I learned that it was time the RAF spent out for some decent IFR kit.
Puma: One VOR box (no Y channels, mind). One DME. One ATC radio. No mode C. No ILS. And a bloody boat nav - Decca, with turret switches in it, a "clockwork" navaid, like something out of a Jules Verne film! Oh yes - and a compass card with no heading bug on it but a redundant ADF needle, not connected to anything at all.
Bulldog: No IFR navaids whatsoever. However, we were often required to instruct VMC on top after a back bearing departure to keep us out of CAS. We would then obtain true bearings from local RAF stations to keep us over the correct county. For us the "Trent beacon" was plumes from the power stations along the river Trent bubbling through the cloud, sometimes visible, sometimes not. We then did QGH airfield letdowns back into base. Barking mad, really, especially when we did close formation letdowns in solid IMC.