RNAS Lossiemouth Gate Guardians

[Vigne]

I've recently come across a couple of photos taken by me way back in 1968 - or possibly 1967. Either way, it was Easter week.

I was in the CCF at school and was lucky enough to get a week's Naval Aviation Course at Lossiemouth. It being Easter, a lot of personnel were on leave and some opportunities and experiences weren't available to us. However, it was memorable for me in that I had my first-ever flight - in a Whirlwind, including a winching at Milltown - and a seat in a Buccaneer during an engine test. Very memorable for a fifteen-year-old - and still happy memories 45 years on!

Whilst we were there, we 'helped' with the positioning of a Sea Fury and Martlet as gate guardians. Apologies for the photo quality - they were taken on a Brownie 127........

I've trawled the 'net but cannot find any reference to these two aircraft. I have no further information on them - the original pics do not show any serial numbers at all. As far as I am aware, these photos are possibly unique as I was the only one with a camera at the time!

Would anyone have any knowledge of these aircraft and what subsequently became of them, please?


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/vigne/SeaFuryMartlet800x408_zps7d0e0a2f.jpg

[Schiller]

Not a Martlet - Hellcat.

[DaveReidUK]

Would anyone have any knowledge of these aircraft and what subsequently became of them, please?

The Sea Fury (VX653) went to the RAF Museum and is now (as G-BUCM) undergoing restoration to flying condition at Duxford.

The Hellcat (KE209) is now in the FAA Museum.

[The Toilet Tester]

Vigne

From a publication I have, called Wrecks and Relics 3rd edition 1968. The Aircraft Holding Unit at Lossiemouth, had a number of veteran naval aircraft, including VX653 a Sea Fury FB.11. KE209 a Hellcat II. They were displayed on open days. These could be the aircraft you helped with.

VX653 is now registered as G-BUCM. It is on rebuild at Duxford with the Fighter Collection.

KE209 is currently displayed in Hall 2 World War 11 and Korean War at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

Hope this is of interest and help to you.

Cheers
The Toilet Tester

[david parry]

Think you will find the gate guard at that time was a Seahawk;)

[Vigne]

Many thanks for all your replies. I persevered with Googling after I'd posted and found, firstly, that I was wrong about the Martlet and that it is indeed a Hellcat as you say, and secondly that the Sea Fury has been undergoing restoration over quite a long period of time.

I visited the FAA Museum with my grandson a couple of years ago - little did I realise that the Hellcat was the one I'd helped with all those years ago! It's pleasing to know they've both survived and have a secure future.

The memories are rather dim, David - it's 45 years ago now and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge:) As I said, I'm not sure whether it was '67 or '68, but I've since found a photograph of XV653 as gate guard on 10th June 1968 here: Aircraft VX653 (1949 Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 C/N Not found VX653) Photo by Peter Nicholson (Photo ID: AC831372) (http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/000831372.html)

Whether the Seahawk was used before or after the Sea Fury, I cannot say. My only other memories of the week were of HMS Eagle cruising offshore in the Moray Firth, re-victualling and taking on a squadron of Buccaneers from Lossie and a visiting Lightning taking off in a rather flamboyant, vertical fashion..........:)

[Lordflasheart]

Is that the Wrennery in the distance behind the Sea Fury ? ;)

[Vigne]

Well, at the age of 15, we were rather more keen on the aircraft in those days, so I wouldn't know, Lordflasheart. I can't even blame the failed memory on alcohol-induced amnesia, either......:)

However, I've had a look at my original photo which is only 3" square and there is a pale-coloured rectangular 2-storey building with a shallow-pitched roof, set in a grove of trees - reminiscent of a country house or grange, perhaps.

I assume the WRENS were kept well-segregated in those days.....;)

[Xtiff]

Circa 1958/9 this Hellcat was parked with the remaining Wyverns, a couple of Seamews and other assorted aircraft on the charge of the AHU.
It had been been the personal cab of Captain P D Gick and carried his name under the cockpit.
Interesting to know if it still carries this ID.

[david parry]

Was at Lossie 67/68 would have been 800 sqdn Mk2 Buccaneers embarking on HMS Eagle ps looks likes the Wrens quarters;)

[david parry]

Could have been Aug/Sept 68 Hms Eagle embarking in the Moray Firth exercise Silver Towers

[Vigne]

Here is an undated photo of KE209 and, with a bit of imagination, Capt Gick's name can be seen under the cockpit together with a cartoon bearing the legend '??? Kat' on the cowling: Asisbiz Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat FLEET-AIR-ARM Grumman,Hellcat,MkII,F6F-5,Royal,Navy,FAA,KE209,Lossiemouth,Station,Flight,Commanding ,Officer,John,Caspar,01 (http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/F6F-3/Fleet-Air-Arm/pages/Grumman-Hellcat-MkII-F6F-5-Royal-Navy-FAA-KE209-Lossiemouth-Station-Flight-Commanding-Officer-John-Caspar-01.html)

Here is KE209 on display at Yeovilton in 2011, with no pilot's name or cartoon: KE209 Royal Navy Grumman Hellcat II - Planespotters.net Just Aviation (http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=229873&size=m)

I was definitely there at Easter, David, which tends to be confirmed by the lack of leaves on the trees (and the weather as I recall it!). We were told that, had there been more aircrew about, we would normally have had a Sea Prince flight too. Mind you, they could have told us anything and we would have believed it........
http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=229873&size=m

[david parry]

I was on station flight at that time;) we had a Sea prince, Sea Venom, Sea Vampire, and a Tiger Moth. The Skipper would fly in all of them, from time to time. Also we had loads of visiting F102s F104 s Lightnings, Altlantics and Neptunes and V Bombers at the dispersal l!!when Ivan was about. As well as many other visiting aircraft . Plus the shuttle service provided by the Heron and Dove. 736 squadron buccaneers was the stations squadron and the other carriers buccaneers ie 800 ,801,809 present plus the SAR Whirlwinds iirc ps the Eagle was also in the Moray Firth in May 67 embarking aircraft