Gutersloh, Mid 70s
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Gutersloh, Mid 70s
An evening on Google and a lot of lateral thinking have both come up blank, so perhaps you nice folk can help. Gutersloh in the mid 1970s was home to a brace of Lightning squadrons, 19 and 92; to a Wessex squadron, 18; and to a RAF Regiment Squadron, 63(?). But down at the far end of the airfield with a radar transmitter sitting on top of a tower was a RAF unit that operated a mobile radar bombing range. Does anyone know the name/designation of the unit?
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I don't remember there being a mobile radar anywhere on the airfield, there was a TACAN at one end along with a disused radar, a small red thing (ACR-7?). This small radar was eventually moved up in front of the Ops block in the early 1990s. The AR-1 radar was set in concrete and never moved anywhere - more's the pity.
There was a very small radar bomb score unit based up on the Tuterberger Wald, I guess there were 'mobile' although they never seemed to move anywhere!! I can't remember what they were called and there's no mention of them that I can find in 'Flugplatz Gutersloh' the history of the station written by Gerry Lewis.
There was a very small radar bomb score unit based up on the Tuterberger Wald, I guess there were 'mobile' although they never seemed to move anywhere!! I can't remember what they were called and there's no mention of them that I can find in 'Flugplatz Gutersloh' the history of the station written by Gerry Lewis.
No.735 MBSRU (Mobile Bomb Scoring Radar Unit)
Loads of green trucks, trailers and things that rotated.............................
Loads of green trucks, trailers and things that rotated.............................
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Whilst not doubting pr00nes memory for one moment, the name 631 RSU (Radar Signals Unit) seems to ring a faint bell. In the 80's they lived on the ridge to the north of Gutersloh at Borgholzhausen (in an old Dutch Nike site). I went to visit them once or twice and sat in the radar vans as they played with German Tornado's over the Ruhr.
Edited to add - A quick look on LiveSearch shows the radar site on the hill amongst the trees to the west of Borgh. (looking a bit deserted now) and what looks like the storage area for the Nike's to the east of the village in a wood.
Edited to add - A quick look on LiveSearch shows the radar site on the hill amongst the trees to the west of Borgh. (looking a bit deserted now) and what looks like the storage area for the Nike's to the east of the village in a wood.
Last edited by Green Flash; 20th Dec 2007 at 23:33.
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Thanks guys: pr00ne has hit the nail on the head. 
My late father was 2i/c in the mid 70s and my inability to remember the name of the unit from under 30 years of subsequently acquired detritus when someone asked had been bugging me!
My late father was 2i/c in the mid 70s and my inability to remember the name of the unit from under 30 years of subsequently acquired detritus when someone asked had been bugging me!
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Really enjoyed my weeks visit to Gutersloh as an Air Cadet in 89. The Harrier squadrons, the explosives demo with the 200 mtrs of det cord, the rock apes, a dodgy amusement park etc. The Bombing range was one of the best, with a couple of Jags and a few Harriers doing their stuff on an old bus. Then came the ultimate, a brace of A-10's came in and worked over the bus a few times, when we were allowed out onto the range, we were gobsmacked at what was left i.e swiss fromage.
The Naafi that was over the road by the new sports gym, and a great Pizza van nearby. Then you have those crazy, funny little WW2 german officers and the fake falling beam made for Goering.
Was it a great base to work/live at or was it just rose coloured glasses worn by a snotty little space-cadet?
The Naafi that was over the road by the new sports gym, and a great Pizza van nearby. Then you have those crazy, funny little WW2 german officers and the fake falling beam made for Goering.
Was it a great base to work/live at or was it just rose coloured glasses worn by a snotty little space-cadet?
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I lived at Gutersloh from 88 to 93 as a scaley brat, loved every minute of it.
I worked on the Swo's gang in the summer of 89 and had such a laugh, eventually got caught driving the gliding club's beetles in one of our many attempts at skiving. There was always plenty to do in and around Gut, it was a shame when they handed it over to the pongos.
I worked on the Swo's gang in the summer of 89 and had such a laugh, eventually got caught driving the gliding club's beetles in one of our many attempts at skiving. There was always plenty to do in and around Gut, it was a shame when they handed it over to the pongos.
)
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I served at Gutersloh from Jan 1986 to Dec 1989. It was a great unit with excellent people. I even remember Santa arriving by 230 Sqn Puma at the Childrens Party! I was in Harrier Plans and I also did some logs support for the SH exercises with 18 Sqn and 230 Sqn. People worked hard but we did have such a great standard of living with the skiing in the winter, duty free allowances and really worthwhile jobs. The station had a great feeling of comradeship. I look back now and am sad to see such great stations handed over with the loss of the true aviation spirit.
ISTR that it was 26 Sqn RAF Regiment that arrived at Gutersloh in the early 70's with their Bofors guns - their numberplate may have changed after I left. At the time, the shiny Lightnings had two squadrons of glossy Hunters as companions and the stackers had their own full-size train set - Gutersloh was definitely a fun place to be.
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Yep did two tours at Gut. 67/70 on 92sqdn then 78/81 on VASF.
Lived in Gut town, Hamm, then in a farmhouse off the Blankenhagen road on first tour. A few of you out there will remember the shortage of housing late 60`s.
Second tour good old Speikergarten.
Anyone remember the sub-aqua club in the late 70`s. That cellar saw a few good times. Brilliant bunch of lads and lasses.
As a family we had a great time.
Lived in Gut town, Hamm, then in a farmhouse off the Blankenhagen road on first tour. A few of you out there will remember the shortage of housing late 60`s.
Second tour good old Speikergarten.
Anyone remember the sub-aqua club in the late 70`s. That cellar saw a few good times. Brilliant bunch of lads and lasses.
As a family we had a great time.
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26 Sqn RAF Regt were at Gutersloh from 1970 until they exchanged Sqn numbers with 58 Sqn at Laarbruch in 1976 when they re-equipped with Rapier, a role they will finally relinquish with Sqn disbandment on March 31st 2008.
63 Sqn (currently Queens Colour Sqn) were later based at Gutersloh and took part in the Falklands conflict.
63 Sqn (currently Queens Colour Sqn) were later based at Gutersloh and took part in the Falklands conflict.
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Dad was a post war Air Trafficker, having been a wartime Catalina pilot. He was posted to Gut in '53. One thing I remember was that as a Fg Off he was entitled to a four bedroomed, three store house with a live-in cleaner, a nanny and a gardener/handyman. Apparently he also had some form of booze allowance. Happy day's or what?
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Crikey I was at Gutersloh 1963 - 1965 as a Wireless Op with the Helicopter Control Squadron (HCS) we worked alongside 230 and then 18 Sqn. I even got married at RAF Gutersoh in 1965,( to the Sally Ann Captains daughter) in the PMUB church block, which eventually became accommodation for the Army Air Corps.
Only been back once since, in 1995 whilst I was serving at Rheindahlen, by then it was full of Army vehicles and was called Princess Royal Barracks!
Only been back once since, in 1995 whilst I was serving at Rheindahlen, by then it was full of Army vehicles and was called Princess Royal Barracks!