Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spain
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Twin Pioneer
Grow45
I will try, but it might take some time to arrange it, watch this space. In the meantime I think that they were registered 9K-ACB and 9K-ACC and almost certainly finished up in UK.
Rgds. FPG.
I will try, but it might take some time to arrange it, watch this space. In the meantime I think that they were registered 9K-ACB and 9K-ACC and almost certainly finished up in UK.
Rgds. FPG.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speechless Two: Brief report I have found says "Suffered fuel starvation and fell (sic) into the sea while en route Marrakesh to Las Palmas".
FaPoGai: The Kuwait Twin Pins were the two I mentioned in a previous post about J.F. Airlines. They took up their old registrations G-APHX/Y, and when they first started flying out of Portsmouth were still in Kuwait's BOAC-style white/dark blue livery with J.F. titles. They were later repainted (I think when J.F. became Jersey Ferry Airlines, the original 'J.F.' signifying company founder, motorcycle dealer and former Portsmouth City Councillor John Fisher) in bright colours with little cartoon Twin Pin logos. I thought I remembered red and purple aircraft, a friend says yellow and green. I'm sure the company only had the two, so either our memories are at fault, or they were repainted again during their short spell of service in 1972. I suspect the garish colour schemes and cartoons were part of a plan to get people to identify with these rather curious looking aircraft, in the vein of Aurigny's 'little yellow 'plane' Islanders and Trislanders.
FaPoGai: The Kuwait Twin Pins were the two I mentioned in a previous post about J.F. Airlines. They took up their old registrations G-APHX/Y, and when they first started flying out of Portsmouth were still in Kuwait's BOAC-style white/dark blue livery with J.F. titles. They were later repainted (I think when J.F. became Jersey Ferry Airlines, the original 'J.F.' signifying company founder, motorcycle dealer and former Portsmouth City Councillor John Fisher) in bright colours with little cartoon Twin Pin logos. I thought I remembered red and purple aircraft, a friend says yellow and green. I'm sure the company only had the two, so either our memories are at fault, or they were repainted again during their short spell of service in 1972. I suspect the garish colour schemes and cartoons were part of a plan to get people to identify with these rather curious looking aircraft, in the vein of Aurigny's 'little yellow 'plane' Islanders and Trislanders.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: S Shields
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Twin Pin Ops
Click below for pictures of Twin pins in the field.
http://<a href="http://www.vfaulkner...>Twin Pins</a>
http://<a href="http://www.vfaulkner...>Twin Pins</a>
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Age: 84
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Twin Pins used to take off across the runway at Tengah in 1965/66.
It wasn't actually a designated runway, but they didn't need to taxi all that way to the actual, and they didn't require much!
It wasn't actually a designated runway, but they didn't need to taxi all that way to the actual, and they didn't require much!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Surrey
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two of the last Twin Pioneers in the UK were operated from RAF Odiham in 1966-7 as part of the Short Range Conversion Unit (SRCU), training pilots and navigators for the Far East squadron. When this operation came to an end and the Twin Pins left, SRCU became HOCF (Helicopter Operational Conversion Flight), converting crews to the Wessex HC2.
Just a few trips in the TwinPin by the flight’s engineering officer showed some amazing characteristics of the aircraft. Held on the brakes with full power applied, the tail would come up with only modest down-elevator, and the level flying position could be held while stationary! Brakes off from there, it seemed only a few yards of take-off roll were needed in a light breeze, and then a haul back on the control column established an obstacle-clearing climb at some ridiculously low airspeed. On the approach, too, the huge flaps and full-span slats gave it a steep, slow approach that was similar to that of the Wessexes operating on the same airfield. Just as the runway rose up to meet you at a terrifying rate, a check-back to flare and cutting the power resulted in a gentle landing roll that could be stopped in yards. No wonder ETPS had one to play with – I bet they loved it, especially as a blank-sheet-of-paper exercise.
The two Twin Pioneers, XM 961 and XP 295 were flown in formation from RAF Odiham to RAF Shawbury, ostensibly for scrapping, on 12 July 1967. The flight was not without incident, with a spectacular air-miss (airprox, now) between the formation and an Andover from RAF Benson, just north of Reading. How close? Well, the crew in the second aircraft, 295, heard the noise of the Andover as it went past, over the noise of the twin Leonides. That close. We landed at RAF Shawbury in silence, in what is technically known as a pool of fright.
Far from being scrapped, the two aircraft found a new lease of life with Flight One at Staverton a few years later, XM 961 becoming G-BBVF (now in the Museum of Flight at East Fortune) and XP 295 becoming G-AZHJ, serving later with Air Atlantique and now, I believe, owned by the Prestwick Pioneer Preservation Society.
Lovely aeroplanes. Difficult to keep serviceable for an intensive training task, but a privilege to be involved with. Especially looking back! Good luck to those looking after them now.
Just a few trips in the TwinPin by the flight’s engineering officer showed some amazing characteristics of the aircraft. Held on the brakes with full power applied, the tail would come up with only modest down-elevator, and the level flying position could be held while stationary! Brakes off from there, it seemed only a few yards of take-off roll were needed in a light breeze, and then a haul back on the control column established an obstacle-clearing climb at some ridiculously low airspeed. On the approach, too, the huge flaps and full-span slats gave it a steep, slow approach that was similar to that of the Wessexes operating on the same airfield. Just as the runway rose up to meet you at a terrifying rate, a check-back to flare and cutting the power resulted in a gentle landing roll that could be stopped in yards. No wonder ETPS had one to play with – I bet they loved it, especially as a blank-sheet-of-paper exercise.
The two Twin Pioneers, XM 961 and XP 295 were flown in formation from RAF Odiham to RAF Shawbury, ostensibly for scrapping, on 12 July 1967. The flight was not without incident, with a spectacular air-miss (airprox, now) between the formation and an Andover from RAF Benson, just north of Reading. How close? Well, the crew in the second aircraft, 295, heard the noise of the Andover as it went past, over the noise of the twin Leonides. That close. We landed at RAF Shawbury in silence, in what is technically known as a pool of fright.
Far from being scrapped, the two aircraft found a new lease of life with Flight One at Staverton a few years later, XM 961 becoming G-BBVF (now in the Museum of Flight at East Fortune) and XP 295 becoming G-AZHJ, serving later with Air Atlantique and now, I believe, owned by the Prestwick Pioneer Preservation Society.
Lovely aeroplanes. Difficult to keep serviceable for an intensive training task, but a privilege to be involved with. Especially looking back! Good luck to those looking after them now.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the Flight One Twin Pins were doing an OS survey contract from Blackpool in the mids 80s. I also recall seeing one stooging around Hatfield a lot in about 84/85 on some kind of trial with BAe Dynamics.
Gentleman Aviator
A very late addition to this thread, but a good story.
Twin Pins were (just) before my time, but had been flown on 78 Sqn in Aden. I joined 78 in Sharjah as my first tour when they were a purely rotary unit. As junior pilot, I became the F540 officer, in charge of the the Sqn's History - F 540 being the Operational Record Book - and had custody of all the records dating back to WW2. Which I avidly read.
The story from those records concerned a trial fit of wire-guided air-to-surface missiles (SS10 or SS11) to the Twin Pin in Aden! A French contractor (Sud Aviation?) was out in Aden supervising the trials, when there was a "contact" up country. The Twin Pin was sent and provided actual CAS to the troops including live missile firing, complete with French civvy still on board. Some trial. And at a guess some very surprised "insurgents"!
I won many pints from fast-jet piots over the years with the question: "Which was the first RAF aircraft to fire a guided missile in anger?" And the Twin Pin was never ever guessed.....
Genuinely true story, hope I haven't breached the OSA! 78 Sqn still exists flying helicopters in the Falklands ... any chance of my many-times-successor as F540 officer providing more details????
Twin Pins were (just) before my time, but had been flown on 78 Sqn in Aden. I joined 78 in Sharjah as my first tour when they were a purely rotary unit. As junior pilot, I became the F540 officer, in charge of the the Sqn's History - F 540 being the Operational Record Book - and had custody of all the records dating back to WW2. Which I avidly read.
The story from those records concerned a trial fit of wire-guided air-to-surface missiles (SS10 or SS11) to the Twin Pin in Aden! A French contractor (Sud Aviation?) was out in Aden supervising the trials, when there was a "contact" up country. The Twin Pin was sent and provided actual CAS to the troops including live missile firing, complete with French civvy still on board. Some trial. And at a guess some very surprised "insurgents"!
I won many pints from fast-jet piots over the years with the question: "Which was the first RAF aircraft to fire a guided missile in anger?" And the Twin Pin was never ever guessed.....
Genuinely true story, hope I haven't breached the OSA! 78 Sqn still exists flying helicopters in the Falklands ... any chance of my many-times-successor as F540 officer providing more details????
I'matightbastard
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
zalt
There definately used to be at least one flying out of Blackpool, but seeing as I left there in 1978 
It may have been a different one. I'd say mid to late seventies for the one I knew.
Also what looked like F27s coming in from the Isle of Man. I always wanted to do that flight, even looked into it once, but it was a little pricey. Maybe someday.
I think the Flight One Twin Pins were doing an OS survey contract from Blackpool in the mids 80s.
It may have been a different one. I'd say mid to late seventies for the one I knew.Also what looked like F27s coming in from the Isle of Man. I always wanted to do that flight, even looked into it once, but it was a little pricey. Maybe someday.
As a young lad I was given the choice by my dad of a flight to the Jersey Air Rally in a BAC 1-11 from Gatwick or by Twin Pioneer from Portsmouth. Needless to say the Twin Pin option won easily.
With a full load of spotters the take off was still a non event and over before it had started!!
It was the Red a/c that we flew on, and it went tech in Jersey. The Yellow beastie flew the spare part in from Shoreham and we were only delayed for a couple of hours.
Terrific experience all round.
With a full load of spotters the take off was still a non event and over before it had started!!
It was the Red a/c that we flew on, and it went tech in Jersey. The Yellow beastie flew the spare part in from Shoreham and we were only delayed for a couple of hours.
Terrific experience all round.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Scotland
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First Flight 50th Anniversary
Just resurrecting this thread to mention that the 50th Anniversary of the first flight of the Twin Pioneer falls on 25 June this year. The Prestwick Branch of the RAeS are having a bit of a party - details here http://www.raes.org.uk/raes/division...hes/AA2005.pdf in case it is of interest.
g45
g45
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to return to the slight thread hi-jack of earlier about the Single Pin, if anyone has any pictures of it in service that haven't already been published, I'd be very interested to see them as I'm working on a museum display model (scale, not a secret restoration!) as we speak. Have pilot's notes and plenty of pics from Manchester/Cosford already, can anyone help?
Also, my better half's father used to fly on the Kuwaiti Twin Pins to pick up injured crew from the rigs. Edited for stupidity, the fresh food run to Beruit was done by Daks.
GM
Also, my better half's father used to fly on the Kuwaiti Twin Pins to pick up injured crew from the rigs. Edited for stupidity, the fresh food run to Beruit was done by Daks.
GM
Last edited by Green Meat; 30th Jan 2005 at 14:51.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Twin Pin
I remember an old friend, Captain Jim Fraser, recounting the tale of his ferry flight with 2 Twin Pins in formation from PIK to Damascus
Day 1..PIK to LGW to clear customs
Day 2 LGW to Le Bourget to collect maps and charts
Then ,Ithink, Carcasson,Genoa, Rome, Brindisi, Souda Bay and ended in Cairo
I think the op was for Aramco
He remembered cars overtaking the on the autostrada !
If you are out there Jim PM me
Regards
Jack aka Twonky
Day 1..PIK to LGW to clear customs
Day 2 LGW to Le Bourget to collect maps and charts
Then ,Ithink, Carcasson,Genoa, Rome, Brindisi, Souda Bay and ended in Cairo
I think the op was for Aramco
He remembered cars overtaking the on the autostrada !
If you are out there Jim PM me
Regards
Jack aka Twonky
Ah yes - happy memories of the Twin Pin.
Serving in one of her Majesty's aircraft carriers in a non-flying appointment during the 60's, I and a similarly unhorsed mate were at a loose end in Singapore while the ship was in dry dock. We rang round the various squadrons on the island, in the way that you do, to find someone who would take us on for a while. 209 Squadron at Seletar came up trumps and we had great fun flying Twin Pins around with them.
It had an identical cockpit and systems to the Sea Prince, which we'd both flown, except that starting was by means of a kind of lavatory chain that hung down from the cockpit roof. Short landings were extraordinary, at least to a Buccaneer pilot. With everything out, the aircraft came down like a parachute, needing just a short burst of power to cushion the arrival. Brushing through the tops of the trees on the way in to jungle strips was positively encouraged.
We didn't get to fly the thing solo as the CO, the only person who could sign us off, was on leave in the UK, but we had a lot of fun for a couple of weeks.
Those were the days...
Serving in one of her Majesty's aircraft carriers in a non-flying appointment during the 60's, I and a similarly unhorsed mate were at a loose end in Singapore while the ship was in dry dock. We rang round the various squadrons on the island, in the way that you do, to find someone who would take us on for a while. 209 Squadron at Seletar came up trumps and we had great fun flying Twin Pins around with them.
It had an identical cockpit and systems to the Sea Prince, which we'd both flown, except that starting was by means of a kind of lavatory chain that hung down from the cockpit roof. Short landings were extraordinary, at least to a Buccaneer pilot. With everything out, the aircraft came down like a parachute, needing just a short burst of power to cushion the arrival. Brushing through the tops of the trees on the way in to jungle strips was positively encouraged.
We didn't get to fly the thing solo as the CO, the only person who could sign us off, was on leave in the UK, but we had a lot of fun for a couple of weeks.
Those were the days...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Twin Pioneer
Green Meat
Turtles I suppose?
Yes, we did pick up the injured from rigsBut the main purpose of the flights was communication. There were no roads in those days, once there were the need for the Twin Pin vanished. Of course there are wonderful stories about it's twilight in Kuwait. All associated with the Highland Brew. But I guess you know all about that!
Rgds. HissingSid.
Turtles I suppose?
Yes, we did pick up the injured from rigsBut the main purpose of the flights was communication. There were no roads in those days, once there were the need for the Twin Pin vanished. Of course there are wonderful stories about it's twilight in Kuwait. All associated with the Highland Brew. But I guess you know all about that!
Rgds. HissingSid.