Saunders-Roe Skeeter Helicopter 1958: merged threads
 

We (Skeeter Heritage)are looking for information, literature, in fact anything or anybody who has had anything to do with the Saunders-Roe Skeeter helicopter. We wish to increase our archives.

We would also be interested in spare parts as we fly two of the three airworthy examples.

Can you help?

Will.

[This message has been edited by Skeeter Pilot (edited 24 March 2001).]

Was the Skeeter designated as AOP12 ? Also did the Westland Scout AH1 have an AOP number.

Hi Will

Good to see you on the forum, best of luck with your search for info etc.

Some pics would go down well, from your site.

See you in UK soon.

Steve

Skeeter
Rotor diameter: 9.76 m
Length: 8.66 m
Weight: 780 kg - Max.1040
Speed : 175 Km/h
Power: 1 Gypsy Major 215 (215 hp)
Range: 1038 Km
Acommodation: Pilot plus 1
No.Built: 88

Photo is available on Helicopter History Site key onto Westland


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The Cat

Where do you keep the Skeeter's, where do you fly them? Going to any events with them?

Sounds great fun.

http://www.helis.com/h/wlkt_2.jpg

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/on-l...t/skeeter1.gif
source: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/foto/west_skeeter.jpg
source: http://avia.russian.ee/

http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/img/6.../cd0255078.gif
source: http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/

http://www.fly-navy.de/helis/skeeter2.jpg
source: http://www.fly-navy.de/

That's all for now. I'm sure that I can find a few more for an appropriate fee .... :)

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You are welcome to visit HELIDRVR here

[This message has been edited by helidrvr (edited 28 March 2001).]

skeeter
 

Photos : ID 2874 - Helispot ® (Everything Helicopters)

Did not realize there were still any flying.

http://www.helispot.com/images/28/2874.jpg




[This message has been edited by Heliport (edited 19 June 2001).]

I did have the home page for the guy who owns and flies these machines as a favourite, but I seem to have mislaid it.

If I come across it I'll post it.

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For the last bloody time, it's "The En Ar Fairy" . . .

The Saunders-Roe Skeeter Heritage site may be found at -


www.skeeterheritage.com

SPS

All ex Skeeter helicopter pilots
 

If you are an ex British Army Air Corps. Saunders-Roe Skeeter pilot you may like to visit the Skeeter Heritage website. We operate and fly the only airworthy Skeeter in the world - We would like to hear from you!

Is it true that on a fairly warm day when trying to fly two up with lots of fuel , the second person would have get out and push it up to a couple of knots hop in quickly before it would take off?

I heard the story years ago from an ex Skeeter pilot when I was in Wallop doing my aircrew training, or was he pulling our rather inexperienced legs? :D

Western Super Mare Helidays, sea-front, 1994 - the Army turn up with a Scout, a Sioux and a Skeeter. Come departure time, the Scout lifts off and powers over the eight-foot fence, Sioux lumbers off the ground, tips gently forward and sand-blasts the donkey-riders, and the Skeeter turns round and goes right into the opposite corner of the compound, nosewheel brushing the daisies. Then, carefully pointing to give itself the longest possible run-up, it puts its nosewheel ON the ground and heads across the grass. Approaching the fence, translational lift kicks in and UP she sails over the fence. Very entertaining. Made the R-22s look like Twin Squirrels by comparison.

Warm day but only 1 POB.

warm day flying
 

CyclicRick:
Would be interesting to know who the pilot was! He was not entirely pulling your leg. When warm, especially no wind and full fuel, unless you can do a running t/o with nose wheel on the gronud (watching for the rabbit holes if on grass), the passenger would have to get out but not to hop back inbefore you get airbourne - they would have to walk to a good size field where you could land pick them up and then get a running t/o. Or of course wait 30 mins. while you burn some fuel off. Skeeter flying can be very marginal at times but fun. The good thing is there are no gearbox overstressing limitations, if you can get of the ground you can go - just watch out for the sink before you get translational lift.

Hilico:
A normal safe Skeeter departure although with 1 POB she would (should) have gone vertical.

Nice to hear from you! Thanks.

I heard that cows liked eating the rotors if you left them in a field overnight

phil

Hilico - You are being very unkind to one of my former girlfriends. The Bell47G3B1 was a beautiful machine with a turbo charged engine and high inertia rotors, even on a hot day she could go vertical, operated in Libya in 1967, no problems at all!!!
On behalf of my former beloved I demand an apology!, (or a picture).

I am ex AAC and flew the Skeeter in Gutersloh, Germany for three years and 650 hours. Taking off on a warm day was difficult and the techniques learnt then have stood me in good stead for limited power operations. Winter time was also not easier as the cartridges used to start the beast were very prone to getting damp and would not start the engine. If you wanted a start it was necessary to keep the cartridges warm and dry, which meant keeping them next to the body.
Once flight was achieved it was a delight to fly. Engine-offs were permitted after a QHI had checked you out and cleared to carry out EOL's solo.
Gutersloh was the grave yard for the Skeeter when they were replaced by the Sioux.
I did manage to keep one or two very small reminders of the 'Skeeter'. I would very much like to hear from anyone else of that era. 5 Field Regiment / 40 Field Regiment 1966 - 1969.

Skeeter Pilot - I imagine they were being as gentle as possible with it - it was part of the Historic Flight.

Mr Eagle sir - no offence intended, I promise. It was just that, in contrast to the Scout, the Bell didn't look that sprightly. If there is one helicopter I would love to fly (though actually there are at least a dozen) it's that one. You could have had a picture too, except that the film snapped while we were in the S-76 going to Bristol for fuel.

Cow like dope
 

Paco - It's true - cows have eaten Skeeter blades; they are attracted by the dope on the fabric.

Tail Bloater - I was only knee high when you were flying Skeeters. I was taught to fly the Skeeter by the late Major Francis Chamberlain who was an ex CFS Skeeter instructor - maybe you knew him! He told me many army/Skeeter flying stories, he also mention about damp cartridges and keeping them in one's pocket. Our Skeeter has only two mods. a radio upgrade and electric start, it's heaven and a lot cheaper; I think it was about £12 a shot last time we bought some cartridges.

www.Skeeter Heritage. co.uk

Hilico - Yes you probably right we nurse ours too! Gypsy top ends reving at 2860rpm only last 180hrs between o/h's.

Skeeter Pilot.......I knew Francis quite well, having met him during several 'Exercises' in Germant and during other events.
Would you have a list of Skeeter pilots? If not, I'm sure the Museum archives at Middle Wallop would provide. I wonder how many are still flying? I must visit you this year to see your Squeeter as they were affectionately known, any date which would be convenient to you?

A Skeeter I once flew is at the museum at Weston. My then Boss was astounded when I related that I had flown it.
Many a time I had to use the wheels to get translational lift prior to getting airbourne. In the hover on a sunny day it was a test of flying skill to get from one side of a fence to the other. Knowledge of techniques I fear are now only fleetinfly practiced were daily bread and butter then. Oh! they were the days, Wooden blades and iron men. Today you have iron blades and wooden men. (both genders meant).