Vickers Varsity
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There was a Flypast magazine article sometime ago on the Varsities of BLEU flown by "Pinky" Stark a character with a large handlebar moustache who captained a lot of the test flights.
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Beautiful photograph Amos - thats the first colour shot of a Varsity at Strubby that I've ever seen. Delicious!
As for the 3-ship team, I've seen photos of them at St.Mawgan too. I was under the impression that they were from 5FTS.
As for the 3-ship team, I've seen photos of them at St.Mawgan too. I was under the impression that they were from 5FTS.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Silly question, but can anyone remember the fuel burn per hour of the Varsity in the cruise? (Ok, I have to come clean. Since I'm no longer allowed to fly real aeroplanes I have to content myself with Flight Sim) 
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100 - 105 gph @ 145knot IAS at 15,000ft, Valletta a bit more thirsty 120? @ 130k & 12,000ft.
Flat out 185k that burn can become 145 gph ..... which nearly became an embarrassment.
Flat out 185k that burn can become 145 gph ..... which nearly became an embarrassment.
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Sorry guys, getting muddled up - yes 5 FTS was at Oakington, 6 FTS at Finningley. Right, must be time for another quality Varsity photo...
This time, it's WJ911 of 115 Squadron, RAF Signals Command. Shot this at RAF Lyneham on 12th July 1968,when I was an ATC cadet. Unusual with a black nose radome. I think it was doing circuits there all day calibrating Lyneham's radar and they had stopped for lunch.
This time, it's WJ911 of 115 Squadron, RAF Signals Command. Shot this at RAF Lyneham on 12th July 1968,when I was an ATC cadet. Unusual with a black nose radome. I think it was doing circuits there all day calibrating Lyneham's radar and they had stopped for lunch.
What's in the dome under the rear fuselage?
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Varsity special landing
It was a friend of mine that first demonstrated this very special and spectactular landing tecnique.
You arrive at 1000ft over the threshold having already called landing.You close throttles, select full flap and gear down and push the column full forward, you are now plunging earthwards. At 300ft ease back gently on the stick and low and behold a very gently landing...Very impressive
You arrive at 1000ft over the threshold having already called landing.You close throttles, select full flap and gear down and push the column full forward, you are now plunging earthwards. At 300ft ease back gently on the stick and low and behold a very gently landing...Very impressive
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Varsity special landing
It was a friend of mine that first demonstrated this very special and spectactular landing tecnique.
You arrive at 1000ft over the threshold having already called landing.You close throttles, select full flap and gear down and push the column full forward, you are now plunging earthwards. At 300ft ease back gently on the stick and low and behold a very gently landing...Very impressive
You arrive at 1000ft over the threshold having already called landing.You close throttles, select full flap and gear down and push the column full forward, you are now plunging earthwards. At 300ft ease back gently on the stick and low and behold a very gently landing...Very impressive
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SPIT
Can't recall a Varsity at Swinderby (to stay) since the type left in the mid 1960s.
Newton had one for RAF Police Dog Training Pictured here after being taken away for scrap
Can't recall a Varsity at Swinderby (to stay) since the type left in the mid 1960s.
Newton had one for RAF Police Dog Training Pictured here after being taken away for scrap
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Changi 6th October 1961- visiting Varsity WJ903 from the Electronics School at Hullavington.
It stayed for about 2 weeks and was joined by Canberra T4 WD944- both I imagine on 'calibration duties'.
Another Varsity visitor, a long way from home, was this one WF409 from the Central Flying School. Must have been a very long Navex to get it to Changi in late 1963?
David Taylor.
It stayed for about 2 weeks and was joined by Canberra T4 WD944- both I imagine on 'calibration duties'.
Another Varsity visitor, a long way from home, was this one WF409 from the Central Flying School. Must have been a very long Navex to get it to Changi in late 1963?
David Taylor.
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Very early Varsity shots there, back at the dayglow paint stage before sticky-backed plastic came along, although the second aircraft appears to be at a half-way stage with "Fabglow" applied to the nose.
Incidentally, had the Electronics School borrowed their aircraft? It has the CFS badge on the fuselage.
Incidentally, had the Electronics School borrowed their aircraft? It has the CFS badge on the fuselage.