Drayton Green, West Ealing
DRAYTON GREEN: Temporary landing site
Location: West Ealing, roughly 1nm W of Ealing Broadway
Period of operation: 25th July 2016 and 25th April 2020
Note: It is of course quite possible that other visits have been made, when I was not around with my snapometer.
NOTES: The author of this 'Guide' has lived here for over thirty years, and nothing of this nature has happened before it would appear, although, the police helicopters based at LIPPETTS HILL in ESSEX regularly provide a fine display of hovering and close circling. But never landing.
On the 25th July 2016, when sitting down to lunch, the author was surprised to hear a largish helicopter pass over the cottage at a very low height. And, much to his surprise, his wife said, "It's landing."
Closer inspection revealed it to be the McDonnell Douglas MD902 Explorer G-EHMS. Quite why it landed here a few hours ago, (this entry being made on 25/07/16), is still a mystery, as, having landed it shut down for a while and no other related activity took place. Then, it started up and took off - all very odd indeed.
THE REASON FOR LISTING IT
Let's face it; for once regarding so many temporary landing sites listed in this 'Guide', this time the author knew exactly where to place it!
What a great opportunity to get some close up shots of one of the London Air Ambulance crews 'in action'. They do have another MD902 registered G-LNDN.
Plus, on a more serious note, these crews really do a fabulous and highly demanding job, often landing in the tightest of places - right across Greater London, day and night in all weathers.
On the other hand, given so many young children around, I would like to think the pilot decided to give them something impressive to remember. After lifting off into the hover, the MD902 shot up vertically like a homesick angel to around two hundred feet. It certainly impressed the author of this 'Guide' who has seen many helicopter displays at air shows. And, in the third picture, note how many children, and a few adults, were taking steps to shield themselves from the side-effects of the massive downdraught created.
PICTURES
Note: Fifth and sixth pictures. At around 18.30 on the 25th April 2020 we had another visit, this time by G-LNDN. Seventh and eighth pictures - G-LNDN visiting once more, at about 20.00, 11.06.2021.
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