This thread is superb!
 

Superb John – those pics are just great http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ies/thumbs.gif

They sum up the day-in, day-out, of operating in such close proximity to just about everything that could bite your bum!

Were those low-slung Simplex tanks for B47s only? I never saw them on a Hiller, but Simplex came out with a later, cleaner-looking version http://www.simplexmfg.com/brochures/SimplexManufacturingSpray4500-4600(2009)Brochure.pdf

Dennis you are right – that list is definitely not complete … Farmers Weekly used to have an annual list of operators, would be good to track down a copy. Dennis I remember writing to your good self asking about your ops and you replied with a very detailed letter. Thanks http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...lies/smile.gif

Also a lot of info from Agricopters, John Crewdson even sent a copy of his aerial application manual. Very kind. Wish I had kept it rather than having a “clear out” http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...y_dog_eyes.gif

Chemicals. Always seemed to have such nothing, made-up sounding names. I remember Maneb. I also recall volunteering to flag a field when the guys had gone ahead to the next field and Martin had to spray a small, odd-shaped field, studded with hillocks and wires. I got drenched, but luckily it was “just” Fubol, a fungicide against mildew on barley. Looking back it was “nothing” compared to those Lama vids Sav posted http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...milies/eek.gif

BTW I was looking at the current Aerial Application Certificate CAP 414, and see the first issue was June 1978. Bet it was a lot shorter than the current one.

Cheers gents.

More AgriCopters ..
 

From pages past:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B...ter%252529.jpg
Spooner Aviation Enstrom F-28C G-BBBR at Shoreham on 25th July 1979 (Photo: Keith Sowter)

Dennisimo's Spoonair Ag Services Enstrom F28 (above) from page 13.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/...9433e983_z.jpg
Hiller UH-12A belonging to Pest Control Services (probably G-ANOB from post #968 above) as flown by Jimmy Harper

Jimmy Harper was the third Briton to qualify as a rotary-wing pilot. In 1940 he became an instructor on Cierva autogyros. He later became CFI at the RAF Helicopter Training School in Andover. He was also a test pilot for the Airborne Forces Experimental School.

After leaving the service he turned his attention to flying helicopters commercially becoming aviation manager and chief pilot of Pest Control Ltd. of Bourn, Cambridge. (Originally displayed on page 27).

I think his son was Peter, a very accomplished helicopter pilot in the RN; lost track of him years ago but I bet he did well.

Peter Harper
 

Yes he did do well. Was posted to Boscombe Down for the ETP course and rejected by the RAF because the minimum rank for the course attendees was Lt. (Peter was a Sub Lt) - so the Navy promoted him to Acting Lt and on he went. Years later he was posted to ETPS as a tutor - wait for it - as a Lt. The RAF duly rejected him on the basis of his rank - minimum rank for tutors was Lt Cdr. He was once again promoted to Acting Lt Cdr and served his time at the School.

I had the pleasure of working with him in between those two postings as a QHI in 706 NAS when he was put in charge of the brand new all singing all dancing Sea King Simulator. This 1972 vintage device was of course not a patch on modern devices and had no visual system at all. It was a boon for instrument work however and Peter, along with Peter Jago (ex-Phantom jockey) helped us to develop a coherent strategy for teaching the skills required for instrument flying.

Peter left the RN and joined the CAA as a test pilot but quickly rose through the ranks to become - not quite sure of the correct title but something like - Flight Operations Director.

Last I heard he had retired and wasn't too well but that was a while ago.

G.

Peter was on 826NAS when it first formed with Sea Kings, and I also recall he had an odd set of wings on his shoulder from some other previous life. They are in this photo, I'm sure someone will set me straight within the hour!

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4...per+at+826.jpg

He was also generous enough to loan me his MGB-GT to tow my Cooper on a hired trailer, which all ended in tears. Another story for another day ;)

I last bumped into Peter a couple of years ago, having flown with him way back in 1965 and again on many occasions during the 80's when he was a test pilot with the CAA. Earlier this year he was working in India but I don't know in what capacity.

Having been in 707 in 1963 with Peter, he looked so young I thought he may have stayed a Mid for ever!!
I don't recognise that shoulder badge either!

Some of the Squadrons mentioned in recent posts:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...52520small.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v...52520small.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E...52520small.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J...252520smal.jpg

Forgive me if this is too obvious but having never met a CAA test pilot in person .. is their primary function that of certifying new types?

Shane, I promised I would post an Italian Dragonfly; herewith:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...5Bb%25255D.jpg
Westland-Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly Mk1A I-MCOM at Villa Taranto on the shores of Lake Maggiore c. 1953

Nostalgia Thread Index
Images

Aircraft

British Registered

G-AJHW (S51) ... page 26
G-AJOV (S51) ... pages 6 & 20
G-AKCX (B47) ... page 20
G-AKFB (B47) ... page 19
G-AKTW (Widgeon) ... page 49
G-ALIK (Dragonfly) ... page 47
G-AMWG (Sycamore) ... page 20
G-ANLW (Widgeon) ... page 49
G-ANOB (H12) ... page 49
G-APMR (H12) ... page 19
G-APTE (Widgeon) ... page 49
G-APTH (B47) ... page 22
G-ASHD (B2) ... page 45
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-ATFH (B2) ... page 47
G-ATFM (S61) ... page 32
G-ATJY (B2) ... page 17
G-ATSJ (B305) ... pages 19, 20, 34
G-ATUR (B305) ... page 19
G-ATUS (B305) ... page 18
G-AVCA (B2B) ... page 44
G-AVEE (AlII) ... page 46
G-AVII (B206) ... page 37
G-AVYX (B206) ... page 31
G-AWAP (Al II) ... page 27
G-AWDU (B2) ... pages 16 & 20
G-AWFY (Al II) ... pages 27 & 48
G-AWGU (G206) ... page 40
G-AWJL (B206) ... page 22
G-AWJW (B206) ... page 3
G-AWOL (B206) ... pages 5, 22, 39, 42
G-AWOM (B206) ... page 22
G-AWUC (B206) ... page 39
G-AWVL (H300) ... page 20
G-AVEE (Al II) ... page 14
G-AVUK (E28) ... page 27 & 28
G-AYBE (B206) ... page 20
G-AYCM (B206) ... page 39
G-AYMW (B206) ... page 31
G-AYMX (B206) ... pages 5 & 27
G-AYNP (Whirlwind) ... page 45
G-AYTF (B206) ... pages 17, 34, 40, 44, 48
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-AZNI (Lama) ... page 48
G-AZRU (B206) ... pages 18 & 48
G-AZVM (H500) ... page 45
G-AZYB (B47) ... page 22
G-BAAN (H300) ... page 21
G-BAEH (H300) ... page 14
G-BAFD (Bo105) ... page 35
G-BAKF (B206) ... page 3 & 32
G-BAKS (B206) ... pages 23 & 24
G-BAKT (B206) ... page 22, 31
G-BAKU (B206) ... page 22
G-BAKX (B206) ... page 38
G-BALE (F28) ... page 46
G-BALT (F28) ... pages 13 & 15
G-BASE (B206) ... page 33
G-BASV (F28) ... page 46
G-BATU (F28) ... page 41
G-BAUM (B206) ... page 40
G-BAUN (B206) ... pages 16, 40
G-BAVI (B206) ... pages 16, 18, 19
G-BAYA (B206) ... page 48
G-BAYN (H500) ... page 34
G-BAYX (B47) ... page 49
G-BAZL (SA341) ... page 24
G-BBAU (F28) ... page 32
G-BBAZ (H12) ... page 49
G-BBBA (H12) ... page 49
G-BBBM (B206) ... pages 8, 13, 40, 43
G-BBBR (F28) ... pages 13 & 49
G-BBCA (B206) ... page 41
G-BBET (B206) ... pages 25, 44
G-BBEU (B206) ... page 25
G-BBFB (B206) ... page 42
G-BBHW (SA341) ... page 39
G-BBJE (Al II) ... page 29
G-BBLE (H12) ... page 49
G-BBLO (H12) ... page 49
G-BBPO (F28) ... pages 13, 42
G-BBRS (F28) ... page 8
G-BBUX (B206) ... pages 20 & 22
G-BBUY (B206) ... page 16
G-BBVI (F28) ... page 19
G-BCHM (SA341) ... page 46
G-BCVZ (B206) ... page 36
G-BCWM (B206) ... pages 6 & 12
G-BCWN (B206) ... pages 11 & 12
G-BCYP (B206) ... pages 17 & 27
G-BDBR (B206) ... page 46
G-BDKD (F28) ... page 37, 38
G-BDRY (H12) ... page 29
G-BEAD (Lynx) ... page 44
G-BEFY (H12) ... page 29
G-BEHG (B206) ... pages 16 & 22
G-BEJY (H500 ... page 29
G-BENO (E280) ... pages 3, 41
G-BEPP (B206) ... page 27
G-BERJ (B47) ... page 29
G-BESS (H500) ... pages 38, 45
G-BEYR (E280) ... page 30
G-BFFJ (S61) ... page 21
G-BFJN (B47) ... page 49
G-BFNC (AS350) ... page 32
G-BGHO (B47) ... page 49
G-BGIF (AS350) ... page 38
G-BGIL (AS350) ... page 38
G-BGIM (AS350) ... page 38
G-BGWJ (S61) ... page 32
G-BGYF (B206) ... page 38
G-BHAX (F28) ... page 41
G-BHBF (S76) ... page 45
G-BHIV (AS350) ... page 25
G-BHXU (B206) ... pages 16 & 25
G-BIBJ (E280) ... page 41
G-BIMU (S61) ... page 32
G-BIOA (H500) ... page 30
G-BKTK (H500) ... page 34
G-BKXE (AS365) ... page 24
G-BLSY (B222) ... page 14
G-BLZN (B206) ... page 39
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) ... pages 4, 39
G-BWAV (H300) ... page 13
G-BYKF (F28) ... page 46
G-CEDK (Citation X) ... page 1
G-CHLA (AS355) ... page 26
G-CHOC (B206) ... pages 11 & 23
G-CPTS (B206) ... page 34
G-DWMI (B206L) ... page 22
G-EJCB (A109) ... page 8
G-EYEI (B206) ... page 9, 16, 22, 24 & 27
G-FERG (AS350) ... page 38
G-FIBS (AS350) ... page 41
G-FSCL (B206) ... page 27
G-FSDG (B206) ... page 27
G-GASA H500) ... page 26
G-GBCA (A109) ... page 41
G-GINA (AS350) ... pages 38, 45
G-GOBP (B206) ... page 25
G-GOGO (H500) ... page 30
G-HEWS (H500) ... page 45
G-HOOK (H500) ... page 30
G-IINA (AS350) ... page 35
G-JAMI (B206L) ... page 17
G-JANY (AS350) ... page 8
G-JESI (AS350) ... page 35
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, 40
G-NOXY (R44) ... page 20
G-OAUS (S76) ... page 44
G-OBRU (B206) ... pages 26 & 27
G-OHTL (S76) ... page 41
G-OIML (B206) ... page 42
G-OJCB (B206) ... pages 2, 22, 23, 44
G-OLDN (B206L) ... page 41
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, 38
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-WASP (B2) ... page 47
G-WILL (B206) ... page 15
G-WIZZ (B206) ... pages 2 & 3
G-WOSP (B206) ... pages 5, 6, 29, 38
G-XXEB (S76) ... pages 18, 35
B-983 (Dragonfly) ... page 47
B-948 (Dragonfly) ... page 46
XK479 (Skeeter) ... page 45
XR380 (AlII) ... page 36
XT228 (Sioux) ... page 42
XT471 (Wessex) ... page 42
XZ322 (SA341) ... page 38

Non-British Registered

CF-FZX (B47) ... page 49
D-HJFF (B206) ... page 10
D-HMAC (B206) ... pages 11, 13 & 23
EI-ASW (B206) ... page 35
EI-BHI (B206) ... page 36
EI-BLY (S61) ... page 33
EI-BPK (S61) ... page 37
F-BHGJ (B47) ... page 46
F-BIEA (Al II) ... page 27
F-GBBQ (AS350) ... page 25
F-WHHF (Alouette II) ... page 12
HB-ZKN (AS332) ... page 44
I-CDVM (B206L) ... page 13
I-MINR (B47) ... page 22
I-MCOM (Dragonfly) ... page 50
I-PFDC (AS355) ... page 6
N109BS (A109) ... page 17
N2221W (B222) ... page 12
N38BL (B206) ... page 22
OH-HIS (AlII) ... page 46
OY-HAO (S61) ... page 33
VH-AHF (B47) ... page 44
VH-AND (B206) ... page 16
VH-BAG (H500) ... page 47
VH-BHW (B206) ... page 45
VH-DJW (Kiowa) ... page 47
VH-FHV (B206) ... page 47
VH-FHZ (B206) ... page 47
VH-FRL (B206) ... pages 26, 41
VH-FVF (B206) ... page 41
VH-JTI (B206) ... page 41
VH-MXE (A109) ... page 35
VH-PMO (B206) ... page 47
VH-PMR (B206) ... page 47
VH-WHW (B206) ... page 41
ZK-HCI (FH1100) ... page 36
ZK-HPP (B206) ... page 16
ZS-HDZ (B206) ... page 16
5B-CBV (S62) ... page 33
5N-ACN (Alouette II John Eacott) ... page 10
9N-ABE (B206) ... page 46

Aircraft with Undisclosed Registrations

Abu Dhabi 206's ... page 22
Agusta 101 ... page 27
Al II's in Turkey ... page 29
Army Lynx painting at Aldergove ... page 36
AS 355 with Vauxhall Corsa over Tower Bridge ... page 26
BCalH S-61 ... page 5
Bell 206's in Rhodesia ... pages 3 & 4
Bo 105’s ... page 30
Brantly B2's ... page 16
'Brantly in the Docks' ... page 18
Bristol Belvedere ... page 12
Bucker Jungmeister ... page 19
Concorde with helicopters ... page 32, 37
Enstrom 280L Hawk ... page 31
Ferranti Stabilised 206 ... page 17
First Kiwi Deer recovery flight (B47) ... page 26
German Air Force Sycamores ... page 40
German Air Force Vertol ... page 15
Gilles Vileneuve JetRanger ... page 17
Heli Air Monaco AS365 ... page 6
Hillers (assorted) ... page 30
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
Percival P74 ... page 44
Pope's Helicopter ... page 5
Puma landing on Mobil seismic ship ... page 36
RAF Whirlwinds ... page 44
Rather Pleasant Passenger boarding a B407 ... page 14
Rhodesian Alouette III ... page 4
Rhodesian Spitfire ... page 4
Royal Navy Hiller 12’s ... page 40
S-62’s ... page 33
Saunders Roe Skeeter ... page 12
Selection of AeroGulf Helicopters ... page 9
Selection of 'Classic' 206's ... page 16
Selection of LongRangers ... page 36
Selection of MetPol 222's ... page 14
Selection of Sabena Helicopters ... page 12
Sierra Leone Sea King ... page 33
Skytech Mi26 with truck ... page 26
Sox Hosegood ... page 27
'Spy Who Loved Me' 206 mock up ... page 4
Sunderland Flying Boat ... page 1
Super Frelon ... page 43
UniRoyal Hughes 500 ... page 20
US Airways S51 ... page 10
Westland Wasps (RN) ... page 6, 26, 30
Westland Whirldwind (RAF & Bristow) ... pages 12 & 19

Miscellaneous Images

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
Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw ... page 28
Gay Absalom & Nobby Clarke ... page 35
Gen. Peter Walls ... page 4
Gilles Villeneuve ... page 17
Helicopters in tow ... page 31
Helicopters chasing vehicles ... page 31
Jimmy Harper ... page 27
John Crewdson ... page 27
Ken Gregory ... page 14
Lake Como ... page 6
Margaret Thatcher with S76 ... page 43
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
SS Uganda Cruise Ship ... pages 30, 32
Stacey’s Sopwith replica ... page 34

Topical Index

Agusta S61 Silver ... page 6
Alan Mann ... page 15
Alan Mann Racing ... page 14
Baron Heinrich von Furstenberg ... page 10
Bell Helicopter: A Potted History ... page 46
Brantly 305 ... pages 18 & 19
Charles Hughesdon ... pages 10 & 20
Christian Salvesen Antarctica ... page 15
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-BATB ... page 31 (Sea King recovery)
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
Nostalgia Thread First Anniversary post ... page 38
'Ode to Taly' ... page 1
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
UK LongRangers ... page 13
Westland Heliport ... page 49
'Wizz the Bizz' Rhyme ... page 2


Operators

Air Gregory ... pages 14, 20, 44
Alec Wortley Helicopters ... page 21
Ben Turner Helicopters ... page 25
Clyde Helicopters/Heliport ... pages 8, 24 & 25
Colt Aviation ... page 36 & 37
Dollar Helicopters ... pages 21, 48, 49
Dublin City Helicopters ... page 37
Freemans of Bewdley Aviation ... page 40
Gleneagle Helicopters ... page 40
Island Helicopters (New York) ... pages 47 & 48
Kestrel Helicopters ... page 39
Masselaz Helicopters ... page 38
Oldway Helicopters ... page 19
Omniflight and the Pan Am New York Shuttle ... page 47
PLM Helicopters ... pages 39, 46, 48 (& page 7 on the Alan Mann Nostalgia Thread)
Twyford Moors Helicopters ... page 24
Vowell Air Services ... page 47


Themed Posts

AgriCopters ... pages 48 & 49
Aussie Nostalgia ... page 41, 44, 47
Aussie Rangers ... pages 41, 43, 47
Bölkow Classico ... pages 30, 31, 36, 40
Brantlys in Britain ... pages 16-20, 44-45, 47
Celtic Rangers ... pages 38, 40
Cigarette Copters ... page 40
Dragonflys & Widgeons ... pages 46-50
Early Ecureuils ... page 38
European Rangers ... page 36
Great Gazelles ... pages 24, 39, 46
The Kenyon Files: ... pages 3-6, 8, 10-11, 13-21, 25, 27-28, 30-32, 34-35, 39-40 42-43, 46, 49
Tommy Sopwith & Endeavour Aviation: ... pages 33-35
Views of Hughes ... pages 29-30, 34, 38, 45
Whirling Winds ... 44-46


Videos

Alouette 318 G-AWLC ... page 9
Charles Hughesdon's helicopter garden party ... page 10
‘Chopper Squad’ ... page 41
Crop Spraying in France ... page 49
Dennis Kenyon flying display ... page 46
Enstrom autorotation ... page 30
Farnborough ‘The Golden Years’ ... page 40
Karl Zimmerman Bo105 display ... pages 31 & 32
Marc Wolfe's flying scene in 'For Your Eyes Only' ... pages 3 & 24
Pan Am trailer ... page 46
Russian nostalgia ... page 37
Sikorsky R5 and S51 ... page 47
Sydney Harbour Bell 47 crash ... page 41
Vintage Bell 47's ... page 10

Mea Culpa
 

Sav

I cannot work out why but there are huge chunks of this thread that have passed me by. I have just caught up with Red Flag's posts (pages 6 etc) for the first time and owe him a huge apology for not coming up at the appropriate moment with the necessary denials and hope the possibility of legal action will be long gone. My very best regards to Ken and his son. The ferry flight was 'interesting' to say the least.

To make up for my absence I attach a picture of me and my old friend A-AZTI which became the UK's first air ambulance in April 1987. She has been converted to the role by Rotortech Bourne and donated by Bond Helis for the 3 month trial that went on to be the rest of the year and then onwards for the next 24 years courtesy of the First Air Ambulance Trust. Photo c/o Peter Chesworth who was on assignment to The West Briton newspaper. The West Briton was running a fantastic support agenda for the AA and made a huge difference. There is a full account on The Cornwall first Air Ambulance, how it started which with some embarrassment is running a story about my role in that epic story. Don't beat me up - it's all to do with the upcoming celebrations for 25 years and we will be auctioning the smart red overalls I used to wear on that operation to raise more cash for a unit that is very proud of its 20,000+ missions. The auction venue is likely to be close to the start date of April 1st (next year) and before any wag chips in I am not selling them because I can't fit into them any more - but they would be right, either they have shrunk or.... ! :{

G.

http://www.livingincornwall.com/imag...ance-pilot.jpg

Geoffers, no problem - great to have you back!

Just to fill in some blanks in terms of connections - I came to know PPRuNe through PPRuNer Speechless Two (who you will know as T.D.) the last surviving member of the Ferranti team who is still contactable.

I hope this won't go to your head but TD mentioned to me that you were one of the more 'accomplished' pilots he encountered during his career and that you conducted his first sim training session with BCalH on the S61. Evidently on the first time round someone knocked a switch and the virtual craft aimed straight for a hangar, lol!

I also know you consult for AgustaWestland in the operation of what I assume are their new generation full flight simulators (CAE manufactured for Rotorsim?) and that you spend an appreciable amount of time in my homeland.

You doubtless spend more time there than I do at present as I am engaged with mainly fixed-wing (airline) clients in the Middle East and Africa and only get back to Milano for Christmas and Easter.

I would love to hear a little more from your days with Alan Mann and even BCalH. What did you think of the 214ST - I always thought it was just a bit too big for a two-blader?

A small tribute to Speechless Two who, living-up to his name, is rarely heard from these days!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e...52520Dando.jpg
PPRuNeR Speechless Two aka T.D. - Bolkow Training Captain with Ferranti Helicopters c. 1975

Flew helicopters with the Royal Navy from 1963 to 1968 serving in the Far and Middle East on anti-submarine and search and rescue operations. After leaving the forces he joined the South Western Electricity Board where he conducted powerline surveys and executive liaison duties prior to joining Irish Helicopters in 1972 where he flew oil rig and lighthouse support. Speechless Two then worked with the property developer Mackenzie Hill flying a corporate Bo105, G-BAFD, (later bought by Ferranti) prior to joining Ferranti in 1974.

While with Ferranti 'Speechless' became Ferranti's Bolkow Training Captain. When Ferranti was sold to BCal (1979) Speechless Two remained with the new company eventually becoming Chief Pilot of BCalH.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...252520AVYX.jpg
Speechless Two with SWEB's G-AVYX (the 11th JetRanger delivered to the UK) at SWEB's headquarters prior to an executive liaison flight

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Sav,

Dont mention 214st to T.D. he had " an experience" on the same day I was flying a S76 in Aberdeen... The mayday was heart rendering to say the least and I have to admit there were tears streaming down my face as the drama unfolded... Long time ago and I have since tamed the beast myself in the hot mountains of Oman. Ours are long since retired and we now toy around with a few Italian girls....

Griff yes, I am aware. In fact he sent me the evidence (in the form of photos) of his 'safe' arrival on terra firma. Then there was another incident (or perhaps the one you are referring to) which took place at sea but, again, I believe they got down safely - thank God.

It seems you and Geoffers share something in common in respect of the Cornwall Air Ambulance?

Yes, I recall an image you posted with one on a hilltop (long nose .. I think?). Hope they are fairing well in the sand and heat!

Brgds

Sav

Sav,

Yes it was the first 214st incident where they lost a drag brace and when they put the mayday call out the vibration was so severe that the transmission sounded like the head had come off. Very upsetting for all in the air that day.

Geoffers started the first air ambulance in 1987 and I joined in 89 when Geoff Bond was the full time pilot.. He is spot on with the a/c though, it was G-AZTI until we got the stretch G-CDBS.

Happy days...:ok:

I still bump into Geoffers in Sesto every 6 months.

was Ian Marion involved in that one as I recall,where is he now?

Stacey_s

Great Gazelles ..
 

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...2525201982.jpg
Battle for Tumbledown: A casualty of the Scots Guards is rushed by stretcher to a Gazelle helicopter for evacuation on Goat Ridge below Mount Harriet in June 1982

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c...2525201990.jpg
British Army Gazelle on UN duty over Dancon territory, Cyprus 1990

Pilot Profile: Andy Berryman

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K...20Berryman.jpg
Andy Berryman with Gazelle

Andy Berryman joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and served on 845 and 846 Squadrons as a Commando Helicopter pilot. Attended the Central Flying School in 1985 and served on 705 Squadron as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor gaining an A1(H) QHI qualification. Trained at the Empire Test Pilots’ School in 1989 before serving with Rotary Wing Test Squadron, Boscombe Down as a test pilot. Responsibilities as test pilot included the introduction of the Lynx HAS Mk8 into Royal Naval Service; Sea King, Wessex and Gazelle project duties: icing project pilot, NVG project pilot and SHOL project pilot.

Returned to operational service in 1992 with 846 Squadron including duties as Senior Pilot before returning to the Empire Test Pilots’ School as a tutor. In 1995 became Staff Aviation Officer to the Commodore Amphibious Warfare responsible for all aspects of amphibious aviation for the Royal Navy and Marines. Saw operational service in Northern Ireland, the South Atlantic, Lebanon and Bosnia.

Completed three seasons as display pilot on Gazelle, both solo and as team leader in formation team, and competed in both the World and British Helicopter Championships winning eleven national and international trophies, including twice British Helicopter Champion on two occasions. Awarded the Air Force Cross in 1989.

Left the Royal Navy in 1996 to become an airline pilot, currently flying the Boeing 747-400 with British Airways. In addition, Andy carries out instructional flying on light turbine helicopters and corporate helicopter operations on Agusta 109 and Gazelle.

Andy conducts Crew Resource Management training for both fixed and rotary wing operators and commissioned the James Bibby simulator at Liverpool University in 2000 and continues with both student studies and R&D as a consultant.

Andy Berryman
 

Super to see Andy's profile on PP. I met the great guy at the WHC event at Cranfield in 1986 when he pipped my entry for a fourth place in the heli 'freestyle' event. Andy was flying his superb Gazelle. That year the freestyle first place was taken by Herman Fuchs who deposed the former winner - the wonderful 'Karl (Charlie) Zimmerman. Both were flying the Bo105. 1986! ... my goodness how the years keep whizzing by. Dennis K.

S-51
 

Great stuff Sav.

Nice shot of the Dragonfly in Italy.

I spoke to Pearse Cahill yesterday(the man in overalls at the Iona hangar in the pictures) He started Iona Airways in the mid 1950s at Dublin Airport. He is 94 now and couldn't really remember any details about the Widgeon being there. Still though its great to make a link with those who were involved way back when.

This might interest you, its Ferranti ralated too see p246 . Instrument flying the Widgeon.

westland wessex | 1961 | 0237 | Flight Archive

attitude director | system ferranti | navigation display | 1961 | 0244 | Flight Archive

UH-12E
 

Anybody know which Hiller UH-12E crashed (pilot walked away unhurt) whilst crop spraying in Ireland around 1990/91 it was on a G reg I think?

Shane, that was a most enjoyable Flight article, grazie. :ok:

I'm posting (below) a couple of the more interesting images which appeared:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y...52520Panel.jpg

A stroke of luck to find a photo of the instrument panel for G-ALIK and which craft, as you may recall, appeared on page 47.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a...20Heliport.jpg

I never knew there had been a proposal for a 'Covent Garden Heliport'!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...20heliport.jpg

An additional Westland design planned next to Waterloo Bridge.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o...2520Thames.jpg

An S-62 goes swimming in the Thames opposite Battersea!

Old Photos
 

Have found some of my old photographs and the one below is an experiment to see if the Flikr system works OK. The picture was taken during a rescue back in 1970. 824 NAS was on Ark Royal, working in the North Sea during a gale when we were involved in two rescues. On the second one they sent a photographer with us. I'll post the others if there is any interest. The guy in the picture was a deckhand and we have just plucked him from the deck of his sinking ship.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/...331655c1_z.jpg

Geoff, a great shot! :ok:

The interest is confirmed!

What I have discovered is that just about every aviation photo in existence is of some interest to someone and for which reason I shall, when I get back to Blighty, scan what I have.

I fixed your link, Geoff: Flikr needs the image opened in a separate tab, as a .jpg, and use that url to embed.

ISTR you have posted these photos before on another thread, with the survivors having a tot with the Admiral while you were (no doubt) having a cuppa in the ACRB?

Thanks SP
 

Thought I would practice with the new Flickr 'toy', I'll try again. Sorry about the repeats but these are what I have on board my Mac until I get to back to the loft in Blighty.

G :)

Post #1000. Congratulations Savoia - great thread which I always enjoy reading.

Looking at Heli Air Monaco's history page on its website they started ops in 1976 with an Enstrom F-28 and flew a jumbo load of passengers in its first year (as in 747 passengers :D:cool::ugh:

Unfortunately on the website its not a full proper photo of their F-28 so does anyone here remember Heli Air Monaco when they started up or have photos of the F-28?

Cheers

Chopper: The Monaco Thread commences with a brief synopsis of Heli Air Monaco's history which I guess (without looking at the HAM site) is essentially the same. HAM is an intriguing outfit and probably the longest running (and most successful) helicopter airline in the world. Yes, they've had a few incidents over the years but, set against the number of trips flown and passengers carried, their safety record is superb. Interestingly, aside from 'flight seeing' operations this is probably the largest (in terms of passenger volume) single-engine public transport helicopter service in the world.

Heli Air Monaco, along with the Swiss operator Air Glaciers (which started in 1965) are two of the European light helicopter operators I greatly admire.

Re: the Enstrom, I'll try and dig up her registration and see if we can't get a better image and regarding the numbers yes, the little F28 chugged back and forth with (I guess) two pax, day after day all year round!

As with most things which are encouraging in this life the thread is very much a team effort - a product of numerous and varied contributions which combine to make it interesting. The exciting thing (if that's the right word) is that what has been debuted so far is merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of the available nostalgic material out there (much of it being stashed away in the lofts, cellars and garages of PPRuNe members!).

Given that we just displayed a couple of Gazelles on the previous page it seems only fitting to take another look at yours! ;)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...rds%252529.jpg
PPRuNer Estepo's Westland Gazelle HT2 looking resplendent in the Malagan sun. Malaga Airport January 2009 (Photo: Brian Richards)

We've used HAM aircraft lots of times.

Including in Corsica, Morocco, Hungary and in Dubai.

The Dubai job required a 350 to be taken to bits, flown on a 747F, re-assembled for a couple of day's work and then taken to bits and sent home again.

Have some pics somewhere........

Love the exhaust plume in the pic above btw.

Dutch helicopters on their holidays
 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/...2ba56464_z.jpg

PH-NZD - in Ceuta North Africa. Short term contract for 5-6 months replacing a 412 on the Malaga run. 3 Brit pilots (Gerry Tompkins, Pete Whalley and yours truly plus Brit engineer Paul Draper and local fitter Francesco.



http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/...1517539d_z.jpg

PH-NZK - en route Den Helder (NL) to Port Alberni, Vancouver Island for major overhaul at Coulsons. Via Liverpool, Halifax, Wawa, Thunder Bay, Winnepeg, Calgary, Kamloops (where this picture was taken)



http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/...1e3c12e3_z.jpg


The Ferry Crew - 2 x Coulson engineers plus Gerry and yours truly

(when you fly across Canada low level VFR you come to the conclusion that there is only one word to describe it - EMPTY. You could be forgiven for thinking that what the world does not need is another tree or another lake. A place of tranquility and quiet beauty.)

Treasure Hunt Days
 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/...d7e16af0_z.jpg


G-SPEY on TH Duty - Whatever the pilot community thought of the programme it was immensely popular with the public and enjoyed the best ratings of any Channel 4 programme. Anneka was great to work with and here she is with my Mum and Dad and my two daughters. The eldest daughter was given the silver 'seal' by Anneka which was the 'Treasure' on the episode that finished at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Great team, great fun and thoroughly professional bunch.

G.

PPS - Dad was fitter in the FAA during the war. Apparently he joined up as a 16 year old seaman but was found on the dockside at Pompey with his head under the bonnet of a truck when a burly RAF Sergeant, charged with recruiting trainees for the Air Arm said 'ello ello, just the kind of lad we need, sign here young man and join the greatest bunch of aviators the world has ever seen'. He did, became a Leading Air Mechanic and worked on Seafires, Corsairs, Albecores and Swordfish.

Geoff,

.. and I also came across this ...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J...ent%252521.jpg

Interesting seeing Gerry with grey hair!! I remember him as a young fresh faced lad in Doha straight out of the RN.....told us he had flown with Prince Andrew at Yeovilton!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAV
 

In my dreams ........ don't let the wife see that. Actually on one occasion I was lucky enough to spend a rare day off during the 6-week shoot on the beach in Wales with Anneka (in bikini) ........ but had to share her company with the rest of the production team.

It was during one shoot in North Wales that SPEY made it to 20,000 feet - well 19,150 as I chickened out when the rate of climb dropped off. It took a while to get down!

G.

Nigel
 

I was visiting the ACRB at YL on an away day from CU (dangerous territory for a 'pinger'). Shared my breakfast table with a jungly puke who sat opposite me reading the Daily Mirror. I was reading the back pages whilst he worked his way through the inner contents. When I finished my bacon and egg I peered across at the figure hidden by the newspaper and thought I recognised the pate. When he put the paper down it turned out to be Prince Charles. I've been dining out on the story of how PC and I had breakfast together ever since.

G.

Geoffers,

Don't ask me how I found this, but it may revive some fond memories for you :ok:

Anneka didn't really do it for me at the time, but after seeing this;


I have seriously changed my mind.

Sorry for the thread drift Sav !

Tarman

Bravo! :D

Quote:

---

It was during one shoot in North Wales that SPEY made it to 20,000 feet - well 19,150 ..

---

Ah well, you've beaten my ceiling then which was 17,800ft in a 206L pulling out of Porgera goldmine in Papua New Guinea. The 206 does get a little sloppy at those altitudes! Was your ascension related to SPEY's role as a comms craft for your lady friend?

Tarman: I think this thread probably thrives on such drift! (And Senior Pilot's well worn tolerance!) ;)

More AgriCopters ...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h...ipment-SPL.jpg
Bell47 Lincolnshire c. 1980's

I'm sorry to say that I have failed miserably in my attemp to decyper the registration of the above Bell. Its something like G-BOWI/J etc.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x...638/ha-ppi.jpg
A Hungarian registered Alouette II (SA318C) ha-ppi-ly douses a field in the region of Székesfehérvár c. 2009

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...pi%2525202.jpg
HA-PPI demonstrating the Alouette II's chameleon-like ability (and aesthetic symmetry) in accommodating spray gear as though it were a natural extension of her airframe! ;)

And ..

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3...52520spuma.jpg
A Puma from the Argentine hospital ship Bahia Paraiso (painted white in accordance with the regulations of the International Red Cross) alights on the temporary helideck of the good ship SS Uganda during a repatriation flight for wounded Argentine soldiers. June 1982

Mmmm ....


........ The 206 does get a little sloppy at those altitudes! .......


Yes ... a bit like trying to fly a bowl of runny porridge as I remember!

Ahhh .... Porgera ...... Hagen .... Goroka such memories :eek:

Sav

Why did you pull up to such a height as the highest mountain is only just over 14,000!!
I twice took a Wessex 5 to 18500, first time from Culdrose at night with the mad Mike G, the second time at Labuan with a SAS Sergeant major who wanted to get the altitude record for the highest parachute jump in that part of the world! The jump was witnessed by Viscount Slim's son who although in his 40s, was a tough as any of his men.

Nigel

In those days Porgera was owned by the Canadian mining corporation Placer. A couple of their senior execs had ventued out from 'Placer Towers' to see the Papuan operation for themselves and were due to return (a process involving a transfer to Hagen, then Moresby, then Sydney and onwards). A King Air had been dispatched the previous afternoon and failed to access the strip and so later the same day I was sent to retrieve them. As with most afternoons in PNG the weather with !!!!!e and I only just managed to creep in to Porgera inches before last light. :(

Over dinner the North Americans conveyed with sincerity that their impending departure from the mine was an urgency of the utmost priority (I think they had had enough) and that they 'must' depart the following morning by any means.

The next day Porgera was socked-in with all the gaps and saddles closed but .. there was clear sky in an oval above the mine and, reading the desperate expressions on the faces of the Canadians I promised to 'give it a go'. On the way up (spiraling in a corkscrew) I raised the office on the HF who confirmed that Hagen was open. A Specific (Pacific Helicopters) Puma had just crossed East to West around Wabag and confirmed that the WX south of Porgera was okay so, it was just a matter of overcoming the impressive layer of altostratus and which was eventually achieved at around 15,500ft but I needed a little more altitude in case I needed to 'run' (or even glide) back to the hole over Porgera while making the short crossing atop the muck!

Another PNG story was that of a young newbie with some fixed-wing experience who managed to get himself inadvertently into IMC. He was driving a Specific 'D' model and decided that 'out the top' was the best solution and which (I think) was achieved at around 25k. When eventually the ship came back to Goroka (via a number of other places) maintenance had to replace the strap pack!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...ght%252529.jpg
Lord Louis Mountbatten (centre) and Gen. William 'Bill' Slim (right)

My godfather flew both Lord Louis and Bill Slim on numerous occassions and has several hand written notes from the two of them and which I hope to retrieve on my next visit to the UK.

Spinwing: Servicing the mountaintop repeaters was always interesting - trying to aim the craft so as to arrive over the 'pad' at the same time that everything ran out!