RAE Bedford

[Bergerie1]

Can anyone remember the designator for the main runway at Bedford in the late 1980s. Was it RW27 or RW26?

[Shackman]

In ERS for 1982 it was 09/27.

[Bergerie1]

Thanks, Shackman!

[kintyred]

IIRC mag variation was reducing then and a number of runways in the SE of England were redesignated in the 80s (including Farnborough if memory serves).

[Bergerie1]

Heathrow was too, it used to be 28L and 28R, any idea when it changed?

[Brian 48nav]

I started there in '86 - still 28/10, IIRC changed in late '80s.

If you put your query on ATC Issues, Talkdown man or Heathrow Director will know.

[spekesoftly]

According to Heathrow Director, it was on the 2nd July 1987.

See his post #4 on the link below:-

https://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/326537-heathrow-runway-change-28l-27l.html

[Bergerie1]

spekesoftly,

That sounds about right. But going back to Bedford, did they change the designator there at about the same time, or was it always 09/27?

[spekesoftly]

Bergerie 1,

Sorry, I don't know if or when Bedford's runway designator changed. Like Shackman, I have an old ERS (mines dated Oct 1983) and it also shows 09/27.

[Bergerie1]

spekesoftly,

Does it, by any chance, also give the VHF tower frequency?

[spekesoftly]

Bergerie 1,

Yes, Tower VHF 130.0

I've also subsequently found an old UK AIP Aerodrome Chart for Bedford dated 22 Sep 2011, showing RWY 08/26.

[sycamore]

The runway(1170yds) remaining for Mr Palmers guests is 27 at the E end,frq. 119.025....

[Chris Kebab]

Jan 92 it was still 09/27, an impressive 10,500ft

[Shackman]

And by Jun 92 BINA it was closed!

[potter_bb]

The runway(1170yds) remaining for Mr Palmers guests is 27 at the E end,frq. 119.025....

I wish Mr Palmer's guests would use it a little more often. I live a mile from the end of the runway, and like to see the odd plane or two on finals. We're treated to a good twenty minute beat-up by a Spitfire a couple of times a year. I can't imagine how busy the skies must have been when RAE Bedford was open, but I would have loved to have lived here when it was!

[Bonkey]

Is there anything left at Bedford of the steam catapult used for trials of carrier aircraft? I seem to recall that new FAA pilots of Sea Vixen, Buccaneer, Phantom etc in the 60s and 70s would have to experience a couple of launches from the land-based steam catapult at Bedford before embarking on a carrier?

Was this true?

[chevvron]

IIRC mag variation was reducing then and a number of runways in the SE of England were redesignated in the 80s (including Farnborough if memory serves).

Farnborough didn't change any runway designators in the '80s (but Heathrow did)
Farnborough runway 12/30 changed to runway 11/29 in about 1976
I got permission to change 07/25 to 06/24 in early/mid 2001. The new 'epoch' of variations (epochs last 4 years) didn't start until the end of the year but the runway was being re-surfaced and rather than paint it 07/25 and have to change again in Mar 2002 I got permission to re-designate it about 9 months early.

[chevvron]

Is there anything left at Bedford of the steam catapult used for trials of carrier aircraft? I seem to recall that new FAA pilots of Sea Vixen, Buccaneer, Phantom etc in the 60s and 70s would have to experience a couple of launches from the land-based steam catapult at Bedford before embarking on a carrier?

Was this true?

I think all the catapult and arrestor gear has gone as this area is now part of Jonathan Palmer's driving school.
Sea Harrier pilots were sent there to experience the 'ski jump' too.

[kintyred]

Farnborough didn't change any runway designators in the '80s (but Heathrow did)
Farnborough runway 12/30 changed to runway 11/29 in about 1976
I got permission to change 07/25 to 06/24 in early/mid 2001. The new 'epoch' of variations (epochs last 4 years) didn't start until the end of the year but the runway was being re-surfaced and rather than paint it 07/25 and have to change again in Mar 2002 I got permission to re-designate it about 9 months early.

Thanks Chevvron. I think Odiham 28/10 changed too, but I'll not embarrass myself by hazarding a date this time!

[Bergerie1]

Was the short cross runway designated 18/36?

[spekesoftly]

Was the short cross runway designated 18/36?

Reaches again for 'Slim Red Job' (ERS BINA) Oct 1983.

Yes, Farnborough cross runway 18/36.

[chevvron]

Thanks Chevvron. I think Odiham 28/10 changed too, but I'll not embarrass myself by hazarding a date this time!

About 2009 I think, just after I retired.

[chevvron]

Reaches again for 'Slim Red Job' (ERS BINA) Oct 1983.

Yes, Farnborough cross runway 18/36.

Farnborough 18/36 was always that until it was closed as a runway in about '95; the surface was never very good (although I've known things like Varsities, 146s and Hercules use it) hence it was the first to go becoming a taxiway, much to the chagrin of the RAE Aero Club who used it at weekends for the Tiger Moth.

[dragartist]

Just checked my little orange HMSO index book, Back in the 80s would phone Mrs Wright X5218 to arrange transport to Farnborough. She would call you back with timings for pick up at the Control Tower and return flights. The Chieften would pitch up and you get on without a word being exchanged. Unfortunately in a way this was after the Ah! de Havilland, Devon.

At the time I was designing some special signals kit for use on Snoopy and the M25 was being built. The drive was so tiresome.

I would get a lift over from Huntingdon with my Dad who worked in the Hangars, spend a bit of time looking over the strange modifications going on. Back in time for a cup of tea and early stack.

[safetypee]

Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.

There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.

The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.

[Bergerie1]

safetypee, I have sent you a PM

[XR914]

Do any of you chaps happen to know where "HMS Kid" was mown into the grass? I'm trying to work out where on the site this would have been, I'm pretty sure it was the northern side, but can't be sure. This was the pretend ship with a deck painted onto what looks like one of the taxiways for the MADGE trials.

Also, I don't suppose anyone has an airfield chart with ILS / DME information from any point in the 70's or 80's?

Thanks in advance.

[chevvron]

Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.

There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.

The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.
The 'hover pit' was put in for the SC1 although the Harrier did use it later.
On a visit to Bedford in 1974 I was told that the Devons would still use 18/36 in a strong north or south wind in spite of the VTOL pit.
Twinwoods was still used occasionally by the ferry in those days.(At least it was still available according to the Farnborough FOB).

[Jhieminga]

Do any of you chaps happen to know where "HMS Kid" was mown into the grass? I'm trying to work out where on the site this would have been, I'm pretty sure it was the northern side, but can't be sure. This was the pretend ship with a deck painted onto what looks like one of the taxiways for the MADGE trials.
I guess you've got the same photo that is in 'Wings over Thurleigh' on page 186? I tried to find the answer in that book but no joy I'm afraid. You could ask the BAHG if someone from their team knows the answer: https://www.bahg.org.uk/

[XN593]

Not quite what you were after but it might help. It is from the En Route Supplement effective 3 Jan 1974, corrected to 17 Dec 73.
Regardshttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/709x439/screenshot_20200905_171528_photos_6f28200f2b92a98b7706c83dba 77d5574557b9aa.jpg

[Fitter2]

safetypee (javascript:void(0)) , 5th Mar 2018 22:34
Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.

In the '70s I operated from there in a Slingby T61 in support of the BAC-111 hush kit trials. First arrival in a 25Kt gusting due Northerly I asked to use 36; they agreed but "land beyond the 'hover pit'". I suggested I could land short of it (200 metres? available), and they said I could try, but don't cross the pit. Trickled in , touched down and stopped level with the far side of the taxiway edge,, no problem.