Bristow Photos
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Shetland
Scatsta Engineers Retire
So that's Vince Cain and Dave McNamara gone after all them years in Sumburgh/Unst/Scatsta - (they took Alan Price with them so it's not all bad!!)
All the best for the future, Guys
Scatsta Stalwarts gather for the farewell "Do" at the MBI
(Pete "El Pedro" Wood , Dave McNamara, Vince Cain, Keith Tomlinson and Ian Pearce ... looks like the Scatsta Branch of B.O.G.S !)
All the best for the future, Guys
Scatsta Stalwarts gather for the farewell "Do" at the MBI
(Pete "El Pedro" Wood , Dave McNamara, Vince Cain, Keith Tomlinson and Ian Pearce ... looks like the Scatsta Branch of B.O.G.S !)
Last edited by S61-S92; 29th August 2023 at 08:21.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 829
Likes: 9
From: taking up the hold
I worked with Vince and Dave in Unst for a couple of years. I have a slightly hazy recollection of sharing number of glasses of Vince's homebrewed cider.
Enjoy your retirement boys, you've certainly earned it! It was an honour to work with you!
Enjoy your retirement boys, you've certainly earned it! It was an honour to work with you!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 2
From: PLANET ZOG
Wonder if Big Vince will take up geese hunting full time now
Not sure if he will be taking up welding either.???
I have already wished the boys all the best elsewhere but still, " All the best, now joining me in retirement." My days in Unst have to be some of the best times of my career and having known both Vince and Dave in a previous life, I can honestly say it was/is a pleasure to have worked and socialised with both over the last 45 odd years.
3D
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 308
Likes: 10
From: Cyprus
Ian Pearce in pic.
After leaving my British Airways apprenticeship on fixed wing at Heathrow I joined Bristows at Redhill and was soon on my first detachment, between Christmas and New year if I remember rightly, with Pearcey.
It was to fit a third landing light to a Wessex at very bleak Hull! How we've all aged since then...sank a few pints in those early years between us and many a forgotten weekend in The Panther in Reigate!
I hope all the experience of our "practical" generation is being passed on to the newbies but I fear not. I, personally, haven't seen an apprentice for about 25 years!!!
Happy retirement guys.......only 6 years to go and I'll be joining you.
After leaving my British Airways apprenticeship on fixed wing at Heathrow I joined Bristows at Redhill and was soon on my first detachment, between Christmas and New year if I remember rightly, with Pearcey.
It was to fit a third landing light to a Wessex at very bleak Hull! How we've all aged since then...sank a few pints in those early years between us and many a forgotten weekend in The Panther in Reigate!
I hope all the experience of our "practical" generation is being passed on to the newbies but I fear not. I, personally, haven't seen an apprentice for about 25 years!!!
Happy retirement guys.......only 6 years to go and I'll be joining you.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: UK
Best of luck in your retirement Dave and Vince.
Having worked with these guys I can say that it was probably the best team I have ever had the privilege to know and work with.
Scatsta, and perhaps the seats at the end of the MBI bar, will always have a fond place in my memory, you will be sadly missed, not only by the Scatsta operation but by the local community in Brae.
So tell me, is the tail of my plane still stuck into the side of the hangar?
Having worked with these guys I can say that it was probably the best team I have ever had the privilege to know and work with.
Scatsta, and perhaps the seats at the end of the MBI bar, will always have a fond place in my memory, you will be sadly missed, not only by the Scatsta operation but by the local community in Brae.
So tell me, is the tail of my plane still stuck into the side of the hangar?
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Cornwall
Best of luck in retirement guys. Pleasure working with you all those years ago
Retirement is good!
I was on the S61N conversion with Alan P in 1973. What a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then
TC
Retirement is good!
I was on the S61N conversion with Alan P in 1973. What a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then
TC
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: London
Bristow Helicopters Biafra 1967
Its taken me some time...well nearly two years to dig into my archives. But here is a picture of Patrick O'Mara, Ex RAF, Bristow Helicopters Engineer in Port Harcourt, Lagos, in July 1967. He was the Engineer on many of the Helicopters there as well as being the Engineer / radio operator and Co-Pilot of the Riley Dove which they used for mercy missions. He is standing beside the Widgeon 5N-AGA which was eventually abandoned later that month. It was then appropriated by the Biafran Airforce. The Soldier standing by the Aircraft looks like a Nigerian solder to me not A Biafran. I don't know the identity of the pilot but some of you eagle eye rotorheads might know. I'm still trying to find his flying log book which has helicopter and Riley flights during this period.
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Last edited by XONBOY; 28th June 2015 at 20:47.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Australia
As an employee in AUSBU thank you!. Fantastic footage. You are correct in that overall the company is fantastic to work for. 
Would love to see more videos if you have any.
Would love to see more videos if you have any.
Last edited by belly tank; 30th July 2015 at 15:22.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 829
Likes: 9
From: taking up the hold
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire
Pilot Clive Wright..??
I recognise Pat O'Amara. The pilot looks very much like Clive Wright who became European General Manager when BHL's HQ was in North Block at Redhill, prior to the Main Building being completed in 1975. If it is Clive, I knew him well and he was the manager responsible for BHL's Manston SAR contract (May '71 - Sep 30 '74) of which I was chief engineer. Clive later became Manager of Middle Wallop. I know Clive had spent time in Africa with BHL. However, I could be wrong...
