I was slightly older than you at the time, but as a UAS cadet I wrote to OC ETPS requesting a visit and was invited down for two days. I was shown around all the a/c and chatted to the senior tutors both rw and FW. The only down side was that the Hunter went u/s so my promised sortie in that was cancelled and I got 1.5 hours in the Andover with a couple of guys doing SCT. Mind you, I got to stall it and doo steep turns as well as assymetric, which was all a novelty after the Bulldog.
As others have said, write and you'll be suprised I'm sure; nothing ventured nothing gained.
BTW has ITPS moved to Coventry now? I thought it was at Woodford after moving from Cranfield.
Under JAR, you can now solo at 16, so not such a wait after all.
------------------
Another day in paradise