Memories of all things Booker airfield related
jem60, will pass on your regards, i see him all the time. he often goes abroad,is part of a small group who fly weekly with him. very well respected chap!
laurence, zitair still exists as a mooney 201, g-bjhb. all different people now, though when i first started stuart glover and john race were the oldest in the group.neither in it now though.
steve
laurence, zitair still exists as a mooney 201, g-bjhb. all different people now, though when i first started stuart glover and john race were the oldest in the group.neither in it now though.
steve
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Thanks Steve. Give my regards to Zitair, although no-one would know me I am sure. I was aware of their web site. I still have a few photos of the Cherokees that bring back happy memories of Booker and those who flew there in the 1970s.
Laurence
Laurence
A few minor corrections to Chevvron's notes if I may. All the RAF Communications Squadrons had an S on the end of Communication.. The Coastal Command Communications Squadron 6had the only Varsity flown by one of these units and was based at Bovingdon, while Signals and their Valetta (spelling) were at Benson as Booker's runway was not long enough for the type. Booker was confined to Ansons and Pembrokes.
Last edited by brakedwell; 26th Feb 2014 at 17:41.
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Booker
My one time memory of this old airfield was as an Apprentice jointly from BOAC and BEA in 1967 or '68. Small teams went over with a BEA instructor to work for a week on an old aircraft used as a glider tug. I cannot remember the type or registration now.
The engine was uprated to approx 180HP for better towing performance, we had to modify and weld the exhaust pipes to fit the lower cowl, repair all the damage the CAA surveyor made during his fabric proof testing and numerous little items that he failed during his inspection.
Young men working on this aircraft was a dream of sorts, taking off the elevators to repair the torn fabric back in the workshop, crinkly patches, stitching and doping and painting the 'release' on the glider release lever will probably never get that opportunity again but I never forgot my young days at old Booker.
TW
The engine was uprated to approx 180HP for better towing performance, we had to modify and weld the exhaust pipes to fit the lower cowl, repair all the damage the CAA surveyor made during his fabric proof testing and numerous little items that he failed during his inspection.
Young men working on this aircraft was a dream of sorts, taking off the elevators to repair the torn fabric back in the workshop, crinkly patches, stitching and doping and painting the 'release' on the glider release lever will probably never get that opportunity again but I never forgot my young days at old Booker.
TW
TW,
Your BEA instructor probably wouldn't have liked the 182 I flew in Canada where the tow-release was a piece of rope, coming through the open window and tied to somewhere convenient!
Your BEA instructor probably wouldn't have liked the 182 I flew in Canada where the tow-release was a piece of rope, coming through the open window and tied to somewhere convenient!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Tinwacker, there used to be a Beagle Terrier - or maybe an Auster - in BA colours (?) at Booker which I think was used for glider towing.
jem 60, passed on your regards to kevin dearman today, he was a bit surprised
anyway, one back to you from your old friend richard "dickie" bird, who"s asking after you and where you are now. hes still going strong here, over 18000 hrs and not slowing down at all!
steve
anyway, one back to you from your old friend richard "dickie" bird, who"s asking after you and where you are now. hes still going strong here, over 18000 hrs and not slowing down at all!
steve
Dickie Bird!! Known him for years. Used to be a civilian instructor on 613 VGS at Halton when I was a staff cadet there in the 60s; he stayed on and got an RAFVR(T) commision.
He has occasionally given my brother a check ride in GBGWM.
He has occasionally given my brother a check ride in GBGWM.
thats him alright, gliding at halton, then swapped a police career for driving, then aviation. 100% top guy, HIGHLY respected. as you say, checks out private owners and groups, so i almost certainly know your brother myself if hes in wm.
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Chevrron and Stevfire. Dickie and I had virtually parallel careers,. I was a Police Officer to start with, then a Driving nstructor in Aylesbury. My partner and I brought Dickie in as a partner in the Driving School whilst he worked for his CPL. When he got his PPL, my wife was his very first passenger, and I was his 2nd. I started as a Staff Cadet at 613 many years ago, and got my PPl shortly after Dickies. Please say Hi to him for me. I have had a rough 3 years with four operations for colon cancer, but I am now completely clear, and back to normal, happily looking forward to cruising down to Casablanca in two weeks time. Teresa and I are fine, enjoying retirement near Bury St. Edmunds. Many thanks in advance for passing this on. I'm pleased that Kevin remembered me!. I couldn't have had a better instructor. Cheers.
Death Cruiser Flight Crew
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Leon and I did our Instructor Ratings with Sid Parker at Fairoaks in 1971. Joan Hughes, the AFISO at Airways Flying Club was too booked up.
