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Old 23rd Dec 2003, 16:05
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Argus
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Australia
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The Cold War

I've enjoyed reading the contributions to the Vulcan thread.

As a humble sprog at the time, I paid little attention to the comings and goings of the 'V' force, other than to admire the beauty of the aircraft in flight. It was only when I was 'Air Officer of the Day' during a V Force deployment to Lossie that I became aware of the large water pits and their purpose.

One of my other memories from those times is a visit to RAF Buchan. In the 60s, Lossiemouth boasted an ATC facility called "Moray Radar". From memory, the range of the radar (I think it was the Marconi S264) was about 160 nm. Coverage for high level intrepid aviators beyond 160 nm was provided by "Highland Radar", located at Buchan. We knew that Buchan existed - there was a large antenna in the field next door that was a dead give away. But the GCI site itself was shrouded in mystery.

One day, after prevailing on the SATCO, some colleagues and I drove over to find a 'bungalow' that really was a guardhouse and sentry post for entry to the bunker. After checking in at the bungalow guardhouse, we were duly escorted down into the bunker. I had an impression that "Highland Radar" and the GCI facility would be super state of the art facilities. I recall being somewhat less than impressed to discover a "coal hole" of an operations room with indifferent air conditioning and controllers using thick chinagraph pencils to plot targets and draw tracks on the radar screens. No computers or state of the art tracking devices - only the Mk 1 eyeball and a thick pencil lead between us and oblivion!

Next to each console was a bottle of meths – for wiping out the chinagraph, so we were told. Most people smoked in those days. I’ve often wondered what would have happened if some one had spilt meths in the cramped operating environment where there were many smokers.

All this to safeguard us against Ivan. Even Dr Strangelove would have raised an eyebrow!

Much better indeed was the regular SAR run around the northern Scottish coastline to check the stored fuel drums (usually in police stations) for water contamination (and to participate in local hospitality). It's churlish to refuse hospitality in Northern Scotland, and the number of engine oil leaks in the Whirlwind 9 was legendry, especially in the late afternoon.

A legacy of those times was my discovery of, and the beginning of a life time affair with, "Glen Morangie".

Ah, foolish but fun.

Last edited by Argus; 24th Dec 2003 at 04:52.
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