Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
Just been having a whiz round Google Earth looking at past scenes of crime to note on the latest version that Filton Block, the Os' Mess Annex at Finningley has been bulldozed. Then noticed the very neat looking rugby pitches in the front garden of the Mess.
Then noticed that the Mess is now a school (apparently Jeremy Clarkson's old school moved to a new location). At least the Mess is being put to good use again rather than rotting away like so many other old messes (Binbrook, Syerston, Newton etc); strangely appropriate.
I wonder if the corridors still echo to the sound of hampsters in balls playing ricochet whilst their 'masters' are in school. .....or if anyone has yet sucesfully parachuted said hampster, because IIRC all the trials failed!
D'ye know, that hamster survived for a further 6 months after leaving Filton Block; despite having been fed curry and beer and almost going in a Dom; his peeing in my flying suit led me to put him back in said ball. Three injections to finally put him out of his misery. Shame, good hamster that....
I was on site at Finningley last week and the OM looks in excellent order. I haven't been in but I spoke recently to someone who bought one of the OMQs close by and he has had a tour and says it has been well done.
The airport name is officially Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield or some similar arrangement of names, but when you are sat at Schipol the departure board says Doncaster and anyone within a fifty mile radius flies from "Finningley" and all others from Donny.
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 20,203
Doncaster and navigators....somehow they deserved each other.
If the childish half-wing half-brains really 'enjoyed' some animal cruelty with their abuse of a defenceless hamster, then that merely confirms the sound view of the superior two-wing master race:
How can you say such harsh things ... when did a Garmin last buy you a beer? Or stop you killing yourself (and him)!!
I suggest the honourable thing to do would be to retract your statement.
As for Filton and the former home of the Directional Consultancy Branch .. well I for one have many happy memories of experience gained. I also recall the Orderly Officer being called to the Guadroom to deal with a Donny lady of trade who was complaining that the overseas student who had entered into a contract for her company had failed to pay up!!
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 20,203
Impigers, mon brave, my harsh words were directed at those who find amusment from animal cruelty.
Back when thee and I flew the twin-Spey roaring monster, a 2-person team was essential. But that was about 30 years ago - since which times sensor fusion and other advancements have largely rendered fighergators redundant.
Garmin wouldn't have said "No idea mate" when asked WTF we were during Bold Gauntlet 1983.... But yes, I agree, would have been far less fun in the pub afterwards...
Then noticed the very neat looking rugby pitches in the front garden of the Mess. 
); strangely appropriate.
