The Rotary Nostalgia Thread
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G-BAZN
Sav,
In 1979 it was recorded with Somerton Rayner Helicopters, they also had G-BAML at the time, BAZN lacked sliding windows on the rear doors, only the front doors had it fitted.
Wiggy
In 1979 it was recorded with Somerton Rayner Helicopters, they also had G-BAML at the time, BAZN lacked sliding windows on the rear doors, only the front doors had it fitted.
Wiggy
Last edited by wiganairways; 8th Feb 2013 at 18:14.
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BAZN & Tommy C - got it in one! Your memory is better than mine 
.
But I'm just a teensy-weensy bit older than you are so allowed a little latitude? Djinn & tonic in hand - cheers
- VFR
.But I'm just a teensy-weensy bit older than you are so allowed a little latitude? Djinn & tonic in hand - cheers
- VFR
G-OBIG
Hi Savoia
Heres my picture of G-OBIG at Elstree outside the Cabair Helicopter hangar, it was painted like this for morning TV show The Big Breakfast and not Big Brother as previously quoted.
Heres my picture of G-OBIG at Elstree outside the Cabair Helicopter hangar, it was painted like this for morning TV show The Big Breakfast and not Big Brother as previously quoted.
Last edited by helipixman; 10th Feb 2013 at 20:14.
Just a tip for them as might fancy a little nostalgia -The Beeb (BBC4) has just shown the 4th in a series of films about Brits and their habits, idiosynchracies etc., including clips of Khormaksar, Malaya(sia) with a Sycamore, Wessi and Whirlies in various guises. Fascinating stuff, well worth checking IPlayer.
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I remember G-HELO, it had no sliding windows and a instrument panel that was the real early one like a Bell47 panel, it was black and gold when I flew her many moons ago
Thread Starter
1helicopterppl: Thank you so much for identifying the craft in question. I had an inkling it was one of 'Summertime's' but wasn't 100% sure. You must have been familiar with the craft to be able to recognise her like that!
VFR/TRC .. Ciao!
Wiggy: Thanks for the info, in fact it helped reveal the identity of the second 206 from my Derby Day shots which turned out to be G-BAML and which wore a similar paint scheme to BAZN.
Longbox: BAZN/HELO was originally an 'A' model and, well, some of them sported pretty bleak instrument panels!
Savoia's mystery 206 uncovered:
Somerton-Rayner Helicopters Bell 206A (ugraded to a 'B' in 1982) G-BAZN Jet Ranger at the Bath and West Showground Shepton Mallet c. late 70's (Photo: Michael Jefferies)
BAZN is seen here emblazoned with 'Ski' stickers (which, if I remember correctly from my school days in the UK was a yoghurt). Also visible is her 'one piece' rear window as well as the tricolour fin-flash which I originally credited as an RAF device but have since been told that some Army aircraft also wore these. Summertime was of course ex-Army.
Another thing about the 'Rayner Rangers' was that Michael 'cropped' their fins by removing the uppermost portion of the vertical stabiliser giving them a somewhat 'Kiowan' appearance and which modification would have necessitated relocating the anti-collision beacon (although I can't see where on this photo). You'd be surprised how many 206's ran around the UK in the 70's without these beacons (or with unservicable becaons)!
Somerton-Rayner Helicopters Bell 206A G-BAML (also ugraded to a 'B' in 1982) at seen at Epsom Downs racecourse on 6th June 1979
BAML was an early model 206 (number 36 off Bell's production line) and, uniquely, was imported from the US in 1973 not by CSE but by Mann's. This was no doubt possible because she was imported as a used craft having previously flown as N7844S.
.
VFR/TRC .. Ciao!
Wiggy: Thanks for the info, in fact it helped reveal the identity of the second 206 from my Derby Day shots which turned out to be G-BAML and which wore a similar paint scheme to BAZN.
Longbox: BAZN/HELO was originally an 'A' model and, well, some of them sported pretty bleak instrument panels!
Savoia's mystery 206 uncovered:
Somerton-Rayner Helicopters Bell 206A (ugraded to a 'B' in 1982) G-BAZN Jet Ranger at the Bath and West Showground Shepton Mallet c. late 70's (Photo: Michael Jefferies)
BAZN is seen here emblazoned with 'Ski' stickers (which, if I remember correctly from my school days in the UK was a yoghurt). Also visible is her 'one piece' rear window as well as the tricolour fin-flash which I originally credited as an RAF device but have since been told that some Army aircraft also wore these. Summertime was of course ex-Army.
Another thing about the 'Rayner Rangers' was that Michael 'cropped' their fins by removing the uppermost portion of the vertical stabiliser giving them a somewhat 'Kiowan' appearance and which modification would have necessitated relocating the anti-collision beacon (although I can't see where on this photo). You'd be surprised how many 206's ran around the UK in the 70's without these beacons (or with unservicable becaons)!
Somerton-Rayner Helicopters Bell 206A G-BAML (also ugraded to a 'B' in 1982) at seen at Epsom Downs racecourse on 6th June 1979
BAML was an early model 206 (number 36 off Bell's production line) and, uniquely, was imported from the US in 1973 not by CSE but by Mann's. This was no doubt possible because she was imported as a used craft having previously flown as N7844S.
.
Last edited by Savoia; 21st Feb 2013 at 10:35. Reason: Rectifying a typographical anomaly!
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Grazie, Sav,
TRC, was this craft the Streeter's 206? The one the late Paul Midgers flew. If it wasn't, your encyclopaedic knowledge of Mann J/Rs appreciated to give us (all) that reg. J/R on low skids as I recall. - VFR
TRC, was this craft the Streeter's 206? The one the late Paul Midgers flew. If it wasn't, your encyclopaedic knowledge of Mann J/Rs appreciated to give us (all) that reg. J/R on low skids as I recall. - VFR
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Super, digital recall!
Yes, Sav, got it in one. It was November Delta. Push it out in the morning (first one away) and recover at 5.30pm onwards when everyone else was down the pub, en route home. Cheers (or salute) - CW
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No Chip, neither BAML nor BAZN were Streeters - BARO was the first and BFND was the second and last one. The first was exported to the US I think.
Then PM flew for Greenhams, they had two 206, the second was BEHG, cant remember the first.
BEHG went to GG in Bristol at Compass.
Then PM flew for Greenhams, they had two 206, the second was BEHG, cant remember the first.
BEHG went to GG in Bristol at Compass.
Last edited by TRC; 21st Feb 2013 at 22:03. Reason: Looked up P4 of the Mann thread.
Thread Starter
Michael Somerton-Rayner ('Summertime Reindeer' in my godfather's language) operated at least three JetRangers during the 70's to mid-80's and which were for some of that time accommodated upon a converted barge (or lighter) located at the end of Barge Street House (west of Blackfriars Bridge) in front of what was commonly known as 'Oxo Tower Wharf'. The lighter was (so I have been told) named 'William' Barge and sometimes referred to as 'Barge William Heliport'.
The two 'Rayner Rangers' of recent interest, G-BAML and G-BAZN (the latter now wearing her DHL livery and being loaded prior to departure) upon Barge William in 1982
To horse! BAZN departs the lighter bound for 'Harry Heathers' (LHR)
To the best of my knowledge, those Rayner Rangers serving the DHL contract, carrying their cargo of priority letters and small parcels, used to land at the Holiday Inn at Heathrow.
Thread Starter
More Summertime ..
Another Rayner Ranger was the Bell 206 G-BCCZ which joined the 'Reindeer's' fleet in April 1974.
This snippet from Flight International announced that in August 1974 the aircraft was to be engaged in an emergency services trial support operation:
Flight International 8th August 1974
For those who find the print troublesome, the text reads:
Sadly, a year later G-BCCZ ended-up in the drink as per the following additional Flight clipping:
Flight International 14th August 1975
The text reads:
Interestingly Flight records that .. "the passengers .. had time to climb free of the aircraft while it floated".
G-BCCZ being recovered from the Thames subsequent to its encounter with an episode of "losing power after lifting out of ground effect" in August in 1975 (Photo: Daily Mail archives)
Usually for a passenger to climb free of a 'floating' 206 .. the standby floats must be 'popped' but, in this case (at least to me) "CZ's" floats appear distinctly 'un-popped'!
I cannot find any evidence of an accident report for this incident .. anywhere!
The driver of 'Charlie Zulu' on the day of her swim was a John Thirst - does anyone have any recollections of this chap?
Another Rayner Ranger was the Bell 206 G-BCCZ which joined the 'Reindeer's' fleet in April 1974.
This snippet from Flight International announced that in August 1974 the aircraft was to be engaged in an emergency services trial support operation:
Flight International 8th August 1974
For those who find the print troublesome, the text reads:
Helicopter on London Standby
A Bell JetRanger of Somerton Rayner Helicopters is to be kept at readiness to fly on behalf of the police, fire services and hospitals in the London area during the next three months. The aricraft will land on a barge moored by Kings Reach (immediately in front of the Flight offices) from where it can be positioned quickly to the scene of an emergency. Within two hours of arriving on site on July 31 it has been called upon to carry a seriously ill child to the Great Ormond Street hospital.
The JetRanger has been modified to allow easy loading of two stretchers and will not make any commercial flights from the river pad. Dispensations are normally granted to allow single-engine helicopters to fly over central London in case of emergency when human life is at risk."
A Bell JetRanger of Somerton Rayner Helicopters is to be kept at readiness to fly on behalf of the police, fire services and hospitals in the London area during the next three months. The aricraft will land on a barge moored by Kings Reach (immediately in front of the Flight offices) from where it can be positioned quickly to the scene of an emergency. Within two hours of arriving on site on July 31 it has been called upon to carry a seriously ill child to the Great Ormond Street hospital.
The JetRanger has been modified to allow easy loading of two stretchers and will not make any commercial flights from the river pad. Dispensations are normally granted to allow single-engine helicopters to fly over central London in case of emergency when human life is at risk."
Flight International 14th August 1975
The text reads:
Helicopter Ditching
A JetRanger 1, G-BCCZ, operated by Somerton-Rayner Helicopters ditched in the River Thames on August 5. The aircraft had just taken off from a barge when it appeared to suffer a loss of power as it lifted out of ground effect . The pilot and three passengers were not injured and were quickly rescued from the water by river police.
HOF Comments: This incident points up the inherent safety of riverside helicopter pads in that there was no damage to property. Also, the passengers were uninjured and had time to climb free of the aircraft while it floated; the result might have been different had the aircraft crashed on land. It is to be hoped that the positive lessons of this incident will be learned, bearing in mind the general resistance to helicopters which appears to underlie the thinking of the Greater London Council. Flight is in favour of more trial riverside helipads to allow the helicopter to play its proper role in the London transport plan.
A JetRanger 1, G-BCCZ, operated by Somerton-Rayner Helicopters ditched in the River Thames on August 5. The aircraft had just taken off from a barge when it appeared to suffer a loss of power as it lifted out of ground effect . The pilot and three passengers were not injured and were quickly rescued from the water by river police.
HOF Comments: This incident points up the inherent safety of riverside helicopter pads in that there was no damage to property. Also, the passengers were uninjured and had time to climb free of the aircraft while it floated; the result might have been different had the aircraft crashed on land. It is to be hoped that the positive lessons of this incident will be learned, bearing in mind the general resistance to helicopters which appears to underlie the thinking of the Greater London Council. Flight is in favour of more trial riverside helipads to allow the helicopter to play its proper role in the London transport plan.
G-BCCZ being recovered from the Thames subsequent to its encounter with an episode of "losing power after lifting out of ground effect" in August in 1975 (Photo: Daily Mail archives)
Usually for a passenger to climb free of a 'floating' 206 .. the standby floats must be 'popped' but, in this case (at least to me) "CZ's" floats appear distinctly 'un-popped'!
I cannot find any evidence of an accident report for this incident .. anywhere!
The driver of 'Charlie Zulu' on the day of her swim was a John Thirst - does anyone have any recollections of this chap?
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The driver of 'Charlie Zulu' on the day of her swim was a John Thirst - does
anyone have any recollections of this chap?
anyone have any recollections of this chap?
I remember him very well. Served in tanks during the Korean war, had some very amusing stories.
Dont recall seeing him after the ditching.
Thread Starter
Thank God!
For a moment I thought there might be a chance that Summertime may have broken that early British convention of 'old boy favouritism' but .. I am relieved to see that it was still very much in force!
Landing at Brooklands could be like walking into an informal Navy shindig and there were other locations which were equally polarised!
For all his failings the Colonel did try his best not to load-up Ferranti with exclusively ex-Army types although his right hand (Major Warburton) and a fair smattering were of course Army.
But .. his Chief Pilot (Ron Salt) was ex-RAF, Deputy Chief Pilot (Chris Hunt) ex-Army, Pilot Manager (Paul Blackiston) ex-RN and the company instructors were all fairly evenly distributed. They included Peter Cox (RAF), John Grandy (Army) and PPRuNer Speechless Two (who was Bolkow Training Captain and went on to become Chief Pilot of BCal H) who was ex-RN.
~ ~ ~
SWBKCB: Thanks for the heads-up!
Sea King Lovers Alert: BBC2 at 21:00 hrs on Thursday 28th February (an hour after Pope Benedict departs his office .. by helicopter one might add!).
For a moment I thought there might be a chance that Summertime may have broken that early British convention of 'old boy favouritism' but .. I am relieved to see that it was still very much in force!
Landing at Brooklands could be like walking into an informal Navy shindig and there were other locations which were equally polarised!
For all his failings the Colonel did try his best not to load-up Ferranti with exclusively ex-Army types although his right hand (Major Warburton) and a fair smattering were of course Army.
But .. his Chief Pilot (Ron Salt) was ex-RAF, Deputy Chief Pilot (Chris Hunt) ex-Army, Pilot Manager (Paul Blackiston) ex-RN and the company instructors were all fairly evenly distributed. They included Peter Cox (RAF), John Grandy (Army) and PPRuNer Speechless Two (who was Bolkow Training Captain and went on to become Chief Pilot of BCal H) who was ex-RN.
~ ~ ~
SWBKCB: Thanks for the heads-up!
Sea King Lovers Alert: BBC2 at 21:00 hrs on Thursday 28th February (an hour after Pope Benedict departs his office .. by helicopter one might add!).
Sav
I think the anti coll was re located to the top of the sloping cowling behind the engine (where the engine oil tank is located?) Long time since flew a 206.
I think the anti coll was re located to the top of the sloping cowling behind the engine (where the engine oil tank is located?) Long time since flew a 206.
Thread Starter
Aye Aye, right you are I.I. It's been many-a-year for me too but yes, you are right on both counts!
More DHL ..
While on the other side of the Atlantique .. DHL still uses rotorcraft (at least two Bells in New York) .. this one being the aptly named "Wall Street Express" and which moniker is scripted upon the craft's for'ard cowling:
Astar Air Cargo Bell 206L1 N7DQ inbound to Wall Street Heliport (located at Pier No. 6 along the East River in the Manhatten district of New York) in May 2002 (Photo: Tom Turner)
New York's DHL Rangers are these days painted in the red and yellow colours of 'DHL Express'.
More DHL ..
While on the other side of the Atlantique .. DHL still uses rotorcraft (at least two Bells in New York) .. this one being the aptly named "Wall Street Express" and which moniker is scripted upon the craft's for'ard cowling:
Astar Air Cargo Bell 206L1 N7DQ inbound to Wall Street Heliport (located at Pier No. 6 along the East River in the Manhatten district of New York) in May 2002 (Photo: Tom Turner)
New York's DHL Rangers are these days painted in the red and yellow colours of 'DHL Express'.