The oldest operational RAF Aircraft not type but actual Aircraft?
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Oldest RAF Pilot / Aircrew?
I know this might be thread drift - but apart from AEF's and ATC Gliding Schools - what's the age of the oldest RAF aircrew? 39 Sqn probably holds the record with some of its Canberra spec aircrew who were still operational 
in their late 50's....
The Herk fleet also had some old timers, I remember a senior Master Pilot (remember them?) in the sim who claimed to have made a few "car parks" (sic no buildings) in Berlin when flying Lancasters in 1945. He didn't retire until 1981. He'd have been close to 60 when he left.
in their late 50's....The Herk fleet also had some old timers, I remember a senior Master Pilot (remember them?) in the sim who claimed to have made a few "car parks" (sic no buildings) in Berlin when flying Lancasters in 1945. He didn't retire until 1981. He'd have been close to 60 when he left.
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Most of the aircraft I flew in were less than 25 yrs old when I flew in them:
Anson - 18, :Lancaster (yes that one) 23, Lightning 5, Canberra 14, Vulcan 1 8, Vulcan 2 (wet paint), F4 (wet paint), Nimrod 4, Shackleton 24, E3 (wet paint)
Even the Varsity was only 7, Hastings 15 and Dominie (wet paint), Meteor 8.
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Wader 2
You'll now even boast about your cockpits having a "new car" smell I expect. My recollections were smells of oil and hydraulics, and in the Chippie, the last stude's breakfast!!
MB
You'll now even boast about your cockpits having a "new car" smell I expect. My recollections were smells of oil and hydraulics, and in the Chippie, the last stude's breakfast!!
MB
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Not quite on topic but in 2001(ish) we had a DC3 (C47) flying during the winter JMC. It was testing new radar gear for the "New" Nimrod. Funily enough it had 100% sevicability whilst the mighty munchers were on task as often as they usually are. OK, OK I lied a bit it, was a "turbo" DC3 with a pair of PT6s for engines but still a very old aeroplane. 
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I know this might be thread drift - but apart from AEF's and ATC Gliding Schools - what's the age of the oldest RAF aircrew? 39 Sqn probably holds the record with some of its Canberra spec aircrew who were still operational in their late 50's....
Although a slight drift, Sqn Ldr Terry C (Canberra pilot) was in his 60s when 39 Sqn disbanded.
in their late 50's....Although a slight drift, Sqn Ldr Terry C (Canberra pilot) was in his 60s when 39 Sqn disbanded.
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quote:
At risk of being told off again, until 2 years ago the answer would probably have been 39 Sqn's Canberras. Some of those airframes had, I believe, been in operational service with the RAF for over 50 years. Since their disbandment, the aircraft have been privately commercially operated and have been leased back by the RAF for certain tasks.
Two of these pr9's are sat at Kemble and have been since they retired. One will definately not fly again, the other I'm not sure about, they still engine run her.
At risk of being told off again, until 2 years ago the answer would probably have been 39 Sqn's Canberras. Some of those airframes had, I believe, been in operational service with the RAF for over 50 years. Since their disbandment, the aircraft have been privately commercially operated and have been leased back by the RAF for certain tasks.
Two of these pr9's are sat at Kemble and have been since they retired. One will definately not fly again, the other I'm not sure about, they still engine run her.
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Jacko wrote:
There is, of course, only one Open Skies Andover. The other 2 operated by Quintycue are not adapted for OS use.
Sadly, all 3 of the Andovers are currently grounded following an incident with one of the non-OS Andovers in which a main oleo failed, writing-off the prop and, I suspect, the engine.
These ac are so old that RR won't even service the engines - they have to go to New Zealand for servicing, whilst the props go to Canada I am told. When I last looked, there was some graffiti on the wall of the 'toilet', it said:
XS596 Open Skies
XS606 ETPS
XS646 QQ (was RAE)
STH
It'll be an Open Skies Andover, mark my words!
Sadly, all 3 of the Andovers are currently grounded following an incident with one of the non-OS Andovers in which a main oleo failed, writing-off the prop and, I suspect, the engine.
These ac are so old that RR won't even service the engines - they have to go to New Zealand for servicing, whilst the props go to Canada I am told. When I last looked, there was some graffiti on the wall of the 'toilet', it said:
"Pontious was 'ere!"
Boscombe Andovers:XS596 Open Skies
XS606 ETPS
XS646 QQ (was RAE)
STH
Last edited by SirToppamHat; 18th Mar 2008 at 21:34.
I remember a series about RAF pilots in the very early 80's, when they claimed one of the instructors had flown Spitfires on operations. He must have been 50ish at least.
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The 2 Northolt Islanders are not that old.
ZF573 was used for trials from the late eighties until delivery to Northolt around 1993 and the other one,ZH536 was delivered to Northolt in late 1991 from the manufacturer.
Both are turbo props.
ZF573 was used for trials from the late eighties until delivery to Northolt around 1993 and the other one,ZH536 was delivered to Northolt in late 1991 from the manufacturer.
Both are turbo props.
Oldish??
Madbob
There was an AEO on the Nimrod force who was 57 when he retired a year or so ago? There must be one or two catching up with him now.
The Ancient Mariner
There was an AEO on the Nimrod force who was 57 when he retired a year or so ago? There must be one or two catching up with him now.
The Ancient Mariner
Last edited by Rossian; 18th Mar 2008 at 22:02. Reason: forgot address
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I read an article in RAF news a few months ago about an A1 Linton QFI called Pete (Something) retiring. He was 63 and still a full-time RAF pilot, not FTRS. Apparently, his contract had been extended on account of his exceptional experience. Also, I'm not certain, but I think Lyneham Staneval has one pilot who is over 60?
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guys lets keep it to RAF Aircraft not ones that are operated by civie or mod companies.
such as test aircraft
FRA jets
or any at empire test pilot school or Boscombe down.
or The BBMF they are a display aircraft and the chippies are used to train the display pilots.
just want to know what the oldest airframe out there is and where it is.
within the true RAF and they must still be in service so no canberras.
cheers?
such as test aircraft
FRA jets
or any at empire test pilot school or Boscombe down.
or The BBMF they are a display aircraft and the chippies are used to train the display pilots.
just want to know what the oldest airframe out there is and where it is.
within the true RAF and they must still be in service so no canberras.
cheers?
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Pete Howlett
Got him for my JP3 FHT at Linton. 1 hr 30 mins. 1 radar recovery and 4 rollers and a full stop! Must have had full tips
. Saw me off to FY onto Gp 2 Jetstreams.
.
. Saw me off to FY onto Gp 2 Jetstreams..
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A couple of Captains of the Queen's Flight would surely win the oldest aircrew actively flying at that time - they were on the crew list, on the imprest, Gen Decs, etc. They didn't actually fly the aircraft, but...they were the most fantastic people to converse with, and an absolute advertisement for the RAF.
Sir Archie Winskill flew Spits in the BoB, 603 Sqn, I believe...retired 1980's
Sir John Severne joined 1949 (??) retired 1989.
One Andover pilot retired aged 60, with the aircraft. Another top chap.
Sir Archie Winskill flew Spits in the BoB, 603 Sqn, I believe...retired 1980's
Sir John Severne joined 1949 (??) retired 1989.
One Andover pilot retired aged 60, with the aircraft. Another top chap.