OK, what's changed?
Thread Starter
OK, what's changed?
It doesn't take the brains of an Archbishop or the observational skills of Sherlock Holmes to work out that I'm due back in the UK shortly after just over 3 years away. I've read plenty on this thread (plus Rotorheads and JB) about the effects on service life of contractorisation and the like. When I left, phones worked and numbers could be looked up. People on units (like ours) that worked 7 days a week 52 weeks a year could fill in a leave form that didn't need a specialist adminner to decode. TV was getting bad, but hadn't sunk as low as Big Brother or that one that talks about Weakest Links. Number plates changed once a year. Going on an exercise with a spot of sunshine involved was generally something to look forward to.
What else will I notice that's different when I get back?
What else will I notice that's different when I get back?
Thread Starter
Murph,
BFR (Blinding Flash of Recognition) - many thanks. However, I've always been assured that it's quality, not quantity, that really counts. Ta though.
BFR (Blinding Flash of Recognition) - many thanks. However, I've always been assured that it's quality, not quantity, that really counts. Ta though.
Yes, Him
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T&B
1]King & Barnes brewery in Horsham has closed down and all of its pubs in Sussex are now run by Hall & Woodhouse so you can get your local brews up here now;
2]I guess that the price of petrol will make you blink;
3] But it'd be more interesting to hear what differences that you note after a three-stretch out of the Blairdom.
Cheers and Welcome home.
Gainesy
1]King & Barnes brewery in Horsham has closed down and all of its pubs in Sussex are now run by Hall & Woodhouse so you can get your local brews up here now;
2]I guess that the price of petrol will make you blink;
3] But it'd be more interesting to hear what differences that you note after a three-stretch out of the Blairdom.
Cheers and Welcome home.
Gainesy
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T&B
I note that you are a fellow Devonian. The service provided by (First)God's Wonderful Railway from Plymouth/Totnes/Exeter to Paddington is now a terminal shambles. And the fault oscillates between Railtrack and GWR.
I note that you are a fellow Devonian. The service provided by (First)God's Wonderful Railway from Plymouth/Totnes/Exeter to Paddington is now a terminal shambles. And the fault oscillates between Railtrack and GWR.
FV - you probably remember when God's Wonderful Railway was hauled by Castles and Kings and the carriages were chocolate and cream!!
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BEagle
Oh yes! And I used, as a small boy, to stand on the footbridge at Arlsey (Beds) while the Mallard and the Jubilee Express thundered through trying for the world's speed record in steam. Seven foot drivers turning over at 400 rpm - that was something!
Oh yes! And I used, as a small boy, to stand on the footbridge at Arlsey (Beds) while the Mallard and the Jubilee Express thundered through trying for the world's speed record in steam. Seven foot drivers turning over at 400 rpm - that was something!
FV - whilst many people take the pi$$ out of trainspotters these days, that's not surprising given the boring things that occasionally struggle along the remains of our railways.
But back then, the sight and sound of one of those big steam locomotives belting along was pretty darn impressive! Plus you only had to find a bridge anywhere in the country and wait a few minutes and some fire-breathing monster would come along! It wasn't counting numbers which people did then - they just enjoyed the sound and fury!
Liked the story told to me by an ancient aviator - during flying training they used to formate on the cabs of fast trains during solo GH sessions. However, on one occasion the fireman lobbed a chunk of finest steam coal at him and he had a helluva job explaining why he had a lump of coal wedged between the bottom pots of his engine after he landed!!
[ 04 September 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]
But back then, the sight and sound of one of those big steam locomotives belting along was pretty darn impressive! Plus you only had to find a bridge anywhere in the country and wait a few minutes and some fire-breathing monster would come along! It wasn't counting numbers which people did then - they just enjoyed the sound and fury!
Liked the story told to me by an ancient aviator - during flying training they used to formate on the cabs of fast trains during solo GH sessions. However, on one occasion the fireman lobbed a chunk of finest steam coal at him and he had a helluva job explaining why he had a lump of coal wedged between the bottom pots of his engine after he landed!!
[ 04 September 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]
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Beagle: a brief digression you may have heard of.
Some years back a Vulcan was wandering round the south island of NZ on a scenic and came across the Kingston Flyer.
This was, and still is, the only surviving steam train in NZ still doing a regular run, and a lovely example it is to.
The Vulcan crew decided to take a photo and after several attempts at fairly low level managed to get the required picture.
Later that day at Ohakea a telegram arrived from the Kingston Flyer engine driver, "you are quite beautiful,......... and there is a fly spot on your left wing" !
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: henry crun ]
Some years back a Vulcan was wandering round the south island of NZ on a scenic and came across the Kingston Flyer.
This was, and still is, the only surviving steam train in NZ still doing a regular run, and a lovely example it is to.
The Vulcan crew decided to take a photo and after several attempts at fairly low level managed to get the required picture.
Later that day at Ohakea a telegram arrived from the Kingston Flyer engine driver, "you are quite beautiful,......... and there is a fly spot on your left wing" !
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: henry crun ]
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Henry Crun
Was that the Vulcan that wiped its gear off at Wellington (Rongotai) by touching short? And then had to skulk off to belly-in at Ohakea? If so, I knew the drivers well. It could not have happened to a nicer pair of chaps! :o
Was that the Vulcan that wiped its gear off at Wellington (Rongotai) by touching short? And then had to skulk off to belly-in at Ohakea? If so, I knew the drivers well. It could not have happened to a nicer pair of chaps! :o
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BEagle
In those days the railways were a source of national pride, and you didn't need to be a "spotty" to watch the speed record attempts. I was a child of the "Raj" and at age 6 was at a little boarding pre-prep school for such children at Arlesey. Speed record attempts were well advertised in the national press and "The Colonel" used to march us down - boys and girls - in crocodile to watch them and wave our union jacks. The thunder, the smoke and steam, the mighty conrods reciprocating so fast you could hardly see them, and the scream of the whistle dopplering away into the distance left an indelible impression. Alas, I don't think Arlesy station exists now (Beeching got it!). And the pleasant country house that was the school has been replaced by an estate of "breeding boxes".
Leading the EUAS Chippies back from summer camp in the South to Turnhouse in the '60s, bucking a stiff NW wind, we were overhauled near York by the Scotsman; but those were Deltic days.
Henry Crun
NZ Railways in the '40s had a very pretty class of Pacifics (KAs?)which hauled the Auckland and Wellington Limiteds. They had a mellow twin-note whistle. I wonder if any of them survive?
Perhaps we ought to get back to aviation!
In those days the railways were a source of national pride, and you didn't need to be a "spotty" to watch the speed record attempts. I was a child of the "Raj" and at age 6 was at a little boarding pre-prep school for such children at Arlesey. Speed record attempts were well advertised in the national press and "The Colonel" used to march us down - boys and girls - in crocodile to watch them and wave our union jacks. The thunder, the smoke and steam, the mighty conrods reciprocating so fast you could hardly see them, and the scream of the whistle dopplering away into the distance left an indelible impression. Alas, I don't think Arlesy station exists now (Beeching got it!). And the pleasant country house that was the school has been replaced by an estate of "breeding boxes".
Leading the EUAS Chippies back from summer camp in the South to Turnhouse in the '60s, bucking a stiff NW wind, we were overhauled near York by the Scotsman; but those were Deltic days.
Henry Crun
NZ Railways in the '40s had a very pretty class of Pacifics (KAs?)which hauled the Auckland and Wellington Limiteds. They had a mellow twin-note whistle. I wonder if any of them survive?
Perhaps we ought to get back to aviation!
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FV: the "fly spot" episode was after Rongotai.
A sequel to the Rongotai accident you may not know of is that the crew sent out to take the a/c back damn near did the same thing at Ohakea. During a test flight prior to returning to UK they did a roller on 33 at Ohakea and left rubber on the stones just short of the runway lip !.
There are still several KAa's lovingly preserved by museums. To the delight of the enthusiasts they are allowed to venture on the main trunk line occasionally.
A sequel to the Rongotai accident you may not know of is that the crew sent out to take the a/c back damn near did the same thing at Ohakea. During a test flight prior to returning to UK they did a roller on 33 at Ohakea and left rubber on the stones just short of the runway lip !.
There are still several KAa's lovingly preserved by museums. To the delight of the enthusiasts they are allowed to venture on the main trunk line occasionally.
Not in the same league as you watching A4 Pacifics belting along the main line, but when I was in the First Form at my prep school, our 'nature walks' always used to coincide with the hissing and clanking of the 'Chard Snail' as it made its leisurely progress along the local branch line and we waved happily at the driver and fireman. Funny how the sun always shone in those days! Bit of a shame that we 'railway children' didn't have a Jenny Agutter to lust after at the time though.....
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Sorry, I know this doesn't belong in this thread but-----!
The Vulcan at Wellington Airport was doing a touch-and -go, but sank short of the runway and severely damaged the port undercarriage. The port wing tip then actually scraped along the runway before the wing was lifted and massive power applied. It was a superb example of brute force and supreme flying skill well desreved of the AFC awarded to the pilot.A Wing Commander?(An RNZAF Sunderland scraped the runway on the same day)
His day was not over however, because he had to land at RNZAF Station Ohakea,90 miles north, on one leg, with a full crew, all of whom had refused to leave the aircraft(though it may have been a bad choice to do so). The canopy was jettisoned and the aircraft successfully landed with surprisingly little damage. It was repaired at Ohakea over a period of some months, and flew back to the UK wearing RNZAF roundels! The crash fire section at Ohakea still carries a photo of the landing,(along with some other remarkable pics).
Incidentally, I witnessed the departure of last ever visit of a Vulcan to OH,(flown by a Flt Lt Hall?) who took off on 09, and turned starboard to come back toward the tower. Straight and level, I swear I was looking down the intakes. Ah, sweet memories!
[ 06 September 2001: Message edited by: Samuel ]
The Vulcan at Wellington Airport was doing a touch-and -go, but sank short of the runway and severely damaged the port undercarriage. The port wing tip then actually scraped along the runway before the wing was lifted and massive power applied. It was a superb example of brute force and supreme flying skill well desreved of the AFC awarded to the pilot.A Wing Commander?(An RNZAF Sunderland scraped the runway on the same day)
His day was not over however, because he had to land at RNZAF Station Ohakea,90 miles north, on one leg, with a full crew, all of whom had refused to leave the aircraft(though it may have been a bad choice to do so). The canopy was jettisoned and the aircraft successfully landed with surprisingly little damage. It was repaired at Ohakea over a period of some months, and flew back to the UK wearing RNZAF roundels! The crash fire section at Ohakea still carries a photo of the landing,(along with some other remarkable pics).
Incidentally, I witnessed the departure of last ever visit of a Vulcan to OH,(flown by a Flt Lt Hall?) who took off on 09, and turned starboard to come back toward the tower. Straight and level, I swear I was looking down the intakes. Ah, sweet memories!
[ 06 September 2001: Message edited by: Samuel ]
Thread Starter
Samuel,
No need to apologise - after all, I started the thread and, although I've had very few replies 'on target' it's made me smile to see where it can lead people.
Also off-topic, I had my last last Military flight today. Twenty five years after first strapping a JP3A to my back, I was given the privilege of taking a B212 for GH and a Stds check around the hills of Temburong to enjoy a haze-free day. I've had more fun over those 2.5 decades/8008 mil fg hours (no autopilot) than a human being is normally allocated in a lifetime - my thanks to all who've made it possible.
See you at Helitech - I'm still the short ugly one with 'Jobseeker' on the badge...
Cheers,
Thud
No need to apologise - after all, I started the thread and, although I've had very few replies 'on target' it's made me smile to see where it can lead people.
Also off-topic, I had my last last Military flight today. Twenty five years after first strapping a JP3A to my back, I was given the privilege of taking a B212 for GH and a Stds check around the hills of Temburong to enjoy a haze-free day. I've had more fun over those 2.5 decades/8008 mil fg hours (no autopilot) than a human being is normally allocated in a lifetime - my thanks to all who've made it possible.
See you at Helitech - I'm still the short ugly one with 'Jobseeker' on the badge...
Cheers,
Thud
Gresley A4 "Pacifics", the smell of hot oil and coal smoke, tales of derring do with the Avro Tin Triangle and - fwoaaaaaargh - the lust for Jenny Agutter this is definitely the thread for me!
Who gives a $hit what has changed? Just keep the anecdotes coming boys. Lets have some tales about the harmonious Hunter, the lushious Lightning, the Blackburn Banana, Casles, Kings, Jubilees, Coronations and other glorious British products like Kate Winslet and......dribble, dribble, dribble.
Who gives a $hit what has changed? Just keep the anecdotes coming boys. Lets have some tales about the harmonious Hunter, the lushious Lightning, the Blackburn Banana, Casles, Kings, Jubilees, Coronations and other glorious British products like Kate Winslet and......dribble, dribble, dribble.
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Well, as you lot have strayed off topic, hopefully you will allow me to ask a question.
I was at the Shoreham Airshow last Saturday (CAVOK, +68F – perfect day for it). One of the most impressive displays was from a Hunter painted in a really leary colour scheme. I could only hear part of the commentry, but I thought ‘late model’ and ‘bigger engine’ was mentioned. It certainly flew like no Hunter I’ve seen before – is this an airshow special or in the same spec as when it was in service? Must have been a lot of fun to fly.
I was at the Shoreham Airshow last Saturday (CAVOK, +68F – perfect day for it). One of the most impressive displays was from a Hunter painted in a really leary colour scheme. I could only hear part of the commentry, but I thought ‘late model’ and ‘bigger engine’ was mentioned. It certainly flew like no Hunter I’ve seen before – is this an airshow special or in the same spec as when it was in service? Must have been a lot of fun to fly.
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As someone has pointed out, there are still a couple of those mighty KA's available for special outings, like the sponsored Daffodil Express this weekend for Child Cancer. I'm usually a starter, but the delightful aspect of riding behind something like that is the smiles on everyone's faces, from grandkids to grandparents.They all love the experience; and when did you last see a sign telling you "Expectoration is Forbidden".
Mond you, I also have an occasional ride in a Boeing Stearman, for which I'm happy to pay.
Mond you, I also have an occasional ride in a Boeing Stearman, for which I'm happy to pay.