Air Cadet Gliding pix in the 80s (pre glass)
'871 is my aeroplane!
On arriving at Halton one evening about 5pm (c1966), I was about to start DI-ing aircraft for evening AEG when a glider trailer towed by a landrover drove around to the doors. The driver was delivering an aircraft from re-furbishment at Kirbymoorside (he was also delivering rowing '8's to Henley) and the two of us unloaded this Mk 3 which actually had spoilers - none of the existing 613 Mk3s were so equipped. This was WT 871, and as I was the only school staff member there, I signed for it so it's mine!!!
On arriving at Halton one evening about 5pm (c1966), I was about to start DI-ing aircraft for evening AEG when a glider trailer towed by a landrover drove around to the doors. The driver was delivering an aircraft from re-furbishment at Kirbymoorside (he was also delivering rowing '8's to Henley) and the two of us unloaded this Mk 3 which actually had spoilers - none of the existing 613 Mk3s were so equipped. This was WT 871, and as I was the only school staff member there, I signed for it so it's mine!!!
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Pictures dried up!
It seems like every body has run out of pictures....
These are some of Al's and are my favourites:
Slingsby Cadet TX3, XE798, Royal Air Force
Slingsby T.38 Grasshopper TX1, XP490, Royal Air Force
Guy
These are some of Al's and are my favourites:
Slingsby Cadet TX3, XE798, Royal Air Force
Slingsby T.38 Grasshopper TX1, XP490, Royal Air Force
Guy
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Pictures
Hi would like to include some pictures but do not know how.
Sedbergh XN185 which was at Burtonwood from its initial start to its demise is stiil in RAF hands being proposed to be installed in the Hendon Museum. As usual Funds being a problem FOGIES (Former Old Gliding Intructors Extension Society) have been asked by the current Air Commandant of the ATC if they can help!
It was proposed to the Burtonwood Associsation that they and Warrington Council may want to sponsor this Aircraft possibly renaming it as the "Spirit of Warrington". The Jury is still out on this. If anybody wants to push this further please feel free to email or write to Warrington Council with your support.
Sedbergh XN185 which was at Burtonwood from its initial start to its demise is stiil in RAF hands being proposed to be installed in the Hendon Museum. As usual Funds being a problem FOGIES (Former Old Gliding Intructors Extension Society) have been asked by the current Air Commandant of the ATC if they can help!
It was proposed to the Burtonwood Associsation that they and Warrington Council may want to sponsor this Aircraft possibly renaming it as the "Spirit of Warrington". The Jury is still out on this. If anybody wants to push this further please feel free to email or write to Warrington Council with your support.
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No.616 Gliding School, RAF Henlow some good photos on pages 46-48 of the excellent station history here http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbramptonwyt...23966EBA91.pdf
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Day out at Hullavington with 621 Historic Flight
Had the most fantastic day out yesterday at the invitation of Adam and his team at the 621 Historic Flight.
I arrived at Hullavington and there was a Mk3 by the origional (but far to clean!) red and white checkered caravan and a Barge just going up the launch - eye moistening stuff!
They made me very welcome and within minutes I was strapping the Sedburgh on, and off up the launch for the first time in 35 years!
A bit of thermalling on the second trip (remember the little red and green "balls"?) was followed by much reminiscing with John (another guest also ex 622 - but before my time) and the rest of the crew over tea.
Then it was time for the Mk3. Given a choice of seats I didn't hesitate to grab the back seat of course (1800+ launches in that "office") and WHAM! I was instantly back 35 years I just loved it!!
Thank you so much chaps for a fantastic day, the a/c are immaculate and the standards of airmanship (and winch launching!) are excellent.
The day was made exceptional (if that was possible!) by seeing the Grasshopper winch launched not once but twice...........amazing - Adam, and Pete...... you're bonkers! (they wouldn't let me have a go, bloody spoilsports!)
Apparently, all ex ATC GS staff are welcome and I urge you all to contact them and go and have a go.
Thanks again Adam and Co.
Jez Cooke
I arrived at Hullavington and there was a Mk3 by the origional (but far to clean!) red and white checkered caravan and a Barge just going up the launch - eye moistening stuff!
They made me very welcome and within minutes I was strapping the Sedburgh on, and off up the launch for the first time in 35 years!
A bit of thermalling on the second trip (remember the little red and green "balls"?) was followed by much reminiscing with John (another guest also ex 622 - but before my time) and the rest of the crew over tea.
Then it was time for the Mk3. Given a choice of seats I didn't hesitate to grab the back seat of course (1800+ launches in that "office") and WHAM! I was instantly back 35 years I just loved it!!
Thank you so much chaps for a fantastic day, the a/c are immaculate and the standards of airmanship (and winch launching!) are excellent.
The day was made exceptional (if that was possible!) by seeing the Grasshopper winch launched not once but twice...........amazing - Adam, and Pete...... you're bonkers! (they wouldn't let me have a go, bloody spoilsports!)
Apparently, all ex ATC GS staff are welcome and I urge you all to contact them and go and have a go.
Thanks again Adam and Co.
Jez Cooke
T21
Thanks for the Henlow history, I spent 6 years there as a Civil Servant with RAFSEE but I was then , and still am a member of 612 so I spent my weekends commuting between there and Benson.
Thanks for the Henlow history, I spent 6 years there as a Civil Servant with RAFSEE but I was then , and still am a member of 612 so I spent my weekends commuting between there and Benson.
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There has been a whole bunch of photos on the Air Britain photo wesite recently of Mk3's but at last a photo of a Swallow (XT653) has been posted.
www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1229522/
www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1229522/
I would like to join cambioso in thanking Adam & Co for a great, nostalgic day out at Hullavington.
Special highlights for me were the highest and longest flight of the day, up to 2500' in the T21, and the smart roll by the Jungmeister as cambioso departed.
I very much hope to visit again, next time by air.
Special highlights for me were the highest and longest flight of the day, up to 2500' in the T21, and the smart roll by the Jungmeister as cambioso departed.
I very much hope to visit again, next time by air.
I had my first lesson in defying gravity on the 7th of October 1963 at St Eval Cornwall as a 14 year old ATC cadet. T21 WT869 with a P/O AG Hook. Anybody know him? I am still flying for a living and one could say I was "Hooked".
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XE799 Update
XE799, Ex Syerston, and the aircraft in which Johnnie Johnson went solo in a glider.
Quick update on XE799.
Good news, she was inspected yesterday, and is deemed to be in sufficiently good condition to fly as she is. She has suffered only minor handling damage, but the fabric and structure are generally in excellent condition. It is therefore, as hoped, entirely possible that she can be returned to flying status in her present condition, which is as she left the RAF. This means that she can be flying relatively rapidly. Target is August.
Watch this space.
Guy
Quick update on XE799.
Good news, she was inspected yesterday, and is deemed to be in sufficiently good condition to fly as she is. She has suffered only minor handling damage, but the fabric and structure are generally in excellent condition. It is therefore, as hoped, entirely possible that she can be returned to flying status in her present condition, which is as she left the RAF. This means that she can be flying relatively rapidly. Target is August.
Watch this space.
Guy
XE799, Ex Syerston, and the aircraft in which Johnnie Johnson went solo in a glider.
Much more importantly...it is the glider I first soloed in at Spitalgate in the ''Summer of '69''
rgds and good luck with the old girl G
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XE799
Of course, I'll have to change her future description!
Airworthy or not, we intend to have her rigged for the Kenley Air day on the 14th August 2010, so come down and get re aquainted.
Guy
RAF Kenley Air Day 2010
Airworthy or not, we intend to have her rigged for the Kenley Air day on the 14th August 2010, so come down and get re aquainted.
Guy
RAF Kenley Air Day 2010
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Air Cadet gliders at Bicester
Can any one provide serials of the T21's, T31's, Prefect, Grunau etc at RAF Bicester, late 50's early 60's please ?, pre RAFGSA & Windrushers (first time round, was an early member !) Thanks, PH, Bicester.
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zetec2: Bicester 1960s
From my logbook, Bicester early 1960s:
April 1961:
Grunau Baby: RAFGSA 159, 220, 281
Kranich B-1 wn 635 (damaged)
Olympia 1: RAFGSA 206 "26" cn 044
Olympia 2b: RAFGSA 228 "112"
Olympia 2b: RAFGSA 246 "117"
Skylark 3b: RAFGSA234, BGA844, cn 1134
Sedburgh: RAFGSA 212 (? cn 588, WB925, BGA2964)
Sedburgh: RAFGSA 238, BGA841, cn 1131
Sedburgh XN152 "Air Cadets", wreck
November 1961:
Eagle 3 RAFGSA235 "74" cn 1136
Ka6 D-3222 "175" (to RAFGSa 322)
Eon 460 G-ARTE
May 1962:
EoN 403 G-APEW (RAFGSA 306, BGA278)
Sedburgh 242
Most were RAFGSA. Any use to you?
Laurence
April 1961:
Grunau Baby: RAFGSA 159, 220, 281
Kranich B-1 wn 635 (damaged)
Olympia 1: RAFGSA 206 "26" cn 044
Olympia 2b: RAFGSA 228 "112"
Olympia 2b: RAFGSA 246 "117"
Skylark 3b: RAFGSA234, BGA844, cn 1134
Sedburgh: RAFGSA 212 (? cn 588, WB925, BGA2964)
Sedburgh: RAFGSA 238, BGA841, cn 1131
Sedburgh XN152 "Air Cadets", wreck
November 1961:
Eagle 3 RAFGSA235 "74" cn 1136
Ka6 D-3222 "175" (to RAFGSa 322)
Eon 460 G-ARTE
May 1962:
EoN 403 G-APEW (RAFGSA 306, BGA278)
Sedburgh 242
Most were RAFGSA. Any use to you?
Laurence
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Laurence, you are a lovely man, thank you so much, that will fill in some of the blanks in my listings, I flew there from the end of 1959 up to end of 61, one of the Grunau's belonged to Anita Schmidt (was white, I soloed in that) ended up with a closed canopy which was quite claustophobic, also we had an Oly 2B # 490 (did Silver in that), there was a Bocian & a Prefect, I ended up being one of the Windrushers founder members before the RAF sent me away to warmer (Aden) climes, but thank you for your info, appreciated, B Rgds, Paul H, Bicester.
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Great stuff Paul. We overlapped then. I was on the Oxford UAS side. My gliding was initially at Hawkinge, then a bit at Weston-OTG, then French Alps!
I had a nice, but cold, afternoon at Bicester in January visiting Low'n'slow from the other forum and his Tipsy. Great to see the machines in the Windrushers' hangar now.
Laurence
I had a nice, but cold, afternoon at Bicester in January visiting Low'n'slow from the other forum and his Tipsy. Great to see the machines in the Windrushers' hangar now.
Laurence
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WOG gliding
Laurence good chance our paths crossed, I also flew at WOG as well as at Bicester, flew the Minimoa, Skylark 2 (with the big bubble/panoramic canopy) remember the big 4 drum ex navy winch ? you needed to be a magician with 4 legs & arms to operate it, (those that drove it will understand those comments !) see your comments re your earlier Bicester visit, if coming again let me know, I live across the road from the airfield & always have the coffee on, be pleased to meet you & bore you with early day "war" stories, B Rgds, Paul H..