Did You Fly The Vulcan?? (Merged)
35 at Akrotiri did not provide QRA as was known in UK. Yes, we had stand-by crews etc. but not in the same manner as in UK nuclear days.
Bill
Bill
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The V-Force ceased QRA midnight on 30 Jun 1968.
During the QRA period squadrons had 11 crews. Once QRA ceased the squadron UE was reduced to 10 crews. In Cyprus both sqns had 10 crews. From 1971 to May 73 I know we never held alert. We used to have Exercise Hetti with aircraft loaded with training weapons and a fly off.
Once, under Air Cdre Stacey, probably 1971, after NEAF terminated Hetti he ordered all aircraft unloaded, 're-roled for conventional and loaded with 1000 lb HE.
I cannot recall whether it was 21x1000. We certainly flew with fewer and dud live drops but whether it was after Hetti I can't recall. I rather think weapons were not flown on this occasion. Stacey also insisted that everyone was issued with weapons and live ammunition. For aircrew this was 9mm Browning SLP and 10 rounds.
During the QRA period squadrons had 11 crews. Once QRA ceased the squadron UE was reduced to 10 crews. In Cyprus both sqns had 10 crews. From 1971 to May 73 I know we never held alert. We used to have Exercise Hetti with aircraft loaded with training weapons and a fly off.
Once, under Air Cdre Stacey, probably 1971, after NEAF terminated Hetti he ordered all aircraft unloaded, 're-roled for conventional and loaded with 1000 lb HE.
I cannot recall whether it was 21x1000. We certainly flew with fewer and dud live drops but whether it was after Hetti I can't recall. I rather think weapons were not flown on this occasion. Stacey also insisted that everyone was issued with weapons and live ammunition. For aircrew this was 9mm Browning SLP and 10 rounds.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recall that when doing "Combats" during a Mick or Mickey Finn, we would load an inert YS2 (or later, the WE177) weapon that had crew feedback responses. After they had gone through all the motions of setting the aircraft up for combat, the weapon would be removed and used on the next aircraft to reach generation status. Once we'd done the last one the wing was declared "Ready". On one occasion we had anticipated the "Mick" and generated our wing very quickly. Bomber Command HQ challenged us to fly them all off - which we did to their surprise.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
An aircraft was generated when it had been given the appropriate before flight servicing, combat checked by a crew, is pre-start checks completed, I don't think we started engines, declared serviceable, closed down power off, handed to the armourers, bomb loaded and checked by the armament supervisor, accepted by the crew and signed for by the captain.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your ongoing feedback and apologies for the late response but other elements of my project (plus a house renovation project) have taken centre stage.
I am back in the Vulcan era for a while and wondered if anyone knows if there is a book or document which accurately lists the serials and timescales that each aircraft was allocated to the various Wings.
The reason I ask is that I am sure that the No. 35 Squadron's Record Book has some incorrect serials, which I would like to sort out if I can.
If there is not a book, has anyone accessed the Movement Cards and, if so, do they show the Wing allocations?
Regards
Pete
I am back in the Vulcan era for a while and wondered if anyone knows if there is a book or document which accurately lists the serials and timescales that each aircraft was allocated to the various Wings.
The reason I ask is that I am sure that the No. 35 Squadron's Record Book has some incorrect serials, which I would like to sort out if I can.
If there is not a book, has anyone accessed the Movement Cards and, if so, do they show the Wing allocations?
Regards
Pete
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North of Watford, South of Watford Gap
Age: 68
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
Petet
Long time since I saw the movement cards, but ISTR they record at least the station to which an aircraft was alloted. I suggest you contact [email protected] and ask for a sample; you can then decide whether it's worth booking an appointment to see the microfilm.
Bear in mind that - like all records - they are only as accurate as the clerk who compiled the entries!
Long time since I saw the movement cards, but ISTR they record at least the station to which an aircraft was alloted. I suggest you contact [email protected] and ask for a sample; you can then decide whether it's worth booking an appointment to see the microfilm.
Bear in mind that - like all records - they are only as accurate as the clerk who compiled the entries!
Pretty unlikely that a F540 ( if that is what you are referring to) has incorrect aircraft serials I would have thought. Aircraft did move around pretty often though.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Timelord; how I wish your comment were true, as it would make my research a lot easier. Sadly, the compilers were not always provided with the latest information, but they did the best job they could with what they were given.
I use the F540 as a very good start point, but try to validate against movement cards, accident cards, log books etc wherever I can.
I use the F540 as a very good start point, but try to validate against movement cards, accident cards, log books etc wherever I can.
You may find the following three books helpful in your research: VULCAN Photo Album by Alan Todd ( a Control Column publication printed by Brayford Press Ltd., 56 Coulson Road , Lincoln); The Vulcan B Mk 2 from a Different Angle by Craig Bulman (published by Pentland Books); and VULCAN Last of the V-Bombers by Duncan Cubitt with Ken Ellis (published by Osprey Aerospace).
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I have one that lists first date, units, disposal. Can't remember the name and am sitting in the Sun in Madeira right now.
While an airframe may have been take on charge by a sqn in 1963 it would show as 9/12/35 in 1964 onwards.
While an airframe may have been take on charge by a sqn in 1963 it would show as 9/12/35 in 1964 onwards.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 5th Nov 2017 at 17:15.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Tourman, thanks for the link. Question for those that know, when was the L-band aerial removed?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I am back in the Vulcan era for a while and wondered if anyone knows if there is a book or document which accurately lists the serials and timescales that each aircraft was allocated to the various Wings.
The reason I ask is that I am sure that the No. 35 Squadron's Record Book has some incorrect serials, which I would like to sort out if I can.
The reason I ask is that I am sure that the No. 35 Squadron's Record Book has some incorrect serials, which I would like to sort out if I can.
Avro Vulcan Robert Jackson, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1984 Cambridge lists the basic information on each aircraft. ISBN 0-85059-630-0
First one shown is 536 16 Dec 59, then 538, 557, 562, 783 (NEAF), 823, 824 (NEAF), 825, 321, 359 - 361, 392, 443, - 446, 569, 595, 597, 599, 600, 603 - 612, 645 - 657
Several aircraft were shown belonging to the Scampton Wing and would also have been available to 35 Sqn but not necessarily flown by any 35 Sqn crew.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 5th Nov 2017 at 16:11.
Tourman, thanks for the link. Question for those that know, when was the L-band aerial removed?
No idea what the NEAF fit was at the time.
YS