Alan Bristow RIP
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Oldlae;
Spot on!! I have been trying to think of that name for days now. Thank you very much. Do you know if he did work on the whaling ops? He often talked to me about those days.
Regards
carholme
Spot on!! I have been trying to think of that name for days now. Thank you very much. Do you know if he did work on the whaling ops? He often talked to me about those days.
Regards
carholme
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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There was also a greenie from Air Whaling
Carholme,
Sorry, I can't confirm that Jim worked for Air Whaling, he once mentioned something that made me think he did.
Does anyone know when Air Whaling did its last season?
Sorry, I can't confirm that Jim worked for Air Whaling, he once mentioned something that made me think he did.
Does anyone know when Air Whaling did its last season?
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Does anyone know when Air Whaling did its last season?
From the book "LEADING FROM THE FRONT Bristow Helicopters the First Fifty Years" chapter 3, first sentence:
...his air whaling business came to an unexpected halt, in the spring of 1955,....
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I worked with someone in the early 70s at Autair Luton, I believe name of something Cox who had been in the South Atlantic, South Georgia, etc, with Bristow, lots of interesting photos, bit of a senior thing am afraid about his first name
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Bluesafari
That would be Dennis Cox I think.Knew him with Autair and BEAS in the 60's and 70's. Roy Neep was another one from that era. Everyone knew everyone esle in the helicopter business in those days.
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alan bristow
sad to hear of alan bristows last autorotation !! but what a life ?? i bought his b47 from bristows in 96, i think they sold it to spite him! i actually wanted to buy a ab 206 which was in a million bits and had been to the moon and back but bh would not sell unless i purchased the two, the b47 gasyw, was a lovelly old girl ? i had not purchased the 47 more than a couple of days ,when ab phoned me to see if he could buy it back i was at egkb then, we met for lunch what a" heliman ", anyway he could not [steal the 47 from me ] he had a look, i said he could fly it any time ,he never took me up on it , he wished me well gave me a lot of rotary advice and left me with quite an impression god bless ab helispeed iii
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A 'good' funeral today, with a full church to see Mr B off; highlight was the flypast as they lowered his coffin into the ground - an S76, a Bell 412, a Super Puma and, scurrying to catch up, a Bo117. Brian Collison and Richard Burman spoke in the church, but the best speech was by one of his renal nurses who confessed she'd thought of murdering him (a) with a golf club and (b) by throwing him in the pool, but she loved him anyway. Bryan Collins made an informal speech at Bramley Golf Club afterwards, and caught the tone just right; a difficult boss, always right, but a doer of deeds. Lots of oldish chaps there starting conversations with, 'I haven't seen you since...' And Steve Bond turned up, which was nice. A fitting exit.
A full house to wish the Old Man "bon voyage". Great to get the chance to be there, many thanks Mrs. Bristow. I doubt we will see another one like "Big Al"!
So many faces that haven't been seen for years. We haven't changed a bit!
Well.. maybe just a tad.
3D
So many faces that haven't been seen for years. We haven't changed a bit!
Well.. maybe just a tad.3D
I was very saddened to read of the death of Alan Bristow; but he also lead a long, successful and adventure filled life - I certainly hope he was entirely satisfied with it. I know I would have been.
Like many people on this forum, I am a product of the company he created. Bristow trained me as an apprentice and put me through college. They provided superb training, experience and a pretty much unlimited range of opportunities within the organization.
He was a natural leader and certainly had a very imposing personality and presence. He was able to attract and retain a great selection of talented individuals within the organization and for that reason alone the company was able to expand and grow; despite operating multiple types, in differing roles, all over the world and employing people of every nationality and from every background.
Bristow was very much an organization with a "can-do" attitude. No matter what, where or when you wanted to do something, the people would get down and get it done. There were many people within the company that would make these things happen but it was absolutely driven from the top by a man committed to making it happen -and infusing the entire organization with the same drive and intent.
I can't claim to have ever personally known Alan Bristow, I was just a small piece of that large company. I did get to meet him many times and in many situations as I worked in various operations and locations. I also worked on the 125 and even spent a large number of weekends working on the estates at Cranleigh on all kinds of interesting outdoor projects - which most certainly beat working in the overhaul shop or hangar on beautiful weekends.
I credit Bristow with giving me the start for everything I have ever achieved in my lifetime. I started out sweeping the hangar floor and washing helicopters in Sumburgh. By the time I left 10 years later, I was licensed on everything operated on the North Sea and had worked all over the world - and loved every minute of it. I only moved for greater opportunity and even more adventure.
I made friendships that endure to this day - some of my very best friends I have ever made are people I worked with all these years ago at Bristow. I run into former and current Bristow employees all over the world on a regular basis. I still do a lot of business with Bristow, in fact I will be in Redhill next week.
I am sorry that I was not at the funeral, as I know a large number of the people that gave me my opportunities, trained me and so generously gave me the value of their knowledge and experience would have been in attendance. I have immense respect for all of you who took the time to share your knowledge and experience, and I want you to know that your values are the ones I use on a daily basis to perform my current job! These people were all accomplished in their own right and had the opportunity to know Alan Bristow when it was a small and growing company. They were loyal and driven employees of this great company because they truly and honestly believed in Alan Bristow and the team he created that became such a powerhouse in the helicopter industry.
It was my great privilege and an honour to have met this great man and worked for the company he created.
I hope you may rest in peace. You are truly the loss of one of the legends of this industry - and your name certainly lives on forever.
My thoughts are with all the family.
Like many people on this forum, I am a product of the company he created. Bristow trained me as an apprentice and put me through college. They provided superb training, experience and a pretty much unlimited range of opportunities within the organization.
He was a natural leader and certainly had a very imposing personality and presence. He was able to attract and retain a great selection of talented individuals within the organization and for that reason alone the company was able to expand and grow; despite operating multiple types, in differing roles, all over the world and employing people of every nationality and from every background.
Bristow was very much an organization with a "can-do" attitude. No matter what, where or when you wanted to do something, the people would get down and get it done. There were many people within the company that would make these things happen but it was absolutely driven from the top by a man committed to making it happen -and infusing the entire organization with the same drive and intent.
I can't claim to have ever personally known Alan Bristow, I was just a small piece of that large company. I did get to meet him many times and in many situations as I worked in various operations and locations. I also worked on the 125 and even spent a large number of weekends working on the estates at Cranleigh on all kinds of interesting outdoor projects - which most certainly beat working in the overhaul shop or hangar on beautiful weekends.
I credit Bristow with giving me the start for everything I have ever achieved in my lifetime. I started out sweeping the hangar floor and washing helicopters in Sumburgh. By the time I left 10 years later, I was licensed on everything operated on the North Sea and had worked all over the world - and loved every minute of it. I only moved for greater opportunity and even more adventure.
I made friendships that endure to this day - some of my very best friends I have ever made are people I worked with all these years ago at Bristow. I run into former and current Bristow employees all over the world on a regular basis. I still do a lot of business with Bristow, in fact I will be in Redhill next week.
I am sorry that I was not at the funeral, as I know a large number of the people that gave me my opportunities, trained me and so generously gave me the value of their knowledge and experience would have been in attendance. I have immense respect for all of you who took the time to share your knowledge and experience, and I want you to know that your values are the ones I use on a daily basis to perform my current job! These people were all accomplished in their own right and had the opportunity to know Alan Bristow when it was a small and growing company. They were loyal and driven employees of this great company because they truly and honestly believed in Alan Bristow and the team he created that became such a powerhouse in the helicopter industry.
It was my great privilege and an honour to have met this great man and worked for the company he created.
I hope you may rest in peace. You are truly the loss of one of the legends of this industry - and your name certainly lives on forever.
My thoughts are with all the family.
Last edited by Phil Kemp; 10th May 2009 at 00:53.
Phil,
Isn't it amazing how many of us feel as you do about Alan Bristow?
He was bigger than life and certainly set the example by "Walking the Walk" not just "Talking the Talk"!
I just wonder how the outfit would have turned out if he had stayed at the helm all these years....I know I would be in the Lake Country and be paying school fees yet....wearing my tweeds and propping up at my local.
Unless he would have found me out and sent me packing!
Isn't it amazing how many of us feel as you do about Alan Bristow?
He was bigger than life and certainly set the example by "Walking the Walk" not just "Talking the Talk"!
I just wonder how the outfit would have turned out if he had stayed at the helm all these years....I know I would be in the Lake Country and be paying school fees yet....wearing my tweeds and propping up at my local.
Unless he would have found me out and sent me packing!
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I agree with Pat. It was a very good funeral - if there is such a thing.
I was one of the "bearer" party. L-R Tony Coleman, Cliff McQueen, Stu Gregg, Pat Gerard, John Whale and Alan Price. Some 200 years of service with Bristow's between us - scary. Some of us hadn't worn uniform for many a year. Felt quite alien but I believe Heather appreciated it. Yes, there were many faces from the past and a few who weren't there who we expected too. In the morning of the funeral, we left Gatwick for Cranleigh in a hired car with 5 pilots, 2 sat-navs on board and we still got lost but found the pub opposite the church, no problem. You couldn't write a book about it - or could you..........
TC
I was one of the "bearer" party. L-R Tony Coleman, Cliff McQueen, Stu Gregg, Pat Gerard, John Whale and Alan Price. Some 200 years of service with Bristow's between us - scary. Some of us hadn't worn uniform for many a year. Felt quite alien but I believe Heather appreciated it. Yes, there were many faces from the past and a few who weren't there who we expected too. In the morning of the funeral, we left Gatwick for Cranleigh in a hired car with 5 pilots, 2 sat-navs on board and we still got lost but found the pub opposite the church, no problem. You couldn't write a book about it - or could you..........
TC
Last edited by TipCap; 28th May 2009 at 06:04. Reason: editorial
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Looks like some of those middle buttons haven't been done up in a while!
Great to see some of the old faces who I used to fly and share the crew room with.
My very best to you all my friends.
Great to see some of the old faces who I used to fly and share the crew room with.
My very best to you all my friends.
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I wont say who but there were only a couple of us with original uniforms or even our own uniforms!!! 
Last edited by TipCap; 28th May 2009 at 06:06. Reason: editorial
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Alan Bristow
Just a thought, one of the staff who came from the Air Whaling days was Paddy O'Mara. For a long time he was the only avionics man who was Chief Engineer f an overseas operation.( Doha I think.) Just wondered where he was.
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Paddy came to Dubai in 1979 to do a leave relief for Bob Potts, Chief Engineer DPC contract, after he left he went on courses in preparation to take over as Chief Engineer at The Dubai Police Wing, finished getting all coursed up but passed away before arriving back in Dubai to take over, RIP Paddy, nice man.
Stacey
Stacey