Wander00:

Like so many people on pprune,you are making wild assumptions. The chap on the left is not a nav but an ex-siggie (Neptunes and Shackletons). You will also note that none of the rest of us are wearing pilot's wings. That is because in those days, we didn't get our wings until after advanced training was complete. (In fact, one of the chaps in the photograph didn't make it). He failed his final handling check on the Varsity and became a nav.

As a matter of interest, the chap beside the cockpit was entitled to wear a nav brevet but it was of the RCAF variety (North Stars).

If you want thenames, send me a PM.

Thanks for that - could not see the letter in the middle - did not realise in them far flung days (I was at Valley only 5 years later!) that such a change was possible, but (as amere former pilot) glad it was. Just wondered if any of those chaps ended up as QFIs at Cranditz or Valley a few years later. (PS Anyone know what happened to a creamie QFI called John Metcalfe? He was a great instructor - well got me through!)).

No, none of us ended up as QFIs at Valley or Sleaford Tech.

Nice escape that, then. Hope you all a. survived and, b. had intresting flying careers

Love the pictures guys,many thanks,and its nice to see a vampire carrying proper DH underwing tanks :o)
regards....Neil

The photo of the open canopy brought back a memory to me. During flying instructors course at RAAF Central Flying School in the mid-Fifties, each student was given one hour dual jet famil in a Vampire Mk 35.

In my case, I had already flown the single seat Vampires before the dual version was available but got a dual ride anyway. Radio went u/s taxiing out so we returned to the tarmac. The instructor (a squadron leader no less, while I was a lowly flight sergeant) taxiied in, stopped the aircraft and cut the engine and then raised the canopy.

I was about to haul myself up from the RH seat when the instructor kindly warned me to always check the open canopy was locked open before exiting.

I had never flown the type before so thanked him graciously and waited for him to undo all his leads etc and climb out first. Age before beauty. He had just got both silk gloved hands on the window front frame to lever himself up from his seat when the canopy fell forward on his fingers.

With a frightful oath he shook his injured hand and said something that sounded like "Schiessenhausen" He was an Australian but talked posh.

I was highly impressed and said "Jeez Sir! - that was a bloody good demonstration".

"That's not funny, Flight Sergeant" was the griitted reply.

Turned out he had broken a few digits and for the next week or so walked around with his hand in a sling. Awfully nice chap, though.