Handley Page Hastings
Blue Ice
Another instance of ice getting in the way. On one trip from Gander and letting down into Keflavik the toilet was drained too soon and a film of ice a delicate shade blue/green sealed the tail wheel doors closed.
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What an interesting thread this is and many thanks to all contributors.
As an aviation press photographer, I was very lucky to get a flight in one of the last flying Hastings. This was the RAE's C.2, WJ327, at Farnborough in September 1972. They removed the freight doors on the port side and us photographers were attached to a strop tied around our waist to stop us falling out. We spent 5 hours circling round at 8,000 ft over Farnborough while the aircraft for the air show formated alongside for photography. It was freezing cold I recall, but not sure whether taking the photos or flying in the Hastings was the best bit for me, as I shall never forget that.
As an aviation press photographer, I was very lucky to get a flight in one of the last flying Hastings. This was the RAE's C.2, WJ327, at Farnborough in September 1972. They removed the freight doors on the port side and us photographers were attached to a strop tied around our waist to stop us falling out. We spent 5 hours circling round at 8,000 ft over Farnborough while the aircraft for the air show formated alongside for photography. It was freezing cold I recall, but not sure whether taking the photos or flying in the Hastings was the best bit for me, as I shall never forget that.
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Great thread. I remember as a kid the example at Cambridge Airport and clearly seen from Coldhams Lane slowly deteriorating on the fire dump.
I'm now looking for a set of Hastings throttle box lever knobs (the actual engine throttle lever ones) to help complete an example, and would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Rob
I'm now looking for a set of Hastings throttle box lever knobs (the actual engine throttle lever ones) to help complete an example, and would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Rob
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I've literally just stumbled across this thread.
I was fortunate enough to be 'ballast' on the last ever flight of an RAF Hastings. As an RAF University Cadet, we were sent on 2-week holding postings every year during the university holidays and in 1977 I was sent as OC Bogs & Drains to RAF Scampton. As luck would have it, I got chatting to Sqn Ldr 'Jacko' Jackson (I think he was OC BBMF at the time) who asked me if I'd like to go flying in a Hastings. Of course I jumped at the chance.
It later transpired that this was going to be the ac's last flight, to its final home at the museum at Cosford. However, owing to the short runway, Jacko was a bit concerned about keeping the tailwheel down under braking, so I was recruited (all 10 stone of me) to act as ballast. On the approach I was to take 2 pairs of chocks and anything else that wasn't bolted down and sit as far back in the fuselage as I could - no seats of course, let alone seat-belts. These days, the 'ealth n' safety ninnies would've had a conniption.
The landing was uneventful - the chocks and I will take our little bit of credit for that - but it was a great treat for a young and clueless Acting Plt Off to have been a (very small) part of a historic trip.
I was fortunate enough to be 'ballast' on the last ever flight of an RAF Hastings. As an RAF University Cadet, we were sent on 2-week holding postings every year during the university holidays and in 1977 I was sent as OC Bogs & Drains to RAF Scampton. As luck would have it, I got chatting to Sqn Ldr 'Jacko' Jackson (I think he was OC BBMF at the time) who asked me if I'd like to go flying in a Hastings. Of course I jumped at the chance.
It later transpired that this was going to be the ac's last flight, to its final home at the museum at Cosford. However, owing to the short runway, Jacko was a bit concerned about keeping the tailwheel down under braking, so I was recruited (all 10 stone of me) to act as ballast. On the approach I was to take 2 pairs of chocks and anything else that wasn't bolted down and sit as far back in the fuselage as I could - no seats of course, let alone seat-belts. These days, the 'ealth n' safety ninnies would've had a conniption.
The landing was uneventful - the chocks and I will take our little bit of credit for that - but it was a great treat for a young and clueless Acting Plt Off to have been a (very small) part of a historic trip.
bingofuel
Thanks for the check list drill memories:
PITOT HEAD HEATER - on
The only part of the actions which was best done from the RHS in my happy recollections as an unofficial "gash" P2 on a number of occasions at Farnborough, 69-72.
Thanks for the check list drill memories:
PITOT HEAD HEATER - on
The only part of the actions which was best done from the RHS in my happy recollections as an unofficial "gash" P2 on a number of occasions at Farnborough, 69-72.
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Many a time as a junior apprentice at Handley Page I was given the unpleasant task of cleaning out the air intakes on Hastings wing sections prior to renovation. Often full of filth, muck and gawd knows what, it was a dreadful job. I remember that such was the corrosion you could flick rivet heads off with your fingers and some of the main spars were fatigue cracked. it taught me a lot about stress and metal fatigue. We often wondered if the aircrews knew what they were riding on.
Autopilot
In post #269 what was the 'Spin' position on George ? What other positions were there? Was it an early Smiths design?
Autopilot
The co-pilot's controller is a bit clearer.
The round knob was used for turn/heading and the long switch controlled the pitch, a very basic piece of kit. ISTR there was no height or heading lock, but I could be wrong.
The round knob was used for turn/heading and the long switch controlled the pitch, a very basic piece of kit. ISTR there was no height or heading lock, but I could be wrong.
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I think that we're talking at cross purposes here, the SPIN selection refers to the Mark 4 autopilot used on Lancasters which ran off an Arrow air compressor on number 2 engine at 45 p.s.i. The control cock was on the port cockpit wall and had selections of OUT and SPIN if I remember correctly. SPIN was checked before take off to ensure that the gyro was spun up and ready for use in flight. The same autopilot may have been fitted on early Hastings but I never saw one.
The Hastings used a Mark 8 autopilot, which was worked by electricity.
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By the way, has anybody ever seen an autopilot officially referred to as “George”?
The Hastings used a Mark 8 autopilot, which was worked by electricity.
.By the way, has anybody ever seen an autopilot officially referred to as “George”?
The Hastings used a Mark 8 autopilot, which was worked by electricity.
