Rothmans Aerobatic Team (& Others)
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Rothmans picture in Miami
Made some enquiries and nobody presently there knew him. So it remains a mystery for now..........although it seems the most likely explanation.
Did Rothmans display in the USA ever ?
Did Rothmans display in the USA ever ?
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Manx Kelly spent some time in Miami area flying the S-2 with Curtiss Pitts when Pitts was based at Homestead in the early 70s. Presumably prior to Rothmans upgrading from Stampe to Pitts. Must have built up some relationships locally then? Plus great pics taken by the likes of James Gilbert... I 'd put them on the wall if I was sent good copies!
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It was in 76 Manx Kelly handed over the RATS to my good friend Colin Woods,to set up the Carling Red Caps,in Canada.However he let Bill Loverseed lead that until a falling out,and then he was involved with flight testing the Starduster and Akroduster 2 for Stolp,in Florida.I was flying at the Rothmans Display at Booker later that year, when I think it was James Gilbert who announced to us in the Pilots Tent of Manx's fatal accident.He had been doing a lot of flying with Debbie Garry and Gene Soucy in the US at the time.Incidentally Pete Sheppard and myself had bought the single seater S1D GAXNZ from Kelly aeroplane,the year before, and later bought Stampe GAYIJ From Manx's widow Judy Kelly.A couple of Rothmans operators that dont ever seem to get a mention these days were the 2 managers,Jim "the Prim" Primrose,and Meteor exponent extraordinaire,and Javelin driver Pete Woodams.I did quite a lot of experimentation with both these two in YIJ,after Mike Findlay nearly blew his eyeballs out when trying a triple flick in the S1 XNZ,so they were the only ones available..I think it is now legend how he recovered back to Booker with light grey above and dark grey below,trying to keep himself erect,as that was all he could get his brain to recognise.Going back to Manx's accident,I think it was in James Gilbert's fine "Pilot" Magasine that there was a very prophetic comment from Manx on flying the Akroduster,only a few months or even weeks before the crash.The Rothmans Team was one of the best ever tight formation Teams,and it is a great shame there are no formal Archive Film of them available?The fact they were a Rothmans sponsored Team, meant the TV Air Displays Coverage never were able to show them,yet they participated from 69 onwards at virtually every show except in the gap years, when only Marcus'sVixen2 and Bob's Jubilee Duo were doing it,until the 80s.Maybe Jeanne Francis has some access to Film footage of the RATS in action.
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Vixen 2
I too remember Marcus and John and the Vixen 2 team. Marcus had secured a contract with BMW GB to show up at track days and dealer based events. My first encounter was at Silverstone on a customer track day. Their programme was in two parts due to the WX that day. Myself and my pal Barry Bryant talked our way in to a ride to Sywell for refuelling. John allowed me to fly G-BECM in formation with Marcus and Barry. Nothing to this day has come close the thrill of that first touch of the Pitts S2a. Got a certificate signed by John to prove it. He also signed my log book. I was sitting aboard a BA 1-11 en route to Alicante on 30/06/84 and learnt of John's tragic loss from a newspaper. I have some photo's of my momentus day lurking in a box which I promise I will upload soon.
Regards
GGR
Regards
GGR
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FAStoat,
Five films were made featuring the Rothmans team; Man in the Sky largely concentrating on David Perrin's airshow and competition aerobatic flying; Wings in the Sun described a north african tour of the Pitts S2A team; The Display featured Manx Kelly's solo Pitts S2A display plus the team display, and Wind in the Wires featured some brilliant Rothmans Stampe aerobatics. In addition to this, Rothmans produced a promotional film, an edited version of which appears on Youtube. Type 'Rothmans Aerobatic Team 1978' into Youtube and I am sure that it will appear.
I do not think that these films are available for sale now, but all have been in the past.
Great thread.
KZ8
Five films were made featuring the Rothmans team; Man in the Sky largely concentrating on David Perrin's airshow and competition aerobatic flying; Wings in the Sun described a north african tour of the Pitts S2A team; The Display featured Manx Kelly's solo Pitts S2A display plus the team display, and Wind in the Wires featured some brilliant Rothmans Stampe aerobatics. In addition to this, Rothmans produced a promotional film, an edited version of which appears on Youtube. Type 'Rothmans Aerobatic Team 1978' into Youtube and I am sure that it will appear.
I do not think that these films are available for sale now, but all have been in the past.
Great thread.
KZ8
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....after Mike Findlay nearly blew his eyeballs out when trying a triple flick....
Regards,
Rod
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Yes Rod I think you are correct.If anyone has access to the BBC Archive DVD or Tape of the May 1976 Biggin Hill Air Fair,it starts off with Neil Williams in 'ZPH doing it from an inverted dive pushing up and then performing what JohnBlake called "flicking around in ever decreasing circles ending up you own axxe!!".It was then called Neil's Flying Saucer!!It does seem to be the time when these short films should be compiled together for posterity,as those times can not be got back!!!
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Just a few things. Prevoisly mentioned was Bob's Jubilee duo and Marcus's Vixen two. Bob set up the Jubilee Duo in 1977 (Queens Jubilee!) with Marcus (My Father) for one year until they won the contract to re-form the Rothmans team. Bob lead the for one year until Marcus took over with Bob as manager. When the team finally folded, Marcus set up the Vixen Two with John using G-BDKS and G-BECM both ex RAT aircraft. I would be interested to see those pics taken in the Vixen two days!
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Big Jugs,
I flew with your father and John when the Vixen Two came to Sunderland in 1981. Here below are two pictures of me getting prepared in G-BDKS, plus the treasured certificates!
I flew with your father and John when the Vixen Two came to Sunderland in 1981. Here below are two pictures of me getting prepared in G-BDKS, plus the treasured certificates!
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Marcus
Hi there, your father was my JP instructor at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and I had the pleasure of meeting him and watching his displays on a number of occasions at air shows in later years.
Fondly remembered.
Rhys
Fondly remembered.
Rhys
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I flew with John on the "Old Grey Lady". Next up he gave my wife some lessons when she did her PPL. I arrived at Bodmin one day when John was there and asked where my (future) wife was and pointing upwards saw the Pitts doing crazy things. She loved it and John was a superb pilot and instructor. It was an awful day when he was killed and just as bad when Marcus died. Two great aviators and gentlemen, not too many left, I fear.
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I am a newbie and have really enjoyed reading this thread. I have a picture of G-AXNZ but can't upload at present as I don't have a hosting account.
I had one very small close quarters encounter with the Rothmans Team. In 1972 the team appeared at the opening of the Historic Aircraft Museum at Southend. The wind was terrible gusting to 40 knots but it was at least straight down the runway.
The display was based in the maintenance area near the museum and take offs, landings and display slots were fitted in around the arrival and departure of Carvairs and others. The display area was over the old Channel Airways maintenance hangar so there was little interference with normal airport operations. As a volunteer I was given various jobs that day including guarding a part scrapped Channel Airways Comet.
The Rothmans Stampes were parked behind one of the hangars for a bit of shelter but they were parked slightly crosswind and although they were tied down with the usual concrete filled oil drums one of the aircraft was lifting a wing. As I passed on my way to lunch. I heard a bang followed by a tearing noise from the Stampes and I found that the metal loop on the top of one of the oil drums had gone clean through the fabric under the wing of one Stampe.
I found Roy, the foreman of the group of ex-Channel Airways engineers who worked at the museum at that time and he checked that it was only fabric and not structural damage and sent me to get my pushbike and cycle across to our workshops for dope, pinking shears and fabric. We cut a round patch and doped it and showed the pilot who was quite happy with the repair. We also found more drums to tie down the others.
I got a bollocking from the museum managers secretary for leaving the Comet unguarded and she suggested I should go home immediately but Roy intervened and put me on ground handling for the Rothmans Team as a reward for my efforts.
We had two wingman for each aircraft. The instructions were to line the aircraft up on the centre line and run holding on to the wing until the pilot put his hand up and then get clear. I remember running like hell and was very relieved to see our Stampe sail off into the air. The one behind went wrong and nearly nosed over.
In the conditions the display was a credit to the team and as a 15 year old it was an unforgetable day for me.
I had one very small close quarters encounter with the Rothmans Team. In 1972 the team appeared at the opening of the Historic Aircraft Museum at Southend. The wind was terrible gusting to 40 knots but it was at least straight down the runway.
The display was based in the maintenance area near the museum and take offs, landings and display slots were fitted in around the arrival and departure of Carvairs and others. The display area was over the old Channel Airways maintenance hangar so there was little interference with normal airport operations. As a volunteer I was given various jobs that day including guarding a part scrapped Channel Airways Comet.
The Rothmans Stampes were parked behind one of the hangars for a bit of shelter but they were parked slightly crosswind and although they were tied down with the usual concrete filled oil drums one of the aircraft was lifting a wing. As I passed on my way to lunch. I heard a bang followed by a tearing noise from the Stampes and I found that the metal loop on the top of one of the oil drums had gone clean through the fabric under the wing of one Stampe.
I found Roy, the foreman of the group of ex-Channel Airways engineers who worked at the museum at that time and he checked that it was only fabric and not structural damage and sent me to get my pushbike and cycle across to our workshops for dope, pinking shears and fabric. We cut a round patch and doped it and showed the pilot who was quite happy with the repair. We also found more drums to tie down the others.
I got a bollocking from the museum managers secretary for leaving the Comet unguarded and she suggested I should go home immediately but Roy intervened and put me on ground handling for the Rothmans Team as a reward for my efforts.
We had two wingman for each aircraft. The instructions were to line the aircraft up on the centre line and run holding on to the wing until the pilot put his hand up and then get clear. I remember running like hell and was very relieved to see our Stampe sail off into the air. The one behind went wrong and nearly nosed over.
In the conditions the display was a credit to the team and as a 15 year old it was an unforgetable day for me.
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RAT in Sweden 1975 & -76
Hi all,
Three blogpostings (sorry lads, in Swedish) I've made about RAT:
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 1
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 2
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 3
Three blogpostings (sorry lads, in Swedish) I've made about RAT:
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 1
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 2
Lae - inte bara en stad på Nya Guinea - Rothmans Aerobatic Team - 3
Awesome but Affordable
Some time ago there was talk of organising a reunion of the team. I think 2010 is the 40th anniversary of its founding so it might be appropriate to have some form of commemorative gathering.
Cheers,
Blue 2 - 1971 season
Cheers,
Blue 2 - 1971 season
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Good idea G-KEST, specially as it is 40th anniversary of Manx's great invention. I'm surprised there have been no other replies.
Unfortunately, I am a bit remote, and not as fleet of foot as I used to be, so am not sure I would be able to attend except in spirit!
Also, four of those I managed to avoid colliding with in those exciting times are no longer with us (Manx (and Judy), Iain Weston, Neil Williams, and David Perrin), so I might feel a bit lonely; but I hope and trust that Mike Findlay and Brenden O'Brien are still going well, and would provide the excellent company they always did.
Reunion, good idea!
Tim Blue 3 '74 Season
Unfortunately, I am a bit remote, and not as fleet of foot as I used to be, so am not sure I would be able to attend except in spirit!
Also, four of those I managed to avoid colliding with in those exciting times are no longer with us (Manx (and Judy), Iain Weston, Neil Williams, and David Perrin), so I might feel a bit lonely; but I hope and trust that Mike Findlay and Brenden O'Brien are still going well, and would provide the excellent company they always did.
Reunion, good idea!
Tim Blue 3 '74 Season
Awesome but Affordable
Tim,
Just a post to keep the pot boiling in the hope that someone responds. Perhaps only the two of us are alive and kicking..... or at least Ppruners.
It would make for a pleasant evenings reminiscing.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
Just a post to keep the pot boiling in the hope that someone responds. Perhaps only the two of us are alive and kicking..... or at least Ppruners.
It would make for a pleasant evenings reminiscing.
Cheers,
Reaper 69
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Indeed it would, G-KEST, but you might have to come to OZ, I'm afraid. Flew a Stampe once down at Lands End, lovely, but I think I was lucky to be in the Pitts team, more poke so less finesse needed from a large, faintly bulky new grandfather!
Can't believe no one else has lept onto the bandwagon, but there again, maybe lept maybe hoping for too much after all this time.
Can't believe no one else has lept onto the bandwagon, but there again, maybe lept maybe hoping for too much after all this time.