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RAF Topcliffe Reunion?

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RAF Topcliffe Reunion?

Old 10th Feb 2012, 07:33
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RAF Topcliffe Reunion?

Plans are in the early stages to try and have a reunion for all the ex RAF Topcliffe students who attended the AE&AES school before it eventually moved to RAF Finningley in 1973. The reunion would be open to all those who received their brevets at Topcliffe (AEOp, Flight Engineer, Air Signaller). If you would like to express an interest in attending then please contact Dave Morton via email at [email protected] so that the amount of interest can be gauged. A suitable venue is being researched and more details will be released when the planning firms up.
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 12:24
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That's a bit hard, 50 Course for example, did half and half and had an extended course as we had to help with the move down to FY.

Thoughts?
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 12:27
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"open to all those WHO RECIEVED THEIR BREVETS at Topcliffe (AEOp, Flight Engineer, Air Signaller).


Someone got something against Air Loadmasters?
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 13:59
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Received their brevets

I was on the first course to graduate from the Sig "A" course as AEOps rather than Sig(A)s. All we were issued with was a deficiency chit for AE brevets.
Do we qualify?
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 15:09
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Please send your name to [email protected]
As the previous (first ) message said, no hard and fast arrangements as yet and having been awarded a brevet at Topcliffe is the only prerequisite. This reunion will probably only happen once so it may be quite special.
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 15:48
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I didn't think Loadies got their brevet till they'd done the jump course at their new unit.
Course I may be wrong...it's been over forty years since I was up there.

BB
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 16:07
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Well if there's no room for manoeuvre - I hope you all enjoy yourselves.

Not sure if the Bog and Bird, Leg of Lamb or the Busby Stoop are still open but have an Old Peculiar for me . . .

A lot of us 'transition courses' were actually on the brevet presentation parades too.

Ah well, that's the spirit of cooperation, conciliation and compromise at work no doubt.
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 16:15
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Air Electronics and Air Engineers School, RAF Topcliffe

BanjoBill is quite correct regarding Loadies. They did not spend such a long time at Topcliffe doing their training as the two trades named in the school's title.
However, I think that excluding them would not be a very nice thing to do.

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Old 10th Feb 2012, 17:45
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Topcliffe

There is no hidden agenda that excludes Loadmasters. It may simply be a numbers thing as the list is growing quite rapidly. If it becomes the first 150 plus ladies, then the first 150 that send their names in take the slots.
One of my long time long friends was a Loadmaster on the Brits. Smiley?
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 21:47
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AQM's and ALM's still attended their ITC at Topcliffe, and after Sep 70 did their trade trg there as well, when the school moved up from Thorney Island.
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Old 10th Feb 2012, 23:20
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Blimey, what's the problem? If you didn't go there, or didn't go there for long, why have your noses put out of joint because you're not invited to a reunion? The clue is in the school's name....
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Old 11th Feb 2012, 00:03
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Here is a good idea.

Seldom.....etc
If you really feel you want to have a reunion, go ahead and organise your own one. In the mean time, thank you for your interest.
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Old 11th Feb 2012, 18:44
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Seldom fit for reality

Seldom has a problem with rank structure.

Good luck with that because it's everywhere.
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Old 12th Feb 2012, 08:48
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for Seldomfitforpurpose

Please use another thread. You seem to be intent on being a bit silly on this one. If you start a reunion thread somewhere, I promise not to ask any pointless and trite questions. Good man.
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Old 13th Feb 2012, 09:13
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Topcliffe reunion

Approximately 55 people have responded so far. Very encouraging for just over one week.
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Old 14th Feb 2012, 12:17
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Topcliffe reunion

I hope to have some replies from the Army barracks at Topcliffe in two to three weeks. I have not disclosed how many people are involved until
I go up there and see what can be done. The lady on the Ripon HIVE which covers Topcliffe (HIVE - a sort of central admin centre) said that either mess could hold at least three hundred so if that were the case we could go up to at least 150 guys. More soon.....
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Old 14th Feb 2012, 13:20
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I hope the MOD has invested a tad in Alanbrooke Barracks. I stayed in the Sgt's Mess there about 20 years ago, and it looked like it hadn't been touched since it was built 50 years previously. It felt like I was on the set of the Dambusters movie.

Somehow, I suspect a backwater of the Royal Artillery and part-time instructional airfield will have escaped the attentions of MOD Estates.
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Old 14th Feb 2012, 16:46
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Topcliffe Reunion

Roadster - you may well be right. I'll go and have a look first and if that is the case, I'll look for somewhere else.
best,
5aday
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Old 14th Feb 2012, 18:23
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Topcliffe reunion

There is always Elvington (Yorkshire Air Museum) They do corporate hire 'in house' which has had glowing tributes. There is no shortage. THe Mad Hatters ( 492d Fighter Squadron USAF ) used Duxford Museum very successfully.
Best,
5aday
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Old 15th Feb 2012, 16:04
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Topcliffe reunion

5aday

I know I've registered an interest, but have you had any thoughts about a likely date (or dates)? (the question came to mind after I'd emailed you).

The Ancient Mariner
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