Royal Review 1977 [Archive]

Old-Duffer

8th Dec 2011, 05:45

Ahhhhhhhhh Good old Fred Mulley having a zizz. Had he been a serviceman, he could have been charged with sleeping on duty.

The dias used on that day is still in use at Cranwell. If you ask nicely and the carpet is rolled back, there is a brass plaque which states: 'Fred Mulley Slept Here'.

What gets up my nose is that people would have given a great deal to have had a grandstand seat at that display and the guy who's running the shop sleeps through it all.

Old Duffer

Mach Two

8th Dec 2011, 08:06

Perhaps if Secretaries of State for Defence spent more time asleep on the job, they would spend less time messing up the Ministry.

goudie

8th Dec 2011, 08:21

What gets up my nose is that people would have given a great deal to have had a grandstand seat at that display and the guy who's running the shop sleeps through it all.

OD. In mitigation, a para. from Fred's obit. in the Independant.

It was a pity that he was moved, for reasons more to do with politics than good administration, to the difficult position of Secretary of State of Defence in the last three years under Jim Callaghan. He never shirked an uncomfortable assignment and it would be a travesty of justice if Mulley were to be remembered for that cruel picture of him dozing off during a royal visit to the Forces. Seeing him voting at four in the morning the night before, I can easily understand why the exigencies of a slim majority which became non-existent brought that lapse about.

Seems he was a good and generous man and an able politician.

APG63

8th Dec 2011, 09:39

Goodness! Well spoken, Goudie. I can't remember when I last saw someone speak so generously about anyone here. And the juxtaposition throws M2's fatuous comment wonderfully into sharp relief!!

:D

UpShutter

8th Dec 2011, 19:37

No footage but a few stills:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/25FormationFinningley.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/VictFinFighterCom.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/MaritimeFormFin.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/Vulc3FinStrike.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/BuccFinXW526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/F6LightFinXR754-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/F111FinningleyAB143.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/FGR2FinXT896.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/FGR2FinXV408.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/FGR2FinXV499.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/FGR2FinXV572.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/HarrFinXV751.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/HarrFinXW271.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/JagFinXZ389.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/VulcFinXM607-3.jpg

polyglory

9th Dec 2011, 05:30

Thanks for that UpShutter:ok:

Lovely Photo's indeed

bill2b

9th Dec 2011, 07:25

I was lucky enough to be in the spare photograph nimrod.
I was a space cadet living in Forres and I used to phone up ops and arrange myself flights on a regular basis. I was amazed to get on this one
It was great to be part of the mass take off then very quickly after take off to look out to port to see the main formation all formed up
On the way down we had a Phantom on one wingtip but we didn't see much of the Bucc apparently he liked flying low better lol
On the way back we were formed up with the rest and I was called up to the cocpit. I was told to look out the front to see the rest looking down I saw nothing but then I looked up "struth" we were below and behind another nimrod and we were very close fantastic view.
Those were the days
Cracking pictures bring it all back.

JOE-FBS

9th Dec 2011, 12:47

Bowly,

I have some 8mm film, now on DVD, from the public display on the Saturday at home. Between the amateur kit, the age of the film and the DVD transfer, I believe that it will be not very good quality but if nothing else emerges I could copy it for you.

I will check the quality and report back.

PS have you tried people like Duke Video?

ShyTorque

9th Dec 2011, 13:01

Now that's the RAF I joined :ok:

Sadly, not the one I left.... :(

bowly

9th Dec 2011, 13:36

Thanks all, much appreciated. I have sent an email off to the BDFL people to see what they've got in their archives. JOE-FBS, I'd be interested to know what the quality of your footage is. Thanks again all. It's only wanted for personal use and I'd be ready to stump up to get some decent film.....

1.3VStall

9th Dec 2011, 13:37

ST,

Absolutely! In those days RAF Germany had more fast jet squadrons than the entire RAF today.

BEagle

9th Dec 2011, 13:41

Agreed, ShyTorque!

Having finished my 'pre-Vulcan Buccaneer training' :uhoh: in Jan 1977, after Aircrew Reselection (and ex-Fighter Controllerette affiliation :E) at RAF Biggin Hill, I was given a Jet Refresher Course at RAF Leeming in April. 27 hours of licensed hooliganism. Whilst there, I went for a jump seat trip in a WetDream on one of the Jubilee flypast practices on 19 Apr. 4 Jetstreams in box, with 4 Dominies on one side and another 4 on the other. To correct a timing error, the Jetstream leader flew some turning manoeuvre, causing much angst to the Dominies on the inside....:rolleyes: Anyway, we flew the route (I think we used Lindholme as the IP), after which the Cranwell Dominies left the formation as soon as they could, having been not very impressed with the Jetstream leader's leading skills.

After moving to Sunny Scampton at the beginning of May, I then did the sim phase at RAF Finningley in late June, finishing on 11 July. The preparations for the Jubilee had already started - the bull$hit was astonishing. Roads resurfaced, the OM car park scrubbed clean - and the Op Order with the most ridiculous dress requirements. These included all those attending being required to have brand new shirts and gold cuff-links!

Back at Scampton, on the day I took a picnic lunch and some wine to the viewing area just off Till Bridge Lane to watch the departure and recovery of the Strike Command formation. Very impressive indeed!

And yet we thought it was rather unimpressive when compared against the 1953 Coronation flypast at RAF Odiham!

When Charles is crowned, I guess the Coronation flypast will be distinctly lacklustre...

Fareastdriver

9th Dec 2011, 13:47

I had the best view of anybody... If you count hovering at 2000ft so that the BBC could get shots of the Red Arrows doing their display from directly above.

You tend to lift your feet when you see nine Gnats arcing at you from below.

RAFEngO74to09

9th Dec 2011, 13:51

Shy Torque,

Same here. I was on my first tour and due to be the EngO at Finningley with the Laarbruch Buccaneers and Jaguar but, as one of the most junior officers on the station, ended up being sent to be a Crash Guard Commander for a RAFG aircraft at Volkel instead.

JOE-FBS

11th Dec 2011, 09:54

Bowly,

I have looked at the DVD and it is about nine minutes of faded and occasionally out of focus film. I am happy to send you a disc or memory stick with it on if some one out there can tell me, please:

How to extract that nine minutes from the other two hours of home movies on the same disc. I have access to Mac and PC.

500N

11th Dec 2011, 10:02

Joe

"How to extract that nine minutes from the other two hours of home movies on the same disc. I have access to Mac and PC."

You need some video editing software, as opposed to just a video player like Quicktime.

Depending on the quality and what format it is is will determine what you should use or whether just hand it over to someone to do it and maybe put a header at the front so if you burn it to DVD multiple times to give to people, they will know what it is.

HTH

Lingo Dan

11th Dec 2011, 10:10

If I recall, there was a song about this event, the final line of the first verse being:

"It takes more than the Air Force to wake up Sleepy F..d!"

I was on Loan Service to SOAF at the time, so missed it.

Old Photo.Fanatic

11th Dec 2011, 12:08

I covered the Royal review as a Photographer wearing a "Press Hat".
I was there for a week and have loads of slide films including all the flying displays.

Still a bit sensitive perhaps but I blagged my way out with the TV Crew on the Airfield right in front the Royal box during the main Royal display!!!!.

The best views are loads of Air to Ground views of the static layout taken on trips I did in the Press Helicopter over the Airfield during the week .

Including an aborted trip during the lunch break for the Royal party, cut short due to the complaint the noise was disturbing the Royal lunch!!!!!!
Much to the annoyance of us photographers on board not getting a full crack at more air to ground pics.

Thats the up side of what I have, but, at the moment I do not have a scanner to scan the slides for downloading etc.
I am looking at buying a Nikon Coolscan V scanner but am a bit wary about buying via e-bay which is the biggest outlet for second hand scanners.

If any Ppruner has a Nikon Coolscan V for sale I would be more than pleased to chat about a deal. (Nikon Colscan V recommendeed for Kodak slides, I have 60,000 plus aircraft slides taken on Kodak film by me 1975-2005, so I do need a good scanner!!!)

I can only suggest you PM me with personal contact details and I will keep you informed of my progress in obtaining a scanner.
As and when I do I can certainly cover your request .

OPF

PS I have sent you a PM re. contacting me direct if it might help.

SOSL

11th Dec 2011, 12:34

What a pleasant thread.

Lingo Dan, I was posted from Salalah (where I was the RAF U Eng O) to Finningley, in early '76; so we might have been there at the same time (Salalah that is)?

BEags, we may have overlapped at RAF Robin Hood but I never spotted you in the bar! Why was that? Do you have a reasonable excuse?

I was posted from Finningley to Leuchars just before the Royal Review and at the time I thought to myself " thank god that I don't have to go through all that buxxeration".

I drove my buxxered MGB slowly up to Scotland (it got better later (the MGB) thanks to a friendly and impecunious MT Tech at Leuchars).

Now, of course, with all those years behind me I kind of wish I had been there for the review.

P.S. the Rockape who received the Royal Colour (or was it a Standard? My memory fades) at the Finningley ceremony, and who appears kneeling in a well known oil painting, which you may have seen in many messes, when we had many messes, was an ex 99 entry cadet from the College of Knowledge, also know as Sleaford Tech (the college not the rockape).

Which reminds me of a young lady from Carre's Grammar School with whom I went on a blind date on my grad ball from Cranners - we were desperately in love for a while but when she went to university, after about a month, I found a "dear john" letter in my pigeon hole in the Studes Mess reception.
It was tough but I got over her, with some help from her older sister. Then eventually I got engaged to a first year student from Bishop Big Bxlls.

I wonder whatever happened to her?

Just got carried away - SOS

Peter Carter

11th Dec 2011, 17:46

Does anyone remember, on the practice day (when Mrs CAS was doing the Queen stand-in inspection bit), a Colour Sqn oik chundering on the shoes of the chap behind him? Mrs CAS had to do some pretty fancy footwork to avoid an embarrassing skid.
All great fun!

Wander00

11th Dec 2011, 18:10

Hands up all those ex cadets who were going out with, engaged to or married students from the Bishop's place in Lincoln. Did a couple of plays with them and have a photo of me and a future CAS dancing round a wheel chair on stage (Ring Round the Moon). There was one girls (64/65 time of whom it was reckoned if you went out with her you got chopped from flying - ISTR there was high correlation; maybe she sapped a chap's energy!

ShyTorque

11th Dec 2011, 18:41

As a young Pilot Officer trainee pilot (wearing No 1 uniform on the day) I was interested in the Safety Equipment Section display. On entering the marquee, I was invited to demonstrate the high strength of the new clear visor for aircrew helmets and was passed a mallet. One hit from me broke the visor in half. Another was placed on the rig. Another hit snapped that one too. Cue a round of applause from assembled public, a very dirty look from the Squipper and an embarrassed grin and an exit from yours truly.

BEagle

11th Dec 2011, 20:36

SOSL, I was at RAF Finningley from 29 Jun 77 - 11 Jul 77. We had 9 simulator exercises totalling 30 hrs in that period; however, I most assuredly WAS in the OM bar at various times throughout the period.

But usually after the baby navigators had gone back to that kindergarten known as Filton Block....

Geehovah

12th Dec 2011, 16:54

Beagle; late on parade. I can imagine that by 77 the bar was quieter.

Norma Stitz

13th Dec 2011, 01:35

Knowing how to contact the BBC archives may get you somewhere; their recent love of the Army yielded their Silver Jubilee review on iPlayer: BBC iPlayer - Silver Jubilee: Review of the British Army (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00k22j0/Silver_Jubilee_Review_of_the_British_Army/)

JOE-FBS

20th Dec 2011, 12:06

Bowly,

I have not forgotten you. The video editing software on neither my PC nor my Mac recognise the video file (.VOB) on my DVD so I'll have to dig deeper.

jamesdevice

20th Dec 2011, 12:10

Joe
rename the *vob files as *,mpg and they should play as standard mpg files
If that still wont work, try *.mp2 instead (depends on the software on your machine)

VOB is simply a catalogued mp2 stream sorted for DVD

JOE-FBS

2nd Jan 2012, 20:10

I'm sorry, I have spent hours wrestling with this and tried all the suggestions above. I just cannot make it work.

jindabyne

2nd Jan 2012, 20:22

We lived and flew in a RAF that was magnificent and demanding in its various ways. But that's history, and I hope that those serving today are enjoying an equally good time. It's your day. :ok:

Finningley Boy

2nd Jan 2012, 22:15

I took a lot of piccies on the public day, most of them lost now, but similar shots can be found all over the place. I do have somewhere, an old VHS tape "Finningley Finale" which contains footage of past airshows at Finningley, included of course, is some footage of the Silver Jubilee show.

But the rarest stuff is a Vulcan Scramble, 92 sqn Lightnings and the Dutch Team Whisky Four, all from 1963!:ok:

FB:)

Al R

3rd Jan 2012, 06:31

Old Duffer: Ahhhhhhhhh Good old Fred Mulley having a zizz. Had he been a serviceman, he could have been charged with sleeping on duty.

The dias used on that day is still in use at Cranwell. If you ask nicely and the carpet is rolled back, there is a brass plaque which states: 'Fred Mulley Slept Here'.

It would be a shame if he was remembered simply for that - he was up in the House, voting, at 0500 earlier in the day.

When the Joint Chiefs were denied their démarche in 1978 (would either happen now??) over Jim Callaghan's reluctance to implement AFPRB suggestions, he fought the corner well but lost 1% of the increase due to a high level leak about the subsequent huge PVR rates and discontent. There is a Mac cartoon showing Mulley supervising the Joint Chiefs going about their jankers.

edit: View zoomable cartoon item: 32080 - The British Cartoon Archive - University of Kent (http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/record/32080/zoom)

ICM

3rd Jan 2012, 06:54

Does anyone have a picture of the VC 10 in the flypast that could be released for use, with due credit, on the 10 Sqn Association website? If so, I'd be happy to have it for passing on to the webmaster.

As a footnote, despite being one of the larger units in STC in 1977 and for reasons that were never clear, 10 Sqn was not included in the original Oporder for the flypast, and a first rehearsal had taken place before we heard what was afoot. Representations were then made and we joined the game from then on, tacked on to a 4-Herc flight.

Spurlash2

3rd Jan 2012, 08:29

I'm sorry, I have spent hours wrestling with this and tried all the suggestions above. I just cannot make it work.

JOE-FBS,

You need Any Video Converter (http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/) to convert your .VOB file. Change it to .wmv (there are other formats) using AVC, and when that is done, open Windows Movie Maker/Video editing software, and import the new file.

You can then chop off the bits you don't need.

There is a free version and a professional one. The free one is absolutely fine.

JOE-FBS

3rd Jan 2012, 08:45

OK, will try again.

TorqueOfTheDevil

3rd Jan 2012, 10:30

I hope that those serving today are enjoying an equally good time. It's your day. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

Fortunately for me, I'm in a job which is still a great deal of fun (though soon to be consigned to history). But I fear many of those currently serving may not that they are enjoying half as much fun as you were having back then...:sad:

VP8

5th Jan 2012, 09:47

Only involvement I had was as a lowly SAC passing out the time to all the Flypast formations from the Master Ticker in Ops :)

Romeo Oscar Golf

5th Jan 2012, 20:15

Jeez Jindy, I thought it was the duty of us old farts to keep the young whippersnappers on their toes. Such comments won't help....
We lived and flew in a RAF that was magnificent and demanding in its various ways. But that's history, and I hope that those serving today are enjoying an equally good time. It's your day. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

Happy New Year by the way, and to all you other old farts and youngsters as well.

Phoney Tony

7th Jan 2012, 14:31

My mate did a deal with the contractor who ran one of the bars on the airfield during the public events over the weekend of the Review. We helped pack away kit and tidied up....our reward, the beer that was left in the pipes. The pipes were of small diameter, but were 10s of yards long. We must have drained a couple of gallons each. A pint in the No2 Sgt's Mess was 19p so we did not save a massive amount of money!

Happy days.