RAF Jet Provost aerobatic teams

[Amos Keeto]

We had great responses to the threads on the RAF Jet Provost teams, "The Macaws", the "Swords" and the Fleet Air Arm's "Simon's Sircus" aerobatic teams, which brought forward former pilots from these teams. Therefore, I wonder if there are any team members out there from any of the other RAF Jet Provost aerobatic teams from the 1960s- No.1 FTS "Gin Four" ,"Linton GIN" "The Blades"; No.2 FTS "The Vipers" ; CFS "Red Pelicans" or the "Cranwell Poachers" that would care to share their memorabilia and experiences? Also does anyone know if 7 FTS at Church Fenton had a Jet Provost aerobatic team in the 1960s?

[Gainesy]

From a bit of paper found in amongst some old (non-JP) pics t'other day. No idea who wrote it and this is all it says:

RAF JP Aerobatic Teams

Sparrows
Redskins
Red Pelicans
Black Jacks
Macaws
Magistrates
Vipers
Linton Gin
Blades
Gemini Pair
Poachers
Swords

I know Poachers were RAFC Cranwell, Macaws is Manby College of Air Warfare and Red Pelicans were CFS. Maybe someone can fill in the blanks?

[Amos Keeto]

Sparrows = CFS JP Mk.1s 1958
Redskins = CFS JP Mk.1 duo 1959
Red Pelicans = CFS JP.Mk.3/4/5 1960-73
Black Jacks = no idea!
Macaws = CAW JP T4s 1968-73
Magistrates = CAW JP T4s 1965-67
Vipers = 2 FTS JPT4s 1965-69
Linton Gin = 1 FTS JPT4s 1968-69 (known as Gin Four 1965-67)
Blades = 1 FTS JPT5s 1973
Gemini Pair = 3 FTS JPT5s 1971-74?
Poachers = RAFC JPT4s then '5s 1965?-76 (last JP team)
Swords = 3 FTS JPT5s 1974

The dates are off the top of my head, with the 'start' dates being a grey area. Now all we want are any pilots from these teams to just say 'hi'!

[pulse1]

If the Red Pelicans finished in 1973, probably the last team was:

Sqn Ldr I.C. Gibbs, Capt R.F. Lord USAF, Flt Lt W.B. Byron RAAF and Lt J.M. Edwards RN (sadly no longer with us). I only know because I still treasure one of their brochures to remember my one and only JP flight with Marcus Edwards in October 73.

[funflier44]

From memory 7 FTS at Church Fenton didn't have an aero team. I was there 1965-66.

[BeefyBoy]

I was a member of the "Cranwell Poachers" Groundcrew during the last two seasons 1975-76. The team was as below.

1975 Team

Team Leader - Sqn Ldr Peter Curtin
No 2 - Flt Lt Eddie Danks
No 3 - Flt Lt Martin Stoner
No 4 - Flt Lt Dave Webley
Team Manager - Flt Lt David Norris

1976 Team

Team Leader - Sqn Ldr Peter Curtin
No 2 - Flt Lt Philip Barham
No 3 - Flt Lt Martin Stoner
No 4 - Flt Lt Dave Webley
Team Manager - Fg Off Ken Claxton

I usually flew with Dave Webley or Martin Stoner

My name is George Dobie if any of the team see this and wonder who wrote it.

[forget]

My first RAF posting, 1961, was Acklington where the Piston Provosts were being replaced by JPs. Just after I'd left, late '62 I think, there was one disastrous day when a formation of JPs, either 4 or 6, followed the leader into a loop - but far too low. They all went in - not far from the control tower. But have I got this right? I can find nothing on the web, not even from the brilliant site on RAF Acklington -

http://www.raf-acklington.co.uk/index/Acklington/index.htm

[Amos Keeto]

The last Red Pelicans brochure I have is 1970. Is there any chance of getting scans of any brochures after that?

Many thanks

[Cranwell]

I was No 2 in the Red Pelicans in 1968 and Leader in 1969 flying JP4s.
In 1971, 72 and 73 I was Leader of the Cranwell Poachers
I do have all the team brochures of those years and a collection of relevant memorabilia.
Incidently we organised the inaugural annual gathering of the teams comprising the Red Arrows, Poachers, Red Pelicans, Blades, Macaws, Gemini and Blue Chips at Cranwell in early September 1971; quite a line up on the 'water-front'.

[Amos Keeto]

That would make you John Robinson? Welcome aboard and a very great pleasure to hear from you. If you do not have spare brochures from the Cranwell Poachers in '71 & '72, I would greatly appreciate scans of these. Will PM you about this and other JP info.

Thanks for making contact.

[BEagle]

The only connection I had with the Poachers was helping to build the 'Poachers' scruffs' bar behind the College Hall main bar in 1973/4 - although our engineer students were chiefly responsible. The Commandant drank the first pint on opening night - and the PMC (a Trenchard instructor) thought it was outstanding!

The walls were painted 'Poachers Blue' - and many framed aerobatic team photos were proudly displayed upon them. It was a wonderfully atmospheric little bar; sadly, when RAFC Cranwell was dumbed down to comprehensive status with the closure of that very inferior secondary modern school in Bedfordshire, the bar was closed :mad: And College Hall was never the same again..........:(

[alvin-sfc]

Message to Prune Probationer,Cranwell.
Hello, did you ever fly JP4 XSI86 OR 177.
If you did,do you have any photographs of those a/c? XS186 is currently under restoration at Metheringham with 177 being used as a source for parts.We would love to find more photos of these a/c when they were in service use. Thanks.:ok:

[Amos Keeto]

Hmm, hijacking my thread, eh Paul? Good luck!

Adrian

[alvin-sfc]

Sorry about that Amos. This isn't Paul but one of his restoration crew.:O :ok:

[dmussen]

Remember Flg.Off. "Dusty" Miller was the number two when I was training with 3 FTS. Can't remember the leaders name but do recall he went on to fly with the Rothman's team. Cheers,
D.

[jindabyne]

Googling reveals this - http://www.jetprovostheaven.com/jpteams/
But there's no mention of a Flt Lt Ron Pattinson who was certainly a member of the Geminini Pair at some point.

[eric humphreys]

Just read your comments,
I was groundcrew on the Poachers during the early 1970 season and flew with No 4 (I think Flt Lt Hill) great memories cut short by my long awaited fitters coarse.
Would love to contact Flt Lt Hill, Flt Lt Baker and any members of the team and replace lost photograph of groundcrew for that year
Kind Regards
Eric Humphreys

[Dick Whittingham]

I flew as box in the CFS team in 1961. Frank Brambley was leader. We were not painted red, and were not called "Red Pelicans" That PR stuff came later. Nevertheless , the 1960 and 1961 teams were recognised as "RAF" teams. We did The Paris Air Show, although I screwed up on the pairs bit, and Farnborough plus national and international air days.

The 1960 team, if memory serves, flew to Ghana for their Independence ceremony.

Dick W

[windriver]

Just come across a programme from the 1972 Tollerton Air Rally/Air Race meeting.... The Macaws displayed.

http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/macaws.jpg




PM if you'd like a Hi Res scanned copy

[Amos Keeto]

(QUOTE)

I flew as box in the CFS team in 1961. Frank Brambley was leader. We were not painted red, and were not called "Red Pelicans" That PR stuff came later. Nevertheless , the 1960 and 1961 teams were recognised as "RAF" teams. We did The Paris Air Show, although I screwed up on the pairs bit, and Farnborough plus national and international air days.

The 1960 team, if memory serves, flew to Ghana for their Independence ceremony.

Dick W

(UNQUOTE)

Hi Dick,

You don't mention the aircraft type or the team name, but I am guessing you flew a team of Vampire T.11s called "Pelican Red" (from your callsign)- right?

Adrian

[Dick Whittingham]

Nope. We were just called "The CFS Aerobatic Team" or, mostly "you lot". We flew JP3s in standard CFS livery, but we did have a smoke kit fitted in place of the right hand bang seat. We had minimal backup, and even had students allocated on the course at Rissie who we were supposed to teach on our days off. At Paris we were based at Creil/Senlis with the Lightning team, who stole all the transport leaving us to hire local jalopies.

Memory fades, but I think the next season the team went to 5, and got the red all-over paint sceme and the name "Red Pelicans"

Dick W

[Amos Keeto]

As I am working on a book on the Jet Provost, I thought I had all JP teams well documented. My records show that the first JP T.3s were delivered to CFS in June 1960 and they hastily formed an aerobatic team in time for Farnborough in September and were known as "The Pelicans" from then on, until the 1963 season for which they were repainted dayglo red and became the "Red Pelicans". Would greatly appreciate names of Leaders and team members for the 1960 and '61 seasons, as well as display schedules, should you have them?

Many thanks

Adrian

[FantomZorbin]

If it helps, the team in 1964 was as follows:

Sqn Ldr Paul M Worthington (Team Manager)
Flt Lt Terry E L Lloyd (Leader) 27 years old
Flt Lt Brian A Nice (No 2) 32 years
Flt Lt Bill A Langworthy (No 3) 29 years
Flt Lt Dennis F Southern (No 4) 32 years
Flt Lt H R (Bert) Lane (No 5) 41 years
Flt Lt Eric C F Tilsley (No 6) 37 years
Fg Off Bill Green (Team Engineering Officer) 25 years

Info taken from the 1964 brochure.
FZ

[Amos Keeto]

Thanks very much FZ. I have also got the Red Pelicans brochures for 1963 and '64, as well as material on the 1962 team. It is the 1960-61 team details that elude me.:rolleyes:

[Dick Whittingham]

There were originally 5 pilots in the 1961 team, 4 plus one reserve. Frank Brambley was the leader - and might have led the 1960 team, memory fails me. Bruce MacDonald, Snowy McKee, McCann, the deputy leader, and me made up the rest. Snowy was a natural flyer, and flew most of the early sorties in the box but banged out on a routine flight and was injured, so we only had four for the rest of the season.

From my log book:14May, Bourges/Avord, 3Jun, Paris,17 Jun, Mildenhall,24Jun, Exeter and Bristol,6 July, Cottesmore, 10 July, Southampton (Flypast only), 15 July, Coventry, Sept 5,6,7,8,9,10 Farnborough, 11 Sept Press Day, Biggin Hill, 20/21 Oct, Cranwell.

There were others, not marked as displays in my logbook, where I was commentating and Snowy was flying.

Dick W

[Amos Keeto]

No.1 FTS at Linton-on-Ouse formed a Jet Provost aerobatic team in the mid-60s called "GIN four", which became "Linton GIN" by 1969. Does anyone have any more info on this team or know the names of the three pilots that made up the initials 'GIN'? I understand there was no alcoholic connection...or at least not on duty!

[ShyTorque]

The late Derek Smith used to fly in one of the JP teams - can anyone put me right on that? He suffered a mid-air collision during a display or practice and due to back injury he later found himself on helicopters, on the same course as myself.

[stevew62]

Hi Guys,

My father flew with "Linton GIN". I have a few photos, My Mum can probably remember the names of some/most of the pilots. I'll call her & ask. We also have dads log books, so can source quite a lot of info from them ( should anyone be interested )

My fathers name was Dave Waddington. I don't think he was with "GIN" from the beginning, but he moved onto the "Blades", which he lead until he left the Royal Air Force.

Unfortunately my dad died over 20 years ago. He joined ( BEA & Then ) British Airways after leaving the RAF because he didn't want to stop flying. He died about 6hrs after landing at Manchester airport, so I suppose that's about as close as you can get without taking 120 passengers with you.

Anyway here are a couple of GIN publicity Photo's that I scanned in.

http://www.a-k-d.com/provost/GIN1.jpg


http://www.a-k-d.com/provost/GIN2.jpg




http://www.a-k-d.com/provost/YP-Blades-70.jpg


All the Best
Steve Waddington

[Amos Keeto]

Steve,

Thanks very much for that touching contribution and for the scans of the "Linton Gin" team. I presume those were taken in 1969, obviously over York Minster. Much appreciated.

Adrian

[John Farley]

Couple of pics taken at Lugano Switz 24 June 1973 should remember the guys names but sorry too long ago. Somehow Poachers rings a bell.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/Lugano1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/Lugano2.jpg

[Amos Keeto]

Ah, John Farley of HSA fame - how nice of you to contribute those shots of the Poachers in Switzerland. That would be Sqn. Ldr. John Robinson leading the team in '73, who was ex Red Pelicans.

[Tim McLelland]

Come on now Adrian - all this talk of JP's and not so much as one photo from your collection *tuts* - I'm still watching for some more Varsities too!;)

[Shackman]

Could that have been the same Dave Waddington who sent me solo in the JP4 at Acklington in 1967?

[David Layne]

1973 Macaws.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Macaws.jpg?t=1228920274

[David Layne]

1973 Macaws.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Macaws2.jpg?t=1228920516

[David Layne]

1973 Gemini.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Gemini.jpg?t=1228921278

[David Layne]

1973 Gemini.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/Gemini2.jpg?t=1228921418

[David Layne]

1972 Poachers.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/1972Poachers.jpg?t=1228922318

[David Layne]

1972 Poachers.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/1972Poachers1.jpg?t=1228922430

[David Layne]

1972 Blades.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/1972Blades.jpg?t=1228923092

[David Layne]

1972 Blades.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/1972Blades1.jpg?t=1228923298

[stevew62]

Shackman - Could that have been the same Dave Waddington who sent me solo in the JP4 at Acklington in 1967?

Hello Shackman, yes that would have been my father. My sister was born in Amble in 1967, so we were there exactly then.

Here's a picture of The Linton Gin Team from 1969 ( Including reserve pilots ). Dave Waddington is second from the left. I can name the other pilots should anybody be interested.

http://www.a-k-d.com/provost/all_gin_memb.jpg

[Amos Keeto]

Now a question about colour....calling all CFS experts! The "CFS Aerobatic Team" of the 1960-62 period wore the standard silver and dayglo orange training scheme of the day, which was 'paint' as opposed to the later Fablon sticky dayglo paper. Here is that team at Farnborough in 1960:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/Amoskeeto/1960-XM411-RGJetProvostT3sRAFCFSPel.jpg

In 1963, the team became "The Red Pelicans" and the aircraft got painted 'dayglo red' overall for the 1963-64 seasons as shown here at Farnborough in '64
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/Amoskeeto/1964-XP550JetProvostT4CFSRedPelican.jpg

Now I initially assumed that they just used the standard RAF dayglo paint on the aircrraft, but you can clearly see this is 'red' and not 'orange'.
The question is - was there a spec for this paint, or was it specially mixed just for the team? An all important question for us model makers!

[FAStoat]

Colin Woods was the Leader of the Poachers in '74,and the team included Eddie Danks and others that stayed into '75.John Barnet was the Manager,and occasional member was the Boss Mike Hughes(remembered for his good humour at "Run and Breaks" and an immaculate blue GT6).Colin was a good mate of mine ,and I was his Best Man on the second time around.Colin sadly died a couple of years ago,but should be rembered for the famous"Razzing" ATC Tape,and for leading Rothmans.Also it was under his leadership that on a Long Range Display Mission,entering Italian AirSpace,all hell let loose in foul weather with the 4 JP ships dispersing through controlled airspace,and landing anywhere and everywhere,much to the Italian Authorities displeasure!!.John Barnet went in and out via Britannia for a bit,before going back in on VC10s,Eddie Danks ia a current TRE/TRI on 146s.

[Been Accounting]

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43/Been_accounting/two.jpg?t=1231090211

L to R
Ivor Gibbs, Dick Lord, Bruce Byron, Marcus Edwards and Adrian Wall.

[Tim McLelland]

Interesting point concerning the Red Pelicans colours. I'd wondered about that too. I guess the overall colour ought to be dayglow orange (on the assumption that existing paint stocks were used) but photos seem to suggest it was dayglow red.

Have you asked Ray Deacon? he might know?

[Amos Keeto]

Yes,I've asked him, but he doesn't know, so is asking those that might.

[Dick Whittingham]

Amos

Do you know the exact year for the Farnboro' shot labeled 60-62?

Dick

[Amos Keeto]

Dick , that shot is at the Farnborough show September 1960 - the year before you joined them, I believe?

[sycamore]

New book out-`Jet Provost-The little plane with the big history` by Bob Clarke..try A$%zon..

[Dick Whittingham]

Thanks Amos. Yes I was there in '61. I should perhaps have spotted that the spare seat has a bang seat with a fully packed parachute, and if my memeory is up to it I think we had a tank with dieso for the smoke mounted on the seat rails. Or I may be thinking of a trial instalation for the '62 season.

Dick

And a postscript. THe colour scheme is exactly as ours - standard line aircraft at CFS

[opalnut]

http://file:///C:Documents%20and%20Settings/CHRISTOPHER/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Adobe/Digital%20Camera%20Photos/2007-11-10-1444-50/Untitled(53).jpgI am trying to put together a record of my service career and need some serious memory jogging! In 1962? I was detached from RAF Valley to be part of the technical staff for the Red Pelicans display season at RAF Little Rissington. Almost certain the aircraft were JP4's on which our first job was fitting smoke generators. That season displays were in Northern and Southern France, Belgium, Sweden and Germany, plus displays in the UK including Farnborough.
I cannot remember any of the pilots names, only that the skipper was a New Zealander, of the ground crew Sgt Jones, JT John Savage & myself, JT Chris Timberlake. Would love fill in the other names. I attach a photo of John (Tich) Savage on one of the team aircraft I have a photo of the entire team and aircraft which I shall post later.http://untitled(53)

[Amos Keeto]

Team leader was F/Lt Ian McKee, indeed a New Zealander; No.2 was F/lt Keith Beck; No.3 F/Lt Ian Bashall(who became leader in '63); No.4 was F/Lt John Rolfe; No.5 was F/Lt. Richard Fox.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/Amoskeeto/1962CFSAerobaticTeamteam.jpg

[opalnut]

Thank you so much for your response Amos, putting names to faces has helped me a great deal. Having fallen victim to Motor Neurone Disease three years ago and now being completely paralysed to all intents most of my day is spent before the computer with which I communicate.
My wife and two sons urged me to put my story on paper, they seem to think it of some interest. I suppose it may be, from Trenchard Brat to Opal miner in outback Australia is a big leap.
Thanks once more,

Chris Timberlake

[Tankertrashnav]

In 1970 the RAF still offered opportunities for fun, and after completing the Nav Course at Strad, four of us were sent to Linton to do a 4 week low-level navigation course on JP's. We were each allocated a pilot for the course and I was lucky enough to get Al Colesky who was a member of the Linton Gins (seen in Stevew62's picture, above, 2nd from right). Lesson one was aircraft famil and Al decided that as well as low level nav he ought to teach me to fly. Al reckoned that the boring stuff like straight and level could come later and talked me through a loop, which was literally the first manoeuvre I ever performed at the controls of an aircraft, and in a brand new JP5 with loads of power was something even I could manage. A great guy, a South African as I recall, hope he is still around and getting fun out of flying. I spent the rest of my flying career on Victor Tankers where anything below FL250 was considered low level, so the course wasnt a lot of use to me, but boy was it fun.

[PPRuNe Pop]

Chris, nice to welcome you to PPRuNe.

I am sure you have a lot to tell, so no good just sitting there thinking of things you might say - just do it - its good for the soul!

Look forward to it.

PPP

And if you have a few spare opals............;)

[klondyke]

You are correct Dick. We went to Nigeria and Ghana to display in 1960-also
Farnborough. Leader was Roy Langstaff.You took over from me in the box for 1961.Gerry Nicklin.

[klondyke]

JP3s were in use at C F S early in 1960 and the first aeros team carried out
a full season of displays (synchronised pairs and form aeros) inluding SBAC
Farnborough and an epic trip to Nigeria and Ghana.
Flt.Lt. Roy Langstaff was the leader .
The others were:Flt.Lt. Gerry Nicklin, Flt.Lt.Frank Brambley and Plt. Off
Bruce MacDonald.

[hunty]

Gents

A friend of mine named John Aldington flew with one of the JP display teams. Does anyone know which team and when?

Cheers

Hunty :ok:

[BOAC]

Worth reading the thread from the start! Try post 15, CAW

[Geezers of Nazareth]

Just found some pics of "The Macaws" on one of their overseas displays - Beauvais in France - see The Super Mystre Collection: Clickable Gallery (http://www.super-mystere.net/aal/planche.htm)

[Lightning Mate]

....and what about solo JP displays then............?

[jobbers]

Gerry
I note that you flew in the Red Pelicans with Roy Langstaff (my Uncle). Just wondered if you heard through the Grapevine that he recently passed away aged 84.

best regards

[klondyke]

To jobbers, Yes I knew recently about Roy Langstaff's death.Very sad about him
and Myra. We were good friends for a long time, but had lost contact.
Gerry Nicklin

[relight9]

Don Soames-Waring was the solo display pilot for the 1966, and possibly 1967 season.
Don is no longer with us but his family still have many press cuttings as well as his log books etc.
Many displays including the Wright Jubilee Trophy event at Little Rissington in 1966 are noted.
In the last couple of years he was typically modest but he had a twinkle in his eye when he spoke of his displays, especially the letter M for Manby which he said the JP should not have been able to do.......

[rodclayton]

I was No.4 in the '69 Red Pelicans team,on the JP Mk.4, which was led by John Robinson; the No.2 was Tony Davies and No.3 "Mac" McKenzie-Crooks; John Davy was the "whipper In". All of us but "Mac" met at this year's 100th anniversary of CFS held at RAFC Cranwell; our first reunion since the end of 1969! We intend to meet a bit more frquently in future. Ivor Gibbs, who had been my Shackleton co-pilot for 3 plus years, became the leader of the 1970 team on the Mk.5.

[Amos Keeto]

Welcome on board Rod. I have your 1969 team brochure with pic of you aged 30 - where have the years gone? I saw the team performing at Staverton (now called Gloucestershire Airport) on 13th April 1969 and have slides of them.
Happy days!;)

[Warlord617]

Hi
My name is Clive Mitchell and I work in the British Embassy in Washington DC. I have recently been contacted by an AVM Collins, RAAF, who is arranging a 40 year anniversary of his Staff College course. He is looking for a Sqn Ldr Derek Smith who ejected from a JP in 1966 and then transitioned to helos. A google search brought me here and I would guess this is the individual that I seek. Can you message me any further details on his passing so that I can forward them to his former classmates?

Many thanks

Clive

[LouisSouthern]

If it helps, the team in 1964 was as follows:

Sqn Ldr Paul M Worthington (Team Manager)
Flt Lt Terry E L Lloyd (Leader) 27 years old
Flt Lt Brian A Nice (No 2) 32 years
Flt Lt Bill A Langworthy (No 3) 29 years
Flt Lt Dennis F Southern (No 4) 32 years
Flt Lt H R (Bert) Lane (No 5) 41 years
Flt Lt Eric C F Tilsley (No 6) 37 years
Fg Off Bill Green (Team Engineering Officer) 25 years

Info taken from the 1964 brochure.
FZ

That's my grandad, Flt Lt Dennis F Southern!

[sycamore]

Louis S, flew with Dennis at Bedford in`73-74 on the Sioux and Gazelle;maybe he remembers `Madge`(not a female, a microwave ILS for tactical aircraft) trials.He was also on Belvederes in the Far East..

[Major Cleve Saville]

The fist JP Display Team:
1958:
Four Jet Provost T.1s of the CFS, Little Rissington, “The CFS Jet Aerobatic Team”. Flt Lts:
N H Giffin,
D McClen,
F W J Packer
and
D Millington.
Reserve: Flt Lt M Edwards.

[6Z3]

Louise, I knew your dear grandfather (Uncle Dennis to us in QHIs crewroom 705 NAS Gazelles at RNAS Culdrose in the mid 80s).

Interestingly I found this thread searching for an RAF instructor namely Colin Woods I once flew with at RAFC Cranwell where I was a student on 14GE with the likes of BEagle. I recalled Colin was a Poachers pilot, and yes I was that young student with Colin on the infamous stuck ppt tape, the entire content of which was too blue to recall any of it here except that it was my pre FHT sortie! and on the FHT debrief the next day the CFI among other points advised that on my loops I should “pull to the light buffet, just like you weren’t doing on your practice sortie yesterday”.

Having read this whole thread, was was sorry to hear about Colin, though very pleased to see Uncle Dennis’s name, I hope he is still well.

PS. I passed the FHT, went on (with BEagle, and one other) to sharpen up at Linton on a FJLI Cse before getting chopped on Gnats at Valley

[BEagle]

Ah yes, Weasel me old, hope you're keeping well? I do indeed recall that stuck microphone tape - the ATCOs played it at Happy Hour!

"If that's Lincoln and that's Waddington, whose ******g MATZ are we in?"

One of Woodsie's politer comments! Standards weren't too impressed by him calling "Pins" when you were still rolling down the RW after landing back at Cranwell though...:=

He was just the same when sending me on my first JP solo at Barkston Heath - after which he flew us back at full throttle until he was on the break at Cranwell! "OK, shag?"

After our first FJLI trips at Leeming, I overheard the Flt Cdr saying to the Boss "I don't know why Cranwell has sent us those two - they're well up to Valley standard already!" Still, it was a fun course of licensed hooliganism - apart from coming back from the chippy with you and experiencing your Cortina estate vs 'Cow $hit Corner' moment...:eek: As part of the Leeming rebuild, they built a new road avoiding that particular delight.

Regarding JP teams, hunty, if you're still with us, John Aldington flew with the Leeming Swords in 1974 - when 6Z3 and I were doing the FJLI course.

[Wander00]

Relight above mentions the 1966 Wright Jubilee - on 20 April 1966 I flew my Gnat IRT with Bob Turner. At the conclusion of the IRT he asked if I minded him practising his sequence for the competition. " No problem, Sir" says I. "By the way" he then says, I am cleared down to 200'. He then proceeds to wring out the aeroplane, and me. A sedate return to Valley followed. He went on to win the trophy that year. Oh, and I passed the IRT.

[Vampiredave]

A small selection of WJT winners from 1956 to 1967. I understand that a brochure was published to accompany each event? Does anyone have a copy or know the names of the competing pilots for the 1956 event?

1956 Fg Off R N Rumbelow No 2 FTS
1957 Fg Off G Rorison No 4 FTS
1958 Flt Lt R F Holloway No 5 FTS
1959 Flt Lt D F Moffat RAF College
1960 Fg Off G Rorison RAF Strubby
1961 Flt Lt D A Proctor No 4 FTS
1962 Flt Lt D A Proctor No 4 FTS
1963 Fg Off T J Nash 6 FTS
1964 Flt Lt P D Jarvis 1 FTS
1965 Flt Lt P D Jarvis 1 FTS
1966 Flt Lt R M Turner 4 FTS
1967 Flt Lt R E Pyrah 3 FTS

[Wander00]

I think Turner's initials were "RM" - at least that is how he signed my log book

[Danny42C]

Voice from the Past !

jindabyne (#16),

..."But there's no mention of a Flt Lt Ron Pattinson who was certainly a member of the Geminini Pair at some point"...

He was leading the Gemini Pair (aka "Tom and Jerry") at Leeming about 1969.

Danny.

[Vampiredave]

You may be correct? My list came from HQ CFS and I found a number of errors I will edit it. Btw: on a historical note, the winner of the 1956 event, Fg Off 'Dicky' Rumbelow of No 2 FTS Hullavington was the first Jet Provost pilot to win the trophy, having previously won the Brabyn Trophy at the completion his QFI training at CFS, Little Rissington. Except for the 1964 / 1965 events, the WJT brochures are difficult to locate?

[Vampiredave]

Voice from the Past !

jindabyne (#16),

..."But there's no mention of a Flt Lt Ron Pattinson who was certainly a member of the Geminini Pair at some point"...

He was leading the Gemini Pair (aka "Tom and Jerry") at Leeming about 1969.

Danny.

Fg Off Ron Pattinson and Flt Gordon Revell flew with the 3 FTS 'Gemini Team' in 1970. The following year he partnered Fg Off Rod Sergeant.

[Yellow Sun]

Ah yes, Weasel me old, hope you're keeping well? I do indeed recall that stuck microphone tape - the ATCOs played it at Happy Hour!


It was the late Mike Brooks who ensured that the tape was preserved for posterity. The ATCOs wouldn't have dared!

I well remember being airborne on a CT trip that day with Brian Sharp. We were on "Stud 8" when a voice said:

"Where are we then?

The rest is history.......

YS

[BEagle]

The late Mike Brooks? Sad to hear he's no longer with us; he was a thoroughly nice chap during my time at RAFC.

As for the ATCOs at the time: "Remember, remember Brenda, remember remember Brenda....." :E

Not quite as naughty as the infamous "Click click" from one of the people-formerly-known-as-WRAFs ATCOs at another Learning Command station....:ooh:

[chevvron]

The late Mike Brooks? Sad to hear he's no longer with us; he was a thoroughly nice chap during my time at RAFC.

As for the ATCOs at the time: "Remember, remember Brenda, remember remember Brenda....." :E

Not quite as naughty as the infamous "Click click" from one of the people-formerly-known-as-WRAFs ATCOs at another Learning Command station....:ooh:
Hope that's not Mike Brooke, ex OC Flying Farnborough.
Was posted from Farnborough to Boscombe where he flew a Harvard through a parachute which had just been dropped from a Hercules.

[pulse1]

Ivor Gibbs, who had been my Shackleton co-pilot for 3 plus years, became the leader of the 1970 team on the Mk.5.

I have 1974 Red Pelican brochure and Ivor Gibbs is still the leader. I remember it well because that was the year of my one and only JP flight with the late Marcus Edwards who was No 4 in the team.

[lossiemouth]

I have 1974 Red Pelican brochure and Ivor Gibbs is still the leader. I remember it well because that was the year of my one and only JP flight with the late Marcus Edwards who was No 4 in the team.

If I can stir the pot. The final year for the Red Pelicans was 1973, the year it was led by Ivor Gibbs, this was his only year on the team.

The 1970 team was 1 Sqn Ldr E.D. Evers, 2 Flt Lt T.R. Francis, 3, Flt Lt J.W. Davy, 4 Flt Lt K.J. Tait. with Flt Lt R.D. Brown acting as reserve.

Hope this helps.

[Wander00]

Chevron - I think not. He and I have been in electronic correspondence over the years, mainly about his books. he has moved back from N France to (very) southern UK. Last in contact earlier this year.

[pulse1]

If I can stir the pot. The final year for the Red Pelicans was 1973

I've just checked my logbook and my flight was October 1973. So the Pelicans had probably disbanded by then. I know that Marcus left the Navy soon after that.

[Yellow Sun]

chevvron,

It's "Mike Brooks" that I referred to, not "Mike Brooke", different people.

YS

[ben645]

Hi,

Sorry to drag up an old thread. Trying to find some more information, pictures, literature about my grandad who recently passed away.

He flew with the macaws from around 1968 to the early 1970's possibly. His name is James (Jim) Adams.

I have attached a couple of pictures from things i have found either online or in books.

Interested in anything that anyone has!

Thank you in advance.
Ben

[ben645]

Hi,

Sorry to drag up an old thread. Trying to find some more information, pictures, literature about my grandad who recently passed away.

He flew with the macaws from around 1968 to the early 1970's possibly. His name is James (Jim) Adams.

I have attached a couple of pictures from things i have found either online or in books.

Interested in anything that anyone has!

Thank you in advance.
Ben

[Amos Keeto]

Hi,

Sorry to drag up an old thread. Trying to find some more information, pictures, literature about my grandad who recently passed away.

He flew with the macaws from around 1968 to the early 1970's possibly. His name is James (Jim) Adams.

I have attached a couple of pictures from things i have found either online or in books.

Interested in anything that anyone has!

Thank you in advance.
Ben
Hi Ben,

According to my records. Jim Adams flew with the team as No.4 during 1968-69. I have plenty of photos of the aircraft, but nothing on him I'm afraid. You can recognise the Jet Provosts of the 1968 team as they wore a unique grey and red colour scheme, whereas from 1969 onwards the aircraft adopted the standard red/white/grey scheme.

Here is a slide I took of the team on arrival at RAF Colerne for their 'At Home' Day on 6th July 1968 and I guess your Grandad must be in the cockpit of one!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1063x720/macaws_a7a473d22786ef3b1a1c6486f34721256999100a.jpg
1968 Macaws team at Colerne 6 July 1968
ng colours

[Wander00]

Mike Brooke is still around, had electronic correspondence with him only a few days ago

[Vampiredave]

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1227x906/email001_16__50a2debe65802b84dcca63f6638f232e52e408d5.jpg
RAF CAW Aerobatic Team, Manby 'The Macaws', 1968. L-r: Flt Lts WR Shrubsole, PG Cowen, JDT Wingfield and JH Adams.

[jimjim1]

I have attached a couple of pictures from things i have found either online or in books.


New members are not allowed to post attachments until a number of posts have been made by them.

https://www.pprune.org/pprune-problems-queries/627571-probationary-restrictions.html#post10627766

[Vampiredave]

I was No.4 in the '69 Red Pelicans team,on the JP Mk.4, which was led by John Robinson; the No.2 was Tony Davies and No.3 "Mac" McKenzie-Crooks; John Davy was the "whipper In". All of us but "Mac" met at this year's 100th anniversary of CFS held at RAFC Cranwell; our first reunion since the end of 1969! We intend to meet a bit more frequently in future. Ivor Gibbs, who had been my Shackleton co-pilot for 3 plus years, became the leader of the 1970 team on the Mk.5.
Rod: A slight mis-pole, Sqn Ldr Eric Evers was leader of the 1970 team. Ivor Gibbs assumed command of the team in 1973 This was the last CFS Jet Provost display team.Four Jet Provost T.5s of CFS, Little Rissington, “The Red Pelicans”.

Sqn Ldr I C Gibbs, Capt R Lord USAF, Flt Lt B Byron RAAF, Lt M Edwards RN.

[Vampiredave]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/581x410/two_dea8db9f1a04f08acf81f8ecb8c2349ce36cf324.jpg
Red Pelicans in 1973: Ivor Gibbs, Dick Lord, Bruce Byron, Marcus Edwards and Adrian Wall

[ben645]

Vampiredave Thank you so much for posting this photo. I am going to use this on the order of service for my grandad's funeral (Jim Adams) Hope this is OK?

Thanks again
Ben

[Vampiredave]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/878x1208/email001_18__c027e4706a2afbf9638d872becaa43238e4e1cd3.jpg

[Vampiredave]

...........Or, perhaps this one?

[LOONRAT]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/540x462/1974_swords_team_photo_b_w_87d9d50bffa27b6eeac058743365a735f dca6314.jpg
RAF Leeming Swords Team Members 1974 Dick Thomas No 4, Mike Fox No 3, Bob Thompson Leader, John Aldington No 2- Happy Days

[Vampiredave]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1681/gemini_1_e12294b65961b920f922140e73d59ab568c3edd6.jpg
I raise you - Gemini team at Cameri, 22 May 1973 Lt - rt: Sqn Ldr Olly Knight (manager), Fg Off Dusty Miller (Gemini 2), Flt Lt Brian Fuller (commentator), Flt Lt Bob Thompson (Gemini 1), Wg Cdr Robin Blockley (CI). Front row - SAC Ron Anderson and SAC Bob Goodier.

[ernst26]

Hi Hunty, re John Aldington. Do you hve contact details for him? Trying to track down old mates on CFS at Manby 1966 - 1970 which include John.

Thanks

[ernst26]

Ernie Banfield was also a solo display pilot at Manby 1967'ish. Always remember those days fondly

[ernst26]

Hi, from a few posts on this thread I think some of you may have come across my Dad. Fly Lt Ernie Banfield QFI at Manby 1966 -1971. I'm trying to track down other pilot instructors in my Dads time as QFI at Manby [& in the Macaws] as Dad has passed and a few I am in touch with are joining us in Cornwall in May to say a farewell to Dad.

I'm in touch with a few . As they are coming to Cornwall tthe thinking is this may be an opportunity to have a mini Manby re-union the night before Dad's gathering.

I wondered if you had any contact details for people that might help?
Fingers crossed
Donna

[teeteringhead]

I was at Headley Court with John Aldington in '73 or '74. IIRC he had slipped off an icy wing of a JP and badly broken his leg....... small world innit.

[spekesoftly]

Small world indeed. John Aldington had a room in the Mess at RAF Manby just round the corner from mine, and I recall his broken leg accident which I think was the winter of 1972/1973. About that time I travelled from Manby to Cranwell to return some ceremonial swords, and took the opportunity to visit John at Nocton Hall, where he was initially treated for his injury.

[DaveReidUK]

Presumably Nocton Hall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Hospital_Nocton_Hall), or did you go under cover of darkness ? :O

[spekesoftly]

Thank you Dave, duly edited. :O

[desmadronic]

I was at Headley Court with John Aldington in '73 or '74. IIRC he had slipped off an icy wing of a JP and badly broken his leg....... small world innit.
It was the beginning of the 1973 season, I believe it was spilt fuel on the wing that John slipped on. I was number 3 that year and we continued the season as a 3 ship.
The following year we had moved to RAF Leeming and switched to MK 5’s and renamed The Swords. John flew number 2.

[aeroid]

Just stumbled across the JP aerobatic teams and though I was never involved I was around the JP world from 63 -64 (Stood) and again 73-76 as a Strukky and recognised many of the names and faces. What surprises me that there is no mention of the Yellowjacks Were they strictly Gnats?

[kenparry]

Yes, Yellowjacks were Gnat - the predecessors of the Red Arrows

[ernst26]

Macaws out of Manby, early 1970's

[DaveReidUK]

Macaws out of Manby, early 1970's

See posts #1/2/3/9/19/34/35/61/88/90/92/103.

[NoseGear]

Hello Gentlemen, I have just stumbled across this thread while doing some research on the YellowJacks and Red Arrows….the reason being that I have purchased and am restoring to flight Folland Gnat XR987, originally a YellowJack aircraft and then for 15 years she served with the Red Arrows. I believe Flt Lt Eric Tilsey was her first pilot with the Reds. If anyone is in touch with him perhaps he might be interested in this project? The airplane is now in New Zealand as I purchased her a few years ago in Florida. Please get in touch if you are interested, I have a facebook page and am starting a YouTube channel to document her rebuild which is going well to date.

Kind regards
Nosey


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/864x576/cc1636f0_c85a_474c_b767_34400ad754db_56c8882a9f48b20450e26c7 1ba82343a7b61b1d3.jpeg

[Charlotte Bailey]

I'm in the middle of writing a book provisionally titled 'Display Team Boys' and have made contact with various people involved with several teams - do feel free to message me.
Best wishes, Charlotte

[Geezers of Nazareth]

https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=225474 ... photo 13 will be of interest!

... and they were ...XP620 Jet Provost
XP629 Jet Provost
XR647 Jet Provost
XS210 Jet Provost

[Charlotte Bailey]

Great pic. Were you there at the show?

[Geezers of Nazareth]

Great pic. Were you there at the show?
If you're referring to me and my post/link to some photos from 1968 ... sorry, I wasn't there. I remember seeing those photos posted on a forum and thought that they would be of interest here.