RAF Leuchars

[KJM]

I am a student at St. Andrews University on the Museum and Gallery course.We are preparing an exhibition ( March 2015) with the heritage officer, at RAF Leuchars, Karen Clayton, to celebrate the " Life on Base" over the past 90 years. The Exhibition is called Balloons to Typhoons. I wonder if you have any stories that you can remember about life in Leuchars, especially that of the antics that happened with the Cowardly Phantom Welly or anything with the chickens kept on base. We are hoping to show the lighter side of life as well as the daily job of defending the realm. We are looking for stories about the squadrons, the mess etc.

Regards

Karen

[Tigger_Too]

.... or anything with the chickens kept on base

Is there a fighting chicken in the house?

[CoffmanStarter]

Karen ...

My 92 year old Mother was stationed at RAF Leuchars during 1944 when she was a WAAF (LA) MT Driver with 206 Squadron (Liberators). I recall seeing a number of photos in the past ... I'll see if she has anything that might be of interest :ok:

Good luck with your quest ...

Coff.

PS. Tigger ... you're not trying to wind Courtney up are you :=

[Tigger_Too]

..........;)

[PICKS135]

Just for Tiggertoo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/f4phixeruk/DSCF0014_zps5b0bff51.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/f4phixeruk/media/DSCF0014_zps5b0bff51.jpg.html)

[PICKS135]

Also remember

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/f4phixeruk/Fightingcocksdoitbetter_zps959257c2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/f4phixeruk/media/Fightingcocksdoitbetter_zps959257c2.jpg.html)

[Finningley Boy]

Hi Karen,

I've already been in touch with the Arts and Galleries Department at the University, all being well a copy of my book Northern "Q" should be available by then and the suggestion was that a copy could go on display with order forms. But that aside, there is one chap who lives in Guardbridge who has been most helpful to me in putting the book together, he's a former Fighting Cock and also flew with 29 Squadron as far back as 1961 when they were equipped with the Gloster Javelin Fighter. I can speak to him and see if he'd be happy to get in contact with you for any stories such as I'm sure would be just what you're looking for.

I myself was never stationed at Leuchars, but I know a few people who were and can maybe get something from them.

There are a few ghost stories about the base as well, which I'm sure some people on pprune would be aware of.

Best Regards,

FB:)

[OffshoreSLF]

Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, due to having a sight defect, flying, and many other career choices, were closed to me. However, I have always had a keen interest in the RAF and Leuchars.


I spent part of my childhood in Carnoustie, and as lads we used to go to the open days each year. We used to cycle to Dundee, get on the ferry to Fife, then cycle to Leuchars. On the way back, we used to get fish and chips from a chippy next to the ferry terminal and eat them on the way back to Dundee. It was one of the best chip shops in Scotland!


I have some photographs from the mid 1960's from one of these days that I can copy & send to you if you wish. Just let me know.


Can you please also let me know the details of the exhibition once you have them, as although I now live in Aberdeenshire, I'd love to go and see it.


Jim

[Minnie Burner]

I heard a good story about the anatomically correct (cor, erect?) snowman built by the Ark Royal Naval Airmen outside the WRAF block; anyone care to provide the details?

[Courtney Mil]

Karen,

There is an old thread in the archives here, mainly flying stories, but may be of interest.

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/482857-leuchars-memories.html

[CoffmanStarter]

Karen ...

Sorry for the delay, but I've finally been able to find the WWII photos I mentioned at #3 above.

I've had to resize them to fit here on PPRuNe but should these images be of further interest, please PM me and I'll gladly eMail the source files to you :ok:

Sorry I can't date them any closer than 1944 as dear old Mum (92) can't recall exact dates now.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/Mum1944RAFLeuchars206SQNTN_zps8802f6a6.jpg

Image Credit : War Office : RAF Leuchars Station Photographer (as best can be attributed)

Mum can't remember where she is in this pic ... but the aircraft is a RAF Liberator of 206 Squadron (Coastal Command) with the entire Squadron photographed.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/Mum1944RAFLeucharsMTTN_zpsd6d718dc.jpg

Image Credit : War Office : RAF Leuchars Station Photographer (as best can be attributed)

Mum was a 21 year old MT Driver (LACW) at RAF Leuchars in 1944. She is seated here Front Row, Bottom Right (with slight movement blur). Apparently this is the entire MT Section. I understand that shortly after this she was posted to RAF Bracknell as a Staff Car Driver until her demob.

Hope these are of some help ...

Best ...

Coff.

PS. PM sent to Karen