The Good Old Days ???
Bof,
1. You exagerate "it rarely featured more than a couple of paragraphs in the press."
The local press may be, often didn't even make the nationals.
2. "They'd got caught out by weather" Met was still a bit crude.
Losses at 2ANS, Thorney Island (probably considered a low risk operation) in 12 months '57/'58 2 Varsitys, 1 Valetta and several Vampires. The Vampires were not flying accidents, they were parked too close together and one self ignited and destroyed 2 or 3 of its neighbours!
Cor 35 thou. I always wanted a ride in a Meteor. Afore mentioned NF10s struggled to get to +30.
Aircrew intake at that time was probably about 1000 a year.
Edit
Final Paragraph deleted as Art Field has posted his correct quote below.
Thanks Art.
Last edited by Pom Pax; 29th Oct 2002 at 23:04.