Greenham Common.. and first postings.
AlR- it was at Biggin Hill and he was flying a Vampire in formation with a Sea Vixen; the Venom had unfortunately landed wheels-up earlier and was not able to participate in the display.
See http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_507791.pdf
See http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_507791.pdf
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Back from the sandpit
Age: 63
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Al R
First met Ken Hayr when he was in charge of Cyprus (Can't remember the exact title) but he was an Air Cdre then in the early 80s. We taught him to skydive at Kingsfied. He then used to fly the Islander regularly at Weston-On-The-Green, up until his untimely and tragic death at Biggin Hill in 2001. Never have I met a more courteous, respectful and truly gentle man as Ken. He is still sorley missed. Respect
First met Ken Hayr when he was in charge of Cyprus (Can't remember the exact title) but he was an Air Cdre then in the early 80s. We taught him to skydive at Kingsfied. He then used to fly the Islander regularly at Weston-On-The-Green, up until his untimely and tragic death at Biggin Hill in 2001. Never have I met a more courteous, respectful and truly gentle man as Ken. He is still sorley missed. Respect
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The title was Commander British Forces Cyprus, Top Bunk.
Did you serve out there? I was there from 84-88. The RAF chappie before him (I forget his name.. Air Commodore Offard perhaps?), if I remember correctly, drew the first prize at the Akrotiri open day raffle in 84 and his wife won the car (it was a Honda Civic Aerodeck I think). Anyway, she walked off with it instead of throwing it back in the pot which everyone was expecting.. to many whispers of shady goings on I might add (fear of litigation compels me to add the rider, 'I didn't believe a word of it mind').
Sir Ken was OC 1(F) too, when it first got the Harrier. We did many sunset ceremonies at Air House (being smarter than the army of course), and he unfailingly took time to come and chat with the troops. But in a genuine manner, and not in the usual contrived and patronising manner which many senior officers successfully struggle so hard to master.
Did you serve out there? I was there from 84-88. The RAF chappie before him (I forget his name.. Air Commodore Offard perhaps?), if I remember correctly, drew the first prize at the Akrotiri open day raffle in 84 and his wife won the car (it was a Honda Civic Aerodeck I think). Anyway, she walked off with it instead of throwing it back in the pot which everyone was expecting.. to many whispers of shady goings on I might add (fear of litigation compels me to add the rider, 'I didn't believe a word of it mind').
Sir Ken was OC 1(F) too, when it first got the Harrier. We did many sunset ceremonies at Air House (being smarter than the army of course), and he unfailingly took time to come and chat with the troops. But in a genuine manner, and not in the usual contrived and patronising manner which many senior officers successfully struggle so hard to master.
Ken Hayr was a real gentleman, even when things did not go to plan. As AOC 11Gp, he was on his way to carry out his AOC's Inspection at Neatishead - arrived by air at Coltishall, and on the way across to Neaters the staff car broke down - he arrived crammed into OC Admin's mini, with his sword rammed in between his knees and a slightly stiff expression - but he thawed out as the day went on and it turned into a "good day"
Last edited by Wander00; 27th Jul 2009 at 11:21.
Wg Cdr Spry
When Ken Hayr was the embodiment of the title he came to St Mawgan to give a presentation on flight safety. At some point, his mention of "time off" led to a rumble of dissent from the assembled throng. He switched off the OHP (pre power point means of presenting for the yoof) and said "Well, that seems to have rattled a few bars; what's it all about? Who had last w/e off as a start?" No hands went up. "The w/e before?" No hands went up.
A flt cdr on the OCU said "Leave out the OCU chaps but keep going with the squadron (42)"
Eventually a SNCO on 42 said "I had Christmas day off sir" This was May!
Part of it was that in order to justify the hideous cost of the sim we used to have Sat evening slots that finished at 0100 Sun morning (full Nimrod crew trainer).
To his credit the Sat evening sim slots stopped at that point.
His minion was sent to SHQ to inspect the leave records of ALL aircrew, and as a result the very next morning I was ordered to fill in a leave pass and go home for two weeks. (kids in school, wife in college, WX was crap but I wasn't at work!). He was the sort of chap one would have followed a VERY long way. He listened and ACTED, a rare combination.
The Ancient Mariner
A flt cdr on the OCU said "Leave out the OCU chaps but keep going with the squadron (42)"
Eventually a SNCO on 42 said "I had Christmas day off sir" This was May!
Part of it was that in order to justify the hideous cost of the sim we used to have Sat evening slots that finished at 0100 Sun morning (full Nimrod crew trainer).
To his credit the Sat evening sim slots stopped at that point.
His minion was sent to SHQ to inspect the leave records of ALL aircrew, and as a result the very next morning I was ordered to fill in a leave pass and go home for two weeks. (kids in school, wife in college, WX was crap but I wasn't at work!). He was the sort of chap one would have followed a VERY long way. He listened and ACTED, a rare combination.
The Ancient Mariner
Last edited by Rossian; 27th Jul 2009 at 18:08. Reason: Al R apologies for thread drift. Maybe we should have a "Top bosses I've known" thread.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brings Back Memories
Al R. Many thanks for the photos. Time moves on and the last time I was at GC, my former office was a T-shirt printing shop. GC had the second longest op runway in the UK which explains why it served as a Space Shuttle diversion. Talking of protestors, there was a gay camp and a straight camp. If they had ever got their act together they might have caused me problems, but they hated each other more than us. Happy days.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: earth
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good to see the albeit belated tributes to Ken Hayr. What many may not know is how effective he was as ACAS(Ops) during the Falklands war. Briefings to him were a breeze - he knew what we were talking about as operators and needed little detail to fully understand the action needed to implement the policy.
Not just one of life's gentlemen but a very proficent Air-Vice Marshall - how many of those have Ppruners met in their lifetime?
Not just one of life's gentlemen but a very proficent Air-Vice Marshall - how many of those have Ppruners met in their lifetime?
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Well, Lincolnshire
Age: 69
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ken Hayr was my 'big' boss at one time, I was a 'minion'. I met him the once.
Three years later, he pulled me up in a car park. "I know you" he said.
He remembered our only, very brief, meeting.
An Officer and a Gentleman.
'nuff said.
Three years later, he pulled me up in a car park. "I know you" he said.
He remembered our only, very brief, meeting.
An Officer and a Gentleman.
'nuff said.
Some time back on this thread Jackonicko said:
....and it's just been announced that said railway line will be electrified out as far as Newbury, and that there will be lots of new rolling stock to replace the ageing diesel HST's.
Although this might appear to have been a great site for a major hub, I wonder whether it ever would have happened when you consider the establishment that lies directly under the final approach to the westerly runway?
In Greenham you had:
a huge runway, rendered surplus by the end of the Cold War, on the right side of London, yards from an existing railway line, and a sneeze away from the M4, close by a town that already needed a by-pass spur down from the M4.
a huge runway, rendered surplus by the end of the Cold War, on the right side of London, yards from an existing railway line, and a sneeze away from the M4, close by a town that already needed a by-pass spur down from the M4.
Although this might appear to have been a great site for a major hub, I wonder whether it ever would have happened when you consider the establishment that lies directly under the final approach to the westerly runway?
Last edited by Wycombe; 29th Jul 2009 at 07:47.
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment under the approach at one end, the town of Newbury under the approach at the other end.
A "useful" airfield from the local community point of view? I think not.
A "useful" airfield from the local community point of view? I think not.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Asia's Fine City
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fascinating thread for many reasons, names, places, aircraft......
Per AL R's pics I attended that airshow at the tender age of sixteen with big bro and remember the ominous skies as captured in his pics. Mine were the same. Must dig out my old kodachromes and post.
I do recall that there was a TR-1 at that airshow and being surprised at the noise of its departure.
"Operational TR-1A's were used by the 17th Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force Station Alconbury, England, starting in February 1983."
Per AL R's pics I attended that airshow at the tender age of sixteen with big bro and remember the ominous skies as captured in his pics. Mine were the same. Must dig out my old kodachromes and post.
I do recall that there was a TR-1 at that airshow and being surprised at the noise of its departure.
"Operational TR-1A's were used by the 17th Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force Station Alconbury, England, starting in February 1983."
