Gutersloh, Mid 70s

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'I don't know if it was ever used but, I helped design a unit crest which incorporated a Tornado into the Borgholzhausen town crest'.
Darwen, Yes it was used and the old main gate sign was donated, along with 735 RSU photo album, to the Air Defence Museum at Neatishead. My tour was 1987 - 1991 and sadly watched the AA7mk4's depart to the scrapyard and delivered the third to RNAF Soesterberg aviation museum.
Darwen, Yes it was used and the old main gate sign was donated, along with 735 RSU photo album, to the Air Defence Museum at Neatishead. My tour was 1987 - 1991 and sadly watched the AA7mk4's depart to the scrapyard and delivered the third to RNAF Soesterberg aviation museum.
Avoid imitations
Yes I remember the Green Gilberts but that's about it. Think Keith Holland led them. Probably 1977.
I think his was the third Harrier accident I attended (did this for a Jaguar one, too, just south of Gutersloh). Thankfully the rest of them got out alive.
Gentleman Aviator
You are right Shy - he was a top bloke.
Were not some thinly disguised similarities to his crash (ie, boss distracted with Admin triv) used in a Flight safety fillum a bit later on??
Were not some thinly disguised similarities to his crash (ie, boss distracted with Admin triv) used in a Flight safety fillum a bit later on??
Was that not a Javelin crew who had difficulty getting cash from the Accounts Flight at Akr?
CG

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Yes I remember the Green Gilberts but that's about it. Think Keith Holland led them. Probably 1977.
You are right Shy - he was a top bloke.
Were not some thinly disguised similarities to his crash (ie, boss distracted with Admin triv) used in a Flight safety fillum a bit later on??
Were not some thinly disguised similarities to his crash (ie, boss distracted with Admin triv) used in a Flight safety fillum a bit later on??
His accident was indeed a case study on the Flying Authorisers Course. I couldn't hide a small grin when JP announced we would be studying a Harrier Sqn Boss' accident during the week. I was sat next to an older Harrier Sqn Ldr who had been told he had to attend the course. After the welcome he sidled over to JP and whispered something in his ear. We never did do the case study although I would have been fine about it. I've read the accident report and it is sobering but nothing can be changed now. I'm just pleased that he was, by most accounts, a popular and witty pilot (rare for Harrier pilots, I know

The Harrier accident was used as a case study on my Flying Supervisor's Course.
The original FS film involved a Javelin crew returning to the UK to fly a replacement jet out east - and the frustrations faced by its crew at various stages of the trip. A trip which would seem like paradise today.
The remake involved a Jaguar Flt Cdr. Not as good as the original Javelin version, but it still made some good points.
The original FS film involved a Javelin crew returning to the UK to fly a replacement jet out east - and the frustrations faced by its crew at various stages of the trip. A trip which would seem like paradise today.
The remake involved a Jaguar Flt Cdr. Not as good as the original Javelin version, but it still made some good points.
Threeputt
With apologies, you made me chuckle
The make up department must have worked hard on prepping you for your role in the film as a fruit machine. What did they do, tie one arm behind your back and stand you in the corner?
Once again threeputt, I'm sorry but I've got tears rolling down my face and perhaps an overactive imagination
Akro
With apologies, you made me chuckle
The make up department must have worked hard on prepping you for your role in the film as a fruit machine. What did they do, tie one arm behind your back and stand you in the corner?
Once again threeputt, I'm sorry but I've got tears rolling down my face and perhaps an overactive imagination

Akro
Avoid imitations
A few weeks before Wg Cdr Holland's sad demise I recall him playing a tea chest double bass at a beer call, as part of a Harrier mates' band.
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Gutersloh Memories
Just 'happened' on this site - fantastic that people still remember their time at the Mighty Gut as some of the best of their lives.....you couldn't recreate that heady mix of hard work, screechers, nurses and wobbly!
Fresh from Catterick I was posted to 63 and sailed south on the 'SS' QE2 and in a later life came back as the Rock on 4 Sqn - and was honoured to be part of a great group of guys - most of whom I have failed miserably to stay in touch with....sorry....!!
I lived out at Harsewinkel for a while and had a flat beneath Mr and Mrs Cliffy.....then had a place on Bottom Patch near to Mark 'Rambo' Frith and the Gottlich's....! My brother in law was the Adj on 3 Sqn so it was a big family affair ....unfortunately my happy marriage didn't survive the rigours of RAF life....but I've made up for it since with a standard NATO - wife and 3 kids!
Happy days.......
Fresh from Catterick I was posted to 63 and sailed south on the 'SS' QE2 and in a later life came back as the Rock on 4 Sqn - and was honoured to be part of a great group of guys - most of whom I have failed miserably to stay in touch with....sorry....!!
I lived out at Harsewinkel for a while and had a flat beneath Mr and Mrs Cliffy.....then had a place on Bottom Patch near to Mark 'Rambo' Frith and the Gottlich's....! My brother in law was the Adj on 3 Sqn so it was a big family affair ....unfortunately my happy marriage didn't survive the rigours of RAF life....but I've made up for it since with a standard NATO - wife and 3 kids!
Happy days.......
I was at Wildenrath and Gutersloh with Keith Holland - a great guy his loss stunned us all.
Does anyone know the title of that Javelin FS film? I saw it too when I joined in '72 and remember how good it was.
Does anyone know the title of that Javelin FS film? I saw it too when I joined in '72 and remember how good it was.
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I was at Raynham with Keith, 66/67. I then followed on from him at the RAAF Staff College in Canberra - his was an impossibly hard act to follow. Terrific bloke, and one of many that didn't make the full term.
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Javelin flic
Mad bob is correct- the Javelin movie was called "frustration". It was excellent. RAF was light years ahead of the civvies in "Human Factors" training.

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I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Pete Stone briefly when we were both Air Cadets together. He was then the Senior Staff Cadet at 1AEF RAF Manston (the Boss then was S/L "Jonnie" Johnston) when he "assessed" my suitability to join the team ! I passed ! 
Even then he managed to persuade his then girl friend to wash and iron his uniform shirts for him as a cadet ! He'd also scrounged a complete Flying Clothing Card's worth of kit ... much of which was superior to that issued to the AEF pilots. Straight after gaining his Flying Scholarship I believe he did a trip across the North Sea in a single engined "puddle jumper" ... Yes ... he was most certainly a character and top bloke
Very sad day when I learn't of his demise in a Harrier T Bird accident in Germany 
His passion for a good night out probably started here with mates from 617 VGS and 1AEF...

In addition to the daring do's mentioned here ... legend has it that Pete took a Lightning super sonic, at below mast height, past a Rusian Trawler Earwigger down in the Med ... which, after the event, he regarded as a legitimate enemy intercept. Must have been interesting for them
Best...
Coff.

Even then he managed to persuade his then girl friend to wash and iron his uniform shirts for him as a cadet ! He'd also scrounged a complete Flying Clothing Card's worth of kit ... much of which was superior to that issued to the AEF pilots. Straight after gaining his Flying Scholarship I believe he did a trip across the North Sea in a single engined "puddle jumper" ... Yes ... he was most certainly a character and top bloke


His passion for a good night out probably started here with mates from 617 VGS and 1AEF...

In addition to the daring do's mentioned here ... legend has it that Pete took a Lightning super sonic, at below mast height, past a Rusian Trawler Earwigger down in the Med ... which, after the event, he regarded as a legitimate enemy intercept. Must have been interesting for them

Best...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 16th Dec 2012 at 07:21.