The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
Many thanks Savoia and TRC for the info very much appreciated
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Eight Bells
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.
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.
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... 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..
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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!!
Thread Starter
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!
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!
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G-NOIR
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......
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......
Thread Starter
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!
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Winter Olympics 1984
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??
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??
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 18th Nov 2011 at 11:54.
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Sav and 76
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.
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.
Thread Starter
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).
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).
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G-LRII
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.
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.
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G-BAXX
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
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
Last edited by wiganairways; 18th Nov 2011 at 13:42. Reason: registration update
Thread Starter
More AgriCopters ..
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
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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
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