The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
Hi J
Is that G-AZOM you are referring to?
If so I remember BAFD in the hangar at Bourn prior to purchase having been paint stripped and abandoned.
If I remember correctly it was purchased for an absolute knock down price (under 50K).
Is that G-AZOM you are referring to?
If so I remember BAFD in the hangar at Bourn prior to purchase having been paint stripped and abandoned.
If I remember correctly it was purchased for an absolute knock down price (under 50K).
Last edited by ericferret; 23rd Mar 2013 at 12:08.
Thread Starter
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, released the following photos of John F. Kennedy Jr. (also known as John John) on Monday:
The photos were taken at Camp David (when 'John John' was two) on 31st March 1963 and show the youngster aboard a VH-3D Sea King of Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1).
As most will know, John F. Kennedy Jr. sadly perished with his wife Caroline and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette, while flying his Piper Saratoga off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in July 1999.
Thread Starter
Continuing the Sea King theme ..
For Geoff n' Jim:
British Caledonian Helicopters S61N G-BIMU (also known as 'Loch Fyne' - in recognition of those crews who enjoyed a wee tipple of the fermented grapes) on finals at Aberdeen's Dyce Airport on 16th September 1984 (Photo: Derek Ferguson)
For Geoff n' Jim:
British Caledonian Helicopters S61N G-BIMU (also known as 'Loch Fyne' - in recognition of those crews who enjoyed a wee tipple of the fermented grapes) on finals at Aberdeen's Dyce Airport on 16th September 1984 (Photo: Derek Ferguson)
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For the Belles amongst us, here are some pics of the '47s of Trent Air Services at Cranfield in March 1986. My logbook tells me they were G-AZMB and G-BMDV. They were terrific leaning tools (I'd come right off RN Gazelles and was actually impressed with the 47 - or rather what it demanded of me...)
They were maintained by Autair Luton iirc who must have spent an inordinate amount of time on the M1 coming out to us to remove, dry and replace flooded plugs - the '47 were more than we studes could manage to start in such cold. Training was erratic, uncoordinated and very wasteful of time. The GFTs with CAAFU examiners such as Capt Don Sissins and Charles Waldren even more idiosyncratic (one demanded a run on during an auto despite 30Kt winds making a zero-zero the only practical method if you were going to flare at all - i got a partial because of this, my oppo, suitably briefed, landed engine out from 60MPH (way above standard auto speed) with no flare whatsoever to ensure a run-on while his instructor watched holding his head in his hands - an insanely unconventional technique, and was passed!
I declared a diversion from track during my GFT NAVEX due to a snowstorm ahead which I knew would blanket the bubble with packed snow but Capt Sissins said No! carry on into it, it won't happen. Sure enough we became blinded due snow on the bubble and ended up scrambling ignominiusly out of the shower on "instruments" despite trying to "kick" the snow off the bubble - - to regain vmc. I passed, but got no credit for recognising that rather scary scenrio.
CAAFU examiners didn't seem too current, predictable or standardised in those days.
They were maintained by Autair Luton iirc who must have spent an inordinate amount of time on the M1 coming out to us to remove, dry and replace flooded plugs - the '47 were more than we studes could manage to start in such cold. Training was erratic, uncoordinated and very wasteful of time. The GFTs with CAAFU examiners such as Capt Don Sissins and Charles Waldren even more idiosyncratic (one demanded a run on during an auto despite 30Kt winds making a zero-zero the only practical method if you were going to flare at all - i got a partial because of this, my oppo, suitably briefed, landed engine out from 60MPH (way above standard auto speed) with no flare whatsoever to ensure a run-on while his instructor watched holding his head in his hands - an insanely unconventional technique, and was passed!
I declared a diversion from track during my GFT NAVEX due to a snowstorm ahead which I knew would blanket the bubble with packed snow but Capt Sissins said No! carry on into it, it won't happen. Sure enough we became blinded due snow on the bubble and ended up scrambling ignominiusly out of the shower on "instruments" despite trying to "kick" the snow off the bubble - - to regain vmc. I passed, but got no credit for recognising that rather scary scenrio.
CAAFU examiners didn't seem too current, predictable or standardised in those days.
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 28th Mar 2013 at 00:51.
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A much loved and beautifully rebuilt 206. The paint attracted plenty of attention in 1989 and iirc was the result of a competition with some art students set up by the owners.
The Brent FSU Floating Storage Unit - from that Queen of the Skies, the magnificent BV234. Every landing crosswind, always fun!
The Brent FSU Floating Storage Unit - from that Queen of the Skies, the magnificent BV234. Every landing crosswind, always fun!
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 27th Mar 2013 at 20:47.
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Skeeter G-SARO
That's my girl! 
. Total rebuild (DESPITE CAA's input, Mr Herman, since you ask) in 1976, Blackpool. Since it was only to be a permit we did it my way 
. I took 39lbs of redundant wiring out of her, put a motor-bike battery in the old HUGE battery case, and replaced the counterbalance weights on the t'boom with balsa wood........
I also used a Chadwick to calibrate a chart for her and remove all traces of stick-stir, and scrubbed round the 25hr greasing of the M/R head (which only finished off the friction dampers up there, anyway!).
Flew all over the place until its owner unfortunately went to the big-bar-in-the-sky a few years ago. And then, due uninspectable internal corrosion problems to MRB steel spars, the type was grounded.
Sad but a fact of life,I think she maybe either at Weston s'mare or at Middle Wallop.
Some machine though, flew like a ding-bat; not bad for a 1954 build aircraft (just left a slick of W80 across UK from an un-fixable leak at the primary g'box - like all Skeeters did)
RIP old lady, you did me proud. I have a cherished photo of you airborne over the Black Isle - VFR
. Total rebuild (DESPITE CAA's input, Mr Herman, since you ask) in 1976, Blackpool. Since it was only to be a permit we did it my way . I took 39lbs of redundant wiring out of her, put a motor-bike battery in the old HUGE battery case, and replaced the counterbalance weights on the t'boom with balsa wood........I also used a Chadwick to calibrate a chart for her and remove all traces of stick-stir, and scrubbed round the 25hr greasing of the M/R head (which only finished off the friction dampers up there, anyway!).
Flew all over the place until its owner unfortunately went to the big-bar-in-the-sky a few years ago. And then, due uninspectable internal corrosion problems to MRB steel spars, the type was grounded.
Sad but a fact of life,I think she maybe either at Weston s'mare or at Middle Wallop.
Some machine though, flew like a ding-bat; not bad for a 1954 build aircraft (just left a slick of W80 across UK from an un-fixable leak at the primary g'box - like all Skeeters did)
RIP old lady, you did me proud. I have a cherished photo of you airborne over the Black Isle
- VFR
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Just for all those who recall what must have been the best company ever...
"Bristows aren't going to get our training budget too, all FOs to the Training centre Centre 0900 Monday for IRs!"
God bless enlightened management like that!
"Bristows aren't going to get our training budget too, all FOs to the Training centre Centre 0900 Monday for IRs!"
God bless enlightened management like that!
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 28th Mar 2013 at 00:43.
Vfr440.........Skeeter G-SARO is actually at the Yorkshire Air Museum but the Helicopter Museum has got four spare airframes if you fancy rebuilding another one !
A couple of the volunteers have also just finished rebuilding one of the Gypsy Major engines to put on show alongside the displayed Skeeter.when you see the size and weight of the engine you understand why the Skeeter struggled to get airborne in a German summer!
A couple of the volunteers have also just finished rebuilding one of the Gypsy Major engines to put on show alongside the displayed Skeeter.when you see the size and weight of the engine you understand why the Skeeter struggled to get airborne in a German summer!
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Agaricus bisporus
I remember seeing G-STOX in the stated colours many years ago when I was a weee 13 year old lad. If my memory serves me correct it was owned by 2 city guys, based and hangered with Aeromega Helicopters when at Stapleford Aerodrome. Seeing the photo brought back many happy and fond memories.
I remember seeing G-STOX in the stated colours many years ago when I was a weee 13 year old lad. If my memory serves me correct it was owned by 2 city guys, based and hangered with Aeromega Helicopters when at Stapleford Aerodrome. Seeing the photo brought back many happy and fond memories.
Last edited by SECRET SERVICE; 28th Mar 2013 at 13:08.
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BCAL Chinooks?
Agaricus bisporus - I think the combination of BCAL and the Chinook would have made your day :
Last edited by CharlieOneSix; 28th Mar 2013 at 18:53.
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Drinking Loch Fyne!!!
Hate to dispel myths but I was granted the opportunity to name G-BIMU and I chose Loch Fyne based on a school days holiday. However one could never mix tipples and pilots, could one?????
Thread Starter
However one could never mix tipples and pilots, could one?
My myth drawn from the Gaelic meaning of the name .. 'Loch of the Vine' or wine!
Thread Starter
Agaricus: Some great shots there!
For Zishelix: Zis, I can only assume that you must already have these .. given that you have almost every Gazelle image ever taken !!
Sony Corporation Aérospatiale (formerly Sud-Aviation) SA341G Gazelle JA9153 being exhibited at the 5th Japan Aerospace Exhibition at Iruma Air Base located in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, to the north west of Tokyo, in October 1976
Iruma Air Base formerly accommodated the Imperial Japanese 'Army Air Service' Academy but now serves as home to the Air Defence Command Headquarters Flight Group.
JA9153 on display
Being wheeled to the static display
Pre-show preparations
JA9153 during demonstration flights
Just in case Denissimo passes by and sees the tail of the wee craft in the first photo .. I suppose I better post that too!
Enstrom 280C JA7589 attending the 5th Japan Aerospace Exhibition at Iruma Air Base in October 1976
JA7589 aloft
For Zishelix: Zis, I can only assume that you must already have these .. given that you have almost every Gazelle image ever taken !!
Sony Corporation Aérospatiale (formerly Sud-Aviation) SA341G Gazelle JA9153 being exhibited at the 5th Japan Aerospace Exhibition at Iruma Air Base located in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, to the north west of Tokyo, in October 1976
Iruma Air Base formerly accommodated the Imperial Japanese 'Army Air Service' Academy but now serves as home to the Air Defence Command Headquarters Flight Group.
JA9153 on display
Being wheeled to the static display
Pre-show preparations
JA9153 during demonstration flights
Just in case Denissimo passes by and sees the tail of the wee craft in the first photo .. I suppose I better post that too!
Enstrom 280C JA7589 attending the 5th Japan Aerospace Exhibition at Iruma Air Base in October 1976
JA7589 aloft
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Oh, I'm far of possessing "every Gazelle image ever taken", but happen to already have these (and a few more JA-regd ones 
)
Thanks for think on me! Much appreciated
)Thanks for think on me! Much appreciated
Last edited by Zishelix; 31st Mar 2013 at 17:51.
Thread Starter
For God's sake Roper stick some of his stories on here for posterity .. before they are lost !!
Please convey to him that my godfather (Col. Bob Smith, ex-Ferranti Helicopters) is still alive and kicking at 92!
Please convey to him that my godfather (Col. Bob Smith, ex-Ferranti Helicopters) is still alive and kicking at 92!
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Passing by
For 'S' ... how come the mighty Japanese industry is showing a thirty year old Enstrom at their exhibition? Having said that, I still prefer displaying the earlier 280C version. Take care all .... Dennis K.
Bob Smith is your god father Savoia? Good grief I first knew him when he was a test pilot on Sycamores and met him later at HeliExpo when he was working in South Africa
Where is he now?
Where is he now?