The Capalonga
 

Great U-Tube indeed. The Capalonga could roll out of limits on damp grass, let
alone the ESB .Was it not an ex Hull ferry? It tryed to throw me off one day near the Vent ( ESB) ( BO105). First met it along-side Auk A in 79 .The Auk R.O. found out it was not "Dry" !!

Capalonga
 

Was it not an ex Hull ferry?
No not a Ferry in now a days format (roll on roll off)
Built 1958 as a rather standard freighter as MV Bolton Abbey but indeed on a Ferry route Hull - Rotterdam so probably with extra passender capacity.
Transferred into diving vessel Capalonga in 1972 for the Adriatic. Extensively modified into Dynamic Positioned
Deep Sea diving vessel in 1977 in Amsterdam.
Scrapped 1983.
Cheers SLB

Manston SAR
 

The post mentions that fuelling arrangements for BHL's Manston SAR contract were entirely satisfactory from the outset etc. Not quite true. As the chief engineer throughout the contract (May 1971 - Sep 30 1974), I can update: The station's C.O. Wg Cdr Scott, made no secret of his dislike of BHL being there instead of an RAF unit. He refused to give us priority for fuel over any visiting RAF aircraft, even though we were SAR so the Company bought a small bowser which was partially buried adjacent to the dispersal pad and refuelled by the RAF's bowser periodically. Bowser drivers were civilian and sympathetic to us (a Peter Smith particularly) and generally refuelled us in a timely manner. G-AYTK & G-AYNP both carried HF as well. We also introduced a range of on-board equipment hitherto denied to our military counterparts to make lifesaving more efficient. The 22 Sqdn flight we replaced were withdrawn in 1969 to support Col Gadaffi's coup in Libya. The ensuing public outcry at the loss of SAR helicopters led to BHL's contract. There were other contenders. In spite of the enormous success of the operation, it was a political decision to return the RAF with 2 x Wessex. It is a sad fact that about half of the staff on that contract are no longer alive.

MV Bolton Abbey
 

Hi,

The Bolton Abbey was indeed the forerunner of the Ro Ro ferries which commenced services on the Humber in circa 1965 (North Sea Ferries MV Norwind etc) - with her sister the Melrose Abbey they covered the Hull-Rotterdam route from 1959 until 1971 when their owners -Associated Humber Lines went bust - they did carry 88 passengers in 44 twin cabins and freight and if you wanted to take your car it was lifted by crane onto the freight decks.As they could not compete with the ROrO ferries AHL failed.Affectionately known in Hull as the "Abbeys'" and considered by many a finer and more civilised way of travel across the North Sea than todays P&O cattle pens :)

For info she was built as was her sister to replace AHL's pre war aging fleet of steamers at Brooke Marine of Lowestoft in the days when we did build ships.

P/O'Mara
 

Hi There.
Did you know P.O'Mara in Nigeria?
Best
Sean

Bob Innes
 

Just messing around online and found the post about Bob Innes - my dad - having died. He is in fact alive and well and kickin' ass.

You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bob.innes.35?fref=ts or message me your details and I'll put you in touch!

He is still wearing shorts!

All the best
Alison Moy (nee Innes)

?
 

Who are you aiming this message at?

There is a discussion about Bob Innes many pages back, as various correspondents had missed their annual Christmas card. Bob came back in person to report that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.

Yesterday, I reconnected with Alison (Bob's daughter, who went to school with me) on Facebook, which led to a discussion and reconnect to Bob. If any of you are so inclined, take a look at the Sumburgh Airport Archive on Facebook, there's some great pictures of all sorts of things related to the goings on there over the decades. Hey, maybe you have some pictures to add there? :)

Bob Innes
 

Hi Alizoo

Pleased to learn your dad has not passed on...! We were on the same contract in Khasab, Oman 1980/1. We were on the same shift, shared a room & flew together on the power line project. He did mention you and your mum. I have PM your dad via Face Book after seeing your post. Many thanks and very best wishes to Bob.

Colin (Dusty) Miller
Telford, Shropshire

For those at Bristows, Aberdeen in the 80s who may remember Jimmy Green, who died last week He was a rampie for a time and known as the ex Para who jumped at Arnhem.
I used to chase him around the pan with my S76.

Cliff Saffron
 

I am advised that Cliff Saffron, latterly of Aberdeen, but of many operations abroad has passed away after a long illness.

I am very sorry to read this (but thanks for the notification). I had the pleasure of working adjacent to his operation in Abu Dhabi, early '70s. Taught me a lot. RIP ole friend ~ VFR

Cliff Saffron's Funeral will be held at 1.45pm on Thursday 3 March at the East Devon Crematorium, London Road, Strete Ralegh, Whimple, Exeter EX5 2PT.

Hope this helps

TC

Oh no, not another! How many stories are there about Cliff?
RIP mucker!!

3D

Knew Cliff in AUH 1969 to 1970, great guy. Very sad news. Rest peacefully Cliff.

Another great and legendary figure from the old Bristow days gone. A tremendous man, and the source of more entertaining stories than probably anyone I have ever met.

A great guy, great boss and great friend. Vastly influential in my career with his generousity, knowledge and experience.

RIP Cliff. It was my great honour and privilege to have known you and called you a friend. You are the stuff of legend, and your memory will live on forever.

R.I.P. Cliff You were always a good bloke.

I first met Cliff about 1967 on a course at Hatfield, along with Don Strange. I was still in the RAF at that time, and Cliff and Don were instrumental in some part to me making the decision to join Bristows.
I met him again in Abu Dhabi, when I did a months leave relief, at that time it was just one Whirlwind, me cliff and Ali the labourer were the engineering department. My bedroom doubled up as the tech records and admin office, so in my spare time, I could study the log books and learn how a Bristow operation functioned.
I also saw Cliff again in Nigeria, when he was doing a spell at Eket, and I was at Port Harcourt.
I learned a lot about running an operation from Cliff.

Some interesting nostalgia here Bristow Helicopters 1964-1966 | A collection of articles from a 36 year career in aviation. including these photos:

http://www.dhc-2.com/G-APMP_Hiller_U..._nca_1280a.jpg

http://www.ashpole.org.uk/wp-content...1-1024x553.jpg

Brian Fairclough. Bristow Engineer
 

Brian was an engineer for Bristow in Malaysia, Stornoway and the Falklands. Always a jolly Geordie with a great sense of fun.

Brian's Daughter has had an accident horse riding in Egypt and needs to be medevaced back to UK. Unfortunately she has no insurance, so Brian and his family are trying to raise £32,000 to get her back. Any help would be appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/bringhomeolivia