Russian Overflights by RAF Crews during the "Cold War"
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
DoubleZero, in those days BEA flew unpresurised aircraft. IIRC, the Viscount was one of its first pressurised aircraft.
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Cuck Yaeger & Russian Overflights
I seem to recall from reading Chuck Yaeger's autobiography that he accompanied Jackie Cochran on an overflight of Soviet territory, where he claimed they deviated from route and took some interesting photographs.
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XV277
Yes, I saw that programme. It is that Documentary that started me on my quest to find out more. Last month, I was invited to give a talk to the North Lincolnshire Air Crew Association (really smashing group of Gentlemen), about Air to Air TACAN flight trials that I was involved in with 55 & 57Sqdn at Marham. They have very kindly invited me back this month as their speaker, Arthur Creighton is going to give a talk on "the Canberra Bomber", so hopefully he might be able to shed more light on any overflights. If there is anything interesting, I will keep you informed.
Yes, I saw that programme. It is that Documentary that started me on my quest to find out more. Last month, I was invited to give a talk to the North Lincolnshire Air Crew Association (really smashing group of Gentlemen), about Air to Air TACAN flight trials that I was involved in with 55 & 57Sqdn at Marham. They have very kindly invited me back this month as their speaker, Arthur Creighton is going to give a talk on "the Canberra Bomber", so hopefully he might be able to shed more light on any overflights. If there is anything interesting, I will keep you informed.
Tree shaped roofs
Just to go back to PNs post at #7, examples of these strange shaped roofs can be seen here:
Flickr: 814man's Photostream
which are a series of images I took during a survey of old nuclear storage sites in 2001. There are existing examples shown from Honington, Marham, Waddington and Wittering. There were no such buildings constructed at Scampton, whilst due to its current use I was unable to take pictures of the ones at Faldingworth, although I can confirm there was actually the largest concentration of them at over 20, most other sites having only 2 or 3. At Barnham for some reason all the same use buildings had normal square shaped roofs as can be seen.
My understanding was that although those looking would have a pretty good idea of the use of the site, due to what was stored in these specific buildings their number would provide a good indication of the number of weapons stored at the site.
Flickr: 814man's Photostream
which are a series of images I took during a survey of old nuclear storage sites in 2001. There are existing examples shown from Honington, Marham, Waddington and Wittering. There were no such buildings constructed at Scampton, whilst due to its current use I was unable to take pictures of the ones at Faldingworth, although I can confirm there was actually the largest concentration of them at over 20, most other sites having only 2 or 3. At Barnham for some reason all the same use buildings had normal square shaped roofs as can be seen.
My understanding was that although those looking would have a pretty good idea of the use of the site, due to what was stored in these specific buildings their number would provide a good indication of the number of weapons stored at the site.
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Originally by me actually
There is a book on this very subject (although heavily covering U.S. flights) that is a superb read. It is "By any means necessary". Sadly I do not have it to hand at the moment, so cannot list the ISBN number, but am sure is is on amazon or similar.
moggiee
Quote:
Originally Posted by caped crusader
Just to correct a minor point, it's "By any mean NECESSARY" not possible. Yesterday 23:54
With regard to the above post, I had wondered if the book had been re- published with a different title, as I distinctly remembered it being "necessary"
Further on the subject of special Canberra's, the "great planes" series of videos do a good video (IMHO) titled "Martin B57 Canberra". This video/DVD partly covers the U.S. "spy" Canberra's with larger span wings, and then their second lease of life with even greater span wings fitted.
There is a book on this very subject (although heavily covering U.S. flights) that is a superb read. It is "By any means necessary". Sadly I do not have it to hand at the moment, so cannot list the ISBN number, but am sure is is on amazon or similar.
moggiee
Quote:
Originally Posted by caped crusader
Just to correct a minor point, it's "By any mean NECESSARY" not possible. Yesterday 23:54
With regard to the above post, I had wondered if the book had been re- published with a different title, as I distinctly remembered it being "necessary"
Further on the subject of special Canberra's, the "great planes" series of videos do a good video (IMHO) titled "Martin B57 Canberra". This video/DVD partly covers the U.S. "spy" Canberra's with larger span wings, and then their second lease of life with even greater span wings fitted.
More bang for your buck
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Ellington Field - circa 1998
Barnstormer et al.
Was fortunate enough to be at Ellington Field in 1998 for an airshow (Nimrod display) and whilst waiting for nothing in particular, just happened to do that 'British Officer I can go anywhere I fancy' thing. I wandered into one of the NASA hangars and was confronted by the most weirdly beautiful aircraft I think I have ever seen. Not sure if it was an RB-45 or the B57 variant, but it had much longer wings than a standard 'Berra' and larger engines and painted white with black flashing. I didn't hang around as a Master Chief was zeroed in on me and I scarpered before it got complicated!
Was fortunate enough to be at Ellington Field in 1998 for an airshow (Nimrod display) and whilst waiting for nothing in particular, just happened to do that 'British Officer I can go anywhere I fancy' thing. I wandered into one of the NASA hangars and was confronted by the most weirdly beautiful aircraft I think I have ever seen. Not sure if it was an RB-45 or the B57 variant, but it had much longer wings than a standard 'Berra' and larger engines and painted white with black flashing. I didn't hang around as a Master Chief was zeroed in on me and I scarpered before it got complicated!
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Lucky you. I would love to see one in the flesh (it's the spotter in me).
Rightly or wrongly I developed an affection for Canberra's when I was an air cadet, during an annual camp at RAF Wyton.
Even recently, while working at Kemble airfield, I was desperate to go and check out the Canberra on the other side of the airfield (Oh, and the Buccaneer too)
Green Flash. Top picture
Rightly or wrongly I developed an affection for Canberra's when I was an air cadet, during an annual camp at RAF Wyton.
Even recently, while working at Kemble airfield, I was desperate to go and check out the Canberra on the other side of the airfield (Oh, and the Buccaneer too)
Green Flash. Top picture
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I understand that a Munitions Company has taken over at Faldingworth and that the locals are up in arms because of the loud bangs that go off at all times of the day.
When I was stationed at Honington, if I had the go in for "night flying", I would have to pass Barnham which in the middle of nowhere. I always had this uneasy feeling that I was being watched. One night I decided to stop the car on that stretch of road and within seconds I was lit up like a Christmas tree from searchlights coming from the facility. You can still see the four observation towers on the perimeter and the very large assembly buildings at: 52 23 08.74N 0 43 11.99E on Google World.
I understand that a Munitions Company has taken over at Faldingworth and that the locals are up in arms because of the loud bangs that go off at all times of the day.
When I was stationed at Honington, if I had the go in for "night flying", I would have to pass Barnham which in the middle of nowhere. I always had this uneasy feeling that I was being watched. One night I decided to stop the car on that stretch of road and within seconds I was lit up like a Christmas tree from searchlights coming from the facility. You can still see the four observation towers on the perimeter and the very large assembly buildings at: 52 23 08.74N 0 43 11.99E on Google World.
Faldingworth & Barnham
When I visited Faldingworth back in 2001 there was a BAe testing “facility” which was in operation and was the reason for the tight security around the whole site and the escort who would only allow me to photograph certain areas. Most of this can now be seen on Google as it uses parts of the old nuclear storage area and buildings.
At Barnham the old nuclear storage site has been in civilian hands for many years and has total open access. I again last visited in 2001 but you could walk around (even go up the towers if you were feeling brave as they were looking a bit worse for wear) and go into the storage buildings which are now split up into small industrial units inside. Lots of photos on the web link from earlier post if you are interested. You may have been seeing the RAF accommodation and training site at Barnham which is close by, just adjacent to the A134, and which certainly back then was occupied and patrolled by RAF Regt.
At Barnham the old nuclear storage site has been in civilian hands for many years and has total open access. I again last visited in 2001 but you could walk around (even go up the towers if you were feeling brave as they were looking a bit worse for wear) and go into the storage buildings which are now split up into small industrial units inside. Lots of photos on the web link from earlier post if you are interested. You may have been seeing the RAF accommodation and training site at Barnham which is close by, just adjacent to the A134, and which certainly back then was occupied and patrolled by RAF Regt.
The book, "Blind Mans Buff" about US (and some UK) submarine int gathering ops is also a very good read.
At some cockers P or other, mates are in conversation with some ex-Sov. Mil type. During the conversation, mate discloses that he lived in South Devon. "Ah - a very pretty part of England", remarked the Sov. Mate then askes how he knew that, given that there were big restrictions on where he could travel when in the UK.
"Was not a problem. You see, I was on submarines" came the reply....
OK, it works both ways. I had a CO who had "driven" both N subs and a Frigate. As CO of the Frigate he visited Murmansk for some Artic Convoy memorial with various senior people on board. The Rusian Pilot is reported to have commented that "Captain, it must be strange coming in to Murmansk after all these years". The reply was "Oh, its not so strange, I have been here before, although I didn't need a pilot on board to show me the way before".
I know this is an aviation forum so I'll just clarify that the "pilot" in this instance is a navigational specialist & does not wear "wings".
I know this is an aviation forum so I'll just clarify that the "pilot" in this instance is a navigational specialist & does not wear "wings".
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I seem to recall having recently read that none other than Geoff Wellum
[author of the magnificent 'First Light] was involved in early post war spy flights over USSR in Washingtons. Can't remember the title tho'
[author of the magnificent 'First Light] was involved in early post war spy flights over USSR in Washingtons. Can't remember the title tho'
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Oh how things change. Since 2001 there have been Open Skies Treaty missions flying all over Russia taking as many pictures as we like. In fact we have a Team heading up towards the Kola Peninsula as I write, and its only a few weeks since we were over Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Oh and yes, they do exactly the same over the UK. That's what those Op GREENFINCH (UNCLAS!) signals are about - but I have yet to work out why they almost always want to fly over at least one of the London Airports!
As a 'Cold War Warrior', I have to say it's really strange to walk into Red Square for the first time with a bunch of Russians, especially military officers!
Back to 814man, did any of those 'tree' buildings contain these?:
STH
Oh and yes, they do exactly the same over the UK. That's what those Op GREENFINCH (UNCLAS!) signals are about - but I have yet to work out why they almost always want to fly over at least one of the London Airports!
As a 'Cold War Warrior', I have to say it's really strange to walk into Red Square for the first time with a bunch of Russians, especially military officers!
Back to 814man, did any of those 'tree' buildings contain these?:
STH