Coldwar RAF U-2 Pilots
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Re John Farley's request
Robbie Robinson's article on the U-2 was published in the September 1995 edition of "Aeroplane Monthly". I recieved my copy by good old "ebay".
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RAF Overflights of the USSR
AD wrote:
Without wishing to be pedantic, what concrete evidence is there that any RAF pilots, other than Robbie Robinson and John MacArthur, overflew USSR territory? Chris Pocock's definitive book on the subject '50 Years of the U-2' lists every overflight and David Dowling's name doesn't appear.
Visitation
Just some information that might be of interest,David Dowling did overfly USSR.From what he said all 4 RAF Pilots did at that time.As to Log books,he wrote to MoD before he died in 2008 to try and get something from them,unfortunately he didnt get any reply.His "normal" Logs exist with gaps when he was involved with the U2 and some other "weather reporting",(51 Squadron I think),in the early '60's.
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You are right rhajaramjet, it is "Shimmons" & not simmons that I said. It's that Scottish 007 accent that I have
visitation, I am also only aware of Robinson & McArthur being the only RAF pilots that overflew the Soviet Union in a U-2. The four pilots were sent from Laughlin AFB to Detachment B at Inserlik, Turkey & were mainly used to ferry the U-2's to Peshewar in Pakistan where the Soviets had no Radar coverage. On December 6th, 1959 Robinson took off from Peshewar to overfly the Soviet Union & on February 5th 1960 McArthur also took off from Peshewar & filmed eight new TU-22 bombers at Kazam, which were given the NATO designation of "Blinder".
visitation, I am also only aware of Robinson & McArthur being the only RAF pilots that overflew the Soviet Union in a U-2. The four pilots were sent from Laughlin AFB to Detachment B at Inserlik, Turkey & were mainly used to ferry the U-2's to Peshewar in Pakistan where the Soviets had no Radar coverage. On December 6th, 1959 Robinson took off from Peshewar to overfly the Soviet Union & on February 5th 1960 McArthur also took off from Peshewar & filmed eight new TU-22 bombers at Kazam, which were given the NATO designation of "Blinder".
Last edited by VIProds; 29th Oct 2010 at 11:00.
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You ask about Martin Bee and Dick Cloke. After the Powers incident I was assigned to Edwards with Chunky Webster and Charles Taffy Taylor 1961 - 64 as a nav mission planner. I met Martin Bee and Basil Dodd when they arrived to take over from Chunky and Taffy. It was a very interesting tour as you can imagine.
If you Google Martin Bee you will find his life story on his old school website.
Also Google 'Looking back on the Dragon Lady' by a Brigadier and you will find a chapter written by Martin and one by Dick Cloke. I also met Dick Cloke before he went to Edwards and gave him some nav instruction as applied to the U2.
As far as I am aware Martin Bee and Harry Drew are the only surviving RAF U2 pilots at this moment.
If you Google Martin Bee you will find his life story on his old school website.
Also Google 'Looking back on the Dragon Lady' by a Brigadier and you will find a chapter written by Martin and one by Dick Cloke. I also met Dick Cloke before he went to Edwards and gave him some nav instruction as applied to the U2.
As far as I am aware Martin Bee and Harry Drew are the only surviving RAF U2 pilots at this moment.
IIRC, Dick Cloke was on Gnats, both he and Martin Bee were on Lightnings, as were Ian McBride and Ron Shimmons.
Ian McBride last heard of at Tarrant Rushton, and Ron Shimmons with AAIB. Any update on either?.
Ian McBride last heard of at Tarrant Rushton, and Ron Shimmons with AAIB. Any update on either?.
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Hi - Basil Dodd was working as an ops officer for the Civil Aviation Authority through the late 80s (at least); he casually mentioned having flown a U-2 one lunchtime which - back then - was the first I'd heard of it.
Maybe CAA's Human Remains department can possibly confirm if he's still with us and pass a message on?
Maybe CAA's Human Remains department can possibly confirm if he's still with us and pass a message on?
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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Glad to hear that Dick is alive and well. I will admit that it was hearsay he had died.
. Good to hear all fare well. My more 'beneficial' students on the Lightning OCU (IE I learnt more from them than they did from me - stands by for chorus.......)
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I contacted Dick last year to see if he would give a talk to our local ACA Branch. Either Whitehall were not happy, or our sumptuous menu was not up to scratch, as he had to decline.
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Basil Dodd AFC etps RIP
Norma Stitz (......) a lovely handle methinks .....
Ref your post #71 on the Coldwar RAF U-2 Pilots forum:
I spoke to the tp custodian of ETPS records at Boscombe Down last night.
He confirms that Basil W Dodd graduated on ETPS course 57 & flew many aircraft including the Lightning on 'A' Sqn in 1959 & 1960.
He also confirms that Basil died on 13 Feb 2000 at 70ish +.
RB
Ref your post #71 on the Coldwar RAF U-2 Pilots forum:
I spoke to the tp custodian of ETPS records at Boscombe Down last night.
He confirms that Basil W Dodd graduated on ETPS course 57 & flew many aircraft including the Lightning on 'A' Sqn in 1959 & 1960.
He also confirms that Basil died on 13 Feb 2000 at 70ish +.
RB
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Thanks for the links gusgale, it was really interesting reading about Martin Bee. following the Dragon lady link I also found an obituary about a retired USAF Major, Ed Mcgovern.
http://www.northshoreoflongisland.co...-McGovern.html
http://www.northshoreoflongisland.co...-McGovern.html