Interesting 6 Squadron Video

[SkyHawk-N]

Just saw this video pop up at me when visiting YouTube and I thought it would be of interest. I lived near the active Coltishall for a number of years and it bought back some fond memories of seeing the Jaguars flying around.

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[L-H]

Crickey, talk about memories come flooding back, did nigh on 13 years at Colt in three tours and watching that vid made it all seem like it was yesterday. Must brush off my Magic Carpet 2004 DVD......

[NutLoose]

One of the RAF T Birds has been bought with the intention of putting it back into the air :)

You will need to go to the States to see it though.

[Rossian]

.....the squadron known as "****ty six"? Always seemed a rather unkind byname to me as a maritime chap.

The Ancient Mariner

[airpolice]

That name comes from early WW2 when the aircrew left northern France in a hurry, saving the airframes as the airfield was about to be over run by Germans.

Tough on the ground crew, but the right thing to do.

[PapaDolmio]

Don't think 6 served in France during WW2. Pretty sure they picked up the nickname later as it was still current at Colt early 2000's.

True though.. Worst Sqn I served on in 30 years service.

[Old-Duffer]

Rumour has it that the squadron nickname stems from their long service overseas and a suggestion that on one occasion the aircrew left the ground crew to their own devices whilst the former avoided 'going into the bag'. However, I can find nothing to substantiate this unfair piece of gossip!!

[NutLoose]

PapaDolmio

True though.. Worst Sqn I served on in 30 years service.


You never made to 20 Jags then....

[NutLoose]

That name comes from early WW2 when the aircrew left northern France in a hurry, saving the airframes as the airfield was about to be over run by Germans.

Tough on the ground crew, but the right thing to do.

Reminds me of 33

[MAINJAFAD]

6 Sqn were never based in northern Europe between 1919 and 1969.

6 Sqn did suffer an unfortunate incident in Apr 1941 when a sizable portion of their 'A' flight's ground crew based at a forward operating base at Maraua were overrun by the Afirka Corps during Rommel's first advance. They were retreating by MT when the German's got in front of them. The group were commanded by the Flight Commander who was also captured thus the ground crew were not left to their own devices. In fact according to the Sqn F540, the incident wouldn't have happened if the Flight had not been ordered to stay by the G.O.C. when the squadron's own recce efforts had shown it was time to bug out.

[PapaDolmio]

PapaDolmio

True though.. Worst Sqn I served on in 30 years service.


You never made to 20 Jags then....

Waaay before my time!

[thing]

You never made to 20 Jags then....

Is that ten John Prescotts?

[pr00ne]

Run run run away.......

Sh***y six...

[Rossian]

.....thanks for the explanations chaps - still seems a bit unkind though but.

When I finished the Shack MOTU, OC P2 (a vindictive bag with whom I'd clashed) took great delight in telling me that I was posted to "the worst squadron on the worst station in the whole RAF". It was to 210 SQN at Ballykelly. Where, apart from a couple of completely barking bosses, I had a great time flying and socially.

I just wonder how these reputations originate sometimes.

The Ancient Mariner

[Bob Viking]

That's the title I prefer anyway. It seems strange to me that nobody has yet jumped to the defence of the Sqn so I'll do it.

I was on 6 from 2004-2007 and loved every second of it. I don't know of anyone at the time who disliked it.

What a difference a few years can make!

The video brought back some fond memories of flying the jet too (filmed before my time though).

BV:ok:

[PapaDolmio]

Good Sqn/Bad Sqn it's all individual perception at the time. It all depends on who you are, what you do and who you work with and for.

Squadron reputations come and go, dependant largely on the key players (Sqn Cdr, Flt Cdrs, Sengo, WO Eng) although some do seem to have more downs than ups. When I escaped 6 to Marham the Gr4 Sqn I went to had the worst reputation on the fleet but within a couple of years and a few personnel changes it was arguably the best.

Of course everyone's Sqn/Flight/Shift/Section etc is always the best!

For me, my time at Coltishall was the worst 18 months of my career and the only tour I didn't enjoy in 30 years.

[Megaton]

6 Sqn early nineties - most enjoyable tour in nearly 20 years in the RAF. Good bunch of ground crew and a couple of the pilots were ok too :}

[Alber Ratman]

I will back up BV comments on the Shiney Six, as I served on 6 from 2003 until the end. We had great Bosses, the Boss at the time I was the Sqn Ldr doing the brief and the canyon flying on the video, the late Mike Seares (may he rest in peace, a tragic loss to family and his many friends). Willie and JS were also very fine leaders. I wouldn't have a bad word to say about any of the aircrew on 6 during my time and we were blessed with good EngO's and even better Non Com junior managers. Great lads on the Sqn too who worked very hard and played hard. JFE indeed.


All the Colt Sqn's were classy mind. Came with the bird.