Ken,

While it flew with HEMS in London 6009 (G-HEMS) was always squeaky clean and you could eat your dinner off the floor (not that you would want to with all the unmentionable fluids I saw spilled over it mind). I last saw it looking much as it did in the photo above.

So on landing at the PDG hangar in Inverness one day in 2006 I was very interested to hear from the refueller that G-HEMS was back from holidays in Antigua and was in that very hangar. I walked in to say hello to my old friend who I had not seen for many years.

Well what a shock. The poor thing looked as if it hadn't had a clean since Biggin Hill 1990 - or a can of spray paint either. God knows what the Montserrat passengers thought and I can't understand how anyone could let it get in such a state.

PDG have a different mentality fortunately and any machine of theirs that I have flown has always been spotless so 6006 is in good hands again now.

Just remembered that I took a photo of G-HEMS that day at Inverness. Doesn't look too bad from this distance but you can't see the sand, chewing gum, fag ends and used condoms littering the cabin (of course that might have been the PDG engineers) :)


http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...3887_IMG-1.jpg

BHD
 

Thanks for the PIC, brings back many memories, I was gone before she left the Caribbean, but she had a hard life there, flying in volcano ash is not an environment that is kind to any aircraft, and maintaining any aircraft in the caribbean is very hard work, but the guys in Antigue did their best, it lay around in the open hangar for a few months without a C of A before being shipped back to UK so I amsure it wasnt too pretty by the time it got to Inverness

But as you say , PDG and the crew up there do a good job and glad she is back to her finest, a good few years in her yet. PDG did a good survey of several machines and new the potential of 6009, a good choice I hope..

look forward to seeing her in action once again

Ken

6009 Antigua Days
 

Pictures by davidandyvonne - Photobucket

Some pics from the good old days in Antigua ! note how good the machine looks , even fit for a princess !

fit for a princess
 

Great pics Davey !!!

Well
 

I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. There were stressful times and not so stressful times, with certainly a few stories along the way.

Firstly, I would share the sentiments above. Thanks to Ken and Davey for taking care of 6009. Also thanks to all the pilots that flew her professionally and made sure that she returned each day to the caring hands of engineering, as well as Lawrie who kept things in order.

It was no easy task taking care of a machine in a far away country where resources can sometimes be scarce (and not necessarily because we don't wish to put them in place). Supporting an aircraft in a harsh environment with demanding schedules can be tough at the best of times. Not for the faint of heart.

Epithany - when she turned up at PDG she had been at sea, and in sea ports for a couple of months prior to which she had sat for a while. Regardless of preparation, no aircraft is going to be 'line-presentable' after a period like that. I think had you actually seen her in service day to day, you may well have been pleasantly surprised given the tasking. As for the state of the cabin, i think someone else may have to answer for that one unless there were goings on of which i am not fully aware - i'm sure there were a few :)



I was personally happy to see her go to a good home and I hope that she continues to serve well.

regards to all
George Morris

G- HEMS
 

Epiphany

I have avoided PPRUNE for the last few years because it is full of small minded, resentfull people whose opinion is nothing more than vindictivness,small mindness and jelousy but due to resent postings and a calls from friends I was forced to read your posting.

The entire crew at Antigua took great ummbrage to your post and you would do well to apologise to them all, it serves this industry no good at all to cast negative comments when you know nothing of the circumstances, as the ex Ch Eng you have insulted my reputation and that of the staff who served the company loyaly, not to mention the owner and operator Bajan Helicopters.


Please have the decency to read the explanations for what you saw and then have the decency to rescind yor comments and apologise accordingly

Ken

Cool pics! Having spent most of my university holidays in this machine, I'm equally glad to see it still has a home flying somewhere

G-HEMS in her new role as G-PDGK
 

Jim :ok:

http://www.pdghelicopters.com/assets...09206_PDGK.jpg
In the hangar

http://www.pdghelicopters.com/assets...8_GPDGK-GR.jpg
Ground runs

http://www.pdghelicopters.com/assets...21232_PDGK.jpg
First flight as G-PDGK :)

A Fantastic effort by all of those involved at PDG!! :D

All photos courtesy of PDG Helicopters

Jim :ok:

G-HEMS doing what she did best
 

RIP Alistair McGill

6009
 

Hi Folks !

She's looking fantastic ! well done to everyone at PDG!

Best regards

Davey Gow ( ex Antigua Montserrat Air Support Unit )

Excellent Result
 

I agree with Davey, well done to all at PDG , the bridge strike was a bad start, but a lot off effort and hard work has the old bird up in the air and looking great.

Congrats to all (Loved the Pics and Vids)

Ken Mac ( ex Bajan Helis Ch Eng)