In the mid-seventies an offshore radio enthusiast called Keith Webster found a treasure trove of pirate memorabilia at a Benfleet rubbish tip. Probably from a house clearance, there were old magazines, promotional
items, photos and photographic negatives. Some of the photos are identical to the ones of Radio Essex that Guy Hamilton has donated to The Pirate Radio Hall of
Fame (see here and following page), but some are previously unpublished.
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Radio Essex's new aerial. |
Another shot of the aerial. |
Left to right: Van Stirling (possibly), Richard Palmer (possibly) and Tony Mandell. |
From the left: Mark West, Tony Mandell and Van Stirling (?). |
Left top right: Tony Mandell, Richard Palmer and Van Stirling (?). |
A winch. Guy says he doesn't remember it ever working. Writing on Facebook, Michael Bates said: It's the old lift shaft ammunition hoist to feed the 3.7" Vickers Armstrong anti-aircraft
guns from the magazine, one floor from the bottom of the tower. They did get it working, then we took it to Sealand and used it to unload stores.”
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The fort's handyman Dave Belasco. Guy tells us he also presented shows as “Dave Baron”. |
Tony Mandell. This mixer did not work. The guys are simply posing with it for the photos. |
Mark West. |
The back of someone's head - Richard Palmer, possibly, or Mark West or Mike Brereton - with Dave Belasco. |
The aerial. |
The aerial. |
The aerial. |
The aerial. |