The Rotary Nostalgia Thread

[Savoia]

Bell 206B G-BBEU (cn.1121) as seen at Battersea in 1978

The tail of Alan Mann's Bell 47 G-BBRI also visible in this shot.

G-BBEU was imported to the UK in 1973 by Ben Turner Helicopters (of which the Colonel was a director) and sold to Heli-Air almost immediately. In 1975 she was bought by Alan Mann and in '78 she was sold to a friend of the Colonel's, Andrew Walters (current leaseholder of Biggin Hill and former owner of IML Messengers which Andrew sold to UPS in the 80's). Andrew then sold her to Air Hanson in 1981 and in the following year Bill Armstrong (again with the involvement of the Colonel) sold her to the Uganda Police Air Wing.

Who's That Driver?


Does anyone recognise this driver?

With Ferranti's pilots wearing 'white' gloves, some competitors took to supplying their drivers with 'black' gloves, although this was mainly the practice (in those days) of Air Hanson, so this 'might' be an ex-Hanson driver.

We should probably invite caption suggestions for the groundsman looking skywards!

[Savoia]

Bell 212 G-BAFN (cn.30550) as seen at Humberside on 3rd July 1983 (Photo by Ian Atkinson)

[Savoia]

G-BAVI Model

Received this message over the weekend:

Dear Savoia

I am pleased to attach a couple of photos of the model of G-BAVI which I have now completed.

My thanks to Aviafora for supplying me with photos and information relating to this helicopter and which made my job much easier.

With regards

Roy Sanders

[Savoia]

Yes, this classic tin toys will have gained value over the years, especially if they are in good condition. Nice find.

[Helipixman]

Found this interesting tinplate toy in a shop in Callander, Scotland and purchased it for my collection (£10) It was made in Japan and is a Sikorsky S-55 Police Patrol !

Only found one online (without rotors) and that was selling for nearly $90



Helipixman

[Savoia]

S-76B's in the 90's


S-76B's PH-KHB (76-0340) and G-UKLU (76-0329) in a field adjoining the Courtyard Hotel in Milton Keynes on 13th July 1997 (Photo by Martin Pole)

Seen here while providing a shuttle service for visitors to the 1997 Grand Prix at Silverstone.

On 20th December of the same year, PH-KHB was written off when it inadvertently entered the water during an approach to Platform L7-A in the North Sea. G-UKLU (then registered to Schreiner North Sea Helicopters) was returned to the Dutch register as PH-NZU and was finally withdrawn from use in 2014. In March 2019 her remains were seen on Vancouver Island in Canada, the airframe having been stripped of major parts.

[Savoia]

Nice to see G-AXKF, I have nothing of her in my collection. 'Golden Hind' .. hmm .. yes well if the lads from Bristows flew her out to Indonesia I suppose it may have seemed like a round-the-world trip but most likely she was placed aboard a ship.

Seen in the image below with Colt Car titles so must have been leased to them at some stage ?

Yes, leased to Colt prior to the arrival of their first Ecureuil G-MORR. My best guess for your photo would be 1977-78.


G-BCVZ with some of Colt's cars

[Helipixman]

This weeks offering for the thread... two more Agusta Bell JetRangers

G-AXKF Agusta Bell 206A*B JetRanger (8170)
This was owned by Bristow Helicopters Ltd, 18.7.69 to 11.8.69 went to Indonesia (Bristow), returned to Bristow in UK 28.3.73 to 30.6.76 before returning to Indonesia again. Its seen with the name "Golden Hind"



G-BCVZ Agusta Bell 206B JetRanger (8432)
Owned by Camlet Helicopters Ltd 29.1.75 to 14.3.75 then Alan Mann Helicopters Ltd 14.3.75 to 28.1.80 then went to Ireland as EI-BIJ and is now in France as F-HCRI
Seen in the image below with Colt Car titles so must have been leased to them at some stage ?


Pictures from Helipximan collection

[Savoia]

Well done, as ever, Elipix! You've got the cerebral gears working again. IIRC it was indeed Rowland Absalom (in partnership with Charles Kebbell) and yes, some of the craft registered to this entity flew under the Point to Point banner.

How I should appreciate happening upon a photo of G-AYBE being flown by Rowland's daughter Gay.

[Helipixman]

I have to admit I am stumped there is so little information about United Marine (1939) Ltd.

Their first helicopter seems to have been Brantly B.2B G-ASXE which was jointly owned with Kebbell Developments Ltd (Charles Kebbell). They have connections to the Absalom family through marriage. Other United Marine helicopters have been G-AWOY, G-AYBE, G-BAGJ and G-BATT most of which have been operated by Point to Point Helicopters (Absalom family)

Some connections but still unsure of who was behind United Marine ?

[Savoia]

More G-AYBE ..


Agusta-Bell 206A G-AYBE (cn.8192) as seen at AAC Middle Wallop on 30th July 1971 (Photo by Ray Barber)

Seen here at Wallop, still with her wheels!

Elipix ha scritto: .. this only had one owner in the UK.... United Marine Ltd (so ops would be Point to Point) ..

This is actually what I meant, that she was operating under a separate name from that to which she was registered. Do you have any details of who was behind United Marine, in case this rings any bells .. or in this case, an Agusta-Bell!

[Helipixman]

I remember Roger Woodward too, and photographed his machines G-ATFH, G-BAKG, G-AXMM, G-ROGR and G-COIN. I seem to remember during a visit to ex Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson (with my father also an ex Arsenal goalkeeper) who lived in Brookmans Park seeing one of his JetRangers in his garden. I think Bob Wilson lived next door to him.

G-AYBE this only had one owner in the UK.... United Marine Ltd (so ops would be Point to Point) 9.4.70 - 18.5.77
She then went to France as F-GALU before returning to the UK as G-CBHH on 22.3.96, re-registered as G-GUST on 30.8.96 before being withdrawn from use on 29.3.11

[Savoia]

Some lovely shots there Elipix!

G-AVIG of course being the very first 206 in the UK and seen in your photo wearing 'black socks' as did a number of the early JetRangers. I suspect this photo was taken shortly after her delivery, ie. the spring of 1967. There is a colour shot of her on page 1 from about the same period here http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...?p=508#post508 and she is also featured further up the page a decade later at Coventry wearing 'classic' Bristow colours.

G-AXMM was one of the early Bell-built 206's delivered to the UK, the 10th according to my records, and was bought by Bill Armstong (Autair) who operated it for/with Court Line. Bill being a good friend of the Colonel, as was Roger Woodward who went on to buy her in 1976 and later had her registered as G-ROGR which Aviafora's co-founder Filippo (Phil Croucher) flew. The colour scheme she wore in your photo was applied in the latter part of her tenure with Court, putting the photo (at a guess) between 1972-74. Sadly, this craft perished in December 2005.

I came across G-AYBE repeatedly during the 70's, and she was often to be seen with her ground handling wheels attached, even while flying (as in your photo of G-AXMM) but I cannot recall much about her owner, although I have foggy memories to do with her being leased at one point.

All great stuff!

[Helipixman]

Some more golden oldie JetRangers.....

1. G-AVIG Agusta bell 206A JetRanger of Bristow Helicopters Ltd
2. G-AXMM Bell 206A JetRanger of Court Line Aviation Ltd
3. G-AYBE Agusta Bell 206A JetRanger of United marine (1939) Ltd





All from the Helipixman Collection

[Savoia]

Nice one Elipix! Trying to figure out where this may have been taken, but am unable to place it. Never really had anything to do with this craft. Sad about the tragedy surrounding her demise.

[Helipixman]

G-NORM Bell 206B JetRanger III c/n 2401

Initially registered as G-BKPF to Air Hanson Ltd, 9.3.83 to 18.4.83 before being transferred to G-NORM for Norman Bailey Helicopters Ltd, 18.4.83 to 26.11.84 Sadly this helicopter was involved in a fatal accident at Parwich, Near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. After dropping off a passenger it lifted to the hover, a skid hit rising ground and the main rotor went through the cabin killing the pilot. The remaining passenger was able to vacate the helicopter after it rolled over.


Photo (Helipixman Collection)

[Savoia]

Well well Elipix, you simply never cease to amaze! I mean I thought there wasn't an 'A' or 'B' reg UK 206 that I wasn't familiar with, and here you are introducing G-BATY .. a craft I have never before encountered! Great stuff amico! I'm sure there's an interesting story behind her import, perhaps a lack of availability from Agusta's production line, because this was a time when 'everyone' was buying JetRangers, and Agusta struggled throughout the 70's to keep-up with the demand across the European market. She's also a very early 206 from the US, no. 52 off the line in Texas, and I discovered initially registered to Bell as N7852S.

Yes, we have featured a couple of 'Black Socks' (aka Suffolk Sheep) JetRangers, indeed the first post of this thread. 'Black Bum' hmm .. I think the Colonel would have said: 'Yer bum's all dubh!'

[Helipixman]

G-BATY

Bell 206A JetRanger (52) seen at Fairoaks during ownership of Alan Mann Helicopters Ltd, 27.3.73 to 27.10.76
CAA website states it was exported to USA but became C-GXJK

In the past we have mentioned JetRangers with black skids as Black Socks ! Well this is the first I have seen with a black bum !


Photo Helipixman archive

[Savoia]

It just so happens that I was present as these letters (adhesive) were being changed, after the craft had landed and in anticipation of Charles' soon arrival.

[Savoia]

White gloves were standard kit for all Gatwick-based Ferranti drivers, and at other bases too, only that once beyond the scope of my godfather's scrutiny, some (perhaps understandably) dispensed with them. Ferranti had a number of non-VIP contracts including Trinity Lighthouse, the Wimpy Laboratories ship and others, and for these the Colonel relented somewhat. While most of the drivers (to the best of my knowledge) were not overly enthusiastic about donning this attire, there were those who were, some even continuing the custom in their post-Ferranti years, the late John Dicken (Hambros, G-AWOM & G-BBCA, then Glenwood, G-DWMI) being one of them. The customers however tended to enjoy it, whether for its novelty aspect or for the expression of service which the Colonel intended, and would frequently remark on the practice.

[Helipixman]

G-BKMJ/G-CYII

An interesting photo of a Bell 206L-1 Longranger II at Cranfield wearing a false registration.

It is actually G-BKMJ owned by Air Hanson Sales Ltd, 6.1.83 to 15.6.84 with the false markings of G-CYII. The reason behind this was to attract a particular buyer by the name of Charles Yates.

[Helipixman]

Not sure about name til I look in my records, this will also give exact date. I remember he was wearing white gloves.. did all Ferranti pilots wear white gloves ?

[Savoia]

Great stuff Elipix! Do you happen to recall who the driver was?

[Helipixman]

I also flew in her from Battersea HP to the Beehive at LGW around 75/76

[Savoia]

Ah .. 'ZB'. Flew in this craft numerous times throughout the 70's, mainly from the Beehive at LGW, while she was a Ferranti bird, and got to drive her myself at Brooklands in '82 with the late Colin Bates who gave me a base check.

She is seen in this photo at Shoreham Airport, most likely late '79 or early '80.

Lovely stuff Exlipix!

[Helipixman]

G-AZZB Agusta Bell 206B JetRanger II (8327)



History:-

Norbury Insulation Group Ltd, 14.7.72
Ferranti Helicopters Ltd, 8.7.74
British Caledonian Helicopters Ltd, 28.7.80
Air Hanson Ltd, 2.9.81
Gleneagle Helicopter Services (Scotland) Ltd, 6.3.84

Cancelled 4.4.86 as written off

On 19.8.1984 at 16.30 G-AZZB was repositioning from The Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Edinburgh to the company operating base on the airport when the pilot experienced a sudden yaw and drop. He was at 50ft and forced landed into a field and rolled over. The helicopter caught fire and was damaged beyond repair. Examination found no cause !

I hope to add more nostalgia from my photographic archives each week.

Helipixman

[Savoia]

Hughes 300 in Denmark


Hughes 300 (269A) OY-HAT (cn.184) as seen at Stauning Vestjylland Airport in Skjern, Denmark in January 1980
(Photo by Erik Frikke)

[Savoia]

Air Zermatt Nostalgia


Agusta-Bell 206A HB-XCL (cn.8028) as seen in the Swiss Alps in the winter of 1968 (Photo by Günter Amann)

This was Air Zermatt’s first helicopter.

[Savoia]

Winter Nostalgia


Hiller UH-12B HB-XAH (cn.686) as seen in Zermatt, Switzerland in March 1955 (Photo by Heli-Archive)

Air Import's Hilller 12 is seen here being used to connect the resort of Zermatt, which had been cut off after a series of avalanches, with the valley below.

The following video (which is without sound) captures parts of this operation (please note how one of the rescuees is concerned with powdering her nose before being taken aloft! My, how things have changed). Also depicted are operations from a month earlier with Heliswiss Bell 47 HB-XAE (cn.689) flying supplies to stranded homes in St. Gotthard Pass in southern Switzerland.

[Savoia]

Ha ha, great stuff Elipix, that's a great list.