RFI: Phantom crash, 1435 Flt late 1980s

[LucyA89]

I am afraid it has been nearly a year since my last visit.
Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone for your kind comments and an even bigger thank you to those who have sent pictures.
Lucy

[im from uranus]

Lucy,
Myself and another ex 19(F) Squadron groundcrew lad are arranging a reunion for ex Wildenrath 19(F) Sqn members on June 19th, 2010. It's mainly groundcrew, though all are welcome. We shall be raising a glass or two to Mongo and CJ. They've never been forgotten.

[LucyA89]

I hope a good day is had by all
I would be happy to send you the pictures I have received incase people would like to see them at the reunion, might be nice.
If you would like me to, just pop me a PM across with your email address, and I could scan some more of my Nana's if you like.
Lucy

[Mmmmnice]

Not quite on thread, but - nothing quite like sitting on the pad at Alice as an F4 came over the top upside down - measles I believe?

[tommee_hawk]

I remember CJ from various Finningley and Leuchars air shows of the 1980s. A true character, the kind of operator sadly missing from today's RAF. Although I've been in the Falklands several times over the last few years, 2010 will be the first time I'll be there at the end of October. I hope that 1435 Flt still commemorate the loss and hope to attend the ceremony. RIP guys.

[Dengue_Dude]

It might be coincidental, but I remember carrying an F4 driver's mum on the Tristar back from MPA.

She had visited the site of her son's crash. The year sounds about right, definitely the correct set of circumstances.

We had her on the flight deck for take off as we flew close to the crash site on our northbound departure track.

Nice lady, sad circumstances.

RIP

[wf1]

23 sqn 1983

I remember the crash at stanley 1983 , i was a flight line mechanic on 23 sqn for 4 months detached from 228ocu , i strapped in the pilot and nav , and a/f b/f the aircraft before the trip .

[teeteringhead]

Not often much connection between F4 crews and helicopter pilots (except in FI), but that wasn't my connection with the incident.

I was a "Barnwood Desky" at the time of Mongo and CJ's crash, and that night was Duty Personnel Officer (DPO) at Innsworth, an overnight duty shared by all the deskies, and responsible for the Kinforming and associated stuff.

After the event Mongo's preganant wife (in Wildenrath) was needing her mother - and it fell to the DPO to fix it,as ma-in-law was an "additional contact" on the NOK form we had to find her and get her out to Wilders. She was not at this time aware of the crash. The address was in Salisbury, so (such was the power of the DPO!) I got hold of the Staish at Boscombe to get him to do the Kinforming to mother-in-law.

Suitably in his No 1, + Mrs and maybe padre, off he goes, to discover Ma-in-law has moved! Fortunately new tenants (it was a flat) were mates who knew of her new address, so it was sorted, and we got her flown out to her daughter that night to be with her.

There's another twist to the story which I don't want to post publicly, but if any family/good mates want to know - feel free to PM me.

Just shows how good the RAF was (and I hope still are!) at this unfortunately frequent duty .........

[and guys and gals, please make sure all the addresses on your NOK forms are up-to-date ]

[morningmorning]

I was also on CJ's OTU course and B flight. He was a really good friend. I have a couple of pictures from those days which I come across from time to time and remember some of the antics! The service at Wildenrath was one of my saddest days.

[sally91]

CJ

Hi Lucy

My name is Sally. I've been watching this network for some years and have finally plucked up courage to add an entry. I met your uncle ceej at an Air Show in 1991 and fell for him instantly, I didn't let him know that straight away, but 20 years on I still treasure the times we had together, the letters and memories. When my mum met him, she said she'd ordered him straight from heaven.....but heaven obviously wanted him back!!!!!

With fondest regards
Sally

[sim2401]

fg off ian "mongo" halden

I was groundcrew with 19(f)sqn and found Mongo to be quite a character for an officer...I remember one day the Wg commander a little irrate shouting down the phone " Fg officer Halden why am I talking to you down the phone when you should be in the ops room"... I was on guard once and doing a sunday morning patrol spotted a rather worse for wear Mongo stumbleing up the main drag of Wildenrath...put him in the back of the land rover and dropped at the officers mess..with a sign around his neck saying if found return to room blah blah blah officers mess RAF Wildenrath..He also became a pilot before passing his driveing test and getting his bike liscence I recall ( not 100%) but all told he was a great guy I found I could approach.
Also a story from 1435 flt I was told ,he entered the Q shed with a pair of springy eyeball joke glasses one morning (worse for wear) and told a groundcrew member should we scramble "Wake me up"

A true legend..really funny guy ..

[sim2401]

Mongo Halden

Stavros you might just remember me for being a pain in the butt for you...I remember Cyprus and a live fireing excersise when a certain South African jockey let rip a bit too early with his Suu gun...and whilst everyone was diveing for cover Mongo was stood on the rock face with his hand on his head videoing the event as if that would protect yer noggin ....not even a kevlar helmet would protect you... It was a thorough good day all told....(get me drift)..

By the way Mr L you were a good guvnor for a rodney...you gave me a fitters course and sorted me out a new pair of socks from stores ..and a nice kebab on Op Granby...

Good memories boss... Zuco

[Janda]

CJ

I was on 8 Squadron with CJ and I can only reiterate what has been said about him. He was a real professional but had a great sense of humour. I remember his locker was opposite mine and we were forever getting in each others way. I also remember spending several hours in gas masks during a Taceval where all around him were actually pleased to have them on!!

[funkyplummer]

hello.

Hi Mr z!!!! Rob parkhill here, good to hear from you, of all the people from my 19 days your the one everyone asks about!!

[BIG_G_MCCREADIE]

CJ & Mongo

I would like to add my sad memories of that time in the Falklands and the loss of the Faith. I was an Instie on 19 (F) Sqn and was detached down the Falklands at the time when we lost CJ & Mongo. They were a good crew to know, we had been detached to Spangdallen earlier that year and the Groundcrew and Aircrew mixed well and I got to know a little of the antics of Mongo in the Officers Mess at Spangdallen. I still remember well that time in Falklands and the antics of the Navy in the 12 facility bar the night of the crash. I attended the memorial service in the Falklands and I still have a copy of the order of service leaflet. It was real sad time but I remember their was a discussions of replacing the aircraft and renaming it Faith and a senior officer sending a letter from the UKwhich ended with “keep the Faith”

RIP CJ & Mongo
Big G

[flipperthebush]

As for the "Firepower Demonstration" in cyprus (for the deight of the trolly dollys!!) I seem to remember a car parked quite a way behind us getting a front wing stoved in as a result of the early shots, OC ops from Aki (who had just left 19) walked off mumbling that they were on there own this time!!!!!
I think the pilot you are on about was Rhodesian, most definatly NOT Zimbabwean!!!

I remember one TLP at Florens CJ was the imprest officer and was most concerned (late evening in the bar) that the lineys hadn't got enough cash. At this point he grabbed a large wad of cash from his ankle pocket and started handing it out despite our protests that we had enough. Says a great deal about how highly thought of he was, that it was all returned to him the next day.

Mr Z how the devil are you, your old neighbour and namesake!!!!

[sim2401]

bob parkhill

Nice to see your post mate hope your keeping well what id give to roll back the years of 19(f) best time of my life some truley good friends were made...Mr Z

[sim2401]

flipper the bush

gota be you Gnasher........

[MadFmn]

Hi Jo,

I flew with Mongo a number of times, including a battle flight launch in Wildenrath at About 0600.

I partied with him many more times.

Sadly, I knew him for only a limited period, but that period's fun was unlimited!

I hope you are well. He was a top F4 animal and is still missed very much.

[RHINO]

A book has been published which amongst all things RAF Phantom includes mention of this crash and the crew involved. The author knew the crew well.

It is called, 'Confessions of a Phantom Pilot'.

Having read it, I fear the author will need a new liver!