RAF Upavon
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RAF Upavon
Only just come across this thread. I was also at Upavon 1970-73 when the AOC in C was Sir Harry Burton. I worked directly for Sir Harry and Lady Burton and they were a wonderful team. John Reed and Derek Copins were the crew on his Pembroke and we had great fun visiting the various Air Support Stations. I was very junior but it was a great headquarters to work in and Upavon was a splendid station. Very happy memories.
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refurbishment about time too.......
A couple of years' ago I vented my spleen re the external condition of the hangars at Upavon. I remember waxing well lyrical as I was of the undertanding that the hangars were listed buildings not to be demolished but to be kept in such condition that they would prevail and remind everyone what a glorious history and influence Upavon had on the World of aviation.
Is it true that the hangars have now been refurbished?
I spent the happiest years of my RAF career (38yrs) at Upavon from '67 - '69. I met the love of my life, got married to her, was selected for Airman Aircrew and was captain of the football team.
Despite being situated well away from 'civilisation' it's amazing how happy everyone was and I am very very pleased to hear that it is being looked after in the manner it deserves.
Well done the Army!
Is it true that the hangars have now been refurbished?
I spent the happiest years of my RAF career (38yrs) at Upavon from '67 - '69. I met the love of my life, got married to her, was selected for Airman Aircrew and was captain of the football team.
Despite being situated well away from 'civilisation' it's amazing how happy everyone was and I am very very pleased to hear that it is being looked after in the manner it deserves.
Well done the Army!
Avoid imitations
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Ah, 240 OCU Puma night flying detachments, RAF Upavon. Has its own weather system.
One hazy night, at Everleigh DZ, we noticed signs of fog beginning to form. At Upavon when it fogged out, it really fogged out quickly, so we Puma pilots decided it was time to scuttle off back to Upavon for a debrief and beer.
However, the late Dick Langworthy, and I think Roger U***y, in a Wessex, decided to continue with a couple more underslung load training circuits (with the barrel in a net), then bring the netted load back to Upavon.
It fogged out more a bit more rapidly than they expected....
Undeterred, they flew back to what they thought was the standard NATO "T" laid out on the airfield. However, as they came to the hover, with the netted load swinging underneath on the hook, they realised they were actually looking at the brightly lit "Welcome to RAF Upavon" sign by the main gate and they were hovering over the main road - they had approached between the big hangars and the domestic site without seeing either. Thankfully, there was no road traffic at that late hour!
One hazy night, at Everleigh DZ, we noticed signs of fog beginning to form. At Upavon when it fogged out, it really fogged out quickly, so we Puma pilots decided it was time to scuttle off back to Upavon for a debrief and beer.
However, the late Dick Langworthy, and I think Roger U***y, in a Wessex, decided to continue with a couple more underslung load training circuits (with the barrel in a net), then bring the netted load back to Upavon.
It fogged out more a bit more rapidly than they expected....
Undeterred, they flew back to what they thought was the standard NATO "T" laid out on the airfield. However, as they came to the hover, with the netted load swinging underneath on the hook, they realised they were actually looking at the brightly lit "Welcome to RAF Upavon" sign by the main gate and they were hovering over the main road - they had approached between the big hangars and the domestic site without seeing either. Thankfully, there was no road traffic at that late hour!
Last edited by ShyTorque; 2nd Apr 2013 at 20:09. Reason: typo
Dundiggin:
Partially true - 2 out of the three hangars appear to have been (or are well on their way to be) totally refurbished. No longer fly there but pass by every day. The hangar on the Eastern end is still derelict but hey, the airfield manager has a nice swiss style cottage / office near the 25 approach line
The old sqn office / Wyvern GC club room has long gone & the nearby garages converted to glass fronted classrooms.
Lots of money being spent on the other side of the road too (including a lovely big car park)
Partially true - 2 out of the three hangars appear to have been (or are well on their way to be) totally refurbished. No longer fly there but pass by every day. The hangar on the Eastern end is still derelict but hey, the airfield manager has a nice swiss style cottage / office near the 25 approach line
The old sqn office / Wyvern GC club room has long gone & the nearby garages converted to glass fronted classrooms.Lots of money being spent on the other side of the road too (including a lovely big car park)
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Just come across this thread - I was there on Saturday 16th June 1962 and visited on a coach arranged by ROC Exeter. Things that stood out for me were the Artic Auster, the very low simulated attack by the 4 BAC Lightning's, the Lincoln bomber and the Beverly landing on grass. I did have an Airshow Programme but where is it now 54 years later? ha ha.
