RAF Waddington 1960 "Delta 8-3"

[Warmtoast]

A month or so ago Sky Arts 2 broadcast a 1960's film from the Harold Baim collection titled "Delta 8-3". I recorded it and attach some screen shots of the crews involved.

According to the description:

Harold Baim examines life on Waddington Air Base in Lincolnshire, looking at the intensive training undergone by the pilots who flew the Delta Wing Vulcan Bombers in the Cold War. (1960) with a detailed look at Britain's 1960 Vulcan Delta-Wing Bomber Force with iconic images of our "Cold War" nuclear defences.
We watch the training of a new crew for V-bomber "Delta 8-3" described as "dedicated to Peace".
Based at RAF Waddington the V force proves to the world "Britain can play her part"

The title "Delta 8-3" is I assume an allusion to 83 Sqn who were based at Waddington at the time flying Vulcans.

It's being repeat broadcast on Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts 2 HD on Friday 26th August at 18.00 so well worth recording (in HD) if you're on Sky or Virgin.

Two days earlier Sky Arts 2 is rebroadcasting another aviation related film - "Floating Fortress" showing HMS Victorious hard at work in 1959.
This is on Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts 2 HD on Wednesday 24th August at 18.00.

I was under the impression that both these films were on YouTube, but can't find then listed.

I wonder whether among the "golden oldies" who frequent this forum they recognise former colleagues or friends? See below:

I was never at Waddington and none of the crews shown are known to me.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-33.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-36.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-35.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-34.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-32.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-38.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-310.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-311.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-37.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-312.jpg


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-39.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-314.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-315.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Waddington/Waddington-Delta8-31-1.jpg

[Wrathmonk]

Come on then BEagle - own up - which one is you?!;)

[Pontius Navigator]

I remember the bar well. Could recognise some faces but can't put names to them. Look at the medals though. This is about 15 years after WW2. In context we are now 20 years after GW1.

Shame I will be away as it would have been a good film to watch.

[taxydual]

Watchable (online) here.

LiveLeak.com - Redefining the Media (http://www.liveleak.com/browse?q=delta+8-3)

[Tankertrashnav]

Yes I think thats Aubrey Clayphan - later a flight commander on Victor tankers.

That group captain must have come from central casting, surely!

[Tigger_Too]

There was some discussion on D83 in the 'Did you fly the Vulcan?' thread, I think. The Staish was identified as 'Hank' Iveson. DFC and bar from WWII.

TT

[RedhillPhil]

Just watched it. The opening music made me think it was going to be an episode of "Thunderbirds"! Most enjoyable watch.

[foldingwings]

The Staish was identified as 'Hank' Iveson

Well, I thought he was a dead-ringer for Bob Iveson (Harriers and then Tornado GR1 Sqn Cdr) - but 1960 was too early for that so must be Bob's dad!

Foldie:cool:

[Willard Whyte]

I remember the bar well.

It hasn't changed, well, apart maybe from the carpet.

[Rigga]

I love the fact that almost everything was done with a hat on or with half a Smoke in hand!

[iRaven]

Waddo Mess bar hasn't improved then :yuk:

[Avionker]

Having just watched it I couldn't help thinking how dated it all looked. Then a rather sobering thought hit me. This film was made 7 years before I was born and 24 years before I joined the RAF. And that was 27 years ago! :{

I wonder if a film made in 1984 would appear so dated to a 20 year old, joining the RAF today?

I was actually lucky enough to have a Vulcan, flanked by 2 Phantoms , carry out the flypast for my Passing Out parade at Swinderby. The crowd didn't half jump when that lot roared over there heads!

[Ray Dahvectac]

I wonder if a film made in 1984 would appear so dated to a 20 year old, joining the RAF today?

cf 'Fighter Pilot' first shown in 1981 perhaps? That would appear less dated to me, but it's all down to perception (and my being in the service at that time!).

[Tankertrashnav]

I joined the RAF in 1964 - the service looked and felt just like that portrayed in the film.

I was little more than a schoolboy, and the senior officers I came across seemed like venerable old gentlemen.

Now I'm a venerable old gentleman, and the senior officers I see seem like little more than schoolboys :(

[BEagle]

Delta 83 is an excellent example of the RAF I was privileged to join in 1968!

The Groupie (the word had a different meaning in those days - the same as 'staish' in today's yoof-speak) could easily be played by Stephen Fry if there was ever a Blackadder V series on TV. V as in either 'five' or 'V-force'.....

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/VFM.jpg

Ah, the days when officers were officers! Smartly turned out in No 1HD (with gloves, mostly :ooh:) and even walking in step.....


.....So, very obviously a special occasion for the cameras! But no $odding clockwork squaddie cabbage kit or its sandaholic equivalent!

[Wander00]

TTNav _ I'm with you - I guess leaving in 93 was pretty good timing.

[Jimlad1]

Those moustaches looked large enough to qualify for their own service number :E

[Rigga]

Having joined in '75 (not too long behind Beags) and as an LAC - this bunch looked very much like the crowd I used to work under. Even from the (reverse) helicopter POV - which was mine.

Although I must say, that given the initial terror they gave me, they still taught me to fly Whirlwinds!
("If we can teach him - we can teach anyone!")

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

A bit of drift here but for anyone who is interested in 'Hank' Iveson;

Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire. (http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/t4212.html)

and read page 113 of

The Insubordinate and the ... - Google Books (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MP0R0MeC5zMC&pg=PA113&dq=hank+iveson&hl=en&ei=n99PTsVMj7PxA-HAia4H&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=hank%20iveson&f=false)


Aaron.

[Whopity]

Definitely Aubrey Clayphan the ogre of Blue Sqn South Cerney. Bob Iveson was on 231 Couse at Cerney. Nice to see people smartly dressed in the same uniform, no V force zube suits in sight, or No2s!

[Mike7777777]

Watchable (online) here.

LiveLeak.com - Redefining the Media
This is excellent, thanks. Decision to be made: return to various pointless spreadsheets or view Vulcans?

[Tinribs]

Joined in 64, Victors 66

They all look normal to me

[John LeBrun]

The Delta 83 documentary players which I recognize are Neddy Claypham, Mike Pilkington, John Sewell and the Groupie was, I believe, Bootsie Griffiths. Mike Pilkington eventually became an Air Marshal with a knighthood as CinC Training Command. My own captain whose crew I joined as co-pilot in Finnigley in 1962 was Colin Adams who took part in the documentary but not shown on the stills here. I joined 83 Sqn which was then at Scampton.

[Pontius Navigator]

John, I agree the staish looks like Boots but Boots was the station cdr in '67, probably from '65 or '66. He was replaced by Charles Maughan in turn replaced by Mike D'Arcy in '69.

You seem to have aged well, I don't remember you as only 4 years old than me :)

[Wensleydale]

The Station Commander was Gp Capt D Iveson DSO DFC, who was in charge from October 58 to December 60.

[Barksdale Boy]

PN

I'm afraid that your memory is playing tricks: Mike D'Arcy replaced Bootsie in 69. I'm fairly certain Charles Maughan preceded Bootsie. The period you suggest for Bootsie being station commander was probably when he was OC 101 - **** off Capp et al.

[Canadian Break]

Isn't the guy on the right in picture 7 Tony Dale who later joined the fighter control Branch?

[Yellow Sun]

I'm afraid that your memory is playing tricks: Mike D'Arcy replaced Bootsie in 69. I'm fairly certain Charles Maughan preceded Bootsie. The period you suggest for Bootsie being station commander was probably when he was OC 101 - **** off Capp et al.

I was thinking the same, with Mike D'Arcy replaced by Des Hall.

I wonder if the **** off Capp incident is apocryphal ( although it would be in character!) as I have heard it credited to Joe(?) Bradley when he was OC 50.

Good days - looking back!

YS

[Pontius Navigator]

Yes, you are right, I was fortunate that CCM left soon after I arrived and the larger part of my tour was with Boots. I then had a near death experience with Mike d'Arcy - not his fault but he was the operating pilot, but that is another story.

On the CCM-Boots bit, I was summonsed to the staish's office to change the safe combination on their handover. CCM gave me a piece of paper with his combination. I opened the safe and cleared the combination. Boots then gave me a piece of paper and I reset the combination.

I still remember the numbers of each - 44 - 50 - 01. I never told either that they were using exactly the same numbers :)

The only thing in the safe, IIRC, were the duplicate keys to the SSA bunkers.

[RAFEngO74to09]

As in 44 Sqn , 50 Sqn & 101 Sqn - great security for the duplicate keys to the SSA ! Probably an easier guess than the Stn Cdr's birthday.

[Nosevi]

"I thought he was a dead-ringer for Bob Iveson (Harriers and then Tornado GR1 Sqn Cdr) - but 1960 was too early for that so must be Bob's dad!"

Stumbled on this by accident so just quickly registered to say good call - that's my Grandfather and Bob Iveson is my father. I've resisted the tash so far......... :)

[Coltishall. loved it]

Interested to know if anyone still around? These "boys" must be in their 80-90's now. Anyone in the film that can enlighten us all?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz83KXInrg8

[John LeBrun]

I was not in the film but I saw it at a Monseigneur cinema in London just before I joined the RAF from the RCAF in 1961. Would you believe that 6 months later I was a co-pilot on that very squadron (83) which had then moved to Scampton. A few people I recongise, Neddy Claypham, John Sewell, Mike Pilkington (he ended up as Sir Michael C-in-C Training Command). The Station Commander was, I think Gp Capt Bootsie Griffith. If it was him, it was he of foul language..

Yes we are all in our 80s and 90s. Those memories will not fade.

[SRAM]

I was not in the film but I saw it at a Monseigneur cinema in London just before I joined the RAF from the RCAF in 1961. Would you believe that 6 months later I was a co-pilot on that very squadron (83) which had then moved to Scampton. A few people I recongise, Neddy Claypham, John Sewell, Mike Pilkington (he ended up as Sir Michael C-in-C Training Command). The Station Commander was, I think Gp Capt Bootsie Griffith. If it was him, it was he of foul language..

Yes we are all in our 80s and 90s. Those memories will not fade.

Still remember you going through the OCU when you got your captaincy, I was with DMD.Glad to hear you are fit and well, we are thinning out a bit now.
Sram

[Wensleydale]

The Station Commander was, I think Gp Capt Bootsie Griffith. If it was him, it was he of foul language..



The film was shot in April 1960, and the Stn Cdr was Gp Capt D Iveson DSO, DFC.

[BEagle]

I was not in the film but I saw it at a Monseigneur cinema in London just before I joined the RAF from the RCAF in 1961. Would you believe that 6 months later I was a co-pilot on that very squadron (83) which had then moved to Scampton. A few people I recongise, Neddy Claypham, John Sewell, Mike Pilkington (he ended up as Sir Michael C-in-C Training Command). The Station Commander was, I think Gp Capt Bootsie Griffith. If it was him, it was he of foul language..

Yes we are all in our 80s and 90s. Those memories will not fade.

I hope you're keeping well, John? Back in the late '70s, we co-piglets were in fear and trembling of you when you were OC GSU!

Although as someone once said "Don't forget that he was also a Vulcan co-pilot once!".

[Barksdale Boy]

Good to see that you are alive and kicking John. I well remember a conversation we once had about Chomsky. Bootsie was station commander when I arrived at Waddo in '68.

[John LeBrun]

Good to see that you are alive and kicking John. I well remember a conversation we once had about Chomsky. Bootsie was station commander when I arrived at Waddo in '68.
All these memories!
When Bootsie was CO Waddington, a practice Blue Steel HTP offload was scheduled on his staton from a Scampton aircraft. This was meant to be a daylight exercise but it was dusk when the aircraft arrived. The Co-pilot, Keith Walters, whose duty it was to assist the radar to offload the HTP into a concrete pit, just got out of the aircraft - all engines still running - when a semi circle of car headlights came on and from a very loud megaphone Bootsie's voice said "Get off my f**ing station and take your f**ing HTP away". Keith climbed back on board and the Vulcan flew back to Scampton.

[West Coast]

Bloody ‘ell, was that mustache within grooming standards back in those days or was it something that was simply tolerated?

[Fortissimo]

A bit of drift here but for anyone who is interested in 'Hank' Iveson;

Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire. (http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/t4212.html)

and read page 113 of

The Insubordinate and the ... - Google Books (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MP0R0MeC5zMC&pg=PA113&dq=hank+iveson&hl=en&ei=n99PTsVMj7PxA-HAia4H&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=hank%20iveson&f=false)


Aaron.


Don't just read page 113, read the whole chapter. It is very instructive!

I was aware of the LMF/ Waverer policy but not how variable its application could be. And whilst I knew that your chances of being selected for aircrew and officer duties were enhanced by having been to a public or grammar school, I had not picked up on the medical opinions (driven by Air Cdre Smartt) that one's predisposition to what we would now describe as a psychiatric injury was a product of one's breeding! But those were the prevailing attitudes of the day... My wife's grandfather was on a Lancaster crew that was withdrawn from ops 2 trips earlier than planned, after the whole crew had a 'chat' with the doc about the condition of their pilot and he agreed a rest was called for. To be fair, they had done 30 missions by then, had lost 2 gunners (one dead, one wounded) and had survived being shot down and a night ditching, which puts it all in perspective. And he was on a second ops tour 6 months later.

20 years after this film was made, I had some dealings with the LMF route while I was (unusually!) in a personnel job and became involved in helping to manage a case at one of the FTS where a young man had a psych problem that ought to have been easily treatable (some 'simple' anxiety issues). The rules in play then were enshrined in "Leaflet III - Personnel Unable to Withstand the Stress of Flying Duties" and roughly translated meant that either you were fit and therefore just didn't want to fly, in which case you were chopped, or you had a medical problem, in which case you were also chopped! Once someone (OC PMS or OC PSF) decided to take Leaflet III off the shelf there was no way back. I pointed out to the hierarchy that this was a bit arbitrary and unfair, and we got some work started to try to unravel it but I was back on an FJ sqn within a couple of months and never found out the result.

Sorry for the thread drift.

[TURIN]

It's on again.
UK Free view Ch 82. Talking Pictures. Can be streamed at your leisure through the 'Encore' app.

I've never seen it before. Great stuff. I'll now read the rest of this thread to put names to the faces.
Thankyou Gentlemen (and Ladies).

[oldmansquipper]

PN

I'm afraid that your memory is playing tricks: Mike D'Arcy replaced Bootsie in 69. I'm fairly certain Charles Maughan preceded Bootsie. The period you suggest for Bootsie being station commander was probably when he was OC 101 - **** off Capp et al.

That ‘nice’ Mr Maughan replaced ‘Cyclops’ Brown in 64/65 time IIRC.