The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
Chief Bottle Washer
Thread title
Heliport has quite rightly pointed out that this is now such a general Nostalgia Thread that it is time to drop the G-TALY reference and make it The Rotary Nostalgia Thread 
Thread Starter
Bölkow Classico
G-AZOM at Aberdeen's Dyce airport on 3rd April 1981. (Photo: Derek Heley)
While owned by BEAS this craft seems to have been on lease to Bristow to become one of their rare 105's.
G-BCDH at Cambridge Bourn airport on 16th September 1983. (Photo: Bill Teasdale)
This eventually became a 'Bond bird' but, at the time of the photo, was under the patronage of Management Aviation.
I-EHBB (CBS variant) beloning to 'Elitos' at Pescara (Italia) on 9th November 1982. (Photo: P. Vercruijsse)
Sav
Thread Starter
La Vespa!
Westland Wasp HAS1 over the Bay of Plenty in November 1990. (Photo: Glenn White)
The last time I saw an RNZN Wasp in the flesh as it were, was in June/July of 1990 off the coast of the province of New Britain in Papua New Guniea where an RNZN Frigate was attending negotiations between the PNG government and members of the rebel group the BRA.
Westland Wasp XT788 as attached to HMS Minerva in November 1969. The craft went on to serve aboard the civilian SS Uganda during her incarnation as a hospital ship during the Falklands campaign (1982).
Word has it that XT788 now trawls the UK's supermarket car parks in support of fundraising exercises for wounded service personnel.
The SS Uganda to which XT788 (middle photo) was attached on MEDEVAC duties in 1982
In the early 70's I sailed aboard the SS Uganda as part of a school cruise taking-in the Eastern Med. Memorable moments included food poisoning in Istanbul and a force 9 gale between Alexandria and Heraklion.
Oh, and a nursing assistant in the sick bay who, upon reflection, was probably my first infatuation! In somewhat unoriginal fashion but, lacking experience in such matters, I managed to conjure up what I thought were convincing ailments on a daily basis. When eventually she confronted me with the revelation of her awareness that there was in fact nothing wrong with me and that my visits were merely a ruse to visit her .. I turned a mild-scarlet! In sympathy I was rewarded with a smacker atop my forehead and which only intensified the fever!
Sav
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Ahhhh Savoia - I have similar memories.
I sailed on a school trip to Scandinavia on the SS Uganda in the 1970's and stole my first kiss behind one of the lifeboats. I then later sailed to The Falkland Islands on the SS Uganda on an equally educational and memorable voyage after being transferred to the deck by a Navy Wessex from Ascension Island.
In the late 80's I was flying a Gazelle on an Royal Marines task to Plymouth and flew over the River Fal where I spotted the unmistakable moored hulk of the Uganda sadly rusting away.
Wikipedia tells me that she was finally broken up for scrap in Taiwan in 1992. A sad end to a loyal subject and an old friend.
I sailed on a school trip to Scandinavia on the SS Uganda in the 1970's and stole my first kiss behind one of the lifeboats. I then later sailed to The Falkland Islands on the SS Uganda on an equally educational and memorable voyage after being transferred to the deck by a Navy Wessex from Ascension Island.
In the late 80's I was flying a Gazelle on an Royal Marines task to Plymouth and flew over the River Fal where I spotted the unmistakable moored hulk of the Uganda sadly rusting away.
Wikipedia tells me that she was finally broken up for scrap in Taiwan in 1992. A sad end to a loyal subject and an old friend.
Savoia
Thanks for posting the picture of G-AZOM. I used to fly it in the early 80s mainly on ad hoc work out of Aberdeen. OM was a bit of an orphan among the Super Pumas, S-61s and S-76s of that era. It was often used on a Sunday Flight No 61A Aberdeen - Piper A - Flotta - Aberdeen sometimes via Kirkwall for a fuel stop. Frankly, I never liked the 105 much and I was glad to move onto S-76 as Captain.
Thanks for posting the picture of G-AZOM. I used to fly it in the early 80s mainly on ad hoc work out of Aberdeen. OM was a bit of an orphan among the Super Pumas, S-61s and S-76s of that era. It was often used on a Sunday Flight No 61A Aberdeen - Piper A - Flotta - Aberdeen sometimes via Kirkwall for a fuel stop. Frankly, I never liked the 105 much and I was glad to move onto S-76 as Captain.
Thread Starter
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Epiphany: I'm sure that if Uganda's decks could speak they would narrate an endless verse of experimental romances!
Aye aye I.I. Thanks for that. Were you about at the time of the PA incident (July '88?).
I don't suppose you would be aware of the paperwork behind the craft (no reason that you should) its just the she never seems to have been registered to Bristows - only to BEAS.
I don't have much time in the 105. Did a conversion for a Shell contract, flew a couple of sorties and was then transferred to another contract. She used to deliver this 'bum-frazzling' vibration when re-introducing power on approach but .. I've met drivers with heaps of time on them who love them.
Best
Sav
Epiphany: I'm sure that if Uganda's decks could speak they would narrate an endless verse of experimental romances!
Aye aye I.I. Thanks for that. Were you about at the time of the PA incident (July '88?).
I don't suppose you would be aware of the paperwork behind the craft (no reason that you should) its just the she never seems to have been registered to Bristows - only to BEAS.
I don't have much time in the 105. Did a conversion for a Shell contract, flew a couple of sorties and was then transferred to another contract. She used to deliver this 'bum-frazzling' vibration when re-introducing power on approach but .. I've met drivers with heaps of time on them who love them.
Best
Sav
Sav, I was down at The Denes flying S-76s at the time of the PA accident. It still sends a shiver down the spine. Not sure about GAZOM's paperwork I also remember it being a BEAS aircraft. I did my conversion in Dalcross over a weekend. I probably never got more than 50-60 hours on the thing, as you say, it vibrated one to kingdom come at certain phases of flight. A most enjoyable thread. II
The 105 will scare the unwary ****less for the first 100-200 hours, but after that it becomes an extended part of the body and is capable of flight a Bell driver can only dream of....
I got over 3500 hrs on the type and all though it tried to kill me several times I will love her to the day I die, I had sooo much fun doing the lights and air ambulance work. I can scan a few pics from the late 80's if anyone is interested....
I got over 3500 hrs on the type and all though it tried to kill me several times I will love her to the day I die, I had sooo much fun doing the lights and air ambulance work. I can scan a few pics from the late 80's if anyone is interested....
Thread Starter
I can scan a few pics from the late 80's if anyone is interested ..
Bring them on.
Sav
Enstrom 280L Hawk
Many years ago in the late 70s or early 80s I saw a four seat stretched Enstrom at Spooners, Shoreham. Sadly I never managed to photograph it but from memory it was an Enstrom 280L Hawk (probably a mock up) and carried the false registration G-HAWK.
The 280L Hawk project was shelved.
Having been in contact with the Enstrom factory, only two were built, one flyer and a mock up. I think one is still in the back of the hangar at the factory.
Did anyone else see this or know anything about it or better still photographed it ?
Helipixman
The 280L Hawk project was shelved.
Having been in contact with the Enstrom factory, only two were built, one flyer and a mock up. I think one is still in the back of the hangar at the factory.
Did anyone else see this or know anything about it or better still photographed it ?
Helipixman
pics from the 80's..
Excuse my non computer savvy if the sizes are all wrong..
First pic G-BAKT circa 1987/88 outside Gleneagles hangar (old fire station) Edinburgh airport and Cornwall air ambulance 1989.
Next Trinity house ops St.Just again about 1989-90.
My first fatal RTA Marazion 1989.
My mate Geoff doing what he did best in a 105.
Rough Tor Bodmin moor about 1995.
Mods can you re-size if needed please
First pic G-BAKT circa 1987/88 outside Gleneagles hangar (old fire station) Edinburgh airport and Cornwall air ambulance 1989.
Next Trinity house ops St.Just again about 1989-90.
My first fatal RTA Marazion 1989.
My mate Geoff doing what he did best in a 105.
Rough Tor Bodmin moor about 1995.
Mods can you re-size if needed please
Thread Starter
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Great shots Griff and, I dare say, a few interesting stories behind them!
Elipix! Until Dennisimo arrives:
Enstrom 280L Hawk January 1979
A truly atrocious photo, taken from a Flight International article, but this is all the evidence I can find of this rare stretched-Shark!
I remember some of the publicity surrounding this project and, for a while, it seemed as if she was gearing-up to become a viable suitor for the private flyers market but, as you know, the programme was dropped.
Sav
Great shots Griff and, I dare say, a few interesting stories behind them!
Elipix! Until Dennisimo arrives:
Enstrom 280L Hawk January 1979
A truly atrocious photo, taken from a Flight International article, but this is all the evidence I can find of this rare stretched-Shark!
I remember some of the publicity surrounding this project and, for a while, it seemed as if she was gearing-up to become a viable suitor for the private flyers market but, as you know, the programme was dropped.
Sav
Thread Starter
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A great shot Griffo!
Some more 'Bölkow Classico' the first of which (a well known bird which has appeared many times on PPRuNe) should ring some bells for you. She was also the sister ship to Ferranti's G-BATB:
TH's 105 at Swansea on 6th March 1984. This aircraft was used to serve the lightships in the Bristol Channel. (Photo: Tim Rees)
Aerogulf's 105D at Dubai International Airport on 23rd January 1981. (Photo: Steve Darke)
Sav
A great shot Griffo!
Some more 'Bölkow Classico' the first of which (a well known bird which has appeared many times on PPRuNe) should ring some bells for you. She was also the sister ship to Ferranti's G-BATB:
TH's 105 at Swansea on 6th March 1984. This aircraft was used to serve the lightships in the Bristol Channel. (Photo: Tim Rees)
Aerogulf's 105D at Dubai International Airport on 23rd January 1981. (Photo: Steve Darke)
Sav
Thread Starter
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That's great Griff! I don't have any photos of the ships!
Back in the day Ferranti ran the NLB contract but .. their service was cut short on 16th March 1978 when a freak wave overcame BATB at Skerryvore Lighthouse:
BATB on NLB contract
Her recovery by RN Sea King after a freak wave engulfed the pad
Sav
That's great Griff!
I don't have any photos of the ships!Back in the day Ferranti ran the NLB contract but .. their service was cut short on 16th March 1978 when a freak wave overcame BATB at Skerryvore Lighthouse:
BATB on NLB contract
Her recovery by RN Sea King after a freak wave engulfed the pad
Sav
Unfortunately, all my lightship pics are stuck to a collage board and I cannot scan them 
However, I do have these snaps, top is Eddystone light off Plymouth Ho, and beneath it is Longships light on a typical Trinity day in gods country
And no, those decks don't get any bigger as you get close
However, I do have these snaps, top is Eddystone light off Plymouth Ho, and beneath it is Longships light on a typical Trinity day in gods country
And no, those decks don't get any bigger as you get close
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Thanks Griff?
Back in 1988/89ish the Cornwall air ambulance landed in my village, Blisland on Bodmin moor. I was a scruffy moor kid who was amazed at the bright shiny helicopter i had heard so much about at school.
I was even more amazed that the pilot actually took the time to talk to me, and give me the enormous responsibility of keeping everyone one behind the gate after the patient was loaded and the helicopter was ready to take off, my first work as ground crew.
If that was you Griff thank you very much as you planted a seed in my head which due to financial limitations and a few other issues, it remained a very small seed for a long time.
A few years ago this changed and I am now working as a commercial helicopter pilot, flying around the beautiful island of Mallorca.
So again if it was you thank you for being that nice helicopter pilot who took a few moments for that scruffy moor boy!
Cheers
Neal
I was even more amazed that the pilot actually took the time to talk to me,
and give me the enormous responsibility of keeping everyone one behind the gate after the patient was loaded and the helicopter was ready to take off, my first work as ground crew. If that was you Griff thank you very much as you planted a seed in my head which due to financial limitations and a few other issues, it remained a very small seed for a long time.
A few years ago this changed and I am now working as a commercial helicopter pilot,
flying around the beautiful island of Mallorca. So again if it was you thank you for being that nice helicopter pilot who took a few moments for that scruffy moor boy!Cheers
Neal
Thread Starter
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The handiwork of Karl Zimmerman has been showcased previously on PPRuNe but .. I find it hard to get into the 105 without acknowledging him in some way.
Essential viewing for Bölkow lovers!
Sav
The handiwork of Karl Zimmerman has been showcased previously on PPRuNe but .. I find it hard to get into the 105 without acknowledging him in some way.
Essential viewing for Bölkow lovers!
Sav
Thread Starter
Classic 206
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These just in ..
Bell 206B G-AYMW seen at Leicester Racecourse helipad on 10th January 1971 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)
This craft was bought by BEAS in November 1970 who sold her on to 'Wykeham Helicopters' of Scarborough in September 1973. While with Wykeham she seems to have gone on to the Irish register for a year (in 1980) prior to being bought by Dollar in January 1984.
AgustaBell 206A G-AVYX at Plymouth Roborough on 26th April 1983 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)
This craft was bought by SWEB in November 1967 and became the 12th 206 to be registered in the UK. She remained with SWEB for 19 years until being sold to David Pipe in June 1986.
This craft was a former mount of PPRuNer Speechless Two during his pre-Ferranti days.
Sav
These just in ..
Bell 206B G-AYMW seen at Leicester Racecourse helipad on 10th January 1971 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)
This craft was bought by BEAS in November 1970 who sold her on to 'Wykeham Helicopters' of Scarborough in September 1973. While with Wykeham she seems to have gone on to the Irish register for a year (in 1980) prior to being bought by Dollar in January 1984.
AgustaBell 206A G-AVYX at Plymouth Roborough on 26th April 1983 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)
This craft was bought by SWEB in November 1967 and became the 12th 206 to be registered in the UK. She remained with SWEB for 19 years until being sold to David Pipe in June 1986.
This craft was a former mount of PPRuNer Speechless Two during his pre-Ferranti days.
Sav