Good grief, just hopped back to page 1 - this thread's being active for more than a decade, which must be nearing the same length of time that the various Rothmans incarnations graced our skies... :ok:

If anyone wants a link to Neil Williams' Shell Aviation News articles, drop me a PM.

Good to see this excellent thread back, seems that an admin foul up and some finger trouble caused it to get temporarily mislaid.
Hopefully there will be some more interesting contributions.

]I cannot add much to the story of the Rothmans team as I had no real connections, however I do have a few pictures that might raise some interest.

The first is of the time when they used the Stampe, here is YCK taken at the Speed Expo held at Shipdam n Norfolk on 5th July 1970

http://i58.tinypic.com/11kgwet.jpg

The next two we both taken at Goodwood in 27th August 1973.

http://i59.tinypic.com/rr8m6g.jpg

and

http://i58.tinypic.com/33tl2cl.jpg

Is the pilots face clear enough to positively ID him?

QP

Anyone know where Bob Lee is these days. He seems to have dropped of the radar.

PM me if necessary.

QuePee..
Thanks for the Shipdam photo, that might just be me to the right.
DW

Was Pete Charles flying from Shipdham then - anyone got any pics with him in by any chance.

I have a pic of a DH82a on the desk, with one of Pete's Piper Pawnees in the background. I also had a pic of my little Ginetta towing one back from a farm after a gear leg failed. Did take the wings off first:)


But, don't think I have a photo of Peter.

Bob Lee, last I heard, was somewhere in Scotland running a B&B whilst flying for some charter operator. That was around a decade ago.

Dave Fenton (Chief Eng RATS 77-80) is well and running Hornet Aviation still.

Some of us are still about but the population is thinning. I retired from BA in August last year (IHR), I think Bob Thompson is still with us... Mike Edwards (Marcus' son) is with BA and advising the Indian Air Force's Historic Flight. Drinking with Mike is like sampling a bout of time travel, Marcus lives again for fleeting moments. I mean no disrespect to Mike - he's the image of his dad.

[email protected]

DW - saw PC last week - still chirpy as ever at 91.

Pete Jones.
 

Does anyone have any details of Pete Jones who flew number 3 in the final year of the team 1980?

I'm confident he was ex RAF, but that's as much as I know.

re: Peter Jones
 

Greetings Lossiemouth, Yes I can help you with him! 16 years in RAF from 1963, Canberras & Buccaneers including Bucc conversion at Lossiemouth with 736RNAS. Reaquainted with Mike Cairns doing ATPL licences mid 79, joined Anvil Aviation October 1979 (Bob Thompson loved the irony of the company name - few twigged)!
Worked up with Mike Cairns, Andy Legge (2), and Bob Ruskell with plan to take over from Marcus Edwards' team when their contracts expired.
Flew out to Khartoum Mar 80 for display season Sudan, Egypt, Cyprus and Greece. 80's recession hit and the decision to fold both teams was made while we were in Greece in July. Pretty much wrapped up end August.
Migrated Australia following year.
I've just found this thread, will be interesting to look back and see what happened!

Excellent little film about Perrin and great shots from the Pitts.
As a friend and one of his early flying and aerobatic instructors I particularly enjoyed it, I'm sure he would have gone on to world class aerobatic achievements had he not been lost.
Noticed Don Bullock in the B17 at the Biggin show, another friend sadly missed.

Hello Buccrat,

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I've sent you an email, or at least I hope I have, never too sure! If you don't get it, can you let me know.

All the best.

Robin.

Thanks for the link PittsExtra, really enjoyed the movie, so very sad too, a very talented pilot.
Cheers
Danny

Hello all, I'm John McLean's daughter; he flew No.3 with the Rothmans GB team G-BECM for about 1 or 2 years prior to it folding in 80/81. He then set up Vixen Two along with Marcus Edwards and very sadly died in a flying accident with Andy Walbridge in 1984 while practising a 3-formation over Blackpool. Have loved reading the clips on this site. From the Rothmans days I remember well Marcus and Andy, Andy's wife, Nikki, Brian Lecomber, Rod Rea, John Brobyn and Dilip Patel. As a 10 year old I had the most amazing time following the team round with my Mum. There is a John McLean Trophy which is held each year. Just thought I'd add... Thanks

the pyramids Rothmans display team 1980
 

I remember watching Rothmans aerobatic display team flying over the Pyramids in 1980. Was it a mirage? Was I hallucinating?:confused:

andywhite
 

The picture of the Stampe includes Nick Daniel, commentator, walking towards camera.
The pilot taxying the Pitts is almost certainly Manx Kelly. I was flying number 3 on that day.
Regards, andy

Flyer reprting that the incomparable Brian Lecomber - Dwarf Rat - has died.

Best of the best? Well, Neil, Brian and Ray were the best. Of the best.

RIP Brian and a sincere thank you for your airmanship and writing skills.