Off to a new home
Thread Starter
Off to a new home
Helicopter legend ‘Bravo November’ heads to Cosford
Bravo November will depart RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 16 March and will travel by road on a low loader lorry. The Chinook will be on public display for the first time ahead of the nation’s Falklands 40 anniversary celebrations commencing 2 Apri
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,761
Received 2,742 Likes
on
1,168 Posts
Retired.? I remember it when new. So glad she survived.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford...ds-to-cosford/
.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford...ds-to-cosford/
.
Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd Mar 2022 at 18:45.
I rather think BN is a bit like the old brush saga - two new handles and four new heads - but otherwise completely original.
The old girl has probably been updated at least two, possibly three times but it was always she who would be preserved, if possible.
I suspect that there might be a 'clear out' of the early Chinook cabs, now that the newer versions have been delivered or updated via Julius
Old Duffer
The old girl has probably been updated at least two, possibly three times but it was always she who would be preserved, if possible.
I suspect that there might be a 'clear out' of the early Chinook cabs, now that the newer versions have been delivered or updated via Julius
Old Duffer
I have fond memories of serving on the 240th vertical pursuit ship school when BN arrived. Good times.
As for replacements. I believe the retirement of some nine of the original delivery platforms are to be phased out when the Block II (F) variants arrive, but alas, as is the way of defence, this has moved to the right.
As for replacements. I believe the retirement of some nine of the original delivery platforms are to be phased out when the Block II (F) variants arrive, but alas, as is the way of defence, this has moved to the right.
I first met BN when it landed on HERMES after a timely airiest when ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was hit. I then saw it a few more times at Port San Carlos when it was doing a great job in support of land forces. It certainly deserves its place in aviation history.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
Last edited by ex-fast-jets; 4th Mar 2022 at 10:35.
I first met BN when it landed on HERMES after a timely airiest when ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was hit. I then saw it a few more times at Port San Carlos when it was doing a great job in support of land forces. It certainly deserves its place in aviation history.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
Nearly 40 years ago - and now Europe is ringing with the sound of clashing steel again.
Merde!
Mog
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,761
Received 2,742 Likes
on
1,168 Posts
I first met BN when it landed on HERMES after a timely airiest when ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was hit. I then saw it a few more times at Port San Carlos when it was doing a great job in support of land forces. It certainly deserves its place in aviation history.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
But what about the crews who operated it and those who kept it flying in '82? Without their considerable efforts, it would have just been a lump of metal and rivets. I hope they get matching recognition for all that they did to start the legend that BN became.
Likewise, I remember her arriving on deck, being given some gas and daily codes and then fired off to the islands. There was a rumour that the F700 was rewritten from memory by the maintainers, who also fitted a cockpit door from an Arg Chinook after it was jettisoned (quite rightly!) by the co after they hit a lake at 90kts in the dark.
Nearly 40 years ago - and now Europe is ringing with the sound of clashing steel again.
Merde!
Mog
Nearly 40 years ago - and now Europe is ringing with the sound of clashing steel again.
Merde!
Mog
Does the Argy door still survive?
Ah, NutLoose, we both remember one of the very best - Brian Jopling. ISTR you knew him from 240 OCU too - so sad that he's been gone for 8 years now.
mog
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,761
Received 2,742 Likes
on
1,168 Posts
Thud and Blunder
Yes, I remember Brian from his initial Puma course, and then on Chinooks, we seemed to cross paths often over a period of approximately 15 years and got on well, I was posted from the rotary world onto Jags in Germany and sent on an exercise at Wegberg, who should turn up flying us "casualties" into Wegberg but Brian, he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him and we had a brief catch up on the short flight. Later I was posted to Brize on the VC10 and went out to get a 10 on the front ready for departure, I found Brian sitting in the dark as Loadmasters were oddly not allowed to put power on, we had a long chat and I would often see him and catch up until I left the RAF, such a loss and a better man you could not meet.
I thought the ships crew wanted to shove the Chinook over the side to free up room, hence it didn't stay long. BN's original door washed ashore some years later and was recovered I believe.
.
Yes, I remember Brian from his initial Puma course, and then on Chinooks, we seemed to cross paths often over a period of approximately 15 years and got on well, I was posted from the rotary world onto Jags in Germany and sent on an exercise at Wegberg, who should turn up flying us "casualties" into Wegberg but Brian, he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him and we had a brief catch up on the short flight. Later I was posted to Brize on the VC10 and went out to get a 10 on the front ready for departure, I found Brian sitting in the dark as Loadmasters were oddly not allowed to put power on, we had a long chat and I would often see him and catch up until I left the RAF, such a loss and a better man you could not meet.
I thought the ships crew wanted to shove the Chinook over the side to free up room, hence it didn't stay long. BN's original door washed ashore some years later and was recovered I believe.
.
Last edited by NutLoose; 7th Mar 2022 at 14:46.
SD89 & Nut
To clarify a little.......
BN was parked at the rear end, starboard side of HERMES. It was pretty much the only ship that could take it, as INVINCIBLE was so much smaller and fully occupied by its SHARs and other helos. It arrived on HERMES fairly late in the evening.
In my opinion, the ship's crew were not the ones who wanted it pushed over the side...........
We were told by BN's crew that they had been told that if it was not off the ship in the morning, the Captain - who disliked the RAF intensely - would order his crew to push it over the side. We discussed with BN's crew how they might head ashore and what to do when they got there. It was new to all of us, but we made our suggestions, and early the next morning, they wokka'd off.
I have little doubt in my mind given the difficulties we (the RAF GR3s) had throughout with the hierarchy on HERMES, that the order to push it overboard would have been given, and the crew would have done so to avoid disobedience and time in the Brig. Thankfully, BN's crew were good enough and determined enough to head ashore without really knowing what awaited them when they got there.
The rest is history.
To clarify a little.......
BN was parked at the rear end, starboard side of HERMES. It was pretty much the only ship that could take it, as INVINCIBLE was so much smaller and fully occupied by its SHARs and other helos. It arrived on HERMES fairly late in the evening.
In my opinion, the ship's crew were not the ones who wanted it pushed over the side...........
We were told by BN's crew that they had been told that if it was not off the ship in the morning, the Captain - who disliked the RAF intensely - would order his crew to push it over the side. We discussed with BN's crew how they might head ashore and what to do when they got there. It was new to all of us, but we made our suggestions, and early the next morning, they wokka'd off.
I have little doubt in my mind given the difficulties we (the RAF GR3s) had throughout with the hierarchy on HERMES, that the order to push it overboard would have been given, and the crew would have done so to avoid disobedience and time in the Brig. Thankfully, BN's crew were good enough and determined enough to head ashore without really knowing what awaited them when they got there.
The rest is history.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,761
Received 2,742 Likes
on
1,168 Posts
No, it would have been his brother Dick Langworthy if he was flying it at the time, I seem to remember it was up on an air test at the time, his Brother Bill was on Jags.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Yes, you're right of course about it being Dick if it was a Langworthy. The question still remains as to whether he was flying it at the time.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,761
Received 2,742 Likes
on
1,168 Posts
Not sure, you will find an interesting write up here, but read the replies for some more insight.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/the-atlantic-conveyor/
I was told lots of what happened from my mates that were on board but will not relate them for fear of getting them incorrect after such a long time.
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/the-atlantic-conveyor/
I was told lots of what happened from my mates that were on board but will not relate them for fear of getting them incorrect after such a long time.
Last edited by Davef68; 9th Mar 2022 at 00:17. Reason: Missed a 't'
Dick Langworthy died in the Falklands on a later detachment and Bill seemed to make a habit of jumping out of Jaguars.
Bill was involved in a well known story which goes along the lines of two seat Jaguar landing after forgetting to put wheels down. As it slides along on its tanks pilot leaves courtesy of Mr Martin and Mr Baker, leaving engineer officer in the back. Eventually engineer twiggs and leaves as well. On being dined out at the end of his tour the engineer is given a flying logbook which records: 'captain and 1st pilot - 8 seconds'
Old Duffer
Bill was involved in a well known story which goes along the lines of two seat Jaguar landing after forgetting to put wheels down. As it slides along on its tanks pilot leaves courtesy of Mr Martin and Mr Baker, leaving engineer officer in the back. Eventually engineer twiggs and leaves as well. On being dined out at the end of his tour the engineer is given a flying logbook which records: 'captain and 1st pilot - 8 seconds'
Old Duffer