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Commenting on your last two posts Savioa
One of the Aussie pilots must be Don Farquarson who later joined Bristol's as a test pilot on Sycamores through to Sea Kings..no longer with us I'm afraid but noted for his eccentricities. The Super Frelon pictured was leased to Olympic Airways (nee Onassis ) for a couple of summer seasons in the late sixties but didnt make any money .It was then used for training Chinese and Iraqi pilots before being put out to grass in the 1980s.It now resides in The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare,brought to the UK from Marignane by road,courtesy of Bristow in the days when they had their own transport fleet and were a lot more generous than today.At the time it was the biggest helo ever moved by road in Europe and quite a challenge logistically especially as les Frenchies wouldn't allow use of the motorway and it had to come on A roads to Cherbourg ,which required permission from every local authority Mayor en route.Tony ? Bristow's transport manager tore his hair out trying to secure permissions I recall....... ....and the AB47J was purchased by BEA and by SWEB at Bristol ,so the sales tour must have worked.........ah nostalgia ! |
Heli1 thanks for your comments. :ok:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C...lon_record.jpg The Super Frelon F-ZWWE used in the speed trial https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...2525201963.jpg The speed trial was conducted by renown Sud Aviation test pilot Jean Boulet who has featured previously on this thread https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...per_Frelon.jpg Jean Boulet at the helm of the Super Frelon on 23rd July 1963 when the world speed record was achieved The Frelon's sponsons were removed and its undercarriage replaced by stumps for the record-breaking flight. |
Heli1.
Tony Bird was BHL's Transport Manager. |
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...02%252520s.jpg
Another Aussie Ranger ... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c...ray%252529.jpg Bell 206B VH-EPQ at Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport on 29th December 2001 (Photo: Craig Murray) More Aussie Rangers on page 41 |
VH-EPQ was actually white but was parked too close to the fence on the Redfern side of the airport on 28th December 2001. The owners were very unhappy.
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Aussie Rangers
Running the risk of being pedantic here - this is a professional forum for professional people after all - but they are Jet Rangers.
This is a Bell Ranger... :8 |
I'm still chasing around for pics of 'The dancer', particularly in here Essex Lotus days. The chap who sent me this pic says she also appeared in a Martini livery at one point, I'm guessing with a green base colour to match the Lotus F1 cars of the time (1979).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...Helicopter.jpg |
Epiphany, too funny! :ok:
TRC: I think that'll be a round on you for the pedantics - lol! FBB: Its been a while, welcome back! Dear God it brings a tear to the eye to see the Dancer wearing her Essex scheme .. and which is how she looked when I first flew her. She was probably the first JetRanger in the UK to sport reflective 'chrome' tape and which, at the time, looked somewhat snazzy! I have several photos of her (in both Essex and JPS colours) but, these images are back in Blighty and which I shall recover when I next visit. Great work, well done! :D As mentioned some time back, Essex Oil owner and Team Lotus sponsor David Thieme had a LongRanger on the French register using the same colours but with a different scheme. It would have been one of the first LongRangers in France (1979) and, if I remember rightly, the reflective tape was applied lengthwise along the fuselage in thin stripes. She sported an all white leather interior with white sheepskin rugs and was a sight (for a young lad) to behold! A Swissman in Italy! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e...zma%252529.jpg An AS332 C1 HB-ZKN Super Puma belonging to Eagle Helicopters on the Italian side of the Alps on 1st January 2007 (Photo: Marina Cozma) A Swiss Super P (oops, TRC's about ... I mean Super Puma) ventures over to the Italian side of the Alps on New Year's Day 2007 to carry out lift work. In the full size version of this image it is not possible to see anyone occupying the co-drivers seat! Not required? |
TRC: I think that'll be a round on you for the pedantics .............. oops, TRC's about ... |
More Air Gregory
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...252520Kids.jpg
An Air Gregory trio 'somewhere' over Blighty in 1975 during the making of the film 'The Copter Kids' Had initially thought that this was G-AVEE and G-AXPL (both of which appear on page 14) but, the ownership dates do not correspond with the year of the image so, am still on the hunt for the identities of these craft. Re: the 47, I'm not sure if Gregorious (Air Gregory) had a 47 .. but will endeavour to find-out. |
Copter Kids
Ah memories,
I have this on video from then I was a kid. Great music too :ok: |
Savoia, are you related to Steve Wright by any chance?
He has the same difficulty using the right names as you seem to do. ... Gregorious ... |
Ah TRC .. you're not gonna let this go are you! Never mind, but I'll give you some stick over it when we meet-up for our shindig!
You are basically homing in on one of my character traits, my use of nicknames - generally intended to communicate a personalisation of an individual, organisation or object. From age 8 when my parents divorced, my godfather (whom you so kindly drove to the Waldorf) and whom you rescued (along with me) from a field in Norfolk when Colin Chapman's 206 packed-up, played a significant role in my up-bringing. He was the one who taught me to fly and it was through him that I gained exposure to the aviation world in which I was to carve out my first career. One of Col Bob's traits was his extensive use of nicknames (which I have mentioned numerous times both here and on the Ferranti thread) and I guess it was inevitable that some of this was going to rub off! For example, I never once heard him refer to Alan Mann as Alan Mann, it was always Manfred Mann! John Froud one of the Ferranti mechanics was always 'Wee Johnny Froud' etc. On a post (I think on this thread) where I conveyed his secondment to CSE when the Bell 222 test pilot was grounded by Heathrow and he ended-up flying the demonstrator N2221W, the ATCO's at LHR were in hoots of laughter the entire Ascot week because of the Colonels RT announcements "This is helicopter N222 ... pause ... One Whisky" with an inflection on the 1W which was intended to reflect the ordering of the drink! Yes childish, perhaps immature even .. many things no doubt but, qualified in psychology (as many management consultants are these day) I am also aware that light-hearted antics have their place in professionalism. Stress levels, confidence and a generally more open and accessible 'culture' are all merits of encouraging a moderate degree of humour, spontaneity, personalisation .. whatever. Now, aside from this, people have their distinctive personalities. Some will wish to conduct their discourse (both private and professional) in a strictly orderly manner revealing no personal character traits of any significance. Others may be freer in their conversations or wish to convey something of the 'spirit' of their message and this is where the personalisation of one's communications begins to evolve. My godfather was known for calling everything and everyone by special names. Ask the likes of Martyn Fiddler or the ex-Ferranti Bo105 training captain PPRuNer Speechless Two about the Ferranti days and what were known as 'Colonelisms'! My little expressions are as nothing compared to the antics of the Colonel and you should be thankful that I never engaged in the 'Star Trekisation' of equipment and instruments which occurred among several Bristow crews! Again, hilarious! Perhaps its something which comes with age, that one frets less and less about taking everything so seriously .. or perhaps I am wrong and we should be explicitly serious, continually! Anyway, that's me. If my use of non-standard names causes confusion, is offensive etc. then I will do my best to diminish this habit but, I would appreciate a little more feedback (perhaps from others) to confirm that my bast*rdisation of certain words really is a pain in the **! |
No complaints from me Savvers!
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:rolleyes:
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80's Nostalgia
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F...yre%252529.jpg
The late John 'Chalky' White blasts off from his home base of Castle Donington in JCB's Agusta-built (and Ferranti stabilised) JetRanger II in February 1980. Vickers Viscount 735 in the foreground parked in front of the JCB hangar (Photo: David Eyre) https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...ins%252529.jpg An S76A G-OAUS, registered to Aston Upthorpe Stud, arrives at Farnborough on 8th September 1982 (Photo: Don Hewins) |
In the full size version of this image it is not possible to see anyone occupying the co-drivers seat! Not required? Even the 225 is "1" |
RVDT thanks. Just unusual to see the Super P being flown single pilot!
Nigel Osborn wrote: Jim started Ferguson Helicopters as an offshoot of Rotorwork to mainly handle the Sydney jobs. Jim won a large gravity survey contract in 1966 which set them up financially, even though there was a tragic accident in Sydney in a 47 while filming near the Opera House when the entire tail gearbox dropped into the harbour & all 3 on board were killed. The Bell 47 mentioned by Nigel (VH-AHF) at Bankstown airport in February 1966 - wearing 'Rotor-Work' titles (Photo: Greg Banfield) https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...252520rego.jpg VH-AHF crased near Circular Quay on 10th December 1966, evidently due to the failure of a t/r retention bolt |
In the full size version of this image it is not possible to see anyone occupying the co-drivers seat! Not required? |
G-OAUS
G-OAUS was one of two S76, the other being S76B G-BOYF, owned by the Maktoums of Dubai and operated originally by Air Hanson out of Blackbushe.Kerry Packers was another machine
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Assorted Nostalgia
Schinthe thanks for that. Details of the registrations of Packer's previous craft (both UK and Aussie) would be appreciated.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R...750%252529.jpg A Trans Australian Bell 47J2 at Moorabbin Airport, Victoria on 20th January 1963 (Photo: Red750) Evidently this 'Heli Cab' was used in the shuttle service between Melbourne and Essendon. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...2525201968.jpg BEAS Brantly B2 at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire in 1968 during the filming of the Avengers (Photo: Uncredited) https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...y%252520B2.jpg A Brantly B2 G-A??? somewhere in Blighty in 1968. (Thought it could be 'Hellstreet' (Elstree) or Sywell .. but honestly don't know!) The First Helicopter Assault!? https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1...ezinvasion.jpg Westland Whirldwinds aboard HMS Theseus in 1956 "45 Royal Marine Commando onboard Royal Navy Ships are to fly ashore to link up with British and French Paratroops already on the ground from an earlier fixed-wing aircraft parachute assault to regain control of the vital world waterway. The French Paras jumped on the east side of the canal to take Port Fouad, and south of Port Said on the west. The 3rd British Parachute Battalion jupms in to take an airstrip and marches east to take Port Said on the west side of the canal. 45 Commando is to Air Assault directly afterwards into Port Said, where a bitter city fight erupts. It was the world's first amphibious combat helicopter "Air Assault". 41, 42, Commandos came ashore by conventional landing craft backed by 6th Royal Rank Regiment Centurion heavy tanks and French AMX-13 light tanks. In a matter of hours the Suez Canal and a strip of land 25 miles south are in Anglo-French control before the cease-fire." |
Sav..........
The Brantly, MGB and posing models are at Kidlington (Oxford, occasionally now known as LONDON Oxford)........ Planemike PS The "PIPER" sign on the building roof and the PA-28 are a bit of a give away!! |
The Venerable Bead!
Planemike, grazie! Shortly after posting the image it did occur to me that the location may well have been BEAS' home base so thanks for the confirmation. :ok:
G-BBET debuted on page 25 and was the sister-ship to another Bell-built 206, G-BBEU: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...ton%252529.jpg Bell 206B JetRanger II G-BBET at Biggin Hill n 17th May 1974 (Photo: Jonathan Walton) Advertising seems to have been the order of the day for BBET not only with some sort of placard in the rear passenger window but, when enlarged, the tailboom reveals wording indicating the craft's owner as 'Madrey Properties'. From Madrey she was bought back by her original owners, Ben Turner and from Ripley she was sold to Italy in the Christmas of '74. A venerable 'BEAD' indeed! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7...ald%252529.jpg Westland prototype WG-13 Lynx G-BEAD at Farnborough on 10th September 1976 (Photo: Steve Fitzgerald) This prototype first flew on 21st March 1971 and was seen here re-engined with P&W PT6Bs as opposed to the originally installed Rolls-Royce Gems. |
Packer's S-76
I have found one of Kerry Packer's S-76s: VR-BNR/VP-BNR regn to Sunningdale Investments Ltd, and I think this might be the UK example as it was noted at Blackbushe on several occasions during the period it was registered (1992-1998).
The company was also the registered owner of a DC-8 VR-BLG/VP-BLG that was operated at the same time as 'BNR. |
Did you know ...
... that the people who gave Britain the likes of the Percival Proctor also made a foray into rotary-wing design!
In 1951 a helicopter division was formed by Hunting Percival and design work commenced on a medium-sized helicopter designated the P74. This machine had a teardrop-shaped fuselage with the two-seat cockpit in the nose and a large cabin running the full length of the fuselage. Beneath the cabin floor was a Napier Oryx gas generator which fed compressed air to the tips of the three rotor blades. The prototype was completed in the spring of 1956, carrying the military serial number XK889. Ground testing commenced but the Oryx engine was insufficiently powerful and the P74 failed to fly. It was planned to fit a more powerful Rolls-Royce RB.108 turbine but the rationalisation of the helicopter industry later that year resulted in the P74 project being cancelled. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g...cival_p-74.jpg The lack of gearbox and simplified coupling of rotor to the aircraft meant that a tilting rotor hub could be used and drag hinges were not needed.The low torque coupling at the mast meant that very little was needed in the form of lateral control. The P74 rotor was expected to be quieter in operation than tip jets following tests with a Derwent engine powered rotor. The stainless-steel rotors were thick in cross section to allow for the necessary ducting to the tips and non-feathering - as a result ailerons were fitted to the blades. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...val_p-74_2.jpg The rotor blades used ailerons on the trailing edges with pitch control achieved by a screw jack. The unusual engine location necessitated exhaust pipes coming through the cabin wall between the rows of seats, creating an unenviable amount of din and heat for the intended passengers. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...val_p-74_1.jpg The Hunting Percival P74 was intended as a demonstrator for a new type of helicopter. It worked on the tip-jet principle, but unlike the Hiller Hornet with its individual ramjets, the P74 had a gas generator under the cabin floor which fed compressed air through triple ducts to the three-bladed rotor, each blade of which had triple ejector ducts. Months of testing in a static rig showed up many problems with the power system which refused to develop full power and maximum gas flow. Finally these problems were fixed and a first flight attempted. Despite the efforts of two pilots on the very stiff controls, the P74 resolutely refused to fly. One engineer associated with the project says that a consultant designer used the wrong formula for calculating lift. All the figures added up but the P74 went nowhere. Actually it was ordered to be towed across the airfield out of sight, and that is about the last anyone heard of it. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...520Cutaway.jpg And that .. in the 1960's Westlands were planning a commercial tilt-rotor? https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d...2525201968.jpg Proposed Westland Tilt-Rotor G-AXXP (1968) |
Whirling Winds!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...esCAMFX3AE.jpg
On 3 June 1959, 110 Squadron was reformed at Kuala Lumpur from the merger of No. 155 Squadron and No. 194 Squadron, initially equipped with the Westland Whirlwind HC4. These were, in April 1960, supplemented by the Bristol Sycamore HR14 with the Whirlwinds being replaced by the much more capable Gnome engined Whirlwind HAR10s in July 1963. The Sycamores were finally retired in October 1964. From 1966 the squadron also operated in Brunei and Borneo until November 1967 during the Indonesian crisis. It then continued its normal duties in Malaya until the Far East Air Force was run-down. The squadron disbanded on 15 February 1971. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...2520centre.jpg No. 110 Sqn photo; Sqn Ldr Richard Hadlow front centre https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...520Seletar.jpg The Whirlwind dispersal at Seletar https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...966%252529.jpg A Sgt Flight Engineer in front of a Whirlwind. The 'V' sign comes courtesy of Sgt Pilot 'Fred A.' (1966) https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D...rBruneiBay.jpg RAF Westland WS-55 HAR Mk.10 XR481 over Brunei Bay |
Being a Whirlwind fan, as an engineer it was the first helicopter I stood under the whirling blades of, I also became an 'amatuer' winchman on them for Bristow's in Dubai, two questions, is it indicative of the rank that the officer is adopting the legs apart 'big balls' stance and all others are adopting the rather feminine legs crossed stance? and two 'Fred A' I used to know a Certain 'Fred A' in Nigeria who now resides in Cyprus ( Surname Ayris)
Stace |
Stace
A couple of Bristow Whirlers have cropped-up on pages past including this one from page 19: http://lh4.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TU...artlett%29.jpg Westland Whirlwind WS-55 Srs 3 G-AYNP on contract to HM Coastguard seen at Redhill on 2nd September 1973. (Photo: Trevor Bartlett) And this one from page 34 (the same page where you are posing in front of the 'Jabberwock'): https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/__...ill%201978.jpg A Bristow 'Whirler' (behind Douglas Bunn's 206) in Alan's Shoppe at 'Redders' Re: the 'leg folding' photo, yes slightly effeminate (as you say) and doubtless designed to accentuate their fearless leader Richard Hadlow, lol! (Did you observe how the chaps on the right all have their legs folded one way and those on the left another - grief!). Regarding the Sergeant pilot offering his 'victory salute', sadly all I have is 'Fred A' - perhaps someone may come along providing confirmation of his surname but it would need to be a Fred who served with the RAF in Asia in the mid-to-late 60's. A couple more Whirlers (RAF) to be posted (maybe later today). |
Air Gregory & 'The Copter Kids'
Savoia
A review of the footage on You Tube reveals that the Allouette was G-BBJE (registered owner Medminster Ltd) and Hughes G-AZVM (regn to Air Gregory). The footage of the B47 only shows blurred images of the regn so an ID was not possible but it's colour scheme is most yellow and there is a name on the fuel tanks that might be Autair, but that might be totally wrong. The film seems to recycle the same flypast taken from different angles several times and the premise is that the helicopter are surveying for oil hence the underslung loads. Interestingly the Chief Pilot and the kids father is played by Derek Fouldes (Bernard from Yes Minister). |
G-BHBF 'Spirit of Paris'
A glance back to Tuesday 8th January 1980 when one of Bristow's S76's broke the London-Paris speed record which, surprisingly, had until then been held by 'Sox' Hosegood flying a Bristol Belvedere!
Hosegood's best time was 1hr 40mins in the Type 192 whereas Le Grys managed a best time of 1hr 11mins. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A...281%252529.jpg Flight International 19th January 1980 https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...20Postcard.jpg BHBF's Crew: Frederick Le Grys, John Allerton, Douglas West Observers: Capt Eric Brown & Carolyn Evans Courier: Michael Fopp https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3...ins%252529.jpg S76A G-BHBF (still wearing her 'Spirit of Paris' name) at Aberdeen's Dyce on 13th July 1983 some three and a half years after her record-breaking flight (Photo: Don Hewins) |
Ah de Havilland; thank you for your efforts in tracking down the registration of Packer's 76 as well as confirmation of the registrations of the aircraft in the 'Copter Kids' movie - much appreciated! :ok:
Film Copters Cont .. Air Gregory's Alouette II G-BBJE featured previously on page 29 while G-AZVM seems to be a new entrant. As you say, she was registered to 'Air Gregorius' (1974) and prior to that (in 1972) to Finance and General Investment and John Wakeham. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E.../Cranfield.jpg Hughes 500C G-AZVM at Cranfield (no date) in the colours worn while with Air Gregory. (Photo uncredited) https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...phy%252529.jpg G-AZVM in more recent times visiting the Helicopter Championships at the Heythrop Park Hotel on 8th August 2004 (Photo: KBM Photography) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A...52520Nolan.jpg This 206 was used in the making of the 1976 movie "Sky Riders" (filmed in Greece). The pilots are credited as being David Dixon and George Nolan. Evidently, and according to the write-ups, James Coburn decided to perform himself the stunt of clinging onto the undercarriage! |
Sav
Would that be Fred Ayris? Nice picture of G-AYNP with the old Bristow Auster J1 in the background G-APOA which I used to fly from time to time when I could find someone to give me a prop swing. |
Aye aye, I.I. !
Could well be Fred Ayris given that Stace came up with the same name. Truly don't know however as the photo only mentions Fred "A" thereby leaving us all in the dark plus .. good ol' Fred is standing behind the Whirler! Regarding the Auster; my godfather used to fly them before he joined the AAC. In those days he was an Officer in the Royal Artillery and was seconded to the RAF to join their Air Observation Post Squadrons which flew sorties on behalf of the Army. Keeping it 'in the family', Ferranti's Operations Manager was the late great Major "Warby" Warburton .. .. an Army observation pilot in North Africa, Italy and Burma. After the Operation Torch landings at Algiers in French North Africa in 1942, "Warby" - a nickname which reflected his warm and colourful personality - was quickly in action spotting artillery with 651 Squadron. It was a perilous occupation, pottering about over enemy positions in an a fragile, unarmed, single-engined Auster that seemed more suited to a flying club than to the hazards of war. Derived from the American Taylorcraft, this light monoplane cruised no faster than 100mph, and was restricted to a range of 250 miles. As the First Army made its bold but unsuccessful dash for Tunis, there was a constant demand from Air Observation Post (Air O.P.) crews for tactical information. Careless of the risk, Warburton circled enemy positions and directed artillery fire. Constantly attacked by enemy fighters, he was also highly vulnerable to ground fire. But Warburton became known as "The Artful Dodger", so canny was he in manoeuvring his Auster until German pilots were forced to break off their attacks for lack of fuel. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre in recognition of the operations he had flown in support of the Free French 19 Corps around d'Oum El Abouab, where his courageous observation in the face of enemy fire made possible the destruction of an ammunition dump and artillery battery. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2525201970.jpg Agusta-Bell 206A JetRanger VH-BHW at Jandakot Airfield, WA, in 1970. This craft was originally G-AWIM (the 18th 206 on the British register) but was transferred to Bristow's Aussie ops in 1968 (Photo: Peter Rye) |
Speaking of old Westlands
I recall Savoia, you mentioned your godfather flew the Westland Widgeon for Sebastian De Ferranti.
You mentioned it was a bit of a wild stallion, any idea why that was the case? Were they more trouble than the Dragonfly they were derived from? As they were so rare Im quite interested in any stories about Widgeons and those who flew them. There was one based at the old Iona hangar in Dublin around 1958 for a while operating under Shamrock Helicopters but that was shortlived. Anyone have any other Widgeon stories? S |
Views of Hughes
Shane
I have responded to your query via the Ferranti Thread. Following on from G-AZVM (above) I wanted to re-cap on the Hughes' which have cropped-up in pages past: G-BESS on page 38 when she was owned by Dennis' business partner Peter Millward G-BAYN and G-BKTK on page 34 G-BIOA, G-HOOK, G-GOGO and G-GASA on page 30 G-BEJY on page 29 Essex Hughes https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i...rke%252529.jpg Hughes 500D G-BESS (registered to Fairview Securities in Ilford) at North Weald on 1st July 1990 with Fairchild Boxcar in background (Photo: Malcolm Clarke) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...car%252529.jpg Hughes 500D G-HEWS (registered to John Carroll of Brentwood) at Farnborough on 4th September 1984 (Photo: Mick Bajcar) |
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...52520XK479.jpg
Saunders Roe Skeeter Mk 10 XK479 fitted with dual controls for RAF training evaluation and seen here being flown by a Saunders Roe crew who performed a landing on a flat-bed truck during the seventh Society of British Aerospace Companies display held at Farnborough from September 3rd-9th 1956. The aircraft was delivered to the RAF on 18th December 1956 (Photo uncredited) https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M...t%25252068.jpg British Army Sioux during the Ulster Tattoo on 14th September 1968 (Photo uncredited) https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...y%25252064.jpg Brantly B-2A G-ASHD belonging to Pontin's departs Exeter Airport on 15th July 1964 (Photo uncredited) |
Some may recall that on page 38 an image cropped-up of the Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page being dropped-off at Knebworth House in August 1979 for a rock concert.
With the much appreciated assistance of Nostalgia Thread supporter Ahh de Havilland we were able to ascertain that the craft in question was in fact the [then] recently discussed Tommy Sopwith's G-GINA. Now an accompanying photo has turned up of the post-landing and in which the pilot can be seen. Is this Tommy or someone else? https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...2525201979.jpg Tommy Sopwith's AS350B G-GINA (the first Ecureuil delivered in the UK) lands at Knebworth House in August 1979 to deliver Led Zeppelin front man Jimmy Page for a concert . |
Is this Tommy or someone else? Looks like R.K. to me. |
Assorted Nostalgia
Thanks TRC! Mor(s)e code I see! ;)
Brantlys in Britain In the 60's it seems as though the Oxfordshire Police were of the belief that to deploy dogs with the assistance of airborne support would give them a lead over the criminal elements they were fighting! One can only presume that the exercise was conducted in cooperation with BEAS given the location and the type of aircraft deployed. Hopefully they had some fun during the trials. In Italy helicopter-deployed-dogs are all the rage, especially for surf-rescue missions; see post 47 on the Coffee Break thread to read more about that. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...Helicopter.jpg Brantly B2 with 'dog box' installed https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...elicopter1.jpg Is this a youthful 'Antonio' Clarke in the righthand seat? Field Recovery https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...20Recovery.jpg The Hughes 300 G-BWMA is recovered from a field 'somewhere' on 27th October 2005 (At least they're using an Iveco!) For Wiggy! Some time back Helipixman treated us to a selection of images of the Agusta-Bell 206 G-OJCB in her different schemes over the years and then we did a bit on Celtic (Jet) Rangers. Here's OJCB when she ventured up to Wigansworld: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...520Glasgow.jpg Agusta-Bell 206B G-OJCB at Glasgow International |
Mor(s)e code I see! .-. --- -... .. -. -.- |
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