going on at the air station and why we are doing it.

"People sometimes forget the air crews at Yeovilton have been operating in combat for more than ten years. This is not an exercise, these are roles where people are being shot at. They are operating in some of the most difficult conditions anywhere.

"I personally think it is really important for the general public to know that. Quite often they won't realise that the sort of training we are doing is preparing for this sort of operational role. "When they are exercising over the Somerset Levels and carrying out low-level night flights they are exercising as if it was Afghanistan. A few months later they will be out there doing it for real.

"The air station at the moment is far more operationally active than it was when I first came here. Every squadron has been involved in Afghanistan. In the last 15 years the operational tempo has never been greater." Cdr Seymour has a wife, Ann, and two adult sons.

Somerset pilot who became a voice for helicopters | This is Somerset (http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Somerset-pilot-voice-helicopters/story-14268899-detail/story.html)

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DaHmQq6bqu0/Tv1uxsbuiMI/AAAAAAAAG-E/8Ydw2syC7m8/s220/nan%252520logo%252520s.png

Harry Dubinsky flew with the Canadian Navy until 1958 after which he joined Kenting Helicopters flying S-55's.

When Kenting was contracted by the US Air Force to help with the DEW (Distant Early Warning) line construction on Baffin Island, he flew in support of the construction of their radar sites.

Kenting went on to be contracted by the Canadian Army Topographic Survey to assist in mapping of the Canadian Western Arctic Islands. Dubinsky was appointed detachment commander flying S-55's. This was the first ever accurate mapping of these Arctic Islands using telerometers. They mapped Banks and Victoria Islands.

From late 1960 Dubinsky flew S-55's out of Greenland in construction support for the DEW line. Later in life, he became District Manager of the Canadian Coastguard vessels in Hayriver, North West Territories.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-16k01AdwWw4/Tv1vDh1SZAI/AAAAAAAAG-0/n8PPGf5taA4/s640/S55%2525202.jpg
Harry Dubinsky (right) with members of the Canadian Army Topographic Survey Corps in 1962

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zBiQiZKwaX0/Tv1vBSpUR2I/AAAAAAAAG-w/fvRQ1HxIGPE/s720/S55%2525201.jpg
Harry Dubinsky with Kenting's S-55 CF-JJD in 1962

With thanks to Harry's daughter, Gale, for these images.

[bast0n]

I just love reading the threads about do we have this bit of equipment and should we allow this or that - we never thought about that in days of old and we were...............................simplistic.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/WW703-1.jpg

D

[bast0n]

Reference Richard Seymour above - he used to have a beard............:rolleyes:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/NavyPhotos36.jpg

Oh dear................

and somtimes he took his duties too seriously...................

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/NavyPhotos121.jpg

D

[Savoia]

Ah Bast0n, as always .. wonderful stuff and a great graphic reflection of the former post!

I just love reading the threads about do we have this bit of equipment and should we allow this or that - we never thought about that in days of old and we were .. simplistic.

Yes, it is a different world now. Back then was the 'age of innocence' when many aspects of the industry were still being pioneered. I have always felt that those who were exposed to operations in the 50's through 70's were privileged indeed!

Regarding Seymour .. this comes as no surprise. He was even wearing your FAA tie in his shot for the Somerset Recorder (or whatever it was). Who, out of interest, was the chap on the port side in the 'bone dome' photo?

Also, on your coveralls you are wearing two squadron badges .. any details please?

And .. one sees in your 'Hard at Work' shot with Riccardo that you have lept from Lt to Lt Cmdr!

[Savoia]

It is with immense satisfaction that I present the latest Medal of Appreciation to a PPRuNer whose contributions are, in a word, superb!



https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JTqqlorooT0/Tv7SdGYnoSI/AAAAAAAAG_I/p1y2dyqUr0A/s245/MoA%252520s.png

Awarded to PPRuNer Bast0n for his superb
nostalgic reminiscences supported by his capable
literacy and illuminating photographic record


Medal of Appreciation Past Recipients:


Industry Insider
Ah de Havilland
Helipixman

[Zishelix]

Congrats Bast0n! :D

[bast0n]

Oh I say!

First HM the Queen, then Prince Charles and now this. Thank you so much Savoia.

Below another memory.............what a cracking helicopter to go wave jumping in the storms around the Cornish coast. Single everything, no ASE no nothing but pure fun - single pilot day, night, imc you name it. The only major problem was that it had two anti colls mounted at an angle, one on top and one under the nose, and in cloud or at night the twin beams rotating in opposite directions crossed over in front of the aircraft - very offputting to the old scan! See other threads for todays view on that lot:rolleyes:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Photoscan3463.jpg

David

[bast0n]

Savoia

Reference the picture of Neddie Seagoon with a beard, the chap on the left is Chris Clay and the badges on my magnificent breast are Seahawk SAR and 707 Squadron. Hope that fills in a bit of your encyclopedic knowledge!
D

[soggyboxers]

I see Neddie Seagoon is looking very smart these days, though he still hasn't purchased a comb!

Everybody I know seems to be retiring for some odd reason! Is it old age? I suppose I'll also have to sometime.

[Nigel Osborn]

David,
Is that photo of Whirlwind W taken near Bario? And who was flying it? Brings back memories of the flights I did in the Whirlwind to Nanga Gaat & Bario!! Where did you get all these photos from, I don't recall seeing you with a camera!!:confused:

[Nigel Osborn]

Whoops, sorry about that DAVID, long term memory loss!:ugh:

[bast0n]

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL:)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Photoscan3462.jpg


This picture of VZ 965 is interesting in many respects. If you look closely you will see that it is being tracked by the old “flag into the rotors” game that was always a laugh and full of exciting possibilities!
This aircraft was in the Station Flight hanger at Culdrose when I was the SAR pilot,(WW7s, 1966), and just sat there unused. It was in superb condition almost as though it had been restored for a show. Tony Thurstan was the boss of the flight and when I suggested that we dragged it out and played with it he agreed. He had flown Dragonflies in the distant past and so once we had it up and running he checked me out to go solo on it – I am still not sure as to the legality of that check out! I was the last person to qualify (?) solo on a Dragonfly in the FAA.
I remember that it had some interesting traits like trying to roll onto its left side on take off as it had no built in cross coupling in roll as you raised the collective, and landings were equally affected.
At one stage a tail rotor driveshaft bearing got a bit wobbly and of course there were no spares, but the FAA Museum came up trumps and we did a straight swap with the museum aircraft.
I used to use the aircraft for fun – going out to the Scillies in very early spring and collecting bunches and bunches of early daffodils which we the sold back at Culdrose to beef up our party fund. The landlord of the pub in St Marys came out to he airfield to collect us, resplendent in our two piece grey goonsuits, and treated us to lunch – but of course no beer………………………….(oh dear, not a good way to start the New Year!). We also used to collect those big orange fishing markers that broke loose in the storms and sell them back to the fishermen at a knock down price for the same reason. As an aside, using a Whirlwind, we found a very smart yacht dinghy floating off Looe Bar in a bit of an onshore gale. I lowered the diver into it on the winch and he tied a line to it and going backwards, as the wind was too strong to turn around in the hover, managed to tow it and surf it up the beach on the back of a big wave. It had a pot of paint and a paintbrush in it but no markings. We reported it to the Coastguard but no one claimed it and it became ours – a big party that year!
Eventually the Dragonfly met a sad end. We foolishly let someone else fly it and it had an oil leak with lots of smoke at Preddannack and an incident signal was raised. All hell was let loose as the Command at Yeovilton did not know the aircraft existed, in a time of big cutbacks, and off it went on a lorry. It ended up believe it or not as a cropsprayer in Cyprus!
Happy days, David.:ok:

[cavortingcheetah]

Not nostalgia but perhaps of interest to some of you. My apologies if you have seen it all before. Happy New Year.

Drohnen: Spione am Himmel - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten - Wissenschaft (http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-76870.html)

http://cdn3.spiegel.de/images/image-241002-galleryV9-vath.jpg

[CharlieOneSix]

This must surely rate as the oddest forced landing site ever for a helicopter - unless you know better....?

On 21 February 1950, whilst flying in Ireland, Royal Navy Sikorsky Hoverfly FT837 suffered a "seized tail rotor". A forced landing was carried out in an open grave in St. Mary's Collegiate churchyard, Youghal, County Cork. Although the helicopter was a write-off it was not the pilot's final resting place as he and his crew were uninjured!

A photo of the crashed aircraft was taken by Mikey Roche at the time and was shown in his photo exhibition in Youghal last year but I have not been able to locate this photo online anywhere.

[Savoia]

Bast0n, great stuff as ever! Have always wanted to fly a helicopter with a rotating beacon, you know, one which makes a racket and draws plenty of amps from the battery!

Great fun regarding the Dragonfly! My godfather would tell me of his days at Boscombe Down and how when a new type arrived he and the other drivers would forego any formal type induction and give themselves a 'scare' all by means of keeping themselves on their toes (or so the story goes!). Strange lot those test pilots, lol!

Cheetah, there's probably a UAV thread somewhere (although I'll confess to having not looked for it) but the contraption certainly 'looks the business' being purpose-designed (one assumes) instead of converted from an existing piece of machinery.

C16, it will be interesting to see whether any leads emerge which could eventually uncover this image. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XDq1UaLUN5w/TwCgrjSd0KI/AAAAAAAAHB0/kTrXqyEXqNg/s195/ww%252520logo%252520s.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EtD5wSSqu_E/TwCcUWm20YI/AAAAAAAAHBI/GmEZvmtAjmo/s720/Wessex%252528%252520HMS%252520Victorious%252529%25257B1%2525 7D.jpg
A Royal Navy Whirlwind from HMS Victorious c. 1963

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1W68iXG_Yio/TwCcXcLS1OI/AAAAAAAAHAo/5JugNDd8ieU/s705/Vic%252520Map.png
The route followed by HMS Victorious on her 1963-64 expedition to the Far East

And in today from Mick West ..

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4ihBZVweq-o/TwCddcpgaXI/AAAAAAAAHBc/C8ia8XGATcY/s195/JRIB%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XDfqK3eZjSM/TwCY-L8p2yI/AAAAAAAAG_o/BO2fQ1o8-rk/s720/B206A%252520G-AXMM%252520Bembridge%2525204%252520Jul%25252071%252520%25252 8Mick%252520West%252529.jpg
Court Line Aviation Bell 206A G-AXMM at Bembridge on 4th July 1971 (Photo: Mick West)

This craft was bought by Freddie Wilcox in July 1969. She was the 10th Bell (as opposed to Agusta-Bell) 206 in the UK. In 1974 she was bought by Appledore Shipbuilders of Devon and in the same year moved on to a Mr 'Walter Holmes' of 'Refuge' House, Bedford Street, Leeds and which can only be 'Wally' Holmes of Heli-Leeds and about which I shall say no more.

AXMM went on to collect a string of owners and flew variously as: G-ROGR, G-RODY, G-OBHH and latterly as G-WLLY.

WLLY met her demise on 21st December 2005 tragically claiming the lives of both her occupants. An excerpt from the accident report (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Bell%20206B%20Jet%20Ranger%20II,%20G-WLLY%2012-06.pdf) reads:


The pilot of the helicopter and an observer were carrying out a pipeline inspection flight between Cumbernauld Airport and Aberdeen.

Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, the helicopter descended to low level where debris was seen to fall from its aft section. Control of the helicopter was lost and it struck the ground, fatally injuring both occupants. The investigation found that the vertical stabiliser had detached from the tail boom and struck the tail rotor.

This subsequently caused the tail rotor and associated gearbox to become detached from the tail boom, resulting in the helicopter’s centre of gravity moving outside controllable limits.

[Tarman]

Note the spelling mistake on the map, unless Gibralta is another British Territory !

Tarman

[bast0n]

Tarman

When one is a "Proper Chap" one spells it Gibraltah and pronounces it accordingly.....................:ok:

D

[bast0n]

A new Year Flypast to set the pulses racing to see what other pictures come out of the wood work in 2012.

This is Culdrose Station Flight/SAR plus the WW9 used for senior officers (fixed wing) to rotary - or at least up to solo standard.

David

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Whirlwind013.jpg

and the break!!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Whirlwind014.jpg

and a head on for luck!:rolleyes:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Whirlwind016.jpg

[Savoia]

Of Culdrose and Whirlwinds ..

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ukxFgquHWU4/TwKP1NXpw-I/AAAAAAAAHCg/052afLj4Nzo/s512/Whirlwind%252520HAS.7%252520helicopters%252520of%252520No%25 2520815%252520Squadron%252520Fleet%252520Air%252520Arm%25252 0flying%252520in%252520formation%252520over%252520the%252520 sea%252520near%252520the%252520Royal%252520Naval%252520Air%2 52520Station%252520at%252520Culdrose%25252C%252520Cornwall.j pg
Whirlwind HAS 7 helicopters of No. 815 Squadron Fleet Air Arm flying in formation near the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose in Cornwall

And yes, Marines fly too ..

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-85uoL-sTD1Y/TwKP2OYbC1I/AAAAAAAAHCc/9oXAAkRhqjI/s577/Roger%252520Learoyd.jpg
Lt Learoyd at the controls of a Westland Whirlwind during his flying training in Singapore in October 1961

Under a scheme to provide Royal Marine Commandos with a contingent of their own aviators, 24 year old Roger Learoyd of Wallington, Oxfordshire (pictured above), becomes the first Officer of the Corps to specialise as a helicopter pilot.

Bast0n's Badges ..

The badges worn on Bast0n's coveralls in post 1159 (http://www.pprune.org/6928285-post1159.html)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vHrM1nOdVdI/Tq-gl299apI/AAAAAAAAF-g/yWVWWwNRpK4/s196/RN-707%252520-%252520small.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PBTn4gkT5SQ/TwKQ6L7uoSI/AAAAAAAAHC8/tsyGmXZ9ToQ/s174/Seahawk%252520-%252520small.jpg

[A30yoyo]

Hallo Savoia.....I've checked my neg strips to confirm 'XMM was at Bembridge (sandwiched between Islanders!) (and not at LHR where I worked)...it was a Britten-Norman open weekend ...Flight magazine a couple of weeks later reported that the planned Air Race round the island was delayed by fog 24hrs (till the Sunday when I was there).
Re the well-connected and Heli-friendly Insurance Man Charles Hughesdon's autobiography I found the most amazing story in there was that of the Solicitor, back in 1949, who (for a £5,000 'present') arranged for the Treasury Solicitor/The Crown to re-imburse the underwriters in the case of the Collision of an RAF York and a SAS DC-6 near Northolt (the RAF York had been found 'in the wrong' by an Inquiry).
Re the Papal Helicopter did you know that the Vatican reviewed having a fixed wing airstrip built in the Vatican grounds about 1946 (its recorded in Flight Global archive). During WWII the Americans maintained a Charge d'Affaires in the Vatican City seconded from Switzerland which they connected to by Italian Train ( the US only established full diplomatic relations withthe Vatican State under Reagan in the 80s) .But in addition in 1942 an American envoy, Myron Taylor was flown from Lisbon by an Ali Littoria Savoia :) to Rome Airport, from where he was driven in a limousine with blacked out windows to the Vatican(to convince Pope Pius XII the Allies were going to win)...a visit permitted by Count Ciano and later regretted by Mussolini
Very interesting thread....speed-read 20 pages so far :) ... Mick

[bast0n]

Good morning Savoia!

In the interests of keeping your amazing collection of aviation memorabilia accurate I post below the actual badge worn on my flying suit!! Note that it has Station Flight at the bottom!

Anorak or what.........................? :rolleyes:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Seahawkbadge.jpg

[Savoia]

Bast0n much appreciated!

I'm sure I've been labelled an anorak (I've certainly been accused of being a spotter) and worse but, sincerely, I could care less!

It is my hope that on this thread and elsewhere we can preserve (for now) a small sampling of rotary-wing history for posterity and if there are but a handful of Rotorheads who enjoy this .. then that is good enough for me. Those for whom rotary-wing history is of no interest are clear to "Foxtrot Oscar" to another thread! ;)

Yoyo, thanks for joining the discussion. I should just perhaps introduce Yoyo .. he is one of the legion of photographers I regularly pester for permissions to post on PPRuNe. As it happens several of the photographers have PPRuNe accounts by rarely dip-in to the conversation despite the fact that I always encourage them to do so.

On this occassion, celebrated Airliners.net and Air-Britain photograher Mick West (aka Yoyo) who shot G-AXMM in the photo above, has taken-up the invitation and joined our merry band .. welcome. :D

Thank you too for the very interesting tidbits on several past subjects .. most interesting.

My thanks to everyone who contributes to "Nostalgia" - what will make a good thread 'great' is if more readers contribute their stories of times past.

All are warmly welcome.

[bast0n]

Savoia

I wa referring to me being an anorak for keeping the badge all these years! Not you:)

Keep up your amazing work on this and many other threads - I for one find it fascinating.

D

[Savoia]

Bast0n, understood. Was empathising with the predicament of being so categorised .. even if it be self-categorisation! ;)

More from HMS Victorious ..

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8dvpYSnHtcU/TwRIMubJgyI/AAAAAAAAHDg/pyW3-vOzzq4/s640/Whirlwind%252520helicopters%252520of%252520825%252520Naval%2 52520Air%252520Squadron%252520on%252520the%252520flight%2525 20deck%252520of%252520HMS%252520VICTORIOUS.jpg
Westland Whirlwind helicopters of 825 Naval Air Squadron on the flight deck of HMS Victorious c. 1963

[Savoia]

Well, I'm sure there are but .. they seem to be very quiet!

These great shots courtesy of Peter Foster:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2h23oB9vwH4/TwCZ82LfdSI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/e_3YdmrjGWY/s800/WW%252520Mk%252520II%252520XT680%252520of%25252084%252520Sqn %252520South%252520coast%252520of%252520Akrotiri%25252C%2525 20Cyprus%252520Sep%2525202002%252520%252528Peter%252520Foste r%252529.jpg
Westland Wessex Mk II XT680 of 84 Sqn traversing the southern coastline of Akrotiri, Cyprus in September 2002 (Photo: Peter Foster)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z5mUQVOwn3E/TwCZ8TWYLAI/AAAAAAAAHAU/U14IEfMaRNE/s512/XT680%25252084%252520Sqn%252520Peter%252520Foster.jpg
XT680 'bow shot' (Photo: Peter Foster)

This cab spent much of her life as one of the RAF's yellow SAR birds.

[sycamore]

BastOn, what is that piece of ironmongery attached to the port u/c /rear fuselage on all the aircraft in the last pic,please..?

[bast0n]

Sycamore

I really do not know being a Jungly and all that. It looks as though it could be a radar reflector, but perhaps there is an elderly pinger out there who can tell us............?

D

[CharlieOneSix]

I've emailed some pingers more elderly than myself (only flew the Whirlwind on 705 as a stude) - hope to have a reply for you idc but I suspect bast0n is correct.

[soggyboxers]

Savoia,

Thank you for posting that photograph of young Lt Roger Learoyd RM. Roger carried out his flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and then RNAS Culdrose. He joined 848 NAS in Singapore in August 1961 and you are right that he was the first RM to train as a helicopter pilot. However, Lts Murphy and Nick Wise qualified before him.

In September 1964 Nick was appointed to form and command the first RM Unit Air Troop for 40 Cdo which was based at Burma Camp, Ulu Tiram, Malaya. With Lt Roger Learoyd and nine Naval Artificers led by CPO Techner, they assembled (literally) 2 brand new Augusta Bell 47s and embarked on HMS Albion in Portsmouth. They sailed to Singapore via Aden and disembarked to Burma Camp on 28th April 1965 delivering to 40 Cdo the first RM Air Troop.

Lieutenant Terence Murphy had actually first qualified as a pilot in 1958 and flew Seahawks on 806 RNAS on HMS Albion in 1960. He was was the first RM pilot to fly in a jet squadron in a carrier and complete a tour of duty.

[Savoia]

SB: Thanks for filling-in the blanks. :ok:

Here's an RM driver undergoing training at Culdrose in '65. Sadly I don't have any names:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wgl9Bu3sFWs/TwSwg-6LsAI/AAAAAAAAHD8/WWOcWdHYNao/s576/RN%252520Hiller%252520Trainer.jpg
A Royal Marine undergoes training in a Royal Navy Hiller 12 at RNAS Culdrose in March 1965

[sycamore]

Just hope they unhooked the blades before start...!

[John Eacott]

BastOn, what is that piece of ironmongery attached to the port u/c /rear fuselage on all the aircraft in the last pic,please..?

They were mounted on both rear struts: I've a vague recollection of something to do with an early IFF system or location display for other ASW machines whilst in the dip? IIRC, the RAN developed it further in their "Whodat" (sp?) system in the non radar equipped Wessex HAS31.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4143/4923618417_00c9ba4155_b.jpg

Taken from this description anything is possible!

This Westland Whirlwind is from 815 sqn off HMS ALBION, which appears to have sent her entire air wing ashore to HMAS ALBATROSS, at Nowra, during her 1959 visit.

Again, here are Kim Dunstan's notes giving details of this large and stately-looking helo:

'Westland Whirlwind: The Whirlwind HAS-7 helicopter was a British-built version of the Sikorsky ‘Chickasaw,’ produced by Westland Aircraft Ltd in the UK, and was used extensively by the Royal Navy in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles. Entering service in 1956, it had positions for pilot and co-pilot - and crew in the rear cabin. The Whirlwind had a 750 hp, Alvis Leonides Major 755, 14-cylinder, radial engine, giving it a range of 330 miles and speed of 109 mph. It was equipped with ASDIC and radar for anti-submarine work. Numerous variants were produced including one for the Royal Marines. More than 400 Whirlwinds were built and exported to many countries.

Photo: Kimberley Dunstan RAN [Ret'd], Melbourne, and kindly sent for the Unofficial RAN Centenary 1911-2011 Photostream.

And they can be seen on this shot, too:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6599928025_a1e8f1dbf1_o.jpg

[SASless]

H-19's were also called "Ricochet's"....as they sometimes resembled same as they skipped along the surface trying to get airborne....over powered they were not!

Running takeoffs...a common practice borne of necessity....could become great fun when the Nose Gear(s) took up a bad case of Shimmy....which killed off the acceleration and left you in a positionn where the runway got shorter and your speed and height stayed constan.

[Geoffersincornwall]

Whilst doing wet dinghy drill at RNAS Brawdy in 1968 I was winched out of the 'oggin by 'Boss' Spelling in a WW7. It is very depressing to see the winch operator winding in the winch with me (200lbs in those days) on the end of the wire and the aircraft gradually being pulled into the water. I finally came clear with all four wheels in the water.

Later - during Basic Flying Training I had the pleasure of flying the WW7 - good fun and great to have one of the first generation military helos in your logbook.

G.

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lGki4Ew7JbA/TwUyOwv_dZI/AAAAAAAAHEg/91yeFZhTI-4/s512/WW%252520Water%252520Rescue.jpg
A Westland Whirlwind Mk10 helicopter of RAF Coastal Command demonstrates the double lift rescue technique somewhere off the coast of Britian in 1963. This photograph used to illustrate a 1964 Ministry of Defence White Paper

I must say that Geoffers' description of the Whirlwind winching itself towards the sea was quite amusing and, given the proximity of the craft (above) to the water I dare say that something similar might be going on although, presumably, the Mk 10 may have had a little more power than the 7?

One wonders what the next move would be on the part of the crew if, say, they managed to barely winch a survivor out of the water but were unable to deliver any further performance. Perhaps the driver would nose forward dragging the rescue fodder along the sea like a Wallis bomb until translational lift occurred! Lol, what fun times they must have been!

The Suez Crisis

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXs4OKEk8T4/TwUySUkU_VI/AAAAAAAAHEk/ydSnBROs6Js/s640/WW%252520Suez.jpg
Operation Musketeer 1956: Men wounded in operations were given treatment in the well equipped sick bays and surgeries of British aircraft carriers. Here a wounded soldier is lifted from a Whirlwind helicopter after being transferred from the beaches at Port Said to the flight deck of HMS Eagle

[John Eacott]

Poor/marginal winching performance from the HAS7 was part and parcel of the training we received: Geoff's experience was quite normal. The Sproule Net was part of our syllabus as the method of recovering survivors unable to hook themselves onto the wire: double lifts in a HAS7 were not used. There is a previous thread on the Sproule, including my experience as a young snotty being politely asked to get the crewman's feet out of the water during the run in.

The Mk10 was far better powered, and although the photo is 'dramatic' such a winch height was standard. The double lift would not have needed any translational flight from the hover to accomplish a lift, although such procedures were still taught as a 'left over' practice when training on the HAS7, with the Alvis Leonides radial chugging away ;)

[Savoia]

Great stuff John!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tXee_YU8amg/TwWDBEyRicI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/wNAk0Qdb9H4/s250/JRIB%252520Logo%2525202%252520s.png

On pages 52 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-52.html) and 53 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-53.html) PPRuNer Tjef treated us to a selection of Helicopter Hire (John Crewdson) nostalgia and clarified the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the 206 used in the filming of the James Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me' where the late John Crewdson flew wearing a wig!

Tjef2802 wrote: The 206 featured in the "Spy Who Loved Me" was G-BAML and filmed in Sardinia by the ill-fated G-AWAP.

'The Spy Who Loved Me' was filmed in 1976 which, at the time, placed BAML with Somerton Rayner Helicopters (or as my godfather would say .. Summertime Reindeer!) but, presumably, Crewdson had an arrangement with the Major to use the craft.

BAML's history begins with her being registered in the US as N7844S and then being shipped to the UK where she was bought by Mann's in 1972. 'Summertime Reindeer' then bought her the following year selling her on to Blue Star Shipping in 1983.

In 1986 she was bought by Peter Scott Agriculture of Pontefract in Yorkshire (I do miss the licorice 'Pontefract Cakes' I used to buy from the tuck shop when schooling in the UK) and finally to Heliscott in 1990 under whose stewardship she came to her demise on 30th May 2003 when the craft apparently suffered a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a filming sortie in Northumberland.

An excerpt from the accident report (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/dft_avsafety_pdf_026657.pdf) reads:


The helicopter was involved in relatively slow speed, low level aerial photography that involved itflying a straight track before turning right around a fixed structure of significant historical interest.The pilot carried out one practice run that was judged to be slightly too fast and too close to thestructure. The second attempt proceeded without incident until, when half way around the turn, thehelicopter began to yaw to the right.

Application of corrective left pedal was ineffective and as thehelicopter continued yawing right it descended. The rotation continued through several completerevolutions and it struck sloping ground at low forward speed rolling on to its right side. All threeoccupants were able to vacate the aircraft with only minor injuries. An engineering investigationfailed to find any technical fault that could have accounted for the accident. There was evidence,however, that the helicopter may have been operating in a part of the flight envelope where thesusceptibility to loss of tail rotor effectiveness was possible.

Two safety recommendations, promotingthe dissemination of literature relating to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, have been made.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HrOYXsS_4nQ/TwWBawZbT8I/AAAAAAAAHFY/EryWUkid82k/s800/B206B%252520G-BAML%252520Northampton%252520Cliftonville%252520School%25252 010%252520Sep%25252073%252520%252528Bill%252520Rich%252529.j pg
Somerton Rayner Helicopters Bell 206B G-BAML at Northampton's Cliftonville School on 10th September 1973 (Photo: Bill Rich)

On the day of this photo BAML was using the rugby grounds of Cliftonville School as a landing site to take guests on an aerial tour of the new expansion plans for Northampton.

[bast0n]

Wonderful pictures!

The Sproule net was a good idea but it injured more people than it scooped up as unless you were VERY careful with your height control the leading edge metal bar clouted the poor survivor on the head. For this reason I only ever used it to recover bodies and so on to avoid the crewman having to do the dirty work. (When no boat available obviously)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Whirlwind01.jpg

Regarding power available WW7 versus WW9 - a clever chap at the garage door manufacturers in Yeovil removed almost exactly a ton of 750hp Leonides and replaced it with 328lbs of Gnome producing 1300hp! Who were happy bunnies at Culdrose when the changeover came. Power only limited by a red mark on the edge of the fuel flow guage! (Plus anti coll lights to flash away like the big boys).

David

Happy days indeed.

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h_unm343adQ/TwWg24HXTiI/AAAAAAAAHF0/5hSIEAmfWLU/s512/1960%252520De%252520Havilland%252520Engine%252520Co%252520Ad vert.jpg

1960 De Havilland Engine Company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Engine_Company) advert stating: "Gnome ordered into quantity production by the British Ministry of Aviation"

[industry insider]

There was a certain elegant simplicity to some of the earlier 206 paint schemes. G-BAML on low skids with a simple black (or dark blue) and white paint job looks refreshing again.

[Savoia]

Yes the early schemes weren't bad. That particular scheme was (to the best of my knowledge) Bell's original production pattern (adopted by Agusta). As Agusta stuck with this layout Bell modified theirs (examples below):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ij2z0TjEsE/TwW0sYDA_oI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/UCQ2u2YMimo/s813/Ferranti%2525201.1%252520m.jpg
The 'Agusta' scheme (adopted from Bell's initial production run) was maintained throughout Agusta's deliveries of 206's. Ferranti adopted the scheme in 'Dijon yellow' for their JetRanger fleet with accents in chocolate

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8OsOij7iGYo/TbKIgyBwveI/AAAAAAAAC1g/Y1yOJ6d56qc/s800/AZRU%252520AB206B%252520Blackbushe%2525201976%252520%252528P eter%252520Nicholson%252529.jpg
Bell's second scheme seen here on Lord Hanson's private mount G-AZRU

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YoKLc1layl8/Tb_6O2l7F_I/AAAAAAAADDI/QWdIp-wMoZ0/s800/BASE%252520Cranfield%2525202%252520Sept%25252077%252520%2525 28Peter%252520Nicholson%252529.jpg
Another popular Bell scheme was seen on Tommy Sopwith's 206 G-BASE

[6th Gear]

I'm humbled posting in such company having almost - but not quite - a PP(H).

However the post on G-BAML is interesting and reminded me of a motoring journalists dinner I attended a few years back in Birmingham.
The 'Spy Who Loved Me' came up in conversation with a few chaps from Lotus when I explained how the Jet Ranger/Esprit scene in the movie kicked off a passion and resulted in my buying an Esprit at the tender age of 19 to the horror of my parents. (And 25 years later a 206 B3.)

The chap who I was speaking to happened to be none other than Roger Becker the stunt driver in the 1977 film. He'd been sent to Sardinia by Colin Chapman in 1976, since the original United Artists stunt driver hadn't driven a right hand drive mid engined supercar and was making a complete hash of it.

Becker recalled the scene where the Jet Ranger was hovering above the road as he rounded a sweeping bend. His exact words cannot be printed here but suffice it to say he had'nt expected Crewdson to be so low :)

[500 Fan]

In addition to some of the posts on page 47 relating to Australian B206s and H500s in the Antarctic, here is a link to an interesting piece which features a well-known PPRuner;

Publication:Semaphore - Issue 18, 2005 - Royal Australian Navy (http://www.navy.gov.au/Publication:Semaphore_-_Issue_18,_2005)

http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/1805_2.jpg
Thala Dan's helicopter on the make-shift helipad onboard HMAS Hobart

In the meantime, the antarctic support vessel MV Thala Dan was only twelve hours steaming from the port of Hobart. The Thala Dan was directed to put into Hobart, disembark her passengers and take on a helicopter chartered by the Antarctic Division to assist in the rescue.

The following day, Hobart established direct communications with Macquarie Island and a full medical update on Mr Barker's condition was received. Having fallen from the cliff face, Mr Barker had spent four agonising hours lying on his stomach trying to stop skuas from pecking at his injuries before he was rescued.[1] Grave concerns were held for his well being and it was unclear what the best method of transferring him to Hobart would be, in light of deteriorating weather conditions at Macquarie Island.

On Sunday 7 January a three way communications link was established between Hobart, the Thala Dan, and the Macquarie Island base. Transfer options were discussed with the pilot of Thala Dan's small utility helicopter, Nigel Osborn who, as luck would have it, was an ex-Royal Navy pilot. It was agreed that a makeshift helicopter pad should be constructed onboard Hobart to enable transfer of the patient by air in the event that weather conditions at Macquarie Island were unsuitable for a boat transfer.

Throughout the day, Hobart found herself in rapidly deteriorating weather, with a fifteen foot swell running and the wind registering a constant force seven (28-33 knots). A number of her crew, particularly those who had been seconded for the voyage and who were not accustomed to the pitching and rolling of a DDG, experienced great discomfort as the ship steamed steadily south. In spite of this, the destroyer's shipwrights, engineers and seamen commenced work on the construction of the helicopter pad on the port side of Hobart's quarterdeck, using only the material and expertise available onboard. By the end of the day they had skilfully assembled a stout platform and were reasonably confident that it would be capable of receiving Thala Dan's helicopter should the need arise.

At 0515 on Monday 8 January, Macquarie Island was raised on radar and shortly afterwards Hobart altered her course to pass between the Judges and Clerk Islands as she proceeded to rendezvous with Thala Dan in Buckles Bay. On arrival in Buckles Bay at 0854, Hobart anchored two and a half cables to seaward of Thala Dan where an immediate assessment was made on how best to transfer the injured scientist. Hobart was rolling up to 12 degrees with the wind gusting between 30 and 35 knots, while the choppy sea state was estimated to be between three and four feet in height. Notwithstanding the shelter offered within the bay, it was obvious that it would be much too hazardous to attempt a boat transfer and risk further injury to the patient in such conditions. Thus the decision was made to transfer the patient using Thala Dan's helicopter.

Within half an hour Hobart was closed up at 'flying stations' and Thala Dan's helicopter was called in to attempt a trial landing on the recently constructed helipad. The landing was timed to avoid periods of excessive rolling and at 0930 the helicopter landed safely on board the makeshift structure. With the trial complete attention now turned to the medical evacuation of Mr Barker, which began at 1002 following the passing of a heavy rain squall. Again the helicopter was called in and the transfer was successfully completed in approximately 60 seconds.[2] With the patient and an Antarctic Division medical officer safely on board Hobart, the helicopter returned to Thala Dan with the distinction of being the first aircraft to land on board a Perth class DDG.

Hobart weighed anchor without delay and once clear of the island set course at best speed for the 900-mile voyage to Hobart. Mr Barker handled the rough sea conditions well throughout Monday 8 January and the forenoon of the following day; however, concern over a deterioration in his condition necessitated an increase in speed in spite of the weather. The Derwent River was entered at 2340 on Tuesday 9 January and Hobart berthed alongside Macquarie Wharf at 0115 on Wednesday morning, completing the journey in a record 39 hours. Shortly after berthing, Mr Barker was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Throughout the transit from Macquarie Island to Hobart, it was reported that the injured Roger Barker displayed great courage and remained composed in spite of his terrible injuries. He underwent emergency surgery on arrival in hospital at Hobart, which sadly resulted in the amputation of his left leg. It was with deep regret that the crew of Hobart later learned that he lost his fight for life when he succumbed to his injuries in Melbourne on 8 February 1979. [3] As a tribute to Roger Barker, the Barker Channel in the Vestford Hills region of Australian Antarctic Territory was subsequently named in his honour. Search here for Barker Channel on the Australian Antarctic Data Centre website

Hobart's mercy dash in 1979 typifies both the character and compassion of the Australian sailor. Her 'scratch' crew's willingness to put service before self to assist someone in great need, coupled with their ability to improvise in the face of adversity continues to serve as a fine example of naval ingenuity.

While on the subject of Australian helicopters in the Antarctic, does anybody know the identity of the Jayrow Hughes 500 that suffered a dynamic roll-over down south? Thanks.

500 Fan.

[Nigel Osborn]

500 Fan

I've no idea where you found that article as I've never seen it before. Roger was a terrific bloke & kept apologizing for messing up everyones holidays! His leg had gone gangrenous & was removed immediately on arrival in Hobart. His broken back was a worry, so he was flown to Melbourne for further treatment. After 3 weeks he had a series of strokes from a blood clot in his leg & tragically after so many peoples efforts, he died.
His parents flew over from Adelaide & got the doctor to drive them to my house to personally thank me & asked me to follow them to the hospital as Roger also wanted to thank me.

[A30yoyo]

As the theme seems to be mostly JetRangers but others welcome here's a Sea King I saw whilst working on Heathrow (1973?)http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/NorwSeaKingLHR900.jpg

[CharlieOneSix]

Re the query about the ironmongery on the oleos of the Whirlwinds in post #1180, I have heard back from three of the five "elderly pingers" who I emailed. Unfortunately none of them flew Whirlwinds with that bit of kit fitted but they all surmise it was a radar reflector - almost certainly to prevent the helicopter being mown down by a ship whilst the former was in the dip (in the hover with the sonar lowered).

What has come to light from one of them is that the photograph date of c.1963 can be refined. 825 was formerly a Gannet squadron until 1958 and on 16 August 1960 it reformed with the Whirlwind HAS7, embarking on Victorious on 18 October that year. The Squadron stayed on Victorious until the ship's Commission ended and the Squadron disbanded on 2 April 1962. It did not reform until 3 May 1982 when it was hurriedly reformed with Sea Kings from 706 training squadron for the Falklands campaign under the command of my good friend the late Commander Hugh Clark.

The Squadron that was embarked in Victorious in 1963 was 814 and they were equipped with the Wessex HAS1 not the Whirlwind.

Re Geoffers comment about the Mk7 winching itself virtually into the water, I also have vivid memories of that happening to me in Falmouth Bay - during basic flying training with Petty Officer Mitchell as the winchman and a rather hefty "volunteer" as the rescuee. Quite brave of the winchman to entrust himself to winching with a 19 year old "solo" student with only around 70 hours on helicopters!

[500 Fan]

Hi Nigel. I'm glad that link was of interest. I found that story while looking for info on Jayrow's Hughes 500s in the Antarctic.

It's just a great pity your efforts and the efforts of others were not met with a happy outcome on that occasion. If you have other interesting tales of flying in the Antarctic, I, for one, would love to hear them. Thanks.

500 Fan.

[CharlieOneSix]

Who remembers the instructor on Hiller 12E's on 705 Squadron who was flying two seaman officers on the air experience Junior Officers Air Course on a mucky day at Predannack - must have been around 1964.

The weather improved and the instructor pointed at the navigation lights switch (labelled as position lights) and said to the centre seat passenger "Switch off the position lights". Unused to a helicopter intercom he heard this as "switch off the ignition" and promptly turned off both magnetos whilst they were at 300 ft downwind.:eek: A successful engine off landing followed.:ok:

[Savoia]

500 Fan: That was a great find on the Osborn rescue .. bravo!

Yoyo: Given the aircraft's titles: "Redningstjeneste" this is most likely a Norwegian SAR bird and which begs the question; what were they doing at Heathrow?


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FWNPhul8luY/TwaN9cEk0aI/AAAAAAAAHGg/id6_zJs_jS8/s500/SSK%252520logo%252520s.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i1ZTUqBLPIs/TwaPDoxKh6I/AAAAAAAAHHo/KNt_iVAjpjs/s800/Royal%252520Navy%252520SK%252520%252526%252520BAS%252520EC-135%252520T2%25252B%252520HU5%252520at%252520Dunoon%2525203% 252520Jun%25252010.jpg
A Royal Navy Westland Sea King HAR5 is joined by a Bond Air Services EC135 at Dunoon, Scotland on 3rd June 2010

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yF6tPqsxQNQ/TwaOjxXW7TI/AAAAAAAAHHk/4B02oiRmHig/s640/XZ920%252520Sea%252520King%252520HU5%252520HMS%252520Gannet% 252520SAR%252520flight.jpg
Royal Navy Sea King HAR5 XZ920 of HMS Gannet's SAR flight .. in flight .. with the co-jo employing that most rare of aeronautical skills once known as navigation!

And then there's this ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rl_NcOXWLF0/TwaOW_uVuvI/AAAAAAAAHHg/4TPm8X9Qcts/s512/Sea%252520King%252520Commando.jpg

Details are scarce although there appears to be an '85' stamped on the nose of the craft. Word is that the Navy fly boys were distracted during their sortie by this 'foreign' species and were captured during their interrogation of the same!

Of Bulwark, Whirlwinds and Christmas!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AAV2WVgVWj0/TwaSB9rc5eI/AAAAAAAAHIE/7-J7FJ4blBU/s600/848%252520Helicopter%252520squadron%252520on%252520HMS%25252 0Bulwark%2525201961%252520Xmas%252520card%252520whirlwind.jp g

The Christmas card distributed by 848 Helicopter Squadron aboard HMS Bulwark in 1961. Perhaps someone, somewhere, can interpret the significance of the drawing!

[bast0n]

Here's a mix you don't see nowadays!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/img046.jpg

D

[A30yoyo]

It was pre-delivery, maybe a VIP pick-up or drop-off
1973 | 0805 | Flight Archive (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%200805.html?search=norwegian) sea king heathrow

[Savoia]

Ah Bast0n .. what splendiffery are you assaulting us with now!

In post 424 (http://www.pprune.org/6285383-post424.html) I ramble on about my first ever flight in a helicopter where I wrote:


Up until that point the only contraption which had captured my imagination was the hovercraft, which I loved, especially Hoverlloyd's red and white beasts.

So, your shot is (for me) just fantastic! Many thanks.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1KfX6E86pTY/TwfTLDVP5HI/AAAAAAAAHJs/ccN_yjM-7f4/s500/am%252520filming%252520seaspeed.jpg
A Manfred Mann 206 carrying-out a photographic assignment with Seaspeed c. 1970's

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GZjBAcJ1tOQ/TwfTMmhgk3I/AAAAAAAAHJw/w_PhO2DgklE/s720/Hoverspeed%252520SRN4%252520Dover.jpg
The fabulous SRN4 departing Dover Hoverport

500 Fan, seeing as you dug up the Osborn story; this is for you:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vqPD7vJlui8/TwfYOTw0KCI/AAAAAAAAHKE/kRVmOGa_M1A/s240/VoH%252520Logo%252520s.png
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j14sDnpcqS4/TwfSmW_wmrI/AAAAAAAAHJI/aBSy_3w83aY/s645/BDFP%252520Battersea%2525201977%252520Anton%252520Heumann.jp g
Hughes 500C G-BDFP at Battersea Heliport in 1977 (Photo: Anton Heumann)

Though known for much of her life as G-OAIM this craft started-out as BDFP initially sold to 'Hughes' of Beaconsfield in 1975 but then to remain in the stewardship of John E. Clarke & Co. (Bournemouth) for some 14 years between 1976 and 1990.

[bast0n]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/BulwarkP1127trials2.jpg

This shot of the P1127 trials on board HMS Bulwark off the Cornish coast may amuse those engineers who watch this thread. You may notice that there is an SAR Whirlwind 7 parked just ahead of the island - yup that's me! I went out to photograph the trial as the embarked Wessex 5s are not good for photography as the exhaust blurs shots taken from the cabin. I did one sortie and then needed fuel. I was made most welcome especially as it was a Sunday, and taken down to the ACRB for coffee. After a short while the flight deck engineer appeared and said that they could only get a couple of gallons of Avgas into the tanks so what should he do?
I guessed right away what he had done! The Whirlwind fuel filler cap - marked fuel - is very close to the engine oil filler cap marked oil! Those of you with long memories will remember that there was a one and half gallon airspace in the sump to allow for frothing. The engineers had topped up the sump with fuel. After much head scratching as Bulwark was on her way south west, they drained and refilled the sump with oil - no time to flush - filled up with fuel and off we should have went.

Guess what - the starter cartridge mechanism blew up so no start facility apart from hand swinging all 17 litres of Leonides. It takes 82 turns of the starting handle to turn the engine through one revolution! A team of hefty aircraft handlers lined up to do the necessary - I kept my finger on the high energy ignition button and another on the prime button - and after an eternity it fired on one then three then a few more and eventually was running. We thought it time to return to Culdrose as faces were starting to turn red in FLYCO at the thought of taking a Whirlwind to Gibraltar.

I have a feeling to this day that to fly home without doing all the necessray flushing may have been pushing it a bit............:rolleyes:

[Black hander]

I believe the centre photo in post 923 (http://www.pprune.org/6760904-post923.html) of the 206A in Tasmania is VH-AHV belonging to Rotorwork Helicopters.

[Pofman]

CharlisOneSix
Post 1204 - I think you will find that the pilot was Geoff Harvey.
These things are sent to keep you on the ball.

[Oldlae]

BastOn,

I wouldn't worry about the diluted oil as long as the engine wasn't run. I had this problem in the Arabian Gulf a few times on the civil turbine Whirlwind on oil rigs.

Each time I just drained the oil/fuel mix and replaced with fresh oil and then flew back to base in the aircraft.

[soggyboxers]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/HSP1331967.jpg

With reference to the aforementioned Neddy Seagoon, here he is (sans whiskers) when he and I were embarking on our career as aviators.

133HSP, RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Back row - Midshipman Macgregor RN (later chopped), S/Lt Ruppersbury (later chopped, then became an ATCO), 2Lt Brown RM (later transferred to RN, then died in an accident), Lt Randle RN, Lt 'Neddy Seagoon' Seymour RN, 2Lt Evans RM, 2Lt Jeffs RM, Midshipman Goodfellow RN (chopped).
Front Row - P/O Mustaffa RMAF, 2Lt Booth RM (chopped), S/Lt Tookey RN, Lt Grieg RM (chopped), Lt Gratton-Cooper RN, S/Lt Byham RN (chopped), S/Lt Howes RN (chopped, then became an ATCO), P/O Harun RMAF

It seems that only a few of us survived getting our wings and even then a few more fell by the wayside. Even Bast0n almost fell by the wayside once (at least :}) - or fell out of his Mini Moke by the wayside, but was greeted by his Bassett Hound, who had also survived the journey back from another happy Halzephron evening, with greet delight :}

[soggyboxers]

845 NACS at SBAC Farnborough airshow 1968

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/845NACSFarnborough1968.jpg

HMS Arethusa encounters a little touch of stormy weather, Iceland 1972

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/HMSArethusaoffIceland1972.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/HMSArethusaIceland19722.jpg

A couple of days before these photos were taken, I was flying around in my Wasp at 400 feet when suddenly I was astonished to see an RAF Nimrod appear from underneath me. It was flying at its normal MAD search height of 200 feet and as we'd removed our radar reflectors (a bit like the ones in your photos of the Whirlwind earlier) to render us less visible to the Icelandic coastguard gunboats, he hadn't seen me. The next time a Nimrod came by a slight swell made us disinclined to fly, so he took these photos of us emulating a submarine and the crew of the original Nimrod were kind enough to drop them off in the next mail container.

[Savoia]

Bast0n; what a great story and what fun it must have been in those glorious days of starter cartridges and hand cranks. Brilliant!

Some Bast0n-era memorabilia:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wj2Dl-NRVEM/Twu_k3rKmtI/AAAAAAAAHKs/HmevDfek2B8/s489/Auster%252520Engine%252520Start%252520Cartirdge.png
An Auster Starter Cartridge

I tried to find a Whirldwind starting cartridge but, alas, no joy. I'm assuming though that it can't have been too different from the example above, or, perhaps it was?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3oncR0b93jg/Twu_joH_8oI/AAAAAAAAHLA/eMRz6h7VOiI/s512/Alvis-LeonidesWhirlwind-1958-1.jpg
An Alvin Leonides advert from 1958

The blurb reads: "The Alvis Leonides Major. A 16 cylinder radial engine of exceptionally compact dimensions gives the Westland Whirldwind better load-lifting and hovering ability and increases the height attainable in forward flight."

Soggy: Your shots are wonderful .. many thanks! So which one of this non-motley-crew are you? You seem to have been in the Farnborough environs at the same time as Nigel Osborn (I think). Brilliant to see just how much of Arethusa's bow could get out of the water. Great stuff!

The TSMS Lakonia Disaster


The Lakonia departed Southampton on December 19, 1963 for an 11-day "Christmas Cruise" of the Canary Islands. Her first scheduled stop was to be the island of Madeira. There were 646 passengers and 376 crewmen on board: a total of 1,022 people. All but 21 of the passengers were British citizens, and the crew members were mostly Greek and German. The captain of the Lakonia was 53-year-old Mathios Zarbis.

Fire alarms sounded, but too softly to be heard by most passengers. "The fire alarm bell was so weak that it sounded like someone calling the waiter to ask for tea," one survivor later told reporters. An alarm went off on the bridge, pinpointing the fire’s location. The ship was about 180 miles north of Madeira

At the time the blaze was discovered, most of the passengers were in the ship's ballroom, called the Lakonia Room, dancing at the "Tropical Tramps' Ball." Passengers began to notice the smell of smoke, but most dismissed it as strong cigar smoke. Captain Zarbis, who had been notified of the fire, attempted to make an announcement on the ship's intercom system, but it had been disabled by the blaze. As smoke began to fill the ballroom at about 11:30, the band stopped playing and cruise director George Herbert ushered the frightened passengers to the boat deck. The upper deck was ablaze within 10 minutes.

Many of the passengers who had been asleep in their cabins found themselves unable to escape the fire. Some passengers were told to go to the main dining room to await instructions, but most ignored this order, since the dining room lay directly in the path of the fire.

At 11:30 p.m., the ship's chief radio officer Antonios Kalogridis sent out the first distress call: "Fire spreading up. Prepare evacuation on ship." At midnight, a second distress call was sent out: "We are leaving the ship. Please immediately give us assistance. Please help us." Kalogridis sent out the last call at 12:22 a.m., just before the wireless room caught fire: "SOS from Lakonia, last time. I cannot stay anymore in the wireless station. We are leaving the ship. Please immediate assistance. Please help."

When all of the boats were away, there were still people adrift in the water and over 100 people left on board the burning ship. The Lakonia continued to burn fiercely and was rocked by violent explosions. Those who remained on board flocked to the glass-enclosed Agora Shopping Center at the stern of the ship. After several hours, the flames closed in on them, and they were forced to descend ropes and rope ladders into the ocean. The port and starboard gangways were lowered as well, and people walked down the gangways single file into the sea.

At 3:30 a.m., four hours after the first distress call, the 495-foot (151 m) Argentine passenger ship Salta arrived on the scene. The Salta, under the command of Captain José Barrere, had been on its way from Genoa, Italy to Buenos Aires. The 440-foot (130 m) British tanker Montcalm arrived half an hour later at 4:00 a.m. The majority of the survivors were saved by these two ships. The Salta rescued 475 people and took aboard most of Lakonia's lifeboats.

In the hours that followed, the Belgian ship Charlesville, the Brazilian freighter Rio Grande, the British passenger ship Stratheden and the Panamanian freighter Mehdi all arrived to take part in the rescue. Each of the rescue vessels dispatched boats to pluck survivors from the water. Also, four United States Air Force C-54 planes were sent from the Lajes Air Base in the Azores. The planes dropped flares, lifejackets, life rafts and survival kits to people in the water.

Rescue efforts were hindered by the fact that the Lakonia drifted for several miles during the evacuation. People in the water were dispersed over a 2 – 3-mile (4.8 km) area. Also, rescue ships were reluctant to get too near the Lakonia; there was a constant risk that the ship's 500 tons of fuel oil would explode.

Most of the survivors were transported to Madeira, while others, including Captain Zarbis, were taken to Casablanca.

A total of 128 people died in the Lakonia disaster, of which 95 were passengers and 33 were crew members.

Crewmen from the British aircraft carrier HMS Centaur were able to board the Lakonia on December 24, once the flames had died down. Most of the bodies were recovered by the crew of the Centaur. By this time, the Lakonia was a charred, smoking hulk. Her superstructure had partially collapsed amidships, and the bridge and aft decks had caved in. There were holes blasted near the bow, and the ship was listing 10 degrees to starboard.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j-FyEjwBwdI/Twu_kwdR-8I/AAAAAAAAHLE/eqkgjUthW1Q/s560/Lakonia%252520ablaze.jpg
The TSMS Lakonia ablaze on 23rd December 1963

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JFcXUUVRqII/Twu_jb-AVNI/AAAAAAAAHK8/rVZREUYQfX4/s500/A%252520helicopter%252520from%252520the%252520British%252520 aircraft%252520carrier%252520HMS%252520Centaur%252520droppin g%252520crewmen%252520to%252520pick%252520up%252520bodies%25 2520from%252520the%252520smouldering%252520Lakonia.jpg
A Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind from the British aircraft carrier HMS Centaur returns to the smouldering Lakonia on 24th December 1963 to lower crewmen who would recover bodies from the charred vessel

[Nigel Osborn]

Sav

BastOn & I were in the 1964 Farnborough show followed immediately by Biggin Hill.........great fun! Ask BastOn what he thought of the Triumph Tina scooters lent to the squadron for personal transport! Mike S bought one, took it on board Albion & roared around Labuan on it. For some strange reason the Labuan Hotel complained there were tyre marks on their dance floor which I think was on the 6th floor!!:ok:

I can't believe all the complaints about the Mk7. In 847 we regularly flew with 6-8 grunts in the back at Predannack while in training & in Borneo I took 8-9 Malaysian Rangers without any power problems. BastOn, John I'm a welsh shepherd H & I did a short pinger course at Portland & the only power problem was when my inlet manifold cracked! Winching was never a problem, so I don't know where all the bad press is coming from.:confused:

[bast0n]

Soggy Boxers

Ah - the Moke!! Yes I did have a moment when going from Peter Craigs leaving RPC to the Red Lion in Helston. A quick swerve to avoid an oncoming bridge and I fell out - it would have been better had I not been driving at the time! I can still clearly remember tumbling down the road as the Moke persued me, spinning as it came along - eventually hitching itself to the wire fence by its front bumper. I continued to the Red Fred minus my aircrew watch and the pattern from the brass buttons on my jacket!

Next day I could not get out of bed, and could not fly for a few days.

Shown here in South Carolina alongside my car ferry, HMS Bulwark as one did:ok:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/MokeBulwark1.jpg

[76fan]

Aah .... the Whirlwind 7 .... what a dear old lady. The many cartridges sometimes needed to get all those cylinders firing, the many minutes in winter spent waiting for the oil to warm up to the required temperature before one could engage the rotor, the engine "surge range" which was always a battle for the students to avoid or control with the twist throttle on approaches, the height climb to 10,000' where one demonstrated the narrow speed band between retreating blade stall and the inability to hover (odd how many instructors had colds about that time on the course, so one had to go up again, and again, with their students) the auto down again with the lever raised ... Never did believe that I did EOL's unaided in her as a student, but loved her as an instructor ....
And what about the Mk 3 ? I flew them whilst a student and if I remember correctly they could be flown in manual control ?
Soggy's experience with the Nimrod also reminded me of the time I was in a WW7 at 10,000 doing the above when I was told by radar to avoid a fast moving target approaching from the east ..... a little like sitting in the hover at 30' dangling the sonar and watching two Buccaneers fast approaching at 40' .... only one way to go!

[TiPwEiGhT]

The Seaking pictured at EGLL is a Norwegian SAR machine belonging to 330 Squadron. Still going strong at Stavanger.

[500 Fan]

Sav, thanks for that photo of that 500C. It seems to have a few extra aerials fitted.

500 Fan.

[Troglodita]

Nigel,

Problem was that by 1972/3 the Pusser still had not received the Westland built Gazelle replacements for 705 so we were limited to 44 inches Hg boost to make the old beasts last a bit longer. Not really enough for our mutual winching sorties off Praa Sands!

That was about as far as you could go (about 2 Nms from Culdrose) with the 20 minutes or so of fuel that you could carry and still pick up a large wet midshipman!

We were reassured that all was safe by the mandatory presence of the mega powerful WW9 SAR machine hovering alongside us!

The sight of those 4 little wheels getting closer and closer to your head while all you can feel is a slight tugging under the armpits from the rescue collar stays with you a while!

Trog

[Savoia]

It seems to have a few extra aerials fitted.

A significant proportion of the UK's 1970's JetRanger population wore a dual-antenna configuration and which, one assumes, was the VOR receiver? On a handful of 500's (during the same period) these were also present but, as you can see from the image, were contoured to follow the belly of the craft. On 206's with 'highs' or pop-outs this arrangement posed little problem but on 'shorts' the antennas would sometimes return to base bent and buckled!

Do you know what happened to G-JAMI which I read about earlier in the nostalgia thread?
G-JAMI began life in the US as N18090 as a 1978 manufactured 'straight L' LongRanger which became the personal mount of James Anthony McCaughey (the JAM in JAMI) who (if I remember rightly) was the owner of Heart of England Helicopters.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UNyx4niOmys/TPFMPnQI0OI/AAAAAAAAHLk/qE3FjKdMhqQ/s500/G-JAMI%2525201980.jpg
The beautiful G-JAMI outside the Dollar Helicopters hangar at Coventry Airport in 1980

In 1983 this craft was sold to Osterman's Aero of Sweden who operated her as SE-HMO. In 2000 HMO was sold to Turkey where she flew as TC-HHC returning to Sweden two years later to fly again as SE-HMO in the Ostermans stable. As far as I know the craft still flies and was never up-graded (ie. she is still a straight L).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XZyfjI5PxWQ/Tw2yDjUdF7I/AAAAAAAAHLg/NLNhOeLQ_QY/s700/SE-HMO%252520Arlanda%252520Stockholm%2525208%252520Oct%25252083 %252520%252528Photo%252520Hans%252520Wallin%252529.jpg
On 25th March 1983 G-JAMI was re-registered as SE-HMO flying for Osterman's Aero and is seen here at Stockholm's Arlanda airport on 8th October 1983 still wearing her original colours. (Photo: Hans Wallin)

G-JAMI was the second LongRanger delivered to the UK (March 1978) after the Ferranti-managed G-BFAL (August 1977).

She was (in my view) the second most 'handsome' LongRanger to fly in Europe during the late 70's after Essex Oil's 3A-MSX (see post 1143 (http://www.pprune.org/6915662-post1143.html)).

[FH1100 Pilot]

Santa Madonna, Savoia! A 'straight' L on pan-type popouts *with* skid fairings?! Boy does that bring back some memories. The current 206's just don't look right with the "six-packs" and skinny crosstubes. Right handsome helicopter, IMHO. Thanks for posting! L-models always looked better with longitudinal (i.e. non-squiggly) stripes. Makes it look, err...longer (pun intended).

[TRC]

I'm surprised that no-one has commented about what the pilot seems to be doing - or are we just being polite?

Looks like he needed it.......

[A30yoyo]

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AVIISEN900.jpg

[Nigel Osborn]

TRC

The rest of us were just polite!
Good job it wasn't one of the whirly girl pilots!:ok:

[A30yoyo]

LHR ca. Oct1970
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AYCMJetRanger900.jpg
LHR ca.Oct1970
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AWLVJetRanger900.jpg
Biggin Hill Air Fair 1970
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AWGOJetRAnger900.jpg

[Palma]

Mike Hughes' first Hughes 500.

[Savoia]

Ah TRC, you don't miss a trick! To be honest I hadn't noticed this photographic faux pas (which I hope will not offend the sensitivities of our delicate Rotorheads members) but .. in Sweden, one presumes, anything goes!

The driver was doubtless confronted with that well-known Hamletian dilemma .. how did William put it again, oh yes .. "To pee, or not to pee, that is the question" and clearly decided on the former!

And seeing as a member of the 'Old Mann's Club' raised this matter ..

Of ex-Alan Manners .. LongRangers .. and 'being'!

I think it was your former colleague who way back on page two of this weave, wrote:

A certain man from Cornwall (and sometimes Italy) wrote: My impromtu visits to terra-firma with trusty steed extended to one embarassing moment whilst returning a LongRanger to UK from the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo in '84. I was breaking my neck for a pee and my dear colleague Cliff, the trusty engineer, helped me out when we plopped down in a snow covered meadow in Switzerland. I hopped out whilst Cliff held the controls and quickly took care of business. As we lifted I took stock of our 'footprint' - two skid-marks, two boot-marks and 'another indentation' in the snow.

Reflecting on relatively recent posts, this must have been with Castle Air's LongRanger G-LRII.

Mick (A30yoyo): Brilliant shots, bravo! This may well be one of the first images of AYCM we have on the thread - she is certainly a craft I have been looking for, much appreciated.

At the time you took this shot she was entrusted to 'Overhill Estates' of Bolney, Sussex and perhaps uplifting a prospective client from Harry Heathers! I am always fascinated by early images of Heathrow .. wonderful!

After Overhill, AYCM moves on to Fras-Air of Glasgow in 1973 .. (enter Wiggy) and is one of numerous aircraft which at some point was owned by WR Finance of Leeds who, one presumes, were an aviation finance house?

Each time I see your username it reminds me of the cellist Yo-Yo Ma, lol, abd if you think I'm bad with helicopter nostalgia then don't get me started on classical music .. my real passion!

(Oh, by the way; please could you adjust your G-AVII post as the combination of text and images have pushed the post sideways and has thrown this page out of alignment. Many thanks).

Palma wrote: Mike Hughes' first Hughes 500.

Palma, Felice Anno Nuovo!

Great to see you on Nostalgia and thanks for this clarification. (Palma refers to the 500C depicted on the previous page).

I am guessing that she looked something like this when you delivered her:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lc7giSVZNU0/Tw5ZPZaZcQI/AAAAAAAAHMA/_5nXUT-JpYg/s800/bdfp%252520Cranfield%25252006%25252009%2525201975.jpg
Hughes 500C G-BDFP at the Cranfield Show on 6th September 1975

It was at Cranfield that I first met you ('79 I think) when I was in tow with the Colonel. You were flying a 'stripey' high skid 'D' model (G-GOGO perhaps) and had Mike Smith with you. When you departed 'Cranners' on the day I met you, you had a wee lass (she could only have been 7 or 8) wedged between you and Mike in the 500's centre jump seat!

After seeing you depart I walked in the company of Cy Rose who proceeded to show me his newly acquired Enstrom F28 and offered to take me for a 'spin' but the Colonel would have none of it insisting that there were 'pressing' engagements to attend and which turned-out to be a boozy appointment with a then little-known chap called Colin Heathcote!

Enjoyable days indeed.

[FH1100 Pilot]

Re: Post 1225...

Ground-handling wheels left on for flight? EEK!

Man, the stuff we used to do that we'd never do now!

[John Eacott]

As the Sproule net and Whirlwinds came up, here are a couple of previously posted photos of the WW in 1957 during 700H trials:

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/MK7%20Sproule%20Net%20700H%20Lee%201957%2001.jpg

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/MK7%20Sproule%20Net%20700H%20Lee%201957%2002.jpg

19 year old Mids playing with them with ~90 hours total time: that's the way to learn :ok:

[Savoia]

FH1100: This issue cropped-up previously and I think it was determined that the ground handling wheels were bolted onto the undercarriage (at least I hope this was the case as from what I remember 206 GHW's would dislodge themselves as the drop of a hat when not under tension). There were some practical considerations to having them outside the most obvious being space saving when flying with a load and where ground handling was required at the destination. I remember Battersea Heliport used to have various sets of ground handling wheels available for many years and would 'shuffle' e thaircraft about if required.

Ferranti's 206 fleet were not permitted to fly with GHW's installed as this was considered 'ungainly'. Similarly, Ferranti 206's were not permitted to fly without skid fairings and .. my godfather's pet hate .. missing collar cuffs (the piece connecting the skid fairing to the underside of the fuselage)!

Perhaps these will be of greater interest:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-76nSHVjxlGo/Tw6KuVlz9oI/AAAAAAAAHNg/NpYSjXLTETs/s512/206L%252520NYC.jpg
A '78 model 206L over New York City

The craft above may well have been one of those you worked with during your time at Island Helicopters?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lHxo6h2WdaM/Tw6KuzUqDKI/AAAAAAAAHNk/RBgM4BYe7PA/s512/crane%2525203.jpg
Motorola's 206L N16939 delivering their 'Offshore Service' in the Gulf of Mexico in 1978

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5f48fg5ZMck/Tw6KrBwtnII/AAAAAAAAHNo/MaTgRrw4ro8/s512/motorola%252520206L%2525201978.jpg
N16939: Bow shot

And if you thought that LongRangers only ever wear 'skinny' legs then check out the Venezuelan version fitted with highs and skid fairings!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SdGFvK2vp-Q/Tw6NZQJDjnI/AAAAAAAAHNs/Oh2DxW3Z3Yw/s720/206LI%252520II%252520YV-2214P%252520Zuloaga%25252C%252520Venezuela%25252019%252520Ma r%25252005.jpg
Bell 206LI-II YV-2214P in Zuloaga, Venezuela on 19th March 2005

[Savoia]

John: great shots! :ok:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5czPW0nKuw0/Tw6ggcKukdI/AAAAAAAAHN8/I7YygSjvXiA/s720/Jeacott%252520Sprouling.jpg

Couple of questions:

Red Triangle: Was this a Schermuly flare dispenser?

Yellow Rectangle: What was this please?

What about performance on the various Whirlwind models as there seems to be a diversity of opinion!

[John Eacott]

845 NACS at SBAC Farnborough airshow 1968

Soggy,

Was this your Farnborough programme?

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/845%20Farnborough%20small.jpg

[skadi]

It looks like a searchlight in the yellow rectangle....

skadi

[John Eacott]

She was (in my view) the second most 'handsome' LongRanger to fly in Europe during the late 70's after Essex Oil's 3A-MSX

Whereas my 206L was a fairly well known colour scheme around Eastern Australia for some time: but we never heard of fairing cuff thingies :p

It was quite a 'slick' machine, after the second dose of overspray from Ansett it was cut and polished with a teflon treatment which put it into the 115-120kias cruise bracket. Plus a very clean compressor with the use of Water-Meth injection on many a take off in our warmer temps ;)

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4727-1/206L+VH-LIN+at+Gold+Coast.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4730-1/206L+VH-LIN+at+Queensland+T+Mart.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4740-1/VH-LIN+at+Adelaide.jpg

[Savoia]

John Eacott wrote: .. but we never heard of those fairing cuff thingies ..
Perhaps not; in spite of the fact that your fine 206L is fitted with them. ;)

[wiganairways]

Hi Sav,

JR, G-AYCM was owned by Sir Hugh Fraser of House of Fraser fame, see post #770 for more details.

Wiggy

Good to see the photo's of the G-A, registered JR's

[Savoia]

Wiggy wrote: Good to see the photo's of the G-A, registered JR's

Indeed. There were, to my count, around 54 'A' reg 206's in the UK (only 19 of which were Bells). We've covered a fair few on Nostalgia (probably the most interesting ones) but there are still some more to go.

Quite a number of the 'A' reg 206's that we haven't touched upon are Bristow birds and one of the reasons for that is that in the late 60's (not long after Bristows took delivery of their initial order of 20 ships) many of them were shipped-off to support various overseas contracts.

Of the non-Bristow 206's some of those we have yet to look at include: G-AVVH, G-AVZH, G-AWOY, G-AWRI, G-AWRV, G-AXXO, G-AYDK, G-AYHN and G-AYIY.

Yoyo's G-AVII Shot

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kJMVEySz8RE/Tw7yQMZktQI/AAAAAAAAHOg/nE6c56DE8fM/s450/G-AVIISEN900.jpg

It would be grand if we could identify the 1970's Bristow driver from Yoyo's Southend photo of G-AVII!

Bristow ran the Plessey conract for some years with this craft after which, if I remember rightly, it passed to Manfred Mann who were leasing G-AXAY (more about G-AXAY on page 11 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-11.html) of the Alan Mann thread). The contract then went to Ferranti and I am still trying to establish which aircraft was assigned for this purpose but my suspicion is that it was G-AZZB.

If there's anyone with a little more insight into the Plessey contract please do chip in.

[Savoia]

Well if you've clicked onto PPRuNe this morning in the hope of finding a mild pick-me-up then I hope this contribution helps.

Its a British Pathé clip from 1952 documenting the arrival of two S-55's from the US in what is claimed to be the first trans-Atlantic crossing by helicopters.

The S-55's arrive at Prestwick from Iceland but, as with most Pathé clips, its the commentator's post-war British accent and choice of words which, for me, turn these little clips into gems. Enjoy!

British Pathé Clip (http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=30146)

[Savoia]

On page 49 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-49.html) we highlighted an event which occurred on 8th April 1959 when a Widgeon (G-ANLW) became the first helicopter to land at Westland's Battersea Heliport.

The craft was flown by John Fay:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O19T3IxX53Q/TxBwzORQUQI/AAAAAAAAHPc/af3ixOYTrGw/s512/john%252520fay%252520portrait.jpg
John Fay


John Samuel Fay was born in Brazil in 1921 and brought up in New Zealand until th age of nine when he came to England.

He was educated at Bardfield College and went straight from there to join the Fleet Air Arm in 1940. His training was on Miles Magisters, Fairey Batlles and then on to Swordfish and Albacores. He was appointed to 832 Squadron on HMS Victorious and operated in the Arctic and the Mediterranean.

He also had a short spell at Manston operating in the English Channel. The Victorious crossed the Atlantic at the end of 1942 and after some modifications joined the US fleet in the Pacific. Meanwhile 832 Squadron converted to Grumman Avengers and had the distinction of being the first British squadron to operate from an American carrier; the USS Saratoga.

After returning from the pacific he joined the Sevice Trial Unit at Crail until being appointed to the first helicopter course in Britain at Hanworth in March 1944.

After the war he joined the British European Helicopter Unit, which carried-out pioneering work such as mail and passenger trials, instrument flying and crew training.

On joining Westland aircraft as a test pilot and instructor he flew the types such as the Dragonfly, Whirlwind, Bell 47-B3-1, Widgeon and Wessex plus the Hughes 269. He also trained some 300 service and civil pilots from Britain and foreign countries and demonstrated several Westland aircraft at the Farnborough Airshows in th 1950's and 1960's. He also published several books on helicopters.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n6iLcaOwkMI/TxBwugZIoGI/AAAAAAAAHPY/c5Q1ZsCsLU4/s800/john%252520fay%252520002.jpg
John Fay's landing at Westland Heliport on 8th April 1959 with G-ANLW and which became the first movement at Battersea

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V455GnsS6TI/TxBwucaeIdI/AAAAAAAAHPU/-SM_4diFqBc/s720/john%252520fay%252520001.jpg
John Fay with G-ANLW in a slightly different paint scheme and wearing floats

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5Kt7k-FpzHQ/TxBwy6hWvqI/AAAAAAAAHPg/UW0q-uQm51U/s512/john%252520fay.jpg
John with a BEA Dragonfly conducting postal trials with the Royal Mail

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7t6bDxBdo4Q/TxEu9tgE-DI/AAAAAAAAHQc/CW_-tN4QnAk/s245/NI%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dnHJcC8yKhI/TxEtIMNxHzI/AAAAAAAAHQE/fmI_XpmSnEQ/s640/AB47G2%252520I-VFED%252520Alghero%252520Fertilia%2525201973%252520First%252 520ac%252520of%252520Vigili%252520del%252520Fuoco%252520%252 528Luigi%252529.jpg
Agusta-Bell 47G-2 I-VFED of the 'Vigili del Fuoco' (Fire Watch Corps) at Fertilia Airport, Alghero, Sardinia, in 1973. This was the Corps first helicopter

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O76lH6BcbNE/TxEtGnwPPcI/AAAAAAAAHQI/dPBqog9yxso/s800/Visit%252520by%252520King%252520Gustaf%252520VI%252520of%252 520Sweden%252520to%252520the%252520Italian%252520Andrea-Doria%252520class%252520battleship%252520Caio%252520Duilio%2 52520on%25252018th%252520March%2525201967.jpg
Visit by King Gustaf VI of Sweden to the Italian Andrea-Doria class battleship Caio Duilio on 18th March 1967 with a pair of Sikorsky S-58's (Italian Navy designation HSS-1) on the aft quarterdeck

[soggyboxers]

Soggy,

Was this your Farnborough programme?


John,

Yes, that was the one. Thanks for the newspaper article. Brian Sarginson was CO of 705 when I was a student and then my first CO on 845. He was a superb pilot and held in much awe by we lower life-forms.

During that Farnborough we also had motorcycles on loan - I think they were Triumph 250 cc scrambles bikes. I wasn't able to ride them as I had just been banned from driving, my last heinous offence having been to fail to stop at a T-junction in Helston whilst riding my wife's slowped :}:rolleyes:. I seem to remember we'd already written off 2 bikes by the end of the first day we had them. They were also used in a little jolly jape when the chaps went off to look at the 'Dead Sparrows' aircraft and noticed that their team had been given MGBs by MG After sticking Fly Navy stickers all over them the trials bikes were revved up in first gear whilst on their parking stands and the Dead Sparrows gleaming machines well sprayed with mud :E

[Shane101]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405915_10150457508691837_596011836_9032879_1493238198_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398685_10150457512471837_596011836_9032903_1836524061_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382648_10150457510741837_596011836_9032892_1108160083_n.jpg

[Geoffersincornwall]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6700154601_d27c5bd1c2_b.jpg

Once upon a time, in a small Far Eastern country, where the oil is under the sea and not far from land, a group of contractors converged. There were two groups of contractors and one had even brought a helicopter with them. The others were just pilots visiting for the rainy season when the crew-boats couldn't run and more helicopter activity was the plan.

The group of contractors with the helicopter were a mixed bag of Australians, Canadians and Europeans and they belonged to a company called Okanagan, a long dead ancestor of the mighty CHC.

The visiting pilots were British as were many of the resident work-force at that time and we enjoyed the excellent company of both residents and Okanagans.

One amongst the Okanagans was a chap called Jack - and Jack was a jolly fellow and a great practical joker. His speciality was slipping a match head into one of your cigarettes during the tea break should you be foolish enough to leave them lying around. When enjoying your nicotine fix the cigarette would explode and terrify one and all ----- and Jack would always be there peering into the crew-room and chuckling merrily.

Deciding that enough was enough we sought some retribution and knowing these stout fellows to be country bumpkins to the core we dreamed-up a wicked scam.

A function was invented and the whole team invited to attend. It was to be an important event for the ambitious acting chief pilot and a special day for the wife of one Okanagan who was visiting at the time. The heart of the scam was to get these guys dressed up with a tie - something they were definitely not accustomed to. The plan was to collect them together at the Shell Guest House and take a photograph of them in their finery. This included an expensive new dress for the young lady and a wonderful collection of ties that had been borrowed from the resident crews.

Their smiling faces were to turn to grimace and disappointment when they proceeded to the dining room to find, not the Canadian High Commissioner to Kuching (if such a person even existed) but a two-man welcoming committee who, so as not to disappoint, had arranged a curry lunch for them to enjoy and a few cold beers in which to shed their tears.

Give them their due - most saw the funny side. I must say that ever since I have wondered what the Public Affairs Department thought when they received a small slip attesting to the promised attendance of ALL Okanagans to an event about which they knew not a jot.
G.

The form looked something like this:

BSP – Public Affairs Department

NOTICE OF EVENT – Ref. PA1410

On the 13th October the Canadian High Commissioner for Kuching will visit the BSP facilities at Seria and Anduki and afterwards will be entertained for luncheon at the Shell Guest House.

DEPARTMENTAL ACTION REQUIRED

The Okanagan Helicopters detachment at Anduki are requested to attend the above luncheon. Please indicate below those attending, detach the reply slip and forward to:

Public Affairs
Can Hi Com/Oct
HQ
Seria

Your attention is drawn to the protocol advice below:

PROTOCOL

Event Classification - Semi-Formal

Dress Codes – (Host department to indicate dress requirements)

Gentlemen – White Tie
Black Tie
Lounge Suit
Jacket & Tie
Shirt Sleeves with tie - ✔
Shirt Sleeves no tie
Ladies – Ball Gown
Cocktail Dress
Formal Dress
Informal Dress - ✔

VENUE

Shell Guest House, 13.00h


Tear here and return to Public Affairs as soon as possible.

Function Ref No. ………………………………………….
Number Attending ……………………………………………………….

[Nigel Osborn]

Good to see Manky with some hair, although there's more on his face! I guess it's an old photo!:ok:

[A30yoyo]

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/S-58-Manhattan900.jpg

a LIFE magazine photo I think

[Savoia]

Geoffrey, this is long overdue and for which I can do little more than apologise. However, by employing the adage: "better late than never", I hope to make amends!





https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JTqqlorooT0/Tv7SdGYnoSI/AAAAAAAAG_I/p1y2dyqUr0A/s245/MoA%252520s.png

Awarded to PPRuNer Geoffersincornwall for his
exceptional contributions to rotary nostalgia along with
his enjoyable wit accompanied by his fascinating pictorial memoirs
and .. for delivering G-WIZZ & G-TALY from Frosinone to Fairoaks



Medal of Appreciation Past Recipients:


Baston
Helipixman
Industry Insider
Ah de Havilland

[Geoffersincornwall]

I called my last submission 'A Cautionary Tale for a reason. The practical jokers upon whom we had visited embarrassment and humiliation would not, of course, take it lying down.

A few weeks after our jolly jape I had to leave my 'house-sitting' spot in Kuala Belait and move to the Sea View Hotel where the Okanagan lot were staying. Suffice it to say that when returning at 2 am after a jolly good party I found my hotel room door had been tampered with - the rascals had poured super-glue in the lock so entry was impossible.

Fortunately the night-porter fetched the owner and he broke down the door and I passed a relatively peaceful night.

The remainder of the tour was passed in a nervous state of anticipation but all in very good spirits. They were a good crowd and good sports. The sad thing was that the chap on the far left of the picture was Acting CP and saw the luncheon with the High Commissioner as his ticket to promotion. Apparently he issued a three line whip to his colleagues and their one day off was to be spent in homage to His Excellency. He took the embarrassment personally and did not speak to me after that. Somehow the joke passed him by. I often wonder if his ambitions were fulfilled.


G. :ok:

[Savoia]

Great stuff Geoffers!

I must say that the comments one heard about them when they were orange and white tended to be better than when they became red, white and blue!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fHXdbe1y3qg/TxUSPIMwRLI/AAAAAAAAHWM/b8Gon3Rl1i8/s275/JRIB%252520Logo%2525203%252520s.png



Savoia wrote: Quite a number of the 'A' reg 206's that we haven't touched upon are Bristow birds and one of the reasons for that is that in the late 60's (not long after Bristows took delivery of their initial order of 20 ships) many of them were shipped-off to support various overseas contracts.

And here is one of those birds:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HvThopzL9gk/TxUSY-Yo9EI/AAAAAAAAHWw/pc8R5Z39rG4/s800/AB%252520206%252520G-AXKE%2525201970%252520%252528Graham%252529.jpg
Agusta-Bell 206A JetRanger G-AXKE, the 35th 206 registered in the UK, at an undisclosed location c. late 60's early 70's (Photo: Graham Bunn)

This craft was bought by Bristows in July 1969 but was then shipped-off to Indonesia the following month. In 1973 she is again registered to Bristows in the UK until 1975 when she is transferred to Bermuda after which the trail runs cold.

It is fair to assume therefore that this shot was taken either prior to her departure to Indonesia in 1969 or during her return to the UK between 1973-75 but I am inclined to go for the 73-75 period as all of Bristow's late 60's 206's were delivered in a pale blue colour.

Does anyone have an inkling as to which location this might be?

[Savoia]

1982 was a rough year for Mil accidents .. in April there was the two cab pile-up involving Wessex Mk 5's (XT464 and XT473 from 845 Naval Air Squadron) on South Georgia island during their attempt to extract SAS troops.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UPKTVhjimQc/TxZZGvI5UuI/AAAAAAAAHYw/u3U8LJ-lRno/s512/413.jpg
Soldiers from D Squadron SAS approach a crashed Wessex in appalling conditions on Fortuna Glacier, South Georgia Island. The surviving Wessex (to the right) was soon to perish as well, resulting in an epic feat of airmanship by the crew of "Humphrey", a third Wessex, to evacuate the men from the glacier

As I have mentioned several times previously, I depend on a small army of photographers to help me illuminate this thread. In all but the rarest of cases when I post an image with the photographer's name mentioned - that person has been solicited for permission to post on this forum and the link to the thread forwarded to the photographer once the image is posted. I must say that almost all the photographers I have approached have been most accommodating and which has been of encouragement.

As a result I have increasingly come to appreciate the efforts of those who are happy to support our merry trip down rotary-memory-lane!

I would like to introduce Graham Bunn (who gave permission to use the image of Bristow's G-AXKE above). Graham's father spent many years as an amateur photographer and amassed a formidable collection of aviation images of which Graham is now custodian. Sadly, Graham's father (now 79) is quite poorly and so, with this post goes out our best wishes for his recovery.

Graham is keen to obtain a little more information about some of the rotary images in his collection and, as a result, I shall be featuring a number of them here on Nostalgia in the hope that we may be able to come up with some helpful responses.

Quite a number of Graham's photos feature a location (the same as that shown in the image of G-AXKE) which is, as yet, unidentified .. and which I would like to identify. If anyone recognises this paddock flanked by what appears to be a fairly distinctive tree line, please do let us know.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KTF3yTrqqNg/TxZZJsWliII/AAAAAAAAHYo/9q5vZUK2Q30/s720/PICT0026%252520%2525282%252529.JPG
Another one of Graham's images: Enstrom F28A G-BAWI landing at our mystery location and being marshalled by what appear to be Army Cadets? (Photo: Graham Bunn)

Using the dates of G-AXKE's return to Britain (1973-75) as a parameter, one observes that BAWI was registered to Cy Rose in April 1973 and sold on in January 1977. Perhaps the inimitable Dennisimo is accompanying Cy in the shot above!

I was at first going to take a stab at the location being Ascot but now think it could be the Carshalton Carnival?

[1helicopterppl]

Savoia,

I too thought the mystery location for AXKE was Ascot racecourse, however, the marshallers in BAWI pic have confused me !

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HjpdAPvidWc/TxgBSslWUwI/AAAAAAAAHaM/tZ-gYn3FJeU/s800/XT764.JPG
A Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XT764 at the 'mystery location' c. mid-70's (Photo: Graham Bunn)

[Savoia]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_xApBs6iQG4/TxlHNtv3ftI/AAAAAAAAHb8/ZPHdtuwlrlo/s270/WAS%252520Logo%252520s.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6wUDoVkgLEo/TxlJJ54Z-II/AAAAAAAAHck/CPLJ8ZNIVw0/s640/Army%252520Scout.jpg
British Army Westland Scout XR635 on 'Eagle Patrol' in Northern Ireland (any offers on a likely date for this photo would be welcome)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D_8Wx6ji6Cc/TxlJJRsqEnI/AAAAAAAAHco/PCyZI2T0_E4/s720/wasp%252520434.jpg
A Royal Navy Westland Wasp from HMS Endurance alights on an ice floe in the Antarctic during 'pre-engagement' reconnaissance operations prior to the Falklands War (1982)

[CharlieOneSix]

With the mix of military and civil airframes I wonder whether these photos were taken at one of Charles Hughesdon's Helicopter Garden Parties at Ripley? I haven't flown in there since the 1969 event but somehow it seems familiar.

Hofmeister posted this Pathe News clip on this forum back in September 2010 and the tree type and maturity etc might possibly back up this supposition?

HELICOPTER PARTY - British Pathé (http://www.britishpathe.com/video/helicopter-party)

[TRC]

British Army Westland Scout XR635 on 'Eagle Patrol' in Northern Ireland (any offers on a likely date for this photo would be welcome)




Quite a few clues here:

White bone-dome
Looks like an orange Mae West
Soldier armed with an SLR
Wearing Boots DMS with puttees, and 1960 pattern combat jacket and trousers
Late 60's - very early 70's?

[soggyboxers]

Late 60's - very early 70's?

We didn't actually deploy to Northern Ireland until 15 August 1969. Flt Lt Tim Jenner (later Air Marshal Sir Tim Jenner) landed the first Wessex of 72 Squadron there in support of British troops who were deployed on 14 August.

This came after a speech by Jack Lynch, the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic who called for a United Nations peacekeeping force to be sent to the province.
300 troops from the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, occupied the centre of Londonderry.

I was about to go on exchange service to 72 Squadron and had been expecting a nice sunny sojourn in Cyprus with the UN detachment, but instead went on the first of my flying detachments to the province with 72.

I don't particularly remember Eagle patrols then, but they probably started around that time. When I was on my final tour as a 'mud marine' in 1975, I was still wearing boots DMS with puttees and carrying an SLR and the pilots of 845 NACS on HMS Hermes were still wearing white bone domes (though when I was flying my AS Wasp as a Royal Marine, I flew wearing a proper green bone dome!

[Savoia]

TRC, thank you for that forensic analysis of clues from the 'Eagle Patrol' photo, most impressive, and thanks to Soggy for affirming TRC's hypothesis!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XDq1UaLUN5w/TwCgrjSd0KI/AAAAAAAAHB0/kTrXqyEXqNg/s195/ww%252520logo%252520s.png

G-ANFH began life in 1953 as a Series 1 Westland Whirlwind subscribed to the factory until purchased by BEA in November 1954.

While with BEA ANFH was involved in a number of route trials for scheduled services including a link between Heathrow and Southampton.

In 1966 the craft appeared in the film 'Murderers' Row' (1966) starring Dean Martin and was involved in shoots in the Isle of Wight and in Monaco. Evidently, at both locations, a hovercraft also appeared and includes one scene in which it drives through the streets of Monte Carlo!

In February 1969 ANFH was bought by Freddie Wilcox (Autair) and sold on to Bristows in April of the same year. While with Bristows ANFH was involved in oil and gas exploration support in the Irish Sea.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eHhG00HfyhI/TxpRCCw6r5I/AAAAAAAAHdY/Op8dIc2nb1o/s310/anglia%252520-%252520Copy.jpg
In 1959 Anglia Television chartered G-ANFH from BEA as part of their channel launch which took place on 29th October. The ladies touring with the Whirlwind were accorded the title: 'Helibelles'

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v1tU5NNx_sA/TxpRD4DNcXI/AAAAAAAAHdU/ybswP2Lv9HU/s740/anglia%252520-%252520Copy%252520%2525282%252529.jpg
G-ANFH on tour with Anglia Television in 1959 and seen here with some of her supporting promotional vehicles

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YjAIWIiakIE/TxpRBpRlBKI/AAAAAAAAHdc/OsmYIvO13F0/s800/G-ANFH%252520%2525282%252529.jpg
G-ANFH wearing her red and white livery [trust me] (date and location unknown)

I have to apologise for the rash of recent images lacking in detail, a hazard (I fear) of collecting older photos. Hopefully here on Nostalgia we may be able to fill-in some of the gaps from time-to-time!

[check]

Geoff,

Is Jack the guy in the dark blue shirt and white trousers?, if so we had some good times together in India

[chopper2004]

Sotiras,

A guy I worked with who was ex REME, said that in the mid to late 80s, his Scout squadron got transported over to Ft Lewis for an exercise. This wouldn't be one of the unit's airframe doing a long x country (albeit state) flight up and down the West Coast?

Cheers

[Geoffersincornwall]

Correct - I believe his full name was Jack Jaworski and I seem to remember he had a Venezuelan wife and lived in Florida.

G.

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-68VoGX2hDKs/TxzzhZ2j6sI/AAAAAAAAHfU/M6mykPWyLRo/s400/TSF%252520Logo%252520s.png

During the past week I received the image below from Adrian Batchelor who worked with HPB Aviation at Leavesden for over 20 years (in their paintshop department) and who has been involved in repainting a number of aircraft which have featured on Nostalgia including G-AWOL and G-EORR. Most notably however, Adrian was involved in repainting Tommy Sopwith's Ecureuil G-GINA (the UK's first AS350) and has kindly sent us this photo which he took after completing the job:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c50AvV55SO8/Txz6k_gvpeI/AAAAAAAAHgo/P_0p2fFPGvo/s800/GINA%252520Leavesden%2525201981%252520after%252520respray%25 2520by%252520HPB%252520Aviation%252520%252528Adrian%252520Ba tchelor%252529.jpg
Endeavour Aviation's AS350 G-GINA at Leavesden Aerodrome in 1981 after being resprayed by HPB Aviation (Photo: Adrian Batchelor)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iZ4MQjrXYo/Txz5FAfKTZI/AAAAAAAAHgM/uL3uidbxisI/s533/Thomas%252520Sopwith%2525201910.jpg
Sir Thomas Sopwith (Tommy's father): Who lived to be 101 and built over 18,000 aircraft during the First World War including the iconic 'Camel'

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oTL9En2PRt8/Txzz4YCfF7I/AAAAAAAAHfs/JZy7gr38pp4/s640/Tommy%252520Sopwith%252520Sunbeam%252520Rapier%252520Rally%2 525201958.jpg
Tommy Sopwith in 1958 winning a Rally with a Sunbeam Rapier (I think)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nd1bofcyg0Y/Txzzzk96wUI/AAAAAAAAHfU/WGaiITlkyX4/s155/copoc%252520logo.jpg
Besides racing cars and flying helicopters, Tommy was a keen competitor in power boat races:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C3RoANP6GYI/Txzz49dcJfI/AAAAAAAAHfw/kzNzhn3JioU/s640/Tommy%252520Sopwith%252527s%2525201970%252520Avenger.jpg
Tommy Sopwith's 'Avenger' powerboat which he raced throughout the 70's and wearing his '007' numbers

In 1968 Tommy won the Cowes boat race with his craft 'Telstar'. The favourite had been Charles Gardner's 'Surfury' (one of the fastest boats in Britain at the time) but ..

“As we approached Torquay I had seen a helicopter flying low back toward the Isle of Wight, I assumed there was a race boat there and that it was likely Sopwith. I didn’t want to believe it, but there was a nasty feeling at the back of my neck….!”

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AP2afxO1nZM/Txzz06AdyAI/AAAAAAAAHfg/dMMMz6fzJOc/s608/surfctc68cr.jpg
Tommy Sopwith and the crew of 'Telstar' at the Winners' Berth of the 1968 Cowes boat race. Charles Gardner arrives in his craft 'Surfury' "stunned" to find Sopwith had arrived before him and relegating him and the crew of 'Surfury' to that of runners up

Tommy's smaller craft, Telstar, had won over Surfury through a choice of tactics in which Sopwith stole victory under the noses of Gardner and his crew by selecting a calmer inland course.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wWSEabh739U/TxzzzjZ54dI/AAAAAAAAHfc/tnWvq6K_DsU/s608/bl3big2.jpg
Charlie Gardner's Surfury racing (and winning) in the previous years' Cowes event (1967)

Present in the shot above is a float-equipped Alouette II and which, one surmises, is none other than G-AVEE (aka F-BNKZ) and which we discussed on page 46 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-46.html).

The Alouette had been hired by the BBC to provide aerial shots of the race which was commentated on by the late great Raymond Baxter.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y1q457PO5Z8/Tx0IVxLOmJI/AAAAAAAAHhE/2JkXB5y_mCk/s280/220px-Raymond_Baxter_-_Jaguar_-_RAF_Laarbruch_-_1976.jpg
Raymond Baxter seen here in front of a SEPECAT Jaguar at RAF Laarbruch in 1976 and who provided commentary for the Cowes boat race

Oddly, the late Raymond Baxter bears an uncanny resemblance to my doctor!

More Sopwith Files on pages 33 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-33.html) & 35 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-35.html).

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DaHmQq6bqu0/Tv1uxsbuiMI/AAAAAAAAG-E/8Ydw2syC7m8/s220/nan%252520logo%252520s.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bsEccMFxvA8/Tx5SAzM8YWI/AAAAAAAAHhg/a9I9gZTE9_g/s800/Manhatten%252520Heliport.jpg
Manhattan's West 30th Street Heliport as seen in its opening year of 1956. Present on the pad are rotorcraft from the New York Airways (NYA) fleet, namely a Piasecki 44B and a Sikorsky S55. NYA ran passenger, mail and small/mid-size freight services between West 30th and the aiports of JFK, La Guardia, Newark and Teterboro and to heliports in New York City (Pan Am building), White Plains and Stamford

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FAxIUt-FATk/Tx5XgU6T2hI/AAAAAAAAHiI/RK7ZztzhSDg/s800/NY-V44_3.jpg
An NYA Piasecki 44B makes its descent into West 30th (Manhattan Heliport) c. 1957

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dI8XnxTGU5s/Tx5XfY_joFI/AAAAAAAAHiE/1UZAbXuqp7Y/s449/airlinemar2011a.jpg
An NYA S55 over the 'Apple' c. 1958

[chopper2004]

Just seen Bodie climb into an Alan Mann Alouette II in this episode now ITV4, where hes undercover as an assasin :)

[wiganairways]

Came across this advert from 1985, also a couple of other snippets, how the prices have changed.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6760412961_4762468c72_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6760416509_b9aed58688_z.jpg
Wiggy

[vfr440]

A main gearbox offered Nil TSO from 15,000 hr O/H? :confused: My how things have changed - VFR :ugh:

[Hofmeister]

Following on from post 1253 about the Scout in Northern Ireland, the attached YouTube clip (language and content a little fruity in places) from the film Who Dares Wins (1982) shows at least 3 Scout AH1 being used for a SAS raid. Unsurprisingly, the film credits its military advisers as "anonymous" but I wonder whether there are any "Rotorheads" who can shed some light on the making of the helicopter scenes. I was quite surprised to see 6 people carried in one or two of the scenes (Pilot, Observer and 4 Troopers)! It must have been a squeeze and quite a weight to lift!!

Who Dares Wins - SAS Raid - YouTube

[A30yoyo]

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AVII896.jpg



G-AVII Southend max enlargement


and G-AXAY Stansted July 1970
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AXAYcars900.jpg



http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AXAYturas900.jpg

I was hoping that G-AXAY was an Agusta-Bell to match the Pininfarina Austin and Michelotti Triumph Herald in the car park but it's a plain old Bell JetRanger according to G-INFO and destroyed in 1975

[Savoia]

Chopper 2004: You'll find more about Mann's uniquely named Alouette II 'G-FILM' on the Mann thread, specifically pages 2 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-2.html), 4 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-4.html) and 9 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-9.html).

Wiggy: Great to read these old ads! I have a photographer winging some further photos of AWOL towards us so, hopefully soon we shall have some additional angles on the absent 206 Always With Oil Leak!

VFR: Go on then (for the benefit of 'us' who can't remember) what's the new TBO?

Hofmeister: Been a while since I saw that movie (like 30 years ago .. when it was released) but I still remember it. Until such time as a knowledgeable Army driver pops-in what I can say is that I am reasonably confident that the Scout's 1050shp Rolls-Royce Nimbus could manage six soldiers in the back. As you know the Scout was a little lighter than the Wasp (the latter with its wheeled undercarriage, 'roof' floats and sometimes sporting reasonably weighty missiles).

The only flying scene I recall as being 'dud' (as it were) was the part where the SAS boys are dangling beneath the Scout and being lined-up for 'ramming' through the windows! But great fun to watch, lol!

As you probably know, the film's producer, Euan Lloyd, (he of 'Wild Geese' fame) was 'inspired' to create 'Who Dares Wins' by the events of the 1980 Iranian Embassy seige in London having resided not far from the scene of the action and having watched (as many did) the events unfold on TV. Much (if not all) of the aerial footage from the Iranian Embassy seige was filmed with a Heli-Tele fitted to an ex-Ferranti MBB Bo105 (G-BFYA) which was on contract to Metpol.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-022WO0itNWo/TyFYUM24UCI/AAAAAAAAHj0/Ik7QEHdo4rU/s659/BFYA%252520Battersea%2525201980.jpg
Ex-Ferranti Bo105C G-BFYA on contrat to Metpol and seen here at Battersea in 1980

Yoyo: Lovely pictures, well done! Images of G-AXAY evaded us for some time until PPRuNer Helipixman came to the rescue and now we have these fine shots also. Sadly, and as you say, AXAY came to grief in 1974 and which you can read about here (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/formal_reports/6_1975_g_axay.cfm). You can read more about AXAY on pages 6 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-6.html), 10 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-10.html) and 11 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-11.html) of the Mann Thread.

Can anyone identify the Bristow jock driving AVII at Southend in 1970?

Tony Wheeler has recently sent me the following images and which includes, to begin with, another rare 206; G-AXGO:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VfxRbEC1nYc/TyEnlSMzEHI/AAAAAAAAHi8/Q7V--eT9OSk/s800/AB206A%252520G-AXGO%252520Redhill%25252016%252520Aug%25252070%252520%252528 Tony%252520Wheeler%252529.jpg
Agusta-Bell 206A G-AXGO at Redhill on 16th August 1970 (Photo: Tony Wheeler)

AXGO was Bought by Stuart Smith & Co. in 1969 and seen above probably on a maintenance visit to Bristows. AXGO was later sold on to Charles Hughesdon (Tradewinds) in 1975. As with AXAY this craft also came a cropper, in 1978. The accident summary here (http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/accidentdetails.asp?accidentkey=14333).

Another photo from Tony:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q9jQPThCUac/TyEpYlpIJbI/AAAAAAAAHjY/ojyMVZuu9H8/s800/AB47J2%252520G-ASNV%252520Coventry%25252010%252520Apr%25252064%252520%25252 8Tony%252520Wheeler%252529.jpg
Agusta-Bell 47J2 G-ASNV at Coventry Airport on 10th April 1964 (Photo: Tony Wheeler)

ASNV is seen above just a few months after her acquisition by Turriff Construction of Brentford, Middlesex and if you are thinking "Turriff, I've heard that name before" then you would be right as we featured a Brantly 305 on page 19 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-19.html) of this thread which was owned by the same firm.

'NV' was later purchased by the Port of Bristol Authority (1966) and then by the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB) in 1970. Her pilot (with both of these organisations) was PPRuNer Speechless Two (through whom I discovered PPRuNe!).

[vfr440]

Well S
It went to 2400hrs and I think it is now at 3000hrs. Perhaps more, any engineer with the very latest data at his fingertips will doubtless correct me :ooh:

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a 15k hrs O/H period though. Unbustable and a cost per hour that was miniscule :D - VFR

[FH1100 Pilot]

In my 206B, SN 1736, transmission PN 206-040-002-25 overhaul interval is 4500 hours. Maybe not 15,000 hours, but not bad!

[Savoia]

Both of these craft have featured in our previous discussions - 'KX' more so on the Ferranti Thread. Unfortunately the images are not so clear and are lacking in detail when it comes to dates and locations and for which I apologise:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KHW8vyEYZMs/TyJ3SKEd0PI/AAAAAAAAHks/ZttHcvT_wJM/s769/bakx.jpg

G-BAKX was a 1971 206B manufactured by Bell. After several owners (incuding one car sales firm) she was bought by Genavco (the company used to register Mohammed Al Fayed's aviation assets in the 70's). The sale to Genavco was arranged by my godfather who went on to manage this aircraft under the auspices of Ferranti Helicopters who revamped her with a Ferranti interior and high-gloss paint. I saw this craft several times in Ferranti's hangar at the Beehive as a youngster.

In August 1978 'KX' was bought by another car sales company .. Castle Motors of Trebrown in Liskeard, Cornwall. Castle Motors was owned by a chap called Roy Flood and this (to the best of my knowledge) was his first aircraft. Roy's helicopter interests would later morph into the now well known Castle Air operation.

A year later and the craft was sold to the Republic of Ireland where she was purchased by then leading Dublin laywer Brendan O'Mahony. One of Brendan's first 'safety pilots' was a chap called Mark Trumble (who I think had been freelancing with Castle Motors). Mark and I would later appear together as witnesses in a case involving Irish Helicopters which you can read about in post 729 (http://www.pprune.org/6498128-post729.html) of this thread.

After Trumble, my godfather stepped-in as safety pilot for Brendan and was therefore reunited with 'KX' (now renamed EI-BHI). The Colonel had met Brendan through Vincent O' Brien and the two of them had hit it off and which was fortuitous in that this resulted in many wonderful hours spent in Eire flying this aircraft.

'KX' sported a white circle on her fuselage which encased the letter 'F' and which most assumed stood for Ferranti but which in fact was for 'Fayed'. (In the 70's Mohammed Al Fayed was more commonly known as simply Mohammed Fayed). After her sale to Roy Flood the 'F' maintained its relevance and I think he retained the letter. When eventually Brendan bought her he had the 'F' painted out but the circle remained.

My first time to fly 'KX' was from the Irish Helicopters hangar at Westpoint, Dublin Airport to Brendan's home in Leixlip (a short journey of less than 10 minutes). When we arrived Brendan came out and explained that before shutting down we should pick-up some oysters which he planned to consume with his pint of Guiness later that evening.

So we headed for Galway where we were to collect two or three dozen oysters from a pub opposite an inlet where fishing boats were moored. Upon landing (on the road!) the pub owner came out carrying several circular polystyrene packages filled with oysters imbedded in crushed ice .. then we were off back to Dublin where the 'air freighted goods' were duly consumed (by Brendan, the Colonel, a young Savoia and some of Brendan's friends at his local) along with copious quantities of the black stuff. Not to be left out I would drink coca-cola with a 'Guiness top'!

This episode reminds me of another occasion (also in Ireland) when Vincent O'Brien's wife had failed to obtain some 35mm film for her camera in the local town of Cashel (Tipperary) and which wasn't hard to believe given that there weren't that many shops in Cashel in the late 70's early 80's. It was late in the day and the following morning she had an 'important' photo assignment (she was a keen photographer) so we were dispatched to Shannon airport to seek-out 35mm film which, eventually the Colonel found in one of the duty free shops after having convinced the teller he was about to board a flight .. which, in fact, he was! ;)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8Z0NbAiG8vs/TyJ4S6b7NlI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/wVU4qoAFFOE/s576/lrii%25201.jpg

These two shots are of Castle's LongRanger G-LRII a 1979 LongRanger II (hence the registration) bought by 'Castle Motors' in August of '79 and quite possibly their second aircraft after 'KX'. Castle Air (as they then became) held on to LRII until 1986.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xpAnHSy48oY/TyJ4TD_wOPI/AAAAAAAAHlU/XA2zSke1TMU/s640/lrii%25202.jpg

My thanks to the crew at Castle Air for these photos, specifically Angela Wells and Ross Bunyard their newly appointed MD.

.

[DennisK]

Ahhh .... how these names and heli reggies keep cropping up on this wonderful post. The 'Flight' advert for the sale of G-AWOL was placed by my good self in Oct 1985 on joining the sales division of Harold Bamberg's 'Eagle' company at Coworth Park. That beautiful old mansion once owned by Lord Derby and neighbour to Fort Belvedere where the abdication was signed. It may not be generally known that Harold Bamberg was the 'B' in the airline BKS which operated post war, later becoming British Eagle. The other two being Keegan and Stevens.

An how I recall my super dealings with that effervescent Irish Lawyer, Brendan O'Mahoney who in the mid 1970s came to Shoreham to fly and I think bought Enstrom 28A G-BASB or possibly G-BAHU. My warm regards to you Sir ... if you are out there. Dennis Kenyon.

[DennisK]

Oh and while on the 'nostalgia' kick and the Emerald Isle, anyone have much to do with Enstrom G-ECHO, a 280C Shark which was sold to the owner of Echo Hall in Spa. The Spa itself has an intriguing history which should be looked up on Google. The owner, one Harvey Bicker, now very much a political figure over there, was a real gentleman who took to the heli controls as an absolute natural. His lovely lady wife Elizabeth was a classical concert pianist who played for me one day in the music room . I still have the vynil LP she recorded ... "Flights of Fancy."

For our Irish PPruners ... if anyone knows the likes of Kevin Rafferty, Luke Carberry, the Johns, Quinn and Morgan. Chris Jones, James Murray and of course that wonderful quarryman, Pat O'Carroll down at Tralee ... then please ask them to log on here for a few words. Dennis K

[B222]

Dennis,

Brendan is still around and the Enstrom was G-BAHU which became
EI-BDF. I think BDF was either owned by or sold to Barry Sheene. My good friend Colin Sayers (RIP) came over to Ireland to teach Brendan to fly and ended up staying becoming chief piot with Irish Airwork and then to Irish Helicopters. Brendan then graduated to G-BAKX,EI-BHI, and the replaced that with an Agusta 109 EI-BUX.

[A30yoyo]

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AVZH900.jpg

Do you know anything about the MBB Bo105 at BEA Helicopters' base September 1971 in this pic?

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/6/8/4/2056486.jpg

Photos: MBB BO-105 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/MBB/MBB-BO-105/2056486/M/&sid=109a0a672b2041d38b0cc2bf974c7671)

[Savoia]

Yoyo, great shots, bravo!

Regarding the Bo105C at Gatwick's Beehive I regret to say that I have no recollections of this craft but, as you rightly point out, the aircraft bears the BEA logo and which, I think makes it fair to assume, that it was most likely on trial or lease to them.

While on BA .. can anyone tell me how Jock Cameron finished-up his days? My godfather was in touch with him for some years after he retired from BA but from around the mid-80's I never heard anything more. Also, can anyone recall some of BA's Chief Pilots after Jock?

G-AVZH

Wonderful to see this craft and great that you have been able to put your finger one of the aircraft listed on page 62 identifying the few remaining 'A' reg 206's still to feature on Nostalgia!

AVZH was delivered to the Hanson Trust (Air Hanson) in December 1967 and must therefore have been their first helicopter and the predecessor to G-AZRU (which has featured previously on this thread) which was used as James Hanson's personal runabout.

In your image it is possible to see (on ZH's tail) Hanson's 'colours' an oval device with four divisions in red and white contrast and which made-up the centrepiece of the wings worn by Hanson's pilots.

AVZH was the 6th non-Bristow 206 in the UK and the 14th 206 in the UK overall.

The UK's first 10 (non-Bristow) 206's were:

G-AVSN - Ferranti Helicopters
G-AVTE - BSR
G-AVVH - David Brown Tractors
G-AVYX - SWEB
G-AVZG - Tommy Sopwith
G-AVZH - Lord Hanson
G-AWGU - BEA/BA
G-AWJL - Point to Point
G-AWJW - Ferranti Helicopters
G-AWLL - Sir Robert McAlpine

All of these were built by Agusta with the exception of G-AVTE.

[A30yoyo]

I photographed a group of 5 JetRangers on the Southern taxiway in 1972 (some had already gone?)...I think the massed 'airlift' is mentioned elsewhere in the 'Nostalgia' thread.G-AWUC and G-AXXO (edited...originally incorrectly read as 'XXD) unusually climbed out between the back of Field's hangar where I worked and the earth mound next to the Air India maintenance area. G-AVZH and G-AXAY were also present.Hughes 500 G-AZVM and Widgeon G-APTW are on the same neg strip but may have been another day
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/5JetRangers900.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AWUC900.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AXXD900.jpg
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AWOLflying900.jpg

[TRC]

Aaaah - G-AWUC, flown by Ted Mallet-Warden aka Ted Bollock-Naked. Ex RN.

Later painted in an early 1970's PHI scheme in black and orange. Ted wore an orange shirt with his uniform.

He went on to join Air Hanson.

[Savoia]

Yoyo; more great images and further coverage of the last few 'A' reg 206's on our list!

G-AXXO is a great find as (to the best of my knowledge) we have never previously been able to source her image. Her history is brief to say the least; she was first owned by 'Constant Securities' (to whom she was registered at the time of your photo) and then sold (in '73) to Heli Air prior to being shipped back to the US in '75.

G-AWUC featured previously on page 39 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-39.html) of this thread wearing 'Kestrel Helicopters' markings while under the ownership of Air West in Dorset. In your 1972 photo she was owned by 'Heli Jet Executive' as confirmed by the 'HJE' titles. AWUC began life in '68 as David Brown's third 206.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jo3QRgE1jBQ/Tcor0lTeiFI/AAAAAAAADLQ/oCKlVP9I6Wg/s800/B206B%2520G-AWUC%2520Inverness%2520Summer%25201974%2520%2528Peter%2520Ni cholson%2529%2520p.jpg
Bell 206B G-AWUC at Inverness in the Summer of 1974 (Photo: Peter Nicholson)

Regarding your 'multi-Ranger' shot yes, this event featured previously on page 6 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/443466-alan-mann-helicopters-nostalgia-thread-6.html) of the Mann Thread:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nnTKDXIE2Jo/TfxRYdyexvI/AAAAAAAADls/w8QDiB0wP7Y/s640/FI%25252027%252520Jul%25252072.jpg

On must assume that G-AXAY was leased by Mann's at the time of this shot because the file shows she was registered to 'Camlet Helicopters'.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d9Ng0xdaAVA/TyjG0In02ZI/AAAAAAAAHng/vyi5gfAakhg/s800/am%2520charter.jpg
A fleet of JetRangers (far to near: G-AWUC, G-AVZH, G-AWOL, G-AXXO and G-AXAY) at London Heathrow c. July 1972 (Photo: Mick West)

Intriguingly, the photo above reveals an 'all Bell' line-up (with the exception of G-AVZH) and which, for the early 70's, was quite a feat!

Regarding G-AWOL, she shares common ground with much of the above having also been registered to Camlet at the time of this photo and being the second edition to the David Brown fleet (David Brown Tractors bought the following aircraft from new: G-AVVH, G-AWOL and G-AWUC).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qdAKLKGgns8/TyjFrZPHCSI/AAAAAAAAHnc/chieTCUIvYc/s754/AWOL%2520.jpg
G-AWOL (as posted by TRC on the Mann Thread) wearing Mann's earlier paint scheme

More Wasps ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0rDbf5Zu6OI/Tyi-vZ9JDmI/AAAAAAAAHmU/BNhGQSCKNNA/s512/roy%2520moxam%2520wasp.jpg
Saunders Roe/Westland test pilot Roy Moxam in a Wasp testbed cab (date unknown)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TA_OYfC6e3M/Tyi-vXRYlnI/AAAAAAAAHmY/t-aG9XQwMX8/s629/Wasp%252520loading%252520torpedoes.jpg
A Royal Navy Westland Wasp with what appear to be Mk 44 torpedeos being fitted (evidently a 5 man job!)

[A30yoyo]

Savoia....A slightly different view of 'XAY, 'XXO , 'WOL, 'VZH and 'WUC at LHR in 1972 and a shot of G-AXGO on a different day? in 1972. Funny I was thinking about JetRangers this afternoon on the beach with the dog in Penzance and one flew over ...it orbited the town before possibly visiting the Heliport...got an extremely cropped image....looks like light blue and ivory....Mrsyoyo had the car and it was freezing so I didn't bother going down to the heliport...let me know which 1970s JetRangers haven't appeared in your thread, I'll look out for them

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/aXAYaXXDaWOLaVZHaWUC.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AXGO900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/JetRangerPZ1Feb2012.jpg

[A30yoyo]

Rooting through 1972 negatives I found this rareish shot of Bell 212 N2961W at LHR ...it became G-BALZ (which has its own thread?) and is still flying in Canada, I believe...also a set from Portsmouth in May 1969, an Italian Navy Bell on the 'Alpino'? and 2 Canadian Sea Kings or whatever they called them in Canada ,all on destroyers or frigates , I think

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/N2961W900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/HueyItalNavy900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/SeaKing4026a900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/SeaKing4012a900.jpg

[Savoia]

Yoyo, more great shots, bravo!

Now that you have displayed AVZH and AXXO we only have seven non-Bristow 'A' reg 206's which have yet to feature (with photo) on Nostalgia. These are: G-AVVH, G-AWOY, G-AWRI, G-AWRV, G-AYDK, G-AYHN and G-AYIY.

"At Odds With The World 4"

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6805512057_85a20b8d20_b.jpg
Austrian AS350B3 OE-XHL flown by 'Christoph' enters the turn over the Alps

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6805512527_e480ea3ae7_b.jpg
Christoph's office

More At Odds With The World images: AOWTW1 (http://www.pprune.org/6402148-post607.html) AOWTW2 (http://www.pprune.org/6914626-post1140.html) AOWTW3 (http://www.pprune.org/6925462-post1154.html)

[Corax]

We call them CH124 Sea Kings alright. They appear to be on our old frigates and the helicopters are still flying. Still waiting for Sikorsky to deliver those very overdue CH148 (S92) Cyclone Maritime helicopters.

[A30yoyo]

Thanks...it was the CH124 bit I was unsure of....didn't they use that 'bear-trap' system to get such a big helicopter onto a small deck space?Air-Britain : 4026 portsmouth (http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=4026+portsmouth&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=10)
suggests 4026 was on HMCS St Laurent (and with the new 'unified' markings while 4012 has the old Navy scheme)

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VX5cdi-igM0/TytwoBLWWyI/AAAAAAAAHo8/WEDl4t0G5_w/s305/Saro%2520Wings.png

Saunders-Roe Limited was a British aero-and-marine-engineering company based at Columbine Works East Cowes, Isle of Wight. The name Saunders-Roe was adopted in 1929 after Alliot Verdon Roe (he behind the development of the Lancaster bomber, the Vulcan and the Blue Steel missile) and John Lord took a controlling interest in the boat-builders S.E. Saunders. Prior to this (except for the Sopwith/Saunders Bat Boat) the products were Saunders, the A4 Medina for example dating from 1926. Sam Saunders, the founder, developed the Consuta material used in marine and aviation craft.

In 1951 Saunders-Roe took over the interests of the Cierva Autogyro Company a helicopter design of which was developed into the Skeeter helicopter. In September 1952 the company comprised:

- Saunders-Roe Ltd. with a Head Office in Osborne, East Cowes, Isle of Wight (I.O.W.) with works at Columbine I.O.W. and Southampton Airport

- Saunders-Roe (Anglesey) Ltd, Friars Works, Beaumaris, North Wales

- Saro Laminated Wood Products Ltd., Folly Works, Whippingham, I.O.W.

- Princess Air Transport Co. Ltd of Osborne I.O.W. with an office in London at 45 Parliament St. SW1

In 1959 it demonstrated the first practical hovercraft built under contract to the National Research Development Corporation to Christopher Cockerell's design, the SR.N1.

In the same year Saro's helicopter and hovercraft interests were taken over by Westland Aircraft which continued the Skeeter family with the Scout and Wasp the latter starting life as the P531.

Design of the P531 began in November 1957 as a private venture improvement of the company's earlier Skeeter. The first prototypes were powered by a derated 325 shp Blackburn Turbomeca Turmo 600, a free turbine engine allowing clutchless transmission. The P531 first flew on the 20 July 1958. Three more developed P531-0s followed and these were delivered to the Royal Navy/Fleet Air Arm for trials and familiarisation. Following evaluation by the Navy a batch of 30 developed aircraft were eventually ordered as the Westland Wasp.

Two militiarised P531-2s were completed in 1959, powered by the Blackburn Nimbus and the de Havilland Gnome H1000 free-turbine engines, both derated to 635 hp now that the transmission tests had proved such powers acceptable. Like the Turmo installation, these engines were mounted, uncowled behind the cabin for easy servicing. There were aerodynamic shape revisions and a floor extension to allow six, rather than five seats. The vision was improved with perspex panels in the doors, tankage was increased and all-metal rotors introduced. These modifications increased gross weight by 1,200 lb (544 kg).

Saro had an order for eight pre-production aircraft from the Army Air Corps for evaluation and trials; these would have been known as the Saro Sprite, but the company was taken over by Westland and the aircraft became the first Scout A.H.1s.

Another P531-2 was built for evaluation by the Indian government but following a lack of interest was re-worked as Scout standard for the Army Air Corps.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O_fOHAp99Rg/Tytw6YENF5I/AAAAAAAAHpw/Wzpo6KRfc6g/s800/Saro%2520P531%2520Mk1%252C%2520G-APNV%2520at%2520the%25201958%2520SBAC%2520Show%2520at%2520Fa rnborough%252C%252013%2520September%25201958.jpg
The Saunders-Roe Saro P531 Mk1 G-APNV at the 1958 SBAC Show at Farnborough on 13 September 1958

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a0aaWVktZbw/Tytw7b7lilI/AAAAAAAAHp4/nXFlY2s92gk/s600/Wasp%2520prototype%2520G-APNV%2520Farnborough%25207%2520Sep%252058.jpg
G-APNV at Farnborough on 7th September 1958

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mDjM2WhW6Hs/Tytw6rrl_DI/AAAAAAAAHp0/UHc1G6yQYrs/s608/Saro_Princess_G-ALUN_Cowes_1954.jpg
The glorious Saunders-Roe 'Saro Princess' at the Saro Works, East Cowes in September 1954

.

[Shane101]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398730_10150520768856837_596011836_9233432_2147093530_n.jpg

[Savoia]

That was a great find Shane. Which publication is that please?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6815291053_729f1c8b82_b.jpg
Helicopter garden party hosted by Charles Hughesdon at his residence, Dunsborough Park, near Ripley in Surrey on 2nd June 1963

A number of aircraft in your article Shane which have featured on Nostalgia including G-ARIA, G-ASXF and G-AVYX.

Nice also to see Ferranti's 206 (G-AWJW) mentioned as well as a photo the recently featured G-AXGO. At the time of the photo AXGO was registered to Stewart Smith & Co. from whom Charles presumably borrowed the aircraft and from whom he would eventually buy the aircraft.

In addition to Charles' efforts I remember Bob Pooley used to host rotary garden parties (at least two of which I attended with my godfather). Do such events still occur in the UK?

[Shane101]

Hi Savoia,

That cutting is from Air Pictorial August 1970

I don’t know if anything like this event still occurs other than at Weston Super Mare where I think Elfan ap Rees of the Helicopter Museum still organises a fly in sometime in the summer.

Shane

[Savoia]

Shane, thanks for that!

More Yoyo copters!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aKcaKShqZsI/TspOPCqowXI/AAAAAAAAGb8/e4qGtJNKljY/s240/VoH%2520Logo%2520s.png
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6817942123_e3f287fd50_b.jpg
A brand new Hughes 500C G-AZVM sits on the ramp at London's Heathrow in the Summer of 1972 (Photo: Mick West)

At the time of this photo AZVM was registered to Finance and General Investment of Guildford in Surrey prior to moving on to join the Air Gregorious fleet in August 1974.

In the background is the tailfin of the Beecham Group's (they of Beecham's Powders) HS125 3B G-AVVB. Beecham's would later go on to form a jet charter company, Beecham-Imperial Aviation, from their corporate flight department.

You can read more about AZVM in post 864 (http://www.pprune.org/6678199-post864.html) where she was deployed during the filming of the 'Copter Kids' and in post 885 (http://www.pprune.org/6696210-post885.html) where you can see her (in colour) at Cranfield (c. 1970's) as well as outside the Heythrop Park Hotel in more recent times.

[DennisK]

Just a 'titbit' to add to the aerial shot of Dunsborough Park at Ripley. I especially recall the events, since at the time I frequerntly opened the batting for the Ripley Village cricket team. The pitch and clubhouse, which are still very much there, sat in the open space just over the wall to the south east. The steady stream of choppers arriving didn't help ones batting concentration for sure. At the time I was a fixed wing flyer and didn't convert to rotary til 1972.

PS. Anyone here remember of flew in to Tony Everards social fly-ins in the early 70s. Dennis K.

[A30yoyo]

Savoia....Hughes 500 G-AZVM and the HS125 are on the apron outside the Field's hangar from where Field operated several HS125s for various big British companies...(it was built originally for BOAC's Comet I operations).
I think the aircraft (e.g. Expeditor G-ALJJ) and helicopters (e.g. G-AWGO) operated by Stewart Smith were primarily for the use of Charles Hughesdon.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5217/5522242824_fb9389e277_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/5522242824/)
G-ALJJ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/5522242824/) by David Whitworth (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwhitworth/), on Flickr

Brian Doherty worked for BOAC back in 1957 and got tickets to the Dunsborough Park Rotary party
Air-Britain : doherty ripley (http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=doherty+ripley&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=50)

[A30yoyo]

Couple of iffy shots of the Mil V-12 at Schiphol, Amsterdam on its way back from the Paris Salon 1971 but at least they show the scale of the beast.Also the USAF Kaman HH-43 Husky crash helicopter at RAF Upper Heyford Open Day, 1970
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/Mi-12-747.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/Mi-12-Stretch8.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/Kaman900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/Kamanb900.jpg

[LOZZ]

My first flight in a helicopter was at one of these parties when aged 3-4 (1970 or 71). Think it was in a Wessex of the Queen's flight which visited.

This clip dates back to '58: HELICOPTER PARTY - British Pathé (http://www.britishpathe.com/video/helicopter-party)

Shame it took me 40 years to decide to start learning how to fly one :O

Better late than never.

Lawrence.

[Savoia]

Lozz, welcome aboard!

What a great story; to have had your first flight at one of Charles Hughesdon's parties and to fly in a Wessex from the Queen's Flight. Great stuff! :ok:

Your clip has debuted previously on Nostalgia but .. great to see it again. Numerous characters there including Peter Wilson (flying the Sycamore and kindly identified by PPRuNer TRC) who spent quite some time at our family home in the UK during my younger days.

Of Ripley, Hughesdon, Kenyon and Cricket!


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WShYyYMyPAo/Ty9pXle13xI/AAAAAAAAHq4/NomQcbCB1dQ/s273/CWK%25201.png


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1Ckd1wfqys4/Ty9tBepxoyI/AAAAAAAAHr8/xWn0n7kmlN8/s457/CWK%2520b%2520iii.png
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ttFTt6dExIM/Ty9pcDolPUI/AAAAAAAAHq4/Yh23G8kX6Wk/s512/CWK%2520a.png

;)

[A30yoyo]

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AZYBcar1900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AZYB900.jpg

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz20/A30yoyo/G-AZYBhover900.jpg

Greenham Common Air Tattoo 1974....(are you sure this is the M4, Mildred?)

[griffothefog]

Might be wide of the mark here, but it looks like a 47H1 :O

[Savoia]

She is indeed a 47H-1. More about G-AZYB in post 447 (http://www.pprune.org/6309537-post447.html) of this thread.

Griffo, your initial Bölkow shot has spawned a series of similar images (see post 1285 above)! :ok:

[A30yoyo]

Ah, Savoia, that's what happens when negatives lay 'unprinted' for nearly 40 years...I thought it was some kind of Enstrom....no excuse, either, I've been to the Weston Museum!....Pretty little helicopter....Italian styled, perhaps?
My neighbour from my Fifties schooldays in Heston took this shot of the Turriff Bell 47J there (1964ish)
Agusta-Bell 47J-2 Ranger, G-ASNV, Turriff Construction Ltd. (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1115128/)

Does anybody in the rotary scene have other pics at Heston?....I know the CAA made a ceremonial JetRanger flight from Heston to Fairoaks when they vacated their Heston offices in the Seventies

[FH1100 Pilot]

A30yoyo:(are you sure this is the M4, Mildred?)

Actually yoyo, when I saw that pic the first thought that popped into my mind was:

Hyacinth: "Richard! Do be careful as there seems to be one of those dreadful eggbeaters off to your right. Sound your horn, dear."

[Savoia]

Out of curiosity, what type of car is it? Either a Vauxhall or Ford I am sure.

Pretty little helicopter ..
Yes, not bad for her day. The 47 'H' model was Bell's attempt at a 'deluxe' version of the successful 'G' model. Features included an enclosed sound-proofed cabin which could accommodate one pilot and two passengers. The cabin had leather upholstery throughout as well as a leather covered instrument panel which grouped all the switches and carburetor controls. The enclosed metal monocoque tail boom contained a luggage compartment (unique for a Bell in those days). The craft was powered by a 200hp Franklin 6V4-200-C32AB engine.

Produced in 1955, Bell gave the 'H' model the name 'Bellairus' - she was intended for the executive market but .. sadly, though Bell did a good job of putting this bird together, it turned out to be too small for the job.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mxQ617CTMVk/TzE5pdksWEI/AAAAAAAAHvA/XGpUo6lBx6g/s576/47HHenry.jpg
The 47 'Bellairus' with its enclosed monocoque tail boom

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pXo5Xw5nlvA/TzE5t71s5RI/AAAAAAAAHvY/gUhtRIhOt2U/s640/HMODELS.jpg
Newly produced 'H' models awaiting delivery

Italian styled, perhaps?
Ah no friend. If I were to post some of the earlier Italian rotary-wing designs I would have to go hide under a rock somewhere. I'm afraid it took a couple of decades before the post-war Italian depression began to lift to the point where morale was restored and we began to see the revival of that creative spirit for which Italy is now known.

However, not long after the introduction of the Bellairus Agusta did re-vamp a Bell design which became the Agusta 102. As with all Italian designs up to that point .. not especially attractive but functional and with (from what I understand) reasonable performance.

The aircraft was based on the mechanical components of a Bell 48 that Agusta incorporated into an all-new, streamlined fuselage. The first flight was on 3 February 1959 at Cascina Costa under the hand of then well-known Agusta test pilot Ottorino Lancia. The prototype was exhibited at that year's Paris Air Show in faux military colours.

Only two production examples were built, operated by Elivie in a regular air service between Turin and Milan from 1961. However, the advent of turbine-powered helicopters in the 1960s soon rendered the A102 obsolete.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g118lJMbKIc/TzE5tZq46fI/AAAAAAAAHvU/fpyQckCWiys/s450/HB-XAY_a_Locarno_01.jpg
The A102 at Locarno Airport on 28th October 1960 (Quite what the sheep were doing grazing at the airfield I don't know but I suspect it was probably an arrangement between the airfield manager and a local farmer)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RSJ7wZ2rPm0/TzE5rP9E9RI/AAAAAAAAHvI/YFnigaE25Xc/s450/AB-102_con_galleggianti_01.jpg
The float-equipped 102 I-AGUT

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oZhwTiKpHvI/TzE5pr-MDvI/AAAAAAAAHvE/a3J02H1z980/s420/AB-102_cockpit_01.jpg
The 102's panel

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pkFFTIn9Aho/TzE5sBvHkiI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/YbcfXdpfskQ/s450/Cabina_AB-102_01.jpg
.. and cabin (which could accommodate 9 passengers)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R6IeUvGBX4o/TzE5rYeouDI/AAAAAAAAHvM/86CN6jyOMrA/s450/Bell_48A_01.jpg
The 102 was developed from Bell's model 48A

(Photos: Mario Bazzani and the Agusta archives)


I know the CAA made a ceremonial JetRanger flight from Heston to Fairoaks when they vacated their Heston offices in the Seventies.

Quite extraordinary that you should mention this Yoyo because over on the Mann Thread we have just been discussing the craft in question which, as it happens, ended-up being bought by Noel Edmonds.

The event you refer to (the last official movement recorded at Heston Aerodrome) took place on 6th June 1978 in an Alan Mann JetRanger (described above) G-BWCN and which you can read about in post 89 (http://www.pprune.org/6454362-post89.html) of the Mann Thread.

[TRC]

Out of curiosity, what type of car is it?

I think it's a Vauxhall Victor FD. :8

[Gordy]

Savoia...Some historic pictures of Bell 47's for your files. All are from the files of Redding Air Service, started by Burt Train in 1957. Unfortunately he passed back in 2005, but his company lives on. The company primarily is involved in the utility industry, and I was recently forwarded a photo from the USFS of Burt doing some of the first trials for bucket work. The Tail # is N988B, this number has since been transfered to one of our L4's.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Redding1957010942.jpg

Here are a bunch of pictures from the company history.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/01.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/02.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/1969-loadingontrinitydivide.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/104.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/206.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/208.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/209.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/210.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/311.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/312.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/401.jpg

This is our hangar which is still there---we have added onto it though:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/404.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/501.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/504.jpg

More to follow...

[Gordy]

Part two...

Here is one of our ongoing contracts---snow surveys for CA Dept. Of Water:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/610.jpg

Same snow survey being done these days:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/611.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/607.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Burt-chopper-snow.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Burt-lumber-load.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/chopper-digger-pines.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Chopper-gravel-bar-11-71.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Chopper-Mt-Shasta.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Chopper-river.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Helicopter-April-1962-a.jpg

And the man himself--Burt Train shortly before he passed:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/Redding%20History/Burt-923-042.jpg

[ShyTorque]

Quote:
Out of curiosity, what type of car is it?

I think it's a Vauxhall Victor FD.

I'd also say it's a Victor, but I'd go for the later FE :8

(The FD was a slightly prettier version with twin round headlights and a slight "coke bottle" hint to the rear of the bodyshell).