Helicopter theft
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The first and (so far) only prison escape by helicopter in the UK was in December 1987. A B206 (I think) was stolen and used to spring two prisoners from Gartree, then a maximum security prison.
I have a vague recollection that it was hijacked.
Anyone remember?
I hadn't discovered the joys of helicopters in those days. My only interest was that I represented a co-defendant of one of the prisoners.
I have a vague recollection that it was hijacked.
Anyone remember?
I hadn't discovered the joys of helicopters in those days. My only interest was that I represented a co-defendant of one of the prisoners.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: England/Arizona
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FL is right in that it was 1987 and I believe the aircraft may have been a longranger.
Crazy thing is that one of the people involved later sued for injuries received during another jail break attempt and won £2500. How the world has gone mad.
Story here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1198553.stm
Crazy thing is that one of the people involved later sued for injuries received during another jail break attempt and won £2500. How the world has gone mad.
Story here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1198553.stm
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A Merlin helicopter landed on the docks at Southampton opposite my flat this morning.
Couldn't get to the camera quick enough to take some in flight shots (the pilot came in like a rocket and landed well quick).
Getting to the point of the thread, within 15 minutes the helicopter had been surrounded by containers to make a wall and extra security has definitely been laid on, presumably to stop souvenir hunters.
Pictures here:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...y/DSCN0544.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...y/DSCN0538.jpg
As an aside, they stripped the helicopter really quickly and I will be interested to see how it is shipped as it is still much too large for a container.
Couldn't get to the camera quick enough to take some in flight shots (the pilot came in like a rocket and landed well quick).
Getting to the point of the thread, within 15 minutes the helicopter had been surrounded by containers to make a wall and extra security has definitely been laid on, presumably to stop souvenir hunters.
Pictures here:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...y/DSCN0544.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...y/DSCN0538.jpg
As an aside, they stripped the helicopter really quickly and I will be interested to see how it is shipped as it is still much too large for a container.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Queensland Australia
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John Eacott
I was told a couple of weeks ago the rule about the locking system being plainly visible from the outside was being or had been recinded.
I haven't seen it in writing myself but might be worth a check around. It is a real pain cos I would actually like to use my bubble cover but it seems in CASA's eyes bubble covers are now illegal.
I was told a couple of weeks ago the rule about the locking system being plainly visible from the outside was being or had been recinded.
I haven't seen it in writing myself but might be worth a check around. It is a real pain cos I would actually like to use my bubble cover but it seems in CASA's eyes bubble covers are now illegal.
RR,
We (and other Melbourne operators) have laminated a sign to put in the window, regardless of whether the covers are on or off. That would meet the technicality of the law, inasmuch as the deterrent is plainly visible 
Re using helicopters for gaol breaks: when I joined VicPol, I had a 9am start; by 9:30 I was sworn in, and at 13:00 was inside our local high security nick to advise on the feasibility of getting a B206 in and out, in order to prove a conspiracy charge.
Two days later Dave Anderson flew a JetRanger with the doors off, and was in and out in less than 40 seconds, picking up 3 Sons of God from the exercise yard (IIRC). The Governor was duly advised on how to deter future helicopter visits, as were other prisons. To this day, no prison has bothered to string wires across open spaces. In fact, our local women's prison even has a helipad inside the facility
We (and other Melbourne operators) have laminated a sign to put in the window, regardless of whether the covers are on or off. That would meet the technicality of the law, inasmuch as the deterrent is plainly visible
Re using helicopters for gaol breaks: when I joined VicPol, I had a 9am start; by 9:30 I was sworn in, and at 13:00 was inside our local high security nick to advise on the feasibility of getting a B206 in and out, in order to prove a conspiracy charge.
Two days later Dave Anderson flew a JetRanger with the doors off, and was in and out in less than 40 seconds, picking up 3 Sons of God from the exercise yard (IIRC). The Governor was duly advised on how to deter future helicopter visits, as were other prisons. To this day, no prison has bothered to string wires across open spaces. In fact, our local women's prison even has a helipad inside the facility
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,586
Received 443 Likes
on
235 Posts
John,
"The Governor was duly advised on how to deter future helicopter visits, as were other prisons. To this day, no prison has bothered to string wires across open spaces."
In UK they have got this all covered these days. They put red circles on the chart; that is apparently sufficient to prevent helicopters from landing.
Just like the exclusion zones recently put over London, which prevent terrorists from overflying.
Was it your good self who fooled 'em?
"The Governor was duly advised on how to deter future helicopter visits, as were other prisons. To this day, no prison has bothered to string wires across open spaces."
In UK they have got this all covered these days. They put red circles on the chart; that is apparently sufficient to prevent helicopters from landing.
Just like the exclusion zones recently put over London, which prevent terrorists from overflying.
Was it your good self who fooled 'em?
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Queensland Australia
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ShyTorque
We have a prison here near Mareeba (maximum Security and all the wires and fences etc). It does not even appear on our maps at all. The VTC has never been upgraded even though the prison has been there for more than a decade. I have flown past it quite a few times (sometimes fairly close as it is in a small valley with limits on avoiding it) and I have always been a bit wary that someone inside might think I'm part of a breakout attempt and shoot at me.
We have a prison here near Mareeba (maximum Security and all the wires and fences etc). It does not even appear on our maps at all. The VTC has never been upgraded even though the prison has been there for more than a decade. I have flown past it quite a few times (sometimes fairly close as it is in a small valley with limits on avoiding it) and I have always been a bit wary that someone inside might think I'm part of a breakout attempt and shoot at me.
