CHOLMONDELEY 'PAGEANT OF POWER' - THE SATURDAY LOG:
Within the the crowd area:G-DCBI Schweizer 269C,
white, Helicentre - attracting very much interest
ZJ240/U Bell 412 Griffin HT.1, DHFS - both DHFS helis with RAF Recruiting
ZJ262/62 AS.350B Squirrel HT.1, DHFS
In the 'Race Paddock' area, EADS sponsor pavillion (sat on the cricket square!):G-ECBO Eurocopter EC-130B4, Hawkrise,
blueG-JJFB Eurocopter EC.120B Colibri,
black, silver cheat-lineG-RWPL Eurocopter EC.155B1, Pure leisure,
two tone silver-grey G-SENS Eurocopter EC.135T2, Hawkrise,
all white Pleasure flying fieldG-CHOP Bell 47G-3B1 moved 1245, local flight 1525-1540 landed briefly in main landing field before returning to original spot. [/i]two tome grey[/i]
G-RAPT Robinson R.44,
maroon red frequent flights, also display sequence 1425-1434
G-SASY Europcopter EC.130B4,
fancy blue, white and silver, frequent flights
Helicopter landing fieldXZ692/642 W.Lynx HMA.8DAS, 702 Sqdn RN,
grey, both arrived 1525, and tied down for the night.
XZ722/645 W.Lynx HMA.8DAS, 702 Sqdn RN,
grey with 'Wild Cat' special marksZJ248/48 AS.350B Squirrel HT.1 DHFS, dep 1605.
ZJ261/61 AS.350B Squireel HT.1 DHFS, tri-service competition am, dep 1325.
ZJ703/3 Bell 412 Griffin HAR.2 'Rescue' Ace of Spades (84 Sqdn)
grey colours, displayed 1350-1358 & directly departed.
G-BZBU Robinson R.22
black, departed 1550
G-EEGO Bell 206A Jet Ranger,
black, departed 1532
G-EWAW Bell 206B Jet Ranger 3,
cream & mid blue.
G-FEDA Eurocopter EC.120B,
blue tones with silver zig-zag, dep 1537
G-GRZZ Robinson R.44,
black with silver cheat, departed 1530
G-GTJM Eurocopter EC.120B Colibri,
black, multiple silver cheat, departed 1550
G-JPJR Robinson R.44,
black, silver cheat, departed 1535
G-KRIB Robinson R.44,
maroon red.
G-LADZ Enstrom 480, departed 1603.
G-MENU Robinson R.44,
cream & pale blue 'Eagles', departed 1558.
G-MGAN Robinson R.44,
blue, white, departed 1553
G-PTOO Bell 206L Long Ranger IV,
black, silver band, departed 1613
G-SSCL MDH Hughes 369E,
black with grey & white trim, departed 1525ish I suspect
G-WCRD SA.341G Gazelle,
black, gold trim, departed 1600
XT223 (G-XTUN) Bell 47G-3B1, Army/UN markings,
green & pale blue, departed 1532
779465/N5315V Hiller UH-12e,
U.S.Army markings, departed 1610
Flying only displays2 x Stearman of the 'Breitling Wing Walkers' team in am
425 in Arabic (G-SOAF) BAe Strikemaster,
grey, Arabic markings, display 1415-1423.
PZ865/JX:E Hurricane II, BBMF solo, displayed 1502-1506.
CommentA highly enjoyable day, especially as the cool, showery morning gave way to a bright, warm, sunny spells afternoon. Not too much breeze either. Plenty to see. Logged 31 helicopters, plus the 4 fixed wing in the display. The visitor's field seemed empty compared to last year, but then there were other helicopters scattered around the show ground.
In comparison, last year noted 39 helicopters and 1 fixed wing in flying display - very few repeated this year. The poor am weather this year could well have put off some prospective visitors. The main helicopter field and pleasure flying field were in different locations compared to las year's layout. Take-off shots of departing helicopters offered great opportunity with dark trees behind, or sometimes with Cholmondley Hall as back-drop. Great location, but a 200mm plus lens is very helpful.
Forecast for Sunday is not too brilliant. However, if anyone ventures out to enjoy day two of CPOP, please do post your report on nwan forum. Park entrance is £15pp, no car park charge, entrance to the 'Paddock' area an additional £10.
Pleasure flights were offered at £30 pp, and operated by Heliair.com of Silverstone. Unusual to see an EC.130 on pleasure flying duties. Liked the mobile control tower (is visible on at least one of the above photos), more on
www.helipad.co.uk . It would appear that the helicopter landing field was managed by 'Helicopter and Aviation Services Ltd'.
Could not locate the statically displayed AACHF Scout, Alouette II and Skeeter, mentioned on early publicity. Looked for any Army helicopter hiding amongst a great deal of Mercian Regiment hardware, but did not locate one. Also looked around all the stalls and displays for any gliders or microlights displayed - almost certain there were none there - a big missed opportunity by the Staffs, Ches and Lancs based Clubs, with a huge crowd of power enthusiasts looking for new experiences. Full marks Helicentre for spotting the opportunity and generating a great deal of interest.
