Were you ever on Victors (Merged - various)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Felmersham
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Gaydon film.
I went to a Gaydon reunion last December and watched a film of Gaydon in the early days.About 1958,I think.It was terrific to see people I,d worked with later,in 1961.The film is owned by I.W.M.Duxford,and part of it shows the crew entry door on the wrong side.Was this done to confuse the Russians?Or simply finger trouble at the photographic section?Is it possible to get hold of this film on a D.V.D.I for one would buy it.John [Shingles] McVey.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
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Victor Early Days/Misc
First thing ... Hi Splash, I am not sure who your father was, but I have spent about 7 hours recently with the Victor Test Pilot, John Allam, and am analysing his log books at the moment.
Apart from that on the aircrew side, I met Rod Jarvis last week for a session going through his log books from B2 days. He thinks Barry Gould might be living in the South Coast area, but I cannot get a trace at the moment. Perhaps more Victor people will appear at the V-Force reunion.
In case anyone is interested, I am meeting John Burleigh, Gerry Mudford, and Jeff Fletcher next week.
I am still keen to hear from ex- Wittering/Gaydon aircrew and groundcrew. As a result of all the publicity around 715, I have been contacted by 6 groundcrew who are keen to help keep the aircraft operational - well almost! We are hoping to have a meet and greet at Bruntingthorpe in the early New Year - will publish the date in case anyone else wants to join in.
Best regards to all. Bob
Apart from that on the aircrew side, I met Rod Jarvis last week for a session going through his log books from B2 days. He thinks Barry Gould might be living in the South Coast area, but I cannot get a trace at the moment. Perhaps more Victor people will appear at the V-Force reunion.
In case anyone is interested, I am meeting John Burleigh, Gerry Mudford, and Jeff Fletcher next week.
I am still keen to hear from ex- Wittering/Gaydon aircrew and groundcrew. As a result of all the publicity around 715, I have been contacted by 6 groundcrew who are keen to help keep the aircraft operational - well almost! We are hoping to have a meet and greet at Bruntingthorpe in the early New Year - will publish the date in case anyone else wants to join in.
Best regards to all. Bob
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Sussex
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Bob,
If you wished we could meet up sometime to go through my Victor logbook entries (Valiant too if you wanted). PM me if interested. By the way my Victor flying was on the real thing!
If you wished we could meet up sometime to go through my Victor logbook entries (Valiant too if you wanted). PM me if interested. By the way my Victor flying was on the real thing!
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Hi Bob,
Here is my Father with John Allam in post-RAF days...
1967 | 1323 | Flight Archive
You'll have a lot of fun with Geoff Fletcher as he is an incredibly engaging man. You're meeting with some very special people but I guess you know that.
Cheers
Paul
Here is my Father with John Allam in post-RAF days...
1967 | 1323 | Flight Archive
You'll have a lot of fun with Geoff Fletcher as he is an incredibly engaging man. You're meeting with some very special people but I guess you know that.
Cheers
Paul
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Wittering re-union
Hi Paul. Thanks for that - I did not talk too much about the Jetstream with John - the Victor stories more than filled up the time available! Will be meeting up with him and Geoff again soon. Looking at my log book, I never flew with Geoff - he was on the other Sqn, But obviously flew with John Burleigh and Gerry Mudford quite regularly! We still have a lot to talk about! Bob
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Hi Bob,
Being late on this thread I didn't appreciate that you flew at this time. John Burleigh is not a name I can find a trace of in Dad's records but it looks like he flew with Gerry Mudford, albeit just the once on February 3, 1958 in Victor 920.
Would I find your name in Dad's log book..?
Paul
Being late on this thread I didn't appreciate that you flew at this time. John Burleigh is not a name I can find a trace of in Dad's records but it looks like he flew with Gerry Mudford, albeit just the once on February 3, 1958 in Victor 920.
Would I find your name in Dad's log book..?
Paul
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Tanker teachers
I'm off to the reunion in Apr 2010 as a 'wife of' (how I came to hate that expression, having been a member of two of HM's Forces!)or perhaps now it should be 'widow of' Dick Hayward, posted to Marham 3 times on Valiants, Victors, as Eng Wg AdO and Tanker Teacher. I missed the last reunion by a whisker and have now remarried to an ex-engineer/armourer/bomb disposaller who will be coming with me - he'd be as mad as fire if I didn't bring him! Dick died nearly 11 years ago but I note that Tony Golds, Bob Prothero and Pete Bodle will be there! I'll pass on the
dates to the various ex-V bomber members I'm still in contact with.
just in case they still don't know. Looking forward to it tremendously.
dates to the various ex-V bomber members I'm still in contact with.
just in case they still don't know. Looking forward to it tremendously.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Are they still trying to get rid of Marhams historical gate guardian. I heard they are trying to find the 'owner' so they can get them to take it away. When Marham lost its other historic aircraft, the Valiant, at least it went to a museum or two. There are times when modern members of Marham need reminding that the station did exist before Tornado. Perhaps they should have put marks 1 and 2 there side by side, I worked on them both with a brilliant bunch of lads 
.
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V-Force Reunion website update
Just a heads up that I have just updated the website V-Force Reunion with some info on signing-in tables for the day. Next week I should be doing a further update with details of how to book for the evening function, so if you are hoping to come to that it is important to check the site out and get your bookings in as soon as I ask for them. NB we are asking for one or two more volunteers to man tables on the day (details on the site). Also please check you are getting the updated version of the site (4 Jan 10) and not the old version (17 Sep 09).
Just a heads up that I have just updated the website V-Force Reunion with some info on signing-in tables for the day. Next week I should be doing a further update with details of how to book for the evening function, so if you are hoping to come to that it is important to check the site out and get your bookings in as soon as I ask for them. NB we are asking for one or two more volunteers to man tables on the day (details on the site). Also please check you are getting the updated version of the site (4 Jan 10) and not the old version (17 Sep 09).
Join Date: Jan 2009
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All three.
Brilliant! I can,t wait to get my badges. I worked on all three V bombers.Several Victors and one Valiant at Gaydon,and Vulcans at Finningley and,much later at Wellesbourne.Does anyone know what happened to Pete Morris? He was waiting in a Landrover to pick up a tail shute when the aircraft crashed right in front of him.Cottesmore I think?
V-Force Reunion website update
No it's not a mistake, this is yet another update to the website V-Force Reunion . Please take a look at this one as it has instructions for how to book for the evening reception. The function sold out last time (we are limited to 250) so it is first come, first served, and an early booking is recommended.
No it's not a mistake, this is yet another update to the website V-Force Reunion . Please take a look at this one as it has instructions for how to book for the evening reception. The function sold out last time (we are limited to 250) so it is first come, first served, and an early booking is recommended.
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lpmunroh43
Hello, Bob - I'm Lesley, widow of Flt Lt Dick Hayward, and I think a V-Force association would be just great. There are still a fair few of us around here in the West Norfolk area, whether aircrew, ground crew or family. Dick died in 1999 and I have since remarried to an ex-RAF engineer (no commiserations please - he passes muster!). There's about 8 of us going to the Newark reunion from Pentney/Narborough and more if I can shift myself. We've all got tickets for the Golf Club bash so it should be a really good w/e - maybe see you there?
Latest info about the reunion has just gone on the website V-Force Reunion . Most importantly the reception is selling out fast, so act quickly if you want to come to that. Also I have just heard from NAM that they are offering a discount on the admission charge to those attending the reunion (print off the homepage of our website and produce it to get your discount). Rates will be shown on the next update. Bookings for the reunion itself are coming in steadily, so it looks like it should be a good weekend
Join Date: Feb 2010
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In response to warmtoast's comments on the colour of WB775, I believe that it was first painted in the same scheme as WB771, i.e., the dark blue fuselage with red line and only later was painted in the pale blue colouring. Perhaps the first colour scheme was partly for continuity between Farnborough '53 and '54., or simply because that was Fred's favourite colour schem of the time.
V Force reunion
Just a final call that the last V-Force Reunion website update has just been done, with a final reminder for buffet bookings (over 80% sold now). The reunion itself at NAM has had lots of interest, so should be very well attended. There is no limit on numbers for those who want to just come along in the daytime on either day (or both), so even if it's a last minute decision you will be very welcome. Looking forward to putting faces to a lot of PPruners at the reunion - see you there!
Just a final call that the last V-Force Reunion website update has just been done, with a final reminder for buffet bookings (over 80% sold now). The reunion itself at NAM has had lots of interest, so should be very well attended. There is no limit on numbers for those who want to just come along in the daytime on either day (or both), so even if it's a last minute decision you will be very welcome. Looking forward to putting faces to a lot of PPruners at the reunion - see you there!
V Force reunion
My final post on this subject. The website V-Force Reunion has just been updated for the last time. This final update gives details of the reception and signing in arrangements when you arrive at the site. At the risk of boring everyone to death, dont forget to bring a £1 coin with you for your badge - asking for change of a £20 note will not endear you to the guys on the tables! Looks like there will be a good turnout, so see you all there
My final post on this subject. The website V-Force Reunion has just been updated for the last time. This final update gives details of the reception and signing in arrangements when you arrive at the site. At the risk of boring everyone to death, dont forget to bring a £1 coin with you for your badge - asking for change of a £20 note will not endear you to the guys on the tables! Looks like there will be a good turnout, so see you all there
Did you take any good photos at the V-Force reunion?
If you have any good photos which you took at the reunion, we would be pleased to post them on the gallery on the website, V-Force Reunion. We'd particularly like named group photos, individual tables etc. We dont really need any of the aircraft exhibits, they're covered on the museum's own website, but other than that please send them to John, the site administrator. His email address is on the website. Thanks.
TTN
If you have any good photos which you took at the reunion, we would be pleased to post them on the gallery on the website, V-Force Reunion. We'd particularly like named group photos, individual tables etc. We dont really need any of the aircraft exhibits, they're covered on the museum's own website, but other than that please send them to John, the site administrator. His email address is on the website. Thanks.
TTN
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Gaydon.
Is anyone interested in a Gaydon reunion?If so the chap in charge of events is John Bishop of the Heritage Museum there.Anything I can do to help organise such an event?It will be 50 years next year since I was posted there,and I,d particularly like to visit the old "A" Squadron site.John Shingles McVey