If you were born again, what would you want to fly?
Mew Gull please!
And I'm not surprised at all by your 'NOT' selection, Arters, the Victor K1s I watched at Marham during my UAS camp in the summer of 1970 struggled to get airborne, so I hate to think what it must have been like at Masirah!
And I'm not surprised at all by your 'NOT' selection, Arters, the Victor K1s I watched at Marham during my UAS camp in the summer of 1970 struggled to get airborne, so I hate to think what it must have been like at Masirah!
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I've always fancied a trip in a Victor, an SR2, because the crews I met at ATC annual camp at Wyton in 1972 seemed very proud of theirs.
One trip I'd repeat would be pax in a BOAC VC10 down to Colombo, but 1st Class this time.
One trip I'd repeat would be pax in a BOAC VC10 down to Colombo, but 1st Class this time.
Wapiti in Iraq for our first "police action" there, probably followed by some time back in the UK on the Gamecock and Bulldog before moving on to the Gladiator and then the Hurricane for the BoB.
I'd probably deserve some time out then so I'd instruct on the Anson before doing ASW on the Sunderland. I'd want to fly the Mosquito and the Tempest before the war was over and then, of course, the Meteor.
For my last tour I'd go back to instructing, this time on the Vampire. Then the Sandringham and DC-3 in civvy street before retiring and flying round the world in a Miles Gemini.
Probably, not that I've thought about it, much.
I'd probably deserve some time out then so I'd instruct on the Anson before doing ASW on the Sunderland. I'd want to fly the Mosquito and the Tempest before the war was over and then, of course, the Meteor.
For my last tour I'd go back to instructing, this time on the Vampire. Then the Sandringham and DC-3 in civvy street before retiring and flying round the world in a Miles Gemini.
Probably, not that I've thought about it, much.
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J.A.F.O.. What was it about the Miles Gemini?. I did a flying scholarship at Shoreham on the Magister [another Miles design]and remember the Gemini as being an aircraft that just seemed right, a tourer supreme, a 1930's Bentley of the air.
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im only a young feller...well twenty....but iv always been in awe of the Vulcan.....like to me now it looks futuristic (with a bit of a panel beating!!) but i would imagine when it emerged first, it must have dropped a few jaws. Anyone care to comment?...I think its the dogs cahoonas!! ...
Red On, Green On
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37 years ago last Sunday (20th) I solo'd in an RN Chipmunk at Roborough, for 10 mins!
I'd be very happy to re-wind to the morning of the 20th, have the trip before with Flt Lt Maule, do the solo and then the FHT in the afternoon. It was a fantastic day all round - not many days since have been better.
I'd be very happy to re-wind to the morning of the 20th, have the trip before with Flt Lt Maule, do the solo and then the FHT in the afternoon. It was a fantastic day all round - not many days since have been better.
Thread Starter
>37 years ago last Sunday (20th) I solo'd in an RN Chipmunk at Roborough, for 10 mins! I'd be very happy to re-wind to the morning of the 20th, have the trip before with Flt Lt Maule, do the solo and then the FHT in the afternoon. It was a fantastic day all round - not many days since have been better.<
I'll drink to that. Chipmunk WZ862, 4 Mar 73, RAF St Athan; sent by the late, great Sqn Ldr S W T (Steve) Holding, may he rest in peace.
Where's that rewind button?
I'll drink to that. Chipmunk WZ862, 4 Mar 73, RAF St Athan; sent by the late, great Sqn Ldr S W T (Steve) Holding, may he rest in peace.
Where's that rewind button?
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In WW1 the SE5a - the prince of fighters according to some of the WWI heros I have met (including Chris Draper, the Mad Major). Some would have preferred the Snipe. The one NOT to get stuck in was the RE8 . Authority? My Dad.
Piston fighters: The DH Hornet, preferably in Malaya. Huge performance and range at low level. Plus the Immodium effect of two engines.
One gent opined that the Sea Hawk was the classic straight-wing jet. Trouble was that its seniors (ie the Meteor 8/9) could have it on toast for breakfast. It was just a pretty little toy. And the Venoms gave the Meatboxes an even harder time.
Into the swept-wing era, for me the Hunter FR9, preferably out of Nairobi where, for the bachelors, there were plenty of young ladies available. And feisty too! In my day many of them were staggering along with heavy handbags - not dosh, they were "tooled up". So when they said "stand and deliver", you better oblige!
Piston fighters: The DH Hornet, preferably in Malaya. Huge performance and range at low level. Plus the Immodium effect of two engines.
One gent opined that the Sea Hawk was the classic straight-wing jet. Trouble was that its seniors (ie the Meteor 8/9) could have it on toast for breakfast. It was just a pretty little toy. And the Venoms gave the Meatboxes an even harder time.
Into the swept-wing era, for me the Hunter FR9, preferably out of Nairobi where, for the bachelors, there were plenty of young ladies available. And feisty too! In my day many of them were staggering along with heavy handbags - not dosh, they were "tooled up". So when they said "stand and deliver", you better oblige!
Art
It just had a certain something; class and style but not showy about it. As you say, an airborne Bentley.
Flatus
I'd come out of make-believe retirement for the Hunter.
It just had a certain something; class and style but not showy about it. As you say, an airborne Bentley.
Flatus
I'd come out of make-believe retirement for the Hunter.
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Ahhh, sweet nostalgia from Flatus, who is of course talking about 208's Hunter FGA 9s, actually based at Eastleigh, but operated on a daily basis from Embakasi/Nairobi airport because the latter had a longer and sealed runway!
He's right about the local ladies though; it was quite common to find a .32 Beretta lodged somewhere handy.
He's right about the local ladies though; it was quite common to find a .32 Beretta lodged somewhere handy.
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My first thoughts were one of the big pistons, Hornet, Typhoon, Sea Fury, etc.
However, after due consideration I reckon one of the last biplane fighters would be an even bigger thrill, so it has the be the Hawker Fury.
However, after due consideration I reckon one of the last biplane fighters would be an even bigger thrill, so it has the be the Hawker Fury.
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Back to 1964 for me, flying a T21 Sedburgh from RAF Hendon as an 18 year old ATC staff cadet, 20 plus lauches a day. The perfect trip? Thermal to 2000ft (limited by London Zone/Northolt Approach lane) and then see how many loops yu could fit in on the way down!!!
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In the Time Machine, Dec 7 1941, Pearl Harbor, 0730 Local. Lead of a flight of F4Ds from the 'Gunfighters', just airborne, all fitted with 3 20mm gunpods, 4 sparrows and 4 sidewinders.
Banzai Tojo
Banzai Tojo
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Watch your dreams....
Quote MG
“BTW, wouldn't it be great if someone released all of those old 60s & 70s CoI recruiting films of the RAF?”
You will find everything and more from this site. Especially the “Mr Chumley Warner” style of narration which has long since disappeared.
http://www.britishpathe.com/index.html
Eg: Enter the title below into the search box to get you started….
“Quick Reaction Alert”
After searching under whatever criteria, you can download the films for free, if you fancy a nostalgic moment.
…Bon Appetite.
Oh, and mine would have to be Mail Running in an HP 42 when we truly ruled in an aire of optimism…
001
“BTW, wouldn't it be great if someone released all of those old 60s & 70s CoI recruiting films of the RAF?”
You will find everything and more from this site. Especially the “Mr Chumley Warner” style of narration which has long since disappeared.
http://www.britishpathe.com/index.html
Eg: Enter the title below into the search box to get you started….
“Quick Reaction Alert”
After searching under whatever criteria, you can download the films for free, if you fancy a nostalgic moment.
…Bon Appetite.
Oh, and mine would have to be Mail Running in an HP 42 when we truly ruled in an aire of optimism…
001