Air Cadet Gliding pix in the 80s (pre glass)
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Mnewton. I think the Dagling was used for the first time whilst I was there. Fitted with an ASI and an altimeter it was winched to about 900ft. S/Ldr Topsfield flew it, and he did the same at a Battle if Britain display. As you say, it flew like a brick, and surprised the hell out of an Auster that was on short finals, as the Dagling appeared in front on a base leg. Happy days!!.
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One ton truck
We had a one ton trick for towing the winches out in the morning. On really wet days we would do hand brake turns in it on the wet grass (not with a winch on the back).
I think BQ tried it on the tarmac by the hangar and hit the side of the hangar, or maybe it was in one of the jeeps.
I think BQ tried it on the tarmac by the hangar and hit the side of the hangar, or maybe it was in one of the jeeps.
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I seem to recall doing much the same in Bedford 3 tonners, but using a fair bit of steering lock, then a LOT of power to spin it round, but only in the early morning when setting up the launch site. As Staff Cadet, I was frequently the only one there at that time of the morning. The marks in the grass were nothing compared to the ruts that a Beverley made when picking up the RAF Falcons on a Battle of Britain day show.! I swear that they were still there a year later, but it did mean getting a Mk111 airborne was made easier, if a little premature!!. Happy days!.
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I think it was T21 VX275 (Mrs Hepple ) that was up over the halton ridge at maybe 2000 ft plus lots of lift from some nice black storm clouds.(not supposed to fly in these conditions).The green ball on the variometer right at the top.Opened the spoilers to descend, was still going up. Only with a full boot of rudder and a heavy side slip did the T21 drop out of the sky. Landed it back by the hangar and we them all away for he day.
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Staffordshire GC
My handle will give away where I'm coming from.
I soloed on a T31 in 1964 at Meir near Stoke on Trent. I was a founder member of a club which was formed to go on flying at Meir when the ATC squadron there was disbanded. Our instructors were the civilians who had been doing the job for the ATC. I went solo after 30 launches - the first member of the new club to do so. I did a lot of flying in the 31 and a lot more on the Tutor, before I was allowed to fly the club Olympia. I found the closed cockpit a bit claustrophobic, but I eventually formed a syndicate with two other new soloists and a club instructor (the insurance required this). Later on I had a share in an Olympia 463 a wonderful machine.
I flew 2250 sorties in 22 types at 10 clubs in a 25 year career in gliding, becoming an instructor as one does, and a Silver C. I did try a weeks flying in 2007 to see if gliding was like roller skating, something you never forget. It is, however I really did not take to the modern plastic bath tubs, so didn't pursue it further. I get plenty of time on my gliding simulator - Condor before you ask - and have done another 2000 hrs or so plus a lot more cross countries than I ever did in real life. I enjoy reading the tales of derring do on here. Keep it up.
I soloed on a T31 in 1964 at Meir near Stoke on Trent. I was a founder member of a club which was formed to go on flying at Meir when the ATC squadron there was disbanded. Our instructors were the civilians who had been doing the job for the ATC. I went solo after 30 launches - the first member of the new club to do so. I did a lot of flying in the 31 and a lot more on the Tutor, before I was allowed to fly the club Olympia. I found the closed cockpit a bit claustrophobic, but I eventually formed a syndicate with two other new soloists and a club instructor (the insurance required this). Later on I had a share in an Olympia 463 a wonderful machine.
I flew 2250 sorties in 22 types at 10 clubs in a 25 year career in gliding, becoming an instructor as one does, and a Silver C. I did try a weeks flying in 2007 to see if gliding was like roller skating, something you never forget. It is, however I really did not take to the modern plastic bath tubs, so didn't pursue it further. I get plenty of time on my gliding simulator - Condor before you ask - and have done another 2000 hrs or so plus a lot more cross countries than I ever did in real life. I enjoy reading the tales of derring do on here. Keep it up.
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Hello Janet, I (Steve Walker) and am trying to get in touch with you.
Hi, I was just looking for info on my father-in-law/Typhoons when i found your post. Ian Ladley sadly died in 1990 and is sorely missed, He was indeed a great character. My husband and our son (Ian's son and grandson) have continued the family tradition, my husband glides and is a tuggy and my son also glides, I also glide on the odd occasion having been a solo pilot many years ago. We all fly from Shipdham Airfield in Norfolk being members of the '8' Ball Soaring Group which is part of Shipdham Flying club in sunny Norfolk. Up until 1995 we still flew from just beside Swanton Morley Airfield having been made to re-locate due to the Army taking over the airfield (not a popular move!).
Anyway, if you (or indeed anyone else reading this post) have any pictures/anecdotes/stories etc etc about Ian I would very much love to hear from you.
Happy landings,
Janet Ladley
Anyway, if you (or indeed anyone else reading this post) have any pictures/anecdotes/stories etc etc about Ian I would very much love to hear from you.
Happy landings,
Janet Ladley
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West Malling joker
The tale is told of cadet Bloggs sat in the from seat of a Mark III at 618 at West Malling when what appeared to be a young cadet corporal ran across and said to Bloggs "No-ones looking - shall we take this up for a ride", and promptly jumped in the back, called for a cable and took off with Bloggs in the front terrified.
The young corporal was the CO's son ( and an instructor) who later went on to Fly Navy, and one weekend brought his Sea King, with an all ex Kent Wing crew, to a Maidstone hotel for the Wing Ball - after spending a day giving air experience at , I think, Rochester Airport. The departure next morning from the hotel helipad was a a bit noisier than the normal helicopters they were used to on a Sunday morning
The young corporal was the CO's son ( and an instructor) who later went on to Fly Navy, and one weekend brought his Sea King, with an all ex Kent Wing crew, to a Maidstone hotel for the Wing Ball - after spending a day giving air experience at , I think, Rochester Airport. The departure next morning from the hotel helipad was a a bit noisier than the normal helicopters they were used to on a Sunday morning
The young corporal was probably Graham Jackson, his father was S/Ldr Dennis Jackson (now dec.), who was a supernumary officer on 618 and a Kent Wing staff officer. Later became Kent Wing ATC's C.O. Graham joined RN as a helicopter pilot and finished as a Lt, Cdr. Went on to fly for one of the Middle East Countries, I can't remember which one. At the time you were talking about S/Ldr. Gerry Fuller was 618's CO.
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First Solo
It was 50 years ago today:
First solo 21 Jun 67 at Swanton Morley courtesy Douggie King.
He has a lot to answer for - I'm still in the aviation business and off to do someone's IRT today!
First solo 21 Jun 67 at Swanton Morley courtesy Douggie King.
He has a lot to answer for - I'm still in the aviation business and off to do someone's IRT today!
Glad to see the cable's on the correct hook!
Co-incidentally, my first solo was in XA305, but that was on 7 Nov '64 at Halton.
Co-incidentally, my first solo was in XA305, but that was on 7 Nov '64 at Halton.
Last edited by chevvron; 21st Jun 2017 at 23:00.
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Brings back the memories of the SW gliding school (No.84?) at RNAS Culdrose in 1956 as an ATC cadet taking my first solo. I much regret losing the little logbook so I'm unable to find the serial numbers involved.
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If there are any primary plots still with this thread, they might enjoy this.
The Bungee
The Bungee
If there are any primary plots still with this thread, they might enjoy this.
The Bungee
The Bungee
We used to have a Chief Tech Godfrey at Halton who was on the MGSP which toured the CCF schools. It was he who told us about the school instructor complaining about the loose footrest etc.
We had a serviceable T38 at Halton for a while which was normally winch launched. One sunday however, we couldn't fly due to low cloud and in any case, Herts Wing ATC were holding their annual parade on the airfield.
Then Chiefy hatched a plan. He 'happened' to have a bungee in the boot of his car. How about we did some demo bungee launches for the benefit of the cadets?
So we did. I didn't get a go unfortunately, but we went up and down the airfield with the parade in full swing on the main apron. How many cadets on parade were watching is another matter!
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A much younger Cdt Cpl Swift waiting to attach the cable to either WT919, XA287 or XA292 at 633VGS, RAF Cosford, in 1971. According to my 3822 the T21s on site at the time were WB926, WB983 and XN156.
Instructor names in the 3822 include Tony Greensall, Keith Mitchell, Bill? Letch, John Bullock, Geoff Robinson, George Crump, Brian Henley, ? Durnien, ? Egan, ? Booth, ? Stockley, ? Potter, Alan Robinson and ? Wisniewski.
Instructor names in the 3822 include Tony Greensall, Keith Mitchell, Bill? Letch, John Bullock, Geoff Robinson, George Crump, Brian Henley, ? Durnien, ? Egan, ? Booth, ? Stockley, ? Potter, Alan Robinson and ? Wisniewski.
Last edited by VQ5X03; 7th Sep 2017 at 18:12.
#1 Some of the obscured photobucket images from earlier in this thread
If anyone objects to this re-use of material I will delete the post(s). I was frustrated by their invisibility and this was just about the easiest way I could view them.
kevmusic Post #1
Queuing to launch
Checks complete.
Attach cable.....
All out!!
"Yeehah!!!"
From the winch
Eeeaasing back on the throttle.....
Now reel in fast to inflate the 'chute!
Up slack!
Creaks a bit, doesn't she!!
Nearly there.....
Isn't she lovely!
Frelon post 52
kevmusic Post #1
Queuing to launch
Checks complete.
Attach cable.....
All out!!
"Yeehah!!!"
From the winch
Eeeaasing back on the throttle.....
Now reel in fast to inflate the 'chute!
Up slack!
Creaks a bit, doesn't she!!
Nearly there.....
Isn't she lovely!
Frelon post 52
Last edited by jimjim1; 27th Apr 2018 at 14:53.
#2 Some of the obscured photobucket images from earlier in this thread
CH2 post 93
Frelon post #94
kevmusic post #105
Opening the toybox...
Sun coming up over the 1917 hangar. (Since pulled down, alas
)
Waiting for a cable
They'd 've had to re-write VFR for Mk3s!!
Base leg
On final
You could almost get out and walk!
Frelon post #94
kevmusic post #105
Opening the toybox...
Sun coming up over the 1917 hangar. (Since pulled down, alas
)Waiting for a cable
They'd 've had to re-write VFR for Mk3s!!
Base leg
On final
You could almost get out and walk!
Laughter-Silvered Wings...
Concur with Cows getting bigger, jimjim1 - a fantastic compilation of photographs! I had 760 hours on my PPL-SEL back in 1983 when I took up soaring in Jackson, Mississippi, of all places. My then-girlfriend and I were picnicking on the banks of the Ross Barnett Reservoir when a Blanik L-13 on short final swooped and swished over us at 200 feet. Taken by the sight and deaf to the plaints of my lady, an hour later I was front seat in that very craft, amazed that an all-metal, forward-swept glider possessed such a reasonable L/D ratio: 1/28! I loved flying a stick, too! I graduated to Grob 103's at Caesar Creek Soaring Club here in Ohio some years later. This is the largest soaring club in the United States and is replete with wonderful people and a wide assortment of aircraft. Now that Spring has sprung at our latitude, it's time to get a tow to 3,000, catch a thermal, and revel in the glory of it all...
- Ed
- Ed
Last edited by cavuman1; 27th Apr 2018 at 22:36. Reason: phraseology
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The ATC was great in getting youg lads into the air. All Free as well ! I learnt Glide at Spittalgate - which didnt seem to get a mention in the earlier items!!
Free train pass from Derby to Grantham Friday night, two days free board and lodging, great tuition -what more is there!!
Memories in winter of the big V8 wiches that were started by the RAF chaps ! by dipping a rag in petrol and putting over the carb intake !!
Free train pass from Derby to Grantham Friday night, two days free board and lodging, great tuition -what more is there!!
Memories in winter of the big V8 wiches that were started by the RAF chaps ! by dipping a rag in petrol and putting over the carb intake !!
The ATC was great in getting youg lads into the air. All Free as well ! I learnt Glide at Spittalgate - which didnt seem to get a mention in the earlier items!!
Free train pass from Derby to Grantham Friday night, two days free board and lodging, great tuition -what more is there!!
Memories in winter of the big V8 wiches that were started by the RAF chaps ! by dipping a rag in petrol and putting over the carb intake !!
Free train pass from Derby to Grantham Friday night, two days free board and lodging, great tuition -what more is there!!
Memories in winter of the big V8 wiches that were started by the RAF chaps ! by dipping a rag in petrol and putting over the carb intake !!
I think it was No 2 Gliding Centre(No 1 being Swanton Morley) until the pongos moved in and wrecked the airfield.
And of course, Catterick airfield has also been wrecked by the Army; would you believe they landed a Victor on that runway once destined for the fire ground?
Last edited by chevvron; 30th Apr 2018 at 22:11.