The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
Thread Starter
Tarman: Its been far too long since we saw you on Nostalgia! Many thanks for identifying NIAL's correct location (now amended accordingly).
PAN: Well done for your efforts. You could always call up the local scout master and find out whether the local pack would like to undertake a history project, come over and scan your archives! Perhaps the missus could bake some cakes and brew-up some tea for them while you regale the assemblage on the finer points of the UK's general aviation history!
Either way, many thanks for making the effort to clarify the dates. Bravo! As you've probably read, one of TRC's former colleagues is trying to find this very article but, I am wondering, is there a way you could scan it (or at least the photo .. which should, in theory, contain a mugshot of sorts of the venerable TRC!)?
Full Circle
On the previous page I tender an apology to PPRuNer EGBJDH for ripping the photo of G-AXXD at Gloucester from his Flickr collection. The photographer's name is credited in my post but .. I do like to get the permission from the various album hosters as well if at all possible. Sometimes its not.
EGBJDH turns out to be a chap called David Haines who has a website which hosts a number of archive images from Gloucester's Staverton Airport and which contains some interesting shots which, with David's approval, we shall be showcasing on the thread over the coming weeks.
David also has a collection of images (not published on his website) and which he is willing to share with us and so we shall look forward to these also.
In the first of these images from 'Dave's collection' we look at a sister-ship to Planko's G-BBIP .. as this is probably the closest association we will achieve with this craft:
Hughes 300 (269C) G-BBIS as seen at Sywell Aerodrome on 30th June 1978 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
BBIS was bought by a Mr William Peter Brierley-Jones of Nantwich, Cheshire in 1973, then in a coincidental joining-of-the-dots we see that BBIS is sold (as with AZEJ further up the page) to South Africa .. also in 1980.
I don't know to whom in South Africa AZEJ and BBIS were sold or even if they went to the same customber but .. I can tell you that in a place called Harrismith, in what was known as the Orange Free State in South Africa, was once an outfit called Kovisco (perhaps they are still around) who in the early 80's had a small fleet of Hughes 300's which were used for live deer (or Springbok) capture for use in creating their game flavoured 'biltong' products and, just maybe, these craft ended-up there!
PAN: Well done for your efforts. You could always call up the local scout master and find out whether the local pack would like to undertake a history project, come over and scan your archives! Perhaps the missus could bake some cakes and brew-up some tea for them while you regale the assemblage on the finer points of the UK's general aviation history!
Either way, many thanks for making the effort to clarify the dates. Bravo! As you've probably read, one of TRC's former colleagues is trying to find this very article but, I am wondering, is there a way you could scan it (or at least the photo .. which should, in theory, contain a mugshot of sorts of the venerable TRC!)?
Full Circle
On the previous page I tender an apology to PPRuNer EGBJDH for ripping the photo of G-AXXD at Gloucester from his Flickr collection. The photographer's name is credited in my post but .. I do like to get the permission from the various album hosters as well if at all possible. Sometimes its not.
EGBJDH turns out to be a chap called David Haines who has a website which hosts a number of archive images from Gloucester's Staverton Airport and which contains some interesting shots which, with David's approval, we shall be showcasing on the thread over the coming weeks.
David also has a collection of images (not published on his website) and which he is willing to share with us and so we shall look forward to these also.
In the first of these images from 'Dave's collection' we look at a sister-ship to Planko's G-BBIP .. as this is probably the closest association we will achieve with this craft:
Hughes 300 (269C) G-BBIS as seen at Sywell Aerodrome on 30th June 1978 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
BBIS was bought by a Mr William Peter Brierley-Jones of Nantwich, Cheshire in 1973, then in a coincidental joining-of-the-dots we see that BBIS is sold (as with AZEJ further up the page) to South Africa .. also in 1980.
I don't know to whom in South Africa AZEJ and BBIS were sold or even if they went to the same customber but .. I can tell you that in a place called Harrismith, in what was known as the Orange Free State in South Africa, was once an outfit called Kovisco (perhaps they are still around) who in the early 80's had a small fleet of Hughes 300's which were used for live deer (or Springbok) capture for use in creating their game flavoured 'biltong' products and, just maybe, these craft ended-up there!
The image from the Evening Standard.
Your starter for ten...... the crouching figure is Sergeant Potter....
And some more 'Battersea' to add to the pot.... a few taken in the skies nearby in 1980 to mark the launch of the first Bell 222 G-META.
and finally one taken in November at Lippitts Hill when the then Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw joined Commissioner David 'The Hammer' McNee in the launch.
'The Hammer'? Do not think he was a DIY man...... paper talk from Glasgow it seems.
Your starter for ten...... the crouching figure is Sergeant Potter....
And some more 'Battersea' to add to the pot.... a few taken in the skies nearby in 1980 to mark the launch of the first Bell 222 G-META.
and finally one taken in November at Lippitts Hill when the then Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw joined Commissioner David 'The Hammer' McNee in the launch.
'The Hammer'? Do not think he was a DIY man...... paper talk from Glasgow it seems.
Last edited by PANews; 18th Nov 2012 at 00:27.
Thread Starter
PA News:
For acts of nostalgia, above and beyond the call of PPRuNing .. please accept this small token of appreciation from Nostalgia readers for your efforts in uncovering the details surroudning G-AXXD's swim!
.
For acts of nostalgia, above and beyond the call of PPRuNing .. please accept this small token of appreciation from Nostalgia readers for your efforts in uncovering the details surroudning G-AXXD's swim!
Presented to PPRuNer PA News for his excursion to the attic (and back) and for making the 'extra effort' on Nostalgia
.
So, can we assume that TRC is second from the left!
In the late seventies our 206 pilots flying into Battersea were concerned that if they ditched in the Thames would the pop-out floats operate from the automatic switches which were supposedly salt water switches we didn't know how far the salt water went inland. One of them obtained a jar of water from the Thames (I never asked how) and we checked the switches and they operated as they should.
Thread Starter
"Salt Water Switches" .. what on earth are they and where would they have been fitted on a 206?
I must say, I think I would rather execute a manual float inflation prior to splash down lest one be subjected to that sinking feeling!
Oldlae, by the time you joined Twyford's was AXXD still about and did they make her airworthy again because one sees that she remained on the register until 1981?
I must say, I think I would rather execute a manual float inflation prior to splash down lest one be subjected to that sinking feeling!
Oldlae, by the time you joined Twyford's was AXXD still about and did they make her airworthy again because one sees that she remained on the register until 1981?
I had AXXD as lingering on the register until 1981.
Now some more...
Here is META well before its November 1980 delivery...... there is something wrong with what you are looking at.... anyone know what?
Two others from 'up North'... trhe Heliconair Brantly B2 operation... G-ASEI i think in these....
Now some more...
Here is META well before its November 1980 delivery...... there is something wrong with what you are looking at.... anyone know what?
Two others from 'up North'... trhe Heliconair Brantly B2 operation... G-ASEI i think in these....
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TRC
Sav
Yes that's TRC allright. Shock of unruly hair which he still has (unlike my good self
) And 'up to his knees' again 
- somethings never change - VFR
Yes that's TRC allright. Shock of unruly hair which he still has (unlike my good self
) And 'up to his knees' again - somethings never change - VFR
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269 in the mud
Hi All,
New to the forum. I am the guy standing next to Sgt Potter in the picture of the 269 in the mud. I am also the crewman who TRC spoke to about the date.
I remember the day well because as TRC said it did become a comedy of errors including Ted Heath exiting a "green parrot" and then tripping over the flood gate lip on the pad to which a loud Whoops and laughing followed, as we though he was going to land nose down on position 7.
Oh those were the days.
New to the forum. I am the guy standing next to Sgt Potter in the picture of the 269 in the mud. I am also the crewman who TRC spoke to about the date.
I remember the day well because as TRC said it did become a comedy of errors including Ted Heath exiting a "green parrot" and then tripping over the flood gate lip on the pad to which a loud Whoops and laughing followed, as we though he was going to land nose down on position 7.
Oh those were the days.
1976 TV film
I know that there is a seperate Crewdson thread but these stills from a 1976 TV offering [aired on the BBC as far as I am aware but it was made by a now defunct production company] that has lots of period features closer to this thread.
Oddly there is no obvious reference to this on the Crewdsen thread.
and an image not from the film [it is on 16mm and a v poor video that this was snatched from] but of the aircraft at Battersea, photographer u/k.
Oddly there is no obvious reference to this on the Crewdsen thread.
and an image not from the film [it is on 16mm and a v poor video that this was snatched from] but of the aircraft at Battersea, photographer u/k.
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PA News.
G-META had the Helitelly mounted on the starboard side when delivered in Nov 80 and for the next 6 years that I flew it. After a couple of years the Met wanted the new smaller version but as in any government department the funds were not available of an upgrade?
G-META had the Helitelly mounted on the starboard side when delivered in Nov 80 and for the next 6 years that I flew it. After a couple of years the Met wanted the new smaller version but as in any government department the funds were not available of an upgrade?
Thread Starter
PA News: Some great nostalgia, bravo! Wonderful to see John. There have been a number of mentionings about John both on this and the Alan Mann thread as well as the 'Helicopter Flying Through Tower Bridge thread' but, I don't think there is a specific 'Crewdson thread'.
You've raised another British helicopter outfit with which I was unfamiliar 'Heliconair', evidently based in Darlinton, Durham. There was a time when I believed I was aware of the vast majority of UK operators from the 70's but .. this thread has fully erased that perception! Outfits such as Oldway, Masselaz, Alec Wortley, Kestrel and Freemans of Bewdley have all 'surprised' me. I suppose there must have been numerous smaller scale companies scattered about the regions and which by virtue of their 'vernacular' operations were not so well advertised. What it does demonstrate (as was evidenced by the UK's helicopter population in the 80's) is that the UK (relatively speaking) has keenly embraced civilian rotocraft operations over many-a-decade!
KT19: A warm welcome to the Nostalgia Thread. Please feel free to narrate any additionally interesting stories you may have from your days at Battersea (and elsewhere for that matter) including, especially, any antics that TRC may have embarked upon and that he may otherwise be reluctant to admit to, lol!
Pofman: I was curious as to the 'anomaly' which PA News could be referring to but concluded that it must be 'something' to do with the Hele-Tele although I couldn't think what! Please do convey any interesting moments you may have experienced during your time with Metpol driving the 222!
G-METB demonstrating her starboard accommodation of the substantial hele-tele system
More Twyfords ..
Twyford Moors Hughes 300 (269C) G-BBIW as seen at Greenham Common in June 1974 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
Another Twyford's 300 (also sold abroad in the 80's) this time to the Netherlands in 1984.
You've raised another British helicopter outfit with which I was unfamiliar 'Heliconair', evidently based in Darlinton, Durham. There was a time when I believed I was aware of the vast majority of UK operators from the 70's but .. this thread has fully erased that perception! Outfits such as Oldway, Masselaz, Alec Wortley, Kestrel and Freemans of Bewdley have all 'surprised' me. I suppose there must have been numerous smaller scale companies scattered about the regions and which by virtue of their 'vernacular' operations were not so well advertised. What it does demonstrate (as was evidenced by the UK's helicopter population in the 80's) is that the UK (relatively speaking) has keenly embraced civilian rotocraft operations over many-a-decade!
KT19: A warm welcome to the Nostalgia Thread. Please feel free to narrate any additionally interesting stories you may have from your days at Battersea (and elsewhere for that matter) including, especially, any antics that TRC may have embarked upon and that he may otherwise be reluctant to admit to, lol!
Pofman: I was curious as to the 'anomaly' which PA News could be referring to but concluded that it must be 'something' to do with the Hele-Tele although I couldn't think what! Please do convey any interesting moments you may have experienced during your time with Metpol driving the 222!
G-METB demonstrating her starboard accommodation of the substantial hele-tele system
More Twyfords ..
Twyford Moors Hughes 300 (269C) G-BBIW as seen at Greenham Common in June 1974 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
Another Twyford's 300 (also sold abroad in the 80's) this time to the Netherlands in 1984.
On the nose Pofman.
It was decided to fit the Marconi Heli-Tele on the port [left!] side mainly because the BO105 G-BFYA was already flying with it on that side and the Alouette had also been so equipped..... but it ran into technical problems.
The massive ball was interfering with the tail rotor - likewise fitted on the same side.
Incidentally I ran into a Marconi Heli-Tele ball at ILA Berlin this year.... fitted to a DLR BO105 D-HDDP in the static and still marked up as being a Marconi although I suspect the internals bore little resemblance to the 1980 originals.
Heliconair was owned and run by the brother of actress Wendy Craig. His plans of c1963 actually invisaged an NPAS set up with a number of B2s spread across the UK. Right idea but way ahead of its time with the wrong type.
It was decided to fit the Marconi Heli-Tele on the port [left!] side mainly because the BO105 G-BFYA was already flying with it on that side and the Alouette had also been so equipped..... but it ran into technical problems.
The massive ball was interfering with the tail rotor - likewise fitted on the same side.
Incidentally I ran into a Marconi Heli-Tele ball at ILA Berlin this year.... fitted to a DLR BO105 D-HDDP in the static and still marked up as being a Marconi although I suspect the internals bore little resemblance to the 1980 originals.
Heliconair was owned and run by the brother of actress Wendy Craig. His plans of c1963 actually invisaged an NPAS set up with a number of B2s spread across the UK. Right idea but way ahead of its time with the wrong type.
Last edited by PANews; 19th Nov 2012 at 09:41.
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G-BDKD
As ever ... loved the shots of an early Enstrom. The first 28A model to have the floor mounted vertical console. 'Twas sold new circa 1974, serial circa 264 or so I recall. That really wonderful gentleman John Crewdson decided to use a few Enstroms 28As on Police work over the big city and I got the Job doing the early demonstrations for his Helicopter Hire company at Southend. It didn't last of course when someone decided the Police needed two engines and enter the B 222!
Heli Hire ended up with no less than the following Enstroms
G-BBRS ... Police duties
G-BCOT ... Ditto.
G-BDKD ... Ditto.
And later the first turbo C version. The infamous G-BENO. I seem to remember Nick Cole the Mini race down at Lydd, took a later delivery of the BDKD. He had been one of the early single seat FJs at Brands Hatch. Best wishes to all.
Dennis Kenyon.
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Heli Hire ended up with no less than the following Enstroms
G-BBRS ... Police duties
G-BCOT ... Ditto.
G-BDKD ... Ditto.
And later the first turbo C version. The infamous G-BENO. I seem to remember Nick Cole the Mini race down at Lydd, took a later delivery of the BDKD. He had been one of the early single seat FJs at Brands Hatch. Best wishes to all.
Dennis Kenyon.
.
Thread Starter
222 Crash: Wasn't this the one where tail rotor control was lost and they performed a run-on at Hatfield?
Bristow Hiller UH-12E G-AWME as seen at Redhill in May 1974 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
This Bristow Hiller may have operated in Bremuda (or even Bermuda for that matter) and Nigeria but was eventually sold to South Africa where it became ZS-HED.
Quite what the pair of S-58's (or so they seem to be) are doing at Redhill I am not sure.
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Bristow Hiller UH-12E G-AWME as seen at Redhill in May 1974 (Photo: Keith C. Wilson courtesy of David Haines)
This Bristow Hiller may have operated in Bremuda (or even Bermuda for that matter) and Nigeria but was eventually sold to South Africa where it became ZS-HED.
Quite what the pair of S-58's (or so they seem to be) are doing at Redhill I am not sure.
.
Last edited by Savoia; 20th Nov 2012 at 07:55. Reason: Getting my Bremudas and Bermudas in a muddle!
The Hiller was probably on the Bermudan register as did many of Bristow machines when it operated overseas. The S58's would have been destined for conversion to S58T with PT6 TwinPacs.
Sav
Oldlae is correct. The S-58s (x6 or 7 of them) were purchased from the Luftwaffe and were converted to S-58ETs with a PT6 Twin Pac, Weather Radar and Decca etc. They were early Single Pilot IFR aircraft and went to Aberdeen.
I would date that picture around 1974 taken outside Hangar 5 at Redhill
Last edited by industry insider; 20th Nov 2012 at 09:31.
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Bermudan reg at Bristow
The Bermudan CAA had a local office in the top right hand drawer of Alistair Gordon's desk. That's where my Bermudan validation came from I'm sure.
G.
G.
