View Full Version : Gnat / Hunter formation pics---and 1953
Krystal n chips
4th Oct 2006, 15:44
Clearing the family house and amazed at what I find. I originally posted this on the Mil site, but no response other than one person with whom I am in touch. So. I found seven b/w shots taken of the Gnat / Hunter formation at Valley c 71 / 72 --I think ?. Two show the Gnat line on the day--the rest ar air to air showing the formation and one shows Gnats taxying.
I also found a copy of the Great Events of the Year 1953---included in which are various shots of the Comet,Swift and Hunter, a shot of the review at Odiham ( 318 aircraft and 3000 personnel on parade ! ) another showing a line of Canberra's at LHR---still a construction site then and nothing has changed I know---plus a Tudor ? and a Comet. There is also a shot of the winning crew, the event in question being the England -New Zealand Air Race.
These shots may well be of interest to some here---there again, they may not of course. However, assuming they are and for general interest, would anybody be able to copy and post them at all please. I can't and I certainly couldn't take the ones from the book---however, others here may well have the expertise.
I also found a BEA holiday booklet---complete with pics of the fleet----inc Comet, Vanguard and--Herald. Plus an advert for Rothmans being offered by a Captain-----times have changed somewhat!.
Flaps ten please
5th Oct 2006, 06:19
Would love to see the pics but can't find them - where exactly did you post them before?
Krystal n chips
5th Oct 2006, 10:32
Would love to see the pics but can't find them - where exactly did you post them before?
Erm that's because I haven't ---as yet :) ---however----this may well be rectified in the near (ish ) future as a result of a couple of PM's :ok:
Watch this space please
jindabyne
5th Oct 2006, 10:33
Been in the attic - don't know if these are of interest ------
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10309.jpg
Valley 74
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10305.jpg
Valley 74
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10310.jpg
Valley 73
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10308.jpg
Valley Mar75
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10306.jpg
Valley Sep75
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10307.jpg
Valley Sep75
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10311.jpg
Chivenor 69
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10312.jpg
Chivenor 69
Gainesy
5th Oct 2006, 14:45
Nice pics Jindy.
Anybody else remember when we had an air force?
fantom
5th Oct 2006, 16:12
ah well, the kneeling chap second from the right in Jinda's first piccy is sporting 208's evil-eye arm badge. As I recall, that was a Bolton production in about 1970. I don't recognise him. any ideas?
Flt Lt (as was) C M Phillips
blaireau
6th Oct 2006, 05:16
IIRC they are L-R Nick Spiller, Mike Philips, Mal Grosse, and Ron Pattinson.
As Fantom says, the winged eye was one of my productions. So was the FIRQ-SAIQ tie. Anyone still got one?
GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU
6th Oct 2006, 06:48
Great pictures, thank you for sharing them. Will you be posting the others? The prospect of seeing a Tudor is quite tantalising.
jindabyne
6th Oct 2006, 09:45
blaireau
--- almost right; the guy on the left though is Phil Langrill
jindabyne
6th Oct 2006, 10:05
- the attic's revealing its secrets!
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/jindabyne/Mira10315.jpg
A mottley collection from 229 OCU
BEagle
6th Oct 2006, 19:19
Those pics from 1974 bring back many happy memories of Valley! I was lucky enough to have been a (pretty crap) student on both the Gnat and the Hunter.....but can still almost smell the Avtur and Avpin now.
Marvellous times - Valley life was pretty good as you had to make the most of it. No dual carriageway, only the Menai bridge and at least an hour to get off the island back then.
The Sandymount was our Sunday watering hole - and the Dragon Room in the OM (ahh.....Mary's legs!) a good late evening source of food after too many sherbets in the bar.
Did anyone ever end up marrying Jane-Anne.......??
..and what happened to 'Horizontal Hilary' with the hinged ankles....................
Mark22
7th Oct 2006, 21:58
Herewith, posted on behalf of 'krystal n chips' 21 Gnats and 6 Hunters in formation.
PeterA
1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-001.jpg
2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-002.jpg
3
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-003.jpg
4
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-004.jpg
5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-005.jpg
6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-006.jpg
7
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/HLCollection-007.jpg
Krystal n chips
8th Oct 2006, 07:57
My thanks to Mark22 for his efforts:ok: Hope you enjoy the shots.
I have to admit to being in the first photo----the third or fourth Gnat along from the right as I recall ---as I was "co-opted" on a "you, you and you etc" basis to make up the numbers on the Line for the day in question.
Wader2
10th Oct 2006, 10:15
Mike P is not a dozen miles away, I shall have to tell him his even more famous than he thought.
fantom
10th Oct 2006, 12:43
Mark22's picture of No 39 in the front reminded me of something:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b236/minlgw/39course.jpg
OPSQUEEN
10th Oct 2006, 16:58
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n97/OPSQUEEN/TowerbuzzingatLiverpool.jpg
ACW418
10th Oct 2006, 20:32
Jindabyne,
Splendid photos. Is the chap in the middle of your photo in post #11 Tony McKeown?
ACW
jindabyne
11th Oct 2006, 07:50
ACW
Spot on! Known as The Mekon to his mates. Left as an Air Cdre - think he then joined GEC? Last saw him at Langkawi airshow around '96.
Mark22
11th Oct 2006, 14:57
Jindabyne,
After the red smoke had cleared. :)
PeterA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%203/TowerbuzzingatLiverpool.jpg
ACW418
11th Oct 2006, 15:31
Jindabyne
Joined the RAF on the same day and did all our training together. Still owes me a fiver for repairs to a blown up Mini engine at Syerston. It was an own goal as he was showing us how the Mini engine would rev when it went bang. Might add Mini's were still a bit new and special in 1963.
Flew a lot with Pete Jennings (the Mekons instructor on JP's) as lead formation with Tony on our wing - he was incredible and could not be shaken off.
Anyone know an email address for him.
ACW
jindabyne
11th Oct 2006, 18:31
ACW
You would've been on the course behind me at Syerston. I well recall Mekon's arrival in the bar on the Sunday evening prior to his course-start!!!