Calling all Javelin air and ground crew

[Steve Bond]

I am in the early stages of planning a new book on the service history of the Javelin as I feel it is high time for one. Although this is some way off yet, I am anxious to contact as many Javelin air and ground crew as possible who are willing to share their experiences, as this will form the core of the book. I need to gauge how many of you are willing to join in in order to assess whether this is a "goer" or not.

Please let me know!

Thanks in anticipation.

[TonyF756]

Hi Steve,
I served on 89 Squadron at Stradishall as an air radar mechanic. Initially we had Venom 3's, but re-equipped with Jav. Mk 2's and 6's in late '87. Later we received more 6's. I was with them up until their move to West Malling in August '59. If you're interested I could record some incidents from this period from a ground crew perspective.
regards,
Tony Fairbridge,
Emerald,
Victoria,
Australia.

[Dlhines]

Hi Steve.
I worked on Javs from 56 to 58 then again 61 to 63 the latter time with 23 Sqdn who finished up with Mk 9's. if I can help please let me know.

David LH

[Steve Bond]

Thanks both, private messages sent.

Regards

Steve

[Steve Bond]

David,

For some reason I cannot send you a private message - can you send me one please?

[windsor47]

Steve , as you are one day older than me !! 21-02-47:rolleyes:
Served with 29Sqdn 66/67 Akrotiri /Zambia ...happy to supply my photos /memories :) Flying Flat Irons , :ok: Ken,,,,,,

[Steve Bond]

Thanks Ken, private message sent.

Steve

[Steve Bond]

Tony, I hope you got my private message to you.

David, as I cannot send you a private message for some reason, could you please send me one so that I can let you know what I am after?

Many thanks.

[Basil]

ISTR we had a guy on the Argosy who'd been on Javs but lost an eye and was posted to the Whistling Wheelbarrow as co-pilot.

[Wander00]

I recall doing a land-away in a JP to Leuchars, so Brian H.....d could plead his case for a return to the Javelin for the forthcoming detachment to Zambia

[Basil]

for the forthcoming detachment to Zambia
Where, rumour had it, there was a spot of partying with the RhAF ;)

[Steve Bond]

Chaps, at the risk of being a pest, could those of you who have offered help please confirm that you have received my private message responses, otherwise I suspect that you may be thinking I have ignored you - far from it!

Thanks!

[mcdhu]

Steve,
No 46 Sqn, which used to operate Javelins, has a thriving old boys association despite having been disbanded in 1975. The organiser could probably put you in touch with the Javelin guys - of whom there are a few left.
I you think there is mileage in this, please PM me.
Regards,
mcdhu

[Steve Bond]

Very many thanks for these latest leads. Let's hope someone picks them up.

[tiller]

Hi Steve

I am the Secretary of the No 46 Sqn Association. I have a load of stuff of the beast and contacts for aircrew. Get in touch.
Regards
Dougie Barr
dougiebarr(@)gmail.com (brackets on the @) to stop smammers

[Wander00]

Is that the DB at Valley 1966 - if so "Hello" from a former 22 Course stude

[HarvestReaper]

Hi Steve,
I joined 29 Sqdn late 1960 at Leuchars as an air electrician. At that time we were operating mk6's, later up grading to mk9's. Only to pleased to help.


Ken Brereton

[Basil]

The Tiller Girls?

I believe that I can say with certainty, the tiller in this badge ;)

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/28C54B78_1143_EC82_2E82F2A53775A5F9.gif

[langleybaston]

then there was Attilla the HUn ............

[Steve Bond]

Dear TonyF756 and David LH,

I really appreciated your responses to my appeal for help as you are both exactly the sort of person I am looking for to help me with the book. Since you posted your messages I have sent you several in reply, both on this thread and as private messages/emails where possible. To date I have heard nothing more from you and am concerned that something has gone wrong. Could I please ask you both to contact me again?

Many thanks and regards

Steve

[MPN11]

Tactical "Bump" :ok:

[Fixed Cross]

Hi Steve,

I served on 89/85 Sqn, 58-61,(Stradishall, West Malling, West Raynham) as an NCO Radio Observer in the back seat. If my fading memory is of value I will place it at your service.

I also have some fading photographs of those long ago days.

[X-Brat]

I was with 33 Sqn at M-s-G from 1960 until it disbanded and became 5 Sqn and went Germany. Please pm me if you think I can help.

[ancientaviator62]

I was on 33 at Middleton as an Air Radar Mech and the squadron disbanded when I was at Yatesbury on my fitter's course.

[Steve Bond]

Many thanks, private messages sent. Thanks too for the "tactical bump"!

[Legalapproach]

My father was Nav/Rad leader on the Mobile Javelin Training Unit - pm me and I'll send you his contact details

[Steve Bond]

Thanks LegalApproach, message sent.

[Steve Bond]

Thanks again to all who have replied. I now have contact with a good number of people covering many squadrons.

However, I do not yet have contact with anyone who flew the Javelin in Germany. So, is there anyone out there from 3, 5, 11, or 87 Sqns please?

[REDDEVIL35]

I attended 228 OCU on 194 coarse as a Nav/Rad training on Javelin FAW 5's from Dec' 1957 until April 1958. during the course teamed up with my pilot, Flt.Lt Stan Pomfret and with him was posted to 151 Sqn. at RAF Leuchars. In April 1959 went on a commisioning course to remuster as an AEO in V bombers. Any specific info' I can supply re Jav's? E-mail address available if required.

[T-21]

Hello Steve, Don't forget 228 OCU RAF Leeming the main training base . My father was a staff pilot on the Valettas,NF.14s and Canberra T.11s. As a toddler my mum sat me on the crash gate where I could wave at the taxiing Javelins. Aroused a deep interest in aircraft ever since.

[Steve Bond]

Hello T-21,

No I won't forget 228 OCU and have a number of contacts from both the Meteor and Javelin worlds. I see you are in Bedford, I am close by in MK - care to drop me a private message and arrange a meeting?

Cheers

Steve

[Steve Bond]

Thanks Reddevil35, email sent.