Handley Page Hastings
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Torquay Vic
Age: 76
Posts: 15
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Here is TG503 at Scampton on 24 June 1976, with four Cod War fish symbols just visible below the cockpit.
I was lucky enough, as a civilian and temporary ROC "recruit", to do a 4-hour trip in 503 that day, including a low level run across Exmoor, Bristol Channel, the Welsh Hills and Cumbria and over the Yorkshire Moors back to Scampton. Captain, Flt Lt Fred Hambley. Fred, if by any chance you lurk here: it may have been a routine day in the office for you, but for me it was a very memorable occasion. Thank you again!
I was lucky enough, as a civilian and temporary ROC "recruit", to do a 4-hour trip in 503 that day, including a low level run across Exmoor, Bristol Channel, the Welsh Hills and Cumbria and over the Yorkshire Moors back to Scampton. Captain, Flt Lt Fred Hambley. Fred, if by any chance you lurk here: it may have been a routine day in the office for you, but for me it was a very memorable occasion. Thank you again!
Ancient Aviator,
I would bet next weeks pension that the picture is of TG536 or TG568 from the bombing school.
They had 2 unmodified Hasting for crew training and 'transport support', and were allowed 'out' to various places for the weekend!
I would guess it was taken in the early 1970's, and I would be pretty sure the crew was in a bar somewhere!
I would bet next weeks pension that the picture is of TG536 or TG568 from the bombing school.
They had 2 unmodified Hasting for crew training and 'transport support', and were allowed 'out' to various places for the weekend!
I would guess it was taken in the early 1970's, and I would be pretty sure the crew was in a bar somewhere!
Two of an older generation at Khormaksar in 1958
Unfortunate incident at Lajes in December 1957 when WJ332, a mark 2 Hastings, broke free from it's picketing and rolled back into a Portuguese Air Force RB17 during a gale.
Unfortunate incident at Lajes in December 1957 when WJ332, a mark 2 Hastings, broke free from it's picketing and rolled back into a Portuguese Air Force RB17 during a gale.
Last edited by brakedwell; 14th Jan 2015 at 11:05.
Brakedwell,
reminds me of the time at Lajes when our Herc pulled out the ground picket points and made a dash for freedom. Found next day at the fence but amazingly without damage.
reminds me of the time at Lajes when our Herc pulled out the ground picket points and made a dash for freedom. Found next day at the fence but amazingly without damage.
Our bent Hastings looked ancient compared to the MATS aircraft passing through Lajes in 1957.
Also seems ancient looking from the inside out!
(Heading north from Nairobi 1958)
Also seems ancient looking from the inside out!
(Heading north from Nairobi 1958)
brakedwell,
Your Lajes picture of the C-54s brings to mind something I've always wondered about. Why didn't HP design the Hastings with tricycle gear?
Your Lajes picture of the C-54s brings to mind something I've always wondered about. Why didn't HP design the Hastings with tricycle gear?
They did - It was called a Hermes, but only 29 were built. BOAC used them for a short time before they were passed down to the independents.
The RAF was lumbered with the tail wheel Hastings because the Army wanted an aircraft capable of carrying underslung loads.
The RAF was lumbered with the tail wheel Hastings because the Army wanted an aircraft capable of carrying underslung loads.
W00
We used to drop underslung vehicles from the Hastings. The Army Heavy Air Despatch unit at Abingdon possessed an endless supply of battered Austin Champs, which we used to deposit on Watchfield with varying degrees of success. That's when I discovered a Champ can be reduced to 12" high if the parachutes fail to open! It was also possible to drop (small) field guns and trailers, but I never saw it done.
We used to drop underslung vehicles from the Hastings. The Army Heavy Air Despatch unit at Abingdon possessed an endless supply of battered Austin Champs, which we used to deposit on Watchfield with varying degrees of success. That's when I discovered a Champ can be reduced to 12" high if the parachutes fail to open! It was also possible to drop (small) field guns and trailers, but I never saw it done.
OK, would love to see a photo, but still cannot understand why if the aircraft is going to have its fuselage roughly parallel from the ground immediately before rotation (and maintain load clearance from the ground), it matters whether the beast has a nose or tail wheel.
