Aircraft - Aviation - Balloons - Helicopters
Jan. 01, 1961 - Operation Pipeline. Experiment by Helicopter over the Marshes of Kent.: An experiment was Helicopter carried out across the Thames marshes at Cliffo, near Gravesond, Kent with the laying of steel pipe-with the aid of a helicopter. Half a mile of 8 nominal bore stool pipe, made up of 100 flanged lengths - each 20 long and weighing 4 Cwt. The task was carried out by a British United Airways Widgeon - piloted by ex-Navy pilot Mike Perkis. The job - which would normally take ten to fourteen days - was completed today in a matter of hours. The pipe is for the use of Associated Portland Cement manufacturers - to carry sludge - which is the base product for cement. Photo shows the Widgeon helicopter lowers one of the 20 lengths of pipe - to the men below -who fit and bolt the lengths together
