Does anyone remember my Dad? 'Vulcan Bomber'
PJ,
Good skills mate, I'm immensely proud to see my old squadron bending over backwards to help out relatives of our lost ones, and providing a presence in the air and on the ground at a commemoration for them. If I wasn't you-know-where I'd have come along too. Well done IX, and to all involved in this thread, I hope it's of some comfort to the relatives.
Per Noctem Volamus
JG
Good skills mate, I'm immensely proud to see my old squadron bending over backwards to help out relatives of our lost ones, and providing a presence in the air and on the ground at a commemoration for them. If I wasn't you-know-where I'd have come along too. Well done IX, and to all involved in this thread, I hope it's of some comfort to the relatives.
Per Noctem Volamus
JG
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Sarah X 2, Did you ever see the IX Sqdn photograph at
http://www.avrovulcan.org.uk/vulcan_people/cgyclose.jpg
There’s a slim chance your respective Dads are in it. Very early 1964. I’m second row down directly under the centre of the No 1 engine intake; far right engine, looking at it. The original’s available if anyone wants good copies.
http://www.avrovulcan.org.uk/vulcan_people/cgyclose.jpg
There’s a slim chance your respective Dads are in it. Very early 1964. I’m second row down directly under the centre of the No 1 engine intake; far right engine, looking at it. The original’s available if anyone wants good copies.
Last edited by forget; 26th Jan 2008 at 13:18.
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This must be one of the most touching threads I have read on any board, not just PPRuNe. I hope the weather is set fair for all who attend on Wednesday in Rutland.
The only, slightly spurious, link I have is that Mike Gillette was my dad's pilot on 13 at Luqa in 1970!
The only, slightly spurious, link I have is that Mike Gillette was my dad's pilot on 13 at Luqa in 1970!
"The INTRODUCER"
Here's the plan...
As things stand IX Sqn are hoping to put up a three-ship this Wednesday, subject to the usual caveats regarding anything to do with flying aeroplanes.
Attending will be at least myself, Sarah Bennett, Forget, Peppermint Jam, and A2QFI. Anyone else is welcome. (I'm sticking to Pprune user-names here for obvious reasons, but it's an assortment of serving and ex-servicemen, with various IX Sqn and/or Cottesmore attachments.)
We will be meeting at the Sun Inn, Cottesmore High Street, at 12:00 and will then walk - in wellies - to the exact crash location for 12:30 to pay our respects.
Open agenda after that.
Algy
Attending will be at least myself, Sarah Bennett, Forget, Peppermint Jam, and A2QFI. Anyone else is welcome. (I'm sticking to Pprune user-names here for obvious reasons, but it's an assortment of serving and ex-servicemen, with various IX Sqn and/or Cottesmore attachments.)
We will be meeting at the Sun Inn, Cottesmore High Street, at 12:00 and will then walk - in wellies - to the exact crash location for 12:30 to pay our respects.
Open agenda after that.
Algy
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Sarah & Sara
As the current 'boss' of IX(Bomber) Sqn, I'm honoured to be able to offer to help you commemorate your fathers lives in an appropriate way. It's the least their Sqn can do. I'll send whatever is the most suitable aircraft or formation that can get to Cottesmore at 1230, so it might be anything from one to four aircraft. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Dave Waddington
OC IX(B)
As the current 'boss' of IX(Bomber) Sqn, I'm honoured to be able to offer to help you commemorate your fathers lives in an appropriate way. It's the least their Sqn can do. I'll send whatever is the most suitable aircraft or formation that can get to Cottesmore at 1230, so it might be anything from one to four aircraft. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Dave Waddington
OC IX(B)
Excellent stuff Batman - wouldn't have expected anything less though!!!
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Hi Sarah, Sara, Matt,
I hope all goes well tomorrow.
If any of you would like to visit XM655 at Wellesbourne, the aircraft is manned every Saturday from 0900 to 1600. Directions are on our website at www.xm655.com If you would prefer to visit at another time, please pm me and I will make the arrangements.
Best regards, Sooty655
I hope all goes well tomorrow.
If any of you would like to visit XM655 at Wellesbourne, the aircraft is manned every Saturday from 0900 to 1600. Directions are on our website at www.xm655.com If you would prefer to visit at another time, please pm me and I will make the arrangements.
Best regards, Sooty655
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S&S,
I really hope to be able to make it, but if I don't.. I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful and (yes) an emotional day.
If I can't make it, I'll keep an eye out for those IX Sqn Tonkas though and I hope they're piling the coal on. In a Rutland field or at the Cenotaph, its humbling it is to see us remembering our own - quietly, proudly and with dignity. The memories of Alastair, Benny, Stephen and FO Whelan will be well served tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Al.
I really hope to be able to make it, but if I don't.. I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful and (yes) an emotional day.
If I can't make it, I'll keep an eye out for those IX Sqn Tonkas though and I hope they're piling the coal on. In a Rutland field or at the Cenotaph, its humbling it is to see us remembering our own - quietly, proudly and with dignity. The memories of Alastair, Benny, Stephen and FO Whelan will be well served tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Al.
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As a civilian 'lurker', but with friends currently serving home and abroad, I have followed this very humbling thread with great interest. It has made me very much aware of the great debt that is owed to the crew of XM604, and those others who sacrificed their lives in our defence during the Cold War and beyond.
If anyone has the opportunity to post some photographs of the memorial gathering and flypast, I'm sure it would be much appreciated by those who are unable to be present.
If anyone has the opportunity to post some photographs of the memorial gathering and flypast, I'm sure it would be much appreciated by those who are unable to be present.
