Crawford Turner retiring

[scottishbeefer]

Went to Crawford's retirement dinner in Shrewsbury last night. He actually hangs up his helmet at the end of next week after 40-odd years of driving helicopters various. They used laminated copies of his old auth sheets as place mats. I had 1973, he was on the Whirlwind then.

His experimental advanced transitions at Nesscliffe B will be missed - but not by the sheep.

Farewell Turner!!

[ShyTorque]

As a student I once temporarily lost Crawford on a Welsh mountainside after he climbed out and sent me solo in the Whirlwind. We agreed afterwards that "Miniflares" are useless in the daytime, a smoke canister is a much better location aid (shame he'd forgotten it). I've never forgotten how much of a gentleman he was about it.

Not seen you for years, but enjoy your retirement, Crawfs!

[SASless]

Shyt,

If he had to walk home......your speckled past would have been much shorter you know!

[whirlwind]

What a great bloke.

I laughed so much during my check ride with him at CFS(H) when I was qualifying that it became more of a jolly - his take on playing a Middle Eastern student (with a Scottish accent) was so hilarious that all thoughts of being nervous completely departed and I've never been worried about a check ride ever since that day!

WW

[ShyTorque]

SASless, it would have been even worse - they would have scrambled 22 Sqn to go look for him. Thankfully I found him just before I hit minimum fuel. :O

[Mushroom_2]

They used laminated copies of his old auth sheets as place mats. I had 1973, he was on the Whirlwind then.

His first helicopter sheets would have been Sept 1972, a Sioux. I was on the same CFS(H) course with him at Tern Hill.

Retiring is he - lucky bu**er.

[Shackman]

On behalf of Crawford (one day he'll discover that we have moved on from the abacus):

"Shy Torque:

Where are those beers you promised after abandoning me on the mountain."


Seriously though he will be sadly missed. I've enjoyed his tales of derring-do since my own Whirlwind course at Tern Hill, but most of all the students here will lose a source of knowledge and inspiration. Thursday was an excellent night for all - despite the port! - although he really should know better than follow the crewmen into a certain nightclub in Shrewsbury.

Edited for spilling

[Tuckunder]

Crawford you "old Bugger" Many happy memories of CFS and also our brief sojourn in Abu Dhabi with Jim. Please send PM if you read this! Charlie

[ShyTorque]

"Shy Torque:
Where are those beers you promised after abandoning me on the mountain."

I think we did have some beers, his memory must be going already.....

But I'd happily set Crawford up with another beer or two if I knew where to find him...

[Shackman]

Final day today for Crawford and a good send off by Sqn and DHFS. He even debriefed his last EOL. However he respectfully declined (well, maybe not quite respectfully) the fixed wing flight that was organised for him on his arrival at Cosford.

Farewell Crawford - who can replace you in that sleepy corner of the Office!

I look forward to seeing you again next year!