Did You Fly The Vulcan?? (Merged)
Just to return this to the top, perhaps only briefly (following on from a query on the history forum) - some might recall that I offered to - well, I think it was be the thread archivist, with some notion of doing something in print to commemorate the V-Force (sorry, but two family bereavements and two serious illnesses, one for Mrs A distracted me from cracking on with this).
I'm meeting a publisher next month to discuss a variety of things. Is using this as the basis for a popular history something people would welcome? Although there was some initial enthusiasm, it seemed to die away, and then (as noted above) it dropped off my radar. Still happy to move on with this is there is sufficient interest in having a new set of recollections of the V-Force (PMs to establish my bona fides, etc more than welcome).
I'm meeting a publisher next month to discuss a variety of things. Is using this as the basis for a popular history something people would welcome? Although there was some initial enthusiasm, it seemed to die away, and then (as noted above) it dropped off my radar. Still happy to move on with this is there is sufficient interest in having a new set of recollections of the V-Force (PMs to establish my bona fides, etc more than welcome).
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Archimedes,
Sorry to hear of your problems. But I was thinking of posting an enquiry asking how well this proposal of yours was going. So I for one would enjoy reading the results.
There have been several fascinacting threads. The Vulcan and Banana Bombers ones for a start, that could produce good books and/or dvds based on Ppruners memoirs, film, photos etc. If you have the enthusiasm to do the hard work, then I'm sure there will be a market for the end results.
Cheers, H
Sorry to hear of your problems. But I was thinking of posting an enquiry asking how well this proposal of yours was going. So I for one would enjoy reading the results.
There have been several fascinacting threads. The Vulcan and Banana Bombers ones for a start, that could produce good books and/or dvds based on Ppruners memoirs, film, photos etc. If you have the enthusiasm to do the hard work, then I'm sure there will be a market for the end results.
Cheers, H
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Archimedes, hope everything family-wise is on the upturn. Good wishes for the future.
I'm sure that if you wish to take to project forward there will be enough ex V people out there who would willingly contribute - me for one.
PM me for my background details and what you are looking for.
FJJP
I'm sure that if you wish to take to project forward there will be enough ex V people out there who would willingly contribute - me for one.
PM me for my background details and what you are looking for.
FJJP
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Archimedes Sorry to hear of your bereavements.I don't think my Uncle (Tiny Matthews) is on the net but if you ever want me to contact I will do my best.He is living in B.C. now.
Beags Although not ex RAF(ex ARMY) because of Tiny I contribute as much as I can afford every 6 months.Do hope my contribution helps.Anything to see one fly again.Both Tiny's cousins worked at AvRoe's as telephonists and I remember going to the Christmas parties in the late '50's.
Beags Although not ex RAF(ex ARMY) because of Tiny I contribute as much as I can afford every 6 months.Do hope my contribution helps.Anything to see one fly again.Both Tiny's cousins worked at AvRoe's as telephonists and I remember going to the Christmas parties in the late '50's.
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Gentlemen,
I was recently told about this forum,I have avidly read virtually every post. I had the pleasure and the privelege to have flown all three "Vs" on 199,18 and 57 Sqns. plus the Vulcan at A&AEE between 1957 and 1964. I have throughly enjoyed all the posts,brought back many happy memories.If I may add a small story.
We became quite concerned ,when despite being assured that new aircraft would be fitted with rear ejection seats,the bean counters decided otherwise.This resulted in an amendment to the startup checks on 57 Sqn. It was the AEOs responsibility to remove the seatpins of both pilots and stow in the stowage on the side of the seat,resulting in a change to the standard check of seatpins removed and stowed,to "Seatpins out,padlocks in,keys stowed at the back" at least in my crew! caused quite a bit of consternation flying with the occassional change of pilot
I wonder if the Tiny Matthews referred to in several posts was ex Merchant Navy? I had the next room at Honington and he brought back a small dinghy from leave,which he intended to revarnish.Being winter,he decided to do it in his room,unfortunately,he forgot to tell his batman,who on bringing his morning tea,ended up ass over tit in the bottom wondering what the hell had happened
Thanks for all the stories,I for one would love to buy the book.
Old Hairy
I was recently told about this forum,I have avidly read virtually every post. I had the pleasure and the privelege to have flown all three "Vs" on 199,18 and 57 Sqns. plus the Vulcan at A&AEE between 1957 and 1964. I have throughly enjoyed all the posts,brought back many happy memories.If I may add a small story.
We became quite concerned ,when despite being assured that new aircraft would be fitted with rear ejection seats,the bean counters decided otherwise.This resulted in an amendment to the startup checks on 57 Sqn. It was the AEOs responsibility to remove the seatpins of both pilots and stow in the stowage on the side of the seat,resulting in a change to the standard check of seatpins removed and stowed,to "Seatpins out,padlocks in,keys stowed at the back" at least in my crew! caused quite a bit of consternation flying with the occassional change of pilot
I wonder if the Tiny Matthews referred to in several posts was ex Merchant Navy? I had the next room at Honington and he brought back a small dinghy from leave,which he intended to revarnish.Being winter,he decided to do it in his room,unfortunately,he forgot to tell his batman,who on bringing his morning tea,ended up ass over tit in the bottom wondering what the hell had happened
Thanks for all the stories,I for one would love to buy the book.
Old Hairy
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I wonder if the Tiny Matthews referred to in several posts was ex Merchant Navy?
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TINY MATTHEWS
Just for the record, there is a picture in my 'V-Force' book of Tiny Matthews standing with Ted Flavell and the two crews sent to drop the first British atomic bombs at Maralinga. Not a plug as it out of print. Tiny helped me greatly at Marham. He was larger than life in all respects.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Archemedies, welcome back how things are better now.
There are now some useful additions that could be pulled into any book. There are two relevant articles in Air Power, one by the MA student into survivability of the V-force really from an air staff perspective. It is quite revealling what she found out from their airships papers and what Bomber Command actually did and didn;t tell them.
Then the most recent one has an article by Chris Finn that is also complimentary.
As was mentioned earlier in this thread Peter Hennessey's book, Secret State is also revealing if, in places, a little too focussed.
Finally the FOI might well enable a few more snippets to surface. I have one request in and a second is being formulated. However on Wednesday I was offered a radar photo from someone's loft. "They were Secret" I said. "I know" came the reply!!!!
There are now some useful additions that could be pulled into any book. There are two relevant articles in Air Power, one by the MA student into survivability of the V-force really from an air staff perspective. It is quite revealling what she found out from their airships papers and what Bomber Command actually did and didn;t tell them.
Then the most recent one has an article by Chris Finn that is also complimentary.
As was mentioned earlier in this thread Peter Hennessey's book, Secret State is also revealing if, in places, a little too focussed.
Finally the FOI might well enable a few more snippets to surface. I have one request in and a second is being formulated. However on Wednesday I was offered a radar photo from someone's loft. "They were Secret" I said. "I know" came the reply!!!!
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Old Hairy
As you were at BD around the time could you enlighten me on the cause of a Vulcan crash near Andover in May 1963 - I think. I did have the aircraft number but seem to have misplaced it. The interest in it came from a Glider repair tycoon based on the side of the M4 who happened upon the crash site in a Thruxton Jackaroo just after it had happened and took some aerial photos. Found out I had flown the tin triangle around that time and asked me if I knew what happened.
Can you enlighten me. The aircraft was out of BD.
As you were at BD around the time could you enlighten me on the cause of a Vulcan crash near Andover in May 1963 - I think. I did have the aircraft number but seem to have misplaced it. The interest in it came from a Glider repair tycoon based on the side of the M4 who happened upon the crash site in a Thruxton Jackaroo just after it had happened and took some aerial photos. Found out I had flown the tin triangle around that time and asked me if I knew what happened.
Can you enlighten me. The aircraft was out of BD.
PN,
thanks for that.
ACW - XH535 crashed at Chute, nr Andover on 11/5/1964 (with four fatalities, sadly), and was with A&AEE at the time. Is this the one you're thinking of, perhaps?
thanks for that.
ACW - XH535 crashed at Chute, nr Andover on 11/5/1964 (with four fatalities, sadly), and was with A&AEE at the time. Is this the one you're thinking of, perhaps?
Thanks, Mike - saved me from searching for the link about this that I knew I'd seen recently and then editing the above post accordingly!
Last edited by Archimedes; 25th Jan 2005 at 21:43.
Scampton '64 to '66 (what fun!)
I have only just come upon this thread - my God, 36+ pages of Vulcan memorobilia! I left St Athan in the middle of 1964 as a brand new LAC A Mech A (48th Entry) and was posted to Scampton, into the Base Servicing Hangar. Initially very boring, being the gopher 
However, the opportunity to move to E Dispersal as a Linie came along (as did my SAC badge). What fun - Blue steel fridge pack changes, canopy seal changes and other delights, outdoors in mid-winter and lots of Micks and Mickey Finns. My first winter Mickey Finn to Lossie was in a Whistling Tit flown by someone who thought it would be fun to do the trip at low level. We were all in para seats and 99% of us rapidly needed a sick-bag - except the guy sat opposite me who thought it was great fun. Ours was the last laugh (well, grimace), as at some point after we had emptied lthe previous night's NAAFi intake, he had some form of fit and we had get the Loadie to administer oxygen. The pilot then took pity on us and climbed up above the weather.
Night shift on the QRA pan at Lossie. Four beasties armed with Blue Steel and regular checks on the gyros etc needed, so no crafty kips - except the the Plods supposedly guarding the aircraft and their loads. One came into the dispersal hut and said that, as I had to be awake and out-and-about to keep an eye on the aircraft, he and his mates would kip down in the hut. 3.30am and four sleeping policemen get a rude awakening when I run in shouting "Intruders, intruders" and they stagger out, bleary eyed, waving their pistols. Ha - very satisfying.
I think it was after that exercise that we returned to Scampton in a Hastings, very shortly indeed after the terrible accident involving loss of life , due I think to a fatigue-failure - very worrying.
On one occasion I thought (in a panic) that I might obliterate Lincolnshire - on QRA I was using one of those diesel driven 'donkeys' to pull a set of air bottles up to recharge the rapid air and misjudged speed / closing distance and rammed the arm of the donkey into the nose of the Blue Steel - phew, no bang, Crew Chief didn't see it, so carry on with the job.
Another week on QRA - one Plod per pan and two (standing in front of aircraft on opposite pans) were alleviating their boredom by bouncing a golf ball between them. A rather too vigourous throw saw the ball bounce over the head of the other Plod and bingo - a hole in one, straight down the intake. A somewhat career-limiting moment for the pair of them as the aircraft had to be stood-down from QRA whilst a sooty was shoved down the intake to retrieve it - which he luckily did as it had not gone beyond the first set of blades.
I can still clearly see the 4-ship launch from Finningleys ORP at a B of B day. In the practice, ISTR that the first two of the four aircraft had 201 engines whilst the third had 301's. Sixteen Olympuses simultaneously starting and spooling up is quite an event from close range. As they rapidly pulled out onto the runway, I had to dive behind a Houtchin and watched in awe as they belted down the runway with the third aircraft struggling not to overtake his less powerful brethren. He was put in the number one position for the day itself.
I was only at Scampton until March 66 when I had to suffer the indignity of being forced to accept a posting to Seletar
Has anyone ever tried rigging the slat and flap system on a Twin Pioneer - guaranteed to result in madness.
Anyway, despite involvement over the years with lots of other wonderful aircraft, the Vulcan remains my only true love (aircraft-wise, that is).
However, the opportunity to move to E Dispersal as a Linie came along (as did my SAC badge). What fun - Blue steel fridge pack changes, canopy seal changes and other delights, outdoors in mid-winter and lots of Micks and Mickey Finns. My first winter Mickey Finn to Lossie was in a Whistling Tit flown by someone who thought it would be fun to do the trip at low level. We were all in para seats and 99% of us rapidly needed a sick-bag - except the guy sat opposite me who thought it was great fun. Ours was the last laugh (well, grimace), as at some point after we had emptied lthe previous night's NAAFi intake, he had some form of fit and we had get the Loadie to administer oxygen. The pilot then took pity on us and climbed up above the weather.Night shift on the QRA pan at Lossie. Four beasties armed with Blue Steel and regular checks on the gyros etc needed, so no crafty kips - except the the Plods supposedly guarding the aircraft and their loads. One came into the dispersal hut and said that, as I had to be awake and out-and-about to keep an eye on the aircraft, he and his mates would kip down in the hut. 3.30am and four sleeping policemen get a rude awakening when I run in shouting "Intruders, intruders" and they stagger out, bleary eyed, waving their pistols. Ha - very satisfying.
I think it was after that exercise that we returned to Scampton in a Hastings, very shortly indeed after the terrible accident involving loss of life , due I think to a fatigue-failure - very worrying.
On one occasion I thought (in a panic) that I might obliterate Lincolnshire - on QRA I was using one of those diesel driven 'donkeys' to pull a set of air bottles up to recharge the rapid air and misjudged speed / closing distance and rammed the arm of the donkey into the nose of the Blue Steel - phew, no bang, Crew Chief didn't see it, so carry on with the job.
Another week on QRA - one Plod per pan and two (standing in front of aircraft on opposite pans) were alleviating their boredom by bouncing a golf ball between them. A rather too vigourous throw saw the ball bounce over the head of the other Plod and bingo - a hole in one, straight down the intake. A somewhat career-limiting moment for the pair of them as the aircraft had to be stood-down from QRA whilst a sooty was shoved down the intake to retrieve it - which he luckily did as it had not gone beyond the first set of blades.
I can still clearly see the 4-ship launch from Finningleys ORP at a B of B day. In the practice, ISTR that the first two of the four aircraft had 201 engines whilst the third had 301's. Sixteen Olympuses simultaneously starting and spooling up is quite an event from close range. As they rapidly pulled out onto the runway, I had to dive behind a Houtchin and watched in awe as they belted down the runway with the third aircraft struggling not to overtake his less powerful brethren. He was put in the number one position for the day itself.
I was only at Scampton until March 66 when I had to suffer the indignity of being forced to accept a posting to Seletar
Has anyone ever tried rigging the slat and flap system on a Twin Pioneer - guaranteed to result in madness.Anyway, despite involvement over the years with lots of other wonderful aircraft, the Vulcan remains my only true love (aircraft-wise, that is).
As the Blue Steel was buried half in the bomb bay of the Vulcan, I wouldn't have thought that the 'Donkey' steering arm would have reached the nose of a Blue Steel, it would probably have done so under the Victor.
Paul O'Gorman collection. ©Crown Copyright
Paul O'Gorman collection. ©Crown Copyright
Last edited by ZH875; 25th Jan 2005 at 22:07.
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What was the role of the AEO?? I remember sitting in the old comms trainer at Finningley in 1984 and being very impressed with the knobs & dials in there...seem to remember that was a mockup of the Vulcan AEO station???
thanks
thanks
Thread Starter
1. Manage the a/c electrical system.
2. Operate the ECM equipment and work with the pilots to maximise the equipment's effect.
3. Read the check list.
4. Manage HF comms (and some secondary V/UHF).
5. Look after any crypto requirements.
2. Operate the ECM equipment and work with the pilots to maximise the equipment's effect.
3. Read the check list.
4. Manage HF comms (and some secondary V/UHF).
5. Look after any crypto requirements.
Thread Starter
I used to give our AEO my in-flight choccy bar for his little daughter. She was very miffed when I went off on my ICC and her Mars Bar/Twix source suddenly dried up!
What a pleasure it was to have known the gentlemanly ways of the mid-70s V-force. People these days just wouldn't believe how great it was!
What a pleasure it was to have known the gentlemanly ways of the mid-70s V-force. People these days just wouldn't believe how great it was!