The Rotary Nostalgia Thread

[Savoia]

Tarman: Great to hear of your involvement with 'BKT'. I never got to fly her, but did 'ride shotgun' in her with John Barnicle from Ballydoyle to Dublin one time when EI-BFK was in for maintenance.


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II G-SKII (cn 8562) as seen at Cork on 28th May 2008

On one occasion before one bout of pleasure flying I was doing the preflight whirl of the controls (freedom of movement check) when the cyclic came off in my hand!

I also flew at Kilroes in Manchester

I can imagine this must have been somewhat disconcerting!

Re: Air Kilroe .. G-TKHM was originally owned by the aircraft collector Doug Arnold and this craft (together with G-OIML) was among the first Agusta-built JetRanger III's delivered to the UK. She wore 'Ferrantiesque' colours for many years, although the hue of her yellow was tinged with a slight gold/bronze finish.


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III G-TKHM (cn 8557) as seen at Otterspool Promenade, Liverpool, in 1983

Regarding 'Roger' (G-ROGR) .. this is how she looked when I knew her:


Bell 206B JetRanger II G-ROGR (cn 405) as seen at Cranfield on 7th July 1984 (Photo: Alan Mosiezny)

This was while she was owned by Roger Woodward (although the craft was registered in his wife's name). Met Roger a couple of times at his London office which, IIRC, used to be just off Park Lane.

ROGR/RODY/WLLY did of course start out as G-AXMM, imported by Bill Armstrong (Autair). She originally wore a brown-tone scheme (below):

Bell 206A G-AXMM (cn 405) as seen at Luton on 4th December 1977 (Photo: Peter Nicholson)

Elipix: G-TREE was after my time in the UK but .. speaking of trees (and Roger Woodward above) ..


Beechcraft Baron G-WOOD as seen at Ostend-Bruges Airport on 8th September 2007 (Photo: Stefan De Sutter)



G-TREE Refuelling in 2008:

[Tarman]

It's not often that I can say 'I've flown that' but I have flown EI-BKT when it was registered as G-SKII around about 2007 flying from Cumbernauld to Kintore !

[Helipixman]

G-TREE....

Seen below during pleasure flying at Ingliston, Edinburgh on 25.7.15



G-TREE Bell 206B JetRanger III s/n 2826 was an Alan Mann import and registered to them on 15.6.87. It was for new owner LGH Aviation Ltd (Ian Leslie Craig-Wood) hence the registration and registered on 7.3.88. Its current owner from 7.6.04 is Roger Eaton who trades as Bush Woodlands. Just wonder if he purchased this machine for the registration ?

[Phil Croucher]

G-RODS used to be Noel Edmonds' machine, of course.

Rod Crook had a thing about resurrecting scrapped aircraft, of which G-ROGR was one, and which was refurbished by Skyline at Wycombe. On one occasion before one bout of pleasure flying I was doing the preflight whirl of the controls (freedom of movement check) when the cyclic came off in my hand!

I will dig around and see what else I can come up with!

I also flew at Kilroes in Manchester and I think I have some shots of theirs in deepest Wales lifting stuff up a mountain.

[Helipixman]

THAMESDOWN HELICOPTERS....

As promised for Phil (how many of these did you fly) here are some shots from my collection of Thamesdown Helicopters 206's G-RODS, RODY & ROGR













Helipixman

[Savoia]

Hughes 300B (269B) G-AVVS (cn 0284) as seen at Biggin Hill on 1st June 1971 (Photo: David Tanner)

At the time of this photo, this little craft was owned by Ryman Ltd. Two years later she was bought by Walter 'Wally' Holmes of Heli-Leeds, and in 1998 she was sold to Italy where she became I-SCVB.

Before coming to the UK she flew in the Republic of Ireland as EI-APN, although for how long I am not sure.

[Savoia]

Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III EI-BKT (cn 8562) as seen at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath c.1980s (Photo: Martin Dignam)


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III EI-BKT as seen at Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath on 21st August 1983 (Photo: Ken Meegan)


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III EI-BKT as seen at Westpoint Heliport, Dublin on 15th August 1990 (Photo: Markus Herzig)

[Savoia]

RAF Westland Whirlwind HAR.2 XL109 (cn. WA148) as seen in Borneo in 1965 (Photo: Ronnie Bell)

Seen here with members of the Gordon Highlanders.

This craft was written-off on 17th October 1970 after suffering an engine failure over the sea off Sai Kung in Hong Kong. The airframe was recovered and taken to RAF Kai Tak, although she never flew again.

[Savoia]

The only information provided with this photo was 'Westland Whirlwind'. If this is in fact the case, and it is not a US-based S-55, then there is every possibility that this could be one of the Christian Salvesen 'whaling' Whirlwinds - see page 3.

[Savoia]

The name doesn't ring a bell. I flew there in the late 80's and early 90's.

Of 500's and Papua New Guinea ..


Rotorwork Hughes 500D P2-AHN outside Manam Island Catholic Church, Papua New Guinea, in 1988

This shot is from 1988 when I was flying a short contract for the local Volcanological Observatory.

When it came to Sunday I wanted to attend Mass .. and this was quite literally the only place to park.

Just so happens that Manam Island (which is a volcano) erupted this morning.

Have some more shots of 'shooting' laser distance measurements between the mainland and Manam Island, and which I will post at a later date.

[Savoia]

More memories from PNG ..


Bell 212 P2-PHJ (on lease to Pacific Helicopters from Bristow) as seen aboard Barge Pegasus in the Sepik River in 1987

[Savoia]

Of G-BBET ..


Bell 206B JetRanger II G-BBET (cn 1102) as seen at Biggin Hill on 17th May 1974 (Photo: Jonathan Walton)

In December 1974 G-BBET was sold to Italy where she became I-AGUO .. and where she still flies.


Bell 206B JetRanger II I-AGUO (cn 1102) Aeroporto di Biella-Cerrione, 2 April 2006 (Photo: Marco Toso)

[Savoia]

Lovely shots there Elipix!

More G-BBEU ..


Bell 206B JetRanger II G-BBEU (cn 1121) c.1980


G-BBEU & G-BBBM as seen at Battersea Heliport in 1980 (Photo: Anton Heumann)

After BCal bought Ferranti, G-BBEU ended-up being painted in BCal's colours (for about two years) following the same arrangement Ferranti had with G-OIML (ie. that the craft was utilised for charter while not being employed in IML's service).

The Colonel was involved with 'EU' from her initial import by Ben Turner Helicopters in 1973 (where he was a director), then again when IML acquired her, and eventually with her sale to the Uganda Police Air Wing where, as with so many rotorcraft which joined that organisation, she met her eventual fate.

G-BBEU had a sister ship, G-BBET, which Ben Turner imported at the same time as 'EU'.

[Helipixman]

Mentioned in post 175 G-OIML was a replacement for G-BBEU.....


G-BBEU with G-OIML in background (Helipixman collection)


Helipixman Collection

G-BBEU was registered to IML Ltd 18.1.78 - 22.7.81 having been purchased from Alan Mann Helicopters. It was sold to Air Hanson who sold it in Uganda becoming 5X-MIA and was written off.

Look out for next post soon.. Thamesdown Helicopters
Helipixman

[Savoia]

Another ex-Mann 206:


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRangerII G-BCYP (cn 8440) as seen at Leavesden Aerodrome c.1984 (Photo: Adrian Batchelor)

Seen here with a 'CB Helicopters' sticker.

[Helipixman]

Sorry Sav - not sure of the exact date, but probably early 80s as you say, and yes I agree about the seats.

[Savoia]

Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II G-NOEL at Silverstone with G-OIML and G-BTWA (Photo: Helipixman)

Elipix do you have a date for this photo?

I am guessing that it must be between 1980-81 and that this is the original colour scheme that was applied to Noel's aircraft after he bought her.

I see from this photo that she still had the seats from when she was registered as G-BCWN - later on she had a white leather interior. Also, I didn't realise that she had colour-coded pop-outs fitted from when Noel first bought, in fact I thought these were only added when he gained the Sony sponsorship.

VFR and or TRC would surely have known more!

[Savoia]

Ah Wiggy .. how lovely to see you .. welcome aboard!

Lovely also to see these classic shots of G-WOSP!

Elipix: More fantastic photos - bravo!

This is the fist time for me to see G-NOEL in that blue-tone scheme. I see this is from the time that G-OIML was with Trent (Mike Strangeways).

Lovely also to see G-JLBI .. the one aircraft that both Phil and I have flown!

Here's a shot of 'IML' just one month after her delivery:



Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III G-OIML (cn 8560) as seen at Battersea Heliport in January 1979

'IML' was owned by International Messengers Ltd. (founded by Andrew Walters, a friend of the late Colonel) and was a replacement for G-BBEU.

She was the first JerRanger III in the UK, followed closely (just a matter of weeks in fact) by the Bell-built G-WOSP.

Ferranti managed 'IML' on behalf on International Messengers, and the craft is seen above wearing Ferranti's livery, as she would be employed by Ferranti for charter operations when not required by IML.

[wiggy]

Some more shots of G-WOSP:


G-WOSP while flying with Burnthills (Photo: Wigan Airways Collection)


G-WOSP in 1985 on the Motherwell side of Strathclyde Park (Photo: Wigan Airways Collection)


G-WOSP in 1985 on the Motherwell side of Strathclyde Park (Photo: Wigan Airways Collection)

This aircraft was also sponsored by Clyde Radio for a time.

[Phil Croucher]

G-RODS was with us at Thamesdown Helicopters at Lyneham (I was Chief Pilot). Rod Crook owned the company, hence the name.

Phil

[Helipixman]

More G-WOSP....

A few more photos I have in my collection of this JetRanger







Helipixman Collection (photographers unknown)

[Helipixman]

LAKESIDE HELICOPTERS, Edinburgh

This is a company I worked for as ground crew in the 90s flying all over Scotland and sometime further afield i.e Silverstone etc. Mixed memories...


G-BHYW Agusta Bell 206B II (8043) at Talls ships pleasure flying, Aberdeen

Sadly this crashed at Farelton Knott, Near Kendal when it was hit by Tornado ZG754 23.6.93 during pipeline inspection.
Both pilot and passenger killed. Tornado landed safely at Warton.


G-BPWI Bell 206B III (3087) seen pleasure flying at Scone Palace, Perth

This is a much travelled heli - started its life flying in Mexico before moving to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia.
Sadly crashed in forced landing due to engine failure and rolled over at Upper Edgebold, Near Shrewsbury 4.10.13


G-WOSP Bell 206B III (2545) seen near Colwyn Bay during para dropping.

This heli was sold in Spain becoming EC-938 (import reg), EC-CGN and then to SE-JIP

Lakeside used another heli which was owned by Kwik Fit - G-FLYR !

All photos by Helipixman

[Helipixman]

Some Rotary Nostalgia for Phil......


G-JLBI Bell 206L-1 LongRanger at Elstree Aerodrome (Helipixman)
This became F-GLGD and is still currently registered.


G-NOEL Agusta Bell 206B JetRanger II at Silverstone with G-OIML and G-BTWA.
This became G-RODS then G-JWBI and is still currently regsitered


Another shot of G-NOEL outside Alan Mann, Fairoaks (photographer not known)

Lastly a shot of G-OIML for SAV !


G-OIML Agusta Bell 206B JetRanger III Seen at Cranfield (Helipixman)
This became G-JMVB, EI-BXX, G-TCMM and lastly VH-SHH

Helipixman

[Phil Croucher]

Indeed I did.

That photo would have been taken at the Burnthills hangar in Glasgow - I used the fly the PA 31 in the background as well!

Although it originally belonged to Wasp Helicopters, it was later bought by Burnthills Aviation who operated it in support of their Highland Helicopter Service.

Here is a photo of WOSP which I took on some island somewhere! I think it might have bee Arran:

[Savoia]

Well they are just great photos (as always) Elipix!

Phil used to fly G-WOSP and many others including the Towers LongRanger (G-JLBI), G-NOEL and many more).

Let me try and coax him onto his own website to tell us a little about his flying escapades!

[Helipixman]

Sav, the photo of G-FLCH was taken outside Helitech at Luton, but maybe not by me after all (I can't remember)? I lived just North of Luton for a while and watched many of the Robbos arrive and photographed a good few.

You mention under the photo of G-WOSP that Phil flew it? Did you mean G-WOSP or G-OIML ?

I flew around as a pax in G-WOSP many times.

Helipixman

[Savoia]

A fantastic assortment of photos there Elipix, bravo!

Seeing G-BGGX in Mann's colours from the 70's certainly brings a tear to the eye!

Lovely photos of 'Fletch' and just great that you've managed to capture her with both her original 'Fletcher Motors' titles as well as the Aeromega badge as per the shot I posted. Btw, in that photo, were you at Luton? For I see the Helitech hangar in the background. The Colonel used to know Fred Coates pretty well.

Great to see the Hughes 500C's .. even if the oleos do look a little deflated!

Something from your (and Wiggy's) neck of the woods ..


Bell 206B JetRanger III G-WOSP (cn. 2545) as seen at Glasgow International Airport in 1994 (Photo: Stewart Robertson)

Imported for Wasp Helicopters of Glasgow at the end of November 1978, this was the first Bell-built JetRanger III in the UK. The first Agusta-built JetRanger III was Ferranti-managed G-OIML which was imported at the beginning of the same month - November 1978.

Aviafora co-owner Filippo (Phil Croucher) used to fly this craft.

[Helipixman]

G-ONPP & G-VNPP

Two Hughes 369 helicopters mentioned somewhere before by DK in connection with The Nigerian Peoples Party ....

Both registered to Flintgrange Ltd G-ONPP (22.3.83) and G-VNPP (30.3.83)



G-ONPP became G-ROMA, G-ROPI then restored to G-ROMA until it was cancelled 16.12.99



G-VNPP was ex G-BDKL and EI-ATY and became G-HSKY, one of the Skyline fleet.

Both pictures taken at Shoreham (may even be DK inside), Helipixman Collection - Photographers unknown.

[Helipixman]

Even More Classic 206 ....

G-BGGX Agusta Bell 206B JetRanger II imported by Mann's for Willowbrook International Ltd (George Hughes)


Photo Helipixman Collection

then sold and re-registered as G-FLCH for Quakebrook Ltd t/a Fletchair (Fletcher Motors)


Photo Helipixman Collection (photographer unknown)


Photo Helipixman Collection

then sold and re-registered again this time as G-NATO to Defence Products Aviation Ltd and then to Proteus Petroleum Aviation Ltd


Photo Helipixman Collection (photographer unknown)

Then sold in Belgium becoming OO-VWE


Photo Helipixman Collection (Photographer Helipixman)

[Savoia]

Seeing as I mentioned Geoffers in the post before last concerning 'Fletch' .. I thought it may be an idea to take another look at G-WIZZ:

Originally posted by Geoffersincornwall

This helicopter was the first - or at least very nearly the first - 'out-of-sequence' - reg in UK. When I called LGW on the way in for Customs Clearance they refused to believe I was using a 'kosher' callsign!!

It was indeed delivered with high 'tubes' which made it very tricky when I had to do the old chip-detector 'service' in a field north of Troyes. The delay caused us to divert into Melun which is listed as a civvy airport but turned out to be the French equivalent of Boscombe Down and 'Les Gendarmes de L'Air' were not amused. A little bit of play-acting and a second chip-detector removal was meant to be 'window-dressing' but when a large 'whisker' was found sticking on the end of said detector all seemed to be understood. Unfortunately they said 'well now you have fixed it you can go on your way'. We knew the weather was cr*p and with only an hour of daylight we turned to the Met man who was horrified that any self respecting VFR helicopter man could be asked to proceed against the worst mother nature could offer - the dreaded 'warm sector'.

One call to the Commandant and we were given a true airman's welcome and the entire team of Gendarmes De L'Air swung into action and we were taken to a local B & B via the local supermarket to buy a wheel of local Brie each. The driver was able to convince us that a Renault 4L with three-up and a load of bags would make an ideal rally-car and I swear he took the corners on two wheels. Suitably impressed we hoped that the ride the following morning would lack the same sense of urgency.

Got to UK on schedule without further incident.


G-WIZZ on her delivery flight from Frosinone to Fairoaks in 1977, seen here at Gatwick Airport where I cleared customs

Now it just so happened that Geoff's account of delivering G-WIZZ inspired 'someone' to come up with the following ditty!:

Wizz The Bizz!

G-WIZZ was the bizz with her pretty black paint and her very neat name so quaint!
So Geoff with the boys set off with their toys and landed in a field north of Troyes.
With her intermittent blips Geoff clambered her hips which helped to name him ‘Geoff n' Chips’!
The delay of the day could have been such a gloom when up so soon sprang Melun.
Geoff acted away the Gendarmes looking grey and wishing he would leave that day!
Then in stepped a vet he was looking after met saying ‘better let them stay as yet’.
Then off to the ‘tel you could hear Geoffers yell as the Renault 4 screeched to the door!
What the Capt’n failed to say in between the cheese and wine were his antics with a maid divine!
Then onto England under power where Geoffers fought with Gatwick tower who refused that the WIZZ was the bizz!
“Now I didn’t choose this bizz called WIZZ ‘twas the owner’s little ‘tis and the problem is not mine but his!
So you’d better let me pass afore this comes a little farce and we be calling one another silly ar*e!"

And here's WIZZ, eight years after her delivery:


Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II G-WIZZ (cn. 8540) as seen at Leavesden Aerodrome in 1985 (Photo: Adrian Batchelor)

Seen in this shot while under the ownership of the Hubbard Reader Group, and while taking on fuel at Leavesden. This craft was originally imported for William Monks builders merchants of Sheffield in 1977, and was initially delivered from Agusta's Frosinone factory to Fairoaks Airport in Surrey, courtesy of Geoffers, as mentioned above.

Many thanks to Adrian for the use of this photo.