The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
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Registration for Giles......
Earl
TRC is younger than me, and he will remember this bird! It was Walter Wolfe's 206, based for much of the time in Monaco (where I had to visit for 50/100 hr checks, stay in a hotel, eat well, and ogle the near naked girls on the beach
................) and then Giles would fly me/us back to the airport at Cannes.
Oh what hardship!
And a thought, 5 will get you 10 Geoffers probably delivered her from Frosinone; she was an Agusta model. Was operating when I joined Manns Autumn 1979
There's some food for thought, cheers for the memory of those beautiful............ beaches (of course)
VFR
TRC is younger than me, and he will remember this bird! It was Walter Wolfe's 206, based for much of the time in Monaco (where I had to visit for 50/100 hr checks, stay in a hotel, eat well, and ogle the near naked girls on the beach
................) and then Giles would fly me/us back to the airport at Cannes.Oh what hardship!
And a thought, 5 will get you 10 Geoffers probably delivered her from Frosinone; she was an Agusta model. Was operating when I joined Manns Autumn 1979
There's some food for thought, cheers for the memory of those beautiful............ beaches (of course)
VFR
Thread Starter
.
Earl: Great to see Cy Rose's Brantly along with the workshop photo of the Dancer, many thanks.
I knew that Villeneuve was a pilot but there were so many in those days (both fixed and rotary wing) and I didn't get to meet them all. G-JAMI, as you rightly point-out was, to the best of my knowledge, the second 206L registered in the UK and one of only three 'straight L's' (I think) with the third being G-BFTR (Hanson). I think Heart of England (JAMI) performed a cross-charter for Ferranti but that's about the extent of the involvement as I recall.
On the matter of the Dancer (G-AYTF) being at Bristow's - that I can answer!
The Dancer was bought from new from CSE in the early 70's by Douglas Bunn (developer of Hickstead jumping ground). Being a neighbour to Ferranti my godfather lost no time in befriending Bunn and inviting him to the Beehive where the Colonel showcased the process of 'Ferranti-ising' an aircraft.
To 'Ferranti-ise' an aircraft involved (for the 206) installing a custom VIP interior, applying a high gloss polyurethane finish to the fuselage and adding a small array of avionics which included; VOR, ADF, Decca's DANAC moving map display and Ferranti's in-house stability augmentation (auto-stabilisation) system (SAS).
By all accounts Bunn was impressed and my godfather doubtless believed that he had gained a new client. That was until Bunn received Ferranti's quote!
The story goes that Bunn called up Bob posing the question; did my godfather wish to sell him a new helicopter? From there, there was some sort of exchange which ended with the Colonel quoting the phrase 'horses for courses' whereupon Bunn hang up!
But, it didn't end there. Some weeks after the phone altercation Bunn appeared in the skies over the Beehive, landed on the grass near Bob's office, left the Dancer turning and burning, walked into my godfather's office and told him he was en-route to Bristows who had evidently offered him a better 'deal'!
This was one of the few Ferranti stories I got to hear from Major Warby who recalled watching Bob escort Bunn back to the Dancer, advising him not to leave the craft unaccompanied while still running, and expressing his disappointment that Ferranti would not be servicing his mount.
According to Warby, Bob stood for many minutes watching the sky as Bunn disappeared and for those who knew Bob they might understand why. To this day I have never met anyone quite so enamoured by everything to do with helicopters as he was. Bob would form attachments with each of the aircraft he flew, giving them names and referring to his encounters with them as though recalling aspects of a treasured friendship.
Beneath the falling out between Bob and Bunn was, I believe, a frustration that the connection was not ultimately realised for at heart the two men were highly compatible with Bob already possessing many close alliances with those in equestrian pursuits including Robert Sangster and a number of Arabs at least one of whom would later go on to support Hickstead.
For Bunn's part he merely wanted to 'jump' in his craft, fly it and have it maintained from time to time and which I am sure Ferranti could have done but, as Bob no doubt explained, their specialty was in supporting executive aircraft - or in creating them!
When Bunn bought a brand new 206 III from Alan Mann in '78 (G-JUMP) the Dancer was taken in on part-ex and sold on to Colin Chapman.
Colin was already a Ferranti client and earlier on in this thread it was mentioned that PPRuNer Speechless Two had participated in at least one Ferranti charter for Chapman when he collected King Constantine II of Greece from the Team Lotus base at Hethel and flew him to Brands Hatch.
So, the connection to the Dancer was restored but, by the time Chapman had bought the aircraft Ferranti was is its closing days and it was Bob who recommended to Colin that he maintain his support from Mann's.
A Ferranti 206 advertising the fact that it was 'Ferranti Stabilized'
Helipixman: What can I say, you have stunned me twice now! First off with G-CHOC which, it was believed by some PPRuNers, did not exist - and now with the Dancer in its JPS livery - Bravo!
It is extraordinary how something as simple as a photograph can evoke so many memories and emotions for aside from my godfather's many encounters with the aircraft she retains a special place for me too in that this was the first helicopter I received instruction in (thanks in large measure to Colin), was the first (and only) helicopter that I have experienced an engine failure in and was the helicopter I performed my first solo in (on my 17th birthday) at Booker courtesy of Antonio 'Nobby' Clarke!
Thanks for all the memories - your efforts in sourcing these images motivates me to recall these events from times past.
S.
ps: Bunn evidently passed the flying bug on to his son (Jonathan?). What I heard was that he purchased a Gazelle which he pranged but, this happened long after I left the UK so I am not sure of the details.
Earl: Great to see Cy Rose's Brantly along with the workshop photo of the Dancer, many thanks.
I knew that Villeneuve was a pilot but there were so many in those days (both fixed and rotary wing) and I didn't get to meet them all. G-JAMI, as you rightly point-out was, to the best of my knowledge, the second 206L registered in the UK and one of only three 'straight L's' (I think) with the third being G-BFTR (Hanson). I think Heart of England (JAMI) performed a cross-charter for Ferranti but that's about the extent of the involvement as I recall.
On the matter of the Dancer (G-AYTF) being at Bristow's - that I can answer!
The Dancer was bought from new from CSE in the early 70's by Douglas Bunn (developer of Hickstead jumping ground). Being a neighbour to Ferranti my godfather lost no time in befriending Bunn and inviting him to the Beehive where the Colonel showcased the process of 'Ferranti-ising' an aircraft.
To 'Ferranti-ise' an aircraft involved (for the 206) installing a custom VIP interior, applying a high gloss polyurethane finish to the fuselage and adding a small array of avionics which included; VOR, ADF, Decca's DANAC moving map display and Ferranti's in-house stability augmentation (auto-stabilisation) system (SAS).
By all accounts Bunn was impressed and my godfather doubtless believed that he had gained a new client. That was until Bunn received Ferranti's quote!
The story goes that Bunn called up Bob posing the question; did my godfather wish to sell him a new helicopter? From there, there was some sort of exchange which ended with the Colonel quoting the phrase 'horses for courses' whereupon Bunn hang up!
But, it didn't end there. Some weeks after the phone altercation Bunn appeared in the skies over the Beehive, landed on the grass near Bob's office, left the Dancer turning and burning, walked into my godfather's office and told him he was en-route to Bristows who had evidently offered him a better 'deal'!
This was one of the few Ferranti stories I got to hear from Major Warby who recalled watching Bob escort Bunn back to the Dancer, advising him not to leave the craft unaccompanied while still running, and expressing his disappointment that Ferranti would not be servicing his mount.
According to Warby, Bob stood for many minutes watching the sky as Bunn disappeared and for those who knew Bob they might understand why. To this day I have never met anyone quite so enamoured by everything to do with helicopters as he was. Bob would form attachments with each of the aircraft he flew, giving them names and referring to his encounters with them as though recalling aspects of a treasured friendship.
Beneath the falling out between Bob and Bunn was, I believe, a frustration that the connection was not ultimately realised for at heart the two men were highly compatible with Bob already possessing many close alliances with those in equestrian pursuits including Robert Sangster and a number of Arabs at least one of whom would later go on to support Hickstead.
For Bunn's part he merely wanted to 'jump' in his craft, fly it and have it maintained from time to time and which I am sure Ferranti could have done but, as Bob no doubt explained, their specialty was in supporting executive aircraft - or in creating them!
When Bunn bought a brand new 206 III from Alan Mann in '78 (G-JUMP) the Dancer was taken in on part-ex and sold on to Colin Chapman.
Colin was already a Ferranti client and earlier on in this thread it was mentioned that PPRuNer Speechless Two had participated in at least one Ferranti charter for Chapman when he collected King Constantine II of Greece from the Team Lotus base at Hethel and flew him to Brands Hatch.
So, the connection to the Dancer was restored but, by the time Chapman had bought the aircraft Ferranti was is its closing days and it was Bob who recommended to Colin that he maintain his support from Mann's.
A Ferranti 206 advertising the fact that it was 'Ferranti Stabilized'
Helipixman: What can I say, you have stunned me twice now! First off with G-CHOC which, it was believed by some PPRuNers, did not exist - and now with the Dancer in its JPS livery - Bravo!
It is extraordinary how something as simple as a photograph can evoke so many memories and emotions for aside from my godfather's many encounters with the aircraft she retains a special place for me too in that this was the first helicopter I received instruction in (thanks in large measure to Colin), was the first (and only) helicopter that I have experienced an engine failure in and was the helicopter I performed my first solo in (on my 17th birthday) at Booker courtesy of Antonio 'Nobby' Clarke!
Thanks for all the memories - your efforts in sourcing these images motivates me to recall these events from times past.
S.
ps: Bunn evidently passed the flying bug on to his son (Jonathan?). What I heard was that he purchased a Gazelle which he pranged but, this happened long after I left the UK so I am not sure of the details.
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G-AYTF @ Elstree
For 'S' ... the pic you have was with yours truly at the controls. Just checking log book to refresh my memory. Collected G-AYTF from Hethel and flew to my home at Mill Hill on 22nd Jan 1983. I flew her with Bob Smith for a company check on 26th August the same year. I was using her for parachute freefall dropping the Black Knights at Bordon on 20 June 1984, and she was sold to Chris Tennant shortly after. I also seem to remember she had a Collins 841 two-axis autopilot with which you could do a back course ILS! The brain cells aren't all dead yet! Regards to all, Dennis K.
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Stumbled across this thread while researching 'Dancer'. In 1980 she was repainted in Essex Petroleum colours to reflect the Lotus F1 team's sponsor of the time. Only a black and white scan from Jabby Crombac's "Colin Champan - The Man and his Cars" I'm afraid, but thought you might be interested.
The Villeneuve pics look like that's an ex-Walter Wolf machine. Villeneuve didn't drive for him in F1 but did drive his cars in the Can-Am series.
The Villeneuve pics look like that's an ex-Walter Wolf machine. Villeneuve didn't drive for him in F1 but did drive his cars in the Can-Am series.
Thread Starter
.
Well well, wonders never cease on the Rotorheads forum!
Thanks FBB for this image. These were in fact the first colours worn by the 'Dancer' during her tenure with Lotus and this was how she looked the first time I flew her.
Having eluded us for many months I now have several sources promising additional photos of this aircraft including an offer from Clive Chapman (Colin's son).
Back in the UK I also have photos of her (in both the Essex and John Player colours) but, I shall not be there until Easter next year whereupon I shall have to embark on a mamouth task to unearth them but, I shall do just that!
Dennisimo! I suspected that this might have been you. Presumably this was just before you bought her?
S.
Well well, wonders never cease on the Rotorheads forum!
Thanks FBB for this image.
These were in fact the first colours worn by the 'Dancer' during her tenure with Lotus and this was how she looked the first time I flew her.Having eluded us for many months I now have several sources promising additional photos of this aircraft including an offer from Clive Chapman (Colin's son).
Back in the UK I also have photos of her (in both the Essex and John Player colours) but, I shall not be there until Easter next year whereupon I shall have to embark on a mamouth task to unearth them but, I shall do just that!
Dennisimo! I suspected that this might have been you. Presumably this was just before you bought her?
S.
G-BXZE at Hickstead
In answer to post 338 the Gazelle owned by Jonathan Bunn was G-BXZE and suffered its accident at Hickstead on 3.9.01, apparently he had just dropped off his father !
He replaced this with Jetranger G-PEAK.
Helipixman
He replaced this with Jetranger G-PEAK.
Helipixman
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Update on the Villeneuve machine mantioned on the previous page. A very helpful chap at the Musee Gilles-Villeneuve tells me that she was registered G-BCYP. G-INFO shows that as an Agusta-Bell 206b and registered to Alan Mann at the time. She has subsequently been registered as G-TPPH, G-UNIK, G-JIMW and most recemtly G-OYST.
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G-BCYP
Saint Jack
That's a HISL and fitted just aft of the oil cooler matrix egress. When Villeneuve had the machine it had a conventional anti-coll but I suspect subsequent usage required the fitment? Bit hazy here but there was a requirement, I think, for pipeline patrols and such after a tragic air-to-air with a military fighter. ~ VFR
That's a HISL and fitted just aft of the oil cooler matrix egress. When Villeneuve had the machine it had a conventional anti-coll but I suspect subsequent usage required the fitment? Bit hazy here but there was a requirement, I think, for pipeline patrols and such after a tragic air-to-air with a military fighter. ~ VFR
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I have not look at the TALY thread for a few days, the first thing I see is OYST, we currently look after her maintenance, really nice Agusta Jet Ranger, I got a parking ticket in her last year from a very nice traffic warden!
Thread Starter
G-AXEJ attending the Flight International Business and Light Aviation Show at Cranfield on 3rd September 1977
Originally bought by Air Gregory (see page 15 of this thread) in 1971 this aircraft was registered to PPRuNer Palma at the time this photo was taken.
An additional image of AXEJ appears on the http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/417...copters-2.html thread and mentions that the craft appeared in an episode of 'The Persuaders' (starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis) in 1972 at which time the aircraft belonged to FJ Wallis Ltd.
I'm not entirely sure but I think it may well be Palma at the controls in this image.
S.
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1977 Cranfield Show
Slight thread offshoot, but seeing the Air Gregory H500 EJ ... I was wondering if anyone knows of any pictures of the 'quirky' Spoonair stand backdrop at that 1977 Cranfield event. (cartoon line drawing of self and my boss Roy Spooner hanging from an Enstrom helicopter) Helis on stand static display that year (Aug 31 thru' Sept 3) were Enstroms G-BENO & G-BALT. My log book records that I demonstrated to the following names. Mr G Boston, J McKillivary, a Pedro Moron! an A Althani, P Newbury, then Strudwick, Andrews, Turner, Skinner Coundley and Turnbull. Anyone know of them now. Also a certain Keith Emerson. (Emerson, Lake & Palmer.)
1977 may have been the year, the Maule 'Lunar Skyrocket' crashed into the fixed wing static display taking off the wing of a PA28 and the year a Bo105 was constantly demonstrating full stop E0ls close to the ATC building.
Helicopter Hire had a Russian contra rotating Kamov 26 on show .... just a COF with more memories! Dennis Kenyon.
1977 may have been the year, the Maule 'Lunar Skyrocket' crashed into the fixed wing static display taking off the wing of a PA28 and the year a Bo105 was constantly demonstrating full stop E0ls close to the ATC building.
Helicopter Hire had a Russian contra rotating Kamov 26 on show .... just a COF with more memories! Dennis Kenyon.
Thread Starter
Brantly in the Docks!
When Prime Minister Harold Wilson visited Newport Docks in 1967 to open a major new timber wharf, some of the officers on duty stood in front of the ministerial helicopter for a photograph. Included in the picture, wearing a motorcycle helmet, was motorcyclist Pc Percy Sharland.
The local Divisional Commander, Superintendent William Voyle was not a man noted for his sense of humour but he smiled when he saw the photograph and sent it to the editor of the British Transport Police Journal at Force Headquarters with a note to the effect that the Docks Division were proud to announce that it had taken possession of a police helicopter and that Pc Sharland had been trained as its pilot.
When the article was published it certainly came as news to the chief constable and it raised a few eyebrows until the truth came out when everyone could see the funny side of it.
S.
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Brantley 305
Ah ... the wonderful old Brantley 305, wheels and all! I remember flying her at the Brantley-Hynes factory in America. (Alva Airport OK, I seem to recall)
A pig to land without tucking in the wheels and the occasonal in -flight 'bounce' had to be experienced to be believed. But she was a five seater and a few were sold in the UK in the early 1970s. Freemans of Bewdley were one of the original customers.
Dennis K.
A pig to land without tucking in the wheels and the occasonal in -flight 'bounce' had to be experienced to be believed. But she was a five seater and a few were sold in the UK in the early 1970s. Freemans of Bewdley were one of the original customers.
Dennis K.