Pink Floyd Flying Pig

[SpringHeeledJack]

I was listening to a radio programme today recalling the shooting of the iconic Pink Floyd album cover and how the pig got loose and caused mayhem in the London TMA. There were many tales, but I was wondering if any of you were 'involved' 40 years ago and could recall the debacle ? Curiously whilst walking outside earlier I spotted some kind of balloon tumbling along in the sky (but somewhat high up) and wondered if such objects show up on radar ? However small they would cause a hazard to any unsuspecting aircraft if ingested into an engine.

[SpringHeeledJack]

I'll take that as a no then! :-)

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I recall it vaguely but don't think I was on watch at the time. Sorry.

[hairstreak]

An excerpt from "Heathrow ATC The First 50 Years" by Brian Piket and Pete Bish. Hope I'm not breaching any copyright laws.

PINK PIG

An advertising balloon, shaped and coloured to resemble a pink pig, was tethered between two of the four chimneys of Battersea Power Station to promote the forthcoming Pink Floyd album "Animals" (released 23rd January 1977). One westerlies morning it broke free but the device fitted to deflate it in such circumstances failed to operate and the pig floated away eastwards gaining height. Inbound flights had to be warned that they might see a pink pig go past and there were numerous reports from members of the public reporting that pigs can fly.

Pink Floyd's manager rang to say that he would be prepared to charter an aircraft and chase the pig with a view to shooting it down but this was politely declined however, and the balloon is believed to have deflated out at sea.

This book is available from Amazon for an astonishing amount of money. My copy was free because I worked there at the time:O

[hairstreak]

Actually having thought about it I don't think the last bit's true. Brian and Pete were generous guys but not that generous. Perhaps half price.:uhoh:

[HershamBoys]

Tracking of the missing balloon pig was conducted from the Watch Supervisor's position at LATCC. When it was eventually captured, the operator was informed, and I seem to recall the record company sent a load of food for the watch on at the time....which we scoffed.

[Talkdownman]

Inbound flights had to be warned that they might see a pink pig go past and there were numerous reports from members of the public reporting that pigs can fly.
I was on 125.8 that morning and issued a warning to the stuff in the Lambourne hold. Nobody took me very seriously (no change there...)

I'm damned if I remember any PF grub arriving. The 'Laced-up boots and corduroys' boys must've scoffed it...

[Dan Dare]

Laced-up boots and corduroys

Intriguing reference that begs more description please - presumably not Toy Dolls song from the 80s.

[Talkdownman]

Sham 69, 1979.
Look at the handle of the previous poster (Les ?)
The lyrics roll off the tongue......

[chevvron]

I was on 125.8 that morning and issued a warning to the stuff in the Lambourne hold. Nobody took me very seriously (no change there...)

I'm damned if I remember any PF grub arriving. The 'Laced-up boots and corduroys' boys must've scoffed it...
Obviously went the same way as all those Farnborough Airshow tickets you were sent every 2 years but never reached you the coalface workers then.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

No, but we had plenty of visiting people showing off the freebie tickets they'd received!

[chevvron]

I was told the boss at Heathrow ATC used to take some for himself then send the rest back saying his staff weren't interested.

[obwan]

chevvron

That comes as no surprise, same sort of thing used to happen at a large airport oop north.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Doesn't mean much to me and I can't see anyone in the staff list..

[eastern wiseguy]

Springheeled jack.

Since the thread has decended into non arrival of Farnborough tickets (ours were raffled...I never won) here is what the "book" says

When an ATSU receives information that a captive balloon has broken free the appropriate ACC shall be telephoned without delay stating:
ƒ The type of balloon and whether carrying any person; ƒ Position of balloon site;
ƒ Direction and speed of drift;
ƒ Last observed height;
ƒ Length of cable attached to balloon;
ƒ Balloon operator’s name and telephone number.

There are then local instructions regarding action to be taken.

If the unit involved is SSR only a balloon will not appear on radar. A weather balloon MIGHT although I never ever saw the one launched daily from a site 9 miles south of me. Hope that helps.

[Mooncrest]

According to a biography of Pink Floyd which I've read, the pig was last sighted at 20,000 feet (impressive) over Chatham.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thankyou eastern wiseguy, it was most amusing to read about the trajectories of the free tickets, but that didn't help with the original question ;-) The BBC radio programme that i'd listened to said that the pig had indeed reached 20,000 ft, but had ended up in a farmer's field in Kent and was 'scaring his herd of dairy cows who refused to come in for milking'. There was also mention of an RAF QRA aircraft (lightning?) being sent up to shoot it down, but this seems a bit far fetched. There must've been some funny R/T between ATC and aircraft during the whole escape :-)

[treadigraph]

I think Nick Mason said the pig (named Algie) ended up intact in a Kent field. They had a marksman on the first day of the photoshoot just in case and didn't bother on the second day, so Algie made his bid for freedom...

[my hands are tied]

I was an ATCA at the time, and am pretty sure that a Notam was issued stating Flying Pink Pig in London Vicinity or something like that!! Any records kept?

TDM excellent Sham69 reference in what is a music related thread. :D

[windowjob]

Yep, remember it.
First thoughts when told by Watch Manager to advise pilots was "you're having a larf"
Funny, got the same reaction from those pilots that understood what a large flying pink pig was.
Don't recall anyone actually reported seeing it.

One of many interesting days at LL.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Glad to see you on here again M! Take care..

[Lantern10]

Being a Floyd fan, I do remember the incident being reported at the time.
I did see the pig a while later at a concert at Earls Court.

[windowjob]

Yep still around - though I do check the obituaries to make sure my name's not on the list!

:ok: