Linton will always have a very special place in my heart; 136 Helicopter Specialist Course with some wonderful personalities and excellent instructors. Great runs ashore in Ripon (teachers’ training college) and many great local hostelries with a great bunch of fellow trainees. Beating the toll bridge on the way home, illegal firing range in the cellar of the H block, harry doggers over Pilmore Junction and bouncing the CFI and Stn Cdr in my mighty Chipmunk (nearly got me chopped!). Final landing on FHT when I managed to bounce (major!) on a short landing and nearly dinked the prop but still stopped on the piano keys! Poor brakes in TL’s Ford Popular, which were supplemented by opening the (rearward opening) front doors.
I can still smell the leather and high-octane fuel, not to mention the occasional bit of vomit.
Swing the lamp!
Mog