Bristow Sumburgh - End Of An Era
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THE END OF THE END OF THE ERA
So, it looks like I will have to go and switch the lights back on 
As Bristow win back the Search and Rescue contract at Stornoway and Sumburgh, it re-establishes the company's place in UK SAR which has been running since the early 70's
More pictures to come, along with updates on the new contract / aircraft as it happens... and to those of you (you know who you are!!) who promised to add your old Sumburgh shots - GET THEM POSTED NOW !!!
As Bristow win back the Search and Rescue contract at Stornoway and Sumburgh, it re-establishes the company's place in UK SAR which has been running since the early 70's
More pictures to come, along with updates on the new contract / aircraft as it happens... and to those of you (you know who you are!!) who promised to add your old Sumburgh shots - GET THEM POSTED NOW !!!
Last edited by S61-S92; 24th Oct 2019 at 19:24.
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Would Bristow ever consider purchasing the S92's from CHC? Would make sense given the maintenance base up the road and that the crews are already "on line" given that the crews move companies as well..... Or is that a dont go there area as its the competition etc? Would also be a shame leaving the CHC hangar as its a very nice modern setup compared to the Bristow (if they are indeed still owned by BHL) hangers..... 
New machines on order? Hope so!
I can almost hear the excuses being practised by Bristow' management from here!
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G-BBVA - How she looks now
Two pictures of S61N 61718, N364FH which was once G-BBVA, the machine which launched SAR at Sumburgh, now serving in Afghanistan.
Last edited by S61-S92; 24th Oct 2019 at 19:28.
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New aircraft
Variable Load - I believe Bristow gambled and ordered aircraft for this some time ago. They are due out of the factory this year and so in plenty of time. Might be interesting to ask the others where they were getting aircraft though...as I don't believe that anyone else had secured supply. Then you might hear some of the excuses that you're looking for!
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G-BAKB Lifting the Radome into place at Sumburgh Airport
G-BITR S76A about to depart for Aberdeen after short term contract at Sumburgh in August 1981
BCalH S76A G-BIBG at Sumburgh - 1981
BAH G-BEIC on the Apron
G-BCEA lifts off runway 09
Safely tucked up for the night, the Fixed Wing Fleet that fed the passengers from Aberdeen to Sumburgh. Dan Air HS748's, Alidair Viscount and a pod of Twin Otters across the way.
Last edited by S61-S92; 24th Oct 2019 at 20:08.
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A Lucas Aerospace Hoist fitted to a British Airways S61. This simple hoist could be fitted in about 10 minutes, and was the first breed of winch used in Civilian SAR at Sumburgh. How things have changed !
Aircrewman Gerald Flaws, Capt Peter Donaldson, Capt Terry Wolfe-Milner and Aircrewman Alistair Handley who carried out a hazardous night-time evacuation from the Oil Supply Vessel "Polar 901" in January 1973.
Gerald Flaws and Terry Wolfe-Milner were also involved in the Beryl SPM rescue on 5 December 1975, along with crewmen Phil Johns and Peter Moar and First Officer Charles Beilbey.
Last edited by S61-S92; 24th Oct 2019 at 20:11.
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The Scatsta S92's were working out of Sumburgh yesterday, and just happened to be refuelling right next to our chums at Bond.
Turns out we woke them up and Percy Edwards even spilt his Horlicks
Anyway, they contacted us to tell us to be quiet, and then sent us a wee video telling us they had sorted the din out themselves .
Gave us a good laugh, cheers lads
PS No Pilots or Aircraft were harmed in the making of this film, but several people asked if Alan Price was on-board at the time
Turns out we woke them up and Percy Edwards even spilt his Horlicks
Anyway, they contacted us to tell us to be quiet, and then sent us a wee video telling us they had sorted the din out themselves .
Gave us a good laugh, cheers lads
PS No Pilots or Aircraft were harmed in the making of this film, but several people asked if Alan Price was on-board at the time
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G-BDOC prepares to winch us back on board
Bell 212 G-BDIL on an early start at Wilsness
G-BFEU (an EC225 Popular Plus
) undergoing hangar maintenance
Last edited by S61-S92; 24th Oct 2019 at 20:14.
S61-S92. Being a bit pedantic but I think that picture of GTIGR was taken in June 1981. It was a BNOC or Britoil contract to the Discoverer 534, a drilling ship. The direct route took us directly over the island of Foula and there was a Godawful row when we did it on a Sunday.
On August 18th I took GTIGR down to Yarmouth to do the Southern North Sea as the Wessexs had been grounded following their fatal crash.
On August 18th I took GTIGR down to Yarmouth to do the Southern North Sea as the Wessexs had been grounded following their fatal crash.
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Fareast: I assume you mean the pic of G-BITR, the S76. The pic was taken the day the contract ended,thats Engineer Bob Taylor loading his toolbox and gear into the back.
As the aircraft used to fly single pilot, I had been promised a trip in the Copilots seat... hung around all morning waiting for the word to go, and eventually it came... "Contract Over return to Aberdeen immediately".
I was detached to Sumburgh during July, August 1981 so I would guess the pic was likely July in that case.
As the aircraft used to fly single pilot, I had been promised a trip in the Copilots seat... hung around all morning waiting for the word to go, and eventually it came... "Contract Over return to Aberdeen immediately".
I was detached to Sumburgh during July, August 1981 so I would guess the pic was likely July in that case.