Air Cadet Gliding pix in the 80s (pre glass)
Kenley 67
Yes, you are right POBJOY. George Nunn was an engineer and did not trust transistors and thermistors and stuff like that, so his mechanical system used windscreen wiper motors to drive a wheel with raised cams which operated microswitches, hence the need to have fully charged batteries. The control lever for his system was a joy to behold!!
When I introduced my little grey box he would only allow me to install it in parallel to his system and run it for a month's trial.......
He reluctantly agreed that transistors were the way forward........and a year later we were supplied with an "official" system from CGS, as they too had been experimenting along these lines.
Note to myself....must post another picture of gliding as we knew it!!
When I introduced my little grey box he would only allow me to install it in parallel to his system and run it for a month's trial.......
He reluctantly agreed that transistors were the way forward........and a year later we were supplied with an "official" system from CGS, as they too had been experimenting along these lines.
Note to myself....must post another picture of gliding as we knew it!!
Great thread guys.
It brought back memories of when I got my A&B certificate with 618GS at West Malling during the summer of '78. I still remember my 3 solo circuits. That was the beginning of my career in Aviation which has been very kind and put food on the table for the last 30 years.
Thanks for all the photos, they are nostalgic viewing!
It brought back memories of when I got my A&B certificate with 618GS at West Malling during the summer of '78. I still remember my 3 solo circuits. That was the beginning of my career in Aviation which has been very kind and put food on the table for the last 30 years.
Thanks for all the photos, they are nostalgic viewing!
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Rob. I have no idea. Despite the fact that I own the 3 gliders above nobody is telling me anything neither have I been invited. I am less than impressed that the fake Swallow is being used but not the Prefect!
Last edited by WE992; 29th Jun 2011 at 17:43.
WE992 you will like this...
Here is one from my album. Just off to get my BGA C Certificate at Kenley!!
That smile stayed for some time. I remember it well.
That smile stayed for some time. I remember it well.
Last edited by Frelon; 19th Mar 2018 at 09:27.
Prefect
Great image of an original Kenley "E-Pen" complete with optional machine gun post (under tail skid) I thought the Prefect had a removable nose cone (held on by bungee cord !!!) was it a mod from its German origins.
Single seater are always more fun.
Single seater are always more fun.
Substitute '990 or '993 for the '992 and that could be me.
At 613, myself and 'Nick' Nicholls were briefed/checked out by Sqdn Ldr 'Toppy' Topsfield at the same time and took turns for our requisite circuits. We were both used to gliders with spoilers, and I remember Toppy emphasising that unlike spoilers, you must achieve final approach speed before opening the airbrakes.
My father came to give me a lift home, and I told him I'd flown a 'single seater' that day. 'What, on your own?' he said!!
At 613, myself and 'Nick' Nicholls were briefed/checked out by Sqdn Ldr 'Toppy' Topsfield at the same time and took turns for our requisite circuits. We were both used to gliders with spoilers, and I remember Toppy emphasising that unlike spoilers, you must achieve final approach speed before opening the airbrakes.
My father came to give me a lift home, and I told him I'd flown a 'single seater' that day. 'What, on your own?' he said!!
Nose cone for Prefect
Yes, POBJOY, I had forgotten that! I remember doing DI's on the Prefects when they first did the rounds, and yes you could lift off the bungy held nose cone to peer behind the rudder pedals!
When they later covered everything in dayglo they covered over the nose cone joints!!
When they later covered everything in dayglo they covered over the nose cone joints!!
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Riat 2011
621 VGS Historic Flight did the unthinkable this weekend displaying the Cadet Mk3, Sedburgh, Prefect and Swallow on two Dual aerotows at RIAT. After working up on Wednesday and Thursday at Hullavington the flypast was flown at Fairford on Friday's VIP day and the second public day on Sunday in very demanding conditions. The aerotows lasted for well over an hour. There were 6 very tired pilots who were buzzing with excitement. If anybody has any photos to post it would be great to see them.
Last edited by WE992; 18th Jul 2011 at 16:39.
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Yes I was there and thought it was amazing that this cavalcade turned up in the blustery conditions. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Here are some of my pics :
Here are some of my pics :
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The Fleet Fly's Again
Fantastic Photo's. Last time I saw the Prefect and the Swallow was over RAF Burtonwood some 30 years ago.
What does puzzle me though is, The Otfur release does not appear to be taped up on any of the aircraft !!
What does puzzle me though is, The Otfur release does not appear to be taped up on any of the aircraft !!
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Amos, Brilliant photos and many thanks for posting. I bet the Sedburgh was a handful on aero-tow in those gusty conditions,the pilots arms must be aching.
Wander, were you at Cranwell 1966-68 ?
Wander, were you at Cranwell 1966-68 ?
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WE 992
Logical we used Insulating tape (For kiting as well), The collective schools must have used many miles over the years. Shares in the insulating tape manufacturer must have dropped dramatically since the conversion to Glass Fibre.
Once again lovely pictures
Once again lovely pictures
T21 - 63-65 - We aerotowed two T21s to Weston Super Mare at Easter - must have been 1964 - never been so cold - never seen bone domes in a glider either, before or since!
