Operation Corporate Widewake 1982

[manxman57]

I am looking for information regarding the 112MRV Sdn also known as 55 and 57 Sdn and the way the line working was carried out .Victor Tanker Ground Crew were very adapt at working any where in the world on a Squadron Basis. How ever with up to 17 aircraft on the Flight Line needing to be service Seen OFF and Seen IN for Operation Black buck etc.
I have already Written the History of the Victor know looking for data on the day to day life at Widewake with the Victor


Many Thanks
Roger Brooks ex Victor ASC

[The Oberon]

Roger, the basic tanker ground crew routine was squadron based, 24 on, 24 off changing over at midday. The off duty trade managers came on shift to provide extra crew in snag cover for Black Buck and other missions. Once things had calmed down on F.I. it was straight 24 on 24 off.


I was 55 ground crew, on ASI, from April until late August, please feel free to PM me for further information.

[whisperer]

Roger,

As The Oberon has said things were run fairly well the same as day to day in the UK, except the launch rate & recoverys were greater in number. The only real difference with regards to line ops was manning a tug at the end of the runway (Just in case !).

Of course the rects were a bit more problematic, even with the limited 2nd line repairs (the big inflatable igloos) spares were at a premium and "robbing" was a fine art.

feel free to PM If you want

[ZH875]

Occasionally the Vulcan Fairys were borrowed by the Victors to lend a hand.

I would have switched the NBS on myself but somebody shuffled where all the power switches were, Vulcan easy Victor not so for a Vulcan guy.

[manxman57]

Many thanks for your initial contact I would appreciate any details that might help my research I did PM you but maybe I did not achieve contact please pm me if you did not receive it


Manxman57

[manxman57]

Many thanks for you reply sorry rather late in replying.
I have already written a book on the Victor and would like to research the time they were at Widewake . Any thoughts welcome please PM me if you can help
Manxman 57