Calling any Harrier crew from 233 Operational Conversion Unit

[STENDEC North]

Would anyone be prepared to sign a Harrier T4 Squadron Print? I need 2 signatures and can pay in wine. Kind regards Andy

[noprobs]

Would anyone be prepared to sign a Harrier T4 Squadron Print? I need 2 signatures and can pay in wine. Kind regards Andy

Where are you?

[Pontius Navigator]

Up North. Imagine Harrier mates up north. Too busy dawn south telling people I Was . . .

[STENDEC North]

Happy to post UK and I'll cover return postage obvs.

[STENDEC North]

I'll post wine with print!

[jindabyne]

PN

And your Harrier mate knowledge stems from -----?

[Pontius Navigator]

Jindabyne, banter Sir, banter.


PS, and a tour at Wittering

[jindabyne]

Aah ------

[Arfur Dent]

PN- "a tour at Wittering" - was that on the OCU or 1(F)?

[Pontius Navigator]

AD, neither, one of the other units :)

[BEagle]

Collyweston rather than Wittering....

[Onceapilot]

AD, neither, one of the other units :)

A greatly feared unit. ;)

OAP

[Yellow Sun]

A greatly feared unit. ;)

OAP

You had nothing to fear as you would never walk alone :}

YS:E

[BEagle]

You had nothing to fear as you would never walk alone...

Indeed. There had to be a minimum of two of you, each of whom was "capable of detecting an unauthorised act or incorrect procedure on the part of the other".

RAFASUPU at Collyweston ran the 'hydrogen bomb courses', although there was a fluffier title. There was nothing like a Stamford-induced vindaloo and Ruddles hangover at 08:00 the following day when being taught the Pauli exclusion principle and other elements of nuclear physics theory by some long-suffering chap in a white dustcoat...:uhoh:

SPDF means....??

[Pontius Navigator]

BEagle, in your day were you taught about explosive motors or motor pistons gas?

[BEagle]

We were taught about 'explosive lenses' and earlier 'gun' fission devices, as well as fusion and fission-fusion-fission devices.

All rather a long time ago now.

[alwayslookingup]

A Squadron print to Nuclear weapons in 16 posts....:O

[BEagle]

Well, yes - sorry.

The hydrogen bomb courses were held at Wittering over at the Collyweston end. We stayed in the OM, where we frequently chatted with some of the Harrier OCU guys - they were generally quiet professionals learning to fly the very difficult Harrier GR3. I'd met several Harrier mates before, both over at Wildenrath holding with Mogwi at Harrier sites and with 20 Sqn (whose T-bird was U/S, so I didn't get my promised trip). Also when I'd had my brief time on 58 Sqn at Wittering before the squadron was disbanded and I returned to Brawdy for the rest of the year.

I met one ex-RAFC chum over dinner once - he'd done 2 x 15 min trips that day learning to fly the beast in vertical mode and was absolutely knackered, such was the level of nervous concentration needed!

Hopefully some kind ex-bona jet chaps will respond to the OP!

[Steve Bond]

I was 233 OCU groundcrew

[Pontius Navigator]

I was 233 OCU groundcrew

And one whose signature would be worth while

[noprobs]

I was a QFI on 233 from 82 to 86. My T4 hours, presumably including the one on your print, total over 1000, in addition to 2000 plus in single-seat variants. I'll sign your print if you get it to me.

[STENDEC North]

Noprobs that’s very kind of you, please could you pm me some contact details. Kind regards Andy