RAF Flypast 1977 Finningley?
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RAF Flypast 1977 Finningley?
Does anyone know how long it took to plan the mass flypast at the Royal Review 1977 RAF Finningley. Did they do a few practise runs before the big day?
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At least two (probably full-scale) practices, and probably other individual element rehearsals. I was sitting at home in Bridlington when a fairly large formation (I think the Vulcan+ element) appeared, evidently having formed up over Flamborough Head. They came back a day or two later and then on the actual day. I thought I'd taken photos, but I've checked my slides and clearly I didn't; the ones I took at the public day don't show the formation I remember.
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I was in the "JP Big 25" formation.
If memory serves, we did one practice just as the 25 and not with the rest of the display.
The "whip" was busy for a while since many of the positions were unusual.
If memory serves, we did one practice just as the 25 and not with the rest of the display.
The "whip" was busy for a while since many of the positions were unusual.
…………….
I was the Nav on the VC 10 that day - and the story for 10 Sqn began by discovering that a first rehearsal had been flown and that the unit had not been included in the initial HQ STC Oporder. This omission was taken up the line, a change was made, and we slipped in behind a C-130 4-ship provided by the 4 squadrons then at Lyneham. My logbook shows:
26 May: A rehearsal, possibly just with the 4 Hercs,
30 June: Formation Rehearsal.
19 July: Leaders Rehearsal.
21 July: Full rehearsal.
27 July: Full Dress Rehearsal.
29 July: Royal Review Flypast. (XV 104)
Sorry, no recall of any special Callsign used. ( I have logged ASCOT Task numbers against other flights, but nothing against any of these flypast flights, so that may indicate we were not using one for Finningley.)
26 May: A rehearsal, possibly just with the 4 Hercs,
30 June: Formation Rehearsal.
19 July: Leaders Rehearsal.
21 July: Full rehearsal.
27 July: Full Dress Rehearsal.
29 July: Royal Review Flypast. (XV 104)
Sorry, no recall of any special Callsign used. ( I have logged ASCOT Task numbers against other flights, but nothing against any of these flypast flights, so that may indicate we were not using one for Finningley.)
For reference purposes, the 'Strike Command element' is at 20:48 in the video on this page: https://www.forces.net/news/tri-serv...al-salute-1977
I have also added XV104's contribution to the event to my database
I have also added XV104's contribution to the event to my database
The Support Command element gathered at Leeming for the event and did a couple or so practice flypasts before the big day. I was lucky enough to be able to fly on one of them in the cockpit of a Domini stood between the pilot and the PA. Such a long time ago, can't remember any of the callsigns. Being the Ops bod had it's perks occasionally. I do remember feeling agrieved at not getting a Jubilee Medal for all of the work I'd put in helping organise things at Leeming when loads of people who had done sod all towards it (as far as I could see) got them. It was quite an organisational task to get that Balbo into the air without snarling it all up. I do remember we had aircraft stacked all over the place!
The Scampton contribution began practice in April, six sorties in total, starting with just three Vulcans, possibly adding a few "others" as time went by. There were two practices in July before the main event, the formation more or less at full strength. On the day I was the no 3 Vulcan, which happened to be XH558.
G90,
I can barely remember my wife's name let alone a formation callsign from 42 years ago! Within the Vulcan section I was know affectionately as number three, I suspect the 3 Jags clustered around me used more fruity language.
I'm sure someone will have it written down, good luck.
I can barely remember my wife's name let alone a formation callsign from 42 years ago! Within the Vulcan section I was know affectionately as number three, I suspect the 3 Jags clustered around me used more fruity language.
I'm sure someone will have it written down, good luck.
