I WONDER IF . . . .

[Dave Silk]

I reckon I'm going back at least 25 years with this request. I'm hoping Phil Little will come up with the answer as I'm sure he would've been over there.


Do you know if a helicopter is still based at Preston Candover?

Years ago the one there was slightly to the left, but right on the jctn of Red Lane and Farleigh Road. In a tennis court. If you turned left from Red lane at jctn and looked right it was there. West Park I think. It belonged to Thomas Sopwith who was grandson of Tommy. It was big,  I can't remember the reg or type but it was grey. He brought it into Popham one Sunday as the star attraction.

ANY OFFERS PLEASE!

[lordevanelpuss]

Sorry 'shottermiller', I can't really help without at least a date for your sighting. 25 years takes us back to 1994 when I was at Popham most weekends, to compile the movements for Don Eaves' Osprey magazine, so there's every chance that I was there.  If you can remember the date, post it here and I'll do my best.

[Dave Silk]

It came up because I suddenly remembered I always had a look in there when I came over to Popham and I wondered if anything was still there. I asked Buster with it being his territory but he couldn't help.
Then I remembered I couldn't place the type or reg. All I can remember is it was one of the lesser Sundays and he spent most of the day there with Dick.
I'm going to have a look through photos tonight.
Thanks for your comments Phil. Dave

[Dave Silk]

Not found anything yet but G-GINA is jumping out at me.

[Dave Silk]

An 'orrible wet morning got the key board working and PPrune have come up with the answer ( posted in 2011} to my question:

Tommy Sopwith (1933- )

A really interesting guy… Son of aviation pioneer Sir Thomas Sopwith (the creator of Hawker Siddeley), Tommy was the classic 1960s eligible bachelor: guards officer, offshore power boat and saloon car champion. He founded a Brighton based car distributorship named after his father’s America’s Cup J-Class yacht “Endeavour”. This was also the name used for his helicopter owning company: Endeavour Aviation.

In the 1980’s he was a partner in European Helicopters of Denham that was co-founded with ex McAlpine Heli’s MD Robin Keith, and Lynton Group.

The company was formed to carry out corporate helicoper rebuilding, maintenance, sales and consultancy but there was some controversy when it sought to win the Aerospatiale helicopter distributorship away from McAlpine Helicopters Ltd. McAlpine sued and won damages and an injunction preventing European Helicopters from approaching Aerospatiale. In August 1990 Lynton Group acquired remaining 60% of EHL's equity from the other partners. European was later absorbed into Premiair along with McAlpine’s businesses not associated with the Eurocopter sales business.

His first wife was killed in the crash of Bell 47G G-BBVP on 20.3.75 . His second marriage was to former Olympic skier Gina Hawthorn.

Tommy’s aircraft were as follows:

G-AMFU Dove 10.65-2.67
G-ATLO Brantley 12.65 regn but not held then regn reallocated
G-ATSJ Brantley 5.66-5.68
G-ASHW Dove 6.66-5.68
G-AVZG B206 12.67-5.73
G-BASE B206 3.73-12.78
G-GINA AS350B 3.78-5.91
G-IINA AS350B 12.90-2.95

The latter 2 a/c had personalized regn’s derived from his 2nd wife’s name . Most of the aircraft carried the same dark blue livery that had been worn by the yacht Endeavour and then his racing cars. The helicopters operated from his home Axford House, Hants.

[andypspotter]

Well done Super-sleuth Dave

[lordevanelpuss]

I'm glad you found your answer Dave.

[Dave Silk]

Are you still a Postman Phil? I will have been retired 11 years come July but due to circumstances I don't get a RM pension.
Good old Alan Leighton (everyone can speak to me) deemed me too old by 2 weeks to qualify when I rejoined even though they had signed me up and taken deductions. I'm still bitter.
I'm pleased I got that off my chest!

[lordevanelpuss]

Yes I am. Last year was my 30th year!!

[Dave Silk]

I'll try and get my son to bring me over to Popham one sunny Sunday.