Did You Fly The Vulcan?? (Merged)
A little more on the Cuban Crisis alert details - from the F540 for 10 Sqn, then flying the Victor B1 from Cottesmore. Alert Condition 3 was ordered for Bomber Command on Saturday 27 October 1962. Preparations for the possibility of increased Alert states were made on the Sunday and on Monday, 29 October, a second aircraft and crew were brought to 15 minutes readiness, with other aircraft and crews held at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 12 hours readiness - and that state was held until Monday 5 November, exactly 50 years ago today, when the Command reverted to Alert Condition 4.
The entry with this detail (written by a Flt Lt E J A Hughes) is cool, precise and entirely devoid of drama - and it appears that "the normal flying programme continued uninterrupted where crew and aircraft availability allowed."
The entry with this detail (written by a Flt Lt E J A Hughes) is cool, precise and entirely devoid of drama - and it appears that "the normal flying programme continued uninterrupted where crew and aircraft availability allowed."
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I believe that would be Eric Hughes who was later a nav rad instructor at Lindholme. We used to undergo an annual refresher at BCBS and Eric gave us a briefing on the TSR2 possibly just after its unfortunate demise and the week of that dining-in night at Waddo.
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XM657
Yessir.....XM657 was my bird -Crew chief 65-70.
Allocated to Waddo wing -centralised servicing -Squadrons were 44-50 and-"wunderful 101" . Can't remember where 35 crept in..
Allocated to Waddo wing -centralised servicing -Squadrons were 44-50 and-"wunderful 101" . Can't remember where 35 crept in..
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
In 1968 Waddington gained all the Cottesmore 301s and took over the FEAF role. The Malta Sunspot then dropped when 9/35 moved to Cyprus.
V Force Reunion
Here we go again! We are now planning another reunion at Newark Air Museum for May of NEXT year (2014) The form will be pretty much as before, the reunion is for all who served on the V Force in any capacity in the air or on the ground. Also welcome are wives, families and next of kin of deceased members. All the details are here on the reunion website V-Force Reunion.
There is nothing for you to do at the moment but bookmark the website and look out for further info which I will also announce on here. We are all getting long in the tooth and this may well be the last reunion we organise in its current format, so let's make it a good one.
There is nothing for you to do at the moment but bookmark the website and look out for further info which I will also announce on here. We are all getting long in the tooth and this may well be the last reunion we organise in its current format, so let's make it a good one.
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Personal Reminiscences
Have just finished book Victor Boys and would like to do another one called Vulcan Boys relatng a lot of personal stories by ground crews and aircrews. Reading pprune there shouldn't be a shortage of contributors. If you think you can help please contact me as soon as you like. Want to get inputs before we all forget or are forgotten. Please pass the word on.
Just to let you know that the V-Force Reunion website has been updated. We now have firm dates for the reunion which are 17th/18th May 2014 (next year!)
Check out the website and if you think you may want to attend (no commitment) then fill in and send an enquiry form (link on the homepage). Once you've done that - start spreading the word!
Check out the website and if you think you may want to attend (no commitment) then fill in and send an enquiry form (link on the homepage). Once you've done that - start spreading the word!
The V-Force Reunion website has been updated. Not a lot new, but a nice new pic, and info on forthcoming attractions at Newark Aircraft Museum. It's still a long way off but don't forget to let us know if you are hoping to come. It doesnt commit you, but some idea of likely numbers helps the museum with forward planning.
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Unfair to Crew chief of 361(not me!)
The crew chief had been whisked away to the BX as per usual on arrival to Goose. The handling team refuelled without ensuring front tanks filled first.Hence unusual attitude.
The ply bulkhead was painted by Jack Fisher -A very tasteful Red Steer!
The ply bulkhead was painted by Jack Fisher -A very tasteful Red Steer!
Another update on the V-Force Reunion website has just gone on - if you fancy a nice souvenir V Force mug have a look on the site, where there are details of how you can get one.
I'm getting quite a few emails returned as undeliverable for various reasons, perhaps I have got outdated addresses. If you think you should be on my email address list but aren't receiving email notifications of updates, or if you would like to get them, send me an email (my address is at the bottom of the homepage) and I'll add you to my address list so that you get updates as they occur.
I'm getting quite a few emails returned as undeliverable for various reasons, perhaps I have got outdated addresses. If you think you should be on my email address list but aren't receiving email notifications of updates, or if you would like to get them, send me an email (my address is at the bottom of the homepage) and I'll add you to my address list so that you get updates as they occur.
Last edited by Tankertrashnav; 12th Jun 2013 at 09:32.
Seems like I have the sole job of keeping this thread going, if only to notify you all of updates to the V-Force Reunion website, which has just been made. If when clicking on the link you get the previous update (with a Victor K1 picture at the top) then hold down Control and press F5 and your computer will refresh to the new version
I'm still getting quite a few emails returned as undeliverable for various reasons, perhaps I have got outdated addresses, whilst some accounts are obviously dormant as mail is returned with the comment "mailbox full". If you think you should be on my email address list but aren't receiving email notifications of updates, or if you would like to get them, send me an email (my address is at the bottom of the homepage) and I'll add you to my address list so that you get updates as they occur.
I'm still getting quite a few emails returned as undeliverable for various reasons, perhaps I have got outdated addresses, whilst some accounts are obviously dormant as mail is returned with the comment "mailbox full". If you think you should be on my email address list but aren't receiving email notifications of updates, or if you would like to get them, send me an email (my address is at the bottom of the homepage) and I'll add you to my address list so that you get updates as they occur.
Cuba
I'm currently reading Jim Wilson's book 'Britain on the Brink' on the Cuban crisis, and am learning lots of interesting snippets, I didn't already know.
One of the most shocking was that the USAF carried out a Titan ICBM missile test at Vandenburg AFB (no warhead of course) which seemed a bit badly timed to be honest. Apparently (and fortunately) the Soviets didn't detect the launch...
AM Sir Kenneth Cross (C in C Bomber Command) ordered AC3 on his own authority (within his authority to do so) on 'Black Saturday'.
There is also a reasonable amount of evidence to suggest that Cross was pushing for AC2 and dispersal-of course Macmillan forbade this as he didn't want to increase the tension any further.
In fact it seems that AM Cross became increasingly frustrated by the lack of political direction during the crisis, and he also lost contact with SAC (who were at a higher alert state than Bomber Command).
I didn't realise that he had then ordered everything to full readiness in the Command on his own authority either.
Interesting read.
One of the most shocking was that the USAF carried out a Titan ICBM missile test at Vandenburg AFB (no warhead of course) which seemed a bit badly timed to be honest. Apparently (and fortunately) the Soviets didn't detect the launch...
AM Sir Kenneth Cross (C in C Bomber Command) ordered AC3 on his own authority (within his authority to do so) on 'Black Saturday'.
There is also a reasonable amount of evidence to suggest that Cross was pushing for AC2 and dispersal-of course Macmillan forbade this as he didn't want to increase the tension any further.
In fact it seems that AM Cross became increasingly frustrated by the lack of political direction during the crisis, and he also lost contact with SAC (who were at a higher alert state than Bomber Command).
I didn't realise that he had then ordered everything to full readiness in the Command on his own authority either.
Interesting read.
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Seems like I have the sole job of keeping this thread going
Don't know anything about the American thing behind.
Did you fly the Vulcan?
Did you fly a Vulcan to RAAF Base Pearce circa 1972 - 73. I was an ATCO then when 2 Vulcan's visited and stayed a night or two.
I am interested in knowing which squadron and if possible which airframes were involved for a modelling project. Alas I have no pictures as I was on duty at the time photos were allowed, by the time I got there the SP s wouldnt let me take a pic.
I am interested in knowing which squadron and if possible which airframes were involved for a modelling project. Alas I have no pictures as I was on duty at the time photos were allowed, by the time I got there the SP s wouldnt let me take a pic.
Once again I have updated the V-Force Reunion website. The main point which requires action from you is we are now taking bookings for our evening function on the Saturday night - see the site for full details. We are also still looking for volunteers to man the signing-in tables.
Thanks, TTN
Thanks, TTN
Once again the V-Force Reunion website has been updated. We've got a nice picture of Hastings T5 TG517 as a change. Might bring back some memories of bumpy landings for ex V Force nav radars who trained on her at Lindholme!
We are well on with bookings for the evening do, but there are still plenty of tickets available - act now to avoid disappointment!
We are well on with bookings for the evening do, but there are still plenty of tickets available - act now to avoid disappointment!