Many thanks Savoia and TRC for the info very much appreciated

Can't answer that one, sorry.

Coincidence indeed there by me with the Widgeon-John Crewdson crossover.

Eignt bells- wonder if they really burnt one of the Widgeons! I've seen the film and it doesn't look like a model that they break. Could have been a prop I suppose.

I reckon it was a surplus/damaged fuselage. It looks too good to be a mock-up to me - even on some modern 'big budget' numbers the mock-ups can be pretty dire. The Huey in 'Sahara' that gets shot down for example, to name just one.

Great pics of the 222's I currently have G-NOIR in our hangar, I have been flying her for the last 12 months and she is fantastic, she is going onto the N reg at the moment and may be having a very distinctive paint scheme applied that all helicopter pilots will know!!

LB: Might one assume therefore that the craft-noir will live up to her name and sport colours not dissimiliar to those intrinsic to the mammal below?



If so, I hope its not asking too much for you to post an image once she's 'done'!

In post 240 from page 12 I relayed a story from the early 80's when my godfather flew the Bell demonstrator N2221W during Ascot week after Bell's then Chief Pilot was instructed by Heathrow to 'give them a call' on arrival at Battersea!

The 222 should have been far more successful than she was but, as we know, early problems with the Lycoming engines, high maintenance costs and that beautiful Bell 'whop' all acted against her.

Happy flying!

Sav,

You mean like this?

Longbox,

The CAA website is quoting de-registration, will she be remaining in UK on N-reg ? at Manston ?

looking forward to pics of new colours/scheme......

US Air Force S-51 in Panama c. 1950's with archeologists and Air Force crew surveying map


US Air Force S-51 approaches an awaiting vehicle c. 1950's


Westland Dragonfly G-AOJV departs Birmingham Airport during the operation of BEA's scheduled passenger service between Cardiff and Liverpool in 1950


Claimed as operating for British United Airways (but later operated by Bristows and formerly G-ALIK) seen here at Battersea in July 1960


The late great King Hussein of Jordan pilots a Westland Widgeon over Jerusalem c. 1950's. As is often the case .. the Widgeon's cyclic appears somewhat distant from the pilot's seat and, in this case, remarkably close to the instrument panel!

Just a bit of memorabilia I stumbled on in the loft whilst looking out old photos. During our 6-week trip to Sarajevo the Castle Air Long Ranger was the only foreign helicopter allowed in the country. It turned out to be a right royal adventure!!! The contract was with ABC and we were to provide camera and sling load capabilities as well as pax transport.

We were obliged to fly with a Jugoslav Army security officer on every trip. At first it was a Colonel but too many trips with the doors off led to some delegation to two young captains. The colonel was so relieved that we had been 'good boys' that he awarded Jerry Grayson the first set of wings he had been awarded (he was a fast-jet jockey) and to me he gave this 'weapons badge'. I was very honoured and keep it safe as a momento of a quite remarkable period. One day the whole story will be told - another chapter in my memoires perhaps??

A delightful memento indeed, well done!

Castle Air .. Long Ranger? Didn't realise they had operated one. Do you recall the registration perchance?

It was Air Force and Air Defense Staff&Commanding Academy Badge of the YPA (JNA)... a collector's item now

Collectors item? So is Geoff these days

I believe that Castle Air's LongRanger was G-LRII in 1981

Correct - photo will follow. have I got the nomenclature right?

Longranger with C20B = 206L
Longranger with C28 = 206L1
Longranger with C30 = 206L3

There being no such thing as an 'L2' if I have it right although I seem to remember publicity material referring to the Longranger2. ???

G.

All correct Geoffers!

I think it was a 'B' series C28 in the L-1 which, for clarity, was marketed as the 206L1 LongRanger II.

Thanks to 76Fan I see now that LRII went straight from CSE to Castle.

As you may know, Roy Flood bought his first 206 from Ferranti (G-BAKX) in 1978; I say Ferranti, it was in fact Mohammed Al Fayed's ex-craft which had been managed by Ferranti and which had a Ferranti interior fitted.

Thanks Wiggy (for the post below).

Sav,

G-LRII Bell 206L series II s/n 45249 year built 1979

CSE Aviation Ltd., 18-05-79 to 23-07-79
Castle Motors (Trebrown) Ltd.,Liskeard 20-08-79 to 24-09-81
Castle Air Charters Ltd. 24-09-81 to 14-04-86
Carroll Industries Leasing Ltd., London 14-04-86 to 06-11-90
Carroll Aircraft Operational Services Ltd., Farnborough 06-11-90 to 22-02-91
Air Hanson Aircraft Sales Ltd. 22-02-91 to 30-04-91

to the USA

Still on N reg. as N165BH, Phoenix Helicopters LLC, Wilmington.

Sav,

G-BAKX Bell 206B S/N 906 Year new 1973

Royco Group Ltd., Beaconsfield 27-12-72 to 09-04-74
Milord Car service Ltd., London 26-04-74 to 03-11-75
Harrison Helicopters Ltd., Droitwich 03-11-75 to 10-11-75
Harrison Construction (Midlands) Ltd. 10-11-75 to 15-03-77
Genavco Air Ltd., London 15-03-77 to 14-08-78
Castle Motors (Trebrown) Ltd. 15-08-78 to 06-08-79

to Eire EI-BHI

A Hughes 300 sprays rows of tulips to provide protection against insects and fungi on a farm near Haarlem in Holland c. 1970's


A wheeled Bell 47 sprays insecticide on a pepper field in Eastville, Virginia c. early 1960's

Hi chaps, sorry to butt in....

Anyone happen to know what colour Bell 206B G-TILI ( F-GHFN) started life as, in or around 1976 .....or even better, have pics ???
Many thanks