The Air Training Corps

[terryJones]

To continue from the comments in the "English Electric Lightening" thread, re the ATC. I recall the very first time I defied gravity was in the early 50's at RAF Shawbury as a cadet, in an old Anson. They were still in service then of course, and I believe they had quite a good safety record?
Any other 'Oldies' remember their first AE flight?
TJ

[Tiger_mate]

Any other 'Oldies' remember their first AE flight?

Yes, XP351 a yellow Whirlwind from Valley in `74. Thought to myself, "I`ll have a bit of that" and now I do

Now painted in CFS colours on the gate of Shawbury, I see it often.

T_M

[Nopax,thanx]

Cambridge Airport, 1970 (October, I think!) Actually my second visit, as nobody had told me on the first trip that you had to be 14 - so I spent the day watching the others go up, and filling the book in......

Anyway, no such problems later on, had a v.enjoyable trip in a Chipmunk with a Canadian pilot. Only six years later I was working at Marshalls, strapping the cadets in!

I would love to get hold of a copy of my ATC record, anyone know if it's possible?

[wub]

No Pax,

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to get hold of any kind of record. Cadets are responsible for keeping their F3822 Record of Service up to date themselves, including logging flying, a/c serial nos. etc. This info is usually gleaned from the flight logs, kept on the day, at the end of an AEF or AEG visit.

[Airbedane]

Chipmunk, 1964 at Cosford, I think.

I was a member of 84 (2nd City of Coventry) Squadron, based at Baginton. What a time I had, it was the best club I ever joined- they even gave me 30 hrs towards a ppl on a flying scholarship when I was 17yrs old.

I will be forever indebted to the ATC.

A

[gyp]

I remember the excitement, but little else, of my first short flight in a Domine (DH Rapide) in 1943. The next year I was to enjoy a much longer ride in the tail turret of a Halifax of an Australian squadron (?266) at summer camp. But the memory which remains most vivid was the impressive sight and sound which greeted us when we arrived at Driffield.

It was just after sunset on a gin clear evening and the golden Yorkshire sky was filled with aircraft from dozens of RAF stations labouring upwards before setting course on a 1000 bomber raid. There were far too many to count and I have never, before or since, seen so many aeroplanes in the sky at once.

[ChrisVJ]

Not too grand but many happy memories of ATC.

The Anson trip from Bicester to Coltishal for a day on the Lightening Base. The base commander turned out to have flown with my father.

A couple of one week camps flying Chipmunks at Bicester.

A week getting gliding licence in Lincolnshire, (and picking mushrooms each morning on the field.)

Happy times.

[B9]

On Summer Camp 1962 at RAF Hullavington in a Varsity (4 hrs around UK) much of it spent lying in the 'bomb bay'. Followed two days later by another 4 hr + flight in a Valetta.

[Man-on-the-fence]

Tiger_mate

Bad news, shes reportedly due to go to tender before too long. Repalcement will be a Wessex I am told. Its a pity really as they are a dying breed

[solotk]

6 AEF Chippy out of Abingdon, was the first flight. First flight in a serving front line aircraft was a Sea King, that was present at a Helicopter meet at Esher Race Course, followed by Wessex soon after, and a UH 1 from Gutersloh (Visiting American)

Jet stuff, JP5 from Linton , and a Canberra at Wyton

Must dig out that logbook

[etsd0001]

As a member of 11F(Brooklands) my FF was in a Chipmunk at White Waltham

[sycamore]

xp351

Tiger-mate
Flew XP351 three times in Jan 1980 on a helo refresher with Paul Coleman and F/
LCotton? Know if they are still about?
Flown about 80 different Whirlwinds(s/n)/ different Mks, but the Mk10 was always the best.If you` re on 230, I was there when it was a good Sqdn,although I believe young Turner isn`t so bad. His Father was real "baaaaad" !
Syc...

[FJJP]

B9 - interesting post. My logbook shows Summer Camp Hullavington...

9 Jul 62 Varsity WF 398 Navex 4:40

12 Jul 62 Varsity WF 423 Navex 3:50

13 Jul 62 Varsity WL 683 Navex 4:00

What Sqn were you on? (Mail me if you prefer)

[Blacksheep]

1961, 1261 (Thornaby) Sqn, Chipmunk from Dishforth. We flew over Ripon then down to Harrogate, and back for some aerobatics over the great North Road for a while. PFM. I imagine the pilots had even more fun than we did - I mean they even got paid to do it!

**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema

[vintage ATCO]

Not in the ATC but this was the first aeroplane I ever flew in http://www.stevelevien.com/gacej.htm Southport Beach, circa 1960, and it's still around!

VA

[B9]

FJJP
Have 'lost' my ATC Service Record so cannot confirm dates and aircraft numbers. I was a member of No 135 (Reigate and Redhill) Sqn.

[etsd0001]

ATC Friends Re-united Site

While passing away the lonely hours on the night shift I stumbled across this website

http://www.3822.co.uk/

[Out Of Trim]

Circa 1975 - Chipmunks at RAF Abingdon and RAF Benson. Gliding at Kenley in Kirby cadet mk3's and sedberghs (Spl) Good Times!

[Guern]

Ventures at Halton for me. lovely couple of weeks 85 or 86. can't quite remember as ex wife destroyed my record of service!

Nurses were quite nice as well!

[John (Gary) Cooper]

24th July 1953 Hastings C1 TG530 RAF Lyneham whilst with 2189 Sqdn Calne. Two hour trip, cross country.

Plus further 25 Hastings trips
3 Lancaster trips Coastal Command St Mawgan
9 Anson Trips
3 Chippy Trips
1 Dragon Rapide trip for 5 mins from Old Sarum
2 T-31 Slingsby Trips
1 Meteor T7 Trip
1 Piston Provost trip

That to a 14-16 year old was the business!