Alan Mann Helicopters (Nostalgia thread)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: around and about
Age: 71
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'EW - well, well!
S
The comments about 'EW are all correct. NF owned BCWM and wanted to upgrade to a J/RIII, and Agusta couldn't deliver fast enough. So I was despatched to Germany to do the pre-purchase on what became BKEW. And yes, the colour scheme was changed c2000 to white and grey.
But your photo is intriguing. If you look behind the machine standing in the hangar doorway in his new, clean AMH 'ovies' is your own VFR.
Little more hair than now, and big, black Michael Caine glasses.
Well, well, well
-VFR
The comments about 'EW are all correct. NF owned BCWM and wanted to upgrade to a J/RIII, and Agusta couldn't deliver fast enough. So I was despatched to Germany to do the pre-purchase on what became BKEW. And yes, the colour scheme was changed c2000 to white and grey.
But your photo is intriguing. If you look behind the machine standing in the hangar doorway in his new, clean AMH 'ovies' is your own VFR.
Little more hair than now, and big, black Michael Caine glasses. Well, well, well
-VFR
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who remembers John Acroyd-Hunt? I worked at Fairoaks (Ground Crew; then in Accounts) from 1982-1983 and remember him. One of my jobs as a junior was to open the post during the morning and 'Ackers' would some times join me. I remember him as a really nice guy; who sadly was killed in a Jetranger in 1986? Correct me if I am wrong with this date. Does anyone have information on the accident? I can not remeber the precise causes; but I was so sad to learn of his untimely death; at the time he was Alan's right hand man (no offence Chris Hobbs)
I have great memories of Fairoaks; for a 17 year old it was a great place to work; driving the fuel truck and refueling Jetrangers (some times rotors running) as well as Agusta 109's.
I have great memories of Fairoaks; for a 17 year old it was a great place to work; driving the fuel truck and refueling Jetrangers (some times rotors running) as well as Agusta 109's.
Thread Starter
.
My only recollection of JAH is the occasion when he and a Mann-mechanic (which I thought was TRC but which may have been someone else) came to the rescue in G-BEHG (see page 3) to a ploughed field just south of Hethel (the Team Lotus base) when Colin Chapman's Bell 206 (G-AYTF) aka 'The Dancer' suffered an engine failure in the early 80's.
There was a little bit of local flying involved between the landing site, the farmer's house and a local pub where the Colonel had temporarily stationed himself and my enduring memory is of JAH flying about in his green Wellington boots!
I am also trying to remember the circumstances surrounding his sad demise. Was it the Grecian incident?
My only recollection of JAH is the occasion when he and a Mann-mechanic (which I thought was TRC but which may have been someone else) came to the rescue in G-BEHG (see page 3) to a ploughed field just south of Hethel (the Team Lotus base) when Colin Chapman's Bell 206 (G-AYTF) aka 'The Dancer' suffered an engine failure in the early 80's.
There was a little bit of local flying involved between the landing site, the farmer's house and a local pub where the Colonel had temporarily stationed himself and my enduring memory is of JAH flying about in his green Wellington boots!
I am also trying to remember the circumstances surrounding his sad demise. Was it the Grecian incident?
Thread Starter
The Boys from Brazil!
Back in the day (mainly the 70's) when Mann's had a sizeable slice of both domestic and international film work it would seem that another one of their contributions was 'The Boys from Brazil' (1978) starring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier and James Mason.
This was the craft used:
This was a Bell (as opposed to AgustaBell) but, aside from that one is at a loss to discover more because, as can been seen, the registration has been painted over. Why they didn't use the same colour as the remainder of the fuselage I don't know. Perhaps the director thought that a white regtangle would look smart!
Any offers as to when (one assumes 1977), where, the craft and driver?
It seems as though there may be need to compile an Alan Mann filmography!
This was the craft used:
This was a Bell (as opposed to AgustaBell) but, aside from that one is at a loss to discover more because, as can been seen, the registration has been painted over. Why they didn't use the same colour as the remainder of the fuselage I don't know. Perhaps the director thought that a white regtangle would look smart!
Any offers as to when (one assumes 1977), where, the craft and driver?
It seems as though there may be need to compile an Alan Mann filmography!
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: feltham
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
quick hello message
After reading this thread (again) I just had to join in i'm afraid. Like many long serving AM people I have many fond memories of people, helicopters and events centered around the AMH home. I hope to contribute in some intersting way in future. Nothing else to add right now but I sure will be looking through old photos etc to hopefully add some things of interest. Keep up the great work guys (and girls?).
The pilot who flew for "The Boys in Brazil" is not mentioned in the long list of credits on IMDB.
As to which JetRanger this was, there were not many Bell-built JetRanger IIs in the Mann fleet at that time, and I don't have photos to know whether G-BAUM and G-BBEU were both in yellow/white - these being the only two registered in AMH name at the time, although it's of course v.feasible that they operated 206s registered in other people's names. In 1976 BAUM was still in caramel colours like this...
As to which JetRanger this was, there were not many Bell-built JetRanger IIs in the Mann fleet at that time, and I don't have photos to know whether G-BAUM and G-BBEU were both in yellow/white - these being the only two registered in AMH name at the time, although it's of course v.feasible that they operated 206s registered in other people's names. In 1976 BAUM was still in caramel colours like this...
Thread Starter
.
Then I remembered ...
TRC avin' a larf!
TRC studiously preparing TALY for the Duke
This is a start, quite a few blanks to be filled-in and doubtless more films and series to be added - any contributions (large or small) welcomed.
Not entirely sure whether 'The Run of the Country' belongs in the list. JCB wasn't registered to Mann's at the time of filming and I don't know whether TRC was still with them in the 90's but I'm sure we'll find out.
Of the film (Run of the Country) TRC wrote:
ExDesigner: Welcome to the thread. There are a number of readers of this and the Nostalgia Thread who possess images (both physical and mental) of the subjects we are prattling on about and I would encourage you to contribute whatever you can. For me personally any contribution of information or material is profoundly welcome and extremely useful in assisting to compile the narrative which will be posted onto the tribute site we are building which will cover both Ferranti and Alan Mann helicopters.
HeliHub: Well done. You are quite right it could only have been BAUM or BBEU at that time and one knows for a fact that BBEU wore the Mann motif so I'm going with that as the entrant for 'The Boys from Brazil'!
Savoia wrote: Now let's see if we can't track-down TRC!
TRC wrote: I've just looked back at the photos of TALY, and I am ashamed to admit that it's me doing the unmentionable thing with the hose (no idea what though). I'm also looking in the P2 door a couple of pictures later. I look like something out of Fleetwood Mac.
TRC avin' a larf!
TRC studiously preparing TALY for the Duke
Savoia wrote: It seems as though there may be need to compile an Alan Mann filmography!
This is a start, quite a few blanks to be filled-in and doubtless more films and series to be added - any contributions (large or small) welcomed.
Not entirely sure whether 'The Run of the Country' belongs in the list. JCB wasn't registered to Mann's at the time of filming and I don't know whether TRC was still with them in the 90's but I'm sure we'll find out.
Of the film (Run of the Country) TRC wrote:
I remember it well. We had to fly up and down just inside the Irish border painted to look like a British Army helicopter. Not ideal really.....
We were delayed leaving Ireland by a day, so to get the machine back in time for its next job we went direct Dundalk Bay to Wallasey - 120 nm. At 61 miles to run, the ENG CHIP light came on. Floats fitted but no bottles installed. Me and him in immersion suits, five-man dinghy, flares, etc.. Conversation was a little stilted.
We turned towards Valley where the Sea King lives. When asked to continue not above something uncomfortably low for the last few miles, they kindly raised the circuit height of the swarm of Hawks and we landed to the massed blue lights of the airfield fire service.
The chip was, of course, a whisker - but as far as we were concerned it might have had a full part number on it. The last Eng Chip that he had resulted in he engine stopping 15 seconds later.
We had to night stop at Valley because they couldn't raise even a RAF plod to do the necessary Special Branch stuff.
We were delayed leaving Ireland by a day, so to get the machine back in time for its next job we went direct Dundalk Bay to Wallasey - 120 nm. At 61 miles to run, the ENG CHIP light came on. Floats fitted but no bottles installed. Me and him in immersion suits, five-man dinghy, flares, etc.. Conversation was a little stilted.
We turned towards Valley where the Sea King lives. When asked to continue not above something uncomfortably low for the last few miles, they kindly raised the circuit height of the swarm of Hawks and we landed to the massed blue lights of the airfield fire service.
The chip was, of course, a whisker - but as far as we were concerned it might have had a full part number on it. The last Eng Chip that he had resulted in he engine stopping 15 seconds later.
We had to night stop at Valley because they couldn't raise even a RAF plod to do the necessary Special Branch stuff.
HeliHub: Well done. You are quite right it could only have been BAUM or BBEU at that time and one knows for a fact that BBEU wore the Mann motif so I'm going with that as the entrant for 'The Boys from Brazil'!
Thread Starter
.
These are the ex-Alan Mann'ers on PPRuNe (that we know of):
Andy Healey
ExDesigner
Geoffersincornwall
LAS1997
NJT
TRC
VFR440
.
These are the ex-Alan Mann'ers on PPRuNe (that we know of):
Andy Healey
ExDesigner
Geoffersincornwall
LAS1997
NJT
TRC
VFR440
.
Last edited by Savoia; 25th Jun 2011 at 15:55. Reason: Additional Members Added
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was me with JA-H in BEHG that day. He was not involved in the 'Grecian Incident' (Do you mean Corfiot btw?)
The Boys from Brazil was shot in Portugal. I flew with Nigel Thornton in G-BBEU from Fairoaks to Lisbon.
Your filmography is missing some other facts that I can fill in -
High Road to China, the aircrew were Nigel Thornton, Paul Midgeley and John Ackers.
The Run of the Country, the 206 was flown to and from Ireland by Johnny Crewdson. MW did the action flying and filming with a Wescam on the same 206. (Incidentally, I can't think of any connection with this event or aircraft with AMH.)
NJT is missing from The Old Mann's Club membership list. He is back to the camera in the photo of TALY in post 128.
The Boys from Brazil was shot in Portugal. I flew with Nigel Thornton in G-BBEU from Fairoaks to Lisbon.
Your filmography is missing some other facts that I can fill in -
High Road to China, the aircrew were Nigel Thornton, Paul Midgeley and John Ackers.
The Run of the Country, the 206 was flown to and from Ireland by Johnny Crewdson. MW did the action flying and filming with a Wescam on the same 206. (Incidentally, I can't think of any connection with this event or aircraft with AMH.)
NJT is missing from The Old Mann's Club membership list. He is back to the camera in the photo of TALY in post 128.
Thread Starter
.
So it was you with Ackers to the rescue - Bravo!
Thanks for all the various info re: film work. NJT now added to the OMC.
A revised filmography below:
There are doubtless numerous additional films and TV series to be added and which we shall do as the info rolls in.
HeliHub mentioned G-BAUM ..
Registered to 'Fairoaks Aviation' in '73, bought by Blair & Co. '74, then to Shawline in '77 and finally to PLM in '78.
While with PLM (and not the be outdone by her former company Bell 206 BBEU) she 'starred' in a the film 'Death Watch' (1980) below:
HeliHub's G-BAUM (operated by PLM) featuring in the movie 'Death Watch' which starred Romy Schneider and Harvey Keitel
The film featued two 206's the second being G-BUZZ which, at the time of filming, was registered to Western Air of Glasgow. (More info needed on that lot Wigan!)
.
So it was you with Ackers to the rescue - Bravo!
Thanks for all the various info re: film work. NJT now added to the OMC.
A revised filmography below:
There are doubtless numerous additional films and TV series to be added and which we shall do as the info rolls in.
HeliHub mentioned G-BAUM ..
Registered to 'Fairoaks Aviation' in '73, bought by Blair & Co. '74, then to Shawline in '77 and finally to PLM in '78.
While with PLM (and not the be outdone by her former company Bell 206 BBEU) she 'starred' in a the film 'Death Watch' (1980) below:
HeliHub's G-BAUM (operated by PLM) featuring in the movie 'Death Watch' which starred Romy Schneider and Harvey Keitel
The film featued two 206's the second being G-BUZZ which, at the time of filming, was registered to Western Air of Glasgow. (More info needed on that lot Wigan!)
.
Last edited by Savoia; 25th Jun 2011 at 16:29. Reason: Filmography amended in accordance with TRC's comments
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A revised filmography below:
G-FILM appeared in at least one episode of The Professionals as did both G-BGGX & G-BGGY.
G-FILM also starred in a Schweppes commercial shot on Chobham Common.
Several more, but can't remember the details..
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Death Watch.
Seems the film location was round the Glasgow area 1980, Finnieston is mentioned on a web site, this is round the corner from the present day site of the Bond's Glasgow heliport, as for the two JR's, BAUM was with PLM 1/78 until dereg as destroyed 5/84, (lifting operation accident), BUZZ, with Western Air (Scotland) Partners Ltd., 4/78 to 8/82, also had WOSP 11/78 to 9/81.
One with an Alan Mann connection, 4/75 to 7/75, BDBR, which was used in the great film, Local Hero by PLM Helicopters
with KNOX names
Anybody for the drivers name?
locals wave goodbye
never mind the actor, good pilot view
with the famous red phone box
Bye Bye
WA
Seems the film location was round the Glasgow area 1980, Finnieston is mentioned on a web site, this is round the corner from the present day site of the Bond's Glasgow heliport, as for the two JR's, BAUM was with PLM 1/78 until dereg as destroyed 5/84, (lifting operation accident), BUZZ, with Western Air (Scotland) Partners Ltd., 4/78 to 8/82, also had WOSP 11/78 to 9/81.
One with an Alan Mann connection, 4/75 to 7/75, BDBR, which was used in the great film, Local Hero by PLM Helicopters
with KNOX names
Anybody for the drivers name?
locals wave goodbye
never mind the actor, good pilot view
with the famous red phone box
Bye Bye
WA
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John Poland
Yes, John Poland and even gets a mention on the cast list, must have been a 'PLUM' job!
Having breakfast
well at least he got fed
and he wasn't last on the list.
WA
Having breakfast
well at least he got fed
and he wasn't last on the list.
WA
Thread Starter
.
Well done Wigan!
So who were Western Air - was this a pre-Clyde manifestation?
Re: John Poland, never met him but he shares the same name as the best man at my first wedding! He could almost get away with being a young Bill Nighy - poor chap!
Also glad to see that I wasn't the only one who restricted himself to three-bars back in the days when I flew commercially.
Brgds
Well done Wigan!
So who were Western Air - was this a pre-Clyde manifestation?
Re: John Poland, never met him but he shares the same name as the best man at my first wedding! He could almost get away with being a young Bill Nighy - poor chap!
Also glad to see that I wasn't the only one who restricted himself to three-bars back in the days when I flew commercially.Brgds
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Western Air
Sav.
Western Air seemed to have started in 1976 with a Brantly B2B, G-WASP ( ex G-ASXE ), registered to Sims, Automatics, Glasgow, Sims is a supplier of friut machines,gaming machines, pool tables etc. and are still around today,in 1977 G-WASP, - as it were - changed hands, to Donald S. McGillivray,Elizabeth A. McGillivray and Walter Glen, ( the partners ),T/A Western Air (Scotland) Partners Ltd, from the same address as Sims, WASP lasted from 2/77 to 11/81, this was joined by Jet Ranger G-BUZZ, ( WASP, BUZZ ),in 4/78, lasting until 8/82, next was G-
WOSP, Western Air (Scotland) Partners, T/A WASP Helicopter Hire from 11/78 to 9/81, when it went to Burnthills Aviation Ltd.,don't know of anything after 1982, but I'll have a dig about, but would seem they quit the helicopter hire business about that time.
Wigan
Western Air seemed to have started in 1976 with a Brantly B2B, G-WASP ( ex G-ASXE ), registered to Sims, Automatics, Glasgow, Sims is a supplier of friut machines,gaming machines, pool tables etc. and are still around today,in 1977 G-WASP, - as it were - changed hands, to Donald S. McGillivray,Elizabeth A. McGillivray and Walter Glen, ( the partners ),T/A Western Air (Scotland) Partners Ltd, from the same address as Sims, WASP lasted from 2/77 to 11/81, this was joined by Jet Ranger G-BUZZ, ( WASP, BUZZ ),in 4/78, lasting until 8/82, next was G-
WOSP, Western Air (Scotland) Partners, T/A WASP Helicopter Hire from 11/78 to 9/81, when it went to Burnthills Aviation Ltd.,don't know of anything after 1982, but I'll have a dig about, but would seem they quit the helicopter hire business about that time.
Wigan