The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
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Gregory Air Service and Globe construction
Wally Wilding pics again.
Dad left the RAF in Nov '67 and started flying with Gregory Air service Feb '68
Flying mainly Hughes 300 (& Allouette II G-AVEE)
He Flew G-AVZC a lot, but also G-AWKC and G-AVUM.
Line up of the GFTS at Denham airfield.
His log book mentions filming 'Avengers' in Jun, Aug and Sept '68 in G-AVZC and ive traced the episodes featuring G-AVZC as Split!, Super secret cypher snatch, and killer all filmed in '68. G-AVUM was also in 'Avengers' this year in an episode named 'Noon doomsday'
Ferrying a spy in 'Split!'
Trying to pick up a dress wearing bad guy in 'Super secret cypher snatch'
Dropping a corpse into a cemetry in 'killer'
Heres another picture of G-AVZC with Frazer Hines on the right (used to be in Emmerdale farm years ago) and my sister in the middle.
Dad did a few filming bits and pieces over the years and as a kid i remember a big green hand from a seamonster that was given to him after filming Dr Who (Dad flew them 'rising' from the sea). He used to try and scare us by putting it round doors as he walked in, etc.
In December '68 He started work for Globe construction, flying G-AWKC quite a lot and G-AVZC, G-AVUM, G-AXAY.
G-AWKC
In Jan '70 he did the conversion to Bell 206 in G-AWRV a 206A and flew this one a lot until Dec '71 when he went to Indonesia and flew Allouettes again.
This picture from PJK collection. Taken in Edinburgh 6th June 1971 and this ties in with Dads logbook as being in his charge at that time.
A spot of map reading in the Bell 206.
Dad left the RAF in Nov '67 and started flying with Gregory Air service Feb '68
Flying mainly Hughes 300 (& Allouette II G-AVEE)
He Flew G-AVZC a lot, but also G-AWKC and G-AVUM.
Line up of the GFTS at Denham airfield.
His log book mentions filming 'Avengers' in Jun, Aug and Sept '68 in G-AVZC and ive traced the episodes featuring G-AVZC as Split!, Super secret cypher snatch, and killer all filmed in '68. G-AVUM was also in 'Avengers' this year in an episode named 'Noon doomsday'
Ferrying a spy in 'Split!'
Trying to pick up a dress wearing bad guy in 'Super secret cypher snatch'
Dropping a corpse into a cemetry in 'killer'
Heres another picture of G-AVZC with Frazer Hines on the right (used to be in Emmerdale farm years ago) and my sister in the middle.
Dad did a few filming bits and pieces over the years and as a kid i remember a big green hand from a seamonster that was given to him after filming Dr Who (Dad flew them 'rising' from the sea). He used to try and scare us by putting it round doors as he walked in, etc.
In December '68 He started work for Globe construction, flying G-AWKC quite a lot and G-AVZC, G-AVUM, G-AXAY.
G-AWKC
In Jan '70 he did the conversion to Bell 206 in G-AWRV a 206A and flew this one a lot until Dec '71 when he went to Indonesia and flew Allouettes again.
This picture from PJK collection. Taken in Edinburgh 6th June 1971 and this ties in with Dads logbook as being in his charge at that time.
A spot of map reading in the Bell 206.
Last edited by Wildboy; 21st Nov 2016 at 21:13.
Thread Starter
Griffo: Unable to raise you (for now) but let's see what turns up! 
Ben: Some great nostalgia there involving your Dad, bravo!
Royal Navy Westland Sea King HAS-6 ZA136 from "A Flight" 824 Squadron operating with the RFA Fort Austin in June 1988 (Photo: Kevin Slade)
136 is seen here performing a hi-line transfer alongside the RFA Fort Austin in the North Atlantic. Sadly, this craft ditched in September of the same year following a hydraulic leak and fire in rear cabin. The fuselage went to HMS Sultan at Gosport.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Austin was laid down at Scott Lithgow in 1975, launched in 1978 and commissioned in 1979. This ship was designed to carry a wide range of stores to support other ships; ammunition, food, explosives. She had extensive aviation facilities with two flight decks, one to the stern and one spot on top of the hangar which could accommodate up to four Sea Kings. Austin had the capability of replenishing ships at sea via six RAS points.
The RFA Fort Austin at Portsmouth
Ben: Some great nostalgia there involving your Dad, bravo!
Royal Navy Westland Sea King HAS-6 ZA136 from "A Flight" 824 Squadron operating with the RFA Fort Austin in June 1988 (Photo: Kevin Slade)
136 is seen here performing a hi-line transfer alongside the RFA Fort Austin in the North Atlantic. Sadly, this craft ditched in September of the same year following a hydraulic leak and fire in rear cabin. The fuselage went to HMS Sultan at Gosport.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Austin was laid down at Scott Lithgow in 1975, launched in 1978 and commissioned in 1979. This ship was designed to carry a wide range of stores to support other ships; ammunition, food, explosives. She had extensive aviation facilities with two flight decks, one to the stern and one spot on top of the hangar which could accommodate up to four Sea Kings. Austin had the capability of replenishing ships at sea via six RAS points.
The RFA Fort Austin at Portsmouth
Thread Starter
On page 33 we showcased a small selection of S62's including a sister ship to the craft below.
Now Jeremy Hughes (who provided most of the images for the London to Paris post above) has come up with the following S62 shot from 1960:
Sikorsky S62A N976 belonging to World Wide Helicopters as seen at Biggin Hill in 1960 (Photo: Jeremy Hughes)
This craft was evidently damaged during a ditching in Qatar on 10th April 1969 while flying for Shell and was subsequently repaired and sold to Cyprus Airways where she flew as 5B-CBT in 1973. The craft was then sold to Gulf Helicopters in 1975 where she flew as A7-HAB.
Now Jeremy Hughes (who provided most of the images for the London to Paris post above) has come up with the following S62 shot from 1960:
Sikorsky S62A N976 belonging to World Wide Helicopters as seen at Biggin Hill in 1960 (Photo: Jeremy Hughes)
This craft was evidently damaged during a ditching in Qatar on 10th April 1969 while flying for Shell and was subsequently repaired and sold to Cyprus Airways where she flew as 5B-CBT in 1973. The craft was then sold to Gulf Helicopters in 1975 where she flew as A7-HAB.
Thread Starter
We've showcased a couple of pleasant historical videos on Nostalgia and here's another (produced by Shell) to add to the collection:
Interesting moments include: Westland's G-ALIK performing a take-off captured in slow motion at 7:17, The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore at 9:37 followed by the Cierva Air Horse, the Skeeter and Gyrodyne. Night flying with the Dragonfly as well a Dragonfly in Wales also feature.
Interesting moments include: Westland's G-ALIK performing a take-off captured in slow motion at 7:17, The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore at 9:37 followed by the Cierva Air Horse, the Skeeter and Gyrodyne. Night flying with the Dragonfly as well a Dragonfly in Wales also feature.
Thread Starter
An Agusta-Bell 206 of the Sultan of Oman's Air Force in the company of a Bell 205, also of the SOAF, over Oman in 1975. Iran donated an entire squadron of 205's to Oman in the 70's. (Photo: Agusta Archives)
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Schreiner Air Transport
Schreiner Air Transport
Indonesian Air Transport
Dad was in Indonesia Feb '72 until Jan '73.
More Jungle, more clearings. Flying Allouette II and III around Bontang, Sankaliran, Sanga, Saminda, Koriroang, Dteupa, Jepu, Balik, etc.
Allouette III
PK-TPR and PK-TPS
Carefully? loading some cargo.
Fuel Delivery
Time for a quick cigarette whilst refuelling
....
....and off
Indonesian Air Transport
Dad was in Indonesia Feb '72 until Jan '73.
More Jungle, more clearings. Flying Allouette II and III around Bontang, Sankaliran, Sanga, Saminda, Koriroang, Dteupa, Jepu, Balik, etc.
Allouette III
PK-TPR and PK-TPS
Carefully? loading some cargo.
Fuel Delivery
Time for a quick cigarette whilst refuelling
........and off
Last edited by Wildboy; 21st Nov 2016 at 20:45.
Wildboy, I flew with Wally many times ,in Borneo and occasionally in Singapore during `Confrontation`,or one of `Britain`s small Wars`. I think Wally was the youngest member of the `Master`s Mafia`,or the infamous group of `Master` aircrew on 103 Squadron. For those unfamiliar with the RAF rank structure , Master Pilot/Navigator/Signaller/Quartermaster/Gunner/Observer were the top ranks of Non-Commissioned Aircrew in the RAF. As such,you didn`t get there very easily ,usually you had vast experience of operating aircraft,how to avoid onerous duties that fell to other lower or even Commisioned ranks,doors were opened for you by Officers,even saluted you(generally a mistake),you could leap tall buildings in a stride,walk through walls,without getting dust on you,even run faster than a speeding train,if you used the powers bestowed on you.....The same as Station Warrant Officers,or a Regimental Sgt Major...or Regulator Chief PettyOfficer in the Navy....God always asked his Secretary to `Request` an audience with them.......
The other ones were MPlt. Jack Trigg,and MPlt. Dougie Ponsford,who can be seen to Wally`s left in the photo meeting/greeting some VVIP (Dougie Ponsford always reminded me of the picture of `The Laughing Cavalier`,and Jack reminded me of Arthur Askey with `bottle-bottom` glasses....Sorry ,forgive me `Masters` for taking your names in vain... !
I was ,kind of,allowed to fly with these guys,and Master Navigators and Signallers,as an SAR crew at Seletar and Butterworth(on holiday),as I had also started as an NCO Sgt Pilot,but had been `Turned` and been `forced` to be commisioned,despite my desire to one day become a `Master` like the `Others`....so I was `accepted`.....
Wally was known (only in hushed and whispered words`) as the` Persil-Pilot`,never to his face,or whenever a `Master` was within 100yds...when he wore the VIP flying suit..
He was always `dapper` shall we say except for the fact one could wrap one of the `tropical` flying suits around Wally twice,as evidenced by the earlier pictures.
I don`t have any particular anecdotes or tales about Wally,except to say one could always listen to their stories of `times past ` and `daring-do` that they had collectively experienced,and take away the `pearls-of-wisdom`, to think about and maybe use/adapt with the times,because when you are 21-22 or so,you consider yourself invulnerable/know-it-all,but they`d been there,seen it all before ,got the `string-vest`(t-shirts hadn`t been invented),and were here....
Wildboy ,a little `tongue-in-cheek` but your Dad was a real `good-guy`,able to dish out the `banter` with the best.... Sycamore..
Edit ;later; WBy,if you`ve got Wally`s `MasterPilot` rank badges/armbands/ medals...then treasure them,they`re special....
The other ones were MPlt. Jack Trigg,and MPlt. Dougie Ponsford,who can be seen to Wally`s left in the photo meeting/greeting some VVIP (Dougie Ponsford always reminded me of the picture of `The Laughing Cavalier`,and Jack reminded me of Arthur Askey with `bottle-bottom` glasses....Sorry ,forgive me `Masters` for taking your names in vain... !
I was ,kind of,allowed to fly with these guys,and Master Navigators and Signallers,as an SAR crew at Seletar and Butterworth(on holiday),as I had also started as an NCO Sgt Pilot,but had been `Turned` and been `forced` to be commisioned,despite my desire to one day become a `Master` like the `Others`....so I was `accepted`.....
Wally was known (only in hushed and whispered words`) as the` Persil-Pilot`,never to his face,or whenever a `Master` was within 100yds...when he wore the VIP flying suit..
He was always `dapper` shall we say except for the fact one could wrap one of the `tropical` flying suits around Wally twice,as evidenced by the earlier pictures.
I don`t have any particular anecdotes or tales about Wally,except to say one could always listen to their stories of `times past ` and `daring-do` that they had collectively experienced,and take away the `pearls-of-wisdom`, to think about and maybe use/adapt with the times,because when you are 21-22 or so,you consider yourself invulnerable/know-it-all,but they`d been there,seen it all before ,got the `string-vest`(t-shirts hadn`t been invented),and were here....
Wildboy ,a little `tongue-in-cheek` but your Dad was a real `good-guy`,able to dish out the `banter` with the best.... Sycamore..
Edit ;later; WBy,if you`ve got Wally`s `MasterPilot` rank badges/armbands/ medals...then treasure them,they`re special....
Last edited by sycamore; 2nd Jun 2012 at 22:00.
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Sycamore- Hi, Thanks for you post.
Funny and interesting. Really good to hear from you. The names of Dougie Ponsford and in particular Jack Trigg ring a bell(is Jack in the earlier pic too?). I know Jack was mentioned a lot By my him. I know Dad was 'Dapper' He always wore a shirt and tie and i know he thought there was no reason to let your standards down even in the sweltering jungle.
I do have a good collection of his RAF bits and peices including Aircrew Categorisation cards, rating cards( can only find the white and green, but know he got master green in '64,'65,'66,'67) Badges, books etc. Also his Caterpillar club and Martin baker club cards and tie. RAF_LEUCHARS(16th November 1954)
I have his GSM and Borneo medal (Ive applied for a posthumous issue of the PJM a few months ago, but not heard anything back yet)
I dont know if you know what badge or medal he's wearing in this shot (he's also wearing it in the Persil-pilot pic). I've always wondered.
Thanks again, & thanks to Sav and PPRuNe for letting me hog a lot of space in pages 77-79 to be a proud son. I'm almost at the end of my picture record.(maybe a few more Jet ranger shots for good measure).
Just need to find the thread to post Dads Meteor and Hunter pics next
Funny and interesting. Really good to hear from you. The names of Dougie Ponsford and in particular Jack Trigg ring a bell(is Jack in the earlier pic too?). I know Jack was mentioned a lot By my him. I know Dad was 'Dapper' He always wore a shirt and tie and i know he thought there was no reason to let your standards down even in the sweltering jungle.
I do have a good collection of his RAF bits and peices including Aircrew Categorisation cards, rating cards( can only find the white and green, but know he got master green in '64,'65,'66,'67) Badges, books etc. Also his Caterpillar club and Martin baker club cards and tie. RAF_LEUCHARS(16th November 1954)
I have his GSM and Borneo medal (Ive applied for a posthumous issue of the PJM a few months ago, but not heard anything back yet)
I dont know if you know what badge or medal he's wearing in this shot (he's also wearing it in the Persil-pilot pic). I've always wondered.
Thanks again, & thanks to Sav and PPRuNe for letting me hog a lot of space in pages 77-79 to be a proud son. I'm almost at the end of my picture record.(maybe a few more Jet ranger shots for good measure).
Just need to find the thread to post Dads Meteor and Hunter pics next
Last edited by Wildboy; 21st Nov 2016 at 20:34.
Thread Starter
Dear Ben
The reminiscences from your father's flying days have been a wonderful illumination to our little thread and I know that many Nostalgia readers have thoroughly appreciated your contribution. Thank you.
I am thrilled that I met your Dad that day at Biggin Hill (late 70's) when he was on the gas patrol and to have subsequently 'met' his son through PPRuNe!
Please do keep involved with the thread and pop-in whenever you can!
Brgds
Sav
HMS UNICORN
HM Frigate Unicorn was built at Chatham Dockyard, Kent and launched in 1824. A superstructure was built over her main deck and she was laid up "in ordinary", serving as a hulk and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved and in the 1960's steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship.
Though steps were taken (including the addition of the totally new bowsprit) to restore Unicorn to a similar condition as her sister HMS Trincomalee, this plan was changed as it was discovered that the ship was the only example of a wooden frigate of her type existing in ordinary and, as a result, the decision was made to preserve her in her current condition.
The Unicorn was never rigged and only went to sea for the voyage from Chatham to Dundee during which she was under tow. It is thought the roof that covers her upper deck has never been replaced.
An RAF Westland Whirlwind oversees the transfer of HM Frigate Unicorn from Earl Grey Dock to Dundee Harbour on 13th November 1962. The Unicorn is being towed downriver by tugs 'Castlecraig' (ahead) and 'Harecraig' (astern)
A Westland Whirlwind engages in Flag Officer Training at HMS St.Vincent at Gosport in Portsmouth in 1963
One is tempted to say that the Whirlwind above is RN given its training duty but .. the markings appear distinctly RAF-like!
As a dog lover one is glad to see the chap on the left with a mutt at his heel!
The reminiscences from your father's flying days have been a wonderful illumination to our little thread and I know that many Nostalgia readers have thoroughly appreciated your contribution. Thank you.
I am thrilled that I met your Dad that day at Biggin Hill (late 70's) when he was on the gas patrol and to have subsequently 'met' his son through PPRuNe!
Please do keep involved with the thread and pop-in whenever you can!
Brgds
Sav
HMS UNICORN
HM Frigate Unicorn was built at Chatham Dockyard, Kent and launched in 1824. A superstructure was built over her main deck and she was laid up "in ordinary", serving as a hulk and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved and in the 1960's steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship.
Though steps were taken (including the addition of the totally new bowsprit) to restore Unicorn to a similar condition as her sister HMS Trincomalee, this plan was changed as it was discovered that the ship was the only example of a wooden frigate of her type existing in ordinary and, as a result, the decision was made to preserve her in her current condition.
The Unicorn was never rigged and only went to sea for the voyage from Chatham to Dundee during which she was under tow. It is thought the roof that covers her upper deck has never been replaced.
An RAF Westland Whirlwind oversees the transfer of HM Frigate Unicorn from Earl Grey Dock to Dundee Harbour on 13th November 1962. The Unicorn is being towed downriver by tugs 'Castlecraig' (ahead) and 'Harecraig' (astern)
A Westland Whirlwind engages in Flag Officer Training at HMS St.Vincent at Gosport in Portsmouth in 1963
One is tempted to say that the Whirlwind above is RN given its training duty but .. the markings appear distinctly RAF-like!
As a dog lover one is glad to see the chap on the left with a mutt at his heel!
The Whirlwind (HAS22?) is probably the Admiral's Barge for Flag Officer Sea Training, in RN colours which would have been emerald green with a white stripe. All Admiral's Barges were that colour, and when various Flag Officers moved into using aircraft it followed that they (the aircraft) would have a suitable colour scheme. The same was applied to fixed wing, e.g. FONAC had a green/white Sea Hawk in the 1960's.
Thread Starter
John thanks.
We did touch on the 'Green Parrots' on page 9 of the Wessex thread but I have yet to dig-up a 'white top' Whirlwind photo (in colour).
On page 20 of this thread we looked at the Agusta-built 206 G-AYBE and which included a photo by PPRuNer 'Tailboom' of the craft landing at the Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil.
More G-AYBE ..
Agusta-Bell 206A G-AYBE landing at the fuel pumps at Coventry Airport on 14th February 1974
G-AYBE was bought by United Marine of London in 1970 (presumably from Mann's) who kept her until 1977 when she was exported to France and flew as F-GALU.
F-GALU visiting Southampton Airport c. late 70's
From France G-AYBE (F-GALU) returned to the UK in 1996 to fly as G-CBHH for Helisport of Biggin Hill. Later the same year she was purchased by Arena Aviation of Crawley who re-registered her G-GUST. GUST went on to fly for 'Dragon Helicopters', 'GHE Realisations' and DNH Helicopters before being withdrawn from use in 2011.
We did touch on the 'Green Parrots' on page 9 of the Wessex thread but I have yet to dig-up a 'white top' Whirlwind photo (in colour).
On page 20 of this thread we looked at the Agusta-built 206 G-AYBE and which included a photo by PPRuNer 'Tailboom' of the craft landing at the Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil.
More G-AYBE ..
Agusta-Bell 206A G-AYBE landing at the fuel pumps at Coventry Airport on 14th February 1974
G-AYBE was bought by United Marine of London in 1970 (presumably from Mann's) who kept her until 1977 when she was exported to France and flew as F-GALU.
F-GALU visiting Southampton Airport c. late 70's
From France G-AYBE (F-GALU) returned to the UK in 1996 to fly as G-CBHH for Helisport of Biggin Hill. Later the same year she was purchased by Arena Aviation of Crawley who re-registered her G-GUST. GUST went on to fly for 'Dragon Helicopters', 'GHE Realisations' and DNH Helicopters before being withdrawn from use in 2011.
John thanks.
We did touch on the 'Green Parrots' on page 9 of the Wessex thread but I have yet to dig-up a 'white top' Whirlwind photo (in colour).
We did touch on the 'Green Parrots' on page 9 of the Wessex thread but I have yet to dig-up a 'white top' Whirlwind photo (in colour).
What looks like Eagle or Ark's flight deck in the background seems a bit out of proportion: I think we'd all have liked to operate from something that size!
Thread Starter
On page 76 'Monkey Boy' made an enquiry relating the the Marley Tiles Co. TwinEcureuil G-BMTC.
At the time of MB's enquiry we were only able to source an image of Marley's single-Ecureuil G-BHIV but, it is now possible (thanks to photographer Adrian) to see the craft in question:
Marley Tile Co. AS355F2 Ecureuil II G-BMTC at McAlpines 'Hayes Heliport' in 1984 (Photo: Adrian Batchelor)
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Heliday Nostalgia
Now held at the Helicopter Museum rather than the Sea Front Green at Weston-Super-Mare (21/22 July this year, arrivals day 20th)....these from 2006
Thread Starter
Thread Starter
More Aussie nostalgia with this Jayrow JetRanger parked at Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport (what great names they have Down Under .. among my favourites being Wollongong, Come By Chance and Mt. Buggery!).
Sadly no reg or date - my apologies.
A fixed-float Bell 206B belonging to Jayrow Helicopters rests with her sister ship at Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport
The craft wears the humble moniker "THE Helicopter Company"!
Sadly no reg or date - my apologies.
A fixed-float Bell 206B belonging to Jayrow Helicopters rests with her sister ship at Melbourne's Moorabbin Airport
The craft wears the humble moniker "THE Helicopter Company"!
Thread Starter
One of the Nostalgia Thread's newest photographic contributors Jeremy Hughes (who provided much of the material for the post on the London to Paris Air Race on page 78) has kindly offered us a wonderful photo of the Brantly B2 G-ASHD:
Brantly B-2A G-ASHD as seen at Biggin Hill in May 1963 (Photo: Jeremy Hughes)
This craft was bought by Pontin's holiday camps of Bournemouth just one month before this photo was taken but went on to crash in the Colne river near Brightlingsea on 15th February 1967.
Also in the photo is G-ARVY (another B2) which was imported by BEAS in 1962 but, as with ASHD, 'came a cropper' on 28th August 1964 while practicing autos near Kidlington.
In case you are thinking "G-ASHD that rings a bell" you would be right. She first appears on page 45 in a shot taken at Exeter Airport in 1964.
Here is an interesting photo of one of the Hughes 500Ds operated by Greenpeace (ZK-HTN).
(Apologies. I have no details on the photographer or copyright holder.)
It is seen in Dublin Port and I think the date is sometime around 1990 and, presumably, the titles on the tail boom refer to some campaign they were carrying out related to the the Sellafield Nuclear Plant.
500 Fan.
(Apologies. I have no details on the photographer or copyright holder.)
It is seen in Dublin Port and I think the date is sometime around 1990 and, presumably, the titles on the tail boom refer to some campaign they were carrying out related to the the Sellafield Nuclear Plant.
500 Fan.