Black Hawk Down
 

Well lads, since it seems to be 'Story Time' on PP ... and Jerry G has mentioned the subject of Bob Zee's missing tail rotor ... I thought I'd tell you the full story ....

In March/April 2002, together with Jerry Grayson and that super American film pilot, Bob Zee ... a couple of German pilots and yours truly, we found ourselves on a film shoot at Siddi Massou, just north of Morroco's Sale Airfield. Ridley Scott, (before he became Sir Ridley) ... was filming the epic "Black Hawk Down."

Sir Ridley, wanted a shot where I was tasked for an OGE hover in the copy 'Littlebird' ... MD's 500D 'Story Ship' ... positioned precisely 125 feet above Bob Zee's MD500 hovering at 50 feet AGL. Jerry would have been 'Camera Ship' hovering above. Looking down I spotted a gang of local kids chucking up stones at Bob's machine. I called out a warning over the R/T. Bob had seen the gathering too. Security Land Rovers promptly rounded up said kids and shoo'ed them away to their local village. We didn't get the shot Sir Ridley wanted, so were tasked back the following morning for a second go.

Once again, holding the OGE hover above Bob Zee's MD500, I could see the kids were back! This time they'd cut a man-sized catapault from a lorry inner tube and with two stakes firmly fixed to the ground, were firing melon- sized rocks more accurately. I called out to Bob, but too late as a well-directed missile struck Bob's tail rotor. Horrified, I watched from above as Bob's 500 slowly spun clockwise to the ground but, being made of sterner stuff, Bob judged the re-application of power perfectly for a soft non-damaging landing.

I landed alongside so the engineers could 'borrow' my T/R assembly to replace Bob's damaged item. He was able to fly off and with my T/R assembly returned later - I did a ditto back to base.

I'm told ... when interrogated later, none of the kids would own up to the prank, but at school the word was out ... the locals had actually brought a 'Black Hawk Down!'

And for Jerry, thanks for your fun words. Yes, please let me have a copy pic when convenient. I take it you have the 'ant racing' picture. Best wishes to all PPs. Dennis Kenyon.

Thanks for that story, Dennis. I watched Black Hawk Down again the other day, and saw your name in the credits.

JerryG - you are looking good in the biog of your book!
I was on 771 as a young hold over in 1979 ish before going SK. Spud Murphy and of course Keith were the others I remember..Didn't AF rear his ugly head at some stage (before or after his court marshal!).

Stay safe and good to hear you are still in the aviation world.:D

Too kind TC, isn't Photoshop a wondrous thing. However, it can't plaster over senility so PM me who AF is? ... and who YOU are!!? ... or at least some cryptic clues?

C;ues ....
 

Well I know the answer to that! Over to ?

As normal there is a fair bit of interest in anything that Dennis is up to and very rightly so.

For those that want to get a chance to talk to Dennis and fire some questions at him, he has kindly made the time to do that this Sun.

http://denniskenyonlive.com <-- if you want to jump on the live call leave your details here and I'll get the hosting platform all sorted out.

If folks like Jerry want to share a tall tale about Dennis then we can probably pass the mic over too.

It's online - all invited wherever you are, so please pass it around.

Dennis,
It would be great to get to read your upcoming novel. Not sure if we can get to pre-order it here in India in order to reach the 250 mark. I'm sure many of my fellow pilots here would be happy to get hold of a good helicopter book after a long time. :-)

Look forward to reading you book. Would you mind if I also passed it on to some of my fellow pilots not on PP?

Happy Landings

Dangerous Appointment
 

Hallo Polaris ... I'm punting my book on here (with the Mods kind permission) on the basis I get enough publicity and hopefully decent feedback to obtain proper publication. So a big YES ... please pass the typescript around to as many pilot and other mates as you feel happy with. A PM to me with an e-mail address will have the typescript e-mailed back the same day. That goes for all pp readers.

My yarn involves a helicopter pilot who get tricked into making a 1000 mile flight at night across the Great Lakes and down the Saint Lawrence river to a luxury yacht waiting in the Atlantic. When he discover the identity of his passenger, he set out to sabotage the ransom plan. The kidnap villains are our old friends, the IRA who team up with ISIS, so there's a heavy political element to the story.

I am still running a helicopter scholarship for youngsters, but have totally run out of the required financé. IF the book sold just 1500 copies, that would ensure the scholarship for 2015. It seems likely things will have to get put forward to 2016. I've got the offer of a hangar and will do the instructing myself. Just need enough for the helicopter, fuel and associated costs of course.

And yes ... Mick Cullen is running his 'Webinar' show this Sunday at 12.00 hrs UK London time. I'd love the chance to talk 'live' with any pps and/or professionals in the rotary industry. If interested ... check in with Mick Cullen. Mind, I do 'rabbit' on a bit! Regards to all. Dennis K.

Hi Jerry. What time is your event on, on Thursday? Not sure if I'm missing something but can't see a time on the link you posted.
Thanks.

It's at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich 1830 to 2030

Thanks Jerry, I only work up the road at Canary Wharf, so I may pop on down :-)

Just a bump that Dennis will be talking live in about 48hrs.

If you want to listen in and ask any questions of Dennis then just register via: http://denniskenyonlive.com