RAF Jet Provost aerobatic teams
 

We had great responses to the threads on the RAF Jet Provost teams, "The Macaws", the "Swords" and the Fleet Air Arm's "Simon's Sircus" aerobatic teams, which brought forward former pilots from these teams. Therefore, I wonder if there are any team members out there from any of the other RAF Jet Provost aerobatic teams from the 1960s- No.1 FTS "Gin Four" ,"Linton GIN" "The Blades"; No.2 FTS "The Vipers" ; CFS "Red Pelicans" or the "Cranwell Poachers" that would care to share their memorabilia and experiences? Also does anyone know if 7 FTS at Church Fenton had a Jet Provost aerobatic team in the 1960s?

From a bit of paper found in amongst some old (non-JP) pics t'other day. No idea who wrote it and this is all it says:

RAF JP Aerobatic Teams

Sparrows
Redskins
Red Pelicans
Black Jacks
Macaws
Magistrates
Vipers
Linton Gin
Blades
Gemini Pair
Poachers
Swords

I know Poachers were RAFC Cranwell, Macaws is Manby College of Air Warfare and Red Pelicans were CFS. Maybe someone can fill in the blanks?

Sparrows = CFS JP Mk.1s 1958
Redskins = CFS JP Mk.1 duo 1959
Red Pelicans = CFS JP.Mk.3/4/5 1960-73
Black Jacks = no idea!
Macaws = CAW JP T4s 1968-73
Magistrates = CAW JP T4s 1965-67
Vipers = 2 FTS JPT4s 1965-69
Linton Gin = 1 FTS JPT4s 1968-69 (known as Gin Four 1965-67)
Blades = 1 FTS JPT5s 1973
Gemini Pair = 3 FTS JPT5s 1971-74?
Poachers = RAFC JPT4s then '5s 1965?-76 (last JP team)
Swords = 3 FTS JPT5s 1974

The dates are off the top of my head, with the 'start' dates being a grey area. Now all we want are any pilots from these teams to just say 'hi'!

If the Red Pelicans finished in 1973, probably the last team was:

Sqn Ldr I.C. Gibbs, Capt R.F. Lord USAF, Flt Lt W.B. Byron RAAF and Lt J.M. Edwards RN (sadly no longer with us). I only know because I still treasure one of their brochures to remember my one and only JP flight with Marcus Edwards in October 73.

From memory 7 FTS at Church Fenton didn't have an aero team. I was there 1965-66.

I was a member of the "Cranwell Poachers" Groundcrew during the last two seasons 1975-76. The team was as below.

1975 Team

Team Leader - Sqn Ldr Peter Curtin
No 2 - Flt Lt Eddie Danks
No 3 - Flt Lt Martin Stoner
No 4 - Flt Lt Dave Webley
Team Manager - Flt Lt David Norris

1976 Team

Team Leader - Sqn Ldr Peter Curtin
No 2 - Flt Lt Philip Barham
No 3 - Flt Lt Martin Stoner
No 4 - Flt Lt Dave Webley
Team Manager - Fg Off Ken Claxton

I usually flew with Dave Webley or Martin Stoner

My name is George Dobie if any of the team see this and wonder who wrote it.

My first RAF posting, 1961, was Acklington where the Piston Provosts were being replaced by JPs. Just after I'd left, late '62 I think, there was one disastrous day when a formation of JPs, either 4 or 6, followed the leader into a loop - but far too low. They all went in - not far from the control tower. But have I got this right? I can find nothing on the web, not even from the brilliant site on RAF Acklington -

http://www.raf-acklington.co.uk/inde...gton/index.htm

The last Red Pelicans brochure I have is 1970. Is there any chance of getting scans of any brochures after that?

Many thanks

JP Teams - The Magic Years
 

I was No 2 in the Red Pelicans in 1968 and Leader in 1969 flying JP4s.
In 1971, 72 and 73 I was Leader of the Cranwell Poachers
I do have all the team brochures of those years and a collection of relevant memorabilia.
Incidently we organised the inaugural annual gathering of the teams comprising the Red Arrows, Poachers, Red Pelicans, Blades, Macaws, Gemini and Blue Chips at Cranwell in early September 1971; quite a line up on the 'water-front'.

That would make you John Robinson? Welcome aboard and a very great pleasure to hear from you. If you do not have spare brochures from the Cranwell Poachers in '71 & '72, I would greatly appreciate scans of these. Will PM you about this and other JP info.

Thanks for making contact.

The only connection I had with the Poachers was helping to build the 'Poachers' scruffs' bar behind the College Hall main bar in 1973/4 - although our engineer students were chiefly responsible. The Commandant drank the first pint on opening night - and the PMC (a Trenchard instructor) thought it was outstanding!

The walls were painted 'Poachers Blue' - and many framed aerobatic team photos were proudly displayed upon them. It was a wonderfully atmospheric little bar; sadly, when RAFC Cranwell was dumbed down to comprehensive status with the closure of that very inferior secondary modern school in Bedfordshire, the bar was closed :mad: And College Hall was never the same again..........:(

JP Teams-The Magic Years.
 

Message to Prune Probationer,Cranwell.
Hello, did you ever fly JP4 XSI86 OR 177.
If you did,do you have any photographs of those a/c? XS186 is currently under restoration at Metheringham with 177 being used as a source for parts.We would love to find more photos of these a/c when they were in service use. Thanks.:ok:

Hmm, hijacking my thread, eh Paul? Good luck!

Adrian

JP aerobatic teams
 

Sorry about that Amos. This isn't Paul but one of his restoration crew.:O :ok:

Gemini Pair Leeming 1971.
 

Remember Flg.Off. "Dusty" Miller was the number two when I was training with 3 FTS. Can't remember the leaders name but do recall he went on to fly with the Rothman's team. Cheers,
D.

Googling reveals this - http://www.jetprovostheaven.com/jpteams/
But there's no mention of a Flt Lt Ron Pattinson who was certainly a member of the Geminini Pair at some point.

Poachers 1970
 

Just read your comments,
I was groundcrew on the Poachers during the early 1970 season and flew with No 4 (I think Flt Lt Hill) great memories cut short by my long awaited fitters coarse.
Would love to contact Flt Lt Hill, Flt Lt Baker and any members of the team and replace lost photograph of groundcrew for that year
Kind Regards
Eric Humphreys

I flew as box in the CFS team in 1961. Frank Brambley was leader. We were not painted red, and were not called "Red Pelicans" That PR stuff came later. Nevertheless , the 1960 and 1961 teams were recognised as "RAF" teams. We did The Paris Air Show, although I screwed up on the pairs bit, and Farnborough plus national and international air days.

The 1960 team, if memory serves, flew to Ghana for their Independence ceremony.

Dick W

Just come across a programme from the 1972 Tollerton Air Rally/Air Race meeting.... The Macaws displayed.





PM if you'd like a Hi Res scanned copy

(QUOTE)

I flew as box in the CFS team in 1961. Frank Brambley was leader. We were not painted red, and were not called "Red Pelicans" That PR stuff came later. Nevertheless , the 1960 and 1961 teams were recognised as "RAF" teams. We did The Paris Air Show, although I screwed up on the pairs bit, and Farnborough plus national and international air days.

The 1960 team, if memory serves, flew to Ghana for their Independence ceremony.

Dick W

(UNQUOTE)

Hi Dick,

You don't mention the aircraft type or the team name, but I am guessing you flew a team of Vampire T.11s called "Pelican Red" (from your callsign)- right?

Adrian