Bristow Sumburgh - End Of An Era
Fin D'Siecle
I hope I spelt that correctly!
A sad day indeed. I first arrived in Sumburgh in March 1975 with B212 G-BARJ, operated by BEAS on behalf of Viking Piper, the first fully computerised laybarge in the N.Sea laying the Ninian pipeline to Unst.
I seem to recall being hangared in half a hangar shared with Loganair's Islander at the time. I also recall the Loganair Chief Pilot possessed an extremely attractive daughter or am I having a senior moment!
Far from climbing up the Brent legs we had to climb down them as the helipads were at the sea surface not having been positioned on the top at that time.
I also recall an S61 pilot, company unremembered saying that we, BEAS that is, should be booted off the airfield as we were taking the bread from their mouths! A sad statement then as now.
Nights in 'Colditz' and the largest concrete portacabin on the island are now only dimly remembered although I do recall Johny Grantham RIP being hauled out of the bar along with Ian Leslie (hotel manager) to fly a medevac mission at some late/early hour to the VP barge!
Happy days indeed,
with fraternal greetings,
ambi
A sad day indeed. I first arrived in Sumburgh in March 1975 with B212 G-BARJ, operated by BEAS on behalf of Viking Piper, the first fully computerised laybarge in the N.Sea laying the Ninian pipeline to Unst.
I seem to recall being hangared in half a hangar shared with Loganair's Islander at the time. I also recall the Loganair Chief Pilot possessed an extremely attractive daughter or am I having a senior moment!
Far from climbing up the Brent legs we had to climb down them as the helipads were at the sea surface not having been positioned on the top at that time.
I also recall an S61 pilot, company unremembered saying that we, BEAS that is, should be booted off the airfield as we were taking the bread from their mouths! A sad statement then as now.
Nights in 'Colditz' and the largest concrete portacabin on the island are now only dimly remembered although I do recall Johny Grantham RIP being hauled out of the bar along with Ian Leslie (hotel manager) to fly a medevac mission at some late/early hour to the VP barge!
Happy days indeed,
with fraternal greetings,
ambi
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Packet of Biscuits
First operated out of Sumburgh in 1981 as a junior co-pilot flying G-BFEU for BNOC to the Thistle & Stena Seaspread. Will always remember the following story.
One of my Captains was the late Ron Miles. He always did the radio (FM in those days) to the Thistle radio room and ordered a packet of biscuits, and always did the helideck turnaround. Took me several days, after not getting any biscuits to eat, to work out that this was Ron's secret code for a box of 200 cigarettes. G-BFEU had the Aerospatiale VIP cabin interior (which lead to the BHL Tiger interior), and had a convenient hiding place for said box of 200.
This tradition later continued on the Tiger when I flew with Ron out of Aberdeen.
28 years later I returned to Sumburgh as a co-pilot again, although changed the SA330J for an SK92.
And the Ghost is still alive at 'Colditz'.
One of my Captains was the late Ron Miles. He always did the radio (FM in those days) to the Thistle radio room and ordered a packet of biscuits, and always did the helideck turnaround. Took me several days, after not getting any biscuits to eat, to work out that this was Ron's secret code for a box of 200 cigarettes. G-BFEU had the Aerospatiale VIP cabin interior (which lead to the BHL Tiger interior), and had a convenient hiding place for said box of 200.
This tradition later continued on the Tiger when I flew with Ron out of Aberdeen.
28 years later I returned to Sumburgh as a co-pilot again, although changed the SA330J for an SK92.
And the Ghost is still alive at 'Colditz'.
I also used to fly with Ron on the 332 from Aberdeen to the Thistle. Ron used to make me take half his "biscuits" and put them in my pockets while he had the other 5 packs. We would rendezvous in the planning room and I would hand them over to him. The Thistle HLO was called "Tosh" and he would usually have biscuits already in the HLO shack ready to pick up.
One of the great characters was "Uncle" Ron, I learned a lot from him and remember him with great respect, he and his wife were dear friends.
One of the great characters was "Uncle" Ron, I learned a lot from him and remember him with great respect, he and his wife were dear friends.
Can confirm an afternoon session at the Craighar bar with Ron and co was a real head spinner 
Other rogues lurking with pints in hand included Eddie Ford, Dave Stevens, Steve Ford, and a few other names that escape my booze riddled grey cells now that nature has allowed me old bones to pass the 50 mark
Ron was a truly wonderful fella, and the full story of his family is a tragic one..
My brother dated his daughter for quite a while, so his story is close to my heart.... One of the original gentlemen pilots.....
Other rogues lurking with pints in hand included Eddie Ford, Dave Stevens, Steve Ford, and a few other names that escape my booze riddled grey cells now that nature has allowed me old bones to pass the 50 mark
Ron was a truly wonderful fella, and the full story of his family is a tragic one..
My brother dated his daughter for quite a while, so his story is close to my heart.... One of the original gentlemen pilots.....
Thread Starter
Some Sumburgh Vintage Pics from nessboy
G-BERG - First SA330J Based at Sumburgh (Dec 77)
Peter Hutchison, Lawrie Moar, Graham Moir, Ian Nelson, Chris Jackson, Hugh Whitfield and Cliff Saffron
Peter Moar & Bob Simpson, board G-BCLC to rescue S58ET G-BCDG which made an "unscheduled fuel stop" on Fair Isle
Dick Jones, Bob Simpson, S58ET Pilot Bob Griffiths and Peter Moar
Wot ! No Accordion Peter !!!!
Dave MacKay
Sandy Duncan, Jimmy Ridland, Geordie Munro & Martin Colvin having their 10'o'clocks
Last edited by S61-S92; 23rd Oct 2019 at 18:55.
Griffo....I seem to recall you wearing diapers whenn I wuz in the Shetlands! But then drinking age laws were loosely enforced there as I recall!
Thread Starter
Some More Sumburgh SAR Pictures from QuarryBoy
The Final Roll Call of staff based at Sumburgh at the end of the SAR contract
Terry Mooney
Donald McDermott & Gerald Flaws
John Boulton
Peter Hutchison & Peter Manson
Mark Jackson
Gerald Flaws & Andy McAlister
Geordie Munro & Eoin Harcus
Gordon Rae & Jim Livett being taken forcefully from behind
Last edited by S61-S92; 23rd Oct 2019 at 19:10.
Is that Mat Lucas in the group photo? 
Thread Starter
Some Former Sumburgh Faces
Kieran Murray
Mike Hallums
Gerald Flaws, Jonathan Shelbourne and Tony Jones
Tony Jones observing typical party behaviour from Geordie Munro & Kieran Murray
Rare picture of Geordie showing Gerald the contents of his wallet
Trust Binnie to get in the picture !!!
John Rawlings & Glennda Oldbury (seems like a nice boy!)
Last edited by S61-S92; 23rd Oct 2019 at 19:15.
I last saw John in July as he was (very kindly) flying me to Hong Kong in his Virgin Atlantic A340. As I recall, his prospective choice of bar companions for his stay there were rather more attractive that Glenda
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Bristow Sumburgh
A few from me
July/August 1988
Hoy, Coastguard famil 2nd March 1990
Mr Murray
14th March 1990
14th March 1990
'Bristow Rover' 17th May 1990
19th April 1989
23rd April 1989
July/August 1988
Hoy, Coastguard famil 2nd March 1990
Mr Murray
14th March 1990
14th March 1990
'Bristow Rover' 17th May 1990
19th April 1989
23rd April 1989
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Bristow Sumburgh...and some in colour
On Peter Hutch's boat, April 1989
Off Boddam, April 1990
Scalloway, Lifeboat Day?
Dave Ellis 19 April 1989
Mr Murray 29 June 1987...I think
Coastguard Famil Hoy 2nd March 1990
Mr Murray, Norman Leask right hand seat
Winching onto the Claire...Fire Service Excercise 22nd April 1989
Landing on....HMS Dumbarton Castle13 February 1990
Dumbarton Castle 13 February 1990
Mr Murray
'Bristow Rover'...in colour. Martin I recollect?
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Mr Murray 10 December 1990
10 Deceember 1990
Compass Swing on heli 24/06 11 October 1990?
11 October 1990?
October 1989?? As I recollect the pilot was flying VFR from Norway and basically flew west until he sighted land and then south until he saw the airfield in atrocious wx conditions.
Scalloway Lifeboat Day 12 July 1990
13 February 1990
19 April 1990
Dumbarton Castle
Aith Lifeboat 29th June 1987
10 Deceember 1990
Compass Swing on heli 24/06 11 October 1990?
11 October 1990?
October 1989?? As I recollect the pilot was flying VFR from Norway and basically flew west until he sighted land and then south until he saw the airfield in atrocious wx conditions.
Scalloway Lifeboat Day 12 July 1990
13 February 1990
19 April 1990
Dumbarton Castle
Aith Lifeboat 29th June 1987
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and a few more black and whites
Mr Murray 10 December 1990
Dinghy Drill 19 April 1990
Dave Ellis and Keiran Murray
Dave Ellis at the Clickimin
Peter hutch's boat
I wouldn't want to be accused of slander but I think this may have been a junior co-pilots car which if memory serves me correctly confronted the corner of the abbatoir at Boddam Voe? 5 June 1988
Boddam/Bristow sports day 20 June 1987
Dave Ellis November 1989
Tiger that declared an Emergency 26 June 1987
Last edited by The 185 Radial; 21st Oct 2009 at 22:57. Reason: Pics added
