Pics of the Day- Whirlibirds

Originally posted by Ren Frew
I saw this B/Cal model at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow carrying none other than Pope John Paul II to a massive outdoor mass during his papal vist of 1982.

Ah the irony of that being right opposite Ibrox… Never made it to Bellahouston for that visit, I was only 3 at the time, although I recall my Uncle going up. I did however see his holiness a year or so later at Hearts’ ground (irony prevails… ok, it wasn’t Tynecastle, it was Murrayfield. but you know what I mean…;))

Some corrections: Vertol is a manufacturer. Thay had teamed with Boeing to build the CH-47 chinook, and its civvie derivative.

Re. Sabena’s helicopters: the service was started in 1958 for the universal expo. I guess they also serviced the largest cities, as there is a “heliport” in Liege, along the Meuse. Note that a helicopter could hardly land now, as there are trees everywhere. The helicopter service was stopped very quickly, as it wasn’t profitable at all.

Sikorsky S-92 – lovely heli :d

great pics – great topic! Thanks ever so much for those – i’ve spent many an hour watching them at places such as North Denes (nr Great Yarmouth, Humberside and Blackpool!

Indeed my first experiance in the avaition industry was with a hel operator!

BEA S-61Ns

Nice ones! Is anyone old enough to have colour photos of the BEA S-61Ns on the Lands End-Scilly Islands service in their original BEA red square livery?

Yes I think it was the Boeing Vertol 234

Nice pics Vicky Ten. Wasn’t the Chinook called the Vertol in commercial service ?

Another from the Falklands

A different S-61, this time from Pebble Island, the scene of SAS action during the 1982 conflict. (picture taken in 2000!)

S-61 in the Falklands

A picture of my own, a S-61 at Saunders Island in the Falklands

Or the BV234 Chinook

How about this?
a Paul Robinson picture from www.airliners.net

What about G-LINK?

Remember the Heathrow-Gatwick shuttle?
picture from http://www.british-caledonian.com

Sabena had helicopters in the 60-70ies (maybe still in the 80ies) for its regional Belgian services.

This new Sikorsky S-92 was pictured on demo for Norsk Helicopters in Stavanger recently. They have ordered five of them for offshore work.

Originally posted by rekkof2004
KLM Airlines also used the Sikorsky to ferry North sea oil
works.

rekkof2004

I didn’t know that. I’n guessing that most of the low and Scandinavian countries with interests in the North Sea oil business must have commercial helicopter services. Norway must have some ?

Originally posted by Ren Frew
Those BA and B/Cal Sikorsky’s were mainly used to ferry North Sea oil workers from Aberdeen to their oil rigs and back again. I doubt there was much call for inflight service, although I don’t know to be honest ?

You can still observe a good range of Helo’s at Aberdeen today although mainly operated by Bristow and Bond Helicopters using Super Puma’s in the main.

KLM Airlines also used the Sikorsky to ferry North sea oil
works.

rekkof2004

A Super Puma at ABZ recently…

There definitly was no food, and I think there might have been one flight attendant as there was definitly a safety demo just before we lifted. The prices are extorinate though! IRO £100 in the winter with the super saver deal with BI to the Scily Isles!

Those BA and B/Cal Sikorsky’s were mainly used to ferry North Sea oil workers from Aberdeen to their oil rigs and back again. I doubt there was much call for inflight service, although I don’t know to be honest ?

You can still observe a good range of Helo’s at Aberdeen today although mainly operated by Bristow and Bond Helicopters using Super Puma’s in the main.

Do you remember if there were flight attendents or food service of any kind?

WD I’m not sure. It went off on a baggae belt through the mysterious flap like at any other airport :confused: