Return to bristow Bases

..........Bristow Base: Manston, U.K.

After the RAF withdrew 22 Squadron helicopter
detachment from Manston a contract was placed
with Bristow Helicopters Ltd. for the provision of
Whirlwind Series III helicopters to operate for a
trial period from June 1st, 1971 to December 31st,
1972. This being the first civilian Coastguard Heli-
copter Unit operating under the direct control of H.M. Coastguard.

Agreement with the RAF on provision of base facilities,
both operational and domestic, was reached. The domes-
tic side (i.e. hangar, office, storage, crewroom and safety
equipment spaces) fell short of expectations, but had to
be accepted, with reservations, in order to meet the
planned start date.

On the operational side, however, the Air Traffic Control facility, fuelling
arrangements and use of equipment were found to be highly satisfactory.
The operation was linked by a direct line to Dover Straits Coastguard and
on the third day of operations, with a scramble time of two minutes, a child
was rescued from the sea in the Folkstone area some 16 miles from Manston.

The contract was to have available, from twilight to
twilight, a WS55 Whirlwind fully equipped with radio
facilities to keep in touch with land based SAR facilities
and mobile units such as lifeboats and ships.



A nice shot of the Manston team posing with the
"Wreck Shield" awarded for the most meritorious
rescue.



A nice study of G-AYTK probably on a training
mission for the camera.





A similarly equipped aircraft ( G-AYNP ) acted as a
back-up in case of unserviceability and was based at
Redhill.


Compared with the multitude of avionics fitted to current SAR machines the
list of equipment, fitted to the SAR Whirlwinds, gives an interesting comparison:

Decca Mk8 Navigator
1 x VHF AM Homer
1 x VHF FM
1 x PA
1 x VHF AM
1 x ADF