Meteor Accident Statistics
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"Porky" Munro
Porky was in RAFO (then SOAF) from about 1976 and started as Sqn Ldr (Ops) Flighters. He progressed to command Thumrait and then moved to take command of Masirah when SOAF's second Jag Sqn formed there. I was lucky enough to serve with him at both those bases. He was then promoted again and moved to HQ where he was Director of Operations. He suffered a severe stroke and retired back to UK where he had another 10 years of life during which he made a remarkable recovery thanks to the great support of his wife Gerry. I went to his funeral which was attended by many faces from the past and there was a Harrier fly-past, a fitting tribute to a man who had been on the Tripartite Trial Squadron flying 1127s or the very first military Harriers. A fine aviator, a firm and fair leader and a generous and frequent host for massive meals and loads of drinks in his various Oman residences.
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AFS Strubby
Can we hear a bit more about AFS Strubby ?
When I came to it in late 1961, it seems to have been the rearguard for all the thousands of Meteor pilots that had gone onto other aircraft or into the night.
As a corollary to the old stories of taking one’s aircraft away for weekend, I could mention how easy it was to join such a unit. Its function was to get up to speed pilots leaving ground tours for a jet posting. I was long-legged enough to be Meteor qualified already. When I found that I was being put on a later Canberra course than I expected, one telephone call to Strubby did it !
Bliss to be more or less unsupervised. I took part only as a spectator in the horrendous dogfights the instructors enjoyed. Otherwise I self-briefed myself into an F8 whenever it had no more deserving customer. A good way to learn: I particularly remember learning very briskly from a jaunt around Lincolnshire under low cloud - recognising just in time the stout steel legs at the very base of the radar mast of Saxton Wold for which I had been quite unprepared.
Naturally, as a very new pilot I was impressed by and wary of the instructors. It was not that they were united by experience but rather that they were so different. Puddy Catt has been mentioned more than once. (Bill ?) Loverseed later became a founding Red Arrow. There was a quiet Sqn Ldr, perhaps the unit commander or perhaps a student but marked out by the ribbon of the George Medal. There was one instructor whose only secondary duty seemed to be to manage the evening appointments of his hairdresser daughter, disposing duty young officer stints to each of us in turn.
The unit display pilot was “Rory” Rorison, of whom I never heard again. An unprepossessing figure on the ground, resolutely unwilling to do his promotion exams so that he remained Fg Off perhaps for ever, his display seemed to be a matter of refining the distinction between concrete and aluminium. I never found out if he toned down his display for public consumption, which would not be in character, or if in fact Strubby wisely kept him to itself.
When I came to it in late 1961, it seems to have been the rearguard for all the thousands of Meteor pilots that had gone onto other aircraft or into the night.
As a corollary to the old stories of taking one’s aircraft away for weekend, I could mention how easy it was to join such a unit. Its function was to get up to speed pilots leaving ground tours for a jet posting. I was long-legged enough to be Meteor qualified already. When I found that I was being put on a later Canberra course than I expected, one telephone call to Strubby did it !
Bliss to be more or less unsupervised. I took part only as a spectator in the horrendous dogfights the instructors enjoyed. Otherwise I self-briefed myself into an F8 whenever it had no more deserving customer. A good way to learn: I particularly remember learning very briskly from a jaunt around Lincolnshire under low cloud - recognising just in time the stout steel legs at the very base of the radar mast of Saxton Wold for which I had been quite unprepared.
Naturally, as a very new pilot I was impressed by and wary of the instructors. It was not that they were united by experience but rather that they were so different. Puddy Catt has been mentioned more than once. (Bill ?) Loverseed later became a founding Red Arrow. There was a quiet Sqn Ldr, perhaps the unit commander or perhaps a student but marked out by the ribbon of the George Medal. There was one instructor whose only secondary duty seemed to be to manage the evening appointments of his hairdresser daughter, disposing duty young officer stints to each of us in turn.
The unit display pilot was “Rory” Rorison, of whom I never heard again. An unprepossessing figure on the ground, resolutely unwilling to do his promotion exams so that he remained Fg Off perhaps for ever, his display seemed to be a matter of refining the distinction between concrete and aluminium. I never found out if he toned down his display for public consumption, which would not be in character, or if in fact Strubby wisely kept him to itself.
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A good way to learn: I particularly remember learning very briskly from a jaunt around Lincolnshire under low cloud - recognising just in time the stout steel legs at the very base of the radar mast of Saxton Wold for which I had been quite unprepared.
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Ah Strubby, a Flight Lieutenant station in 61-62 when I did a refresher there. There was a Sqn Ldr Simpson as the boss but he lived out and nobody above Flt Lt lived in. Post night flying meals were often served by Red Coats from Butlins at Skeggy and the bar had somewhat flexible hours.
There was a four Meteor formation team with Rory, Bill, Dennis Edwards and one other who I am not sure about but it may have been F/O Saunders. Unfortunately the Meteor was still showing its nasty side and my instructor, F/S Jock Black was killed on an asymmetric check with a student.
Also at Strubby were some Hunters used by Wg Cdrs on the Flying College course. For some of them this was rather beyond their skills, it was not unusual to hear "Breaking, breaking, go", look up and see a single Hunter. Wait five minutes and three more shambled in from all directions.
There was a four Meteor formation team with Rory, Bill, Dennis Edwards and one other who I am not sure about but it may have been F/O Saunders. Unfortunately the Meteor was still showing its nasty side and my instructor, F/S Jock Black was killed on an asymmetric check with a student.
Also at Strubby were some Hunters used by Wg Cdrs on the Flying College course. For some of them this was rather beyond their skills, it was not unusual to hear "Breaking, breaking, go", look up and see a single Hunter. Wait five minutes and three more shambled in from all directions.
Not exactly Strubby, but in 1959 I did a Piston Refresher Course at it's other half - Manby. Never did know why I needed a piston refresher before being posted on to Twin Pioneers in the Gulf when, apart from my Hastings second pilot job, I was averaging 30 hours a month on the Squadron Chipmunks and Anson. An oppo was on the Canberra course at Strubby at the same time so I used to visit the mess regularly. I remember the Grimmy competitions and a one-eyed fish gutter from Grimsby, who was banned from the mess because whoever got to her first always won the kitty! Borrowing a Piston Provost for a weekend away was never a problem in those carefree days.
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Meteor accidents
I am trying to find out more about my uncle, George Carthew, Pilot Officer, who was killed in a Meteor crash in August 1954, and is buried in Ilminster.
I don't really know how to search for information. Any ideas, guys?
Thanks
I don't really know how to search for information. Any ideas, guys?
Thanks
There were four Meteor accidents in August 1954.
09/08/1954 WK936 Mk 8 245 Sqn Crashed into hangar on ground attack.
16/08/1954 WA966 Mk 8 CFE Lost control in cloud and spun in.
27/08/1954 WH458 Mk 8 RAFFC Lost control and spun in.
27/08/1954 WH190 Mk 7 206 AFS Lost control and spun in.
09/08/1954 WK936 Mk 8 245 Sqn Crashed into hangar on ground attack.
16/08/1954 WA966 Mk 8 CFE Lost control in cloud and spun in.
27/08/1954 WH458 Mk 8 RAFFC Lost control and spun in.
27/08/1954 WH190 Mk 7 206 AFS Lost control and spun in.
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Meatbox crashes
As a Fireman at Brawdy 75-79 I can remember seven+Hunters lost , but no Meteors. Although these gorgeous planes were only used for target towing and as an occasional weather kite, the only damage that I can remember these aircraft sustaining were 30mm shell holes in the fuselage(which then got the sticky tape treatment!) caused by some crosseyed would-be jockey!
The most popular ,by far, Pilot of these sorties was Flt Lt Catt , and looking back, it was no wonder the man carried a hip-flask and his pipe!
The most popular ,by far, Pilot of these sorties was Flt Lt Catt , and looking back, it was no wonder the man carried a hip-flask and his pipe!
GeoAC - I share your opinion of Brawdy, having been a sutdent there in 1976. Lucky enough to get a handful of Meatbox back seat trips as well!
'Puddy' Catt was indeed a great character. There was a rumour going around that he'd popped his clogs a few years ago, but that was later found to be false. Hopefully he's still around the Brawdy area, with that booming voice ordering people to "Take beer!" with him in a local pub......
'Puddy' Catt was indeed a great character. There was a rumour going around that he'd popped his clogs a few years ago, but that was later found to be false. Hopefully he's still around the Brawdy area, with that booming voice ordering people to "Take beer!" with him in a local pub......
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risbutler-
Could Rory Rorison be the Flg Off concerned in the great story I was told about the AOC's inspection at Strubby?
AOC meeting pilots in the crew-room, CO introduces said Fg Off...
AOC recognises him from last year, when he had commented on his failure to take the promotion exam, never mind pass it.
AOC: Hello ......., why are you still a Flying Officer?
Fg Off: Because we don't have sergeant pilots anymore, Sir!
Great story, should be on "wish I hadn't said that", I suppose.
'Wish I'd said it!
Could Rory Rorison be the Flg Off concerned in the great story I was told about the AOC's inspection at Strubby?
AOC meeting pilots in the crew-room, CO introduces said Fg Off...
AOC recognises him from last year, when he had commented on his failure to take the promotion exam, never mind pass it.
AOC: Hello ......., why are you still a Flying Officer?
Fg Off: Because we don't have sergeant pilots anymore, Sir!
Great story, should be on "wish I hadn't said that", I suppose.
'Wish I'd said it!
One of Martin Baker's very smart Meteor 7-and-a-halves just went past on the instrument approach to Brize. Great to see these venerable old jets still working for a living...