Marking the End of RAF Maritime Air Engineers
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Marking the End of RAF Maritime Air Engineers
There will be a Marime Air Engs Day, at RAF Kinloss, on Friday 9 April, to mark the end of RAF air engineering in the maritime role.
It will be the end of an era spanning 70 years, commencing with young LACs solely monitoring the engines for the old and bold pilots on Catalinas in 1940, to the present day with old Master Engineers, chastising young pilots for flying the Nimrod MR2 too low, while still watching the engines, etc.
Anyone who has ever flown as an eng on the Kipper fleet is welcome to come to Kinloss and meet us (again, in some cases) and chat about the old days over a few drinks. In the morning we will be meet up on CXX Sqn and hopefully have a Nimrod available for a final "walk round". A sim will be available for anyone wishing to have a look. We will then have a Top Table Lunch (jacket and tie/lounge suit, please) in the Sgts Mess followed by an afternoon in the bar. The day will probably end with a visit to the Beastie.
On base accommodation, if required for the nights of Thu 8 and Fri 9th can be arranged.
If you want to come, please contact either myself (01309 617257) or FS "Spud" Henderson on CXX Sqn (01309 617625), who is the proj off. Those of us with a good memory will note that, after all these years, the CXX Eng Office tel number has not changed..7625
Hope to hear from you, soon and looking forward to meeting you again.
Best Regards
Kev Nurse
It will be the end of an era spanning 70 years, commencing with young LACs solely monitoring the engines for the old and bold pilots on Catalinas in 1940, to the present day with old Master Engineers, chastising young pilots for flying the Nimrod MR2 too low, while still watching the engines, etc.
Anyone who has ever flown as an eng on the Kipper fleet is welcome to come to Kinloss and meet us (again, in some cases) and chat about the old days over a few drinks. In the morning we will be meet up on CXX Sqn and hopefully have a Nimrod available for a final "walk round". A sim will be available for anyone wishing to have a look. We will then have a Top Table Lunch (jacket and tie/lounge suit, please) in the Sgts Mess followed by an afternoon in the bar. The day will probably end with a visit to the Beastie.
On base accommodation, if required for the nights of Thu 8 and Fri 9th can be arranged.
If you want to come, please contact either myself (01309 617257) or FS "Spud" Henderson on CXX Sqn (01309 617625), who is the proj off. Those of us with a good memory will note that, after all these years, the CXX Eng Office tel number has not changed..7625
Hope to hear from you, soon and looking forward to meeting you again.
Best Regards
Kev Nurse
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Kev,
I'm not part of your particular gang but I guess you're continuing the trend started at Cranwell 4 years ago which will result in further p**s ups to commemorate the last Air Engineer AT, AAR & ISTAR sorties.
IF
I'm not part of your particular gang but I guess you're continuing the trend started at Cranwell 4 years ago which will result in further p**s ups to commemorate the last Air Engineer AT, AAR & ISTAR sorties.
IF
Unfortunately will not be able to make it as its a long trip from here in NZ. Please pass on my regards to all old and new. Was 120 crew 6 79-82 then sim sqn before going to Finningley for 3 years then onto Hercs so there may be a few that remember me.
Best regards
Fergi
Best regards
Fergi
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Hey Kev,
How you doing??
Do you know of any general send-off party for the MR2? I heard something about a hangar party at the end of March but no details.
Any news would be appreciated
cheers
rich
How you doing??
Do you know of any general send-off party for the MR2? I heard something about a hangar party at the end of March but no details.
Any news would be appreciated
cheers
rich
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Kev
Good on you for organising this Kipper Eng (MRA4 speak 'USMS') send-off, hope it goes well and you get a good take-up. There are many fine Eng's in your cadre and quite a few animals, who kept the knockers amused and the management apoplectic! Suffice it to say, we will miss the experience, expertise and total professionalism of this small, but illustrious band of aircrew.
Hate to put a spanner in the works though buddy:
you may wish to check the availability wrt a secret Scottish airbase's bolthole arrangements as promulgated in the Northern Jock this week.
Good on you for organising this Kipper Eng (MRA4 speak 'USMS') send-off, hope it goes well and you get a good take-up. There are many fine Eng's in your cadre and quite a few animals, who kept the knockers amused and the management apoplectic! Suffice it to say, we will miss the experience, expertise and total professionalism of this small, but illustrious band of aircrew.
Hate to put a spanner in the works though buddy:
On base accommodation, if required for the nights of Thu 8 and Fri 9th can be arranged
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I started my Maritime career as a Flight Engineer on Lancasters and Shackletons and finished on the Nimrod, with a few years off on Hastings / Britannia / Belfast for good behaviour. I subsequently found civilian flying, 707 / Tristar, boring but far more remunerative. Without a doubt my crew co-operation skills were learned in RAF cockpit environments before Cockpit Resource Management became such a catch phrase, I never thought of myself as a "resource", I was part of some of the best crews in the world. I wish I could be with you again for the final sortie but I live far away in a sunnier land. Good luck to all the departing Eng's, you've had some damn' good training and you'll be valuable assets wherever you go.
Kev,
As one of those who was always grateful to have you sitting behind me, best wishes to you and all your cardre. I still bore young co-piots telling them how much better it is when you have a proper Flt Eng with you!
MM
As one of those who was always grateful to have you sitting behind me, best wishes to you and all your cardre. I still bore young co-piots telling them how much better it is when you have a proper Flt Eng with you!
MM
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Ginger beers.
As an ex-Kipper Fleet Shack skipper my I say thank you to all the Engs I had the pleasure to fly with (except one who did not last very long-- whose reaction to my saying to my co pilot Gear Up was to select M gear during a max all up take off using water meth; to say the aircraft shuddered would be an understatement!!!
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Fergi, didn't think a few miles would stop you from attending a p*** up.
I'm hoping to get up there, emailed the guys I am still in touch with, hopefully someone has contact details for the likes of Phil Coulson, John Garrett, Andy Mohun, and the rest, not sure I'll be able to cope!
I'm hoping to get up there, emailed the guys I am still in touch with, hopefully someone has contact details for the likes of Phil Coulson, John Garrett, Andy Mohun, and the rest, not sure I'll be able to cope!
Only trouble with Kipper Fleet F.E.s was their appetite. When food was coming forward from the Galley, A remark about " does that oil leak on No 3 look as if its getting worse Eng" would get them looking out of their little window just long enough to get the pilots food past them without any of it disappearing. Apart from that, worth their weight in something or other.
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Sad end
Guys have a great piss up I have many fond memories flying with some great guys, mentored by some very bad ones in the pubs/messes.
I learnt some very important lessons from the gingers:
1. never punch above your weight
2. make sure your fingertips touch when you hug her
3. take a mate if she fails 1&2.
Sitting here today because of an engineers professionalism.
Have fun Shaggers
Charlie sends
I learnt some very important lessons from the gingers:
1. never punch above your weight
2. make sure your fingertips touch when you hug her
3. take a mate if she fails 1&2.
Sitting here today because of an engineers professionalism.
Have fun Shaggers
Charlie sends
young LACs solely monitoring the engines for the old and bold pilots on Catalinas in 1940, to the present day with old Master Engineers
Have a great time - will be thinking of you all. Best of luck for the future.
Adam (ex Kipper)
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The Food Filter
Oxenos, you are so right.
Rumour has it that just to make the pilots feel at home, all the sandwiches will have an Enge-sized bite taken out of them.
Rumour has it that just to make the pilots feel at home, all the sandwiches will have an Enge-sized bite taken out of them.
Grizz dont know what you mean......me drink no way never. Hope you are well keep off the Guiness when you do get up there, I would love to be there and see everyone again.
Regards
from the antipodes
Fergi
Regards
from the antipodes
Fergi
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Kev,
Very best wishes to you and all the kipper fleet Eng's.
I would just like to echo what charlie launcher wrote:
"Sitting here today because of an engineers professionalism"
That says it all really and probably applies to a lot of us!
Best wishes
Terry
Very best wishes to you and all the kipper fleet Eng's.
I would just like to echo what charlie launcher wrote:
"Sitting here today because of an engineers professionalism"
That says it all really and probably applies to a lot of us!
Best wishes
Terry
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Kev
Sorry but unable to make it up for the celebrations next month.
Remember arriving on CXX as a fresh faced sergeant just as Coulson, Garret and Irvin had been banned from the mess for the “ice bucket” incident. Went on my first Rum Punch with “Tetsi” and learned that you could play hard but still be professional at your job. Memories of good times and lost memories of even better ones!
Hope you all have a great day and look forward to seeing some of the guys flying with us down south.
TP
Sorry but unable to make it up for the celebrations next month.
Remember arriving on CXX as a fresh faced sergeant just as Coulson, Garret and Irvin had been banned from the mess for the “ice bucket” incident. Went on my first Rum Punch with “Tetsi” and learned that you could play hard but still be professional at your job. Memories of good times and lost memories of even better ones!
Hope you all have a great day and look forward to seeing some of the guys flying with us down south.
TP
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Just like to reiterate what has already been said many times. I always thought the only one in the whole crew who knew how it worked was the Eng. A fantastic bunch of people. The first one I met was dear old Sam Gamble, now sadly long gone, but what a man and you were all the same. Have a great party.
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Air Engs
Kev,
Damn shame all around, met some top Air Engs whilst in the DS including yourself of course. Any word on Nimrods doing the rounds of local airfields? I left mob last year and now an ATCO at Wick. Have a top piss up!
cheers,
Neil Mac
Damn shame all around, met some top Air Engs whilst in the DS including yourself of course. Any word on Nimrods doing the rounds of local airfields? I left mob last year and now an ATCO at Wick. Have a top piss up!
cheers,
Neil Mac