Still Crazy Like a Fox (1987)
 

A TV Film released in 1987 in which Mann's G-TPTR appeared along with another (doubtless Mann-related) 206.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...afox239vg2.jpg
Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger G-TPTR departs the Fair Oaks during the filming of 'Still Crazy Like a Fox' c. 1986

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q...52520chase.jpg
TPTR in pursuit of a Stampe!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...afox244ys4.jpg
An 'unknown' 206 (with distinctly 'Laura Ashlean' colours) lands in the grounds of what seems to be Leeds Castle


A clip from the 'Like a Fox' masterpiece (not!) with the flying taking place at around 5:40

Alan Mann Filmography
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H...p%25252011.png

Any clues as to the crews of the two 206's in 'Like a Fox' as well as the registration of the 206 with the RAF roundel - much appreciated.

'TR is being flown by RV. Interesting that it is rigged with a nose camera mount and a Continental side mount for the action sequences.

The grey 206 (in very much Ashley colours) is being flown by AD.

TRC thanks for that info. :ok:

Hopefully we will be able to track down some further Mann-made films!

Regarding the 'other' 206 .. it didn't really require that much investigation, just a browse back to page 4 where Laura Ashley's 206 debuted .. and one can clearly see that its G-BMKM.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...els%201986.jpg
Laura Ashley's 'Mann-managed' 206 as used in the film 'Crazy Like a Fox' - albeit without the pop-outs or roundel!

.. And I'm guessing that this equipment may have been interchaned with 'KM' for some of the scenes with the Stampe and TPTR?
A wee reminder of the late G-FILM:

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Alan Mann's SE313B Alouette II G-FILM at Fairoaks in July 1981 (Photo: Courtesy of Wingnut)

The sad remains of TPTR now lie at The Helicopter Museum ,too far gone for sensible restoration but maybe a panel worth saving in view of its film history !.

A summary from the accident reports reads:

Accident Date: 1st March 1989

Accident Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire

G-TPTR Accident Summary

TPTR - BER
 

I went to the site with loss-adjusters. Visually the aircraft looked just a little 'bent' but I was wary. Rightly so, as it turned out; there was an uncorrectable 10 deg of twist and distortion in the airfrrame (longituduanally) when mounted in our repair fixture (jig) at manns.

Total loss agreed. Pity since she was a good machine and trouble-free (if any helicopter can be so described) But thanks S for the official summary - I hadn't read it before now - VFR

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9...sey%252529.jpg
Agusta 109A Mk II G-HBCA at Birmingham International Airport on 5th September 1986 (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Massey)

HBCA was bought from Mann's in November 1985 and sold on to ADT Aviation at the beginning of 1989. This ship doubtless replaced BCA's LongRanger G-TBCA - formerly a Ferranti-managed craft.

HBUS
 

G-HBUS debuted on page 6 courtesy of Helipixman's collection wearing Mann's colours while flying in to Epsom. But in the colours below is how I remember her:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...%252520HPC.jpg
Bell 206LI G-HBUS at Brands Hatch c. early 80's

Toleman Transporters (I think they mainly transported cars) bought Mann's 206 G-TPTR (formerly G-LOCK) in August '81 trading-up to G-HBUS in July the following year. HBUS had previously been owned by Willowbrook coach builders.

I don't recall whether Toleman had a dedicated driver or if they simply utilised Mann's pool, either way I used to hear the craft regularly on the airwaves in the early 80's and saw her many-a-time at Fairoaks.

Other characters (barely visible) in this shot are: A BA S76 (behind HBUS) and in the lower park (l-r) G-BAKF, G-ROGR, a Bristow 206 and a Hanson 206 further behind.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...man%252529.jpg
Tarmac's Agusta 109A MkII VP-CCK at the Mannstead on 27th September 1997 (Photo: With thanks to Barry Collman for his kind permission to use this image)

Joining Mann's 'construction 109's' would have been N109AB, John Laing's 109 II an image of which can be seen on page 6.

AMH - Gold Wings
 

I had the pleasure of working as Niki's personal pilot for 6 months in 1982 during which he presented me with these ........ did anyone else manage to get hold of a set?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/...7b32122e_z.jpg

Ferry G-BGGX and G-BGGY
 

Between 1st and 5th March 1979 I had the pleasure of ferrying not one but two new Agusta-Bell 206Bs from Frosinone (near Rome) to Fairoaks. Sorry about the yellow caste on the photos.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6240/6...6718192d_z.jpg

Chris Hodgkinson was on gardening leave from his VC10 billet in BA and was recruited to fly BGGY whilst I flew BGGX.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6...36f2b887_z.jpg

First stop was Milan via Genoa to meet Brian and collect export certificates. Then on to Lugano, Geneva, Lyon, Troyes, Beauvais and LGW to clear customs.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6...87da3d9f_z.jpg

Note the sophisticated local mod for the radio installation. No heater, no nav equipment (no GPS!!) - all completion work carried out by AMH.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6232/6...0876ab6e_z.jpg

Spectacular crossing of the Alps

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6115/6...5128102c_z.jpg


A quiet night was had by all - en route R & R. Local businessman and PPL student Brian Beale joined us in Milan to help with the nav and ration the red wine.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6...8326bc8c_z.jpg

Safe arrival at Fairoaks.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6...b13901a2_z.jpg

Geoffers many thanks for this contribution, most enjoyable. :D

G-TPTR
 

This was Niki's own 206 purchased in 1982 and retained its original blue and white colour-scheme (ex Toleman's I believe) with the addition of the gold AM monogram. When it came back to UK at the end of 1982 it was repainted in these 'proper' AMH colours.

The picture was taken at the new Athens Heliport built by Niki in conjunction with Athen Aviation Services (Lakis Stergiopoulos) at some later date when either Chris Snape or Paul Hardcastle needed a leave relief.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6...fee35d2c_z.jpg

More stuff from the scrap book
 

This the brochure that AMH were dishing out in 1978.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6...25412abc_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6...6e61caec_z.jpg

G. :)

More from the memorabilia box
 

This gold wire badge featured on yellow baseball caps and Rain Jackets. Another of Niki's extravagances.

G.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6...439b0078_z.jpg

AM Badge
 

G
I've got one of those too :D (Happy (good) times) - VFR

Well done Geoffers! :ok:

I remember the brochure well.

Would you be able to give us an idea of your taskings ex-Athens. Were these assignments purely for Niki Papadakis or was there a charter/commercial element as well?

Also, you were with Mann's during an important period in their history you must have some interesting stories involving clients etc.

And finally, old man Mann - what he much involved in the day-to-day running of things? I never saw him around the Mannstead (Savage seemed to be the main continuity during my years of exposure).

I ask because of the info I am gathering on Alan Mann for the site we are building which will recount their history.

With thanks.

SAV
 

Yes I have many tales to tell but I'm not sure that PPrune is the right place to tell them - can't afford the lawyers these days.

I think that it would be wrong to imagine that 'out of sight is out of mind' when it comes to Alan's oversight of AMH. I reckon he had a pretty good grip on things. I found him a great man to work for and one that was easy to respect.

When I look back over 42 years in the business my two and half years at AMH were the best fun. Not always smooth sailing and definitely not well paid but every day was different and every trip a challenge. My mate Gazza was always very supportive and folk like NPT, Paul Midgers, Ackers etc made it a great place to work.

On the whole maintenance was excellent with Roy and Chris very able and Tom et al great fun to work with. One unfortunate hydraulic failure (ex-Battersea) in a 206 and a few hot batteries and chips but apart from my 'adventure' with Norman Foster in the Bell 47 nothing to write much about. Well, not in these pages anyway!!!

G :E

Back in early 1975 there was an accident at AMH with an in-flight breakup of a Bell 47 which resulted in the death of an ex-RN QHI and his female student. I had been at AMH shortly before this as I was flying one of their 206's, G-BBBM, for a few days and had chatted to the 47 pilot just before he got airborne on that trip.

I cannot remember his name - anyone know it? I think Peter was his first name and maybe his surname began with F?

Charlie
 

Before my time but seem to remember that an AMH B206 broke up in flight with some of the Plessey directors on board round about that time. The Peter F. rings a bell. - excuse the pun. Never heard about a B47 breaking up but one of our students managed to total 'RI' on the sloping ground one day - maybe that's where the B47 crash story came from?

G.

I think the Plessey report is this one from the AAIB archives.

And the Bell 47 breakup, is it this one, also from the archives ?

Nr Fairy - that 47 report is the accident I was after! I didn't realise the AAIB reports went back that far. Just cannot place the pilot's name - quite a tall thin guy.

As mentioned (above) on the Ferranti thread, G-AXAY was a particularly unpleasant episode and I remember my godfather sharing with me the conjecture among the rotary fraternity in '74. There had been speculation as to whether the pilot's briefcase (stowed atop the instrument panel) had played a part in the dramatic loss of control. Can anyone remember the name of the pilot who flew AXAY on that unfortunate day?

The Plessey contract seems to have done the rounds with Bristow using a 206 for some time then, one assumes Mann had it for a while. Ferranti also served this contract (for about two years if I remember correctly).

Sadly I have never been able to obtain a clear shot of AXAY .. indeed the best I can do is her yellow tailpiece (below) behind another 206:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w...2525201973.jpg
G-AXAY (behind another 206) in July 1973

Sav
Very sad event. Engineer here, would 'rotor oscillation = mast 'bumping' in engineer-speak? In which cass it's terminal - VFR

Casulaties
 

We had a particularly bad spell in the late 70s early 80s with too many casualties in the charter fleet. Nigel Thornton, and John Ackroyd-Hunt were followed by Tim Ridgeway (once our superb ops officer) in a fixed wing accident, then the loss of Colin Bates and Spotty Mulhern heaped tragedy upon the sadness.

G. :{

Are you referring to the report on G-AXAY? In which case I would need to go through it. How they would be able to determine mast bumping by any means other than scoring on the upper portion of the mast itself I don't know but fully agree that if this occurred .. there would have been no hope as the deflection required to achieve 'bumping' in flight would doubtless despatch the boom post haste.

Geoffers, some great guys there. John Ackyroyd-Hunt along with PPRuNe's own TRC arrived in a ploughed field in Norfolk to rescue the Colonel and I after an engine failure in Colin Chapman's 206. He was flying with large green 'Wellies' and which I thought was hilarious at the time.

Flew several times with Colin (including in Hanson's 76) but most memorably in ex-Ferranti 206 G-AZZB when he gave me the same base check he had just performed on my godfather. So (apparently) impressed he was that he offered to buy me a drink at the local on the way home - despite the fact that I was under age at the time lol!

Spotty was of course ex-Ferranti and, to bring the story full-circle I must pay tribute to the late Hugh Lovett who perished in Ferranti's G-AVSN at the 1977 Biggin Hill Airshow and which incident I was referring to in my quote from post #183 above when I also mentioned G-AXAY.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d...2520Lovett.jpg
The late Hugh Lovett (RIP)

Commissioned into the Queen's Own Hussars in 1964 from Sandhurst, passed through the Army pilot's course in 1967 and flew with the Queen's Own Hussars Air Squadron on active service in Aden and in the Trucial Oman States. Attended the QHI course in 1969 and instructed at the School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop, until 1971. Joined Ferranti Helicopters in 1975.

Geoffers, back to Mann's. Greece - was the work there purely private assignments for Papadakis?

who remembers this one?
 

Go on then NJT, explain what the heck you 'Alan Manners' were getting up to!

Was this the Professionals or the Avengers? (1978)
 

It was Peter Faulkes

I do - I think it was for a Bollywood extravaganza shot at Fairoaks

It was for The Avengers - me and Willy Caldicott climbing up and down a rope ladder to prove that it could be done.

It was indeed - many thanks TRC

SAV
 

Greece - My trip to Greece in 1982 was the beginning of Niki's commercial enterprise and involved the Athens Aviation Services and their embryonic heliport experiment.

During my time there I was asked to do many strange tasks including the resupply of a family yacht when the fridge broke down, visit one of the Papadakis line ships at anchor with dozens of others to the North of Athens, deliver candidates to election rallies, visit the family 'home' island of Kasos east of Crete. Many 'social' flights involved island hopping whilst the yacht 'Little Cayman' followed on. Niki wasn't a great sailor but enjoyed life on board. I remember once flying some supplies out to a rendezvous in a small rocky bay and parking TPTR on a small ledge. It was a hot summer day and I was feeling the heat so Niki offered me a pair of swimming trunks from his visitor's store and I had a delicious cooling dip that was so gorgeous that I felt it made being a helicopter pilot the best job in the world. A shower and reality beckoned. It was a magic summer - a journey that took in Le Touquet, Lausanne, Genoa, Pescara, Bari, Corfu, Zakintos, Athens plus many islands visits and fishing trips. Niki treated me like a brother much to the annoyance of his female companion and he was a kind and thoughtful employer.

Another chapter of the memoirs maybe? One day I will find the time to write them.

G. :)

TRC

Was Peter ex army before he joined the RN?

To all ex AMers

This is a super picture of Peter Faulkes at his best!! A truly lovely chap and a good friend of mine in the FAA. Such a sad loss.

Some of you may remember the others in the picture!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...yPhotos141.jpg

D

Bast0n: Great to see the Wessexmeister on the Mann thread! :ok:

Please, for the benefit of non-FAA'ers, could you do a 'left to right' of the characters in your photo!

Grazie mille.

Sav

Savoia

Left to right, Peter Faulkes, John Kelly, Mike Smith, and an other..........

Yes, extreme starboard I had already guessed as the 'handsome Wessex driver', lol!

Mike Smith as in Mike Smith who flew with Air Gregory and ended-up sporting a goatie most of his life? If so then my, he was young there!

Older.....but more gracious?!
 

S
Yes, we were all young (and I cringe sometimes looking at old photos :suspect:) but. like good wine, including Vino Nobile of which we have spoken previously, we mature/ MUCH better deal all round :8. And we are more tolerant of the excesses of enthusiasm that we witness amongst our younger 'brethren'.

Well I try to be, anyway :O - VFR

Sav

Yup! the same goatee bearded and all round good egg Mike Smith, father of Q.

VFR

How you can you be more gracious than Faulkes and friends............:ok:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...faulkesGib.jpg

Bast0n failed to include the following disclaimer in his photo above:

"Any resemblance between the chap behind me and the Tintin character Capt. Haddock is purely coincidental."

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...520Haddock.jpg

;)