SAR Wing Finningley 1980's

[7of9]

Here is a photo taken at RAF Finningley back in the early 1980's.
My dad Ex Chief Tech Bill Marshall gave me the photo to display. There is no photographers name on the said photo so assuming that it was taken by the Photography section at Finningley.

Bill is Back row 2nd person from the left.
Anyone recognise them selves or want to add names to the faces???




Hope this brings happy memorise to someone, by the way for those of you who knew Bill, he's still going strong & will be 80 years old in November this year.

Cheers Trev

[startermotor]

C/T Bill Marshall

Hi Trev,
I was at Finningley (HQ SAR Wing) Engine Bay, from late 1984 to Jan 88.
I worked with Bill before being posted to Cyprus.
He used to amuse me with many a story about his RAF career.
I have to say, he was one of the old school C/Ts and one of the nicest guys I have had the pleasure of working for.
I am writing this at work during my lunch break and unfortunately can't view the picture, I will look at it tonight to see if I recognise any one.

Is he still playing golf?

Regards

Paul

[7of9]

Hi Paul,
No he doesn't play golf any more, he's 80 in November & usual ailments that our seniors have are applying to him, he gave up about 5 years ago.

Trev.

[startermotor]

I just wondered if he was still playing, as I knew it was one of his great passions.
He was always a very fit guy, and took great pleasure in telling the whole team, that during a medical he undertook at the age of 50 (I think), that he hadn't gained even one pound since he joined up.
I will look at the pic tonight and let you know if there are any familiar faces.

Paul

[Biggles225]

If its the same Bill Marshall I remember, has he still got the stone gnome that gave us all such amusement? If it isn't this will be wasted!!

[7of9]

Not sure what you mean by the "stone gnome" so will ask dad later & maybe shed light on it.

Trev

[threeputt]

I was a Navigator Instructor, on 6FTS, between 1980 and 84 and also a station golfer. Your dad and I, Mike Cummins and Mick Feeney represented the station on many occasions. Your dad was a great competitor who didn't like to lose. Please give him my warmest regards.I've got a photograph somewhere showing us all with a trophy, I will try and dig it out.

3P (Jerry Gegg)

[c130jtechie]

Hi 7of9

I remember your Dad, a Sooty if I am correct, a great character, I'm sure I'm 2nd row from the front fifth one in and I'm sure that's Rodger Pylon sat next to me in the light blue shirt (If the photo was betweem 1982 and 1985.

All the very best to Bill.

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Slightly off thread, but I hope people reading this thread might be able to help...

Does anyone know names and dates of Flt Cdrs on 1564 Flt from when it started in the Falklands in 1983 until it was absorbed into 78 Sqn in 1986? This is a genuine request as I am involved in creating a Flt Cdrs board for the current unit at MPA; the Air Historical Branch and National Archive have supplied information for 1564 Flt's existence in the 1940s and 1960s, but surprisingly they have virtually nothing for the 1980s.

Any posts or PMs would be much appreciated.

[Gainesy]

Front row, second from right, (chap with Mars bar in top left pocket) looks a bit like Roland "Jacko" Jackson, ex-Witt Harrier rigger.

[Arclite01]

Is that a Whirlwind in the centre at the back ?? - when did they go out of service on the SAR flights ??

Arc

[7of9]

Yes it is a Whirlwind, & they were retired not long after the photo was taken.
Sorry i can't give you a date but sure someone else will soon.

Trev

[Adam Nams]

Does anyone know names and dates of Flt Cdrs on 1564 Flt from when it started in the Falklands in 1983

I am sure that John Prince was one of them......
or was that 1983 Flt in 1564?

He used to tell me that when they operated from the first base (Navy Point?) they only ever had one file, which the adj (Eric Cox IIRC) used to carry arround with him. Not sure if it was officially 1564 Flt at that point.

I am involved in creating a Flt Cdrs board for the current unit at MPA

Is the DVD player U/S?

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Adam,

Seeing as you were helpful, I won't bite...!

TOTD

[Lingo Dan]

I'm pretty sure that SARTU at Valley was the last unit to operate the Whirlwind. The Wessex arrived early in 1981 and we delivered the Whirlwinds to Leconfield on 4 Feb 81. My logbook shows 1.35 in XP 353.

[sycamore]

Arc and 7of9, last WW was XJ729,last flight 17 Dec 81, .o5 mins,track check, day after they`d been grounded in UK;well,you just have to get airborne,if you suddenly get `ground resonance` after a blade change...! 84 in AK still operated for a bit; `729` still flies in civil guise.G-BVGE.

[teeteringhead]

I'm pretty sure that SARTU at Valley was the last unit to operate the Whirlwind

...didn't 84 have them later than SARTU? Or don't they count as SAR ..... (they certainly didn't count as SH! )

[Lingo Dan]

Reckon you're right about 84 Sqn being the last. I'd forgotten about them!

[SinkingMallard]

Any chance of posting a higher resolution photo so we can zoom in a bit?

[Al R]

Mallard,

Have you tried pressing your <control> key on your keyboard and scrolling your mouse wheel at the same time? That changes the size of screen images.