Chris9.

The John French I knew was an engineer, he had a Wessex in Denmark and started Miri as Chief Eng. He must be over 70 now, he retired to Hampshire.

John French
 

The only John French I knew was an engineer and I believe that he has passed away - couple of years ago.

Ep- Hbj 212
 

This aircraft spent all it time at Zagross so never had the float fit. I believe that is why it was left in Iran. Photo was taken on the Zagross basecamp pad at about 8000 ft. Rig was at 11000' as far as I remember. The highest rig in the world. We did regular underslung loads to it with the 212 and Alouette 3. Load hooker on is Josef, one of the Iranian fitters. I was there for years, with Derek Cook first then as Chief Engineer.

Des Tweedy
 

Hi

I just came across this forum and found a few faces from the past .

Im not sure if you guys have heard , But Des Tweedy sadly passed away this year . Seemingly poor Des contracted diabetes , and it sadly got the better of him .

Des was a great bloke ..... I remember getting whiskeyed with him and a few others in house 2 at Asa Akpan , dont know how he made it up the following morning for the first flight ..... but fly he did !!!

Take care Des .....

Des Tweedy
 

I was really sorry to hear about Des Tweedy. Des was a real gentleman and a good man to have around. Knew him well in Port Harcourt days. RIP.

HP 12 - 1978

http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/s...g?t=1248092458

L-R Ken Thompson, Richard Hambly, Graham Chiverton, Simon Wijker, Unknown, Jan Schildkamp, Stewart Roberts, Cor Sanders, Jooles ?, John Hopkins.

That picture of pilot and management taken in the 70s...and all flaring at once :ok:

Such co-ordination is improbable today?

Mickjoebill

Hp12 - 1978
 

Those were the days you would dress smartly for the photo!

Big Thanks for the photos! West

Khark,,,or Kargh!
 

Most certainly is Kharg/Khark/Khargh Even the Iranians didnt know how to spell the name properly! while waiting to travel there with Iran aseman from Tehran the sign in the departure lounge changed spelling continually,,, very confusing for a non Farsi speaker! the white heli looks like it has the Logo of Abu Dhabi heli's
Was a shambles when I was there, would have been good in the Bristow days I reckon

Zagross
 

I was also in zagross in 1977 with the then CP Harold Palmer, I believe he is still about. I went up there with a 212 for a while before transferring to Seis 4.

Some interesting pictures og G-BGWK here. Anyone know the story?

WK
 

Probably the aircraft arriving in Lebanon, it's new home I think.

WK
 

I'll look out for it on my next trip to Beirut. Is it on contract or has it been sold? I see it's still wearing BHL colours but no company name.

WK
 

Just checked G-INFO which lists the owners as:

ABSOLUTE FIRE SOLUTIONS (UK HELICOPTERS) LTD
C/O HOGAN AND HARTSON CORPORATE SERVICES LTD
JUXON HOUSE, 100 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
LONDON
EC4M 8BU

Than exported to Lebanon so I guess it has been sold.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...1/IMG_0077.jpg

The same goes for G-BCLD.

Rather bizare BHL acquired G-BDDA (ex BA, BIH, Bond) then moved it on to Lebanon by the same company name.

Any info anyone?


Looks like they are getting one of the ex SAR machines too:
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1060758.jpg

Unless of course they realised after signing the contract that the SAR aircraft are too heavy or too complicated to demod necessitating the sourcing of another aircraft.

They'll be those limited edition S61Ns with the tail rotor on the starboard side.....

and doors on the l!:ok:

More ABZ Photos
 

Here are some more photos kindly sent to me by Ian White, the story here is that an Aviation Magazine photographer came up to ABZ to capture some of our finest at work, naturally (!) Ian White and Andy Edgecombe were chosen from the cast of thousands. I think that these were taken around 1986 ish, it appears that it was mid August at the time judging by the weather.

Planning the Mission, empty coffee cup at the ready.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09013.jpg

Andy strapping the beast to his bottom
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09007.jpg

Eng sweltering in the sun, waiting for action
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09005.jpg

Happy Bears boarding (note the happy ground dolly in her wellies)
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09003.jpg

Almost ready for the 'off' to the exotic location
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09004.jpg

The evening return
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09011.jpg

Others in the briefing rooms - maybe others can supply names.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...18-8-09009.jpg

TOD

Was BHL trying to convince themselves they had more aircraft at the time by painting one registration on one side & a different one on the other?

Sorry to be flippant but I couldn't resist getting that in before HOGE.;)

The nearest one in the after flight picture is Doogal Douglas. Died of a heart attack whilst working in China. Super chap, an awful lot of people went to his funeral.