The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
Thread Starter
Dennisimo Ciao! Great to see you back on the thread again!
Newforest: The craft in question was G-SPEY (formerly G-BIGO) and I was also told about her association with RR but would like to learn more.
As far as I was aware the last 'corporate' helicopter to be owned by Rolls in those days was G-BATB (a Bo105) which was bought by Ferranti who then operated her under contract on behalf of Rolls.
NJT: Great stuff!
I'm sure we shall happen upon some more stories as time goes by - hard not to with a character like that!
Because the records showed Cadbury as being CHOC's first owner I mistakenly believed that Cadbury had bought her new from CSE (given that she was a Bell as opposed to an Agusta). Then on page 11 Tarman disclosed that CHOC had originally been D-HMAC below:
Bell 206B D-HMAC
G-CHOC at Blackbush in 1978 (Photo courtesy of Helipixman)
I was intrigued when I saw HMAC because I was imagining the Cad requesting that his craft be repainted in an identical scheme to HMAC's - even including the white piping around the circumference of the windshield - until it dawned on me .. the Cad .. ordering a full repaint? No! And I am now fairly certain that the reason CHOC's scheme followed HMAC's so faithfully is because he probably settled for having the red portions painted over in the Air Pegasus navy blue as opposed to ordering a full strip down and respray. At least that's what happened to the Pitts Special he bought from Rothmans!
Do you have any recollections of importing HMAC from Germany?
S.
Newforest: The craft in question was G-SPEY (formerly G-BIGO) and I was also told about her association with RR but would like to learn more.
As far as I was aware the last 'corporate' helicopter to be owned by Rolls in those days was G-BATB (a Bo105) which was bought by Ferranti who then operated her under contract on behalf of Rolls.
NJT: Great stuff!
I'm sure we shall happen upon some more stories as time goes by - hard not to with a character like that!
Because the records showed Cadbury as being CHOC's first owner I mistakenly believed that Cadbury had bought her new from CSE (given that she was a Bell as opposed to an Agusta). Then on page 11 Tarman disclosed that CHOC had originally been D-HMAC below:
Bell 206B D-HMAC
G-CHOC at Blackbush in 1978 (Photo courtesy of Helipixman)
I was intrigued when I saw HMAC because I was imagining the Cad requesting that his craft be repainted in an identical scheme to HMAC's - even including the white piping around the circumference of the windshield - until it dawned on me .. the Cad .. ordering a full repaint? No! And I am now fairly certain that the reason CHOC's scheme followed HMAC's so faithfully is because he probably settled for having the red portions painted over in the Air Pegasus navy blue as opposed to ordering a full strip down and respray. At least that's what happened to the Pitts Special he bought from Rothmans!
Do you have any recollections of importing HMAC from Germany?
S.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Age: 61
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
G-baks & g-bcwm
KS and WM were both aircraft operated by Dollar at Coventry. I remember KS as the heaviest 206 as it had floats (at the time) and also a Janitrol heater. Only one I ever flew with one - fuel burn changed from 26US gp/h to 29.5.
Looking on G-INFo, I note that WM was owned in it's early days by the now Sir Norman Foster, a very smooth pilot who I had the pleasure of flying with on a few occasions.
NJT - I think you are mistaken with G-BCEU - it is a Cameron hot air balloon according to G-INFO
Looking on G-INFo, I note that WM was owned in it's early days by the now Sir Norman Foster, a very smooth pilot who I had the pleasure of flying with on a few occasions.
NJT - I think you are mistaken with G-BCEU - it is a Cameron hot air balloon according to G-INFO
I was told this was painted in the colours of the owners Rolls Royce, anyone recall this machine as I cannot remember it being discussed here?
Thread Starter
.
Newforest: It is interesting because, as mentioned, SPEY was rumoured to have had something to do with Rolls. If this was the case then certainly it was somehow connected with Craggan Chaise in Edinburgh who were the initially registered owners of SPEY.
AgustaBell 206B G-SPEY
In her early days SPEY always wore pop-outs and became fairly well known in the UK after being bought by Roy Flood's outfit when she became the communications relay aircraft for G-BHXU in a television series they (Castle Air) were involved with.
Seeing as we now have a trio of ex-Mann PPRuNers who regularly visit this nostalgia thread I am hopeful that someone may be able to identify the green and gold aircraft in question. There were not terribly many 206's in those colours in the UK during the late 70's early 80's, two perhaps three at most.
Re: BCEU, NJT perhaps meant BBEU?
I have additional details about BAKS (and BBEU for that mattter) but its getting late so I shall leave that for another post!
S.
Newforest: It is interesting because, as mentioned, SPEY was rumoured to have had something to do with Rolls. If this was the case then certainly it was somehow connected with Craggan Chaise in Edinburgh who were the initially registered owners of SPEY.
AgustaBell 206B G-SPEY
In her early days SPEY always wore pop-outs and became fairly well known in the UK after being bought by Roy Flood's outfit when she became the communications relay aircraft for G-BHXU in a television series they (Castle Air) were involved with.
Seeing as we now have a trio of ex-Mann PPRuNers who regularly visit this nostalgia thread I am hopeful that someone may be able to identify the green and gold aircraft in question. There were not terribly many 206's in those colours in the UK during the late 70's early 80's, two perhaps three at most.
Re: BCEU, NJT perhaps meant BBEU?
I have additional details about BAKS (and BBEU for that mattter) but its getting late so I shall leave that for another post!
S.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Gosport, UK
Age: 71
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats how I remeber her as well, do you have any other Twyford Moors related photo's? I worked there a young un-licensed Engineer between 1973 and 1974 just before their demise, unfortunately all my old photo's from that period are lost!
S
S
Thread Starter
.
Stacey Hi
Yes, there are several PPRuNers with images of Twyford ships and at least a couple of pilots who flew with them have visited this thread. I shall browse through my image bank and see what I've got.
In the meantime .. any registrations you might be able to russtle-up would be great.
Most importantly would you be able to describe a little about TMH, some of the characters involved, what sort of work they did, where they were based etc.
Brgds
S.
Stacey Hi
Yes, there are several PPRuNers with images of Twyford ships and at least a couple of pilots who flew with them have visited this thread. I shall browse through my image bank and see what I've got.
In the meantime .. any registrations you might be able to russtle-up would be great.
Most importantly would you be able to describe a little about TMH, some of the characters involved, what sort of work they did, where they were based etc.
Brgds
S.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Croatia
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking of TWM's machines
WA-341G, c/n 1073, produced as TWM001 for Twyford Moors; regd 16/5/73 G-BAZL for Westland Helicopters Ltd.; delivered 17/9/73 at Southampton to the Twyford Moors (Helicopters) Ltd.; regd 25/9/73 same reg to Twyford Moors Helicopters Ltd.
WA-341G, c/n 1073, produced as TWM001 for Twyford Moors; regd 16/5/73 G-BAZL for Westland Helicopters Ltd.; delivered 17/9/73 at Southampton to the Twyford Moors (Helicopters) Ltd.; regd 25/9/73 same reg to Twyford Moors Helicopters Ltd.
Last edited by Zishelix; 17th Mar 2011 at 08:21.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Gosport, UK
Age: 71
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here Goes for names of the 'Top of me Ead'
Colin York General Manager
Mike Janes Chief Engineer
Brian Hazel Inspector
Martin Veneman LAE
Roger Leale LAE
Chris Elms LAE
Henry ? Fitter
Tony Brown Fitter
Dave Chapman (Deceased)
Dave Blake Fitter
Simon Cousins Fitter
Chris ? Stores
Sid ? Overhaul Shop
As for registrations memory vague but G-BAZL stands out as she was the first Aerospatiale Gazelle in UK I believe.
Aircraft types
Bell 47 D1, G, G2, J2A, Enstrom 28 including one that had been converted to turbine and back to piston again, like to know the story on that one!, Hughes 269A, 269B, 300's, Fairchild Hiller F110's and a Westlands Dragonfly parked around the back, whose blades were written off by the labourer driving the grass cutting tractor over them when they were stored underneath the tailboom for safe keeping!!
The sketch of drinking beer with Vfr440 and reminicsing sounds like a good Idea!
Colin York General Manager
Mike Janes Chief Engineer
Brian Hazel Inspector
Martin Veneman LAE
Roger Leale LAE
Chris Elms LAE
Henry ? Fitter
Tony Brown Fitter
Dave Chapman (Deceased)
Dave Blake Fitter
Simon Cousins Fitter
Chris ? Stores
Sid ? Overhaul Shop
As for registrations memory vague but G-BAZL stands out as she was the first Aerospatiale Gazelle in UK I believe.
Aircraft types
Bell 47 D1, G, G2, J2A, Enstrom 28 including one that had been converted to turbine and back to piston again, like to know the story on that one!, Hughes 269A, 269B, 300's, Fairchild Hiller F110's and a Westlands Dragonfly parked around the back, whose blades were written off by the labourer driving the grass cutting tractor over them when they were stored underneath the tailboom for safe keeping!!
The sketch of drinking beer with Vfr440 and reminicsing sounds like a good Idea!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Croatia
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stacey, glad to help you recall some good memories 
Re the first civil Gazelle in UK, actually it was also Westland produced c/n 1039 G-BAGL regd Oct72 for Point-to-Point Helicopters
Re the first civil Gazelle in UK, actually it was also Westland produced c/n 1039 G-BAGL regd Oct72 for Point-to-Point Helicopters
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Gosport, UK
Age: 71
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Roger went back to Bristows for a contract in India I believe, then to Dubai where I met him again in 1978 when he was chief Engineer for Aerogulf along with Marti Slater and I was with Bristow Dubai, he then left there of into the wild blue yonder to resurface again in Doha as Chief Engineer in 1981 he left long ago around mid eighties I think and Thats where the trail goes cold I'm afraid, if he's still kicking he must be creeping into his eighties by now!
S
S
Roger Leale
Roger Leale was last seen when I was doing an engineering audit of the Oman Royal Flight in the early nineties, when he was about to spend a weekend camping on an island. Roger was the C/E of the Oman Police Wing. He is probably in his seventies!
Roger Leale was last seen when I was doing an engineering audit of the Oman Royal Flight in the early nineties, when he was about to spend a weekend camping on an island. Roger was the C/E of the Oman Police Wing. He is probably in his seventies!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: around and about
Age: 71
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
TMH, recall and booze (forthcoming)
Stace, good recall there. Mike Janes is now retired and living in Cardiff. Haven't seen him in a bit but he has a full head of black hair (still!). 
As to the 'taking of tea', I am sure that S and TRC would be delighted to have your company. I believe you have been known to sip the occasional G & T; have you advised S or shall I............?!!
Take care and love to the family catch you soon? ~ VFR
As to the 'taking of tea', I am sure that S and TRC would be delighted to have your company. I believe you have been known to sip the occasional G & T; have you advised S or shall I............?!!
Take care and love to the family catch you soon? ~ VFR
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Joe McGachy MD of Clyde Helicopters
Joe McGachy MD of Clyde Helicopters pulling LR STVI onto the pad,1988, seems only like yesterday.
Also George Muir the 'Eye in the Sky'
Last edited by wiganairways; 17th Mar 2011 at 15:44.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
G-AZAG
This aircraft is memorable (for me anyway) for two reasons in particular.
It had self-stripping paint – a previous re-spray by someone hadn’t been done too well, and every time it got back from a trip there’d be another bit missing. We reckoned that it enabled the pilot to find his way back by following the blue specks on the ground.
The other reason is that the Fairoaks Cricket team were very kindly loaned AG by Donald McQueen (a charming man, who either owned it or had a fair bit of authority over what it did) for a return match against RAF Odiham. They had turned up in a Puma for the first game, so not to be outdone we visited them in a pair of 206’s, with a run and break over their airfield. (We found our way back using the bits of AG as a nav aid).
G-AZYB
We had to do a spruce insert repair to one or the M/R blades after the owner whacked a trailing edge into something in his showroom while wheeling the machine out to come to us for it’s annual birthday. The first we knew of the damage was when we heard what sounded like the Flying Scotsman coming towards us. It had been ‘temporarily repaired’ with masking tape by the well-meaning owner.
Geoffersincornwall might remember doing a compass swing on a very hot day – if he pedal turned left the helicopter would land uncommanded.
She ended up at the Heli Museum after an engine failure, and the subsequent forced landing cracking the casting at the end of the tailboom. With no spare available worldwide that was the end of her working life.
NJT
Hello Nick, great to hear from you after – what – 31 years or so? We’ll have to all meet up at Savoia’s expense and catch up.
G-LIFT
A Bell 47G-2 owned by Donald McQueen and imported by him. Memorable for two reasons again. Engine oil pressure that was always a bit on the low side, and also the fact that it had no hydraulic shut-off valve when it arrived. We had to ‘retro-fit’ something that should have already been there.
G-BBEU
Should be made famous for being the reason why Manns built a 206 fuselage repair jig to replace its roof.
Went to BCAL and that’s the last I saw of it.
The green and gold 206 in question is almost certainly G-SPEY.
TMH
I remember watching a TMH 269A on the Met Police contract overpitching into the Thames one hot summer morning. It was replaced on the contract with a B47, and then the Gazelle – we always assumed that was why they went to the wall, running a contract with a 341 at 269A prices (probably a wrong assumption though).
The auction of TMH assets was (I’m quite sure) administered by the infamous Wally Holmes. All the stuff that was left to auction had been carefully arranged so that anything worth having would be accompanied in the same lot by a load of worthless junk. Two well known CEs of the era conspired to bid against Wally in the hope that he’d end up with some of the crap, it backfired a few times and we ended up with things like an almost complete set of 206 fixed float tubework, and a B47J cabin that was so battered you couldn’t have kept chickens in it.
Did Brian Hazel go to PLM/PDG?
This aircraft is memorable (for me anyway) for two reasons in particular.
It had self-stripping paint – a previous re-spray by someone hadn’t been done too well, and every time it got back from a trip there’d be another bit missing. We reckoned that it enabled the pilot to find his way back by following the blue specks on the ground.
The other reason is that the Fairoaks Cricket team were very kindly loaned AG by Donald McQueen (a charming man, who either owned it or had a fair bit of authority over what it did) for a return match against RAF Odiham. They had turned up in a Puma for the first game, so not to be outdone we visited them in a pair of 206’s, with a run and break over their airfield. (We found our way back using the bits of AG as a nav aid).
G-AZYB
We had to do a spruce insert repair to one or the M/R blades after the owner whacked a trailing edge into something in his showroom while wheeling the machine out to come to us for it’s annual birthday. The first we knew of the damage was when we heard what sounded like the Flying Scotsman coming towards us. It had been ‘temporarily repaired’ with masking tape by the well-meaning owner.
Geoffersincornwall might remember doing a compass swing on a very hot day – if he pedal turned left the helicopter would land uncommanded.
She ended up at the Heli Museum after an engine failure, and the subsequent forced landing cracking the casting at the end of the tailboom. With no spare available worldwide that was the end of her working life.
NJT
Hello Nick, great to hear from you after – what – 31 years or so? We’ll have to all meet up at Savoia’s expense and catch up.
G-LIFT
A Bell 47G-2 owned by Donald McQueen and imported by him. Memorable for two reasons again. Engine oil pressure that was always a bit on the low side, and also the fact that it had no hydraulic shut-off valve when it arrived. We had to ‘retro-fit’ something that should have already been there.
G-BBEU
Should be made famous for being the reason why Manns built a 206 fuselage repair jig to replace its roof.
Went to BCAL and that’s the last I saw of it.
The green and gold 206 in question is almost certainly G-SPEY.
TMH
I remember watching a TMH 269A on the Met Police contract overpitching into the Thames one hot summer morning. It was replaced on the contract with a B47, and then the Gazelle – we always assumed that was why they went to the wall, running a contract with a 341 at 269A prices (probably a wrong assumption though).
The auction of TMH assets was (I’m quite sure) administered by the infamous Wally Holmes. All the stuff that was left to auction had been carefully arranged so that anything worth having would be accompanied in the same lot by a load of worthless junk. Two well known CEs of the era conspired to bid against Wally in the hope that he’d end up with some of the crap, it backfired a few times and we ended up with things like an almost complete set of 206 fixed float tubework, and a B47J cabin that was so battered you couldn’t have kept chickens in it.
Did Brian Hazel go to PLM/PDG?
Last edited by TRC; 17th Mar 2011 at 20:56. Reason: Tryping errors
Thread Starter
G-BAKS
Great reflections on Bond and Clyde (above) as well as Twyford Moors - please keep the stories from TMH coming!
On the previous page I posted a screenshot of G-BAKS in response to something similar by WiganAirways on page 22 where G-AWJL appeared in an episode of The Saint.
G-BAKS was first mentioned on page 3 of this thread when, as we discussed John Crewdson, PPRuNer Low Flier noted that John had handed over the job of flying BAKS in the Bond movie 'For Your Eyes Only' to Marc Wolfe. It was of course this movie which made BAKS 'famous' as it were and herewith is the flying sequence from the 1981 film:
Here's the interesting thing (well, for some at least); at the time BAKS performed her role in Bond #12 she was owned by the Lord Dulverton who's first 206 (G-AZAG) appears on the previous page (courtesy of Helipixman) - we are still on the lookout for anyone with recollections of Lord Dulverton and his helicopter operations.
BAKS, an AgustaBell 206B, began her life in 1972 being delivered to her original owner, Galliford Construction of Banstead in Surrey, in December the same year. Galliford's pilot was a chap called Chris Powell an ex-RN Commando role pilot. When Galliford's closed in 1976 Chris joined the Ferranti team, initially at their Gatwick base then moving to Shoreham. Chris went on (as did many of Ferranti's pilots) to join BCalH and was posted to ABZ where he became S-76 fleet manager. (Details courtesy of PPRuNer Speechless Two).
After Gallifords BAKS was bought by Lord Dulverton of Oversley Castle, Wixford, Alcester, Warwickshire, who kept her until 1994 when she was sold to Stephenson Marine of Wrecclesham, Farnham under whose tenure BAKS met her demise.
It was on 14th November 1997 that BAKS was destroyed while returning to Goodwood in Sussex from having completed a charter to Basingstoke in Hampshire. The accident report reads: "The fuselage had impacted in an almost inverted attitude with initial ground contact made by the aircraft's nose followed by the cabin roof. Prior to this, one rotor blade had already struck the ground destroying that blade and causing the detachment of the rotor hub from its mast." The accident was weather related and the pilot was killed. (I would been keen to know if anyone recalls who was lost in this tragedy).
BAKS outside the Dollar hangar at Coventry on 27th June 1979. (Photo: Alan Mosiezny)
BAKS at the Leicester Airshow on 26th August 1979 [on her way to collect the commentator for the Red Arrows]. (Photo: John Bell)
BAKS over Westminster painted in the colours of the MI6 front 'Universal Exports' in the role that made her famous during the filiming of Bond 12.
S.
On the previous page I posted a screenshot of G-BAKS in response to something similar by WiganAirways on page 22 where G-AWJL appeared in an episode of The Saint.
G-BAKS was first mentioned on page 3 of this thread when, as we discussed John Crewdson, PPRuNer Low Flier noted that John had handed over the job of flying BAKS in the Bond movie 'For Your Eyes Only' to Marc Wolfe. It was of course this movie which made BAKS 'famous' as it were and herewith is the flying sequence from the 1981 film:
Here's the interesting thing (well, for some at least); at the time BAKS performed her role in Bond #12 she was owned by the Lord Dulverton who's first 206 (G-AZAG) appears on the previous page (courtesy of Helipixman) - we are still on the lookout for anyone with recollections of Lord Dulverton and his helicopter operations.
BAKS, an AgustaBell 206B, began her life in 1972 being delivered to her original owner, Galliford Construction of Banstead in Surrey, in December the same year. Galliford's pilot was a chap called Chris Powell an ex-RN Commando role pilot. When Galliford's closed in 1976 Chris joined the Ferranti team, initially at their Gatwick base then moving to Shoreham. Chris went on (as did many of Ferranti's pilots) to join BCalH and was posted to ABZ where he became S-76 fleet manager. (Details courtesy of PPRuNer Speechless Two).
After Gallifords BAKS was bought by Lord Dulverton of Oversley Castle, Wixford, Alcester, Warwickshire, who kept her until 1994 when she was sold to Stephenson Marine of Wrecclesham, Farnham under whose tenure BAKS met her demise.
It was on 14th November 1997 that BAKS was destroyed while returning to Goodwood in Sussex from having completed a charter to Basingstoke in Hampshire. The accident report reads: "The fuselage had impacted in an almost inverted attitude with initial ground contact made by the aircraft's nose followed by the cabin roof. Prior to this, one rotor blade had already struck the ground destroying that blade and causing the detachment of the rotor hub from its mast." The accident was weather related and the pilot was killed. (I would been keen to know if anyone recalls who was lost in this tragedy).
BAKS outside the Dollar hangar at Coventry on 27th June 1979. (Photo: Alan Mosiezny)
BAKS at the Leicester Airshow on 26th August 1979 [on her way to collect the commentator for the Red Arrows]. (Photo: John Bell)
BAKS over Westminster painted in the colours of the MI6 front 'Universal Exports' in the role that made her famous during the filiming of Bond 12.
S.
Thread Starter
.
TRC's post 'landed' as I was preparing mine .. great stuff!
I've noted yours and Stacey's and VFR's comments re: the shindig. I shall take care of the tab for the 'lost evening' to be!
TRC, I will PM you prior to my next visit to the UK and you can then perhaps coordinate with the others. Hopefully you can choose somewhere reasonably central for us all to meet and, given our intentions, it is probably best to identify somewhere with accommodation as I doubt whether driving will be on the cards for a while afterwards.
Best
S.
TRC's post 'landed' as I was preparing mine .. great stuff!
I've noted yours and Stacey's and VFR's comments re: the shindig. I shall take care of the tab for the 'lost evening' to be!
TRC, I will PM you prior to my next visit to the UK and you can then perhaps coordinate with the others. Hopefully you can choose somewhere reasonably central for us all to meet and, given our intentions, it is probably best to identify somewhere with accommodation as I doubt whether driving will be on the cards for a while afterwards.
Best
S.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
... re: the shindig. I shall take care of the tab for the 'lost evening' to be!
I'll gladly sort something out with the others - NJT, VFR and I are fairly handy for London, but Stacey will have to wangle some leave from lovely Doha.
I'll leave any further invitations to you and your bank manager.