for Savoia
 

Savoia says:
We touched on this topic on the Nostalgia thread but .. I'm not entirely sure as to whether we resolved which craft was actually used in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.

It was previously suggested that the craft re-painted in the above colours was G-BAKS. BAKS, we know, played a prominent role in the 1981 'For Your Eyes Only' movie - the flying sequence performed by Marc Wolfe. But, is it safe to assume that BAKS also starred in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'?

As with all the Bond films 'The Spy Who Loved Me' was filmed all over the place but I'm fairly confident that the flying sequences were performed in Sardinia in 1976 by John Crewdson. Can anyone reveal the identity of the aircraft which Crewdson flew? My godfather told me that John wore a wig during the flying sequences - and looked 'very pretty'! I am hoping that with the mock-up being tucked away in Mann's hangar that the lads from Mann may remember the actual aircraft involved.

In the unofficial Bond film 'Never Say Never Again' (1983) I have a feeling that a Mann aircraft was used (ever so briefly) for the landing shot by Miximillian Largo on board the 'Flying Saucer' yacht. The other helicopter featured in that film was a Bo105 which somewhat unceremoniously dropped Bond (or one of his colleagues) into a well!

Anyone in the know - please do enlighten us!
---
Well, this ios the US Navy BO-105 from Never Say Never Again:

http://i50.tinypic.com/nf4pj8.jpg

I'm looking for info of Stromberg and Drax JetRangers. I'm italian too and I'm sure that the chase sequenze from The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed in live-action, whitout models or r/C mock-up or other special effects, in Sardinia's coast, the road from Olbia to Porto Cervo

Is it possible that, in the movie "007 Never Say Never Again" (1983), there is a Alan Mann JetRanger?

http://i45.tinypic.com/t7jwgm.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/33ykqc7.jpg

Ciao Themib; Benvenuto su Rotorheads!

Grazie per la fotografia. :ok:

(Scriverò in inglese affinché altri lettori possano comprendere.)

For some time on the Nostalgia Thread we were a little perplexed as to which aircraft had been used during the filming of 'The Spy Who Loved Me' but then along came PPRuNer Tjef who had worked with Helicopter Hire in Southend (England) and who explained that the JetRanger G-BAML had been used. There is a write-up about this in post #1192 on page 60 of the Nostalgia Thread.

I agree with you that the helicopter chase scene for 'The Spy Who Loved Me' was probably filmed along the road (northbound) out of Olbia. There were no models used and the flying was performed (as you have read) by a British helicopter pilot called John Crewdson.

However .. the film did use both models and mock-ups; I think the parts where models were used is fairly obvious and the mock-up might have been used for close-ups while 'Naomi' (Caroline Munro) was 'flying' the helicopter:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...-autograph.jpg
Caroline Munro performing as Naomi while flying Karl Stromberg's JetRanger in pursuit of Bond (1977)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...t%25202008.jpg
Caroline Munro attending a reunion at Pinewood Studios on 19th October 2008 with the Stromberg JetRanger mock-up

I would like to help you with more images of the Stromberg 206's (and Drax for that matter) but, despite the fact they appeared on film there seem to be precious few photographs out there in the public domain.

We have a member of PPRuNe, Chopper2004, who is knowledgeable about films and the helicopters used in therein, perhaps he may be able to assist further.

As mentioned previously, I am sure it is an Alan Mann 206 which features in 'Never Say Never Again' (1983) as posted in your last set of pictures but we would need an ex-Alan Manner to confirm this.

If you would like to see another JetRanger car-chasing-scene from the 1970's may I recommend the clip (below) from 'Dirty Mary Crazy Larry' (1974) which has another piece of skilful (if slightly risky) flying. Annoyingly (as many American studios are prone to doing) the JetRanger soundtrack is replaced with that of a Hughes 500!



Rgds

Sav

Caroline Munro is an annual visitor to the Stars of Time event at The Helicopter Museum where lucky raffle winners get the chance to fly with her in a JetRanger .She also signs photos of herself with the JetRanger for a small payment.
The next event is in July 2013 so join the queue.

US Navy BO 105 in Never Say Never Again was G-BFYA hired from Helicopter Hire Ltd. When Veritair bought YA and had it repainted their red/white/green scheme, under the orange HH paint was found the US Navy paint scheme used in the Bond film.

Cit: (Savoia): "However .. the film did use both models and mock-ups; I think the parts where models were used is fairly obvious and the mock-up might have been used for close-ups while 'Naomi' (Caroline Munro) was 'flying' the helicopter:"

Right. :ok:
Infact the mock-up was filmed for inside sequence, whit Caroiline Munro.
The RC model was filmed when missile hit the copter. I'm sorry http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...lies/smile.gif
The father of my far sardinian friend still remember the summer of '76, whit the troupe in the road, whit various vehicles (and several Lotus too) and only one helicopter.
In the end credit there's this notice :"Thank to: Helicopter Hire".

I'm curious to know John Crewdson...:O

Very sadly you are too late by 30 years. Friend of mine had the pleaure of a transatlantic BA flight alongside Crewdson in 1978 and was utterly charmed by the disarming friendliness and self-mocking stories he was entertained with. I recommend "Everything But The Flak" by Martin Caidin.

John Crewdson - IMDb

:( :( :(

now I know

Themib: If you look near the bottom of page 26 on the Nostalgia Thread you will see some photos of the corroded bolt which failed on the rotorhead of the ill-fated Alouette II in which John Crewdson made his last flight. On the following page is a photo of G-AWAP (#538) as well of one of John (#532) out at 'Sealand' (a World War II fort in the North Sea used for defence against German mine-laying aircraft which were targeting estuaries that were part of vital shipping lanes).

In your PM you mentioned Hugo Drax's JetRanger 'Drax Airlines' and I have been searching but .. all I have got is that which I am sure you already have .. stills from the movie:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...nraker-146.png
Corinne Cléry plays the part of Corinne Dufour, Hugo Drax's helicopter pilot. (In many 007 movies is was 'obligatory' for the villain's pilot to be a woman!)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p...nraker-145.png
Roger Moore boards the 'Drax Ranger' with a white-gloved Corinne Cléry at the controls

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...onraker-27.png
The Ranger sets down outside Drax's California mansion .. a replica (we are told) imported stone-by-stone from France! (In reality Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte located about 50kms south of Paris) In the movie the landing was not especailly smooth!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...onraker-28.png
Moore and Cléry retreat towards the château post flight

Looking at the instrument panel housing and air intake this appears to be an 'A' model but .. from where she came and who flew her in the movie sequence I know not!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...ie+Barratt.jpg
Sir Lawrie Barratt, founder of Barratt Homes, poses with 'Mann-managed' Bell 206 G-BEKH which was something of a small screen star in the UK in late 70's - what with flying through 'brick' walls n' all!

a couple of snippets from the 80's

Willowbrook's G-HWBK and ZE413 looking like a Mann machine

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6...59be0441_z.jpg


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6...506fea7e_z.jpg


Wiggy

WRT Caroline Munro; she never had many lines to say in her films, but what she did say always sounded dubbed; why was this?

Chevvron: I seriously wouldn't know. Maybe you can ask Heli1 to enquire from her in person next time she visits the Helicopter Museum! ;)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...+Nanson%29.jpg
Agusta 109A G-ROPE as seen at Middle Wallop in July 1984 (Photo: Sid Nanson)

Imported to the UK in 1980 as G-OAMH by Alan Mann for Willowbrook coach builders; then .. > Harry Goodman Air Taxis (1982) > Brencham Ltd. (1984) when she became G-ROPE. Brencham's then re-registered her (again) as G-BRYL under the name of Brencham Air Charter > Castle Air Charters (1985) who re-registered her as G-MEAN and then again as G-USTA in 1996 > Rotor-Motion (1997) > Markoss Aviation (1998).

THE OLD MANNS CLUB logo
 

I love 'the old Manns Club' logo. Anyone interested in getting some made (plastic stickers) or are they already available?? I will take it on if you guys think there might be enough interest. Look forward to replies.

OMC Stickers
 

Sounds cool, I'm in
G

Bravo ExD! :ok:

The logo showcased on the thread is a little small and has a 'pink' background (to match that of PPRuNe's wallpaper colour). So here's one slightly larger and without the 'PPRuNe-Pink' background!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...OMC+logo+m.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w...ers+1976-7.jpg
G-BBEU as featured in a series of the Avengers c. 1976-77

Old Manns Club stickers
 

thanks for the interest in this. I've been at Fairoaks tonight for the regular Quiz Night held in the flight centre bar and mentioned this to a few ex Mann guys there. Looks like plenty of interest so I will look into it. Will post update when I get more info. Savio; Thanks for sending the artwork through.:D

OMC stickers
 

update; i have had 100 made and can make them available at a small cost. If anyone wants to purchase one/some please contact me by private message.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...+Marcus%29.jpg
Agusta 109A G-HELY as seen at Mill Ride, Ascot (presumably close to the Mill Ride Golf Course) in 1991 (Photo: David Marcus)

Originally supplied by Mann's to Barratt Developments in 1979 this craft went on to become one of Castle Air's first 109's (if not their first) whereafter she became the property of 'Candyfleet Ltd' and who owned her at the time of this photo.

More HELY on pages 2, 6 and 14.

AM get-together
 

Dear all, confirming an already well published event; there will be an AMG get-together at Fairoaks on Saturday 20th July at the Flight Centre from 5pm ish. This is for ex staff and their friends, relatives and other halves. Also note it is for ALL ex AM people not just AMH so includes Mann Aviation, Mann Avionics, AMO, Falcon Jet, etc. Please spread the word. Any questions please contact me through private message.

Loving G-HELY
 

That's my father's old ship. He was Barratt's pilot in the 80s and I regularly run a Google search to see if there are any shots of G-HELY and the later arrival G-BUSA.

If it's OK on here, I'll save these off and print them out for him.

flames - Savoia (who started this thread and has posted most of the pictures of G-HELY) is away at the moment but I cannot see any problem for you to print the images. If Savoia was around I know he would ask you to post some details of your father's work as it is probably very interesting. Looking forward...

Best regards,
Zis

Hi Zishelix

I'm heading up to see him this weekend, so I'll check whether he's happy to break out chapter and verse. I only know broad dates and positions. I'm sure he will have bumped into a few heli pilots of a certain age on this forum ;)

I've grabbed the pics, so thanks for the pre-emptive permission.

Niall

[edit] Just realised my location still shows Sydney. I'll change it as I'm about 5 miles from Fairoaks now ! [edit]

Let's hope your father won't mind to share some of his memories with us. I appreciate your assistance...

Don't worry about Savoia, as far as I know he stimulating people to do so :)

Yes, Barratt's liked doing that:


1970's Barratt Homes Ad

ps: Notice the monthly mortgage payment amount!

Old pic of G-PASC (I know - not AM)
 

Hi - old pic of 105DBS-4 (or at least that is what info says) found in auction lot in dusty Yorkshire barn.
Willing to post to pilot if wanted........
Lincs Air Amb - looking like Waddo in background.
Tell me how to post pic on here for further details!

Brick Walls
 

As many here will know, I flew with John Crewdson on many a happy occasion but it all started with the filming of Rollerball. (the original release) Believe it please ... but we used an Enstrom and probably a non turbo-charged 28A. I certainly recall having the hull dressed with the "Energy Corporation" logo. In fact while refuelling at Blackbushe, the kindly re-fueller offered to send the invoice to the Corporation! WE did actually pay on the spot though ... honest.

John Crewdson certainly taught me a thing or two about film work, when, having been unfairly labelled a young 'Hothead' I was asked to fly a Bell 206 through a brick wall for the Barratt's advertisement. I spent too much time considering the effect on the M/R blades when compressing a few sheets of polystyrene, not to mention how the T/R blades might fare. Eventually we elected to decline the task.

Later, I mentioned the job with JC who surely knew the game better than me. The final shot produced was nothing like the original requirement since, as can be seen, the pilot simply ran the skids through the top foot or so ... which apparently satisfied all and sundry. Blast .... there went the odd grand or so.

Just wonderful though to read so many of the old names associated with that wonderful gentleman Alan Mann. I recall dear Bob Baff who always made a point of 'walking tall' as he exited his high skid 206. And how I remember the occasion, I flew Bob in to the Flight Magazine's 'Cranfield Show' exhibition in a bog standard PA28. 'Twas about 1973 ish. Bob asked if he could make the landing and knowing he was a dedicate rotary man, I expected something of 'an arrival.' Of course he produced the smoothest touch down imaginable.

Please all ex-Manners - keep the stories going. BW to all. Dennis Kenyon.

I spent a very happy 5 years going to meetings at AMH. They did a superb job of looking after our A109s and certainly took a lot of stick from me, Bob Tonks, Don Nutbrown and Jack ? (I can't remember), the boss. They had some great techs and worked really hard for us. I can't remember the actual name of the meetings, LCCB or something like that. Always chaired by Don Bartlett (REME Major) from the IPT who tried really hard to nail me to the floor! Lunch was always outstanding - very fond memories of those days.

AMG GATHERING 2014
 

Dear all. just in case any of you have not heard, or forgotten, this years annual gathering is taking place this coming Saturday (August 2nd). It is the usual bar/BBQ at the Fairoaks Flight Centre starting at 4pm and ending whenever we've had enough. Don't forget this is now a total Alan Mann Group event plus airport residents that were associated with us at AMG, pilots, customers, etc. Friends and family all welcome. More the merrier. If you want feeding (BBQ tickets £8/head), please contact me with a PM or better still email me direct. Hope to see you on Saturday.

Hi - quick question - does anyone recall the date/month the Argentine A109s returned from the Falklands? In 1982/1983?

Does anyone recognize these aircraft and know where they ended up.
This was 1974 when I worked for AM as groundcrew for a summer holiday job.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4675880744.jpg




https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....bc879ea885.jpg

G-BCBE went to US as N65031 then Canada as C-GSHC - appears to have been cancelled.

Other looks like G-BCWN which went to Noel Edmonds as G-NOEL, then G-RODS then G-JWBI, lastly with a company in Humberside. No current CofA.

Thanks Treadigraph!
I'll see if I can look out some more photos of 206s...

I stumbled across this site whilst looking for photos of the Rothmans ad that featured an AM Bell 47.

Hi Zeus

I am sure we will all look forward to any photographs of Alan Mann 206s you may have. I have an extensive collection of UK registered helicopter photographs and probably most of the Alan Mann fleet and sales... any you have not got or would like to see ! I flew in both G-BCWM and G-BCWN Battersea to Fairoaks on empty legs in my hitch hiking days !!!! It seemed to be OK to do that then.

Helipixman

How about these two. G-BARO and G-AWOL?
I got to fly in most of the aircraft. Usually on air tests.
I learnt a lot from my short time at Fairoaks and it stood me in good stead for a career in aviation.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6e6c3a73e9.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....f296935f3d.jpg

Sorry it is a bit dark, but think this shows G-BBBM and G-AVKS
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2026af0bbd.jpg

Some more nice photos Zeus with colour schemes I have not seen on those particular helicopters. I am interested to know G-BARO, this was owned by A Streeter & Co but the badge on the side I think is for Greenham Group... was it leased to them ?

Please keep em coming !

Helipixman, as I understood it G-BARO was owned by the Greenham group and was used to ferry managers and workmen between sites. (I used to have to clean brick dust out of it!)

Lets try:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....40d956b706.jpg
Sorry is a poor quality photo. I think the light blue aircraft is G-AXGO which I was unreliably informed belonged to Lord Elpus. On the other hand it may have been one of the Cadbury family?
As regards the black 206 I have no idea.

G-AXGO was owned by Tradewinds between '75 and '78 when it was written off. Before that Stewart Smith and Co. Lord Elpus :}

Black 206, Lotus?

Thank you treadigraph!

Now I think about it Stewart Smith and Co rings a bell as does Lotus.
Shame to read that G-AXGO "crashed into River Severn at Denby Island on 02Mar78".

Lord Elpus? I was young and it was expected that jokes should be played...
At least I wasn't asked to go to the stores and get some "elbow grease"!

I am now running out of AM photos, but will have a dig around in the archives.