At Topcliffe for ATC camp in '71, Varsities were being used by Airman/Aircrew Training School. One departed for Gibraltar on the wednesday and we were told it would go u/s when it got there. The aircraft taking 'spares' out on thursday would also be going u/s, so they would both have to weekend there!
As for '679; as it landed one day on runway 29 at Farnborough, the controller noticed smoke from the main gear and advised the pilot, who replied noncholantly 'yeah I'm going off the end'!!