Help wanted airfield location

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by RAFG

maybe Wattisham?
C-Flight of 25Sqn (former Laarbruch) moved over in Oct.1981. Were the Bloodhounds built up there again?

There were certainly Bloodhounds at Wattisham - you can still see the pads on GE.

But they were some distance from the aircraft aprons, in fact the only hardstanding where I reckon you could photograph Jags with Bloodhounds in the background would have been the 23 ORP.

[RAFG]

So it`s quite sure that this is Wattisham?

[RAFG]

WT332 3Squadron in UK, but where and when ...

[Self loading bear]

Originally Posted by RAFG

WT332 3Squadron in UK, but where and when ...

looks like an air show. Different aircraft left and right and visitors behind some fence

[DaveReidUK]

Finningley 1967 BoB display.

[TEEEJ]

Originally Posted by RAFG

One more time looking for the location and for the date of these Jags of IISqn RAF Laarbruch. Photo from the internet, photographer unknown,
Bloodhounds in the background. Number Tailscode were used from July 1980 on. Anyone an idea?

Could it be RAF Wyton?

The inset image is from 1993 where Canberra WJ636 was positioned at Wyton. Note the part of the Bloodhound radar tower and the buildings behind the fence?

See following link for W636 image

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/7052106





Google Map link

https://goo.gl/maps/Fmx4z23CPy8R8uSn7

xz3_22_jaguar_gr_1_raf_07_80_01_03_83_013830872ed7c944838c11ea5ecd3105ebe22da8.jpg

xz361_25_jaguar_gr_1_2sqn_raf_07_80_01_03_83_6f98712f9b9bce615cc8674acee313d5135a2de4.jpg

The above are the image file names. It looks like it could be 1st March 1983 or the 07 80 for July 1980?

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by TEEEJ

Could it be RAF Wyton?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I think the originator of the question has lost interest. They logged on a couple of days ago, in time to read my post answering their Canberra "where/when" question (but didn't acknowledge it) and haven't reappeared since.

I'm not inclined to spend any more time on other queries from the same source.

[Phileas Fogg]

Originally Posted by nipva

by leaving tramline groves in the taxiways

I presume that you mean damage caused by the gear and, if so, I am a bit surprised as the Hunter was not known for being harsh on taxiways/runways etc. In my 8 yerrs of flying this lovely aircraft and operating out of numerous bases I never experienced this.

HW Can you clarify your last post re 'arrester gear'? The RAF Hunters never had hooks so there was never an issue over which RHAG/PUAG to take. Do you mean the arrester barrier? Once again. for obvious reasons. the overrun barrier could have been the only option. I only know of one approach end barrier engagement and that was survived due to the brute strength of the F4. The subsequent circuit (at night) was quite spectacular due to the light show caused by the shredding bits of barrier being burnt by the F4's reheat. Why they didn't eject is another story.

Hunter T8's, operated by the RAF, had hooks.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Phileas Fogg

Hunter T8's, operated by the RAF, had hooks.

The T.8 did indeed have a hook, but are you sure the RAF ever operated any ?

[nipva]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

The T.8 did indeed have a hook, but are you sure the RAF ever operated any ?

I think that you will find that HHA's XF995 briefly served as a T8C with the Buccaneer OCU at Honington but this would appear to be the only T8 ever to see any form of RAF service.

[TEEEJ]

Originally Posted by nipva

I think that you will find that HHA's XF995 briefly served as a T8C with the Buccaneer OCU at Honington but this would appear to be the only T8 ever to see any form of RAF service.

WV322 was also a T8C in RAF service.

Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Hawker Hunter T.8, s/n WV322 RN, c/n 41H-670792, c/r G-BZSE

It always confused me seeing images of RAF T.7s with tail hooks. I was reading Flight Craft 16: The Hawker Hunter in British Service by Martin Derry and Neil Robinson recently and that book suggests some T.7s ended up with T.8 tails.The book seems to suggest that during maintenance the tails of the two types were sometimes swapped about hence some T.8s without hooks and vice versa?

Would that be the case?

For example WV318 images showing with and without tail hook.

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/registration/WV318

XL568 with tail hook

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com...C6DB#h3dc5c6db

[Phileas Fogg]

The T8's were developed for the RN for training Buccaneer crews, when the RN Buccaneers went to the RAF one might presume that the T8*'s also went as part of the package

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...sion_units#237

[DaveReidUK]

Thanks for the additional info on the T.8Cs at Honington/Lossie.

Originally Posted by TEEEJ

It always confused me seeing images of RAF T.7s with tail hooks. I was reading Flight Craft 16: The Hawker Hunter in British Service by Martin Derry and Neil Robinson recently and that book suggests some T.7s ended up with T.8 tails.The book seems to suggest that during maintenance the tails of the two types were sometimes swapped about hence some T.8s without hooks and vice versa?

Would that be the case?

I don't see why not. Quite a few of the extant Hunters have a different back end from the one they first flew with, which isn't that surprising, given that an engine change involved splitting the aircraft in two:

[TEEEJ]

Thanks, Phileas and Dave

[nipva]

'some T.7s ended up with T.8 tails'.

I presume that, in this instance, the hook would be inoperative due to the lack of wiring.

[chevvron]

We had one at Farnborough which, when dropped, could not be retracted again by the pilot; I think it was XF321.

[sycamore]

T8 hooks can only be reset by groundcrew,after they've been operated.....

[Duchess_Driver]

IIRC both 12 and 208 at Lossie had (the use of) T7s as SCT machines in the mid 80s. Not sure if they were borrowed/shared with/from each other or the OCU.

57 minutes around “Moon Country” with an Aussie Exchange Pilot (DS?) on 208 in ‘318.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Your guess is as good as mine.

I think the originator of the question has lost interest. They logged on a couple of days ago, in time to read my post answering their Canberra "where/when" question (but didn't acknowledge it) and haven't reappeared since.

I'm not inclined to spend any more time on other queries from the same source.

Looking at Barkston Heath for another reason and noticed there are also Bloodhound pads there on the NW side with parking pans just outside the compound. Barkston had Safeland barriers so Jaguar ops would have been possible.

[RAFG]

Thanks TEEEJ and all others for your help!

No Dave, I have not lost interested in this threat I started! But as being quite ill for some time and doing research as a hobby, I am not using pprune every day!

Would be very nice to get more assistance with further photos!

regards Steffi