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The Nelson Photo News

 

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"Exercise Blackbird"

For 10 days last month the hills around Nelson echoed to the reverberations of the "big beat". The "sound", a steady "thump, thump, thump," sent heads skywards in the hope of catching a glimpse of one of the nine helicopters of No 3 Battlefield Support squadron which were based in Nelson for a 10-day exercise. The squadron exercise was rated a tremendous, success. Firstly, the weather, all-important in an operation involving flying in mountainous country, was perfect (if the heavy frosts which greeted the 200 personnel associated with the exercise were discounted). The exercise also gave pilots and ground personnel their first opportunity, an unscheduled one, of recovering a 'copter after a break-down. This was a huge success also. In gratitude for the hospitality extended to the squadron a special display, watched by thousands, was put on on the eve of the squadron's departure for Hobsonvillt and Whenuapai.

Our picture here is of an Iroquois helicopter being bedded down for the night against the glow of a setting sun. At right are the silhouettes of a Wasp 'copter and the tail assembly of a Bristol freighter.

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A panoramic view of the car club grounds at Nelson airport on which the squadron was based for the exercise (everything used was portable and under canvas).

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Wing Commander D. E. Jamieson (right) commanding officer of the squadron, discusses final details of the exercise with another officer.

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What's for tea? Why, corned silverside, as displayed here by Cpl Les Combes, cook in charge.

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Sioux helicopters on parade

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On station or in the field, there are always spuds to peel, and getting on with the job here are Flt/Sgt Dave Donovan, Lac Warren Curtis, Cpl Fred Ridgeway, Lac Ray Hulse and Lac Graeme Wilce.

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An Iroquois chopper demonstrates the ease with which it can pick up and set down heavy loads.

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Dirty dishes are the responsibility of the men who dirtied them

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A slight accident is treated by medical staff in the medic tent

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The squadron devoted considerable attention to the recovery of "wounded" and this series of pix displays the technique. At left, a crewman is lowered to the stretcher case, he attaches the wire from the crane and is hauled up with case (above) and pulled into the hovering 'copter (below, left).

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A Wasp demonstrates the same technique.

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After a trip in a 'copter we're satisfied the easiest way to the summit of Ben Nevis is not by foot.

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The recovery of an Iroquois by another Iroquois after a forced landing at Richmond. The top aircraft is lifting 35001b of rotor-less 'copter.

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Those at the display soon found out how powerful is the wash from a 'copter's rotors.

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A small section of the huge crowd at the airport for the display.

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Buck, Molly Coleman, Marilyn Featherstone, Nora Savage, Margaret Southgate, Beverley Kearns and Thelma Scott, with the official party, Sister Jean Muncaster, Mr Hamilton Hawthorne (ball committee), Mrs Moira McNamara (matron), Mr and Mrs Whitehead, and Dr Kaye Bradford (medical superintendent).

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Remember Eliza at the races when she told the horse to get a move on (or words to that effect)? Well, here it is in poster form and the artists, Thelma Scott, Jeff Small, Molly Coleman and Margaret Southgate, who did the art work.

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Bernie Norfolk, who's really with Christine Hawthorne, appears as if he's taking Eliza to the ball also