Bristow Photos
SP,
I do wish I had been born rich instead of handsome but one cannot have everything out of life!
I do wish I had been born rich instead of handsome but one cannot have everything out of life!
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Odds & Ends
To finish off my contribution some odds & ends.
In 1985 I carried out my 212 conversion mainly on the 'Desert Fox' G-BCMC at Aberdeen, but completed it at North Denes. G-BJJP at North Denes in 1985.
During a quiet period at the Redhill FTS in 1991 Bob Evans and I did some 212 line flying at North Denes. G-BJJO shutdown offshore, probably on one of the Leman platforms.
Tim Collins reluctantly handing the cup over to the Bond Helicopters Captain after they beat the Bristow team at cricket.
Got involved with getting several 212s at Redhill ready for export to new ventures, but watched most of them depart as well.
VR-BIJ departing Redhill. Forgotten its destination (think it was some short term contract prior to Nigeria).
G-BGLL departing for Nigeria.
Had forgotten about this one, and it is not too clear what it is about from the photo. However does bring back some FTS history.
In April 1990 the Redhill FTS celebrated 30 years. As I was duty instructor we devised a suitable but fictitious flying program. Before 09:00 we have Alan Boswell carrying out practice formation flying although I see he was not allocated a ship in the subsequent flypast. At 15:30 we have a champagne reception, followed by the 7 ship flypast. Cannot remember how this program went down with George & Derek at the time.
However the programme in the middle was real, and the names for history purposes -
Instructors - George Bedford (Principal), Derek Jones (CFI), Alan Boswell, Paul Quick, Gordon Hewitt, Ian McDonald & Chris Cairns. Steve Menham & Dick Whidborne (AAIB, ex Bristow) on Instructors course.
Students - Jonathon Binnie, Dave Reid, Tim Pennington, Tim Rolfe, Robert Trives, Eric Swaffer, Ainsley Boodoosingh, Brian (?) Fitzpatrick, James Liebers & Obi Nwana.
I had the privilege to teach some students on the Slingsby T67C G-BLRF.
Hmm. As it is my only R22 photo I had to think long about posting this one. If a Can of Worms progresses it will be deleted from this posting.
The ill fated R22 Beta G-BOEY. In 1990 it suffered a hard landing following an engine off demonstration, which severed its tail boom. Was Rebuilt. In 1994 it rolled over during a hover engine off. Again Rebuilt. In 1997 it was written off during night flying sadly with the loss of the solo student (RIP). I was Duty Instructor that evening hence my hesitance to post it here.
And to finish off something completely different. Did Bristow have a Canal Boat?
Indirectly Yes. In the British & Commonwealth days we had access to some unique holiday opportunities. Hidden amongst the list of various Holiday Homes, Villas, etc. was this canal boat 'Narrow Squeak' which was based at Braunston. It was a very well equipped boat, and really cheap for us compared to a boat of similar spec available to rent by the public.
In 1985 I carried out my 212 conversion mainly on the 'Desert Fox' G-BCMC at Aberdeen, but completed it at North Denes. G-BJJP at North Denes in 1985.
During a quiet period at the Redhill FTS in 1991 Bob Evans and I did some 212 line flying at North Denes. G-BJJO shutdown offshore, probably on one of the Leman platforms.
Tim Collins reluctantly handing the cup over to the Bond Helicopters Captain after they beat the Bristow team at cricket.
Got involved with getting several 212s at Redhill ready for export to new ventures, but watched most of them depart as well.
VR-BIJ departing Redhill. Forgotten its destination (think it was some short term contract prior to Nigeria).
G-BGLL departing for Nigeria.
Had forgotten about this one, and it is not too clear what it is about from the photo. However does bring back some FTS history.
In April 1990 the Redhill FTS celebrated 30 years. As I was duty instructor we devised a suitable but fictitious flying program. Before 09:00 we have Alan Boswell carrying out practice formation flying although I see he was not allocated a ship in the subsequent flypast. At 15:30 we have a champagne reception, followed by the 7 ship flypast. Cannot remember how this program went down with George & Derek at the time.
However the programme in the middle was real, and the names for history purposes -
Instructors - George Bedford (Principal), Derek Jones (CFI), Alan Boswell, Paul Quick, Gordon Hewitt, Ian McDonald & Chris Cairns. Steve Menham & Dick Whidborne (AAIB, ex Bristow) on Instructors course.
Students - Jonathon Binnie, Dave Reid, Tim Pennington, Tim Rolfe, Robert Trives, Eric Swaffer, Ainsley Boodoosingh, Brian (?) Fitzpatrick, James Liebers & Obi Nwana.
I had the privilege to teach some students on the Slingsby T67C G-BLRF.
Hmm. As it is my only R22 photo I had to think long about posting this one. If a Can of Worms progresses it will be deleted from this posting.
The ill fated R22 Beta G-BOEY. In 1990 it suffered a hard landing following an engine off demonstration, which severed its tail boom. Was Rebuilt. In 1994 it rolled over during a hover engine off. Again Rebuilt. In 1997 it was written off during night flying sadly with the loss of the solo student (RIP). I was Duty Instructor that evening hence my hesitance to post it here.
And to finish off something completely different. Did Bristow have a Canal Boat?
Indirectly Yes. In the British & Commonwealth days we had access to some unique holiday opportunities. Hidden amongst the list of various Holiday Homes, Villas, etc. was this canal boat 'Narrow Squeak' which was based at Braunston. It was a very well equipped boat, and really cheap for us compared to a boat of similar spec available to rent by the public.
Great photos ccc - brings back lots of memories! Hope you are enjoying your new toy in Scatsta!
I posted the following and C.C.C said the first part was correct but the next two lines were incorrect. I wish to correct those two lines with additional information.
The corrected version of events follows:
A National Engineer was tasked to conduct a scheduled 25 hour drive link inspection and when he could not remove the bolt reported that to the Expatriate Engineer in Charge (Deputy Chief Enginner).
That Expat Engineer attempted to drive the bolt out of the link, was only able to get it to move about a quarter of an inch. He along with a second engineer agreed to drive the bolt back into position, replaced the nut, installed the safety lock and then released the aircraft for service. The explanation given was the scissors and sleeve were very close to time change.
To replace the drive link would have taken about an hour with no need for tracking.
Subsequent to the fatal crash, at some point there was a change of Chief Engineer at the base (reason unknown to me) and within his first two weeks on site was approached by a delegation of local employees who had friends killed on the aircraft and who knowing of the bolt problem felt a proper investigation of that should be carried out.
The Lagos based Engineering Manager conducted an interview with the Expat Engineer involved after being informed of the situation by the new Chief Engineer at the base. This occurred approximately six months after the event. The Engineer departed Lagos very soon afterwards.
So...C.C.C., is this version meet your approval?
For the lack of an hours work Monty and some passengers died.
Until confronted with the truth the culpable individual hid his mistake and bad judgement....as did the second engineer. What I wonder is how did the investigators miss the fact very recent work had been done on that particular bit that failed? Who did the investigation? Is there a record of that at Redhill these days?
Engineering error....frozen bolt found but not removed....nut replaced and aircraft released for flying. The item was due time change in nine hours of flying but failed on the next flight. The aircraft crashed into a canal or river and sunk immediately. Survivors did an underwater escape to get out of the aircraft.
A National Engineer was tasked to conduct a scheduled 25 hour drive link inspection and when he could not remove the bolt reported that to the Expatriate Engineer in Charge (Deputy Chief Enginner).
That Expat Engineer attempted to drive the bolt out of the link, was only able to get it to move about a quarter of an inch. He along with a second engineer agreed to drive the bolt back into position, replaced the nut, installed the safety lock and then released the aircraft for service. The explanation given was the scissors and sleeve were very close to time change.
To replace the drive link would have taken about an hour with no need for tracking.
Subsequent to the fatal crash, at some point there was a change of Chief Engineer at the base (reason unknown to me) and within his first two weeks on site was approached by a delegation of local employees who had friends killed on the aircraft and who knowing of the bolt problem felt a proper investigation of that should be carried out.
The Lagos based Engineering Manager conducted an interview with the Expat Engineer involved after being informed of the situation by the new Chief Engineer at the base. This occurred approximately six months after the event. The Engineer departed Lagos very soon afterwards.
So...C.C.C., is this version meet your approval?
For the lack of an hours work Monty and some passengers died.
Until confronted with the truth the culpable individual hid his mistake and bad judgement....as did the second engineer. What I wonder is how did the investigators miss the fact very recent work had been done on that particular bit that failed? Who did the investigation? Is there a record of that at Redhill these days?
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This isn't the X-Files
Alan
Well said - Especially as some selective recall and perhaps some selective interpretation is occuring (the Redhill FSE - a well respective Type Engineer later poached by an OEM - was sent out and did extensive work on site and back at Aker base, also involved were Alan S of UK AAIB and Joe S of Bell and a full AIB report was published in 1999 - the probable cause was corrosion induced fatigue of the bolt).
Well said - Especially as some selective recall and perhaps some selective interpretation is occuring (the Redhill FSE - a well respective Type Engineer later poached by an OEM - was sent out and did extensive work on site and back at Aker base, also involved were Alan S of UK AAIB and Joe S of Bell and a full AIB report was published in 1999 - the probable cause was corrosion induced fatigue of the bolt).
Last edited by zalt; 27th Feb 2009 at 17:29. Reason: Por spilling
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More Eket
Here are some of my many photos from Eket, when we were still at the airstrip:
On final to the airstrip, with the Bristow accommodation (and swimming pool of course) beyond the hangar on the left.
Freddy Kissinger; and do I see Tony Keller and Clyde Lou Hing behind?
Eket albums would be incomplete without Dink Smith!
Here's Nick Owen and...
Nigel Tanner, Chief Pilot, when Fred Layton was his DCP
On final to the airstrip, with the Bristow accommodation (and swimming pool of course) beyond the hangar on the left.
Freddy Kissinger; and do I see Tony Keller and Clyde Lou Hing behind?
Eket albums would be incomplete without Dink Smith!
Here's Nick Owen and...
Nigel Tanner, Chief Pilot, when Fred Layton was his DCP
Last edited by whirlwind; 28th Feb 2009 at 08:16.
Originally Posted by He1iaviator
The mention of youthful Bob Turners brought this to mind
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Eket
Seeing these happy snaps of Eket have brought back fond memoirs of Eket & QIT from a slightly earlier time of the mid eighties when Jeremy Wright was CP. Had some great nights as guess of Jem prior to going offshore or home the following day. Alot of the guys would come offshore at the weekend for some fishing & stay over onboard the DSV Krantor........
Seeing these happy snaps of Eket have brought back fond memoirs of Eket & QIT from a slightly earlier time of the mid eighties when Jeremy Wright was CP. Had some great nights as guess of Jem prior to going offshore or home the following day. Alot of the guys would come offshore at the weekend for some fishing & stay over onboard the DSV Krantor........
HP16
L to R Matthew Lawson - retired CHC; Neil Anderson - Bristow ADN; Steve Brennan - didn't complete; Tony Moore - last known Buzz Stansted; Ian Saunders -BA, presently grand fromage at BALPA; Neil Popkin - didn't complete; Bob Whitehouse - Bristow Den Helder? Peter Lavender - BA; Ian Hay - didn't finish; Andrew Doyle - CHC Blackpool.
Eket 1985-87; lots of pics of 212s around so just a few people..............
Grant Jones, Paul Gliddon, Dave Middleton on a Sunday fishing trip. You had to be there to realise how bad we smelt.
The Asabo Delta "A" team Feb 1987...Paul Robinson, Richard Hambly, Jasper Bardon, Andrew Doyle; Fred Kissinger and Geoff Lee background. The tuna fought Robbo so hard we had to hold on to him to avoid him being pulled in to the water.
Jasper Bardon driving the boat on the Eket river; I doubt if it would be wise these days....though this was the one and only time I saw those engines working in the two years I was there.
Bertie the parrot....some rascal taught him to say rude things about a certain TRE. Quite a lot of rascals actually.....
Finally Tigger. He would wander along the dorm corridor, decide who was in favour and jump up to open the room door, sometimes a bit of a shock if you got up for the loo in the night.....
Grant Jones, Paul Gliddon, Dave Middleton on a Sunday fishing trip. You had to be there to realise how bad we smelt.
The Asabo Delta "A" team Feb 1987...Paul Robinson, Richard Hambly, Jasper Bardon, Andrew Doyle; Fred Kissinger and Geoff Lee background. The tuna fought Robbo so hard we had to hold on to him to avoid him being pulled in to the water.
Jasper Bardon driving the boat on the Eket river; I doubt if it would be wise these days....though this was the one and only time I saw those engines working in the two years I was there.
Bertie the parrot....some rascal taught him to say rude things about a certain TRE. Quite a lot of rascals actually.....
Finally Tigger. He would wander along the dorm corridor, decide who was in favour and jump up to open the room door, sometimes a bit of a shock if you got up for the loo in the night.....
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All pre 1987 fishing records broken by me and Basil Pettet, unfortunately Mr Pettet has the photo,s so no proof at this time, however, in the photo by the chop store in the background in singlet and shorts is Sammy Sammarashina excellent greenie and seriously good friend unfortunately murdered in London by a hit man organised by his wife!!, she got 22years I believe, they never found the perpetrator.
The fishing was good fun......and it appears the fish still keep growing despite having been cooked and eaten years ago!