The name Oppenheimer is synonymous with “De Beers” although Nicky Oppenheimer has now sold all his 40% shares to Anglo American Co-operation. Nicky’s Grandfather, Ernest, was the first Oppenheimer to Chair the De Beers Diamond Mining company that was established by Cecil John Rhodes. His Father, Harry, was the chairman of Anglo American Corporation for a quarter of a century and chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines for 27 years.
Harry Oppenheimer spent some time as the Member of Parliament for Kimberley (1948 to 1957) and became the opposition spokesman on economics, finance and constitutional affairs. His opposition to apartheid was well known as were his philanthropy and business acumen. (Thank you Wikipedia)
But back to the helicopter of note.. “Anglo American’s AW139 is no toy. It is a helicopter so aeronautically spectacular that pilots hum when they look at it.” written in the Star News Paper. It is now used for Medical emergencies that require a long haul, even night time flight to save lives, all this through the kind donation of Nicky..
He is quoted as saying “ “I discussed the importance of doing something worthwhile with Netcare 911 that would benefit all South Africans. We thought that a long-range service, which could evacuate patients from remote areas would make a tangible difference when it comes to saving lives, we agreed to develop such a service jointly using the AW 139 and the medical expertise of Netcare 911. I am tremendously excited that the helicopter can now be used for the greater good of all South Africans in medical emergencies.”
This to me, is like a rich man turning around and saying “Here use my Ferrari to collect your KFC” I think this is a most commendable donation by someone who cares…. I wonder if he would adopt me.???
I had the pleasure of seeing the AgustaWestland 139 helicopter up close and talking to the pilots that were flying it… Damn they wouldn’t give me a quick spin but still, they were extremely interesting to talk to, specially me that loves anything that flies… here’s a few photos…
Now that is some paint job… i love it…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Lovin the paint job on this fascinating helicopter. Great Blog.
Thank you… actually very colourful…
That is a VERY cool chopper!
I think so too…
Lets steal it and go for a ride!
So often those with money and position–power–aren’t commended for their philanthropy. This is really nice to hear, and to see, Rob! What an amazing paint job. You would certainly pick this one out from the crowd. 🙂
Thank you.. I think a very caring man… as for the chopper, one would probably find it in the dark…
Wow, that’s one cool helicopter! 🙂
That certainly is… thanks…
That is certainly a spectacular mobile fan!
That’s for sure Col…
Good to see, and to hear such a marvelous flying machine is being put to good use.
Thanks Brian.. I do agree, it is very commendable of him to give so freely… now if he’ll just adopt me…
Thanks for the informative post Bulldog and the colorful photos. I would be right there with you, pushing and shoving to make my way on! I was in love the first time I flew in a helicopter! 🙂
I’ve been in so many yet can never get enough… during the bush war in Rhodesia I got to fly in them a lot and that was absolutely magnificent…
Mr. Bulldog, the life you have led! 😀
I still want to do a book about my life experiences… but I haven’t stopped living yet.. lol
The idea would be to write one before you have stopped living – hehe! 😉
But then I might miss out on all the stories to come… specially when we finally get our Motorhome… lol
And when is that, pray tell?
As soon as we get our price for our house the order goes in, and then its on the road for us…
Terrific! Just imagine the photos we will see from you then. 🙂
Wonderful pictures. I can remember a time back in the early 1950s, when helicopters were new, at least to me, when it was thought that we would all travel by helicopter instead of buses, but I guess they became to expensive to operate.
They certainly are not cheap to operate… and at first I said, “you won’t get me in one of those”… now just hesitate when I ask for a ride and its too late I’m in…
I really love the paint job. But I love bright colors. and love the show the magic school bus, and it is paint very bright,
I think it’s grand as well… can you imagine this flying in to pick you up… no big medical signs on it etc… I think it’s great…
These helicopters play such an important role in emergencies, don’t they? What I love – apart from the bright whimsy of the paint job itself – is that this helicopter, though it bears the Oppenheimer name, isn’t blazoned with branding and advertising – true philanthropy. 🙂
I’m glad you noticed that… just goes to show the man has no superior feeling over his fellow man…
Stupendi con tutti questi colori, wowwwwww
Lovely colours aren’t they..
Now that’s a paint job!!!
I agree
WOW!! I love that paint job!
Quite the picture ain’t it…
What a beautiful helicopter . . . and put to such valuable use. Lovely.
Thanks Maralee… he is a Gentlemen and a Saint and a very good friend to South Africa… flies around a lot in England where he is the only private pilot allowed to fly in a certain zone in London…
Such a magnificent looking helicopter. Do you have any idea who printed the design and thought of those beautiful, funky colors?
I do agree Ronnie it is beautiful and the colour and design I searched for on request of Mrs. P. but I will share it here with you…
after a rescue mission the AW139 got a facelift. Artist Pippa Skotnes designed a painting using Bushmen mythology, and the helicopter was transformed.
Oppenheimer explains that the drawing is of Pate, a creature who sees Mrs Puff Adder lying on the sand. He jumps up and urinates on her. He finds this very funny, so he does it three times.
Mrs Puff Adder is getting more and more angry, until she eventually bites Pate on his testicles. Burning and hot, Pate runs and buries his bits in the sand. This is how watering holes were formed in the Kalahari Desert, according to Bushman lore (extract from an article on the web…)
Looks sensational and after a very good cause.
That it is Spook… mighty fine Gentleman that he is…
Oh, I would love to fly in this helicopter. I love them!! Beautiful shots, Bulldog!!
Thanks Skye… I am so in awe of this particular chopper…
Too bad you didn’t get to take a ride, but wow … interesting paint job!
I have told Mrs.P. the story behind the paint job if you wish to return to the comments you can read it… pity it was Mrs. P. that asked the question, and you will see why if you return…
Thanks … but I don’t see the images relating to the biting or the urinating.
That I can’t explain.. it was just a pity Mrs. “P”. requested the story behind it…
I’m glad she did!
A colourful and effective helicopter, love the paintwork.
I have just added the story behind the paint job in a reply to Mrs. P.’s comment… now that I’ve written those words they have a certain humourous touch to them if you return and read the comment…
Thanks, I shall revisit.
I want to know the story behind the paint job. It certainly is the most colorful one I have ever seen!
I have done some research, but as yet not finished, still trying to get the story behind it…
I found it after much searching…after a rescue mission the AW139 got a facelift. Artist Pippa Skotnes designed a painting using Bushmen mythology, and the helicopter was transformed.
Oppenheimer explains that the drawing is of Pate, a creature who sees Mrs Puff Adder lying on the sand. He jumps up and urinates on her. He finds this very funny, so he does it three times.
Mrs Puff Adder is getting more and more angry, until she eventually bites Pate on his testicles. Burning and hot, Pate runs and buries his bits in the sand. This is how watering holes were formed in the Kalahari Desert, according to Bushman lore (extract from an article on the web…)
Oh my…that was a very colorful story in itself…
Sorry Mrs. P. that it was not part of the post and that it ended up in answer to your comment…
It goes to the old saying,,,if you ask a question sometimes you might get an answer that is more than you were expecting. Actually, I have hear of lots of mythical lore but that was the most descriptive on yet. lol.
Mrs P … Given the story, thanks for asking this question.
Great shots and that is one “colorful” helicopter. I’ve only ridden in a copter once to go into the Grand Canyon and that was amazing!
I have flown so many hours in Choppers… too many to count… and even having had a windscreen blow out in my face once, they have all been marvelous flights…
That windscreen blown out would’ve grounded my desire to fly forever!
There was actually a bit of structural damage to the chopper, which we only found out after landing a half hour later… when we hit the telephone wires the screen exploded, sitting in the co-pilots seat I was ready to take the controls if the pilot had been hurt too much… I don’t know what I would have done as I have no idea how the controls on them work…. but I would have given it a good go… he was bleeding less than I so there was no panic and we still enjoyed a good flight observing wild game…
Wow! Simply freaking wow!
That is hands down the coolest chopper I have ever seen :).
I agree, and it’s flying prowess is second to none that I have seen, except maybe for the odd military chopper, a truly magnificent machine… I still want a flight and to be adopted…
Hey, when you are rich and famous from your new golf course software, you can just buy yourself one :).
So beautiful I wished to have a little one inhome 🙂
Me too Nia… not to small though I’m quite big…
Very interesting paint job … don’t quite get it, but I like it.
I don’t quite get it either… but that still doesn’t stop me from wanting to be adopted…lol
Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a helicopter painted up like that! Certainly eyecatching 🙂
That’s for sure, yet in the air, one does see some strange birds in this country…
Looks more like a party helicopter to me. Anyway, a commendable gift from the O’s.
I agree… must be some kind of camouflage…
Wow that is awesome – think we’d all like to be adopted! Beautiful photos.
I agree… I’ve always wanted a big family…
Wow! That is one amazing paint job for sure Rob and you’ve captured this beauty excellent! Yep, know the Oppenheimers and always wished they would adopt me as well. 😆 I would love to go for a fun ride in this chopper as well. Great share my friend. 😀 *big hugs*
It is a beaut of a Helicopter, and I would love to get a chance of a ride, as for the adoption … we can only wish… lol
Same here. One day… 😀 😆