Last NCO Pilot entry?
Pete Boulter
Pete Boulter was flying as recce pilot on II(AC) Sqn Phantoms at Laarbruch in the early/mid 70s as a flt lt. ISTR that when he left the RAF he became a wheel in RAFA. At the same time, we had Jace Hill, also flt lt pilot on II(AC), who had also come from Chivenor, I think from being a FS not that long before.
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Coff
[I]A bit of a long shot really ... But does anyone remember a Master Pilot by the name of Alec Hammond ? Sadly he is no longer with us, he passed away in 1999 aged 76.[/I]
I knew Alec Hammond, he was a F/Sgt flying the Varsity at Watton, becoming a M/Plt in 1962, before going to Germany. After that he was back in Lincolnshire but I don't think he was on Hunters.
Perhaps that picture might be from the Varsity Conversion Unit at Manby? Fg.Off Williams has too many medals for a new Fg.Off perhaps he was recently commissioned?
I also knew Flt.Lt Brian Clark in the picture and am pretty sure he was not on Hunters
[I]A bit of a long shot really ... But does anyone remember a Master Pilot by the name of Alec Hammond ? Sadly he is no longer with us, he passed away in 1999 aged 76.[/I]
I knew Alec Hammond, he was a F/Sgt flying the Varsity at Watton, becoming a M/Plt in 1962, before going to Germany. After that he was back in Lincolnshire but I don't think he was on Hunters.
Perhaps that picture might be from the Varsity Conversion Unit at Manby? Fg.Off Williams has too many medals for a new Fg.Off perhaps he was recently commissioned?
I also knew Flt.Lt Brian Clark in the picture and am pretty sure he was not on Hunters
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Many thanks Donthaveone ...
Interestingly I've also had a PM from another source which makes the Varsity link with Alec ... 1 Varisty Refresher Flying Squadron at Manby
I've got to pop out this morning ... I'll drop you a PM later today
Kind regards ...
Coff.
Interestingly I've also had a PM from another source which makes the Varsity link with Alec ... 1 Varisty Refresher Flying Squadron at Manby
I've got to pop out this morning ... I'll drop you a PM later today
Kind regards ...
Coff.
Victor B1a
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NCO Pilots
Our sweatbox (SIM) instructor on 232 at Marham in '73-'74 was a master pilot. I can't remember his name but shall never forget his sense of humour.
I seem to recall there was a good deal of ill feeling when some of the remaining 'Masters' (pilots & navigators, that is) were moved into ground tours from which there was little likelihood they would ever return to flying.
The story goes along the lines of: (a) no more flying pay and (b) you're now a warrant officer in a ground trade so get your badges changed.
Drifting away, the 1951 trade structure introduced the rank of Master Technician for those in the (mainly) engineering trades. However, other particularly skilled airmen in trades such as Equipment (Trade Group 18) and admin, could also hold the rank of Master Tech (and the lower ranks of chief, senior, Cpl and junior). In the 1964 trade structure this situation was abandoned but personnel 'wasted out' in the old ranks or until they were promoted. Hence at Brampton in the early 1980s, there was still a chief technician personnel admin clerk in the HQ.
O-D
The story goes along the lines of: (a) no more flying pay and (b) you're now a warrant officer in a ground trade so get your badges changed.
Drifting away, the 1951 trade structure introduced the rank of Master Technician for those in the (mainly) engineering trades. However, other particularly skilled airmen in trades such as Equipment (Trade Group 18) and admin, could also hold the rank of Master Tech (and the lower ranks of chief, senior, Cpl and junior). In the 1964 trade structure this situation was abandoned but personnel 'wasted out' in the old ranks or until they were promoted. Hence at Brampton in the early 1980s, there was still a chief technician personnel admin clerk in the HQ.
O-D
Well Al R, then you'll like the: 'Twelve Month Unaccompanied Tour Tie'.
The motif of the tie comprised the roman numerals XII, beneath which was the female sex symbol of a circle with cross beneath. In the circle was the symbol for a 'No Entry' road sign.
The tie was generally not available until one was almost tour-ex.
One chap had the tie but it had a cigarette burn strategically in the 'No Entry' bit.
I suppose in these enlightened times, we would need to have two ties available to cover - how can I put this delicately - the more liberal interpretation of what constitutes sexual abstinence!
Old Duffer
The motif of the tie comprised the roman numerals XII, beneath which was the female sex symbol of a circle with cross beneath. In the circle was the symbol for a 'No Entry' road sign.
The tie was generally not available until one was almost tour-ex.
One chap had the tie but it had a cigarette burn strategically in the 'No Entry' bit.
I suppose in these enlightened times, we would need to have two ties available to cover - how can I put this delicately - the more liberal interpretation of what constitutes sexual abstinence!
Old Duffer
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My apologies for late response to earlier posts, but delighted to hear that my old "r/t acquaintance" Sgt Boulter did well
Gentleman Aviator
The version of the tie I recall had lots of rungs, but the third one up from the bottom was broken.
In the days when you took a promotion exam (B Exam) for "promotion" to Flt Lt. And if you didn't take it, you ended up as a 38 yo Fg Off - but having flown all the time.
"In the days when you took a promotion exam (B Exam) for "promotion" to Flt Lt. And if you didn't take it, you ended up as a 38 yo Fg Off - but having flown all the time."
I did not take the "C", stayed a Flt. Lt. to 38, and was always current, even through a "Ground" tour.
Now whether they would have promoted me is another question. I was once told by a senior oficer that I had a reputation for arguing with senior officers. "Not at all" says I. "I see what they mean" says he.
I did not take the "C", stayed a Flt. Lt. to 38, and was always current, even through a "Ground" tour.
Now whether they would have promoted me is another question. I was once told by a senior oficer that I had a reputation for arguing with senior officers. "Not at all" says I. "I see what they mean" says he.
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Sycamore, I think the "George" you refer to is George Lee, who ended up a Wng/Cmdr on Jaguars. I was a u/t Sgt pilot on the same Cerney course as fellow ex-app Dick Wharmby but was chopped in the last week due to a daft "Bends" run, and confined to the back end of the Shack. Ironically many years later as a 146 skipper, I had George Lee as my F/O, and an excellent F/O he was! We had a lot of good times. He also appeared on telly landing the 146 at London City. He is now i/c the flying club at Wyton, still flying every day.
My father - David 'Pop' Morton was a M.Plt and he retired in 1970 from Varsities at the NBS at R.A.F. Lyndholme. Prior to that all manner of aeroplanes including Hunters in Gutersloh and one tour on the Thor at Helmswell/Bardney.
After the RAF he joined SOAF based in Bait and I used to see him in Masirah when we went through on 203 Nimrods.
After the RAF he joined SOAF based in Bait and I used to see him in Masirah when we went through on 203 Nimrods.
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When I held at Binbrook in 1987 there was a Master Pilot working in the Lightning Sim. I recall him saying that he'd last flown Javelins and that he was one of 3 Master Pilots still serving, the other 2 were in ATC.
Regards,
MM
Regards,
MM
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MM,
I think you are refering to the late Master Pilot Tam Kirk. Tam flew Javelins with 85 Sqn at West Malling in 1960. I was his Nav Rad as an NCO Radio Observer and for a time we were the only NCO aircrew on the squadron.
A year later Tam recrewed with Master Navigater Phil Tyler (and I happily departed to Pilot Training). By then (61) 85 was at West Raynham and several more NCO back seaters had arrived.
I think you are refering to the late Master Pilot Tam Kirk. Tam flew Javelins with 85 Sqn at West Malling in 1960. I was his Nav Rad as an NCO Radio Observer and for a time we were the only NCO aircrew on the squadron.
A year later Tam recrewed with Master Navigater Phil Tyler (and I happily departed to Pilot Training). By then (61) 85 was at West Raynham and several more NCO back seaters had arrived.