Ark Royal traps
The Knowledge
To answer your query Barnstormer, there are more around than you will think who can give a yarn about landing on a pitching deck in total blackness - going back as far as Sea Venoms in the early 60's, right up to the huge F4.
Most of them are the old guys now, but the memories are still sharp. The stories get better each time I hear them. I was not there, but the old man was and they did indeed sound like great days.
So good to see the FAA being spoken about in the year 100, 'bout time too.
Cracking footage and one of the guys shown early on is Hugh Drake, an Observer. Retired as a Captain and can tell some good tales about sitting in the Coal Hole of a Sea Vixen approaching said deck in that blackness. That is when you needed faith in the driver!
More of this on Youtube by the way.
Most of them are the old guys now, but the memories are still sharp. The stories get better each time I hear them. I was not there, but the old man was and they did indeed sound like great days.
So good to see the FAA being spoken about in the year 100, 'bout time too.
Cracking footage and one of the guys shown early on is Hugh Drake, an Observer. Retired as a Captain and can tell some good tales about sitting in the Coal Hole of a Sea Vixen approaching said deck in that blackness. That is when you needed faith in the driver!
More of this on Youtube by the way.
The ex-Bucc driver you mention was the guy who had trouble getting on deck when making his first ever approach to the Ark.
By all accounts he didn't have the best of relationships with OC 809 (K S-J) from there on
By all accounts he didn't have the best of relationships with OC 809 (K S-J) from there on
S J wasnt loved by many of the ground crew as well !!!!
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I wonder if the Falkland Islands would be quite so well known if we had had that little lot sailing around in '82.
I wonder if the Argentinians will be quite so robust in their future complaints (that they are owed a few hectars of land) if QE and PW are soon available for oversea visits.
I wonder if the Argentinians will be quite so robust in their future complaints (that they are owed a few hectars of land) if QE and PW are soon available for oversea visits.
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I supported an 809/892/849 cross deck with the 'Windy Indy' in the mid 70's in the Caribbean ( aaaaahhh ) and watched a certain Flt Lt J.B. do about 6 bolters to the Indy deck before diverting back to Ark. He always was a grumpy b****r but after that he was even more so.
AM was our CO ( great bloke) as the original CO - (MB ) had returned to UK with 2 x broken ankles after ejecting from a double hyds emergency diversion to Roosy Roads - The OBS in the back stayed with it and was OK - trying to remember the OBS concerned.
AM was our CO ( great bloke) as the original CO - (MB ) had returned to UK with 2 x broken ankles after ejecting from a double hyds emergency diversion to Roosy Roads - The OBS in the back stayed with it and was OK - trying to remember the OBS concerned.
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tarantonight
Hi.
After reading your reply, I had to go back and re visit what I had typed.
I'm not sure if you saw my comment as negative in any way, and if so I apologise, as it was not meant it that way at all and was only a question.
From memory, I think I was thinking more along the lines of aircrew who had done recent exchanges etc.
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As for the pics of the mini moke.........What a top car
You lucky devil. I would love one, but it seems that the only good ones in my budget range are rerpo's. The closest I get to driving one is watching the DVD film "catch us if you can" by the Dave Clark five.
After reading your reply, I had to go back and re visit what I had typed.
I'm not sure if you saw my comment as negative in any way, and if so I apologise, as it was not meant it that way at all and was only a question.
From memory, I think I was thinking more along the lines of aircrew who had done recent exchanges etc.
............................................................ .............................................
As for the pics of the mini moke.........What a top car
You lucky devil. I would love one, but it seems that the only good ones in my budget range are rerpo's. The closest I get to driving one is watching the DVD film "catch us if you can" by the Dave Clark five.
barnstormer1968
BS,
No worries,
Did not take your query in any other way other than a general question. Am not sure of your history / knowledge hence the reply.
No offence taken I can assure you.
I believe there is at least 1 FAA guy currently on an F18 exchange.
Regards,
TN.
No worries,
Did not take your query in any other way other than a general question. Am not sure of your history / knowledge hence the reply.
No offence taken I can assure you.
I believe there is at least 1 FAA guy currently on an F18 exchange.
Regards,
TN.
