RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps

[EXFIN]

A few of us are in the process of creating an online archive for all known aircraft movements at RAF Valley since 1941. The Station celebrates it’s 80th Anniversary this Year and this archive will become ‘live’ at some stage this Year. We are looking for anyone who has flown to Valley with logbook entries/photos, this includes Missile Practice Camps especially on the Javelin & early Lightnings BUT any visits are of interest. Screenshots from logbooks would be gratefully received and anecdotal stories/events. So with various lockdowns in force please have a look at your logbooks/albums. Please feel free to pass on this request. My email is [email protected]

[CharlieJuliet]

Hi, Have some info on 5 Sqn MPC 23 Apr 67 to 9 May 67 will see what my log book says. I think I fired a Firestreak on28 Apr 68!!

[Lomon]

Are the movement logs not already stored at the AHB?

[EXFIN]

We’re chasing that one up but the Station ‘540’s are fairly vague, plus Practice diversions would not have been logged, STCAAME it would appear did not log any specific serial’s etc.

[EXFIN]

Hi, Have some info on 5 Sqn MPC 23 Apr 67 to 9 May 67 will see what my log book says. I think I fired a Firestreak on28 Apr 68!!

All gratefully welcomed, mine was a 9G in Aug 89, textbook firing thankfully! Please send the details to [email protected]

[BEagle]

Another aspect of RAF Valley's history:In 1955, No 6 Joint Services Trials Unit was established at Valley as a lodger unit to undertake trials with the Fairey Fireflash air-to-air guided missile. As an air-launched beam-riding missile, the Fireflash possessed only a limited advantage over fixed gunnery and was destined to never achieve operational status. Intensive trials of the missile were however conducted with the redesignated No 1 Guided Weapons Development Squadron in 1957 with 10 modified Swift F7s acting as their carriers.

By 1957, the air-to-air guided missile, Fireflash, has started full-scale Service trials on the Swift 7. The purpose of these trials is both to work out the tactics for using air-to-air missiles and also to get practical experience in the handling of such weapons. In this way, the entry of the next air-to-air missile, Firestreak, for which substantial orders have been placed, would be made easier.

In 1957-59, the Swift made a name for itself in successful trials of the Fireflash (Sky Blue) air to air missile aboard specially configured, radar equipped Swift F7s at RAF Valley. As a result, some consideration was given to its possible use as a high level bomber destroyer but with the Lightning and Javelin on the horizon the idea was soon abandoned.


I think that the late Sqn Ldr John 'Farmer' Steele might have been on 1 GWDS?

[ExAscoteer2]

My Late Father did a jet refresher on Meteors and Vampires with 202 AFS at Valley in August 1952. I believe he and my Mother had lodgings at Llanfair-yn-neubwll.

When I get my scanner up and running again I will scan his LogBook page and forward it to you.

[EXFIN]

My Late Father did a jet refresher on Meteors and Vampires with 202 AFS at Valley in August 1952. I belief he and my Mother had lodgings at Llanfair-yn-neubwll.

When I get my scanner up and running again I will scan his LogBook page and forward it to you.

excellent, cheers

[EXFIN]

Another aspect of RAF Valley's history:

I think that the late Sqn Ldr John 'Farmer' Steel might have been on 1 GWDS?

Many thanks Beags, as you mentioned Swift F7 XF115-124 were there for approx 18 months then flown to 23MU Aldergrove for scrapping!

[Non Linear Gear]

Are you happy for your email to be passed about on facebook with requests for MPC for a certain RAF type? Admin for a group that threw 9Gs and Ls off from Valley. PM me if you are happy.

[EXFIN]

Are you happy for your email to be passed about on facebook with requests for MPC for a certain RAF type? Admin for a group that threw 9Gs and Ls off from Valley. PM me if you are happy.

more than happy, cheers

[Hot 'n' High]

A few of us are in the process of creating an online archive for all known aircraft movements at RAF Valley since 1941. ... Screenshots from logbooks would be gratefully received and anecdotal stories/events.

Such a shame as I lost some phots for a transit up to BUTEC mid-1980 with 2 or maybe 3 Sea Kings for some Torpedo Trials with 810 NAS. I have a few on the helipad at Kyle but had a whole batch from the BUTEC ranges + our stopover at Valley - all sadly lost when pipe split and soaked loads of stuff years later.

Plonked in at Valley with them as a baby trainee erk (lowest-of-the-low .... but 3 rungs down) and got "misplaced" and ended up with the aircrew at the "feeder" for lunch. Was temp promoted to Midshipman H 'n' H by one of the aircrew to sign in. Should have booked in as Admiral H 'n' H - it was the only way I could have made it to Flag rank!!!

Eventually conned the Queen into giving me a real Commission - but got nowhere near Admiral ..... sadly! Too much time enjoying myself rather than climbing the greasy pole! Ah, happy daze! H 'n' H

[Non Linear Gear]

more than happy, cheers
I have mentioned. Many TEs in the world. Did you drive at Linton in 2002?

[BEagle]

Apart from my Gnat, Hunter and Hawk courses:

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton

Haven't been back since! But I enjoyed Valley immensely!

[ExAscoteer2]

I did a number of trips to Valley in the mighty Dominie - I'll need to dig my LogBook out.

[MAN777]

I was crew on board G-GMPB BN Defender when we were training overhead Anglesey in July 2002. A suspected fuel leak forced us to make a rapid descent and unannounced emegency landing at Valley. It was weekend and I dont think the tower was manned ?
We taxied to the SAR ramp and was invited to an ongoing squadron BBQ after a few hours we were collected by MT and driven back to Manchester ! The aircraft stayed

[CharlieJuliet]

Also fired a Winder on 21 Jun 73. Here are the only pics I've got of the Firestreak launch - sadly none of the Winder as I think that the Winder took out the Jindy!!! Often wondered if the controls went slack when the Jindy was shot down??

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1420x2000/img062_4337703d44a07b4e9c3102e1c6b6d8ec802150f6.jpg

[CharlieJuliet]

OOPs not sure why that came out twice - sorry!! Now fixed!

[57mm]

KC and I claimed a Jindi in our trusty and infamous steed XV422,the one with a Jag silhouette.....

[Fareastdriver]

I did my winching training at Valley when I was on my helicopter conversion course, or doesn't that count?

It was the week when Ian Smith declared UDI and immediately after the BBC news there was a tannoy ordering all the Rhodesian students to report to the Station Commander at 09:00 hrs the next morning

[EXFIN]

I have mentioned. Many TEs in the world. Did you drive at Linton in 2002?

I left the mob in ‘96, followed by 15yrs with Thomas Cook and 6 with Qatar Airways.

[Cornish Jack]

FED - With that dateline,we may have 'shared' aircraft . I was back at Valley instructing then, but world affairs for us were more on the 'confrontation' with Indonesia - the training workload was very close to exhaustion level !

[EXFIN]

KC and I claimed a Jindi in our trusty and infamous steed XV422,the one with a Jag silhouette.....
do you have a date please and Sqn?

[EXFIN]

I did my winching training at Valley when I was on my helicopter conversion course, or doesn't that count?

It was the week when Ian Smith declared UDI and immediately after the BBC news there was a tannoy ordering all the Rhodesian students to report to the Station Commander at 09:00 hrs the next morning

the more the merrier, Valley’s rotary history from 1955 onwards is just as important as the fast jets, dates/unit/serial/type would be very useful, please send to my email address, Taff

[EXFIN]

Apart from my Gnat, Hunter and Hawk courses:

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton

Haven't been back since! But I enjoyed Valley immensely!

excellent, just what we need, many thanks Beags.

[EXFIN]

OOPs not sure why that came out twice - sorry!! Now fixed!

Excellent, would it be possible to send the photos to my email [email protected] . Was the winder on the F-4? If so do you have date/serial/unit please. Regards, Taff

[Mogwi]

Copies of log-book sent.

Mog

[BEagle]

EXFIN, sorry, I forgot to give you the squadrons!

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston was from 669 Sqn AAC. Aircraft had flown in from Wildenrath to collect wedding presents! As I was on my way to a holding posting at Wildenrath (under care of Mogwi!), they gave me a lift from Valley back to Wildenrath via Manston.
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton (35 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales (56 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton (241 OCU)

Also some time in Dec 1980, I was flying a SAP from 63 Sqn RAF Chivenor leading the late Pete 'Stony' Stone (who sadly bought it in an RAFG Harrier prang in 1989, RIP mate) - he simulated a rapid fuel leak somewhere in North Wales so I diverted intending to take him to Mona. But it wasn't available, so instead we blasted into the Valley circuit scattering 4 FTS Hawks as we did so, then RTB'd Chiv to take a rather vexed call from Valley's duty QFI! I think it was probably on 8th Dec in XX219. Magic times at Heaven-in-Devon!!

[Hot 'n' High]

Such a shame as I lost some phots for a transit up to BUTEC mid-1980 with 2 or maybe 3 Sea Kings for some Torpedo Trials with 810 NAS. I have a few on the helipad at Kyle but had a whole batch from the BUTEC ranges + our stopover at Valley - all sadly lost when pipe split and soaked loads of stuff years later.

The water must affected my memory as see I've done quite a few transits through Valley. Will e-mail the list! And now really quite concerned at just how shocking my memory is! :\

[EXFIN]

Get that logbook out, a good cure for dementia!

[EXFIN]

EXFIN, sorry, I forgot to give you the squadrons!

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston was from 669 Sqn AAC. Aircraft had flown in from Wildenrath to collect wedding presents! As I was on my way to a holding posting at Wildenrath (under care of Mogwi!), they gave me a lift from Valley back to Wildenrath via Manston.
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton (35 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales (56 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton (241 OCU)

Also some time in Dec 1980, I was flying a SAP from 63 Sqn RAF Chivenor leading the late Pete 'Stony' Stone (who sadly bought it in an RAFG Harrier prang in 1989, RIP mate) - he simulated a rapid fuel leak somewhere in North Wales so I diverted intending to take him to Mona. But it wasn't available, so instead we blasted into the Valley circuit scattering 4 FTS Hawks as we did so, then RTB'd Chiv to take a rather vexed call from Valley's duty QFI! I think it was probably on 8th Dec in XX219. Magic times at Heaven-in-Devon!!

Many thanks, we have a photo of your PD with the VC-10, if you'd like a copy just drop me a PM with your email. Barging into the circuit reminds me of a 4ship i was on arriving at Coningsby in the old GR.1. The No.2 instead of shoving the wings forward on the break swept them back. Broke as 2 and landed as No.4!!!

[diginagain]

03-Nov-92 Lynx AH7 XZ613 refuel Inbound from Aldergrove, departed for Wallop. Routed back in another cab via Blackpool.

[EXFIN]

03-Nov-92 Lynx AH7 XZ613 refuel Inbound from Aldergrove, departed for Wallop. Routed back in another cab via Blackpool.

Cheers, we have you already! 655 Sqn? Used to get loads in the good old days plus the Wessex on the N Ireland changeovers.

[diginagain]

Cheers, we have you already! 655 Sqn? Used to get loads in the good old days plus the Wessex on the N Ireland changeovers.
It was indeed! Changing-out an airframe to spread the hours across the fleet.

[Yellow Sun]

1 Jan 1969 Varsity T1 WJ915 Gaydon - Valley - Gaydon Can’t remember why.
7 Mar 1969 Varsity T1 WF333 Gaydon- Valley - St Athan. Take pax to St Athan for UWAS Dining In Night.
8 Mar 1969 varsity T1 WF333 St Athan - Valley - Gaydon Return survivors from above.
6 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM557 Ex Highwood deployed from Waddington due forecast weather, landed at Valley following Keltex in North Sea with Valley Gnats deployed ex Lossiemouth or Leuchars. One of 3 (?) Vulcans deployed, detachment operated from STCAMME
7 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM609 Ex Highwood Valley-Valley
8 Dec 1971 RTB Waddington, probably courtesy of STCBS Hastings but not recorded.
29 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley
30 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 RTB Cranwell
10 May 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW416 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
29 Jun 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW368 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
3 sep 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW435 Final Nav Test Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
4 Jan 1979 Nimrod MR1 XV233 Search and Rescue Standby. Deployed from St Mawgan to Prestwick due Wx forecast 3 Jan. Launched late evening 3 Jan, due wx diverted to Valley on completion of task morning 4 Jan. Recovered St Mawgan 5 Jan. Read about it in “Out of the Blue - The Final Landing”

YS

[EXFIN]

Many thanks, do you remember which units/Sqns they were please. Taff

[EXFIN]

1 Jan 1969 Varsity T1 WJ915 Gaydon - Valley - Gaydon Can’t remember why.
7 Mar 1969 Varsity T1 WF333 Gaydon- Valley - St Athan. Take pax to St Athan for UWAS Dining In Night.
8 Mar 1969 varsity T1 WF333 St Athan - Valley - Gaydon Return survivors from above.
6 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM557 Ex Highwood deployed from Waddington due forecast weather, landed at Valley following Keltex in North Sea with Valley Gnats deployed ex Lossiemouth or Leuchars. One of 3 (?) Vulcans deployed, detachment operated from STCAMME
7 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM609 Ex Highwood Valley-Valley
8 Dec 1971 RTB Waddington, probably courtesy of STCBS Hastings but not recorded.
29 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley
30 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 RTB Cranwell
10 May 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW416 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
29 Jun 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW368 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
3 sep 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW435 Final Nav Test Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
4 Jan 1979 Nimrod MR1 XV233 Search and Rescue Standby. Deployed from St Mawgan to Prestwick due Wx forecast 3 Jan. Launched late evening 3 Jan, due wx diverted to Valley on completion of task morning 4 Jan. Recovered St Mawgan 5 Jan. Read about it in “Out of the Blue - The Final Landing”

YS
Excellent, do you know the Units/Sqns please. Taff

[Yellow Sun]

Varsities RAF Gaydon, 2ANS
Vulcan RAF Waddington, 101 Sqn; there were probably crews from 50 and 44 on the detachment.
Jet Provost RAF College Cranwell, 1 Sqn
Nimrod RAF St Mawgan, 42 Sqn

YS

[Lima Juliet]

EXFIN

It sounds like you need a copy of the following book. It comes with a CD with pictures of all APCs with the Aircrew and their names that flew from STAACME. Goes through about 40 years of history.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/214x300/4806231e_6289_41fe_b14e_99dd5b0811f9_1790c8e3a194de99cf30b82 e1a7109b56fab52b9.jpeg

[Hot 'n' High]

Get that logbook out, a good cure for dementia!

Mmmm, dementia - or, in my case, absolute non-recall! As my poor Dad died @90 with severe dementia maybe I'm just way ahead of him on that score. But, to many who have known me over the years more likely "Ops normal! He's always bleeding clueless!" Sadly, I've no defence against that Charge, Me'lud! A fair cop!

[EXFIN]

EXFIN

It sounds like you need a copy of the following book. It comes with a CD with pictures of all APCs with the Aircrew and their names that flew from STAACME. Goes through about 40 years of history.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/214x300/4806231e_6289_41fe_b14e_99dd5b0811f9_1790c8e3a194de99cf30b82 e1a7109b56fab52b9.jpeg

I have the book but not the CD sadly, will persevere!

[EXFIN]

Varsities RAF Gaydon, 2ANS
Vulcan RAF Waddington, 101 Sqn; there were probably crews from 50 and 44 on the detachment.
Jet Provost RAF College Cranwell, 1 Sqn
Nimrod RAF St Mawgan, 42 Sqn

YS
many thanks for your help. Taff

[BEagle]

Some more from my JP course at RAFC Cranwell (all with 2 Sqn RAFC):

4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Cranwell - Valley Nav 16 (Med / Lo)
4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Valley Nav 18 (Lo / Med / Lo)
5 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Cranwell Nav 19 (Lo / Med)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Cranwell - Valley Final Nav Test Part 1 (Med / Lo)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Valley - Cranwell Final Nav Test Part 2 (Hi)

Plus from a Leeming SORF refresher course:

11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 Leeming - Valley LL Nav
11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 RTB Leeming LL Nav

[CharlieJuliet]

First trip to Valley for an Open Day weekend 18/20 June 1965 in 85 Sqn Binbrook Meteor F8 WK 654 and then not again till on MPC. Lightning Firestreak was from 5 Sqn F6 XS894 28 April 1967, and Winder was from 228 OCU FGR2 XV436 on 21 June 1973

[dctyke]

As non aircrew (wpns tm at the time) I consider myself extremely lucky to have gone up in a Harrier T4 doing video chase on GR5 live firing of a sidewinder. Was amazed how close we were to the action.

[EXFIN]

Many thanks to all who have replied. Please feel free to pass on the request to any relevant groups. Taff

[EXFIN]

As non aircrew (wpns tm at the time) I consider myself extremely lucky to have gone up in a Harrier T4 doing video chase on GR5 live firing of a sidewinder. Was amazed how close we were to the action.

I remember firing the '9G, it felt like one of the Apollo launches! We arrived at STCAAME to be given the Introductory Briefing which consisted of 'next Squadron that screws up and the RAFG MPC is cancelled!' We got airborne as the secondary firer to the previous Sqn's last firing, they then had a weapon malfunction which put us as primary. The rest thankfully was a textbook firing, after landing at Valley we both were looking forward to a few beers/curry but sadly not to be, RTB Laarbruch! Happy Days

[Peter Carter]

I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.

[huge72]

With 3 tours in Ireland and detachments before, I carried out many Wessex change overs. Some we flagged and went onto either Odiham or Benson and Aldergrove on return. and some we carried out the change at Valley. One such trip we arrived at Valley to discover that the cab coming from Benson was delayed. This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.

[SLXOwft]

Potential Thread Drift.

As a schoolboy holidaying in Rhosneigr circa the late 70's I was loitering in the dunes near the threshold of 32 (as it was then) when a foam carpet was laid for a Bruggen Jaguar (I think of either 14 or 17 squadron) which landed using the full length of 14. The aircraft remained on the runway for sometime as a wing was inspected. I wondered if it was a weapon hang up. Anyone here know any more?

My dim memories suggest that a detachment of 4 or 5 Jags were using the STCAAME ramp for all/part of the week. Anything that would give actual dates was consigned to recycling decades ago.

I remember seeing Super Jollies from Woodbridge which unlike most USAF aircraft actually landed. Even with a knowledge of theory of flight I was always slightly amazed they flew.

[dctyke]

when we were at missile camp with a new junior pilot who was flying the spare we would get to the ac the instant it stopped, whip off the winder a fit a used umbilical. As he came down the ladder the ground crew would congratulate him, for a moment some would be in total shock and horror!

[EXFIN]

I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.
Cheers, do you have the serial/unit please?

[EXFIN]

With 3 tours in Ireland and detachments before, I carried out many Wessex change overs. Some we flagged and went onto either Odiham or Benson and Aldergrove on return. and some we carried out the change at Valley. One such trip we arrived at Valley to discover that the cab coming from Benson was delayed. This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.

Down the Falklands in '84 I flew in a Lynx to Goose Green, on board were 4 squaddies led by a L/Cpl. The gunner gave them the brief not to exit the Lynx until he opened the side door after landing as it would be rotors running. On arrival at Goose, said L/Cpl and his 3 oppos exited without permission. As the L/Cpl was walking away from the Cab the Gunner tapped him on the shoulder, he turned round at which point the Gunner 'decked' him, he then got back in and we flew off! P.S. do you have dates/serials fro the NI changeover?

[RetiredBA/BY]

Vampire T11 XE998 to Vy from Swinderby and return. Feb. 28 1964. My landaway from 8 FTS.

[Hot 'n' High]

....... This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.

huge72, we could have a sub-Thread here - "Stories involving the Valley Aircrew Feeder" following my Post #12 above! At least you were aircrew - and an NCO! :E

As you said, "Happy Days!"! :ok:

[PEI_3721]

A mixed bag; a few photos to follow if they can be found.
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Aug 20 - Sept 2 1967
23 Sqn Lightnings Ex 'Midsummer' Nov 21 - Nov 24 1967, a carefree / careless defending the Navy (ship control) in home waters; only 2 Irish airliners bagged.
Lightning F6 XR 763 1May 1968 day visit ?
Lightning F6 XR 763 Nov 25 1968 day visit MPC.
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Dec 1 - Dec 12 1968
226 OCU Lightnings T5, F1 MPC Nov 11 1971

and during early 70s as a resident incumbent:-
Lightnings more operationally orientated, first battle flight firing non-stop from Germany, plus QRA / Tac Eval.
First of several Phantom MPCs - what a laugh. Winder worked but only went 'pop', AIM-7 'flew' if all the interlocks were out, slow-burn late-light launch could go anywhere (one RN launch fell back and then flew over the wing!). Lost a few Jindis until the radar polarisation was understood - radar reflector didn't like the launch aircraft rolling through 90deg after release. Then / if fusing, sometime.
PR Sqn failed to take a single air-air photo. Harrier VIFF trials, Boscombe Down Buccaneer with Martel misfire.

Oct 6 1977 Sea Vixen XN 653 target for 'trial 1756' 600 kts at 200 ft
Feb 21 1978 BAC1-11 XX105 overnight positioning for early morning fog flying at BHX
Jan 24 1980 HS 748 XW 750 overnight fog flying at GLA
Meteor F8 WH453 ? PD from Llanbeder, June 1979 ? self-auth first flight, and last flight in the RAF !
June 1983 BAe 146-100 ZD 695 RAF evaluation, photo formation with Hawk, and A5 pass.
and one that I took earlier:-

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/442x384/fight_4_20130eb35b8aa44afecf4a17f7aaedddffc28511.jpgJ

[huge72]

Hot 'n' High sadly this wasn't confined to Valley. The general service knowledge of a great many in the RAF was lacking when it came to NCO Aircrew. On another occasion I was crewman on a Shawbury Wessex doing crash/incident standby at Scampton for one of the 'Reds' anniversary's. And again at lunch one of the Team asked us to leave as it was for aircrew only. The FJ world in particular were guilty of this and it came as a shock to some in the 90's when redundant FJ Navs were posted to rotary and they had to work with them! I can only hope that things have improved since then but I doubt it somehow.

[EXFIN]

Many thanks again to all who have replied. With 6.8k views there must be a few more visits lurking out there! Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

PEI_3721
Looking at June '79 the only record we have is WH320:N on 5.6.79. We have a photo of the aircraft at the holding point for in those days R20. Taff

[Peter Carter]

Originally Posted by Peter Carter View Post (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/637967-raf-valley-missile-practice-camps-3.html#post10966281)
I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.
Cheers, do you have the serial/unit please?

Yes: XX889; 16Sqn.

[EXFIN]

Yes: XX889; 16Sqn.
Grand, my first Sqn on the Fin!

[Fortissimo]

I was involved in 4 firings from the F4, all of which were 'interesting' in one way or another. My first was an 9G telemetry round on APC when I was still on convex. It was a successful firing but it had been slightly handicapped by the inability of the flt cdr in the boot to read the range checklist; his crime was revealed when the QWI played the audio tape and the assembled crowd heard me ask politely at the -30 secs point (when we got the Punch call) if it would be a good idea to put the Master Arm live. To be fair, he did buy some beers as a result.

The second was a Sparrow III QRA firing, for which we were well aware that failure to get a war-shot missile away would be deemed a foul for the Sqn. We were both chuffed when the radar failed the BIT but pressed to the range anyway. We had to hold off to the north of the range, which gave us more time, but it was also the point where our photo chase pitched up on the wing - we were busy trying to fix the radar and neither of us looked properly at him, which was a shame as he was trying to indicate that he had lost comms. Oops. At the wash-up we found that his nav's Noddy Guide was out of date and the freq was wrong. Full marks though, he guessed from the straight track into the depths of the range that things were close and started filming about 5 seconds after he saw the target smoke - he only missed the first 2m of missile travel. The firing itself went right down to the wire as we could not get the target locked up. We agreed it would be a boresight firing if all else failed, so no pressure... As it happened, the hero nav managed to get a gyros out lock as we approached min range and with just enough radar settling time to keep the QWIs happy. It worked.

My photo chase was a short notice firing and also a war-shot missile (SKF, I think). Everything went very well, the firer eased away for post-launch separation per the brief and I followed the missile. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter it pitched rapidly up, down and up again, at which point the warhead detonated into a rather pretty orange and black ball. I got quite a close look at the continuous expanding rod, which was still expanding, plus a few other chunks of debris, all of which missed us. A good reminder that just because you have fired a missile, don't assume it will always work!

My final missile was another short-notice war-shot. The firing itself was uneventful but we could probably have done without the generator failure 10 miles before trigger press. I'm not sure how many F4 firings were done with the RAT out, perhaps some other PPruners can enlighten me.

EXFIN, I will PM you the details once I have retrieved my log books from the office.

[Wwyvern]

RAF Aircraft
17 - 21 May 1971, 113 Basic Helicopter Course mountain flying, wet winching and decks.- Whirlwind HAR 10.
4 Jun 71. Navex from/to Tern Hill - Whirlwind.
7 Sep 71 - 9 Jan 74. Several visits en route Odiham via Valley to/from Aldergrove. Wessex HC2
Dates are available if required.
4 - 6 Feb 74. Mountain Flying training - Wessex.

Civilian Aircraft
5 -6 Aug 94. Privately-owned Piston Provost, RAF Valley Open Day Flying Display.

[L1011effoh]

29 Jun 89 JP5A XW351 Solo LL Nav land away Kemble - Valley - Kemble
30 Jun 89 JP5A XW374 Dual LL Nav land away Kemble - Valley - Kemble
04 Jul 89 JP5A XW435 FNT land away Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
8 Aug 91 JP5A XW316 SCT Hi-lo Nav land away Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
18 Oct 91 Tucano T1 ZF144 SCT Hi-lo airways land away Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell

All with 1 Sqn 3 FTS RAF Cranwell.

[spekesoftly]

16 March 1970 JP4 XP683 Dual Nav land away Linton - Valley
17 March 1970 JP4 XP683 Dual Nav Valley - Linton RTB

Both with A Flt 1 Sqn 1 FTS RAF Linton-on-Ouse

[EXFIN]

Fantastic, keep them coming! Taff

[EXFIN]

RAF Aircraft
17 - 21 May 1971, 113 Basic Helicopter Course mountain flying, wet winching and decks.- Whirlwind HAR 10.
4 Jun 71. Navex from/to Tern Hill - Whirlwind.
7 Sep 71 - 9 Jan 74. Several visits en route Odiham via Valley to/from Aldergrove. Wessex HC2
Dates are available if required.
4 - 6 Feb 74. Mountain Flying training - Wessex.

Civilian Aircraft
5 -6 Aug 94. Privately-owned Piston Provost, RAF Valley Open Day Flying Display.

Yes please for the N Ireland changeovers, serials & dates please, Taff

[Minnie Burner]

On a very wet and windy day in 1971 a 707, from Airtours I believe, appeared out of the gloom. I remember that the cabin crew were made particularly welcome. BomberH & co might remember more details.
Around the same time a Sea Vixen from 899 broke into the circuit with "a minor control problem". It had a sizeable amount of its starboard wing missing. The details of the incident, and the pilot most regrettably, are now part of FAA history.
A decade later I flew in the squadron's allocation of 8 missiles for MPC and the landing even by my standards was pretty awful. I was convinced that the sparrows, in particular, would never work. Fortunately, that was not the case.
It still seems remarkable to me that the Gnat used to operate virtually autonomously in IFR back in the day. Nowadays it's just virtually!
As Mog would say: "swing the lamp".

[huge72]

During the troubles, the NI Wessex Fleet used to transit on a regular basis changing over airframes as they went for Major Servicing etc. Here are the ones that I went through on but obviously a small number from the 33 years of Wessex Ops in NI.

15/05/80 XT606 (O) Odi-Val-Ald NICO

XR511 (L) Ald-Val-Odi NICO

04/07/80 XT607 (P) Ald – Val NICO

XT675 (?) Val – Ald NICO

01/10/80 XT669 (T) Shy – Val NICO

XR525 (G) Val – Odi NICO

22/04/81 XR522 (?) Ald – Val NICO

XV723 (Q) Val – Ald NICO

13/07/81 XR509 (?) Ben – Val – Ald NICO

21/01/82 XT681 (U) Ald – Val NICO

XR517 (N) Val – Ald NICO

03/05/82 XT669 (T) Ald – Val –Ben OP Corporate Deployment

27/05/82 XR517 (N) Ald – Val – Ben NICO

XV723 (Q) Ben – Val – Ald NICO

22/09/82 XT676 (I) Ald – Val NICO

XV728 (A) Val – Ald NICO

01/12/85 XV723 (Q) Wad – Val – Ald Exercise Recovery

05/03/86 XV728 (A) Shy – Ald Div to Val U/S

06/03/86 XV728 (A) Val – Ald Recovery

04/06/87 XR511 (L) Ald – Val –Ben NICO
22/05/92 XR511 (L) Ald – Val – Ben NICO

I have added the aircraft letter codes, sadly there are 3 that I cannot remember.

[EXFIN]

On a very wet and windy day in 1971 a 707, from Airtours I believe, appeared out of the gloom. I remember that the cabin crew were made particularly welcome. BomberH & co might remember more details.
Around the same time a Sea Vixen from 899 broke into the circuit with "a minor control problem". It had a sizeable amount of its starboard wing missing. The details of the incident, and the pilot most regrettably, are now part of FAA history.
A decade later I flew in the squadron's allocation of 8 missiles for MPC and the landing even by my standards was pretty awful. I was convinced that the sparrows, in particular, would never work. Fortunately, that was not the case.
It still seems remarkable to me that the Gnat used to operate virtually autonomously in IFR back in the day. Nowadays it's just virtually!
As Mog would say: "swing the lamp".

Funnily, i received an email a couple of days ago referring to 1.12.71 which saw a 'shed' load of diversions into Valley including a few Boeings! Possibly the same day? Will trawl to see if I can find a few more details of the Sea Vixen. Do you have the date/serial/type/unit of the visit regarding the 8 Missiles? The IFR bit reminds me of my time at Valley in '87, airborne solo but prior to the IRT Valley was covered in cloud on my return, having worked in ATC there i just called for a cloud break and landed, walked to the Sqn but no one was on the Auth desk, got to the Bar to be asked 'where the f**k have you been, on telling i was rewarded with a bollocking for disobeying rules!

[EXFIN]

Huge72

Many thanks, Taff

[Old and Horrified]

I went there twice during my initial commercial training with Oxford Air Training back in Nov 1971 and Feb 1972, each, coincidently on the same aircraft, a Cherokee G-AXTM. Logbook copies sent. Both were navigation exercises, the second one solo (followed by a nightstop to visit an old friend and then a little trip around the island before setting off home!)

[doodledog]

First ever Valley landaway was 23 July 1985 in an RAFC Cranwell JP5 XW290.

Later, I spent a week on MPC at Valley with IX Sqn from 5-11 Jul 89 (mostly hanging around Bardsey Island.as the airborne spare!). Finally got my chance to loose off an AIM-9G at a flare pack that was being towed unfeasibly close behind the Jindy - fortunately, the rocket did the job and took the flare pack clean off the wire, much to my relief. Jets noted in my logbook from the detachment were: ZD793 CA, ZD745 AA and ZD792 CF. There was also a guesting 20 Sqn jet (GB) for which I don't have the serial.

In a later life as a Valley QFI, I also flew quite a few missile chases for STCAAME, highlight being watching an AA-11 firing from a German MiG 29 in July 1993.

[EXFIN]

First ever Valley landaway was 23 July 1985 in an RAFC Cranwell JP5 XW290.

Later, I spent a week on MPC at Valley with IX Sqn from 5-11 Jul 89 (mostly hanging around Bardsey Island.as the airborne spare!). Finally got my chance to loose off an AIM-9G at a flare pack that was being towed unfeasibly close behind the Jindy - fortunately, the rocket did the job and took the flare pack clean off the wire, much to my relief. Jets noted in my logbook from the detachment were: ZD793 CA, ZD745 AA and ZD792 CF. There was also a guesting 20 Sqn jet (GB) for which I don't have the serial.

In a later life as a Valley QFI, I also flew quite a few missile chases for STCAAME, highlight being watching an AA-11 firing from a German MiG 29 in July 1993.

Many thanks for the info Doodledog, I fired mine a couple of weeks later, your serials are confirmed and you're correct, there was a 20 Sqn jet present too. As you mentioned over the Years there were the Fulcrums and also later Gripens & Viggens. Best wishes, Taff

[sarn1e]

OK, here goes...these are the highlights since there are many transits to and fro to start/end Trials, MPCs and one-off/QRA firings. No pictures, I'm afraid.

Lightning Firings with 5 Sqn:

28 Oct 85 F6 XR727 AP72 Firestreak
08 Sep 86 F6 XS922 AP72 Firestreak
08 Sep 87 F6 XR728 AP81 Firestreak Photochase
11 Sep 87 T5 XS416 AP72 Firestreak
15 Sep 87 F6 XR758 AP71 Firestreak (Night) Abort Wx
17 Sep 87 T5 XS416 AP71 Firestreak (Night)
18 Sep 87 F6 XR758 AP81 Firestreak

Tornado F3 Captive Carry Trials and Firings with 229OCU, F3OEU and 25 Sqn:

5 Dec 88 ZE339 QWI MF1 SkyFlash Firing

20 Mar 90 ZE911 AIM-9L de-chirp Trial
21 Mar 90 ZE 911 ditto
22 Mar 90 ZE911 ditto
14 Aug 90 ZE889 Op GRANBY SkyFlash Firing
17 Aug 90 ZE911 Op GRANBY SkyFlash Firing
21 Aug 90 ZE911 Op GRANBY AIM-9L de-chirp Firing
29 Aug 90 ZE889 Op GRANBY AIM-9M Firing

9 Mar 94 ZE797 QRA SkyFlash Firing
15 Jun 94 ZE199 AP5 SkyFlash Photochase
16 Jun 94 ZE762 AP4 SkyFlash Secondary SkyFlash Firer
22 Jun 94 ZE341 AP2 2 x SkyFlash Firing
28 Jun 94 ZE165 AP2 SkyFlash Photochase

Typhoon PDs with 17 Sqn:

30 Jan 04 ZJ803 First in-service RAF Typhoon PD to Valley

A few stories to go with the data...

5 Sqn conducted the last ever Firestreak MPC hence why we took 45 missiles to Valley and did our level best to get rid of them, both day and night. The weather was truly terrible, but we managed to fire about 35, if I recall correctly.

It was a fun, but very odd, detachment that included a spell of open arrest during the middle weekend for the (I think, all QFI - I was on the desk) 4-ship that we were begged to put up for a course graduation - apparently offending the Valley Stn Cdr through the use of a lag-pursuit roll (both legal and authorized) to regain formation at low level. This led to one of the best displays of leadership I saw during my time in the Service. At 0830 on the Monday morning following, having just come out of main Met Brief (during which we had been publicly berated by Valley's Stn Cdr as "amateurs" - to the extreme embarrassment of the 4FTS students and staff present) our Stn Cdr arrived in the Valley circuit doing what looked and sounded like about 600 knots. He demanded a car and disappeared over the other side from STCAAME for about 20 minutes, stopping only briefly on his way out of the door to berate the "guilty" party with "that'll teach you for being a fighter pilot!". After the said 20 minutes our Stn Cdr reappeared, climbed in his quick-turned jet and then proceeded to carry out a "f-you" rotation departure. All done by 0900. We never heard what was actually said, but we certainly appreciated the sentiment.

Even odder was the vibe at Valley, where, because the jet was going out of service, the students seemed to be discouraged from asking us for a trip (which rather undermined why we'd taken the T5 there in the first place). We stood up in our first Met Brief and offered pax rides on firings, but the only takers in the two weeks were there were ex-Lightning guys and exchange officers. I flew the Canadian and French guys who, unsurprisingly, thought firing the Mighty Firework - especially in the dark - was awesome. Not sure they liked the RHS circuits quite as much, though. As an aside, Firestreak was much more basic than Red Top, but also went bang more reliably.

During the Op GRANBY modification circus there were a number of firsts, which was both challenging and great fun. One particular SkyFlash firing involved a weapon-system mode that was classified need-to-know. Unfortunately, OC STCAAME was not on the list, which led to a bit of a Mexican stand-off in the ops room after we landed. He expressed some surprise at the mode the missile had launched in and asked to see the tape. I asked him to confirm the (successful) telemetry results and then, in the face of very robust objection, politely-but-firmly told him that I could not provide him with the tape and that we were leaving. This earned me a mildly-amused-but-supportive lecture in tact and diplomacy from my boss when I got back to Coningsby.

There were a good number of other STCAAME-involved firings, including some quite esoteric stuff, but these took place in the Hebrides with us flying out of Leuchars.

Everyone should know that the slot to get on an MPC is armed photochase. Something always goes wrong with one of the firers and you (nearly) always get in there on the day. Given my tally, it was clear that I had no business being near the firing list when it came to 25 Sqn's MPC. The programmers thought they had sidelined me by relegating me and Baby Nav (now Dreamliner Driver) to armed photochase. Cometh the hour, cometh the snags on start, followed, once airborne, by the second firer's (we were shooting 2 SkyFlash at one target to see the effects on the second missile of the first hitting the target) radar refusing to hold lock. Cue Baby Nav screaming (in the cockpit, not on the radio) at the Second Firer to admit defeat after three radar recycles and hand it over, since the contingency was a double firing!

And lo it came to pass. "Firing, firing, now" followed luxuriously by "firing, firing, now". Two stores away and a double "drop kick" (at least, I think that was the banter). Baby Nav never let the QWIN - for it was indeed he - forget it. I was not forgiven and never allowed (armed) near a firing detail again, but it was totally worth it. As it happens, I was guesting some years later on an F3OEU ASRAAM shoot in Florida, but my reputation preceded me and they refused to let me fly armed as the photochase just in case!

If only my posting hadn't come through before that first Typhoon AIM-120...

[ancientaviator62]

sarn1e,
did you think to offer a trip in the T5 to any of your groundcrew ? I am sure the armourers would have been very interested to see the fruits of their labours being used as intended.

[Krystal n chips]

On a very wet and windy day in 1971 a 707, from Airtours I believe, appeared out of the gloom. I remember that the cabin crew were made particularly welcome. BomberH & co might remember more details.
Around the same time a Sea Vixen from 899 broke into the circuit with "a minor control problem". It had a sizeable amount of its starboard wing missing. The details of the incident, and the pilot most regrettably, are now part of FAA history.
A decade later I flew in the squadron's allocation of 8 missiles for MPC and the landing even by my standards was pretty awful. I was convinced that the sparrows, in particular, would never work. Fortunately, that was not the case.
It still seems remarkable to me that the Gnat used to operate virtually autonomously in IFR back in the day. Nowadays it's just virtually!
As Mog would say: "swing the lamp".

It was a BOAC 707, bringing the great and the good for the grand opening of a certain aluminium plant...I recall rumours that finding enough air to start it again caused a few heart palpitations at one point, but was finally resolved.

The Sea Vixen did indeed do a credible impression of having met a can opener.....how it remained airborne was quite remarkable really. The VASF pan suddenly became over populated you might say.

[EXFIN]

OK, here goes...these are the highlights since there are many transits to and fro to start/end Trials, MPCs and one-off/QRA firings. No pictures, I'm afraid.

Lightning Firings with 5 Sqn:

28 Oct 85 F6 XR727 AP72 Firestreak
08 Sep 86 F6 XS922 AP72 Firestreak
08 Sep 87 F6 XR728 AP81 Firestreak Photochase
11 Sep 87 T5 XS416 AP72 Firestreak
15 Sep 87 F6 XR758 AP71 Firestreak (Night) Abort Wx
17 Sep 87 T5 XS416 AP71 Firestreak (Night)
18 Sep 87 F6 XR758 AP81 Firestreak

Tornado F3 Captive Carry Trials and Firings with 229OCU, F3OEU and 25 Sqn:

5 Dec 88 ZE339 QWI MF1 SkyFlash Firing

20 Mar 90 ZE911 AIM-9L de-chirp Trial
21 Mar 90 ZE 911 ditto
22 Mar 90 ZE911 ditto
14 Aug 90 ZE889 Op GRANBY SkyFlash Firing
17 Aug 90 ZE911 Op GRANBY SkyFlash Firing
21 Aug 90 ZE911 Op GRANBY AIM-9L de-chirp Firing
29 Aug 90 ZE889 Op GRANBY AIM-9M Firing

9 Mar 94 ZE797 QRA SkyFlash Firing
15 Jun 94 ZE199 AP5 SkyFlash Photochase
16 Jun 94 ZE762 AP4 SkyFlash Secondary SkyFlash Firer
22 Jun 94 ZE341 AP2 2 x SkyFlash Firing
28 Jun 94 ZE165 AP2 SkyFlash Photochase

Typhoon PDs with 17 Sqn:

30 Jan 04 ZJ803 First in-service RAF Typhoon PD to Valley

A few stories to go with the data...

5 Sqn conducted the last ever Firestreak MPC hence why we took 45 missiles to Valley and did our level best to get rid of them, both day and night. The weather was truly terrible, but we managed to fire about 35, if I recall correctly.

It was a fun, but very odd, detachment that included a spell of open arrest during the middle weekend for the (I think, all QFI - I was on the desk) 4-ship that we were begged to put up for a course graduation - apparently offending the Valley Stn Cdr through the use of a lag-pursuit roll (both legal and authorized) to regain formation at low level. This led to one of the best displays of leadership I saw during my time in the Service. At 0830 on the Monday morning following, having just come out of main Met Brief (during which we had been publicly berated by Valley's Stn Cdr as "amateurs" - to the extreme embarrassment of the 4FTS students and staff present) our Stn Cdr arrived in the Valley circuit doing what looked and sounded like about 600 knots. He demanded a car and disappeared over the other side from STCAAME for about 20 minutes, stopping only briefly on his way out of the door to berate the "guilty" party with "that'll teach you for being a fighter pilot!". After the said 20 minutes our Stn Cdr reappeared, climbed in his quick-turned jet and then proceeded to carry out a "f-you" rotation departure. All done by 0900. We never heard what was actually said, but we certainly appreciated the sentiment.

Even odder was the vibe at Valley, where, because the jet was going out of service, the students seemed to be discouraged from asking us for a trip (which rather undermined why we'd taken the T5 there in the first place). We stood up in our first Met Brief and offered pax rides on firings, but the only takers in the two weeks were there were ex-Lightning guys and exchange officers. I flew the Canadian and French guys who, unsurprisingly, thought firing the Mighty Firework - especially in the dark - was awesome. Not sure they liked the RHS circuits quite as much, though. As an aside, Firestreak was much more basic than Red Top, but also went bang more reliably.

During the Op GRANBY modification circus there were a number of firsts, which was both challenging and great fun. One particular SkyFlash firing involved a weapon-system mode that was classified need-to-know. Unfortunately, OC STCAAME was not on the list, which led to a bit of a Mexican stand-off in the ops room after we landed. He expressed some surprise at the mode the missile had launched in and asked to see the tape. I asked him to confirm the (successful) telemetry results and then, in the face of very robust objection, politely-but-firmly told him that I could not provide him with the tape and that we were leaving. This earned me a mildly-amused-but-supportive lecture in tact and diplomacy from my boss when I got back to Coningsby.

There were a good number of other STCAAME-involved firings, including some quite esoteric stuff, but these took place in the Hebrides with us flying out of Leuchars.

Everyone should know that the slot to get on an MPC is armed photochase. Something always goes wrong with one of the firers and you (nearly) always get in there on the day. Given my tally, it was clear that I had no business being near the firing list when it came to 25 Sqn's MPC. The programmers thought they had sidelined me by relegating me and Baby Nav (now Dreamliner Driver) to armed photochase. Cometh the hour, cometh the snags on start, followed, once airborne, by the second firer's (we were shooting 2 SkyFlash at one target to see the effects on the second missile of the first hitting the target) radar refusing to hold lock. Cue Baby Nav screaming (in the cockpit, not on the radio) at the Second Firer to admit defeat after three radar recycles and hand it over, since the contingency was a double firing!

And lo it came to pass. "Firing, firing, now" followed luxuriously by "firing, firing, now". Two stores away and a double "drop kick" (at least, I think that was the banter). Baby Nav never let the QWIN - for it was indeed he - forget it. I was not forgiven and never allowed (armed) near a firing detail again, but it was totally worth it. As it happens, I was guesting some years later on an F3OEU ASRAAM shoot in Florida, but my reputation preceded me and they refused to let me fly armed as the photochase just in case!

If only my posting hadn't come through before that first Typhoon AIM-120...

Very impressive tally of Missiles fired, no wonder they banned you later! I found the same as a GR1 QWI in Goose/Alaska, not allowed to drop any 1,000pounders but every time I crewed into the spare there would be 8 of the bloody things underneath!
I went through Valley in '87, if I'd known you were giving away pax rides I'd have been over like a shot! I have around half a dozen photos taken on the STCAAME line during your detachment, if you'd like a few copies just give me a shout on [email protected] Also have a few of 'AQ' which came in on Monday 14.9 but don't know if that was Fynes'ey visiting or your Staish. At the St Athan Air Day in I think '95 the UAS were complaining about the Mess Sec who was an Engineer so we 'transported' his room outside onto the garden. Said Mess Sec came up & was greatly chuffed saying he hadn't seen that done for Years - UNTIL he asked whose room had been transported - YOURS!!!
All the info is much appreciated, many thanks for your time, much appreciated which goes to everyone whose contributed. Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

It was a BOAC 707, bringing the great and the good for the grand opening of a certain aluminium plant...I recall rumours that finding enough air to start it again caused a few heart palpitations at one point, but was finally resolved.

The Sea Vixen did indeed do a credible impression of having met a can opener.....how it remained airborne was quite remarkable really. The VASF pan suddenly became over populated you might say.

Many thanks, will chase that up. There must be a photo of the Sea Vixen damage floating around, will give the FAA at Yeovilton a shout. Wonder how many palouste's it takes to start a '707:) Best wishes, Taff

[Wwyvern]

Hi EXFIN,

Dates of Wessex change-overs Northern Ireland:-

7 Sep 71 XR498 To Aldergrove via Valley. XR674 Odiham via Valley.
13 Sep 71 XR606 Transit Valley to Aldergrove.
18 Sep 71 XR606 Transit Aldergrove to Odiham via Valley.
31 Jul 72 XV725 To Valley nightstop.
1 Aug 72 XV725 To Aldergrove. XT669 to Odiham via Valley.
22 May 73 XR523 To Aldergrove. via Valley. XT670 to Odiham via Valley.
9 Jan 74 XR 523 To Valley. XR 520 Valley to Odiham.

[BEagle]

22 Jul 1982 Phantom FGR2 XV478. QRA(I) scramble for an Aberporth firing; my logbook tells me it was an 'AP2B'..

Join up with the photo chase and set up for the Sparrow firing. Flying the 'Noddy Guide' speed / height to the letter, but my nav (who was once a PPRuNer) couldn't find the Jindi', despite calls from the nav in the photochase. So we knock it off and set up for the Sidewinder back up shot. Fly the controller's headings and turn calls again with speed and height absolutely nailed like it's my IRT. See the Jindi', 'winder is growling happily as we await the controller's clearance to fire. We are given clearance and I call "Firing...", "Firing..." when the controller calls "STOP!!". So once again we knock it off, swearing at everyone and everything as the Jindi' driver has flown it out of the range danger area. We ask for another set up, only to be told that the Jindi' is low on fuel and we are to RTB. Poke off back to Wattisham feeling rather miffed as I know that I will be sure to get the blame for something which wasn't my fault! Fortunately my nav, being a nice honest chap, backs me up completely.

[sarn1e]

sarn1e,
did you think to offer a trip in the T5 to any of your groundcrew ? I am sure the armourers would have been very interested to see the fruits of their labours being used as intended.

Your point is well made, though a T5 during a missile firing is not the best environment (especially in the dark) for an intro pax ride... Even the experienced French exchange officer found it interesting when one of our missiles misfired and ominously sat there after landing with the armourers creeping up to put the safety break in!

On 5 Sqn, during our last APC in 1987, our Boss took two T5s to Cyprus and flew everyone who wanted a go for 4 weeks (obviously the T5 couldn't fire on the banner). We actually ran out of passengers to fly. For the last week we took off the ventrals, which made the trips (even!) shorter - but very spectacular.

Similarly, on 25 Sqn in 1995, we finished the APC in record time and I then recommended to the Boss that we flew 2 days of (24 total) dedicated pax rides as constituted 4-ships before going to the beach for a week. I well remember a certain Chf Tech saying to me that we didn't need to fly that close just for his benefit as we flew across Akrotiri in box. When we got back to Leeming we had never seen so many serviceable jets (and seemingly limitless spares).

I learned a lot about motivation from those two examples.

[endevol]

I have a couple of decent quality images from the Lightning F6 G90 gun camera. Not sure exactly when they were taken but it was late 80's at Valley. I was on the Engineering team at the time and the pilot flying handed copies of these images to the ground crew at the time. The clover-leaf detonation pattern and shrapnel water splashes in the second image are quite nice :-)

The forum software won't let me post them (not enough posts to my name, apparently) so if some kind soul can pm me an email address I will email them for said kind soul to post.

[PEI_3721]

endevolhttps://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x655/9739d8df_11fd_4e7f_8bca_5c35f19f74d6_5c48f96880c4bf9c0bbd23d 17ef325d33e2f1511.jpeg
This one ?
Short range low level, high angle off, warhead, against a 200 ft towed flare (smoke trail)

[PEI_3721]

An interesting mix, types and Sqns.
Could have been for Harrier VIFF trials - Harrier at distant end of line.
More likely 1 Jul 1969 for flypast HRH Prince of Wales over Carnarvon (12 Phantom and four Lightning)


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1290/c8c32b98_0781_460c_ab73_992a57dfb9e1_bfcbc035c7a3712ed3600b5 9d03c720859e6c9bd.jpeg

[Dan Gerous]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x655/9739d8df_11fd_4e7f_8bca_5c35f19f74d6_5c48f96880c4bf9c0bbd23d 17ef325d33e2f1511.jpeg

Mentioned earlier was "expanding rod". I'd never heard of this before and looked it up on gaggle. Plenty of descriptions, and I sort of understand it, but couldn't find any pics. Is this pic an example of an expanding rod type weapon?

[CharlieJuliet]

Interesting to see #85. On 1 July 1969 6 Sqn, from Coningsby, did a flypast over Carnarvon with 12 Phantoms for the Prince of Wales Investiture; we were meant to be joined by XX Lightnings which had pre positioned at Valley, but we were told that bad weather had not allowed them to launch (presumably they had retired to the pub to tell war stories??). The weather south of Carnarvon where we held wasn't pretty, but the weather over Carnarvon was 8/8ths blue. We were told that AOC 38 Gp turned to AOC 11 Gp and asked where his aircraft were?? On 5 July we did a flypast over Cardiff for the Prince of Wales and we were accompanied by Lightnings (who were supported by many tankers in case the weather turned!!!! Anyone remember this?

[PEI_3721]

Dan Gerous, re 'expanding rod'.
Yes the photograph shows a pattern normally associated with an expanding rod warhead.
Red Top - IR homing on the flare; typically, the dark doughnut explosive ring (to the fore of the bright clover leaf) gives some spin to the ring, thus the effect is like a band saw.
Its a good picture, but begs the question where were did all of the other segments of the ring go … , photo-chase break off now !

[Non Linear Gear]

Taff, you have opened a can of worms for you to sort! I was talking to my brother that has the RAF Aberporth range logs from the start to the end of released records. They have most misssile firings recorded from that time. He possiblly has been in contact already.

[MAINJAFAD]

Taff, you have opened a can of worms for you to sort! I was talking to my brother that has the RAF Aberporth range logs from the start to the end of released records. They have most misssile firings recorded from that time. He possiblly has been in contact already.

Unfortunately, I don't have photos of all of the Aberporth F540's as my research was Bloodhound related. Thus if nothing of note Bloodhound wise happened in a month, I have not photographed that sheet. Also I tended to photo the parts of the page that covered the Bloodhound operations and not parts that covered anything else. The Fighter Command MPC at Valley stood up on 1st June 1962 and the first Squadron to visit was 64 Squadron with their Javelins the following month.

2- 18 July 1962 - 64 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (two successful. one partial success and two failures).
20-31 August 1962 - 33 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (three successful and two failures).
19 November - 7 December 1962 - 33 Sqn - 6 Firestreaks fired (no details bar one was successful).

1963

January 1963 - Not photographed
February 1963 - No AAM firings
18 March - ??? - 41 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired in March. April F540 not photographed due to no Bloodhound Mk 1 firings that month.
29 April - 17 May 1963 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 Successful, 1 failed).
June / July 1963 - No AAM firings
18 August - 5 September 1963 - 64 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 Successful, 1 failed).
22 September - 4 October 1963 - 11 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired (3 Successful, 1 failure)
13 - 28 October 1963 - 5 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks Fired, all successful.
16 - 18 October 1963 - Two Javelins from 41 Sqn for low level Firestreak firing trials, two missiles fired, both successful.
November 1963 - No AAM firings.

Last Bloodhound Mk 1 fired on 1st November 1963, thus there major gaps until the Bloodhound Mk 2 service firing started in June 1966, however

13 - 23 January 1964 - 5 lightnings from 92 Sqn fired 5 firestreaks (all successful).
9-13 January 1966 - 74 Sqn - 5 firestreaks fired (2 successful, 3 failures)
4-26 April 1966 - 5 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired successfully
8-27 May 1966 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 successful, 1 failure).
11-26.July 1966 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. 4 successful, 1 failure.
5-21 September 1966 - 56 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. ditto
17 October - 1 November 1966 - 19 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. 3 Successful, 1 failure, 1 not recorded.
14-30 November 1966 - 92 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks fired. 2 successful, 1 partial successful.(MPC actually ended on 2nd December with no firings that month).

1967

9 January - 9 February 1967. Fighter Command Training unit deployed to FCMPC for Service Red Top Firing Trials
6 - 23 February 1967 - 29 Sqn - one Firestreak fired (failure). Weather stopped any other firings.
8-15 March 1967 - Fighter Command Trials Unit Red Top Trials (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
April 1967 - MPC details not photographed.
10-24 May 1967 - Fighter Command Trials Unit Red Top Trials (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
2-10 May 1967 - 5 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
June 1967 - 2 Red Tops fired, no details of unit (8th and 14th June).
3 - 18 July 1967 - 92 Sqn - 7 Firestreaks fired (all successful)
21 August - 1st September 1967 - 23 Sqn - Firestreaks fired on 23rd, 29th, 30th and 1st..
18 September - 5 October 1967 - 19 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks fired, all failed
18 - 24 October 1967 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired, 4 successful, 1 failed.
November 1967 - MPC details not photographed.
December 1967 - MPC details not photographed.

1968

3-17 January 1968 - 226 OCU - 6 Firestreaks fired, 2 successful, four failures
1-15 February - 11 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired - successful. 3 Red Tops fired -Successful
19-23 February - 226 OCU - 4 firestreaks fired, 2 successful, two failed.
3-12 March 1968 - 29 Sqn - 4 Red Tops fired, all failed
27 April - 7 May 1968 - 5 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks (2S, 1F), 2 Red Top (2F).
26 June - 17 July 1968 - 92 Sqn - 7 Firestreaks fired (5S, 2 F)
4th July 1968 - First Red Top QRA firing (5 Sqn).
August 1968 - No AAM firings
September 1968 - MPC details not photographed.
October 1968 - MPC details not photographed.
November 1968 - MPC details not photographed.

1-9 December 1968 - 23 Sqn
3rd Firestreak S/N B481 (Flashhead) fired by Lightning XR 756
6th Firestreaks S/N B574AA and B776AA (Telemetry) fired by Lightning XR 762 and XR 938
9th Red Tops S/N YO 311 and YO 372 (Telemetry) fired by Lightning XS 937 and XR 729.

11th December 1968 Another Red Top S/N YO 709 (warhead) was fired from Lightning XP765 but this could have been either a Trial or QRA shot.

jan 96
February 1969 - MPC details not photographed.
2 - 28 March 1969 - 11 Sqn - 2 Red Tops fired (1F 1 not assessed) 3 Firestreaks fired (not assessed).
April 1969 - No AAM firings
May 1969 - Not photographed
June 1969 - Not Photograhed
July 1969 - No MPC. 2 QRA Red Top Firings.
18 August - 4 September 1969 - 111 Sqn - 5 Red Tops fired (results not recorded)
.9-21 October 1969 - 5 Sqn - . 4 Red Tops fired (9th, 16th, 21st). one warhead round, one flash head and two telemetry. (results not recorded)
21 November - 4 December 1969 - 29 Sqn - 5 Red Tops fired (21st, 27th, 28th, 4th) 1 Flash, 2 telemetry and 2 warhead (results not recorded)

12 - 30 January 1970 - 23 Sqn - 3 Red Tops fired (15th and 20th) 2 warhead and 1 flash head. results not reported..
February - March 1970 - 56 Sqn - 4 Red Tops fired, all failures.
April 1970 - No Records
May 1970 - 19 Sqn - 6 Firestreaks fired (results not recorded)
June 1970 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (results not recorded)
16- 24 September 1970 - 56 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired. - not all details not photographed.
7th October 1970 a 29 Sqn Lighting fired a Red Top after being detached to Valley
21st October 1970 a 5 Sqn Lighting fired a Red Top after being detached to Valley
22 October - 4 November 1970 - 92 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. - (results not recorded)
8 - 14 December 1970 - 5 Sqn - 5 firestreaks and 1 Red Top fired. (results not recorded)

Between 1971 and 1974 the Bloodhound Firing Unit did their own F540, so I've not looked at the main Aberporth F540 in any detail during that period bar to check up on anything that the BFU ORB had missed. however I have found the stuff below.

BOI at STCAAME in Feb 1971 due to a failure of Red Top firings on 28th Jan 1971

First RAF Sidewinder MPC by 43 Sqn between 19 / 20 April 1971. three missiles fired.

11-14 May 1971 - 5 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired
14 - 26 July 1971 - 56 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired . One missile serial is that of a Lightning (XP 743?)

17-20 July 1973 - 92 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired

1-15 August 1973 - 19 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired
13-14 August 1973 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired

1-11 October 1973 - 31 Sqn - 2 sparrows and a sidewinder fired

6-13 December 1974 - 43 Sqn - 3 sidewinders fired

1-3 September 1975 - 43 Sqn fired 2 sparrows and 2 sidewinders

30 September - 8 October 1975 - 31 Sqn fired 2 sparrows and 2 Sidewiders

13-16 October 1975 - 17 Sqn fired 1 sparrow and 3 sidewinders

After 1975, Bloodhound firings became quite rare with no more than four missiles being fired in any year up to 1982, normally in a short three month period in each year, so I've not got much after 1975. All dates that don't have QRA or Trial next to them are MPC's at Valley.

[ancientaviator62]

sarn1e,
your groundcrew who did fly were very lucky . I worked on Javelin. Hunter and Lightning squadrons have have no recollection of any of us even getting a sniff at a trip. I for one would have gone. On the rare occasions our T4 was serviceable on 92 such trips seem to go to WRAF officers. Having said that my late brother did get a trip in a T4 when he was the squadron clerk on the Lightning OCU? at Middleton St George. I think he flew with the then boss Ken Goodwin. What made it worse was at the time I was working on the u/s a/c in the hangar !
Took me years to forgive my brother.

[PEI_3721]

Battle Fight direct from Germany.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1626/b60e1950_c713_436e_b477_38e8f3d3c3d1_ded16638134460d6c8c6566 aa8a4acb311b3fef3.jpeg


Boss had secretly allocated JP to QRA. Hooter goes, but Q2 aircraft mistakenly allocated; and everyone forgot that Q2 was the Sqn runt, christmases tree - it will never be used.
Radar fails en route, PAS fails entering the range; survival knife to cut string on chinagraph pencil; fixed cross on PAS reflector, 100% success.

'Firestreak was much more basic than Red Top, but also went bang more reliably.'
Not bad for a design which started pre 1950, no major modifications or variants; vacuum valve technology - fixed in jelly, and 30+ years inservice.
The Lightning-Firestreak combination had a commendable success rate when evaluated as a complete system from aircraft startup to shoot down. Many of the failures reported above involved unproven fusing problems where the towed flare pack began to break up, the shedded particles did not affect the guidance but could trigger an early fuse. Much development work on flare packs carried out.

Conversely the US missiles did not match the expected (salesman) success rates using the total system analysis. A two week sojourn to China Lake and Pt Magu identified that the US only considered events after trigger press, and even then some firings were declared 'no test' for other reasons, lack of photo, telemetry, switch pigs.

An unusual high angle-off shot, probably AIM-7, expanding ring warhead - and somewhat off course.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/e4f4e64e_bb9d_40fd_b820_1b68e047ca6d_244061c6810a32dc02ba214 b0a5dc355e4785de6.jpeg

[condor17]

Taff , ‘fraid it’s a civi .

23/10/1973 . Beagle Husky D5 G-ASNC , gas ‘n go .

My 1st job at 20 , aerial photography for Airviews [Mcr] Ltd . Task was Hi level FL100 ish timed vertical shots of a N Wales river .

Nearest field for gas ‘n go was RAF Valley , PPR arranged . Called up , descended in .

Tower’s clearance was ‘’ Report over threshold of disused RWY , NOT above 50 ft ‘’.

Wow , this will be fun thinks I . .... Lots of parked Gnats becoming large...

‘’G-NC , disused threshold ‘’

Tower , ‘’Hold there ‘’ .......................Thinks bubble ....

‘’G-NC , we’re not an Helicopter ‘’

Tower , ‘’ Sorry , We thought you were , join downwind Etc ‘’................

Taff , re your 707 and Palouste ..

BEA’s Tridents had the original Palouste APUs replaced with Garretts . The old Paloustes were mounted on VW microbus chassis’s as GPUs . For the Speys , we’d need one Palouste for a ground airstart . Seem to remember 707s and VC10s needing one as well , but Tristar , 747s needing 2 .

‘Tho , 25yrs later 2 Goan start carts could not give enough Huff ‘n Puff for a Tristar . They had to wait 24 hrs ‘til an Indian Airlines 737-200 brought in a long enough hose to plug into it’s P&W JT8 .

Will mail logbook scan .



Rgds condor .

[just another jocky]

Hi EXFIN. Assuming you don’t want home-based ac sorties (I did AFT at Valley on the Hawk 84/85), here are the details from my logbook of flights to/from or PD to VY:

27 Aug 86, TTTE, Tornado, G4306 (GAF), COT-COT LL Nav/GH PD VY

21 Mar 88, 17(F) Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA370, Hi-Lo Bruggen to VY, LAYD Donna

22 Mar 88, 17 (F) Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA370, RTB Night TFR, LAYD Wain

16 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA613, MAR – VY

17 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA561, MPC Chase

18 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA609, MPC 1 x AIM 9G, RTB MAR

7 Apr 97, TTTE, Torn, G4305 (GAF), COT to VY

8 Apr 97, TTTE, Torn, G4305 (GAF), VY to COT

30 Jun 04, XIII Sqn, Torn GR4A, ZE116, 2v1 LL bounce trip, MAR to VY

30 Jun 04, XIII Sqn, Torn GR4A, ZE116, 2v1 LL bounce trip, VY to MAR

The first sortie, 27 Aug 86, was my first solo in the Tornado with my Luftwaffe student navigator, Lt Mueller in a Luftwaffe Tornado from the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) based at Cottesmore (for those that didn’t know). We flew low level out to Cheshire and we clearly became a little disoriented because we completed a couple of 360’s around the castle at Beeston in Cheshire. Following the PD to Valley, we landed back at Cottesmore to discover that my parents, grandparents and sister had all been stood atop the castle at the time we became lost. Such a coincidence!

My first missile firing I can remember vividly as the most nerve-wracking 2 minutes of my entire career, far worse than being shot at in GW1 or the nerves as we tipped in to strafe some bad guys in AFG who were <300m from friendlies. The process of calling "firing - firing - now" and squeezing the trigger, all in concert with each other, had to be very pedantic following stories of pilots mistakenly squeezing the trigger first. That MPC we were briefed after we arrived that the next crew to shoot down the Jindy would be drummed out of the air force unceremoniously. I think it was IX Sqn that had shot down 2 in the previous MPC and it was an ex-IX Sqn pilot now running STCAAME. Fortunately, the firing went well.

The 2 sorties 7/8 Apr 97 were flown with Flt Lt Greg Hurst, another Instructor Pilot from TTTE who was tragically killed in Jan 99 when his Tornado was involved in a mid-air with a GA plane near Gamston/Retford.

My 2nd MPC sortie, successfully firing an AIM 9L from low level, was flown from/to MAR. I think STCAAME had closed down by then, but I’m not sure.

If you want photos of the logbook pages, please let me know.

[EXFIN]

An interesting mix, types and Sqns.
Could have been for Harrier VIFF trials - Harrier at distant end of line.
More likely 1 Jul 1969 for flypast HRH Prince of Wales over Carnarvon (12 Phantom and four Lightning)


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1290/c8c32b98_0781_460c_ab73_992a57dfb9e1_bfcbc035c7a3712ed3600b5 9d03c720859e6c9bd.jpeg
would it be possible to send me a scanned copy of any Valley photos you have please at [email protected] Taff

[EXFIN]

Unfortunately, I don't have photos of all of the Aberporth F540's as my research was Bloodhound related. Thus if nothing of note Bloodhound wise happened in a month, I have not photographed that sheet. Also I tended to photo the parts of the page that covered the Bloodhound operations and not parts that covered anything else. The Fighter Command MPC at Valley stood up on 1st June 1962 and the first Squadron to visit was 64 Squadron with their Javelins the following month.

2- 18 July 1962 - 64 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (two successful. one partial success and two failures).
20-31 August 1962 - 33 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (three successful and two failures).
19 November - 7 December 1962 - 33 Sqn - 6 Firestreaks fired (no details bar one was successful).

1963

January 1963 - Not photographed
February 1963 - No AAM firings
18 March - ??? - 41 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired in March. April F540 not photographed due to no Bloodhound Mk 1 firings that month.
29 April - 17 May 1963 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 Successful, 1 failed).
June / July 1963 - No AAM firings
18 August - 5 September 1963 - 64 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 Successful, 1 failed).
22 September - 4 October 1963 - 11 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired (3 Successful, 1 failure)
13 - 28 October 1963 - 5 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks Fired, all successful.
16 - 18 October 1963 - Two Javelins from 41 Sqn for low level Firestreak firing trials, two missiles fired, both successful.
November 1963 - No AAM firings.

Last Bloodhound Mk 1 fired on 1st November 1963, thus there major gaps until the Bloodhound Mk 2 service firing started in June 1966, however

13 - 23 January 1964 - 5 lightnings from 92 Sqn fired 5 firestreaks (all successful).
9-13 January 1966 - 74 Sqn - 5 firestreaks fired (2 successful, 3 failures)
4-26 April 1966 - 5 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired successfully
8-27 May 1966 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (4 successful, 1 failure).
11-26.July 1966 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. 4 successful, 1 failure.
5-21 September 1966 - 56 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. ditto
17 October - 1 November 1966 - 19 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. 3 Successful, 1 failure, 1 not recorded.
14-30 November 1966 - 92 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks fired. 2 successful, 1 partial successful.(MPC actually ended on 2nd December with no firings that month).

1967

9 January - 9 February 1967. Fighter Command Training unit deployed to FCMPC for Service Red Top Firing Trials
6 - 23 February 1967 - 29 Sqn - one Firestreak fired (failure). Weather stopped any other firings.
8-15 March 1967 - Fighter Command Trials Unit Red Top Trials (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
April 1967 - MPC details not photographed.
10-24 May 1967 - Fighter Command Trials Unit Red Top Trials (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
2-10 May 1967 - 5 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired (not known if deployed to FCMPC)
June 1967 - 2 Red Tops fired, no details of unit (8th and 14th June).
3 - 18 July 1967 - 92 Sqn - 7 Firestreaks fired (all successful)
21 August - 1st September 1967 - 23 Sqn - Firestreaks fired on 23rd, 29th, 30th and 1st..
18 September - 5 October 1967 - 19 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks fired, all failed
18 - 24 October 1967 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired, 4 successful, 1 failed.
November 1967 - MPC details not photographed.
December 1967 - MPC details not photographed.

1968

3-17 January 1968 - 226 OCU - 6 Firestreaks fired, 2 successful, four failures
1-15 February - 11 Sqn - 2 Firestreaks fired - successful. 3 Red Tops fired -Successful
19-23 February - 226 OCU - 4 firestreaks fired, 2 successful, two failed.
3-12 March 1968 - 29 Sqn - 4 Red Tops fired, all failed
27 April - 7 May 1968 - 5 Sqn - 3 Firestreaks (2S, 1F), 2 Red Top (2F).
26 June - 17 July 1968 - 92 Sqn - 7 Firestreaks fired (5S, 2 F)
4th July 1968 - First Red Top QRA firing (5 Sqn).
August 1968 - No AAM firings
September 1968 - MPC details not photographed.
October 1968 - MPC details not photographed.
November 1968 - MPC details not photographed.

1-9 December 1968 - 23 Sqn
3rd Firestreak S/N B481 (Flashhead) fired by Lightning XR 756
6th Firestreaks S/N B574AA and B776AA (Telemetry) fired by Lightning XR 762 and XR 938
9th Red Tops S/N YO 311 and YO 372 (Telemetry) fired by Lightning XS 937 and XR 729.

11th December 1968 Another Red Top S/N YO 709 (warhead) was fired from Lightning XP765 but this could have been either a Trial or QRA shot.

jan 96
February 1969 - MPC details not photographed.
2 - 28 March 1969 - 11 Sqn - 2 Red Tops fired (1F 1 not assessed) 3 Firestreaks fired (not assessed).
April 1969 - No AAM firings
May 1969 - Not photographed
June 1969 - Not Photograhed
July 1969 - No MPC. 2 QRA Red Top Firings.
18 August - 4 September 1969 - 111 Sqn - 5 Red Tops fired (results not recorded)
.9-21 October 1969 - 5 Sqn - . 4 Red Tops fired (9th, 16th, 21st). one warhead round, one flash head and two telemetry. (results not recorded)
21 November - 4 December 1969 - 29 Sqn - 5 Red Tops fired (21st, 27th, 28th, 4th) 1 Flash, 2 telemetry and 2 warhead (results not recorded)

12 - 30 January 1970 - 23 Sqn - 3 Red Tops fired (15th and 20th) 2 warhead and 1 flash head. results not reported..
February - March 1970 - 56 Sqn - 4 Red Tops fired, all failures.
April 1970 - No Records
May 1970 - 19 Sqn - 6 Firestreaks fired (results not recorded)
June 1970 - 111 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired (results not recorded)
16- 24 September 1970 - 56 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired. - not all details not photographed.
7th October 1970 a 29 Sqn Lighting fired a Red Top after being detached to Valley
21st October 1970 a 5 Sqn Lighting fired a Red Top after being detached to Valley
22 October - 4 November 1970 - 92 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired. - (results not recorded)
8 - 14 December 1970 - 5 Sqn - 5 firestreaks and 1 Red Top fired. (results not recorded)

Between 1971 and 1974 the Bloodhound Firing Unit did their own F540, so I've not looked at the main Aberporth F540 in any detail during that period bar to check up on anything that the BFU ORB had missed. however I have found the stuff below.

BOI at STCAAME in Feb 1971 due to a failure of Red Top firings on 28th Jan 1971

First RAF Sidewinder MPC by 43 Sqn between 19 / 20 April 1971. three missiles fired.

11-14 May 1971 - 5 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired
14 - 26 July 1971 - 56 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired . One missile serial is that of a Lightning (XP 743?)

17-20 July 1973 - 92 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired

1-15 August 1973 - 19 Sqn - 4 Firestreaks fired
13-14 August 1973 - 23 Sqn - 5 Firestreaks fired

1-11 October 1973 - 31 Sqn - 2 sparrows and a sidewinder fired

6-13 December 1974 - 43 Sqn - 3 sidewinders fired

1-3 September 1975 - 43 Sqn fired 2 sparrows and 2 sidewinders

30 September - 8 October 1975 - 31 Sqn fired 2 sparrows and 2 Sidewiders

13-16 October 1975 - 17 Sqn fired 1 sparrow and 3 sidewinders

After 1975, Bloodhound firings became quite rare with no more than four missiles being fired in any year up to 1982, normally in a short three month period in each year, so I've not got much after 1975. All dates that don't have QRA or Trial next to them are MPC's at Valley.

Fantastic, we are also looking for the early firins in the 50's too. Cans are there for opening!!! Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

Hi EXFIN. Assuming you don’t want home-based ac sorties (I did AFT at Valley on the Hawk 84/85), here are the details from my logbook of flights to/from or PD to VY:

27 Aug 86, TTTE, Tornado, G4306 (GAF), COT-COT LL Nav/GH PD VY

21 Mar 88, 17(F) Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA370, Hi-Lo Bruggen to VY, LAYD Donna

22 Mar 88, 17 (F) Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA370, RTB Night TFR, LAYD Wain

16 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA613, MAR – VY

17 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA561, MPC Chase

18 Jul 90, 617 Sqn, Torn GR1, ZA609, MPC 1 x AIM 9G, RTB MAR

7 Apr 97, TTTE, Torn, G4305 (GAF), COT to VY

8 Apr 97, TTTE, Torn, G4305 (GAF), VY to COT

30 Jun 04, XIII Sqn, Torn GR4A, ZE116, 2v1 LL bounce trip, MAR to VY

30 Jun 04, XIII Sqn, Torn GR4A, ZE116, 2v1 LL bounce trip, VY to MAR

The first sortie, 27 Aug 86, was my first solo in the Tornado with my Luftwaffe student navigator, Lt Mueller in a Luftwaffe Tornado from the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) based at Cottesmore (for those that didn’t know). We flew low level out to Cheshire and we clearly became a little disoriented because we completed a couple of 360’s around the castle at Beeston in Cheshire. Following the PD to Valley, we landed back at Cottesmore to discover that my parents, grandparents and sister had all been stood atop the castle at the time we became lost. Such a coincidence!

My first missile firing I can remember vividly as the most nerve-wracking 2 minutes of my entire career, far worse than being shot at in GW1 or the nerves as we tipped in to strafe some bad guys in AFG who were <300m from friendlies. The process of calling "firing - firing - now" and squeezing the trigger, all in concert with each other, had to be very pedantic following stories of pilots mistakenly squeezing the trigger first. That MPC we were briefed after we arrived that the next crew to shoot down the Jindy would be drummed out of the air force unceremoniously. I think it was IX Sqn that had shot down 2 in the previous MPC and it was an ex-IX Sqn pilot now running STCAAME. Fortunately, the firing went well.

The 2 sorties 7/8 Apr 97 were flown with Flt Lt Greg Hurst, another Instructor Pilot from TTTE who was tragically killed in Jan 99 when his Tornado was involved in a mid-air with a GA plane near Gamston/Retford.

My 2nd MPC sortie, successfully firing an AIM 9L from low level, was flown from/to MAR. I think STCAAME had closed down by then, but I’m not sure.

If you want photos of the logbook pages, please let me know.

Your entries are excellent as they are, no need for the logbook scans, John Watts was my QFI at Cottesmore, on my first solo with a German AF Nav who had never flown low level in Wales he suggested as we entered low level he'd put some music on too which i replied 'Let's NOT'! Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

Interesting to see #85. On 1 July 1969 6 Sqn, from Coningsby, did a flypast over Carnarvon with 12 Phantoms for the Prince of Wales Investiture; we were meant to be joined by XX Lightnings which had pre positioned at Valley, but we were told that bad weather had not allowed them to launch (presumably they had retired to the pub to tell war stories??). The weather south of Carnarvon where we held wasn't pretty, but the weather over Carnarvon was 8/8ths blue. We were told that AOC 38 Gp turned to AOC 11 Gp and asked where his aircraft were?? On 5 July we did a flypast over Cardiff for the Prince of Wales and we were accompanied by Lightnings (who were supported by many tankers in case the weather turned!!!! Anyone remember this?

Just been researching the very event! There is a photo on lightningpilots.com showing 18 Lightnings from 5/11 & 23 on the STCAAME ramp for the PoW Investiture, never knew they were cancelled though. Managed to chase down the serials as they flew down to Fairford 3/4.7.69 which would fit in with your Cardiff Flypast. Paddy O'Flynn on FB explained that 6 flew direct from Coningsby but as a 9 ship plus 1 possible airborne spare, there is a photo floating around showing the diamond 9 above cloud with a singleton plus photoship. I'm not sure if the FAA did something too. Best wishes, Taff

[MAINJAFAD]

Fantastic, we are also looking for the early firins in the 50's too. Cans are there for opening!!! Best wishes, Taff

Bloodhound Mk 1 Service Firing Trials didn't really get going until mid 1961 and North Coates Trials Wing produced a number of reports that covered the service trials in great detail. (The Woomera Trials didn't finish until May 1960). Thus I've not looked at any of the Aberporth ORB's before Jan 1962. However the following AAM trials were run on the Range from Jan 1962 to June 1962.

Jan 1962 MOA/AM Firestreak Continuation Trials - Three (Telemetry) missiles fired. Two near misses and a direct hit.
Mar 1962 MOA/AM Firestreak Continuation Trials - 7 missiles fired off 5 aircraft (4 missiles fired in a pair, 2 with Telemetry and 2 with Warheads). Only 3 missiles were counted as successful,
Mar 1962 Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials on the range for AI / missile harmonization by AFDS
Apr 1962 Javelin / Firestreak Service Trials. Trial have been on hold for a while most likely due to Fuzing issues which had been noted in the January F540. Final six firings carried out in April. 13 missiles fired in total during the trials, 10 Successful, 1 partly successful, 2 failure.
Apr 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. First 4 missiles all fired successfully
May 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. Six firings one of which was a ripple pair (one Telemetry and one warhead). Two firings resulted in direct hits killing a Meteor and a Jindivik. three near misses and one firing was a failure.
June 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. 4 Missiles fired, One direct hit, One Near miss, two failed to home, though the last two were fired while the aircraft were in a 3g and 4g turn respectively.
July 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. After a number of carry over simulated launches in high g turns the next 2 firings in the same conditions resulted in a direct hit and a near miss.

There is nothing to state whether any of these sorties were flown from Valley or not.

[CharlieJuliet]

I thought that we were a 12 ship, but will bow to Paddy's better memory. I remember that we flew at low level in loose formation in some pretty bad weather. As we neared Bardsey Island, our I/P, we were called up by the AOC 38 Gp's Devon who was orbiting the area and said that the weather wasn't good. The Boss was lees than complimentary when he told the Devon to get out of the way as he was about to arrive with a large phantom formation!! I recall that half way up towards Carnarvon the weather cleared into 8/8ths blue. I have a pic of the Cardiff flight and will try to find it. In the meantime here is a pic of 5 Sqn enjoying MPC! Note Leafy in the roundel!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/mpc_valley_fd9403703b1d1aa954ce1e68afb62340ba854c78.jpg
Sqn on MPC!

[MAINJAFAD]

Fantastic, we are also looking for the early firins in the 50's too. Cans are there for opening!!! Best wishes, Taff

CFE Air 64 files at Kew will most likely cover all of that stuff. unfortunately its all on paper so it can't be got at until the Lockdowns are gone. Its a real pity that AHB stopped storing all the Squadron ORB's on microfilm at the start of 1961. Kew have scanned all of microfilms and you can download them for free it you have an account with them.

Fireflash files are here.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_d=AIR&_ps=60&_p=1950&_hb=tna&_srt=3&_q=Central+fighter+Establishment+fireflash

Firestreak files are here

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_d=AIR&_ps=60&_p=1950&_hb=tna&_srt=3&_q=Firestreak

CTTO and STCAAME Missile firing reports are here (a few dates of Squadron MPC's in the 1970's and 80's are on the file descriptions).

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r/1?_q=missile%20firing&_ps=60&_p=1950&_hb=tna&_srt=4

[MAINJAFAD]

A few more MPC dates from overlapped Aberporth's Bloodhound Firing windows from 1976 - 1982.

4-5 October 1976 - 56 Sqn MPC - 2 Sidewinder flashheads and a Sparrow Telemetry round fired. MPC cut short due to target non availability.
19 October 1976 - 5 Sqn - Red Top ORA firing from Wattisham.
19 October 1976 - RAF Germany QRA Firestreak firing.
8 November 1976 - 111 Sqn QRA Sparrow (Warhead) missile fired (Failure of Guidance).

2-7 September 1977 - 56 Sqn MPC - 4 Sparrows (Telemetry round) fired. No other details
13-14 September 1977 - 92 Sqn MPC - 2 Sparrow (Telemetry) and 2 Sidewinders fired. No other details
15 September 1977 - 43 Sqn QRA - Sidewinder with Warhead fired. Missile homed succesfully.
20-22 September 1977 - 5 and 11 Sqn Lightings fired missiles during Ex Omaga Minor - no other details.

5 - ? June 1978 - 5 Sqn MPC - 2 successful firings on 6th June (missile type not listed) no other pages of June F540 photographed.

Late April - 2 May 1979 - 11 Sqn MPC - 3 Red Top missiles left to fire at start of month. 2 fired on 1st May, one of which destroyed the flare pack and damaged the Jindivik. Due to Weather, they couldn't fire the last missile on the 2nd so took it back to Binbrook and flew the firing from there on the 5th May. The Rocket motor on the Red Top blew up just after launch right in front both the launching aircraft and the photo chase, fortunately they managed to avoid the shrapnel.

14 - 25 May 1979 - 5 Sqn MPC - The squadron didn't get a Missile off the rail until the morning of 21st May, when a Red Top Telemetry round scored a direct hit on a Jindivik, resulting in its loss, the second missile was fired that afternoon. On the 24th May, another Red Top rocket motor exploded after launch almost exactly like the 11 Sqn missile did at the start of the month, though in this case the launching aircraft did eat debris and required a double engine change when it got back to Valley. After that the last 4 Red Tops fired on 24 and 25 May all worked perfectly.

4 June 1979 - Sparrow firing by 56 Sqn from Wattisham during Ex Priory
5 June 1979 - Red Top firing by 11 Sqn from Binbrook during Ex Priory
8 June 1979 - QRA Sidewinder firing by 56 Sqn from Wattisham
11 - 22 June 1979 - 29 Sqn MPC done from Coningsby due to runway resurface at Valley. They managed to get 2 Sparrow off the Phantoms on Day 1, then got stopped by range failures, weather and a one day strike by the Civil Servants.

24 - 29 October 1979 - 23 Sqn MPC - The first firing was a Sparrow against a Stiletto supersonic target at low level due to Jindiviks not being available. The reason for this was the servicing contract had be taken off Shorts Bothers and given to Airwork. When Airwork turn up to take over they found that the Shorts workers had taken all the servicing schedules off site with them when they left Llanbedr. Once things were sorted they got 2 sidewinders away and attempted another Sparrow shot at a Stiletto on 29 October. The Primary A/C weapon system went U/S and the pilot rushed back to Valley, got into another aircraft and rushed back just in time for the Secondary Firing aircraft to also go U/S allowing the primary shooter to press the fire button after locking on to the Stiletto. The Sparrow however didn't want to play and Misfired!!!.

Late November 1979 saw LTF doing a MPC with 3 Firestreaks fired on 20 and 21 November and their forth and last missile being fired on the 28th

Early December 1979 - 56 Sqn MPC - First sidewinder fired on 11 December after the first week was totally lost to weather. 56 Sqn then did a Night firing that evening against a Stiletto which was successfully engaged with a Sparrow. the 13th December saw three Phantoms line up to each take a pop at flare pack behind a Jindivik with a sidewinder only to the radars on all three aircraft fail and they all had to RTB. 14th December started off with 2 phantoms attempting to each salvo a pair of Sparrows off at a Semi Active Radar Tow (SART) target being towed by a Jindivik. Unfortunately for the second shooter, one of the Sparrows fired by the first aircraft scored a direct hit on the SART and destroyed it, resulting in the second aircraft having to bring his missile back. The afternoon saw an attempt to combine a Bloodhound Firing with a 56 Sqn Sidewinder firing. The Bloodhound would be fired against two Jindiviks in wide formation and dependant on fuel states at the end of that trial, the Phantom would come in from a holding pattern to the north and have a pop at a flare pack towed by one of the Jindiviks. 17 minutes after the Bloodhound was fired, the Phantom got its Sidewinder off successfully. Unfortunately the Bloodhound suffered a boost motor light up failure which resulted in it not going in the right direction and 18 seconds after launch it was destroyed by the Range Safety Officer.

? - 23 April 1980 - LTF MPC 2 Firestreaks fired on 22 and 23 April (Beginning of April 1980 F540 not photographed).
12 - ? May 1980 - 5 Sqn MPC (no details of firings as that part of 540 not photographed)
? - 13 June 1980 - 29 Sqn MPC (No details other than their last Skyflash missile really didn't want to be launched and that they took it home with them).
Late June 1980 - 92 Sqn MPC?. Shot down a Jindivik with a Sparrow instead of the SART it was towing on 24th June.

8th July 1980 - Two 111 Sqn Phantoms deployed to STCAAME to support the unit in its Taceval and each fired a Sidewinder on the range.
14 - 15 July 1980 - 111 Sqn MPC - Squadron had already used their 2 sidewinder firings up on the 8th July so only had 3 missiles to fire ( a Sparrow and 2 Skyflash) which the fired in the 2 day period.

11 - August 1980 - 56 Sqn MPC (rest of the F540 not photographed).

late September 1980 - 11 Sqn MPC - five Red Top missiles fired between 24 - 30 September.

11-22 May 1981 - 11 Sqn MPC - 4 Red Tops were fired on the 11 and 13, but the first two fired came of the same aircraft when only one was suppose to be fired. Switch positions in the Cockpit were correct for a single shot firing according to Aberporth. No details after 13th May.

1 - 5 June 1981 - 23 Sqn MPC. Successful Sparrow firings on 3rd and 5th June, though the missile on the 3rd suffered from spurious fuze firing and had it had a Warhead it would have blown up before reaching the Target. Unsuccessful Sidewinder firings on 1st and 2nd June. large missed distances for reasons unknown. Sky Flash firing on 4th June aborted due to Shipping in the range.

15 June 1981 - Successful Sparrow firing by Phantom from Boscombe Down based at STCAAME
15 - XX June 1981 - 43 Sqn MPC - one Sidewinder fired on 15th, rest of June 81 F540 not photographed as the details of the last Bloodhound fired in 1981 were at the top of the page. LTF were scheduled to also do an MPC that month and two other Boscombe Down Phantom Sparrow firing s were scheduled.

The two Bloodhounds fired in 1982 were both fired in May and beside Aberporth and STCAAME supporting strange trials involving sticking missiles and bombs on to strange aircraft because of the Falklands, STCAAME's MPC visitors were 11 Sqn who fired 4 of their 5 Firestreaks on the afternoon of day one (10 May) and their last missile on the morning of day two. The rest of the report was not photographed.

[ancientaviator62]

During my time as a Radar Fitter on 92 at Leconfield I went on a couple of trips to Valley for the missile firing. However I cannot recall any time that the guns were fired either there or elsewhere Does anyone have any tales of firing the guns from the Lightning ?

[Dan Gerous]

Dan Gerous, re 'expanding rod'.
Yes the photograph shows a pattern normally associated with an expanding rod warhead.
Red Top - IR homing on the flare; typically, the dark doughnut explosive ring (to the fore of the bright clover leaf) gives some spin to the ring, thus the effect is like a band saw.
Its a good picture, but begs the question where were did all of the other segments of the ring go … , photo-chase break off now !

Thanks for the reply.
:ok:

[MAINJAFAD]

During my time as a Radar Fitter on 92 at Leconfield I went on a couple of trips to Valley for the missile firing. However I cannot recall any time that the guns were fired either there or elsewhere Does anyone have any tales of firing the guns from the Lightning ?

Aberporth range was used by Hunters from Bawdey for air to air cannon firing. never seen any gun work done from Valley listed anywhere.

[Green Flash]

During my time as a Radar Fitter on 92 at Leconfield I went on a couple of trips to Valley for the missile firing. However I cannot recall any time that the guns were fired either there or elsewhere Does anyone have any tales of firing the guns from the Lightning ?

Waaay before my time but didn't Akrotiris' Lightnings fire at towed banners over the Med?

[ancientaviator62]

Green Flash ,
you have triggered a very long ago memory of us (92) going on detachment to Akrotiri with the F2A for gun firing. I think there were one or two problems with the Aden Cannon due to the ammo feed.. As I now recall we went out in a Hastings and came home in a Comet ! Then a 32 seat coach from Lyneham to Leconfield. !

[toller]

In the late sixties I was serving on Hunters at RAF Valley. One foggy afternoon the station had a complete electrical power failure including the stand by systems so all flying was cancelled. On driving around the peri-track two of us found the pilot and nav. of a Canberra walking along. Their aircraft had suffered a bird strike with subsequent total power failure somewhere over Snowdonia and they had managed to reach Valley and do a wheels up landing on the grassed area of the airfield. No body knew that they had arrived including A.T.C. due to the power failure and bad visibility. We gave them a lift back to our hanger, made them a coffee and showed them where the phone was to announce their arrival. does anyone have any further information?

[EXFIN]

In the late sixties I was serving on Hunters at RAF Valley. One foggy afternoon the station had a complete electrical power failure including the stand by systems so all flying was cancelled. On driving around the peri-track two of us found the pilot and nav. of a Canberra walking along. Their aircraft had suffered a bird strike with subsequent total power failure somewhere over Snowdonia and they had managed to reach Valley and do a wheels up landing on the grassed area of the airfield. No body knew that they had arrived including A.T.C. due to the power failure and bad visibility. We gave them a lift back to our hanger, made them a coffee and showed them where the phone was to announce their arrival. does anyone have any further information?

Thanks for that, I'll chase that one up, Taff

[EXFIN]

Aberporth range was used by Hunters from Bawdey for air to air cannon firing. never seen any gun work done from Valley listed anywhere.

Many thanks for all the info you've posted, of great value. The unit in June 1967 with Red Top & Firestreak firing were probably 74 Sqn as there's an enthusiast log of 6 of their Lightnings present. One last query! We have a photograph of Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ475 which was attached to HSA Dynamics at Hatfield for Martel Missile trials. The photo taken at Valley with a Martel on one of the port underwing pylons is purportedly taken Mar/Apr 1967. The aircraft was allocated to the Trials from 27.8.65-7.1.70. Would you have any info on that? Many thanks for your time, Taff

[EXFIN]

CharlieJuliet

Apologies, Paddy didn't mention 12 the photograph almost certainly taken from a spare shows a diamond 9 of F-4's plus a singleton so there may well have been 12 in total. Many thanks for your help, Taff

[MAINJAFAD]

Many thanks for all the info you've posted, of great value. The unit in June 1967 with Red Top & Firestreak firing were probably 74 Sqn as there's an enthusiast log of 6 of their Lightnings present. One last query! We have a photograph of Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ475 which was attached to HSA Dynamics at Hatfield for Martel Missile trials. The photo taken at Valley with a Martel on one of the port underwing pylons is purportedly taken Mar/Apr 1967. The aircraft was allocated to the Trials from 27.8.65-7.1.70. Would you have any info on that? Many thanks for your time, Taff

The RAF unit at Aberporth's role was to support the RAF firings, the weapons listed in the F540 during the 1960's are Firestreak, Red Top, Bloodhound Mk 1 and Mk 2, Tigercat and Blue Steel. Martel does not get a mention until Service firing Trials started in around 1974/75. The only non production missile that I noted getting fired was a prototype Bloodhound Mk 2 (XTV1717) which was fired from the RAF equipment to proof the missile telemetry systems on 18th February 1965.

Most of the research and development firings would have been supervised by the RAE range staff and would be in their range logs, if such a document still exists. I would kill to get my hands on such a document as they would fill in a lot of holes in the development of a lot of Guided Weapons..The trials results may be in the MOS / MOA development files at Kew, but if they are anything like Bloodhound, there will be gaps all over the place.

[Just This Once...]

Dan Gerous, re 'expanding rod'.
Yes the photograph shows a pattern normally associated with an expanding rod warhead.
Red Top - IR homing on the flare; typically, the dark doughnut explosive ring (to the fore of the bright clover leaf) gives some spin to the ring, thus the effect is like a band saw.
Its a good picture, but begs the question where were did all of the other segments of the ring go … , photo-chase break off now !

Expanding rod warheads morphed into continuous expanding rods with the one in the -9G raising a concern or two with its tiny rod structure and sub-3kg of bang. The US had lots of 'trust me' effectiveness data but in the very end of its career the continuous rod made a very nice slice through 2 x Adour engines and associated fuselage that was particularly reassuring (well, probably not the pilot concerned). The -9L saw the introduction of an annular blast/frag warhead, with added evilness and a 'sick-puppy' patent for its designer.

[Snakecharmer]

My late Father's logbooks show that he managed to avoid Valley for his first 5 tours (Gutersloh/Wildenrath, Church Fenton, Middleton StGeorge/Worksop, Cottesmore); thereafter:

57 Sqn, Honington

24 Mar 66 Victor B1a XH591 RV Alpha - 2. Practice Pan, TACAN letdown, rollers at Valley. ADF Homing at St Mawgan. 6th Seat - JSSC visitor.
28 Mar 66 Victor B1 XA930 PD with rollers at Valley.
18 May 66 Victor PD Valley

214 Sqn, Marham

15 Feb 67 Victor B(K)1 XA936 Wattisham towline, PD Valley
14 Apr 67 Victor B(K)1 XA936 Snake climb. PD Leuchars. PD Valley.

TTF, Marham

23 Feb 68 Victor 1A XH593 Ex23 PD Valley

Sim Flt, Marham

24 Sep 71 Victor 1A XH647 Navex PD Valley

100 Sqn, Marham

1 Jun 77 Canberra E15 WH983 Valley AR15 Calibration
2 Jun 77 Canberra E15 WH983 Valley Calibration RTB

RAE Llanbedr

14 Jul 78 Canberra WE121 FCT - PD Valley
20 Aug 79 Devon XA880 Boscombe Down - Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr
21 Aug 80 Canberra WK128 Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr
28 Aug 80 Canberra WK128 Llanbedr - Valley
29 Aug 80 Canberra WH734 Llanbedr - Valley
19 Sep 80 Canberra WH734 Valley - Llanbedr
7 Jan 81 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Valley - Farnborough - Hurn - Llanbedr
1 May 81 Meteor T7 WA662 FCT PD Valley
14 Aug 81 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr
17 Aug 81 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr
17 Aug 81 Meteor 16 WH453 Valley - Llanbedr
25 Aug 81 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Aberporth - Valley - Llanbedr
17 Sep 81 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Aberporth - Valley - Benbecula
23 Sep 81 Devon XA880 IF. PD Valley
29 Oct 81 Devon XA880 FCT Airways - Valley
22 Mar 82 Hawk XX154 Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr
21 Apr 82 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Valley - Aberporth - Farnborough - Boscombe Down - Aberporth - Valley - Llanbedr
20 May 82 Devon XA880 Llanbedr - Valley - Llanbedr x 2

Plus a page of Valley-based Hawk flying during his last tour. I'm sure I have a pic of a Llanbedr-based Canberra operating with Stiletto from STCAAME (23 Sqn first Skyflash MPC?) somewhere. Logbook scans might take a while...

[Bill Macgillivray]

A few that I have dug out of the old log-books (I think I may have missed a few but will re-check!).

1/11/63 Canberra PR7 WT518 58 Sqn (Wyton) P. Div.
28/10/65 Chipmunk WP900 UBAS (Shawbury) Nav.
10/4/68 JP4 XP615 Linton P.Div.
25/9/68 JP4 XP666 Linton P. Div.
28/1/71 Vulcan XM598 101 Sqn (Waddo.) P. Div.
26/7/71 Vulcan XL319 230 OCU (Scampton) P. Div.
I also spent some 3 - 4 days at Valley with a Vulcan on STC Exercise - details are proving elusive (or I am losing it !) Will find them and post.

Bill

[endevol]

Yes, that's the one. I posted both images on Pprune ages ago and this is one of them. I also have another image of the same missile leaving the aircraft. I may be wrong, but it could have been the late Neil MacClachlan in the cockpit.

I recall one MPC at Valley when I had to do a torch test on a live Red Top missile...all safeties bypassed, missile ready to go, and there's muggins stood out front with a heat source. Strangely, everyone else had vacated the area, can't think why.

[EXFIN]

Many thanks Bill, great stuff. Taff

[EXFIN]

That's great, we may have some photos of your Father's visits if you're interested. Logbook scans are not required and yes 23 Sqn were there with 2 Canberras in Sept '80. Many thanks again, Taff

[Snakecharmer]

Very interested, thanks :-)

[EXFIN]

Very interested, thanks :-)

Could you pm me with an email address please, Taff

[Snakecharmer]

Could you pm me with an email address please, Taff

That's done!

[clingon3]

Slight thread drift but.....
Minnie Burner referred to a Sea Vixen landing at Valley with a ‘minor control problem’, which was actually an outer section of the right wing missing. The observer in that Sea Vixen was the RAF Exchange Navigator who went on to become the Boss of 25 Sqn when it first equipped with the F3 at Leeming. Apparently they were landing on mother ship in the Irish Sea when our man felt and heard a huge thump. On looking up through his ‘letter box’ window, he was surprised not to see the sky but the ‘island’ whistling by. Landing wingtip first is not an approved technique and the jet came off worse than the ship. I don’t remember the cause of the event, be it technical or environmental but they diverted to Valley and debriefed in the time honoured fashion.

[BigDotStu]

Landing wingtip first is not an approved technique and the jet came off worse than the ship. I don’t remember the cause of the event, be it technical or environmental but they diverted to Valley and debriefed in the time honoured fashion.

Could it be the incident described towards the end of this page:

https://www.seavixen.org/aircrew-testimonies/testimonies-rod-shelbourn

[John Eacott]

Around the same time a Sea Vixen from 899 broke into the circuit with "a minor control problem". It had a sizeable amount of its starboard wing missing. The details of the incident, and the pilot most regrettably, are now part of FAA history.

I was in Eagle's planeguard for that event, on 25th January 1971 during work-up for ORI early February. Vixen 123 hit three other aircraft on deck, the advice I was given that after some low level ops the Vixen windshield had a fair amount of salt and the landing was late afternoon into a setting sun, albeit with cloud cover, resulting in a less than perfect approach and bolter. Lots of advice from Flyco resulting in a diversion, bits of Vixen wing plus bits of Buccaneer/Vixens lying around on the deck. I was left seat in the Ship's Flight Wessex 1 with Lt Marsh driving, Alf Tupper in the back.

Other than side number 123 I don't know any details of the Vixen or crew.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x536/vixen_recovery_eagle_from_port_wait_wessex_1_amp_5_alongside _eb1132613c7a10c1af3b096f48307447ff0abc70.jpg

[John Eacott]

Slight thread drift but.....
Minnie Burner referred to a Sea Vixen landing at Valley with a ‘minor control problem’, which was actually an outer section of the right wing missing. The observer in that Sea Vixen was the RAF Exchange Navigator who went on to become the Boss of 25 Sqn when it first equipped with the F3 at Leeming. Apparently they were landing on mother ship in the Irish Sea when our man felt and heard a huge thump. On looking up through his ‘letter box’ window, he was surprised not to see the sky but the ‘island’ whistling by. Landing wingtip first is not an approved technique and the jet came off worse than the ship. I don’t remember the cause of the event, be it technical or environmental but they diverted to Valley and debriefed in the time honoured fashion.

See my previous post: the Vixen didn't hit the deck with the starboard wingtip but was well off-centreline and cleaned up a few (three, ISTR) parked aircraft. The coal hole window would normally give a view of the island and adjacent parked aircraft during a landing: but don't let a few beers get in the way of a good dit :p


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/poor_weather_recovery_eagle_off_nz_1970_4fb256433cdac0b1a9c8 1acef2a27b61de4372be.jpg

[EXFIN]

Managed to find the post by QWIN in June 2008 referencing the incident to 25 Jan 1971, the last day of HMS Eagle's work up in UK waters before sailing for the Med. It would seem the major factor was the build up of salt on the windscreen which drastically curtailed the view ahead on final approach. It would appear after 2 attempts to land the 3rd approach which was off centreline was taken over by the Flyco from the LSO, the rest as they say is history. A diversion was made to Valley and the gear raised to save fuel, however, on raising the gear the aircraft due to the damage rolled uncontrollably so the gear was lowered for the transit to Valley.
The aircraft must have been repaired, replacement outer wing? as it flew again and became part of the Drone programme, succumbing eventually to the scrapman. I wonder if there are any photos lurking around?
Again, many thanks for all the contributions, spread the word, keep them coming, Taff

[ksimboy]

Diverted to Valley on Albert due to bad weather from Bardufoss - Lyneham 14 Mar 86. Holyhead customs insisted all bags offloaded and passengers checked despite only being on ground for 2 hours. Female SWO bollocked me for having dirty boots, then said she had never seen a Hercules close up. Walked her through the freight bay to flight deck and off again , then said " Ma'am your shoes could use a good polish!" Walked off in a massive strop.

[Captain Radar....]

Diverted to Valley due weather at St Mawgan Jan 8 1999, departed Jan 9th.
Nimrod XV 234 236 OCU.

[ACW599]

Hardly in the same league as the fast-jet visitors but UWAS had a detachment of Chipmunks from St Athan over the weekend 24/5 Feb 73. Airframes were WK553, WZ846, WP857 and WZ862. Happy days.

Later in life I took a Grumman AA5 (G-BFTE) from Manchester to Valley en route to Dublin on 25 May 79.

[PICKS135]

15 June 1981 - Successful Sparrow firing by Phantom from Boscombe Down based at STCAAME

They also had one of 43 Sqn's a/c on loan for the firing. Was a surprise on the Monday morning to get to STCAAME, and find one of the Sqn a/c alongside the 'Raspberry Ripple' F-4..

Seem to remember one of the Boscombe crew were a USAF exchange driver and Civilian backseater. RAF pilot was ex Leuchars [ FL/LT H/G ], cant remember who the back seat RAF person was.

[EXFIN]

All very welcome regardless of horsepower/thrust! Taff

[EXFIN]

15 June 1981 - Successful Sparrow firing by Phantom from Boscombe Down based at STCAAME

They also had one of 43 Sqn's a/c on loan for the firing. Was a surprise on the Monday morning to get to STCAAME, and find one of the Sqn a/c alongside the 'Raspberry Ripple' F-4..

Seem to remember one of the Boscombe crew were a USAF exchange driver and Civilian backseater. RAF pilot was ex Leuchars [ FL/LT H/G ], cant remember who the back seat RAF person was.

Yes, XT597, we have it noted, many thanks, Taff

[EXFIN]

Thank you very much for all the inputs, keeps me busy in lockdown!!! Taff

[Box Brownie]

Dad was stationed there in 57/60. As a lad I remember the Swifts and the Javelins. What sparked my interest in this thread was mention of the Sea Vixen. When we were there we would spend many a summer evening on the beach. I recall on one occasion seeing a Sea Vixen, to the right of the hangar and point seawards, raised at an angle. I have often wondered what the story was with this aircraft. Attached is a photo of Phantom XV573 taken in '75
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1800x1234/valley_copy_81235ed7c4279fb9607eacb498dcc3bc9bd293d0.jpg

[EXFIN]

Very nice, was that taken during or just after the Airshow 9.8.75? Would it be possible to use the image? and more importantly do you have anymore by chance. I'll look into the Sea Vixen as it possibly sounds like a stationary firing, there are photos on the web showing a Lightning ventral tank with a firestreak being fired into the Bay, they were looking at the effects on the tailplane etc. Nowadays the thought of just firing a captive missile out to sea from there would be a big no no but in those days things were different. There are documents in the National Archives showing a proposal to turn Newborough Beach in the SE of the Island by Llanddwyn into an air-ground firing range in 1955! Many thanks for your reply, Taff

[Box Brownie]

By all means use the photo in any way you so wish EXFIN. The photo was taken that summer, though not at an air show. I will try and root out some other photos for you.

[EXFIN]

By all means use the photo in any way you so wish EXFIN. The photo was taken that summer, though not at an air show. I will try and root out some other photos for you.

Many thanks, feel free to contact me on [email protected] Taff

[Box Brownie]

On one of our summer holidays at Rhosneigr I was surprised to see that there was a families day taking place. At least that is what I told my wife! The attached photo was taken from the dunes near the MPC hangar
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1086x706/jaguar_5c4b347fae89020841de14a888eeaea4285f84e0.jpg

[Classic]

Dug out of the logbook:
5 Oct 87 LightningF6 XR773 Binbrook to Valley Transit
9 Oct 87 XS898 Valley to Binbrook Transit
12 Oct 87 XS898 Binbrook to Valley Red Top Firing
12 Oct 87 XS898 RTB Valley to Binbrook

20 Jan 88 XR728 Binbrook to Valley Transit
20 Jan 88 XR728 Firestreak Firing Land Valley
On this flight there was a photoshoot with a Hawk taking pics of me with the Jindi as it was the 5000th Jindivik flight I believe. Anyone seen these pics?
20 Jan 88 XR728 RTB Valley to Binbrook

18 Apr 88 Lightning T5 XS458 Missile Firing (Not sure whether RT or FS) Land Valley
18 Apr 88 XS458 RTB Valley to Binbrook
This was two first-tour junior pilots in the T-Bird, no IWI/QWI in sight for a live firing. :)

[Dominator2]

Quite a few visits to EGOV over 37 years but not as many missiles as sarn1e!!

18 Oct 1973 JP 5 XW307 BFT Navex Land away
Advanced Flying Training 3 Sqn Hunter 8 July 74 – 11 Oct 74
Refresher Flying 3 Sqn Hunter Oct 74 – 18 Mar 75
23 Sqn MPC Phantom 18-29 Apr 77 6 Sorties
28 Apr 77 XV435 1 x AIM7E
7 June 78 XT 908 Over Night
8 June 78 XT 908 RTB Wattisham
20 June 78 XT908 Land away
20 June 78 xv421 RTB Wattisham
19 Sqn MPC Phantom 3 – 18 Feb 81 12 Sorties
10 Feb 81 XV411 1 AIM9G
16 Feb 81 XV439 1 AIM 7E
F4QWI MPC Phantom 6-9 Dec 83 3 Sorties
7 Dec 83 XT893 1 SKYFLASH
16 Dec 83 XT 900 Diversion CGY – Valley
17 Dec 83 XT900 RTB
29 Sqn MPC Tornado F3 22 Sep 87 – 1 Oct 87 4 Sorties
F3 OEU Trial 2-13 July 1990 -Panoramic Saxa 12 Sorties 2x SKYFLASH
OP GRANBY TRIAL 29 Aug 1990 ZE862 1 X SKYFLASH
F3OEU 18 -21 Nov 1991 5 Sorties
Nov 21 1991 ZE862 1 X SKYFLASH
5 SQN Tornado F3 28 Nov 1994 ZG793 Land away and RTB
F3OEU MPC Tornado F3 17 – 20 March 1997 6 Sorties
18 March 1997 ZE889 1 X SKYFLASH
20 March 1997 ZE982 1 X AIM9L
55 Sqn Dominie
10 Aug 2006 XS739 Photocall and RTB Cranwell11 Aug 2006 XS728 Land away and RTB
24 Jan 2007 XS709 Land away and RTB
12 March 2007 XS730 Land away and RTB
29 March 2007 XS731 Land away and RTB
12 Feb 2008 XS711 Land away and RTB
9 April 2008 XS737 Land away and RTB
3 March 2009 XS728 Land away and RTB
25 March 2010 XS737 Land away and RTB
22 July 2010 XS727 Land away and RTB

[EXFIN]

Classic
Many thanks, I remember 5/11 at Valley in '87 as i was going through Flying Training on 1 Sqn/4 FTS. I'm not aware of the Jindi photos, possibly Ian Black? Many thanks for your contribution. Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

Dominator2

Very impressive, a magnet to Valley! Just been going through the MPC Photos from yesteryear which has plugged a few gaps. And a Dominie tour, good for the CPL/ATPL !!! Many thanks for your time and help. Best wishes, Taff

[nipva]

Several visits over the years but only one missile:
22Mar71 QRA Red Top firing Lightning F6 XR765.
Missile broke up structurally immediately post launch due to failure of the ALTAS unit. The firing was at relatively low level but the missile thought it was at high level so applied high gearing control inputs.
Aircraft suffered superficial damage from flying through the dispersed debris field. Quite exciting though.

[ATSA1]

I was on BCU at Valley 85-87, I took a few pics of the STCAAME visitors...
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/bucc_orp_043403de4f08b0e16087fad2443218f45c00b7b3.jpg
..even the Buccs carried Sidewinders!

[Box Brownie]

Gnat XR538 - photo taken at Kemble
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x707/xr538_796140bbcac9032345b3cebc5553803ee3bd7eed.jpg

[EXFIN]

Several visits over the years but only one missile:
22Mar71 QRA Red Top firing Lightning F6 XR765.
Missile broke up structurally immediately post launch due to failure of the ALTAS unit. The firing was at relatively low level but the missile thought it was at high level so applied high gearing control inputs.
Aircraft suffered superficial damage from flying through the dispersed debris field. Quite exciting though.

Would it be possible to send a list of your visits pleas, serial/unit/type/date. Best wishes, Taff

[SLXOwft]

Taff, some photos from outside the wire.

Not great quality but here are 3 USAF visitors
68-0077 F-111E UH painted as 680 77th AMU stbd and 680 77TFS port with the name June Nite departing on 24JUN1986 - unusual to see an Aardvark land.
68-0099 F-111D CC 522TFS/27TFW - I think this was when it came over with the Coronet Comanche 1986 deployment from Canyon AFB to Boscombe Down 27 August - 24 September
61-0285 EC-135H 10ACCS


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1749x1200/68_0077tthamu_june_nite_24_7_86_d4130caa55039bbaae8fc4788f98 105c4c6903f9.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1496x939/68_0099_522tfs_27tfw_150a2b719373c75df0ff2bb385bd1d853fe1695 f.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/812x1275/61_0285_10accs_4d70eaabe982cba3e290ef63cde513c3c375e0b0.jpg


Immediately after the UH F111 on the reel were distant shots of 208 Sqn Bucc XX900/MS and 226 OCU Jag XX119/01 so same day/week

Unfortunately I have no dates but other visitors the same day/week as the F-111D and EC-135 I have photos of are:
XV300 Hercules C,1P, XW438/2 JP T.5A RAFC, 69-0369 AR RF-4C 1TRS/10TRW (posted on Phantom Friday thread) and F-4Ms XV430/A, XV472/E, XV485/M & XV488/P 19 Sqn which were at STCAAME.

[EXFIN]

Have the 'CC' F-111D on 29.8.86, the 1st is a new one for us which is great, the EC-135 is also new, it's sister ship '286 came in Sep & Oct.86. Many thanks for your time and there's nothing wrong with those photos, we're spoilt in the digital age! Please feel free to forward the other photos you have to [email protected] Best wishes, Taff

[SLXOwft]

Looking at a more distant shot of the port side of "June Night" she appears to be carrying a AIM-9L (or subsequent variant) - be interesting to know if it was there to perform a trial/practice firing?

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1075x644/68_0077tthtfs_june_nite_24_7_860001_3_61f9169dd52ea625908fb0 bcf2926d95a865ec28.jpg

Taff - I have sent a PM

[Krystal n chips]

The first F1-11 to plonk itself into Valley in 1971. one Friday afternoon, when, strangely, it went "tech "..these things happen as we know. At this point, the full weight of top level security was deployed as armed guards. This elite force came from within Eng Wing, as ever, and notably comprised of relatively new arrivals....

In a rare moment of practicality, the famous all purpose pick axe handle was replaced with an SLR and....live ammunition, plus the infamous yellow card. There was a slight problem here....the magazine in the SLR was empty....the one with the live ammunition in was sealed in plastic wrap that would have taken about an hour to get into. We were given a very grave briefing as to intruders , etc which we thought was, perhaps, a little surprising as it was located on the well known pan that was adjacent to the sand dunes, where the "fence " at that time was sort of hanging onto a few posts and tourists happily had picnics watching the flying.

An exciting night of defending our allies aircraft then followed, based in an ice box, and with nothing useful, like refreshments for example, being provided hence we had to make " alternative arrangements " involving the chip shop in Bodedern and liquid refreshment c/o Boddingtons.

Next day, whilst seemingly quick enough to assemble this fearless force, nobody had thought about changing over after "some considerable time ". ....which turned out to be around lunch time , Sat.

Enter the cousins tech Sgt sent to rectify the "defect ".......having offered his views as to the crew, the USAF, the state of the UK roads and just about anything else that came to mind, he fixed the defect in a remarkably short time shall we say. Then came the interesting moment. We noticed the name going into the log was not the one displayed on his uniform and, being curious, asked why. He kindly informed us the "asshole had done it to me, so I'm doing it to him "....we just sort of nodded here and quietly wandered off.

[nipva]

EXFIN,
PM sent this morning

[clingon3]

Dusted the logbooks off so here we go...
23 Aug 77 JP3A XN634 Linton- Valley. My BFT land away.

07 Jul 83 JP5A XN405 Linton-Valley RTB
11 Jul 84 JP5A XW313 Ditto
08 May 85 JP5A XW432 Ditto
16 May 86 JP5A XW429 Shawbury-Valley-Linton
22 May 85 JP5A XW299 Brize-Valley-Linton
25 Sep 86 JP5A XW320 Linton-Valley-Linton
Happy days as a JP QFI


02 Oct 89 F3 ZE205 Coningsby-Valley
30 Jul 90 F3 ZE731 Leeming-Valley MPC 25 Sqn
30 Jul 90 F3 ZE791 MPC
31 Jul 90 ZE290 MPC
02 Aug 90 ZE290 MPC


14 Jan 91 F3 ZE791 Leeming-Valley RTB
15 Jan 91 ZE787 Ditto
16 Jan 91 ZE787 Leeming-Valley
17 Jan 91 ZE794 MPC-RTB
This group were in support of Op Granby

19 Apr 93 F3 ZE168 Leeming-Valley MPC 23 Sqn
20 Apr 93 ZE966 MPC
21 Apr 93 ZE966 MPC
21 Apr 93 ZE966 MPC
22 Apr 93 ZE168 MPC
23 Apr 93 ZE 168 MPC
23 Apr 93 ZE168 MPC
These sorties were flown before we deployed on Op Deny Flight, so some rather unusual profiles. 2 weeks later we were behaving like mud movers and getting to do some strafe at Wainfleet!

10 Jan 94 F3 ZE888 Leeming-Valley
21 Oct 94 F3 ZE159 Leeming-Valley

And finally one for the thread starter-(ok, so it’s not Valley related but...)

26 Feb 08 B757-200 G-FCLJ MAN-ALC-MAN
Part of my ‘Bus-Boing conversion-Cheers Taff!

[EXFIN]

clingon3

Mr P, many thanks, much appreciated. Hope all's well, I went to QR in 2012, and as much as I enjoyed my time with TCX I thought the writing was on the wall, I was amazed it went on as long as it did. I was lucky in that the Missus was quite happy to go there & the kids were grown up. That's no consolation to those affected by it's sad demise though. Hope all's well and again, many thanks for your generous time. Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

Just a quick one to say thank you to all who have contributed, a wide spectrum which is encouraging. To those who haven't, GET those LOGBOOKS out be they personal or a relative, inputs such as 'MPC' & 'VYL' should jog the old grey matter! Better to have a history of your flying movements accessible for future generations rather than in an old dusty book hidden away somewhere! Lockdown permitting we are hoping to go online sometime this Year, hopefully mid-year. Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

The first F1-11 to plonk itself into Valley in 1971. one Friday afternoon, when, strangely, it went "tech "..these things happen as we know. At this point, the full weight of top level security was deployed as armed guards. This elite force came from within Eng Wing, as ever, and notably comprised of relatively new arrivals....

In a rare moment of practicality, the famous all purpose pick axe handle was replaced with an SLR and....live ammunition, plus the infamous yellow card. There was a slight problem here....the magazine in the SLR was empty....the one with the live ammunition in was sealed in plastic wrap that would have taken about an hour to get into. We were given a very grave briefing as to intruders , etc which we thought was, perhaps, a little surprising as it was located on the well known pan that was adjacent to the sand dunes, where the "fence " at that time was sort of hanging onto a few posts and tourists happily had picnics watching the flying.

An exciting night of defending our allies aircraft then followed, based in an ice box, and with nothing useful, like refreshments for example, being provided hence we had to make " alternative arrangements " involving the chip shop in Bodedern and liquid refreshment c/o Boddingtons.

Next day, whilst seemingly quick enough to assemble this fearless force, nobody had thought about changing over after "some considerable time ". ....which turned out to be around lunch time , Sat.

Enter the cousins tech Sgt sent to rectify the "defect ".......having offered his views as to the crew, the USAF, the state of the UK roads and just about anything else that came to mind, he fixed the defect in a remarkably short time shall we say. Then came the interesting moment. We noticed the name going into the log was not the one displayed on his uniform and, being curious, asked why. He kindly informed us the "asshole had done it to me, so I'm doing it to him "....we just sort of nodded here and quietly wandered off.

Yes, the old F-111's were two a penny in the 70/80's mainly PD's but you could guarantee an emergency arrival at least every 10 days! You mention guarding the first one, I remember as an Assistant in ATC at Valley during TACEVAL, guard duty & around the Airfield a few of us would speak Welsh on the STORNO radio, suffice to say it didn't go down to well with the DI Staff! Happy days, Taff

[Box Brownie]

Meteor U16 WA991
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1800x1160/meteor_u16_7d3c4d3440a8b5b05bec3bc9e18718ec8204af9c.jpg
photographed in the static park at an air display in the mid 70s

[A20DEK]

Hello Taff

Hope you find the attached interesting.
All taken by me from Boscombe Hawk XX154 flown up to Valley for my sortie on 21 August 1998. My pilot was the Boscombe Chief Test Pilot Mr Sepp Pauli (spl) who in a former life had been a German Air Force F-104 driver.
Sepp was a very understanding and accommodating person who understood a photographers needs and requirments. So much so that after the Tornado pilot had run through the range a number of times before firing the Sidewinder, we eventually had to divert into Llanbedr for fuel before returning to Valley.
We arrived at the Tornado drivers debrief at STACAAME (or was it AGWU at the time) on time, and to hear him shouting many expletives over the radio as the Sidewinder came of the rail. (All of which are unprintable here!!!!)

Cheers

Taff. Just received the message stating I am not allowed to mail URLs until I have posted at least 10 messages. Is there a way of posting the photos here I am not aware of?

[Box Brownie]

Andover on approach - if I recall, early 70s
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1083x729/andover_v_b30236d0946e472100e3144dc60affc1caf68d50.jpg

[sycamore]

From a miss-spent youth to mid-life crises...
20/2/1964.J-P 4,XP628, Syerston-VLY ,solo navex,2 FTS,2SDN ,D Flt.
20/2/1964,J-4 XP628 VLY-Syerston.RTB.
27/7/1964-3/9/1964, CFS(H) 2 SDN,SAR DET.;45 SORTIES,Convex/mountains boats,etc Whirlwind 10
XP405,XP302/343/342/356.
17/9/69 ,Whirlwind 9,XM666, W Freugh-Vly-Boscombe-Down. Refuel after SS11 Missile trials.
18/10/1972 Hunter T7 XL612, Bedford-Vly,RAE ,Aero Flight.
18/10/1972 Hunter T7XL612 Vly- Bedford.
29/2/1980,, Sea-King 3 XZ589,Culdrose-Vly;RAFSKTU.
14/10/1980 WW 10 XP361 .Vly-Finningley, HQSAR Wing
13/3/1981,Wessex2 XT601 Finn.-Vly
13/3/1981.WX2 XR518 VLY-Finn
6/5/81, S-K 3 XZ588 Fnn-Vly-Finn.
22/5/81 WX2 XR518 Finn-Vly-Brawdy
14/7/81JP 5a `T`,Finn-Vly
14/7/81WX2,XV724 Vly-Finn.
12/01/1982.WX2 XV729 Benson -Vly
13/01/1982 .WX2,XV729 Vly-Finn
16/08/82 WX2.XR524 Finn-Vl
16/2/1982 WX2.XT601 Vly- Leconfield
9/11/82 WX2,XT674 Finn-Vly
9/11/82 WX2. XR518 Vly-Finn.
7/12/82. WX2,XT602 Finn-Vly
7/12/82 WX2XT604 Vly-Finn
6/11/84 HS125-7, ZD621 Shawbury-Vly-Sha`bry 32 Sqdn.
14/11/84,HS125-7 ZD621 Honington -Vly-Honington
21/01/86,HS125-4 XW788 Northolt -Vly
21/01/86,HS125-4 XW788 Vly-Finn.
18/02/86, HS125-7, ZD704,NHLT-Vly-NHLT
23/97/86 HS125-7 ZE395 Wyton-Vly -Wyton
10/1094 C-130k XV181 Lyneham-Vly 24 SQDN
10/10/94 C-130K XV181 Vly -Vidsel(Sweden) ESPE
14/10/94 C-130k XV186 Akrotiri-Vly
14/10/94 C-130k XV186 Vly-Ly`ham..

The 6 weeks I spent at Valley in 1964 was living in the Sgts Mess `Annex`,somewhere between the northern thresholds.A most abysmal place,no heating,no bath,ablutions outside for the usual sh,sh,sh,cold water,;breakfast was only meal that coincided with `the working` day,and `fly-prog.,and flying kit not allowed in the Mess...The CMC must have spent time as a POW with the SS....Apart from that,the weather was great,and the flying was total fun ,but hard work,2-3 sorties a day...

[EXFIN]

Box Brownie, many thanks will try and track it down! Taff

[EXFIN]

Sycamore

Many thanks, much appreciated, a diverse set of types too. Do you happen to have any photos of your times at Valley by chance? Taff

[Box Brownie]

Some years ago I mentioned to a friend the occasion at Valley in either '59 or '60 when I saw about a dozen Piston Provosts arrive.
His reply " It was the cricket team from St Athan arriving for the Wednesday sports afternoon cricket match. I was in one of them."

[EXFIN]

Some years ago I mentioned to a friend the occasion at Valley in either '59 or '60 when I saw about a dozen Piston Provosts arrive.
His reply " It was the cricket team from St Athan arriving for the Wednesday sports afternoon cricket match. I was in one of them."

Thanks for that, we have 12 Provosts from 6 FTS at the Air Day 17.9.60 which may have been them, we have serials for everything apart from ............the Provosts! Long shot but are you still in touch with your friend? Taff

[Box Brownie]

Sadly I lost touch with Mike (Tagg) I recall him saying that his son was a pilot on Tornado - perhaps someone on here might know of him.

[sycamore]

EXFIN, Sorry Taff ,not enough hands when flying a hecliopter to be taking `snappies`,other times were really arrive,quick coffee ,and off again..However,if there are any old pics of the SgtsMess Annex ,aka Stalag Luft Cymru,let me have one so I can use it for a bit of target practice....!!

[Box Brownie]

Meteor T7 WF791
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1446x922/t7_2334b989946a0bf309961887c820c32ffe94f638.jpg

[EXFIN]

EXFIN, Sorry Taff ,not enough hands when flying a hecliopter to be taking `snappies`,other times were really arrive,quick coffee ,and off again..However,if there are any old pics of the SgtsMess Annex ,aka Stalag Luft Cymru,let me have one so I can use it for a bit of target practice....!!

Will see what I can do! There could be a business opportunity here!!!!! Best wishes, Taff

[EXFIN]

Box Brownie
very nice, keep them coming! Taff

[BEagle]

WF791 was the aircraft in which Pete Stacey was killed at Baginton when he encountered the infamous 'Phantom Dive' with airbrakes extended and landing gear down.

RIP

[alamo]

Mustn't forget that Valley was a Strike Force Dispersal with a two-finger ORP (recently removed) at the Rhosneigr end.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x400/498_valley1_7acc3d019f0aa71cb9c0699138d7b9890d0c14a8.jpg
Avro Vulcan B1A XH498 of the Waddington Wing at RAF Valley in May 1966. Photo Peter Middleton.

[EXFIN]

alamo,
Quite right with numerous dispersal exercises over the Years. Many thanks, Taff

[wiggy]

Ignoring Hawk course

With 3 Sqn FTS Cranwell:

19/09/78 JP5A XW422 Cranwell-VLY/VLY-Brize Navex
29/11/78 JP5A XW335 St. Athan-VLY... solo navex.... and whilst I was away it snowed "down south"...heavily....so 48 hours later...
1/12/78 JP5A XW335 VLY-St Athan... solo navex

With 23 Sqn Wattisham

11/09/80 F4M XV408 WTM-VLY/VLY-WTM
16/09/80 F4M XV408 WTM-VLY
17/09/80 F4M XV499 VLY-WTM. ( as I recall it these four sectors were in support of a squadron STCAAME detachment, I was the FNG, no missiles for me..)
1/06/81 F4M XV478 WTM-VLY Transit for start of MPC
1/06/81 F4M XV406 VLY-VLY STCAAME sortie, 1 X AIM-9G
2/06/81 F4M XV420 VLY-VLY Air Combat Training
5/06/81 F4M XT908 VLY-VLY STCAAME Photochase.
5/06/81 F4M XV432 VLY-WTM RTB
24/08/81 F4M XV404 WTM-VLY-WTM Scramble from QRA for AIM-9G firing, land VLY for STCAAME debrief., then RTB


With 29(F)

09/11/83 F4M XV500 CGY-VLY Weather Diversion (Log shows I was one of a three ship)
10/11/83 F4M XV500 VLY-CGY RTB
17/12/84 F4M XV485 CGY-VLY-CGY Not STCAAME related, but no idea of motive.
28/01/85 F4M XV407 VLY-CGY Was done to recover a sick A/C, which had diverted in VLY.. as I recall it we positioned same day CGY-VLY in a HS125
19/02/85 F4M XV409 CGY-VLY-CGY Supporting Air Defence Exercise - Bishops Court

With 1 Sqn FTS Cranwell

11/06/86 JP5A XW292 Cranwell-VLY-Cranwell. Navex

[CharlieJuliet]

On revisiting my logbook I see Coningsby to Valley on March 3 1968. From memory (I was on 1 course 228 OCU) we were in the midst of poor weather and few aircraft, and the OCU decided to try and find better weather at Valley. I think we flew 1 sortie before RTB due to weather!!

[EXFIN]

Wiggy, many thanks for the extracts, much appreciated. Here's one from Jun '81, Taff
https://live.staticflickr.com/1775/42080062070_0813237d9a_b.jpg

[EXFIN]

On revisiting my logbook I see Coningsby to Valley on March 3 1968. From memory (I was on 1 course 228 OCU) we were in the midst of poor weather and few aircraft, and the OCU decided to try and find better weather at Valley. I think we flew 1 sortie before RTB due to weather!!
Many thanks, another gap filled! Taff

[EXFIN]

On revisiting my logbook I see Coningsby to Valley on March 3 1968. From memory (I was on 1 course 228 OCU) we were in the midst of poor weather and few aircraft, and the OCU decided to try and find better weather at Valley. I think we flew 1 sortie before RTB due to weather!!
Apologies but do you have the aircraft serial please? Taff

[CharlieJuliet]

XT 910 2 sorties S/L Pete Highton was the Captain

[Krystal n chips]

Short, but entertaining.....some may recognise themselves.

https://twitter.com/RAF_Valley/status/1356226342438711298

[Box Brownie]

Another photo of U16 WA991
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1290/meteor_ui6_c0e9707e7d3ad2802de1f688d721730a6810d131.jpg

[threeputt]

2nd July 1987: Aim 9G-Tornado GR1 ZD 790.

Threeputt :ok:

[deltahotel]

Massive undertaking - good luck.

Between 4FTS and 237 OCU was a Hunter lead in course and on 18/04/1983 we took T7 WX372 Honington Vy and return.

In a later incarnation on 45(R) we did a Welsh away day for John Reid (Armed Forces Minister), on 12/3/1998 XX495 Nholt, Vy, St A, Nholt.

HtH

[Box Brownie]

The Vintage Pair - '73
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1446x922/valley73_f8621b54b6aca52df1596f630e2ac7614b7e6684.jpg

[Four Types]

When STCAAME closed. 2 of the chaps put together the history of the establishment with articles on the history and the missiles etc. This book comes with CD in the back that has all of the Sqn Photos that were taken each week they arrived. A real historical gem.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fireflash-Skyflash-History-Missile-1952-2002/dp/1899808124/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=to+skyflash&qid=1615720658&s=books&sr=1-1

It says 'not available' at the moment but put it on your watch list.

[EXFIN]

Many thanks to all. I have the STCAAME Book and Mr Coleman kindly sent a copy of the CD which is normally attached. Kind regards, Taff

[Fox2long]

I’ve got AGWOEU data if you’re interested? Plus I can dig out a few trips in for sims?

[brakedwell]

Short, but entertaining.....some may recognise themselves.

https://twitter.com/RAF_Valley/status/1356226342438711298

Krystal n chips. Happy memories! I had a single room in one of the old nissen huts photographed in the review when I was filling time at Valley after getting my wings at RAF Swinderby in 1957. Valley was training new Fleet Air Arm pilots at that time and I don't think they were in the old huts, which were very useful if you had a girlfriend from Holyhead!

[Legalapproach]

If it is of any use
13.8.83 G-BBSE Chipmunk in as support a/c for G-GNAT for the Air Day
14.8.83 Out to Coventry for the Coventry Airshow
G-GNAT in and out on same days from/to Cranfield displaying at Coventry en route