Epsom Derby 2011

[Savoia]

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Still waiting for images to come in from today's Derby at Epsom. In the meantime ..

http://betting.stanjames.com/sites/default/files/The_Queen.jpg
HM in attendance today

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01912/kate_1912996c.jpg
Duke & Duchess of Cambridge also turned up

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01380/sheikh-mohammed_1380689c.jpg
Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and wife Princess Haya

HM's steed, Carlton House (a gift from Al Maktoum) came in third.

While on Al Maktoum does anyone happen to know whether Godolphin Stables have their own aircraft or whether they charter?

[Satcop]

Not many helis, we only had 140 movements and 15 aircraft parked. The whole event was very quiet, it only took me 10 mins to drive out; normally takes about 30 mins on Derby day.

[Brilliant Stuff]

Godolphin use their own machines in the summer but also charter.

[Savoia]

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Brilliant Stuff thanks. You wouldn't happen to know which types/registrations?

Sadly (and somewhat unbelievably) none of my many photographer friends have so far come back with any images from this year's meeting! :(

From Satcop's comment it seems as though the event (from a rotary perspective) is a mere a shadow of the former frenzy which used to occur.

Back in the late 70's, when the Derby was held on a Wednesday, it wasn't uncommon to be shoved into a holding pattern with 5 or more aircraft while they opened-up landing slots.

[SilsoeSid]

Nice to see the Princess wearing such a lovely outfit.
I wonder if the Sheiks other wives are allowed such freedoms.

Did you realise her mother was killed in a helicopter crash?

[bolkow]

Was pippa there with her soster and if so did you get a glimpse ather bum?

[Savoia]

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SS: Al Maktoum is a very lucky chap in that Princess Haya is known to be a perfectly delightful person. Hardly surprising given that she is the daughter of the late great King Hussein of Jordan who shall, till my dying day, remain one of the greatest role models in my life. The entire family are an astonishing assembly of well-natured people.

There are a number of influential Muslims, several of whom I have consulted for, who have taken European spouses or who have married those who, much like themselves, are predisposed to elements of 'modern' culture as a result of having been educated in the West. Among such circles various forms of tolerance tend to be more in evidence and could perhaps be described as Islamic-lite although this is less to do with religion and more to do with flexible social protocols.

Yes, the loss of Princess Haya's mother was tragic indeed. She was returning from having visited an orphanage which she supported when the aircraft apparently ran into foul weather. The accident happened on 9th February 1977.

http://palestiniansurprises.com/uploads/20110126102942_1_queen_alia_pic.jpg
Princess Haya's mother, Egyptian born Queen Alia


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GlR881Ml_Zk/TezzSRNEBfI/AAAAAAAADbk/ul51nqY_4og/h5.jpg
Haya's father, the late great King Hussein of Jordan. A truly special and wonderful human being who, like many great people, loved helicopters ;)

[Satcop]

Godolphin had 2 x AW139s and 2 x S76s at Epsom.

Here's a snap from the VCR taken on Saturday

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/Satcop/AW139s_EPS_4Jun_pprune.jpg

their second 139 was hidden beyond the Harrods S76.

[Savoia]

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Satcop thanks. At least we have now seen something of Epsom 2011, well done!

Prior to your post I received a PM from another PPRuNer stating that the Godolphin/Al Maktoum aircraft were 'in country'. Evidently the 139's are 'trucked' (I supposed air freighted) between the UAE and the UK for the racing season. I know that the late Kerry Packer had a similar scenario (as do many) over the UK's summer months but I believe the arrangement was that he kept a couple of 76's with Signature which were then chartered the rest of the year. His Aussie-based (but ex-RN) pilot Nick Ross would however come over and assist with piloting the craft.

Back to your video-still; I have never really come to terms with the fuselage design of the 139 and its boxy-NH90-style radar-deflecting straight edges. I suppose its done for structural purposes adding survivability to the fuse (a guess) but, it is most un-Italian and totally lacking the grace and fluidity so prominent in other forms of Italian design and engineering.

Covering the fuse with dark colours helps a little but, as demonstrated by the Aga Khan's ship in the foreground of your image, when in stark white and at certain angles and light levels .. the word ugly comes to mind.

Hopefully a better turnout next year.

[helihub]

Savoia - the two 139s arrived UK on 15th May on their own steam by air, arriving Blackbushe from St Etienne

To clarify Satcop's answer to SVoia, Godolphin do not own the Harrods S76, obviously, but they do own the blue S76 G-BOYF and the two Dubai reg'd 139s - the white/green one in the pic and the blue one out of view.

The nearer 139 is the Aga Khan's one based in Paris.

Packer had one S76 based UK for some years, reg N6702, later VP-BNR - and presumably pilot Nick Ross fixed his own Bermudan reg for that one! I think Packer had other S76(s?) in Australia like VH-XUX photo'd by John Eacott in this PPRUNE entry (http://www.pprune.org/3541200-post398.html)

[John Eacott]

VH-XUX was (is?) the Australian helicopter belonging to Urs Shwarzenbach, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urs_Schwarzenbach) who is a keen polo patron in both Australia and UK.

His UK machine is G-BURS, seen here landing at Royal Ascot Ladies Day. My daughter has aspirations to arrive in a similar manner, but she'll have to make her own way even if she is going to the Royal Enclosure ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3749595253_49e2320cca_b.jpg

[FloaterNorthWest]

John,

Mr Shwarzenbach has a new S76C++, G-URSA. G-BURS I believe is for sale.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-URSA002.jpg
(http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-URSA&imgname=G-URSA002&imgtype=jpg)

[Savoia]

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The two 139s arrived UK on 15th May under their own steam.

Wow! Am glad not to be lumbered with that ferry. I imagine all the stopping and starting and accompanying paperwork to be wearisome!

HH: Irrespective of VH-XUX didn't Packer have his own Aussie registered S76?

Regarding the Dubai 139's, Would it be fair to assume that the two principal aircraft used for transporting Maktoum are therefore DU-139 and DU-141 (below)?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I6R76VSYpP4/Te4yfav7i_I/AAAAAAAADcc/fP4hEz7NeC4/AW139%252520DU-139%252520Inverness%25252021%252520Jul%2525202008%252520%252 528Stephen%252520Lane%252529.jpg
Dubai Air Wing AW139 DU-139 at Inverness in 21st July 2008 (Photo: Stephen Lane)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rn_Fo0ZT74M/Te4ysR0GEfI/AAAAAAAADcg/0LTSMUJqNpg/DAW%252520AW139%252520DU-141%252520DXB%25252015%252520Nov%2525202009%252520%252528Mar c-Antony%252520Payne%252529.jpg
Dubai Air Wing AW139 DU-141 at Dubai International Airport on 15th November 2009 (Photo: Marc-Antony Payne)

I am in admiration of the discreet registration just for'ard of the horizontal stabiliser - just how it should be. If only the Queen's Helicopter Flight had negotiated something similar for XXEB!