BEAGLE HUSKY - XW635 - Ex-5 AEF -Where is she now
In reality, it was a 2+2 in the way classic British sports cars were. Three adults or two adults and two kids. IIRC, G-AWSW had a bench seat which could accommodate two light people, but W and B considerations were in force. But it's 17 years since I flew her.
Somewhere in my home archives I've a picture of her when she was first dekeivered to 5 AEF - in a blue and white scheme. She was then called 'Sprirt of Butlins' as Billy Butlin won it in a raffle, and Hughie Green suggested he pass it on the the ATC.
I only flew in it once as a cadet, and can confirm that it flew with two "little 'uns" in the back. I was a bit bigger and was allowed in the front where my amateurish pudding stirring made the two in the back fill their blue bags with re-cycled opizza.....
Hughie Green did indeed get bounced in the Berlin corridor in the 1960's. I remember reading about it in the RAF Flying Review (who else remembers that one??) It seems that the clearances weren't all in order before they went. After dodging Migs and Yaks for a while they made a break for Berlin, which was when the Migs opened up on them.
This was before he hosted Opportunity Knocks - had that show been on air at the time they might have hosed him down earlier......
I only flew in it once as a cadet, and can confirm that it flew with two "little 'uns" in the back. I was a bit bigger and was allowed in the front where my amateurish pudding stirring made the two in the back fill their blue bags with re-cycled opizza.....
Hughie Green did indeed get bounced in the Berlin corridor in the 1960's. I remember reading about it in the RAF Flying Review (who else remembers that one??) It seems that the clearances weren't all in order before they went. After dodging Migs and Yaks for a while they made a break for Berlin, which was when the Migs opened up on them.
This was before he hosted Opportunity Knocks - had that show been on air at the time they might have hosed him down earlier......
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Bob ...
This from the Auster Heritage Group ... is this the Blue & White scheme you mentioned ?
G-AWSW D5 180 XW635
Kind regards ...
Coff.
This from the Auster Heritage Group ... is this the Blue & White scheme you mentioned ?
G-AWSW D5 180 XW635
Kind regards ...
Coff.
Coff,
That's the lady - although my picture is slightly different. She's lined up parallel to the old hangers at Marshall's close to the corner where the flight line office used to be.
Happy memories of a mis-spent youth back in the 1960's!
Happy memories of a mis-spent youth back in the 1960's!
Hughie Green vs the MiGs story is discussed in this link. One of the posters there, Roger Smith, looked up an article in 'Flying Review'.
Written by C. J. Luxton who was one of the three occupants of Cessna 310 "Oscar Kilo" - HG was pilot, CJL co-pilot (operating the radio) and the third person was Jim Preston a journalist. HG was travelling to do a show for the Services.
They were flying from Stuttgart to Gatow via Frankfurt at 9,500ft cruising at 200mph. Ten minutes after entering the 20 mile wide corridor Berlin radar told them of another aircraft "approaching fast from five o'clock" - a MiG flew past/in front of them. After flying past a second time very fast the Russian pilot extended flaps and undercarraige and made signs for the Cessna to follow and land - which were ignored.
The MiG opened fire although not hitting the Cessna and a Yak-25 joined in flying across their path at supersonic speed making the Cessna rock violently, almost rolling on it's back and the left engine stopped. The two Russians repeated their manaeovres and the occupants of the Cessna agreed they would have to give in and turned right. However, informed by Berlin that they were only 27 miles away, the Cessna was turned back on course and dived to gain max speed. The MiG returned and started firing again but, fortunately, the Cessna found a little cloud cover and made it to Gatow.
The sequel was that the Russian Commander would not then grant safe passage for the aircraft on it's flight out of Berlin so the three occupants returned to London by BEA Viscount. Eventually told by the British Embassy in Bonn they could fly it out "at their own risk" they returned to Gatow by Viscount and sneaked out early one morning without using any radio and flying at low level along the shorter corridor to Hanover thence on to London.
They were flying from Stuttgart to Gatow via Frankfurt at 9,500ft cruising at 200mph. Ten minutes after entering the 20 mile wide corridor Berlin radar told them of another aircraft "approaching fast from five o'clock" - a MiG flew past/in front of them. After flying past a second time very fast the Russian pilot extended flaps and undercarraige and made signs for the Cessna to follow and land - which were ignored.
The MiG opened fire although not hitting the Cessna and a Yak-25 joined in flying across their path at supersonic speed making the Cessna rock violently, almost rolling on it's back and the left engine stopped. The two Russians repeated their manaeovres and the occupants of the Cessna agreed they would have to give in and turned right. However, informed by Berlin that they were only 27 miles away, the Cessna was turned back on course and dived to gain max speed. The MiG returned and started firing again but, fortunately, the Cessna found a little cloud cover and made it to Gatow.
The sequel was that the Russian Commander would not then grant safe passage for the aircraft on it's flight out of Berlin so the three occupants returned to London by BEA Viscount. Eventually told by the British Embassy in Bonn they could fly it out "at their own risk" they returned to Gatow by Viscount and sneaked out early one morning without using any radio and flying at low level along the shorter corridor to Hanover thence on to London.
Last edited by BossEyed; 3rd Nov 2011 at 15:13.
The following users liked this post:
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: W Cambs
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Found this thread while looking for something else and signed up to have a quick wallow in nostalgia! I was a staff cadet at Cambridge in the 70s, and remember her in both the blue/white and the later colours. As well as Johnny Blackmore (sad to see he's no longer with us) I also recall Derek Simmonds and ??? Bryce-Smith flying her.
Happy days.
Mike
Happy days.
Mike
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Hertfordshire, England
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So good to see John Blackmore remembered
John Blackmore was my father. He set up No 5 AEF in the 1950`s and I was a very frequent visitor as a little girl - almost every weekend - and ran the tuck shop in the 1960`s. I spent most of my childhood in the back seat of a Chipmunk doing Loop the Loops and Barrell Rolls. 
He continued flying for the RAF as Reserve right up until his 65th Birthday and even managed a further couple of months after that day before his retirement was made official.
It was he who accepted the Husky on behalf of No 5 from Huey Green and I am sure I have a photo somewhere. Having recently moved, things are a little haywire still, and I am not sure where the photos are.
Dad lived for flying, and he was an absolutely amazing pilot. He should have received an MBE at the very least for all his services to the AEF but he was a bit of a `rascal`. Say no more.
He continued flying for the RAF as Reserve right up until his 65th Birthday and even managed a further couple of months after that day before his retirement was made official.
It was he who accepted the Husky on behalf of No 5 from Huey Green and I am sure I have a photo somewhere. Having recently moved, things are a little haywire still, and I am not sure where the photos are.
Dad lived for flying, and he was an absolutely amazing pilot. He should have received an MBE at the very least for all his services to the AEF but he was a bit of a `rascal`. Say no more.
Thread Starter
Last day in light blue tomorrow after 26 yrs. Someone has just messaged me about this thread, which is quite ironic really! Fond memories of flying with Johnny, Ced, Bryce, Pete Raye, Stan Hayward to name but a few....
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Cambridge
Age: 55
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Found this thread while trying to explain what the Husky was on another thread.
This aircraft was also the first aircraft I ever flew (much to the consternation of the two other cadets in the back seat) when undertaking AEF flights with 5AEF at Marshals with my CCF RAF section in 86/87 or thereabouts.
I also remember John Blackmore - I seem to recall the magic phrase when asked what you would like to do was "How about some aerobatics please Sir", and he would then proceed to chuck us all over the sky in the Chipmunk! Couple of grey-out moments, but I never needed the paper bag
Happy days!
This aircraft was also the first aircraft I ever flew (much to the consternation of the two other cadets in the back seat) when undertaking AEF flights with 5AEF at Marshals with my CCF RAF section in 86/87 or thereabouts.
I also remember John Blackmore - I seem to recall the magic phrase when asked what you would like to do was "How about some aerobatics please Sir", and he would then proceed to chuck us all over the sky in the Chipmunk! Couple of grey-out moments, but I never needed the paper bag
Happy days!
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Clacton on sea
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marshalls
I looked at this thread because I was interested in Husky XW635, the first aircraft I ever flew in. However, thinking wider, does anyone remember the cheerful Charlie that used to do the safety briefing at Marshalls before ATC cadets flew? I think his name was Mr Bull; I'm not going to state the obvious because he gave vital advice, but he took great delight in stressing the negative, especially with what could go wrong! He favourite comment was, "Who had Strawberry sandwiches for breakfast? Well you'll enjoy them just as much coming up as they did going down" He used to dress in a light brown overall if I remember correctly. After his briefing, I wished that I worn my brown corduroy trousers!
Longtime,
I remember the old gent you mentioned, although I thought his name was Gerry?? One other small detail from the grey Cells: he did his bale out briefing using a board with drawings of (I think) a Gloster Gladiator on it. Eventually a talented cadet artist gave him a set showing Chipmunks in the 1970's.
Back to the start of the thread. I was told that 5 AEF got the Husky after (Sir) Billy Butlin either won it in a raffle, or bought it at a charity auction. Hughie Green then persuaded him to donate it to the ATC. When she was in her original blue scheme, she had 'Spirit of Butlins' in script each side of the nose.
I remember the old gent you mentioned, although I thought his name was Gerry?? One other small detail from the grey Cells: he did his bale out briefing using a board with drawings of (I think) a Gloster Gladiator on it. Eventually a talented cadet artist gave him a set showing Chipmunks in the 1970's.
Back to the start of the thread. I was told that 5 AEF got the Husky after (Sir) Billy Butlin either won it in a raffle, or bought it at a charity auction. Hughie Green then persuaded him to donate it to the ATC. When she was in her original blue scheme, she had 'Spirit of Butlins' in script each side of the nose.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Spain
Age: 68
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Longtime,
That stirs up some memories! - Mr Ball, if I recall - I'm still struck by him finishing up the briefing by telling us that if we didn't follow his instructions on having to bale out we'd be ¨pushing up the daisies¨!
That stirs up some memories! - Mr Ball, if I recall - I'm still struck by him finishing up the briefing by telling us that if we didn't follow his instructions on having to bale out we'd be ¨pushing up the daisies¨!
Longtime,
I remember the old gent you mentioned, although I thought his name was Gerry?? One other small detail from the grey Cells: he did his bale out briefing using a board with drawings of (I think) a Gloster Gladiator on it. Eventually a talented cadet artist gave him a set showing Chipmunks in the 1970's.
Back to the start of the thread. I was told that 5 AEF got the Husky after (Sir) Billy Butlin either won it in a raffle, or bought it at a charity auction. Hughie Green then persuaded him to donate it to the ATC. When she was in her original blue scheme, she had 'Spirit of Butlins' in script each side of the nose.
I remember the old gent you mentioned, although I thought his name was Gerry?? One other small detail from the grey Cells: he did his bale out briefing using a board with drawings of (I think) a Gloster Gladiator on it. Eventually a talented cadet artist gave him a set showing Chipmunks in the 1970's.
Back to the start of the thread. I was told that 5 AEF got the Husky after (Sir) Billy Butlin either won it in a raffle, or bought it at a charity auction. Hughie Green then persuaded him to donate it to the ATC. When she was in her original blue scheme, she had 'Spirit of Butlins' in script each side of the nose.
Whenever I see Blakey from On The Buses I am reminded of his cheerful demeanour.
Bob