RAF Finningley AAITC
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Mentioning Andy M doesn't half get the grey cells going trying to remember all the rest of the gang.
Sadly I know we've lost Denis Wynne & Iain McMillan, but hopefully as wishywashy says hope you're all doing fine & dandy.
ww hope you've settled into them big lazy circles in the sky. Look after yourself matey
Sadly I know we've lost Denis Wynne & Iain McMillan, but hopefully as wishywashy says hope you're all doing fine & dandy.
ww hope you've settled into them big lazy circles in the sky. Look after yourself matey
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CG, Leaky and Konfused - I too was at Swinderby on 29 Aug 79 (Yes another jock) and Jimmy Rodgers was indeed on the same intake and flight. As I was under 17 at the time Jimmy R was, I think, tasked to keep an eye out for me so I would not get into trouble. It,s not true that he bought me beers in the Naafi or in Lincoln. Still speak to him often. 30 years service this year. Starting to get the hang of things now 
I think?
Like leaky, I too went the way of the techie until changing to aircrew in the early 90s.
Leaky and I have cross paths over the years too, both as techies and aircrew.
Happy Days
I think?Like leaky, I too went the way of the techie until changing to aircrew in the early 90s.
Leaky and I have cross paths over the years too, both as techies and aircrew.Happy Days
At the time I hated every moment of AAITC but with the benefit of 20 odd years worth of hindsight I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
Fond memories of one of the funniest double acts I've ever seen - Jake McQueen and Mal Aston - they must have had a team of scriptwriters for the block inspections.
I am proud to have been there and to have met all the people I met. As The Real Slim Shady said "It made you what you are today" and I can't think of another block of seven weeks out of my life that's had such an impact.
Now, Hoppy, we all know that you do.
Norman, we hadn't graduated, we were just about to do the spec phase flying and it was made abundantly clear to us by all concerned that our graduation was by no means a certainty at that point.
snapper41 - I remember visiting the SSA to sign out stuff from you on several occasions, hope you're keeping well.
My time at Finningley was one of the happiest times of my life, it's sad to see gatehouse and the main school have disappeared.
I'd like to see what todays AAITC is like.
Fond memories of one of the funniest double acts I've ever seen - Jake McQueen and Mal Aston - they must have had a team of scriptwriters for the block inspections.
I am proud to have been there and to have met all the people I met. As The Real Slim Shady said "It made you what you are today" and I can't think of another block of seven weeks out of my life that's had such an impact.
I really don't know what you mean!!
Just graduated course setting off the ITC fire alarms and running from the guards
snapper41 - I remember visiting the SSA to sign out stuff from you on several occasions, hope you're keeping well.
My time at Finningley was one of the happiest times of my life, it's sad to see gatehouse and the main school have disappeared.
I'd like to see what todays AAITC is like.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LIAONING
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http://www.liangdianup.com/subpages/airfitting_1.htm
Now that is a lot of brass air fittings there is just about every type of air fitting that you could want. Wholesale prices too. I guess these could be used as small water pipe fitting also. I
used some of the parts to make my babington wvo burner.
used some of the parts to make my babington wvo burner.
Anyone from 83 AAITC out there? (1978).
Hello "CG" - you big girls blouse! (All well?)
Visited Finningley a couple of years back and got a couple of pictures of the AAITC building, through the wire.
Lots of memories of AAITC, few happy, but struggled through!
lsh
Hello "CG" - you big girls blouse! (All well?)
Visited Finningley a couple of years back and got a couple of pictures of the AAITC building, through the wire.
Lots of memories of AAITC, few happy, but struggled through!
lsh
Join Date: Feb 2007
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sorry Ish, I'm joining the 91st ITC love fest - Kinloss Chapter
Brilliant days, although the course photo JR gave me doesn't reflect it. Shows a mix of apprehensive hairies and sprogs scowling into the camera with one or two faces crossed out for added interest.
Mick Evans and John Hoath can rest easy knowing they did a pretty good job with us apart from those who fell by the wayside to booze or commissioning!
Never felt the need to strangle chickens (esp in an MS10) but learnt a lot about womanhood from the fair maidens of Doncaster which has stood me in good stead these past 30 years.
wishy, good to see you're still around - my spies tell me you re maintaining your standards and have no excuse to fail the RAFFT - good skills buddy
you've come a long way from the Matchbox factory (little cars for little people!) That first night under the Vulcan wing was fun! Concerned about yr cruel and unusual punishment round the parade square, surely you must be able to claim compensashun for the mental anguish that caused you? It was a laugh for the rest of us though!
Happy days
Brilliant days, although the course photo JR gave me doesn't reflect it. Shows a mix of apprehensive hairies and sprogs scowling into the camera with one or two faces crossed out for added interest.
Mick Evans and John Hoath can rest easy knowing they did a pretty good job with us apart from those who fell by the wayside to booze or commissioning!
Never felt the need to strangle chickens (esp in an MS10) but learnt a lot about womanhood from the fair maidens of Doncaster which has stood me in good stead
these past 30 years.wishy, good to see you're still around - my spies tell me you re maintaining your standards and have no excuse to fail the RAFFT - good skills buddy
you've come a long way from the Matchbox factory (little cars for little people!) That first night under the Vulcan wing was fun! Concerned about yr cruel and unusual punishment round the parade square, surely you must be able to claim compensashun for the mental anguish that caused you? It was a laugh for the rest of us though! Happy days
Hello "CG" - you big girls blouse!
I'm ok mate, you?
CG
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Charlie Luncher
Lazy bugger
WB
Is it just me or does Hoppy not appear too industrious in the photos. He carried this trait throughout his time at ISK as I remember .
WB
Is it just me or does Hoppy not appear too industrious in the photos. He carried this trait throughout his time at ISK as I remember .
J.A.F.O:
How's it going mate? Might try and get over to see you this summer as things are starting to slack off for the first time in 5 years!
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Just come across this thread and recognise several of the 'players' in it, especially in the pictures of 146AAITC in the Dales (Though can't remember where it was) where I see myself in the group shot some 21 years younger, scary!!
Visited what remains of FYY a couple of years ago to find all the familiar buildings gone though the parking slots in the Parade square, that we spent that first weekend painting, were still visible.
The buildings may be gone but the memories will live on! Ten years have passed since I left, am still in touch with 'Baldric' but have lost touch with the other Eng's, would be good to catch up.
Visited what remains of FYY a couple of years ago to find all the familiar buildings gone though the parking slots in the Parade square, that we spent that first weekend painting, were still visible.
The buildings may be gone but the memories will live on! Ten years have passed since I left, am still in touch with 'Baldric' but have lost touch with the other Eng's, would be good to catch up.
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
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Boe
It wasn't far from Grassington often thought about going out that way for a weekend but I have never been back to that area since then. Some of the pictures particularly of me, were taken in Grassington Village Hall were we were billeted for the weekend.
I along with the other two in the kitchen were OIC's catering. A cushy job that weekend, but we also got lumbered for it when we did the Dales hill stuff and had to cater and sleep in the back of the four tonner! Not much fun then!
TG
It wasn't far from Grassington often thought about going out that way for a weekend but I have never been back to that area since then. Some of the pictures particularly of me, were taken in Grassington Village Hall were we were billeted for the weekend.
I along with the other two in the kitchen were OIC's catering. A cushy job that weekend, but we also got lumbered for it when we did the Dales hill stuff and had to cater and sleep in the back of the four tonner! Not much fun then!
TG
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Topcliffe 72
Interesting reading everybodies memories of the AAITC. I was on 45 Course at Topclffe during 72/73 and had many happy memories of the times I shared with the other guys and girls. We had an instructor called Flt Lt Townley (if memory serves me right), he taught us electronics and if you didn't fancy learning about the transmitter chain of the STR18, then we would mention we had seen a steam train passing through Thirsk. That was it, lesson abandoned and off he would go on his favourite subject, Flying Scotsman, Mallard etc. Surprised the guy survived from having a heart attack after one student on our course decided it would be a laugh to clap his hands together when poor old Townley was connecting a scope across the transmitter
The course commander was a guy called Ray Brown, who I found was a real decent fellow, ex Victor AEO. I remember doing our trek across the Yorkshire Hills in February with snow all around us. The weather was so bad we had to go to Catterick to pick up an Army radio, so we could check in every couple of hours, weighed a ton, six foot antenna, and we took turns carrying it. I will never forget the sight of Ray Brown appearing over some hill on skis, skiing down to us, throwing us some sweets, telling us he wanted more effort, and then skiing off into the distance. Other memories included Dougie Wheatland and myself dragging the ground power unit upto the Varsity, only to be told by our instructor Tom Blezzard that we might find it easier if we took the brake off (god bless you Tom). I have totally lost track of the loadies that were on our course, but still have contact with a few of the AEOps, but if anybody was around from that era, then it would be great to hear from them. Does anybody have any gen on what Ray Brown did after Topcliffe closed, he used to entertain us at Hag Dike with his guitar playing, perhaps he took up busking????
The course commander was a guy called Ray Brown, who I found was a real decent fellow, ex Victor AEO. I remember doing our trek across the Yorkshire Hills in February with snow all around us. The weather was so bad we had to go to Catterick to pick up an Army radio, so we could check in every couple of hours, weighed a ton, six foot antenna, and we took turns carrying it. I will never forget the sight of Ray Brown appearing over some hill on skis, skiing down to us, throwing us some sweets, telling us he wanted more effort, and then skiing off into the distance. Other memories included Dougie Wheatland and myself dragging the ground power unit upto the Varsity, only to be told by our instructor Tom Blezzard that we might find it easier if we took the brake off (god bless you Tom). I have totally lost track of the loadies that were on our course, but still have contact with a few of the AEOps, but if anybody was around from that era, then it would be great to hear from them. Does anybody have any gen on what Ray Brown did after Topcliffe closed, he used to entertain us at Hag Dike with his guitar playing, perhaps he took up busking????
Hi CG!
one of my favourites was to hold a conversation whilst walking under the tailboom JUST aft of the DME aerial - you either had to duck or ......!
Mick Evans turned up on 33 some years later.
"Eddie East" was the Master.
FS Hoath, as mentioned. Never got to know him, only there 6 weeks!
"There's none so fair as can compare with the boys of 83"
lsh
one of my favourites was to hold a conversation whilst walking under the tailboom JUST aft of the DME aerial - you either had to duck or ......!
Mick Evans turned up on 33 some years later.
"Eddie East" was the Master.
FS Hoath, as mentioned. Never got to know him, only there 6 weeks!
"There's none so fair as can compare with the boys of 83"
lsh
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MALM East -
you'd collapse (gasping) at Hag Dyke, uttering short phrases laden with horror to describe the epic, day long trek through uncharted wastes that came close to wiping your entire course out... and the Flt Cdr would inform you that MALM East had run round the course during the preceding night to check it out, perhaps with a rucksack full of anvils and an eyepatch to make it a bit more challenging....in a little over an hour and a half.
(Why is it, incidentally, that it's always the biggest and most confident individual with the poorest map reading skills who gets to read the map?)
you'd collapse (gasping) at Hag Dyke, uttering short phrases laden with horror to describe the epic, day long trek through uncharted wastes that came close to wiping your entire course out... and the Flt Cdr would inform you that MALM East had run round the course during the preceding night to check it out, perhaps with a rucksack full of anvils and an eyepatch to make it a bit more challenging....in a little over an hour and a half.
(Why is it, incidentally, that it's always the biggest and most confident individual with the poorest map reading skills who gets to read the map?)
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There was an ex Yorkshire Miner Eng Student on our course who really stood out from the crowd as a leader. Always willing to put himself before others and very enertaining without an ego. Probably the only person to do a 15 minute talk on changing tappets, bringing his own car engine into the classroom to use as a prop, oil and all. Even Lazz and Reves lost their cool and cracked up during that particular talk.
Conversly, it was noticeable that one or two other individuals became quiet and self contained on the hills putting very little into the team effort. Miraculously, they always seemed to come out of their shell in a big way when the DS were around watching and when it was their turn to lead. Two I can think of went to cranners and came back as AEO's.
Conversly, it was noticeable that one or two other individuals became quiet and self contained on the hills putting very little into the team effort. Miraculously, they always seemed to come out of their shell in a big way when the DS were around watching and when it was their turn to lead. Two I can think of went to cranners and came back as AEO's.