The Varsity
Topcliffe ATC Camp '71. Some cadets flew in Varsities of the Airman/Aircrew Training School, but only 'til midweek, then a Varsity departed to Gibraltar on a long Navex. On arrival, it went u/s; another was sent with spares, and we were told that would also go u/s when it got there (friday pm, so they'd all have to weekend in Gib!)
Now chevvron raises a very interesting question. Is it Varsities or is it Varsitys?
All the time I was on the Argosy the same argument raged - Argosies or Argosys.
I favoured Varsitys or Argosys but do any of you out there have a definitive answer?
All the time I was on the Argosy the same argument raged - Argosies or Argosys.
I favoured Varsitys or Argosys but do any of you out there have a definitive answer?
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Blind Landing Experimental Unit Bedford; first aircraft to carry out Cat 3 landings.
When the new runway was built at Liverpool it was rarely used - it was a looong taxi to the terminal. BLEU took this golden opportunity to shoot endless ILS's which, in turn, brought us some nice Boscombe aircraft. Regular visitor apart from the Varsity was the Short Belfast XR364(?) but I also recall their Harvard, FT375 and a Meteor NF13, WM367.
"Wonderful engines, radial sleeve valve" - Was it five blades we had to hand crank the engine through, to check for hydraulic locks? (First flight of the day).
"Beads clamped, ratchet selected" - trailing aerial check?
The 'Minimum Ground Run Take-Off' - Wind it up to full power against the brakes, with ?degrees of flap, and rotate at about 65 kts - then fly level until reaching the single engine safety speed of 105 kts - seemed to take an eternity.
(figures may be a bit out - 'twas over 35 years ago!)
"Beads clamped, ratchet selected" - trailing aerial check?
The 'Minimum Ground Run Take-Off' - Wind it up to full power against the brakes, with ?degrees of flap, and rotate at about 65 kts - then fly level until reaching the single engine safety speed of 105 kts - seemed to take an eternity.
(figures may be a bit out - 'twas over 35 years ago!)
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Heating
What a marvelous heating system, perfectly designed to the open plan lay out! Must have been straight of the shelf for the Viking.
"Nav to Captain, can you please turn the heating down?"
"No!"
Them sitting up front all rugged up with hoare frost all over the panel, us down the back in jocks and flying suit enduring a four hour or more sauna! Must have been all right in the signals bay but they were always sitting in the r.h. seat. Did all that time count as P2?
"Nav to Captain, can you please turn the heating down?"
"No!"
Them sitting up front all rugged up with hoare frost all over the panel, us down the back in jocks and flying suit enduring a four hour or more sauna! Must have been all right in the signals bay but they were always sitting in the r.h. seat. Did all that time count as P2?
Cunning Artificer
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ATC Summer camp at Manby. Went down the flight line during an 'off' period to look at aeroplanes and was invited to take a trip. I was alone down the back and we flew all over UK for several hours, doing touch and go landings at different airfields. I'd no idea which ones. It must have been a navigation exercise. Anyway, I spent a lot of the time standing on one of the trainee navigator's seats with my head in an astrodome, even during the roller landings. When we got back our CO went potty as he didn't know where I'd gone and I'd been reported missing - no-one but the crew knew I was aboard!
I was surprised to discover recently that RAF Manby had a grass field with no concrete runways.
I was surprised to discover recently that RAF Manby had a grass field with no concrete runways.
WL626
Nothing like a picture of an aircraft you flew in years ago - especially when it looks as forlorn as this one - to remind you of the passage of anno domini... that tick follows tock.
3 trips/10hrs 35mins at 6FTS in 1973 - seems like yesterday.
And in among all the names of the Varsity pilots in my logbook is one Flt Lt Burridge.. wonder what happened to him?
sv
3 trips/10hrs 35mins at 6FTS in 1973 - seems like yesterday.
And in among all the names of the Varsity pilots in my logbook is one Flt Lt Burridge.. wonder what happened to him?
sv
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I cannot vouch for this story because it came to me about 3rd hand, but I believe it to be basically true.
One night back in the 1950's the GCA at Tangmere took a N/F Meteor through the top of a tree well short of the threshhold.
The damage wasn't too bad, change the ventral tank, remove some foliage from the intakes and undercarriage, etc.
Consternation ! the GCA is placed u/s and the Sigs Sqd who checked/calibrated the nav aids was called for.
The Varsity arrived next evening but it was dark by the time they were ready to fly.
Not to worry, away they went to carry out their check, and the CGA put them through the same tree, but this time it entailed work for the panel beaters.
One night back in the 1950's the GCA at Tangmere took a N/F Meteor through the top of a tree well short of the threshhold.
The damage wasn't too bad, change the ventral tank, remove some foliage from the intakes and undercarriage, etc.
Consternation ! the GCA is placed u/s and the Sigs Sqd who checked/calibrated the nav aids was called for.
The Varsity arrived next evening but it was dark by the time they were ready to fly.
Not to worry, away they went to carry out their check, and the CGA put them through the same tree, but this time it entailed work for the panel beaters.
We used to do an exercise where we flew level at 700 ft with the gear and the flaps down towards the runway in use. When the threshold disappeared below the nose we then closed the throttles and stuffed the nose down to make a glide approach and landing.
I still think it was awesome!
I still think it was awesome!
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It must have been about 1958. I was passenger in a car driving down the A1. Lying wheels up, on what I think was a north-bound section of unfinished motorway, sat a Varsity. Anyone know more?
I cannot find a Varsity that fits your description but I offer up the following as a possible solution:
Valetta T.3 WJ467 228OCU
Lost height on single-engined approach and bellylanded 3m NW of Leeming on 6.8.58.
Valetta T.3 WJ467 228OCU
Lost height on single-engined approach and bellylanded 3m NW of Leeming on 6.8.58.
That would have to be it. At least I got the year right!