Slingsby T21b WB935
Ah yes - that little green booklet. Mine was obtained through the RAF GSA from RAF Locking when I was a CCF cadet:
Signed by 'Stavros':
'The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this certificate'....in 6 languages!
Signed by 'Stavros':
'The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this certificate'....in 6 languages!
Spitalgate Barges
Hi Martin
644 GS (Gliding School) was based at RAF Spitalgate (Grantham) for many years (1955 - 1975),then moved to RAF Syerston,and renamed 644 VGS in 1979.
The different colour schemes were used depending on decade (year) - the original scheme would have been Silver/Yellow (1950's) - then Silver/Dayglo (red) (1960's) and lastly - Grey/White/Red.
WB935 was my 2nd ever Glider Flight in May 1968 (age 15) when 'Doc' Ward took me up for 20 mins off the winch at RAF Spitalgate,I flew in 935 1 more time in 1969
644 GS (Gliding School) was based at RAF Spitalgate (Grantham) for many years (1955 - 1975),then moved to RAF Syerston,and renamed 644 VGS in 1979.
The different colour schemes were used depending on decade (year) - the original scheme would have been Silver/Yellow (1950's) - then Silver/Dayglo (red) (1960's) and lastly - Grey/White/Red.
WB935 was my 2nd ever Glider Flight in May 1968 (age 15) when 'Doc' Ward took me up for 20 mins off the winch at RAF Spitalgate,I flew in 935 1 more time in 1969
[QUOTE=BEagle;11222443]Ah yes - that little green booklet. Mine was obtained through the RAF GSA from RAF Locking when I was a CCF cadet:
Signed by 'Stavros':
'The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this certificate'....in 6 languages
What happened to the C Beagle !!!
I did graduate to a single seat glider in Autumn 1967 though - the mighty Slingsby Tutor with it's nigh-on perpendicular glide ratio. My next single seat aeroplane was the Hunter GT6 8 years later....
'Stavros' was Inge Deen - who was the hard working BGA secretary until 1970 (?)
I wonder how many gliding certificates she stamped
edit - unless you meant the other stamp of course
I wonder how many gliding certificates she stamped
edit - unless you meant the other stamp of course
Re BEagle & POBJOY:
Like POBJOY's mine also had the signature of Brabazon of Tara.
Over 17500 certificates issued between mine and BEagle's over a period of less than seven years ... and I guess the vast majority of gliding certificates in the 60's would have been issued to Air Cadets. I reckon that is a pretty impressive number per year.
Like POBJOY's mine also had the signature of Brabazon of Tara.
Over 17500 certificates issued between mine and BEagle's over a period of less than seven years ... and I guess the vast majority of gliding certificates in the 60's would have been issued to Air Cadets. I reckon that is a pretty impressive number per year.
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Just looking at my little green certificate
I joined Oxford University Gliding Club at RAF Bicester early sixties. Cert No 40445 with A B and C certificates and Silver C height during my three years there .
I joined Oxford University Gliding Club at RAF Bicester early sixties. Cert No 40445 with A B and C certificates and Silver C height during my three years there .
C Cert
Back to boarding school, then PPL courtesy of an RAF Scholarship the following Easter before RAFC Cranwell in September!
I did graduate to a single seat glider in Autumn 1967 though - the mighty Slingsby Tutor with it's nigh-on perpendicular glide ratio. My next single seat aeroplane was the Hunter GT6 8 years later....
I did graduate to a single seat glider in Autumn 1967 though - the mighty Slingsby Tutor with it's nigh-on perpendicular glide ratio. My next single seat aeroplane was the Hunter GT6 8 years later....
It was a 'system' that evolved with almost zero paperwork other than signing daily MT and Glider inspections with briefings out on the field (minimal) as how long can you brief for a (3 minute) rocket launch followed by a one shot descending circuit (observing the 45 deg rule). I truly think there is merit in revisiting the whole 'model' of why it worked so well as we now have a World that is unable to make decisions in a timescale that actually gets things done when needed !!!. It was also damm good fun driving those MK1 landrovers around stripped of everything (windscreen flat) with three up front (the middle one changing gear)
And who would have ever thought that they went to Space in a shuttle that landed like a MK3. (although a bit faster)
This was at Bovingdon in 1965 which as far as I know was the first ever 'C' certification at that airfield; my schoolteacher was standing watching me too; he had just got engaged to the sister of one of my instructors and had been invited to have a looksee.
My longest flight was from Halton in a Prefect (24 min)
Halesland
The 'Halesland' bit was for A&B's doing what was then called an 'advanced' ** course. This included use of spoilers/airbrakes, spot landings, trying to stay on the ridge long enough for the C, and no question of 'landing out' down at the bottom of the hill. The evening part of the course included under age drinking in Weston !!!.
On my first visit at the hilltop site (we self catered during the day) we had a barge, prefect, and swallow in the shed, and looking back on the situation it was probably what we now would call a 'marginal' operation for low launch Cadets, some of whom had only done an A&B possibly over a year earlier, and certainly at a normal airfield. However as usual we were not aware it was marginal so it worked ok most of the time. Later 'schools' would move down for a weeks 'away' operation which was probably a valuable training exercise after their normal base. **The 'C' bit was an extra to the advanced as I recall the ATC issued an 'advanced cert' as part of the normal system. The swallow was for instructor use and those trying to get their bronze or 5 hour flights. Another example of the Air Cadet organisation at the time providing a facility that was available to anyone with a modicum of ability at a very interesting location. I never saw the barge operated solo during my visits. The Weston night club bit was not part of the certificate !!!.
On my first visit at the hilltop site (we self catered during the day) we had a barge, prefect, and swallow in the shed, and looking back on the situation it was probably what we now would call a 'marginal' operation for low launch Cadets, some of whom had only done an A&B possibly over a year earlier, and certainly at a normal airfield. However as usual we were not aware it was marginal so it worked ok most of the time. Later 'schools' would move down for a weeks 'away' operation which was probably a valuable training exercise after their normal base. **The 'C' bit was an extra to the advanced as I recall the ATC issued an 'advanced cert' as part of the normal system. The swallow was for instructor use and those trying to get their bronze or 5 hour flights. Another example of the Air Cadet organisation at the time providing a facility that was available to anyone with a modicum of ability at a very interesting location. I never saw the barge operated solo during my visits. The Weston night club bit was not part of the certificate !!!.
Certainly in 1970 at Halton you had to be at least 'C' cat to fly the swallow,P1's/2's got to fly the Prefect - in my case January of course so no chance of soaring LOL
Thinking back, after my 18 min over Bovingdon, I was sent the Soaring Certificate and the Advanced Gliding Certificate in the same envelope; I then had to apply to the BGA for the enamel 'C' badge.
Swallow 'Instructors only'
Even a rarer sight than the Prefect coming around so guarded by the 'CAT's' normally until in my case it arrived at Kenley. Duly DI'd by myself (P2 Staff Cadet) it was placed on the line one quiet Saturday, and as no interest was shown by the IC line I suggested a trip by myself was possible. No chance only B cats was the reply,. but soon countered by producing log book and showing my check out at Swanton the previous week by Ian Ladley with 6 flights made as a thank you for helping up there doing all the usual jobs including flying station staff in the T21 on the wed sports afternoon. 651 was duly pushed back to the fence to get more height and having made over 1000 ft did two loops off the top of launch. This prompted an immediate grounding until the following week when a log book cert arrived from Swanton with the 'aerobatic' box ticked !!!!
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GLIDING MEMORIES
My ‘B’ certificate is dated about a year earlier that that of 76fan, and the numbers would indicate that some 2750 were issued in that year! Surely most must have been ATC cadets.
I flew at Exeter Airport with 624 GS, however, the airport did not have the utilisation it has today! Gliding was halted/recommenced by Aldis light from the tower. Most cessations were caused by the, sometimes spirited, movements of the CAACU (Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit) In my early days at the GS they flew Mosquito aircraft, but later re-equipped with Vampires.
One of these Vampires was to come a cropper however, courtesy of the GS.
Towing of the gliders, T21, Prefect, and the Sedburgh ‘Barge’ utilised a WW2 Bedford lorry with canvass doors, which was also used to draw out the twin launch cables. Cadets were encouraged to drive the Bedford. This lorry had a removable steering wheel, which just lifted off the steering column shaft. One of the standard ‘pranks’ was to remove this steering wheel whilst driving around the peritrack furthest from the tower, and for the driver to hand it to a new, unsuspecting, ‘passenger’ and say ‘you steer’. However, on this occasion, the steering wheel would not go back on to the spines on the steering column, and in the resulting confusion and with virtually useless brakes, the Bedford ran smartly in to the side of the Vampire.
With the arrival of the Vampires, all the Mosquitos were de-rigged, and their various components placed up against the hedge on the northern side of the airport, and left to rot.
We did go to Halesland once for a Summer Camp, being accommodated in the huts at RAF Locking. One of my memories of Halesland , apart from the 45 degree rule, is the ‘T of trees’, which was on the upslope of the hills, and roughly pointed to the landing area. I can’t find it now on Google Earth.
I flew at Exeter Airport with 624 GS, however, the airport did not have the utilisation it has today! Gliding was halted/recommenced by Aldis light from the tower. Most cessations were caused by the, sometimes spirited, movements of the CAACU (Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit) In my early days at the GS they flew Mosquito aircraft, but later re-equipped with Vampires.
One of these Vampires was to come a cropper however, courtesy of the GS.
Towing of the gliders, T21, Prefect, and the Sedburgh ‘Barge’ utilised a WW2 Bedford lorry with canvass doors, which was also used to draw out the twin launch cables. Cadets were encouraged to drive the Bedford. This lorry had a removable steering wheel, which just lifted off the steering column shaft. One of the standard ‘pranks’ was to remove this steering wheel whilst driving around the peritrack furthest from the tower, and for the driver to hand it to a new, unsuspecting, ‘passenger’ and say ‘you steer’. However, on this occasion, the steering wheel would not go back on to the spines on the steering column, and in the resulting confusion and with virtually useless brakes, the Bedford ran smartly in to the side of the Vampire.
With the arrival of the Vampires, all the Mosquitos were de-rigged, and their various components placed up against the hedge on the northern side of the airport, and left to rot.
We did go to Halesland once for a Summer Camp, being accommodated in the huts at RAF Locking. One of my memories of Halesland , apart from the 45 degree rule, is the ‘T of trees’, which was on the upslope of the hills, and roughly pointed to the landing area. I can’t find it now on Google Earth.
Halesland 'features'
One of the Halesland 'features' was the use of rocks to make messages/ faces.
On one particular course after a couple of rather low final turns (caused by leaving the ridge too late) it was decided to have a 400 ft marker made from rocks as a reminder not to be lower over that particular spot. Unfortunately this was made from a convenient pile of rocks that later transpired to be a feature called Robbies head which referred to the local GS CO (Weston) who had been the instigator of the ridge site. Halesland later featured in an incident report in the printed 'Gliding Lines' when a landrover attempted to drive through the side of the hangar. It appeared that the completely innocent LR was parked outside and upslope of the shed, and had a course Cadet in the pass seat. The I/C the course indicated to the cadet to 'bring the rover' down and to his credit he slid over and set forth on this mission. The Rover impaled itself in the hangar side and rather spoilt the I/C's day.
It appears that the Cadet (not a staff Cadet or even a driver) managed to initiate a start, but had not progressed on to the steering / braking part of his instant self training. !!!!
By the way 575 your Mossies were the stars at the Biggin 'At Home' show in 59, also memorable for a Spitfire (SL574) belly landing on a Bromley cricket pitch the next day after a London BoB fly past.
On one particular course after a couple of rather low final turns (caused by leaving the ridge too late) it was decided to have a 400 ft marker made from rocks as a reminder not to be lower over that particular spot. Unfortunately this was made from a convenient pile of rocks that later transpired to be a feature called Robbies head which referred to the local GS CO (Weston) who had been the instigator of the ridge site. Halesland later featured in an incident report in the printed 'Gliding Lines' when a landrover attempted to drive through the side of the hangar. It appeared that the completely innocent LR was parked outside and upslope of the shed, and had a course Cadet in the pass seat. The I/C the course indicated to the cadet to 'bring the rover' down and to his credit he slid over and set forth on this mission. The Rover impaled itself in the hangar side and rather spoilt the I/C's day.
It appears that the Cadet (not a staff Cadet or even a driver) managed to initiate a start, but had not progressed on to the steering / braking part of his instant self training. !!!!
By the way 575 your Mossies were the stars at the Biggin 'At Home' show in 59, also memorable for a Spitfire (SL574) belly landing on a Bromley cricket pitch the next day after a London BoB fly past.
Last edited by POBJOY; 17th May 2022 at 21:34.
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For the OP, do you know Al S at all?...very useful and knowledgeable source.
Got the little green book c/o Burtonwood . The Cadet Mk 3 demonstrated its capacity to return to earth, rapidly, with no help from me on the second solo, hence my arrival on the ramp, rather than launch area, surrounded by 45 gall drums... and other sundry items.
" The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this certificate'....in 6 languages!"
Ah yes, the police ! First encounter, about 07.30 ish on a Sunday morning near Bury St Edmunds having just left Wattisham ...had to collect a trailer for a B4 and thence to Bicester...the stop would have made "The Sweeney " envious. However, all I can say, is, not everybody suits wearing a uniform...the reason he stopped me was the trailer number plate didn't match my car...this was hardly unknown in those days, so I smiled...politely.
Next encounter...Lancs finest on the side of the M6 !...reason ? towing a K18 on an open trailer and, apparently, they'd never seen one out of a box before in bits..felt like saying, try a gliding club, not the hard shoulder.
Next encounter...Dumfries and Galloway at Moffatt when I missed a turn on the old A74 and took what I thought would be the next suitable exit...alas, it was a single track road leading to a reservoir...a farmer called the police , quite reasonably, as to why a glider trailer was on this track. They were highly amused
Next, the Dutch police whom came to my asssitance due to a "breakdown in international relations " at the then Aachen border crossing involving myself, the US Army Military police and one particular German border guard, even his mate was shaking his head in disbelief at his actions, although it's possible I may have contributed by suggesting to the Yank if he continued to push me in the chest, he could be viewing the world from a horizonal rather than vertical perspective...and one or two other "observations "....however, this trip did complete my Silver C
Silver height out of Colerne...got the book back with a very terse letter from Anne Welch, bless her, informing me in no uncertain terms, "we are flying gliders, NOT BAC 1-11's !! "...as I had the Baro calibrated at Filton
Got the little green book c/o Burtonwood . The Cadet Mk 3 demonstrated its capacity to return to earth, rapidly, with no help from me on the second solo, hence my arrival on the ramp, rather than launch area, surrounded by 45 gall drums... and other sundry items.
" The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this certificate'....in 6 languages!"
Ah yes, the police ! First encounter, about 07.30 ish on a Sunday morning near Bury St Edmunds having just left Wattisham ...had to collect a trailer for a B4 and thence to Bicester...the stop would have made "The Sweeney " envious. However, all I can say, is, not everybody suits wearing a uniform...the reason he stopped me was the trailer number plate didn't match my car...this was hardly unknown in those days, so I smiled...politely.
Next encounter...Lancs finest on the side of the M6 !...reason ? towing a K18 on an open trailer and, apparently, they'd never seen one out of a box before in bits..felt like saying, try a gliding club, not the hard shoulder.
Next encounter...Dumfries and Galloway at Moffatt when I missed a turn on the old A74 and took what I thought would be the next suitable exit...alas, it was a single track road leading to a reservoir...a farmer called the police , quite reasonably, as to why a glider trailer was on this track. They were highly amused
Next, the Dutch police whom came to my asssitance due to a "breakdown in international relations " at the then Aachen border crossing involving myself, the US Army Military police and one particular German border guard, even his mate was shaking his head in disbelief at his actions, although it's possible I may have contributed by suggesting to the Yank if he continued to push me in the chest, he could be viewing the world from a horizonal rather than vertical perspective...and one or two other "observations "....however, this trip did complete my Silver C
Silver height out of Colerne...got the book back with a very terse letter from Anne Welch, bless her, informing me in no uncertain terms, "we are flying gliders, NOT BAC 1-11's !! "...as I had the Baro calibrated at Filton
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 18th May 2022 at 11:30.
