VFR - I think you are correct (as far as I can remember).

Aerial filming from helicopters was pretty basic in the late 60's - early 70's. Just watch films of that era and see how mediocre it was generally, usually done either hand-held or with a cobbled together tripod arrangement carefully deigned to transmit the vibration direct to the lens.

There were a few people on both sides of the Atlantic who realised that things could be a lot better. Peter Allwork and Albert Werry in the UK, and Nelson Tyler and Bob Nettmann in the US (to name just a few) set out to design and build 'proper' helicopter camera mounts.

Tyler and Werry both designed their own stuff - the Tyler Mount and Helivision - and Allwork and Nettmann (with others) developed the Continental mount.

The helicopter of choice for most was the Bell47J - the Continental seat for flat-floor helicopters was referred to into the 90's as the 'J2 Seat', even though it was used in just about every type with a flat floor from AS350's through 109's to S76.

The Alouette II was the natural successor to the 47J, particularly in this side of the pond where J's and J2's were uncommon, with plenty of room inside and a big door. The light helicopters around at the time were no good at all for carrying mounts, the H500 was too cramped and the 206 was an awkward shape in the back. So the gear that had been designed for the J fitted just fine into the Al II. They could also lug the large and heavy Wescam and Gyrosphere systems which fitted fairly simply to the float attachments.

It was really only the shortening supply of Al II's and the increasing numbers of 206's that made the mount manufacturers come up with adaptations to fit the 206. Then of course the 350/355 started to take over from the 206, ironically with the same kit as first designed for the 47J.

Nowadays the small video turrets are common for TV, and the now more widely available 35mm stabilised systems like the Wescam, Spacecam, etc do the feature film stuff usually fitted to 350/355's.

Can't beat a Lama with four up and a Wescam 35mm system at 12,000 feet though.....

Rainton ops - Farm Supply Company (Thirsk) Ltd
 

In response to Planemikes post no 556

I remember reading in an old aviation magazine about Farm Supply Co operating out of an airfield at Rainton. It also mentions engineering was carried out at Felixkirk near Thirsk. Personally never heard of these two fields.

In addition to the heli ops they had fixed wing crop sprayers, G-AZZG & G-BEOD.

The two Hillers operated were:-

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/...c99a2ea4_z.jpg

G-BDRY Hiller UH-12E c/n 2273 ex XS172 registered to Farm Supply Co 20.5.76. Picture shows it when subsequently owned by G & S.G. Neal, Holbeach, Lincs

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/...d6644282_z.jpg

G-BEFY Hiller UH-12E c/n 2270 ex XS169 registered to Farm Supply Co. 5.10.76.

Pictures from Helipixman collection (photographers not known)

A little further research shows that they have also owned:-
G-BATT Hughes 269C 6.4.81 - 27.6.83
G-BBHD Enstrom F.28A 13.7.87 - 27.9.89
G-SHNN Enstrom 280C 19.1.90 - 26.2.92

wonder if Dennis K can shed any light on the Enstrom ops here, used for spraying ?

Even further investigation into the current four directors of Farm Supply Co. shows they also have interests in BCS Agriculture, County Crops and Fieldcare Ltd

One of these companies, Fieldcare was previously called N. Hutchings Ltd, in Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts.

N. Hutchings also owned helicopters......

G-AWFY Sud SA.318C Alouette II
G-AZRU AB 206B Jetranger
and guess what one of the previous thread helis....
G-AYTF Bell 206B

Related companies ? both in the crop farming industry or just coincidence ?

Helipixman

Wasn't G-AZRU an Air Hanson machine??

G-AZRU
 

TRC

Yes Hanson Trust were the first registered owners of G-AZRU

Helipixman

An index has been compiled for the benefit of those wishing to reference the topics, images and videos appearing on this thread.

Regular readers who feel this may be of use, please remember that the index is located on page 29

.
Aircraft Photo Index

G-AJHW (S51) ... page 26
G-AJOV (S51) ... pages 6 & 20
G-AKCX (B47) ... page 20
G-AKFB (B47) ... page 19
G-AMWG (Sycamore) ... page 20
G-APMR (H12) ... page 19
G-APTH (B47) ... page 22
G-ASNL (S61) ... page 20 & 26
G-ASNM (S61) ... page 26
G-ASUN (B305) ... page 18
G-ASXF (B305) ... page 19
G-ATCA (Wessex) ... page 26
G-ATJY (B2) ... page 17
G-ATSJ (B305) ... pages 19 & 20
G-ATUR (B305) ... page 19
G-ATUS (B305) ... page 18
G-AWDU (B2) ... pages 16 & 20
G-AWFY (Al II) ... page 27
G-AWJL (B206) ... page 22
G-AWJW (B206) ... page 3
G-AWOL (B206) ... pages 5 & 22
G-AWOM (B206) ... page 22
G-AWVL (H300) ... page 20
G-AVEE (Al II) ... page 14
G-AVUK (E28) ... page 27 & 28
G-AWAP (Al II) ... pagse 27
G-AYBE (B206) ... page 20
G-AYMX (B206) ... pages 5 & 27
G-AYTF (B206) ... page 17
G-AXEJ (H500) ... page 18
G-AXGO (B206) ... page 25
G-AXMM (B206) ... page 11
G-AXPL (H500) ... page 14
G-AZAG (B206) ... pages 22 & 23
G-AZBS (B47) ... page 22
G-AZMB (B47) ... page 17
G-AZRU (B206) ... page 18
G-AZYB (B47) ... page 22
G-BAAN (H300) ... page 21
G-BAEH (H300) ... page 14
G-BAKF (B206) ... page 3
G-BAKS (B206) ... pages 23 & 24
G-BAKT (B206) ... page 22
G-BAKU (B206) ... page 22
G-BALT (F28) ... pages 13 & 15
G-BAUN (B206) ... page 16
G-BAVI (B206) ... pages 16, 18, 19
G-BAZL (SA341) ... page 24
G-BBBM (B206) ... pages 8 & 13
G-BBBR (F28) ... page 13
G-BBET (B206) ... page 25
G-BBEU (B206) ... page 25
G-BBJE (Al II) ... page 29
G-BBPO (F28) ... page 13
G-BBRS (F28) ... page 8
G-BBUX (B206) ... pages 20 & 22
G-BBUY (B206) ... page 16
G-BBVI (F28) ... page 19
G-BCWM (B206) ... pages 6 & 12
G-BCWN (B206) ... pages 11 & 12
G-BCYP (B206) ... pages 17 & 27
G-BDRY (H12) ... page 29
G-BEFY (H12) ... page 29
G-BEHG (B206) ... pages 16 & 22
G-BEJY (H500 ... page 29
G-BENO (E280) ... page 3
G-BEPP (B206) ... page 27
G-BERJ (B47) ... page 29
G-BFFJ (S61) ... page 21
G-BHIV (AS350) ... page 25
G-BHXU (B206) ... pages 16 & 25
G-BKXE (AS365) ... page 24
G-BLSY (B222) ... page 14
G-BNPS (Bo105) ... page 13
G-BOUY (B206) ... page 25
G-BRDL (B206) ... page 27
G-BTWA (B206) ... pages 10, 24 & 25
G-BUXS (Bo105) ... page 27
G-BUZZ (B206) ... page 4
G-BWAV (H300) ... page 13
G-CEDK (Citation X) ... page 1
G-CHLA (AS355) ... page 26
G-CHOC (B206) ... pages 11 & 23
G-DWMI (B206L) ... page 22
G-EJCB (A109) ... page 8
G-EYEI (B206) ... page 9, 16, 22, 24 & 27
G-FSCL (B206) ... page 27
G-FSDG (B206) ... page 27
G-GASA H500) ... page 26
G-GOBP (B206) ... page 25
G-JAMI (B206L) ... page 17
G-JANY (AS350) ... page 8
G-JOKE (B206) ... page 2
G-JLBI (B206L) ... pages 5 & 8
G-JLBZ (B222) ... page 7
G-JLEE (B206) ... page 1
G-KATE (WG30) ... page 28
G-LBAI (EC155) ... page 18
G-LIII (B206L) ... page 13
G-LRII (B206L) ... page 13
G-MRRR (H500) ... page 6
G-NEEP (B206) ... page 21
G-NEUF (B206L) ... page 14
G-NOEI (AS350) ... pages 11 & 25
G-NOXY (R44) ... page 20
G-OBRU (B206) ... pages 26 & 27
G-OJCB (B206) ... pages 2, 22 & 23
G-OLLY (Piper Navajo) ... page 2
G-ONOW (Bell 206) ... pages 5 & 9
G-ORRR (H500) ... page 6
G-OYST (B206) ... page 17
G-PACO (S76) ... page 15
G-PRIX (Cessna Titan?) ... page 2
G-REVS (B206) ... page 5
G-RODS (B206) ... pages 11 & 12
G-ROGR (B206) ... page 11
G-SHAA (E280) ... page 6
G-SPEY (B206) ... pages 23 & 25
G-STEF (H500) ... page 16
G-STVI (B206L) ... pages 9, 22 & 24
G-SWEL (H500) ... pages 6 & 20
G-TALI (AS355) ... page 2
G-TALY (B206) ... pages 1, 7 & 17
G-TGRZ (B206) ... page 6
G-TKHM (B206) ... page 22
G-WARM (B206L) ... page 13
G-WILL (B206) ... page 15
G-WIZZ (B206) ... pages 2 & 3
G-WOSP (B206) ... pages 5, 6 & 29
G-XXEB (S76) ... page 18

D-HJFF (B206) ... page 10
D-HMAC (B206) ... pages 11, 13 & 23
F-BIEA (Al II) ... page 27
F-GBBQ (AS350) ... page 25
F-WHHF (Alouette II) ... page 12
I-CDVM (B206L) ... page 13
I-MINR (B47) ... page 22
I-PFDC (AS355) ... page 6
N109BS (A109) ... page 17
N2221W (B222) ... page 12
N38BL (B206) ... page 22
VH-AND (B206) ... page 16
VH-FRL (B206) ... page 26
ZK-HPP (B206) ... page 16
ZS-HDZ (B206) ... page 16

5N-ACN (Alouette II John Eacott) ... page 10

Abu Dhabi 206's ... page 22
Agusta 101 ... page 27
Al II's in Turkey ... page 29
AS 355 with Vauxhall Corsa over Tower Bridge ... page 26
BCalH S-61 ... page 5
Bell 206's in Rhodesia ... pages 3 & 4
Brantly B2's ... page 16
'Brantly in the Docks' ... page 18
Bristol Belvedere ... page 12
Bucker Jungmeister ... page 19
Ferranti Stabilised 206 ... page 17
First Kiwi Deer recovery flight (B47) ... page 26
German Air Force Vertol ... page 15
Gilles Vileneuve JetRanger ... page 17
Heli Air Monaco AS365 ... page 6
Instrument Panel B206A ... page 6
Instrument Panel G-JLBI ... page 4
Lamas (Air Glaciers) ... page 10
Lebanese Air Force Alouette III ... page 12
Malaysian AS-61 Silver ... page 6
Newspaper article George Muir (Clyde) ... page 27
North American Brantly 305 ... page 19
NY Port Authority 206 over WTC ... page 26
Pope's Helicopter ... page 5
Rather Pleasant Passenger boarding a B407 ... page 14
Rhodesian Alouette III ... page 4
Rhodesian Spitfire ... page 4
Saunders Roe Skeeter ... page 12
Selection of AeroGulf Helicopters ... page 9
Selection of 'Classic' 206's ... page 16
Selection of MetPol 222's ... page 14
Selection of Sabena Helicopters ... page 12
Skytech Mi26 with truck ... page 26
Sox Hosegood ... page 27
'Spy Who Loved Me' 206 mock up ... page 4
Sunderland Flying Boat ... page 1
UniRoyal Hughes 500 ... page 20
US Airways S51 ... page 10
Westland Wasps (RN) ... page 6 & 26
Westland Whirldwind (RAF & Bristow) ... pages 12 & 19

Miscellaneous Photo Index

Alan Mann ... page 15
Beano Comic Cover ... page 3
Charles Hughesdon ... pages 10 & 25
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ... page 15
Chris Hunt ... page 22
Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper and James Stewart ... page 10
Colin Chapman with Lotus ... pages 2 & 15
Clyde Heliport (aerial view) ... page 9
Eaton Hall ... page 1
Gen. Peter Walls ... page 4
Gilles Villeneuve ... page 17
Jimmy Harper ... page 27
John Crewdson ... page 27
Ken Gregory ... page 14
Lake Como ... page 6
Mike Smith ... page 20
Noughts and Crosses on motorway ... page 2
PPRuNer PACO's Corvette ... page 15
Peter Cadbury ... pages 9 & 21
Queen Elizabeth ship ... page 10
Roy Neep ... pages 4 & 21


Video Index

Alouette 318 G-AWLC ... page 9
Charles Hughesdon's helicopter garden party ... page 10
Marc Wolfe's flying scene in 'For Your Eyes Only' ... pages 3 & 24
Vintage Bell 47's ... page 10


Topical Index

Agusta S61 Silver ... page 6
Air Gregory ... pages 14 & 20
Alan Mann ... page 15
Alan Mann Racing ... page 14
Alec Wortley Helicopters ... page 21
Baron Heinrich von Furstenberg ... page 10
Ben Turner Helicopters ... page 25
Brantly 305 ... pages 18 & 19
Charles Hughesdon ... pages 10 & 20
Christian Salvesen Antarctica ... page 15
Clyde Helicopters/Heliport ... pages 8, 24 & 25
Colin Chapman ... page 15
Cy Rose ... pages 13 & 17
Dollar Helicopters ... page 21
Duke of Westminster ... pages 1, 2, 16
Exchange between Commissioner of Police and Bell Helicopter rep ... page 14
Ferranti family ... page 19
Freddie Starr ... page 1
Freddie Wilcox ... page 11
Gay Absalom ... page 14
Gilles Villeneuve ... page 17
G-AWDU ... page 17
G-AYLX ... page 20
G-AYTF ... pages 5, 13 & 15
G-AZAG ... page 24
G-BAKS ... page 24
G-BAKU ... page 21
G-BALT ... pages 13 & 15
G-BAVI ... pages 16, 17
G-BBEU ... pages 24 & 25
G-BHXU ... pages 16
G-BTWA ... pages 10, 24 & 25
G-CHOC ... pages 9, 23 & 24
G-RODS/ROGR ... page 11
G-NOEL ... page 11
G-SPEY ... pages 24 & 25
G-TALY ... pages 1 & 2
G-TALY Delivery ... page 7
G-WIZZ ... pages 2, 3 & 13
'High Road to China' (film) ... page 25
John Crewdson ... pages 3 & 8
John Dicken ... page 22
Ken Davies ... pages 1 & 7
Lake Como ... page 6
Noel Edmonds ... pages 11 & 12
'Ode to Taly' ... page 1
Oldway Helicopters ... page 19
Papal Flying ... page 5
Peter Cadbury ... pages 9,11, 13, 20, 21
Pete Wilson ... page 12
Police Enstroms ... page 13
'Raspberry Ripple' 206 ... page 3
Rhodesian Expedition ... pages 3 & 4
Roy Spooner ... pages 19 & 20
'Run of The Country' (film) ... page 22
Saunders Roe Skeeter ... page 10
Sox Hosegood ... page 12
Twyford Moors Helicopters ... page 24
UK LongRangers ... page 13
'Wizz the Bizz' Rhyme ... page 2

.
Stace: I'll see your AutoAlloys D model BEJY with Weetabix's BIOA and I'll raise you two more AutoAlloy's 500's .. HOOK and GOGO! http://www.tunisianloverats.com/imag...ing_smiley.gif

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...hnstone%29.jpg
Hughes 500D G-BIOA belonging to Weetabix International as seen at Farnborough on 8th September 1984. (Photo: Brian Johnstone).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...hnstone%29.jpg
Hughes 500D G-HOOK belonging to AutoAlloys Ltd as seen at Middle Wallop on 23rd July 1982. (Photo: Brian Johnstone).

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...easdale%29.jpg
Hughes 500D belonging to AutoAlloys Ltd as seen at Sywell in July 1979. (Photo: Bill Teasdale).

I don't know whether BIOA was part of PPRuNer Palma's collection or whether he sold this to a family member. I am fairly certain however that Palma was flying GOGO when I met him at the '79 Cranfield Airshow with Mike Smith in tow.

Sav

helipix.........

Many thanks for the information you have turned up on Farm Supply and in particular the images of the Hillers.

My information was very sketchy, just G-BEFY listed at Rainton. Looks to me that Felixkirk was the main centre of operations. I have not visited Felixkirk but it is a small private airstrip just outside Thirsk. Seem to recall operations started there some time in the 70s. Think Rainton was just a pad.

Interesting that the image of -BEFY shows the skid of what appears to be another Hiller parked alongside.

Hope some more details on Hiller operations appear in this excellent thread. Through the 50s, 60's and in to the 70s around 60 Hillers appeared on the British register. Together with the Bell 47s they pioneered commercial civil rotary flight in the UK.

Planemike

.
PM: Was also glad to see that Elipix was able to dig up some info for you.

As it happens Felixkirk and Thirsk Aviation made a brief appearance on page 27 where one of their 206's (G-FSCL) was showcased during our hunt for Newforest's green and gold 206.

Some Hiller 'scraps' from one of my rarely-opened archive folders .. just until I can get you something better. Only one item from the UK I'm sorry to say.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/__...CGIrecover.jpg
Kiwi 'copter man' Bill Black recovering a plank (ZK-CGI) from Lake Duncan in Fiordland. Evidently the aircraft (CGI) was stolen from Taieri airstrip and then ditched!

Exemplifying the term 'one good turn deserves another' the crew of the Motor Stores Lighter HMAS Boronia recover a Hiller from the seas not far from Sydney!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...3b6edb04_z.jpg
The HMAS Boronia was one of nine 180 tonne wooden stores vessels built for the RAN in 1944-45 with the remainder being built for the Army's water transport units.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...er%20Leeds.jpg
Hiller over Leeds (Kent that is!).

Sav

.
The Kenyon Files:

Dennisimo! An appalling photo (my apologies) and a craft of which I have no recollection. While I wasn't so up on the UK's F28 population I was aware of a number of the 'Sharks' .. but not this one!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/__...mYEPo/beva.jpg
Enstrom 280C Shark G-BEYR as seen at Nottingham (Tollerton) on 21st July 1979. (Photo: John Bell).

Seems to have been registered at first to a 'Guy Morton & Sons' of Cambridgeshire in 1977 then on to a string of companies including 'Computer Consultancy', 'Looporder' and 'Freshmay' before being sold to Norman Bailey trading as 'Manchester Helicopter Centre'.

Dennis, Norman Bailey's name keeps cropping-up - do you recall much about his outfit?

Rgds

Sav

Savoia,

Norman Bailey's company (The Manchester Helicopter Centre) is based at Barton Airfield (EGCB) - I believe it is now run by his son and they still operate a couple of Enstroms. I was told that in days gone by, a number of Enstroms were sold to MHC students, so I suspect that is why the name/company keeps cropping up.

I was taught to fly by one of the Bailey's former instructors who had an endless array of fascinating stories surrounding the helicopter industry in the 1970s/1980s! It was this same instructor who had connections to the DofW's pilot/helicopters as previously discussed in this thread.

Norman Bailey has authored three books about helicopter flying (entitled "The Helicopter Pilot's Manual" Vol I/II/III) - these are concise tomes but are filled with useful information. They certainly provided a useful starting point on the basic principles of flight.

Sorry not to be able to provide any significant trivia/nostalgia - I am sure others will have much more information to share...

Simon

More Info
 

Going back a few posts ... so here goes.

Enstroms G-BBHD. (I registered three in one day ... G-BBHC, G-BBHD & G-BBHE) ... HD was serial number 150which was sold new to the Christian Salveson group, but never used for crop spraying being a non-turbo 'A' model. G-BCOT, Serial No 199, WAS a turbo 28C and fitted out as a crop-sprayer using the Aginautics, 3600 36 ft boom spray gear and the Vicon hopper for dry work. This Enstrom had the sad distinction of being written off three times. First in the container while being shipped ex USA factory, second when poor David Voy lifted off at Southend with the three M/R push/pull rods connected up 120 degrees out of sinc. The third occasion was when our American pilot on a Septoriam spray task ducked under some 33KVs and suffered a 'flashover' which brought him down, but pilot was OK. Enstrom G-BBBR was also a sprayer having been converted from the 'A' spec to the Rayjay turbo charged 'C' model. I made a crop spraying publicity film in this one and shared the flying with that great New Zealander, Derek Alexander. RIP and Dave Cook. Enstrom G-BZZZ was the third Ag model again converted from serial 138, a 28A model originally registered G-BBBZ. (what a memory ... honest!) Bill Catchpole (the Bishop!) was our Chief Ag Pilot.

Now the pic listed at Tollerton as G-BEYA wasn't YA. It was one of the first non turbo 280 'Shark'' models to come into the country. (three in all.) actually registered G-BEYR (serial number 1064) which I first UK air tested for CAA certification on July 27 1977. G-BEYA was an original factory 280C turbo Shark sold to Guy Morton, a potato dealer in Norfolk. (Later a Jetranger.) Bless you Guy if you are still aviating. I displayed G-BEYA at the Noel Edmonds, Mr Blobby event at Cranfield circa mid 1980s. I well remember the occasion since half way thru' my display, the 'REDS' decided to taxi their Hawks on to the main runway directly beneath me as I was in the sequence.

'Bill' Bailey .... he of 'the DFM for bringing a Scout back home' in Aden after having his T/R shot off. We both go back to 1973 when he recklessly converted me from the fixed wing nonsense to all things rotary. So you can blame him for allowing me to acquire this mine of useless information.

Earlier items. Yes ... John Wakeham (Conservative) was a fiancial gentleman I met regularly, being a co-director of Spooner Aviation and Air Taxis International Limited, based at Shoreham. And sadly the as yet unamed pilot of G-BAKS was that nice guy, Julian Holdaway who frequently freelanced for my Starline Helicopters business at Biggin Hill. Lost just north of Goodwood on the downs at night.

Finaly, I purchased B206 G-BFND from Bill Warner, (the biggest brother) which I re-registered as G-BYSE for the Wise Group. Earlier, in that red hot summer of 1976, I turned up at Bill Warner's posh home on Hayling Island to demonstrate a non-turbo Enstrom Shark. Then had to get my selling boots on with his 20 stone alongside as we vertically lifted clear of the 75 ft trees with the OAT showing 103 degrees! He soon changed the Enstrom for the Jetranger of course.

I think that's all for the mo ... hope to be back with you all again soon. Keep them pictures coming.

Dennis Kenyon.

PS. All figs are dragged from the memory box (which is 80 next year!) ... so allowances please!

More
 

Oh ... just a bit I have to add. Auto Alloys - Shot Blast Spares - of G-HOOK fame etc. I think the owner of Enstrom G-BBHD was father & son duo Dan Taylor. Odd because at the time, I supplied four Enstroms to the Taylor surname. Dan Taylor, Trevor Taylor G-BBBZ, Gordon Taylor G-CTRN (Gordon Taylor Royal navy) The fourth was a Taylor who had a metal stock holding business north East London. Sorry I can't recall the Christian name, but Bill Bailey can as he taught him I'm sure.

Dennis K

.
Ciao Dennisimo! Thank you for the ongoing memories and for clarifying BEYA/R's identity. Am glad that Bill Bailey introduced you to the world of vertical flight! :ok:

Regarding BEYA, she still seems to be kicking about, seen here shooting 'half autos' from a newly licenced back yard!


Some Bölkow Nostalgia ..

Wilfried von Engelhardt studied in England between 1950-1952. He was a helicopter mechanic in Paris (1954) and in Holland (1955-56). In 1957 he trained and qualified as a pilot whereafter he joined Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm becoming their Chief Test Pilot from 1962-1973.

In 1966 he attended the Test Pilot's course at EPNER.

Engelhardt performed the first flight of the MBB Bo105 test bed on 16th February 1967.

After serving as Chief Test Pilot with MBB, Engelhardt became MBB's Director of Sales prior to assuming responsibility for the company's helicopter training centre.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...nengelhart.jpg
Wilfried von Engelhardt

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...lhardt_001.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...lhardt_002.jpg

Sav

Wigan airways - Remember this one from 1990?

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/IMG_0047.jpg

G-MHSL
 

Epiphany, Yes I do, the one used while waiting, between the depature of G-BFYA, back to Veritair, and the arrival of G-SPOL.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/...73e02bb5_z.jpg
on the pad, ready for action.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/...0ba_z.jpg?zz=1
'ra polis' keeping their machine clean.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/...210_z.jpg?zz=1
ahh! that's why, we're on the telly :ok:.

WA

Here's G-BFYA from 1990.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/IMG_0057.jpg

.
Epiphany/Wigan, great shots! :ok:

Especially enjoy HSL on the beach.

BFYA was of course a former member of the Ferranti fleet.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...0Abbott%29.jpg
Glasgow Heliport on 10th February 2001

Sav

Clyde
 

My YA in action shot,the Govan shipyards in the background
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/...70a0bedf_z.jpg

and a better one of the first helicopter G-GASA
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/...d45491a3_z.jpg

and coming into land at Clyde Heliport from G-EYEI
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/...d166fffc_z.jpg

WA

Of Bölkows and beaches ..
 

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...rummeck%29.jpg
ZS-RJU at Woody Cape on 29th December 2004. (Photo: Rob Krummeck)

This CBS model owned by South African 'AV8 Helicopters' made an unexpected arrival at Woody Cape beach in December 2004 when, due to some sort of 'engine trouble', she came down in a hurry performing a 180° turn and some boom-slapping on touchdown.

Sav

Thread title
 

Heliport has quite rightly pointed out that this is now such a general Nostalgia Thread that it is time to drop the G-TALY reference and make it The Rotary Nostalgia Thread :ok:

Bölkow Classico
 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...20Heley%29.jpg
G-AZOM at Aberdeen's Dyce airport on 3rd April 1981. (Photo: Derek Heley)

While owned by BEAS this craft seems to have been on lease to Bristow to become one of their rare 105's.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...easdale%29.jpg
G-BCDH at Cambridge Bourn airport on 16th September 1983. (Photo: Bill Teasdale)

This eventually became a 'Bond bird' but, at the time of the photo, was under the patronage of Management Aviation.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...ruijsse%29.jpg
I-EHBB (CBS variant) beloning to 'Elitos' at Pescara (Italia) on 9th November 1982. (Photo: P. Vercruijsse)

Sav

La Vespa!
 

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...20White%29.jpg
Westland Wasp HAS1 over the Bay of Plenty in November 1990. (Photo: Glenn White)

The last time I saw an RNZN Wasp in the flesh as it were, was in June/July of 1990 off the coast of the province of New Britain in Papua New Guniea where an RNZN Frigate was attending negotiations between the PNG government and members of the rebel group the BRA.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...Nov%201969.jpg
Westland Wasp XT788 as attached to HMS Minerva in November 1969. The craft went on to serve aboard the civilian SS Uganda during her incarnation as a hospital ship during the Falklands campaign (1982).

Word has it that XT788 now trawls the UK's supermarket car parks in support of fundraising exercises for wounded service personnel.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...S%20Uganda.jpg
The SS Uganda to which XT788 (middle photo) was attached on MEDEVAC duties in 1982

In the early 70's I sailed aboard the SS Uganda as part of a school cruise taking-in the Eastern Med. Memorable moments included food poisoning in Istanbul and a force 9 gale between Alexandria and Heraklion.

Oh, and a nursing assistant in the sick bay who, upon reflection, was probably my first infatuation! In somewhat unoriginal fashion but, lacking experience in such matters, I managed to conjure up what I thought were convincing ailments on a daily basis. When eventually she confronted me with the revelation of her awareness that there was in fact nothing wrong with me and that my visits were merely a ruse to visit her .. I turned a mild-scarlet! In sympathy I was rewarded with a smacker atop my forehead and which only intensified the fever!

Sav

Ahhhh Savoia - I have similar memories.

I sailed on a school trip to Scandinavia on the SS Uganda in the 1970's and stole my first kiss behind one of the lifeboats. I then later sailed to The Falkland Islands on the SS Uganda on an equally educational and memorable voyage after being transferred to the deck by a Navy Wessex from Ascension Island.

In the late 80's I was flying a Gazelle on an Royal Marines task to Plymouth and flew over the River Fal where I spotted the unmistakable moored hulk of the Uganda sadly rusting away.

Wikipedia tells me that she was finally broken up for scrap in Taiwan in 1992. A sad end to a loyal subject and an old friend.

Savoia

Thanks for posting the picture of G-AZOM. I used to fly it in the early 80s mainly on ad hoc work out of Aberdeen. OM was a bit of an orphan among the Super Pumas, S-61s and S-76s of that era. It was often used on a Sunday Flight No 61A Aberdeen - Piper A - Flotta - Aberdeen sometimes via Kirkwall for a fuel stop. Frankly, I never liked the 105 much and I was glad to move onto S-76 as Captain.

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Epiphany: I'm sure that if Uganda's decks could speak they would narrate an endless verse of experimental romances!

Aye aye I.I. Thanks for that. Were you about at the time of the PA incident (July '88?).

I don't suppose you would be aware of the paperwork behind the craft (no reason that you should) its just the she never seems to have been registered to Bristows - only to BEAS.

I don't have much time in the 105. Did a conversion for a Shell contract, flew a couple of sorties and was then transferred to another contract. She used to deliver this 'bum-frazzling' vibration when re-introducing power on approach but .. I've met drivers with heaps of time on them who love them.

Best

Sav

Sav, I was down at The Denes flying S-76s at the time of the PA accident. It still sends a shiver down the spine. Not sure about GAZOM's paperwork I also remember it being a BEAS aircraft. I did my conversion in Dalcross over a weekend. I probably never got more than 50-60 hours on the thing, as you say, it vibrated one to kingdom come at certain phases of flight. A most enjoyable thread. II

The 105 will scare the unwary !!!!less for the first 100-200 hours, but after that it becomes an extended part of the body and is capable of flight a Bell driver can only dream of....:ok:

I got over 3500 hrs on the type and all though it tried to kill me several times I will love her to the day I die, I had sooo much fun doing the lights and air ambulance work. I can scan a few pics from the late 80's if anyone is interested....:ok:

Griffo! Do you really have to ask that question on this thread! Lol!

Bring them on. :ok:

Sav

Enstrom 280L Hawk
 

Many years ago in the late 70s or early 80s I saw a four seat stretched Enstrom at Spooners, Shoreham. Sadly I never managed to photograph it but from memory it was an Enstrom 280L Hawk (probably a mock up) and carried the false registration G-HAWK.

The 280L Hawk project was shelved.

Having been in contact with the Enstrom factory, only two were built, one flyer and a mock up. I think one is still in the back of the hangar at the factory.

Did anyone else see this or know anything about it or better still photographed it ?

Helipixman

pics from the 80's..
 

Excuse my non computer savvy if the sizes are all wrong..:{

First pic G-BAKT circa 1987/88 outside Gleneagles hangar (old fire station) Edinburgh airport and Cornwall air ambulance 1989.

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4635-1/BAKT.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4637-1/AZII.jpg

Next Trinity house ops St.Just again about 1989-90.
http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4...ouseStJust.jpg

My first fatal RTA Marazion 1989.
http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4627-1/RTA.jpg

My mate Geoff doing what he did best in a 105.
http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4...ontherocks.jpg

Rough Tor Bodmin moor about 1995.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...cusdoha/BS.jpg

Mods can you re-size if needed please :ok:

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Great shots Griff and, I dare say, a few interesting stories behind them!

Elipix! Until Dennisimo arrives:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...9ejdE/Hawk.jpg
Enstrom 280L Hawk January 1979

A truly atrocious photo, taken from a Flight International article, but this is all the evidence I can find of this rare stretched-Shark!

I remember some of the publicity surrounding this project and, for a while, it seemed as if she was gearing-up to become a viable suitor for the private flyers market but, as you know, the programme was dropped.

Sav

At 90 deg odds with the world..
 

No patient on board honest....:E

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4625-1/SCAN0103.jpg

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A great shot Griffo!

Some more 'Bölkow Classico' the first of which (a well known bird which has appeared many times on PPRuNe) should ring some bells for you. She was also the sister ship to Ferranti's G-BATB:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/__...%20Rees%29.jpg
TH's 105 at Swansea on 6th March 1984. This aircraft was used to serve the lightships in the Bristol Channel. (Photo: Tim Rees)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__...20Darke%29.jpg
Aerogulf's 105D at Dubai International Airport on 23rd January 1981. (Photo: Steve Darke)

Sav

Sav,

I will try and scan a few pics of lightships from the 80's but I don't have many...

Any other Trinity dogs want to chip in???

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That's great Griff! :ok: I don't have any photos of the ships!

Back in the day Ferranti ran the NLB contract but .. their service was cut short on 16th March 1978 when a freak wave overcame BATB at Skerryvore Lighthouse:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/__...Ap0/G-BATB.jpg
BATB on NLB contract

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...Skerryvore.jpg
Her recovery by RN Sea King after a freak wave engulfed the pad

Sav

Unfortunately, all my lightship pics are stuck to a collage board and I cannot scan them :sad:

However, I do have these snaps, top is Eddystone light off Plymouth Ho, and beneath it is Longships light on a typical Trinity day in gods country :ok:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...sdoha/Eddy.jpg

And no, those decks don't get any bigger as you get close :eek:

Thanks Griff?
 

Back in 1988/89ish the Cornwall air ambulance landed in my village, Blisland on Bodmin moor. I was a scruffy moor kid who was amazed at the bright shiny helicopter i had heard so much about at school.

I was even more amazed that the pilot actually took the time to talk to me,:eek: and give me the enormous responsibility of keeping everyone one behind the gate after the patient was loaded and the helicopter was ready to take off, my first work as ground crew. :ok:

If that was you Griff thank you very much as you planted a seed in my head which due to financial limitations and a few other issues, it remained a very small seed for a long time. :sad:

A few years ago this changed and I am now working as a commercial helicopter pilot,:eek: flying around the beautiful island of Mallorca.:cool: So again if it was you thank you for being that nice helicopter pilot who took a few moments for that scruffy moor boy!:ok:

Cheers
Neal

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The handiwork of Karl Zimmerman has been showcased previously on PPRuNe but .. I find it hard to get into the 105 without acknowledging him in some way.

Essential viewing for Bölkow lovers!


Sav

Classic 206
 

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These just in ..

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...hnstone%29.jpg
Bell 206B G-AYMW seen at Leicester Racecourse helipad on 10th January 1971 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)

This craft was bought by BEAS in November 1970 who sold her on to 'Wykeham Helicopters' of Scarborough in September 1973. While with Wykeham she seems to have gone on to the Irish register for a year (in 1980) prior to being bought by Dollar in January 1984.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/__...hnstone%29.jpg
AgustaBell 206A G-AVYX at Plymouth Roborough on 26th April 1983 (Photo: Brian Johnstone)

This craft was bought by SWEB in November 1967 and became the 12th 206 to be registered in the UK. She remained with SWEB for 19 years until being sold to David Pipe in June 1986.

This craft was a former mount of PPRuNer Speechless Two during his pre-Ferranti days.

Sav