Where is Hotel Lima?
 

Savoia,

See my post above, number 1615, for HL's swimming spot........ early to mid 80's about right I'd say. If I remember correctly, intentional dunking of the old '61 ceased around the end of the 80's, much to the pleasure of the Engineering Department.

As an aside, I was aboard a CHC (Thai Flying Service) S61N that may or may not have (to protect the guilty!) 'swam' intentionally in about 1996, to celebrate the retirement of a very senior Canadian pilot. Different rules, happy days.........

Plank, it was your post to which I was referring! :ok:

Can I take it from your username that you have moved over to the dark side?

Re: BBHL .. the record states that she became N346HH after being shipped to the US in 2008 but .. as there is precious little (read nil) information about that registration I am guessing that she may have been one the conversions sent to Afghanistan?

Sav.

G-BBHL became N364HH and seems to be still alive, some details from FAA are, it is registered to EP Aviation LLC, Illinois, has a Certificate Issue date 19/11/10 and expiration date of 30/11/13, Status - Valid, and Airworthiness date 13/11/08, from CAA, deregistered from G-BBHL as going to USA 29/09/08.

:ok: Wiggy

Whilst on the subject of S61s, does anyone know the current whereabout of BIH's G-AYOY ?

Planemike

The Dark Side Indeed.....
 

Sorry Savoia, I get it now.

For my sins now flying planks in the desert, but still try and keep the rotary ticket alive from time to time with a bit of AS350 / B206 action. Scariest, coldest, hottest, wettest, happiest, poorest and generally all round best ten years of my professional life!

Plank Cap

Planemike: AYOY was with British International until last year and then (as with many 61's) was sold back to the US where she became N457ES (Carson Helicopters) and then N476AW (US Dept. of State). I think this time this craft was one of those shipped out to Afghanistan!

Plank: Ah well it happens .. even to the best of us! (Yuh .. right!). Even I was forced to 'walk the plank' in my post-rotary days albeit in consulting and with the airlines but .. also in a hot place with lots of sand. ;) You should post some images of your 'blitterblat' days though!

Wiggy, welcome back. Tell me, what happens at the old Clyde Heliport these days?

Thanks................. Savoia

Rgds Planemike

Sav.

Still the same old things, home of the 'Ra Polis' and the Ambulance EC 135's, not like the old Clyde days of Jet Boxes and the 105 buzzing about..

:( Wiggy

Savoian Reminiscences
 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G...Logo%2520s.png

Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history and was previously voted the most accomplished trainer of national hunt and flat-racing horses.

He trained six winners of the Epsom Derby, was twice British Champion Trainer, won three Grand Nationals (in succession) and trained the only British Triple Crown winner since World War II - to name but a handful of his many achievements.

Vincent was a wonderful, respectable man who just happened to always carry a paper bag full of chocolate bars whenever he flew and which, as a youngster, greatly endeared me to him! He treated me with kindness (because this was his nature and also because he had great respect for my godfather). On those rare occasions when there were too many passengers for me to join him and the Colonel aboard the Ranger he would tell me to drive his blue BMW (which he would leave at the helipad) back to the main house and to return with it on his arrival .. and this despite the fact that I was well below the legal age for driving. But .. it was always great fun as I did far more flying than I did driving!

He would often go for walks with his two black Labradors (whose names now escape my memory) and, when doing so, would frequently pass by the pilot's house to see if I wanted to accompany him and which offer I never refused. He spoke very little and I remember one time we concluded a lengthy walk after which he said "thank you" and which had been his only words since collecting me! I guess he enjoyed seeing me playing with the dogs along the gallops .. or that he was simply occupied with his thoughts!

I visited Ballydoyle (Vincent O'Brien's home and training stables) during several school holidays over a two year period and it was during that time that my love of flat racing was born (I was already a horse-lover and keen rider at school). Vincent's passion for horses was almost as infectious as my godfather's love of flying and if there is such a thing as a 'horse whisperer' then Vincent was certainly such a one. His ability was that of being able to read the silent communications of each of his horses, their various expressions such as a flick of the tail, a stamp of the foot, the movement of their ears and eyes .. it all meant something to him and the horses for their part seemed to 'sense' they were being 'read' whenever he was about. This connection between man and beast was something I had never before witnessed (and I am obviously discounting pets here) and it fascinated me.

As Vincent was working his magic with the horses I would be spell-bound simply watching him! On more than one occasion when one of his priceless thoroughbreds was misbehaving prior to being taken on a run, Vincent would walk over to the beast (which would have one of the stable jockeys atop) and place his hand on the animal's nose, or .. sometimes .. just look into beast's eyes and the creature would visibly calm down. It was (as least for me as a wee lad) incredible.

Regarding his helicopter; Vincent had a Bell JetRanger, the first Mk III in the Republic, EI-BFK. BFK began life as N50005, one of the first JetRanger III's off Bell's production line. In 1978 she was shipped-off to Russia where she contributed as part of the US team in the World Helicopter Championships which were held in Vitebsk in July of that year. After the championships she was flown to the UK where, in August, CSE swapped-out her 'shorts' for 'pop-outs'. She then attended Farnborough in September and was, to the best of my knowledge, the first Bell (as opposed to Agusta-Bell) 206B III in the UK.

Prior to Farnborough Irish Helicopters had contacted CSE declaring their interest in acquiring a new JetRanger on behalf of their client (Vincent O'Brien). Immediately after Farnborough (and still wearing her 'stars and stripes' livery from the WHC) N50005 was flown to Dublin where she was promptly re-registered as EI-BFK and her American flag and 'USA' livery sprayed-over. (However .. every time you opened the boot you could see where the 'stars and stripes' had once been .. lol!).

Vincent O'Brien, Ballydole and Tipperary shall forever retain a special place in my heart.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L...Ballydoyle.jpg
The late great Vincent O'Brien (1917-2009) at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in Co. Tipperary

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T...Ballydoyle.jpg
Approaching Ballydoyle with the southern gallops and water tower in view

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...C%25201980.jpg
A youthful Savoia dismounts Vincent O'Briens Bell 206B JetRanger III EI-BFK at Ballydoyle Stables in 1980. We are clearly back from the races (most likely The Curragh or Leopardstown) as I am still wearing the racing badge

Sav,

I have fond memories of flying in and out of Ballydoyle in a B222 and 430 to pick up his son-in-law on many occasions, another real gentleman and pretty talented trainer as well :p

I have spent hours there and Coolmore totally transfixed by the scenery and those beautiful animals.... Very happy days :ok:

Vincent kept the colours on his subsequent aircraft. EI-BFK was replaced by EI-BNO AS350, this later became G-JRBI in 1983 and was replaced by EI-BOR a Bell 222. The 222 is still in Ireland as N222WX but mothballed at present.

I like Savoia spent many a happy day running around Ballydoyle and later went on to fly there for a number of years in the 222. I also spent many a day after that on the pads of Tipperary with young Griffo....Good Times

Griff/CVR: How wonderful to have these experiences in common with you! As you say, delightful times which have left great memories.
Yes, I recall someone contacting the Colonel and mentioning that the Ranger had been swapped-out for an Ecureuil and that instructions had been received from Ballydoyle to paint her up in the same livery.

I suspect that Vincent might not have been aware from where the colours on his aircraft were derived. Only a handful of guys at Irish Helicopters would have been in-the-know as it were.

Here .. BFK when she was N50005:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...700/N50005.jpg
Bell 206B III N50005, Stateside in 1978, prior to being shipped to the World Helicopter Championships in Vitebsk, Russia

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...s+approach.jpg
On finals to Ballydoyle. The pad was between the red and white gallop observation tower and the circular training ring

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...ydoyle+Pad.jpg
BFK on the pad at Ballydoyle. Easter 1980

Hi Savoia,

Thats a rare pic of the USA team's mount, as I've only got b/w photos in Dancing Rotors book by the late Harry 'Ned' Gililand. And the only colour other colour pic in existent was from HAI Rotor magazine interview with 'Ned' in 2004? But the pic of him in the USA team jacket and tie and standing by the cargo compartment of the 206 so no full aircraft shot.

There's also a Bell 206L Longranger used by the USA team , again b/w photo in the book, have you got a colour pic of that please?

Thanks

Chopper: Sadly I don't have the USA Team LongRanger but, if you do source a copy, I'd love to see it!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t...e+Freer%29.jpg
Westland WG-13 Lynx XX907 at Widdle Wallop on 27th July 1973 (Photo: Mike Freer)

The Lynx was one of three types of aircraft (Puma, Gazelle and Lynx) covered by the Anglo-French helicopter agreement first proposed in February 1967 and confirmed on 2nd April 1968. On 1st December 1972 a long-term agreement was signed between Westland Helicopters and Aerospatiale to formalize and strengthen the existing collaboration programme. Westland had design leadership in the Lynx, which was a medium sized helicopter intended to fulfill general-purpose, naval and civil transport roles. It was the first British aircraft to be designed entirely on a metric basis.

Five basic aircraft were being used by Westland to prove the fundamental design parameters. Following flight testing using two Scout helicopters fitted with scaled-down versions of the Lynx rotor system, the first Lynx prototype (XW835) flew for the first time on 21st March 1971 and was followed by XW837, the third prototype (second Lynx to fly), on 28th September 1971. Third to fly was the Lynx (XW838, on 9th March 1972), the first to have the monobloc rotor head designed for production aircraft.

Then followed, on 24th March 1972, the first flight of XW836, which had previously been used for ground vibration testing. The fifth Lynx to fly (XX153, on 12th April 1972) was a development aircraft for the British Army, the AH.Mk.1 version.

In addition to these five aircraft, a sixth Lynx (XX907 [above], first flight 20th May 1973) was allocated to Rolls-Royce for engine development.

Further airframes were built for static, fatigue and electrical testing.

On 20th and 22nd June 1972, Roy Moxam flying XX153 set up Class E1e international speed records of 199.92 mph (321.74 kmh) over a 9.3/15.5 mls (15/25 km) straight course and 197.909 mph (318.504 kmh) over a 62.1 (100 km) closed circuit. During the flight test program the Lynx rolled at more than 100° per second, dived at 230 mph (370 kmh), and flew backwards at 80 mph (130 kmh).

FAA Sikorsky NCH-53A
 

Hi Savoia

Thanks for your reply

Btw Scanned this from an old copy of World Airpower Journal Vol 4 Winter 90/91 and nice to see rare photo of even rarer helicopters used by the FAA.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...er/faa_n39.jpg

According the WAP, this was previously used by NASA, I wonder if anyone can shed any more light on this particular airframe or its uses and better still, any more photos of FAA helicopters. Has anyone got photo of NASA NCH-53?

Maybe we could start a dedication to the legendary S-65/C/MH-53 on here and Savoia please could you create a logo for this as I have plenty of pics of MH-53H/M and MH-53E to share on here?

Cheers

Acft mechanics taking lunch by my 58 back in 91 at Ft. Hood.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...in303/11-2.jpg



History in one picture:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...03/uh60ret.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...logo%2520s.png

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9.../s845/CH53.jpg
Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV (S-65A) of the 21st SOS 'Dust Devils' over the UK on 13th September 2007 (Photo: Neil Jones)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...l+Jones%29.jpg
Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV (S-65A) "Knife 51" of the 21st SOS 'Dust Devils' in front of the White Cliffs of Dover on 13th September 2007 (Photo: Neil Jones)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/CH53%27s.jpg
Two CH-53E Super Stallions receive fuel from a C-130 Hercules while carrying two High Mobility Multipurpose Vehicles during an aerial refueling exercise. The helicopters belong to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 772, a reserve squadron from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania currently attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in support of the war against terrorism. (Photo Cpl. Paula Fitzgerald USMC)

What's the minimum speed (Herc) they can refuel at?

I understand it is a stable external load but even then there is a limit on that.


JD

Fijdor: My understanding is that the KC-130J (the tanker in the photo above - taken, I should have added, over the Gulf of Aden) has an inflight refuelling speed envelope which ranges from 100 to 270kts. Each refuelling pod is capable of offloading 1,100 litres per minute.

Chopper2004: You've not picked an easy one that's for sure but .. word is that your FAA 'Stallion' is serial no. 153299 and here is some of her history:

Serial No. 153299 was accepted into service on 1st March 1966 and saw a variety of assignments. It flew with the US Navy, US Marine Corps, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and back to the Navy to end its service. While with NASA, alterations and modifications were made to the helicopter such that it could not be returned to its original mission capability. That is why it carries the prefix N for permanent special test in its designator NCH-53A.

It was last painted at the Naval Air Depot, Pensacola, Florida in November 1988. Under the paint, on the right side sponson, a decal/logo with NADC was visible.

The helicopter’s last assignment being with the Naval Air Development Center, Research Development, Test and Evaluation, Warminister, Pennsylvania. The helicopter was recovered from Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, in July 1999, where it had been stored in a World War II blimp hangar.

June 1966: Naval Air Test Center – Service Tests, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, (Lexington Park) Maryland

June 1967: Naval Plant Representative Officer (NPRO), Research and Technology, Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut

July 1967: NATC – Service Tests, NAS Patuxent River

July 1968: US Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron HMH 461, “Sea Stallions,” Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, (Jacksonville) North Carolina

July 1968: US Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron HMH 361, “Flying Tigers,” MCAS New River, NC

February 1969: HMH 361, MCAS Santa Ana, California

July 1969: HMH 461, MCAS New River, NC

June 1971: Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment (MARTD), NAS Willow Grove, (Willow Grove/Horsham) Pennsylvania

February 1973: NPRO Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, CT

July 1973: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia as 543

December 1975: Modified to NCH-53A with NASA

May 1978: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Atlantic City, New Jersey

May 1981: FAA, Washington, D.C.

October 1983: Naval Air Rework Facility, NAS Pensacola, Florida

June 1984: Naval Air Development Center, Research Development, Test and Evaluation, Warminister, Pennsylvania

November 1988: Naval Air Depot, Pensacola, FL

Date unknown: Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES), Lakehurst, New Jersey

July 1999: Combat Air Museum

While with the Federal Aviation Administration she seems to have acomplished the following:

"A series of flight tests were conducted to investigate the use of long range navigation (LORAN)-C as a helicopter navigation system in the offshore New Jersey Baltimore Canyon oil exploration area. Tests were flown aboard the Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA) Technical Center's CH-53A using a Teledyne Systems TDL-711 LORAN Micro-Navigator. The purpose of the tests was to determine the accuracy and operational usability of LORAN-C for offshore en route navigation and nonprecision approaches. The total system accuracy met or exceeded the requirements of Advisory Circular (AC) 90-45A 'Accuracy Requirements of Area Navigation Systems' for terminal and en route phases of flight, provided the proper LORAN triads were selected. The LORAN-C System did not meet AC 90-45A nonprecision approach accuracy criteria."

Not in your FAA colours Chopper but .. as far as my research suggests .. the same craft:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...520-%2520m.jpg
NCH-53A Serial No. 153299 landing at NASA's Langley Research Centre in Virginia in 1975

HC-4 at Mildenhall Air Fete 95
 

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../Ch53logos.png

Hi Savoia,

Mnay thanks for the detailed info and pic of NASA NH-53A, very much appreciated and here's my contribution. The guys out of Sigonella were very kind to bring their MH-53E Sea Dragon to Mildenhall 1995 Air Fete and I think it was the first time the Navy brought thier MH-53E to airshow in UK. As with Bush's visit several years ago, the HC4 when it was at Siognella, brought over their Sea Dragons to support his visit where they were sighted at Newcastle and other airports in the UK. Plus a visit in 2004 to RAF Northolt to support a delegation of congressmen and senators visiting the UK. I sighted a pair of these Sea Dragons over the Cambs countryside from my office on an airfield where I previously worked. By coincidence it turns out my one of my best mates in the RAF who was based at Northolt was on board said pair accompanying the US delegation!

Anyhow please find my scans on here (didnt enter the digital age till nearly a decade later from this!!!! :ok:)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2..._HC4_mh53e.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...all_95_HC4.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...95_53_pair.png

Cheers

21st SOS - Mildenhall Air Fete 1995
 

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../Ch53logos.png

And also on that nice day in May, heres the 21st SOS 'Dust Devils' MH-53H

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...l_95_MH53H.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...H53H_front.jpg

Cheers

Some real nostalgia: Mechanix Illustrated from November 1941 :ok:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/...copter_car.jpg

Trilby Titfer
 

It would appear that the 'safety trilby ' was de rigeur in those days. I cannot see a chin strap so I assume the downwash kept it on! You think you must have seen it all and then something like this appears. Wonderful!

From the Mechanix Illustrated article.

Who would have known? :rolleyes:

The description 'queer' in the original meaning of the word is not unusual throughout Mechanix Illustrated. But not for this October 1923 article :cool:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/...ter_flight.jpg

Latest helicopter makes flight:

SP: That was a fine find on Mechanix Illustrated! :ok:

Dixon's 'Heli-Car' does somehow resemble a flying wheelchair though!

LOL! Yes it was a popular accessory during the first half of the 20th century, especially Stateside:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7...y%2C+1942..jpg
The late great Sir Igor Sikorsky (left and with Trilby :E) and Mr Orville Wright standing by a Sikorsky XR-4 helicopter at Wright Field, Ohio, in May 1942 (Photo: Sikorsky Archives)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...+2%2C+1947.jpg
The late Howard Hughes (with his Fedora) on the flight deck of his H-4 Hercules (aka 'Spruce Goose') seaplane in Long Beach Harbour before his epic flight on 2nd November 1947

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B...%2520small.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b...+Dragonfly.jpg
US Air Force Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly waterborne somewhere off the US coast at sometime but most likely mid-to-late 40's

Can anyone take a stab as to what the device below the swashplate might be? Clearly an arm leading to some sort of horizontal stabiliser but a most uncommon accoutrement for this (or indeed any) type!

Sycamore helicopter Kimberly
 

Hi all, I found this Sycamore helicopter the other day west of Turkey ck.
Not in the best of condition. Bush fire has gone through at some stage.
Great to see tho !!
The story I had was tail rotor strike, repaired then main rotor strike on lift off, so they just left it there.... 30+ years
16.82583°S, 127.73383°E

How do I up load pics? I have a few of the Heli

Last saw that thing in August of '93 on a donkey shoot.

Wasn't a lot left of it even then.

Question is which one is it?

Just in case you thought "bird towing" was something "new" like "long lining."

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac...et/VH-INO2.jpg

A very interesting photo RVDT, do you have any more details? Is the load suspended from a hoist/winch or a cargo hook? I'm a little puzzled that the cable is well forward of the main rotor mast despite the load looking rather heavy. Obviously no CofG problems.

Abovethetreeline,

How to post photographs

Saint Jack

Looks like they figured it out OK.

Adastra Aerial Surveys

http://www.adastra.adastron.com/airc...c/vh-ino-2.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...obinson%29.jpg
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XT767 touches its tail onto the turf at Shoreham Airport in July 1979 (Photo: Paul Robinson)

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/y...rlwindDart.jpg

Later generation machine S55 Series III, looking for copper around the Hajar mountains in the UAE circa 1978-79



http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/y...rat1/nizwa.jpg

Same machine VR-BDL, shorter strop this time loading cement to build a prison in a village up on the 'Green mountain' Nizwa Oman, yours truly underneath risking life and limb!!
#
Stace

Great stuff Stace! :ok:

Chopper2004; Some more CH53 memorabilia for you:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J...closeupup5.jpg
USMC CH53 with 'special' camouflage

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...wer+Bridge.jpg
USMC CH53 flies over Tower Bridge. Most likely from one of the bases where the USMC kept their 53's, ie: Woodbridge, Bentwates, Alconbury or Mildenhall.

Savoia,

Many thanks for the pics, though the last picis of the then 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron HH-53H Super Jolly Green Giant not USMC CH-53!

In the 80s the 601st Tactical Air Control Wing at the former Sembach AFB now Sembach-Kasserne USAREUR base operated the cargo CH-53H and OV-10 Bronco (FAC) . The H-53 of the 601st had a role of carrying battlefield radar and mobile ATC and surveillance radars.

Originally at Woodbridge and post Desert Storm and closure of bases as the 21st SOS Dust Devils as part of the old 39th Special Ops Wing then moved to Alconbury and in 93 to 95 relocated to Mildenhall as Alconburys airfield would cease ops and that part of the base given back to the MOD. 39th was re designated 352nd Special Operations Group then in 2007 the MH-53M Pave Low I'VE retired from USAF inventory and 21st SOS disbanded. But it will reform with cV-22 late or early next year at Mildenhall.


USMc don't have helos in UK unless on exercise or attending airshows such as RIAT or Farnborough :)

Many thanks

Chopper, thanks for the clarifications! :ok:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...5203%2520s.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...%2520lapse.jpg
US Navy S-51 as captured during night time operations at the US Naval base in Anacostia, Washington DC, in February 1949 (Photo: Andreas Feininger)

This US Navy S-51 Dragonfly was fitted with tip lights and photographed lifting from Anacostia naval base at night (aided by a full moon) in February 1949. Andreas Feininger used time-lapse photography to capture the 51's dpearture which, as one can see, has created this impressive 'slinky' effect. Not bad for '49, so I think.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...logo%2520s.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...%27s+Mount.png
A Sea King from 771 NAS RNAS Culdrose noses forward in front of St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...m+Sea+King.jpg
The Mount as seen from the Sea King's door

A lot of RM's mans & machines in the Gallery part!
Flying Marines Introduction Page

Please remove if the link was already here.

Zis, great to see you back, nice find! :ok:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0...cholefield.jpg
City of New York Police Department Bell 47D-1 N235B (cn 176) accompanied by two additional float equipped sister ships prior to their delivery to the NYPD in 1950 (Photo: The R.A. Scholefield Collection)

Another gem from R.A.'s black and white collection. The airfield isn't mentioned but R.A. has said it was taken in New York and my guess is that these craft may have been photographed at Buffalo Municipal Airport (now Buffalo Niagara BUF).

More Dragonflies & Widgeons ..
 

And this time .. the Dragonfly which became a Widgeon!

Westland WS51 Mk 1A Dragonfly c/n WA/H/1

On 10th January 1947 Westland Aircraft signed an agreement (a licence in fact) to build Sikorsky's S-51 helicopter. The agreement gave Westland the power to 'improve' Sikorsky's design and was assigned the designation WS.51. The name Dragonfly seems to have been added later.

The arrangement included the supply of six US-built aircraft to assist Westland during their learning curve in constructing the 51 and to allow for demonstrations to customers while production was ramping up. Westland were assigned sales rights in all markets except North America.

The aircraft incorporated some noteable changes to the US-built versions as most production drawings were modified to suit British engineering practices and local materials. Among the changes included substitution of the 450hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior for the 520hp Alvis Leonides 50.

The WS.51 was produced in two variants, the Mk.1A with the Alvis Leonides engine and the Mk.1B with a Pratt & Whitney R-985-B4 Wasp Junior.

The prototype Mk.1A (c/n WA/H/1) first flew on 5th October 1948 with the registration G-AKTW. While awaiting the arrival of the six aircraft from Sikorsky, this aircraft was evaluated by the RAF and was given the registration XD649. In 1955 this aircraft was converted to become one of three prototypes for the civilian market and which became known as the Westland Widgeon.

WA/H/1 became the first 'Anglicised' version of Sikorsky's S-51. On 3rd November 1958 the aircraft was re-registered as G-APPR and three years later, on 6th November 1961, was registered to Bristows. On 20th June 1962 the aircraft was sold to Nigeria where it became 5N-AGA.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K...700/G-AKTW.jpg
Westland WS.51 Mk.1A Dragonfly c/n WA/H/1 G-AKTW makes its maiden flight from Yeovil on 5th October 1948

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...Collection.jpg
c/n WA/H/1 is given the RAF designator XD649 during trials with the service in the late 40's

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X...lection%29.jpg
G-AKTW goes for a swim in Findhorn Bay, Scotland, in 1960 (Photo: The Dave Welch Collection)

For an image of G-AKTW as a fully fledged Westland Widgeon, check out post #966 on page 49 of this thread.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...5203%2520s.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...tchelor%29.jpg
Bell 206B III G-BKBY at Leavesden in 1983 (Photo: Adrian Batchelor)

Adrian Batchelor has shared another sample of his great collection of 80's 'Brit-Rotary-Nostalgia' .. this time in the form of G-BKBY.

This was craft was imported by CSE in 1982 and sold to Real Time Control of Watford in August the following year just prior to the Business and Light Aviation Show at Cranfield.

At Cranfield ('83) I met her owner who at the time was being taught to fly by a slighty tall and grey-hairer gentlemen who's name escapes my memory - as does the name of the owner. But, her owner was most gracious and sent me (through CSE) an oversized photographic print of BKBY. It was a smashing shot of BKBY in the hover (at Kidlington I am sure) and looking resplendent in the brilliant sunshine.

From Real Time Control she moved on to ADT Aviation of Hindhead in Surrey where she was re-registered as G-OSUE.

As OSUE this craft was to meet her tragic demise on 14th August 1992 near Crowthorne in Berkshire.

An excerpt from the accident report reads:

AAIB INVSTGN REVEALED THAT A NUT SEPARATED FROM ONE OF THE THOMAS COUPLING BOLTS ON THE AFT SHORT SHAFT OF THE TAIL ROTORDRIVE, ALLOWING THE ASSOCIATED BOLT TO DISENGAGE & INDUCING SEPARATION OF ASECOND NUT FROM THE SECOND BOLT ON THE SAME DRIVE COUPLING DUE TO OUT-OF-AXIS "WHIRLING" FORCES, WHICH ALSO CAUSED FAILURE OF THE AFT SHORT SHAFT.

THE PILOT ENDEAVOURED TO CARRY OUT AN EMERGENCY LANDING CLEAR OF THE BUILT-UP AREA OVER WHICH HE WAS FLYING WHEN TAIL ROTORDRIVE FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT LOST CONTROL DURING THE FINAL STAGES OF DESCENT & CRASHED. THE PILOT & ONE OF THE FOUR OCCUPANTS DIED IN THE ACCIDENT & THE THREE SURVIVORS WERE SERIOSLY INJURED. REASON FOR THE FIRST NUT SEPARATIONWAS NOT ESTABLISHED.

AAIB BULLETIN 02/93 & ADDENDUM REF:W/C92/8/2. SEE ALSO 93/00309. CAA CLOSURE: JOINT CAA/MOD COMMITTEE ESTABLISHEDTO RESEARCH & IMPROVE LEVEL OF ADVICE GIVEN IN FLIGHT MANUALS ON ACTION INEVENT OF TAIL ROTOR MALFUNCTIONS. LTO 1361 ISSUED RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT OFCOUPLING NUTS & BOLTS BEFORE 1200HRS TSN, CHECK VISUALLY EVERY 10HRS ANDINSPECT TORQUE PAINT EVERY 100HRS.