Air Cadet Gliding pix in the 80s (pre glass)
I never heard of a trolley for a Sedburgh; maybe it happened after 1970? We (613 Halton) were used to trial the protoype Mk3 trolley (late '64) and it was constructed and repaired (when necessary) in the station workshops - you could get anything like that done at Halton in those days!
On the rare occasions when we transported a Sed on a Mk3 retrieve trolley (it was always referred to as a trolley not a trailer), we had one in the cockpit to balance it and one on a wingtip 'cos the cables were the wrong length. I can't think of the reason for doing it but we did do it very rarely.
On the rare occasions when we transported a Sed on a Mk3 retrieve trolley (it was always referred to as a trolley not a trailer), we had one in the cockpit to balance it and one on a wingtip 'cos the cables were the wrong length. I can't think of the reason for doing it but we did do it very rarely.
Last edited by chevvron; 3rd Nov 2015 at 23:50.
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@UV .... sorry for the delay in acknowledging your reply to my earlier post when I as looking for pictures of WB926 and XA290. Brilliant to see tham after all these years
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Chevvron
I think you could fit the Barge on the trolley but the wing ropes were too long. We overcame it by wrapping them around the struts once and then hooking the carabiner into the rings at the top of the struts as normal.
1 person stayed in the cockpit when being 'trolleyed' back to the Launch Point.
The main issue was that the Barge had a wider skid which meant it could be a tight fit (sticky) on the trolley ramp. Also the wing on the Barge was higher lift section and wider span so the chances of getting 'airborne' on the tow back was much higher than the Mk3 which we used tow at at least 25 mph (in the rush to get back to the launch point). I seem to remember that the tow speed for the Barge was not more than 15 mph on the trolley and maybe even 10 mph (memory fade)
The Barge was never really used for circuit training except for tall cadets who could not fit in the Mk3, staff training and mainly AEG (which entailed spot landing) so the trolley fit was not a major issue.
The Barge always seemed a hot ship to me compared to the Mk3 and the Swallow seemed like a spaceship compared to the Barge !!
Hope this helps and addresses some of the Trolley logic !!
Arc
Note: Being 'trolleyed' has a totally different connotation to my teenage sons than it did for me............
I think you could fit the Barge on the trolley but the wing ropes were too long. We overcame it by wrapping them around the struts once and then hooking the carabiner into the rings at the top of the struts as normal.
1 person stayed in the cockpit when being 'trolleyed' back to the Launch Point.
The main issue was that the Barge had a wider skid which meant it could be a tight fit (sticky) on the trolley ramp. Also the wing on the Barge was higher lift section and wider span so the chances of getting 'airborne' on the tow back was much higher than the Mk3 which we used tow at at least 25 mph (in the rush to get back to the launch point). I seem to remember that the tow speed for the Barge was not more than 15 mph on the trolley and maybe even 10 mph (memory fade)
The Barge was never really used for circuit training except for tall cadets who could not fit in the Mk3, staff training and mainly AEG (which entailed spot landing) so the trolley fit was not a major issue.
The Barge always seemed a hot ship to me compared to the Mk3 and the Swallow seemed like a spaceship compared to the Barge !!
Hope this helps and addresses some of the Trolley logic !!
Arc
Note: Being 'trolleyed' has a totally different connotation to my teenage sons than it did for me............
How times have changed!
The Barge always seemed a hot ship to me compared to the Mk3 and the Swallow seemed like a spaceship compared to the Barge !!
Talking about space-ships, my club recently sent a student solo in this:
A DG-1000S - 20 m span, 45:1 glide ratio and electric gear!
Last edited by India Four Two; 11th Aug 2015 at 22:14.
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Geoffrey Robinson
Just to let you know, I am still around in South Africa but past my best flying date at 74. Have popped into RAF Cosford when in the UK.
Yes George Crump is gone and also some may remember the late George Potter. Andrew Johnson is in Australia. Alan Skit is back in the UK
Yes George Crump is gone and also some may remember the late George Potter. Andrew Johnson is in Australia. Alan Skit is back in the UK
Just found this thread. Fascinating. I solo'd at Hawkinge on xe810 on 21st May 1961, having been taught by a number of instructors. F/O Naylor & King, F/Lt Ladley were some I remember. It was a marvelous time to be in the ATC!Andy
Last edited by Andy H; 26th Oct 2015 at 17:15. Reason: error in date corrected
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Andy H: I too soloed at Hawkinge, but in XA282. However, one of my instructors was FL Ladley, like you. This was in 1958, so he must have still been around in 1981.
Laurence
Laurence
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I just checked back to earlier days of this thread and find references to Ian Ladley in posts 62 and following. He was a Typhoon pilot in WW2, was still flying in the early 1980s, and died in 1990.
There is even a photo him and another of my instructors, Ron Whittenbury, post 308 by 2 sheds.
Laurence
There is even a photo him and another of my instructors, Ron Whittenbury, post 308 by 2 sheds.
Laurence
Last edited by l.garey; 26th Oct 2015 at 17:02.
Hawkinge before the end.
A H Apparently Hawkinge used to suffer from the dreaded coastal fog that was known by the Gliding Centre as the HAWKINGE HOMER. and used to come in fast.
Of course it did not 'come in' the temp would drop and it was already there ready to form.
The memories of the airfield in the Battle of Britain live on in the 1968 film with some great shots of aircraft taking off and departing over the coast.
Those of us at Kenley were disappointed that it was not used for some of the scenes,as we still had a complete original airfield with blast pens,the original ops room and a belfast hangar with unique tower,all as per 1940.
We have Reach for the Sky in glorious 'mono' to remind us.
AH your XE810 lives on as a motor tutor G-BOOD,and i had the Naylor/King duo but at Swanton in 63.
LG your XA282 hangs from the roof at Caernarfon Museum
They both looked better in the original silver/yellow paint scheme of training command.
Of course it did not 'come in' the temp would drop and it was already there ready to form.
The memories of the airfield in the Battle of Britain live on in the 1968 film with some great shots of aircraft taking off and departing over the coast.
Those of us at Kenley were disappointed that it was not used for some of the scenes,as we still had a complete original airfield with blast pens,the original ops room and a belfast hangar with unique tower,all as per 1940.
We have Reach for the Sky in glorious 'mono' to remind us.
AH your XE810 lives on as a motor tutor G-BOOD,and i had the Naylor/King duo but at Swanton in 63.
LG your XA282 hangs from the roof at Caernarfon Museum
They both looked better in the original silver/yellow paint scheme of training command.
Ian Ladley signed my P2 'chit' on 4 Aug 1966 - I still have it! I also have 2 P1 chits signed by (I think) Flt Lt M Bailey?
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Thanks for the comments Pobjoy and Chevvron. I too thought Andy H might have got his date wrong, but as Ian Ladley apparently was still flying in the early 1980s I didn't comment. However, as Andy is almost my age I should have realised!
I'm still enjoying this thread after so long it's been around.
Laurence
I'm still enjoying this thread after so long it's been around.
Laurence
In case anyone isn't aware, there are 2 threads in the 'Military' forum pages regarding Air Cadet gliding:-
'Air Cadets Grounded?'
'Calling all ex VGS instructors'
There's also a thread in www.forums.flyer.co.uk 'Air Cadets Grounded'
'Air Cadets Grounded?'
'Calling all ex VGS instructors'
There's also a thread in www.forums.flyer.co.uk 'Air Cadets Grounded'
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Wonderful thread, so many memories, actually found my way here via a Landrover forum!!
I was at 625 South Cerney for quite a while late 60's to early 70's, haven't found my log books yet but around 3000 launches spread between mk111's and the barge, with a few (very few) in the prefect and swallow.
Reading about some of the goings on at Halesland really started to bring back the memories. I think I have the rather dubious honour of being the only barge driver to be shot down by AA fire. (and I didn't think it was friendly either)
What really happened was that I was solo in the barge, just after launch I was scratching about for a bit of lift off the ridge when there were a few bangs from below me, no problem as there had been some clay shooting going on all day. Then bang bang and zip thud, Christ! I've been hit!!, decided to get the hell out of the way and as I turned away could hear the shot rolling down the inside of the wing. Very gingerly got back into circuit and landed as smoothly as possible.
"Why did you come in you were set there for a while" "yes Sir but I've just been shot" No more flights for a while while the boys in blue - different blue that is - turned up. Can't really remember much more than that other than the barge was grounded for the rest of the week for minor repairs to fabric and inspection, I don't think they ever got all the shot out though.
To be quite honest given my height it would really have been at extreme range for a 12'r and the culprit probably didn't think his shot would even reach me.
Oh well "mange tout" as Dell would say.
I was at 625 South Cerney for quite a while late 60's to early 70's, haven't found my log books yet but around 3000 launches spread between mk111's and the barge, with a few (very few) in the prefect and swallow.
Reading about some of the goings on at Halesland really started to bring back the memories. I think I have the rather dubious honour of being the only barge driver to be shot down by AA fire. (and I didn't think it was friendly either)
What really happened was that I was solo in the barge, just after launch I was scratching about for a bit of lift off the ridge when there were a few bangs from below me, no problem as there had been some clay shooting going on all day. Then bang bang and zip thud, Christ! I've been hit!!, decided to get the hell out of the way and as I turned away could hear the shot rolling down the inside of the wing. Very gingerly got back into circuit and landed as smoothly as possible.
"Why did you come in you were set there for a while" "yes Sir but I've just been shot" No more flights for a while while the boys in blue - different blue that is - turned up. Can't really remember much more than that other than the barge was grounded for the rest of the week for minor repairs to fabric and inspection, I don't think they ever got all the shot out though.
To be quite honest given my height it would really have been at extreme range for a 12'r and the culprit probably didn't think his shot would even reach me.
Oh well "mange tout" as Dell would say.
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Hi all from a Newbie. How many Kirby Cadet MkII's were in use by the ATC at Kirton in Lindsey in 1960? Anyone know the serial numbers? As a 16 year old, I did 30 launches in one there, bad wx precluded going solo!
REgards Dick.
REgards Dick.
How many Kirby Cadet MkII's were in use by the ATC at Kirton in Lindsey in 1960? Anyone know the serial numbers? As a 16 year old, I did 30 launches in one there, bad wx precluded going solo!
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I was lucky enough to be on the staff of 2GC. A trawl through my ancient logbook reveals these serial numbers in the 1960 entries: Mk 3s - WT895, 911 and 919, WV925, XA312, XE780, 790, 797, and 803, XN194 and 195. Sedberghs - WB921, 923, 942, 948, 962, and 976, WG497, XN147, 186, 187 and 189.