QRA, Battle Flight, RAF Gutersloh and RAF Wildenrath and More
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: holywell
Age: 56
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The Phantom Hypnotist
After a spectacular Hypnotist show in Wildenraths finest NAAFI in 1990,the next day we find ourselves relaxing in the concrete shed of Battleflight for the next 24 hours.Our man B was relaxing on his bed when yipyahoo the klaxon sounds.Unbeknown to us he had "HOW TO GIVE UP SMOKEING" hypnotist tape on in his walkman which he had purchased the night before. Yep he was totally under the spell of the myserious powers of Hypnotism. Not even the sound of that dreaded Klaxon could bring him to(dont think Paul Mckenna would have either).So there we were the aircrew eager to get airbourne and us groundcrew minus a Man B hopeing they wouldnt notice.
Thankfully 19(f) got up up and away under five minutes....more than Man B did ,he eventually came around when his tape finished and was on the welcomeing comittee for the aircraft and an earbashing from the aircrew..
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: holywell
Age: 56
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nice one jENGo
nice to see a rodney sticking up for the hard working and often forgotten pond life who were working long hours through the night...19(F) armourer 1990 shame to see such a wonderfull airbase go to waste
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pentney, Norfolk
Age: 81
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QRA, Battle Flight, etc.,RAF Germany
My husband had 5 yrs experience on Lightnings as an Armourer, involving QRA/Battle Flight at RAF Leuchars, as a member of 23(F) Sqn operating Mk 6s and with 19(F) Sqn at RAF Guetersloh operating Mk2As. Also with the Harrier Force at RAF Guetersloh operating from holes in the forest. He'd be happy to chat to you about this,
Germany was a virtual air combat arena where RAF F-4 Phantoms performed DACT with F-104's, Harriers, Jaguars, Phantoms from the USAFE and the Lutwaffe
The place to be was the Peheim mast on a Friday lunchtime!!
Made Red Flag look like a kindergarten!!
Of course, never more than the authorised 1x90 and a 1x90 reversal for unbriefed DACT!!
Join Date: Aug 2010
Age: 91
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Pond life you were not
My time on the F4 in the early 80s the ground crew were bloody amazing - how they always managed to keep the jets flying amazed me - I rember a poor guy falling off the stabilator at 5am after a 12 hour shift he was so tired. Sadly it was an era of Rank and Calling people Sir but my respect goes to you guys
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: holywell
Age: 56
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from pond life with respect
Nice to know someone appreciated our efforts ....thank you sir ..rank was an issue. I remember a rollicking off a sqn ldr nav out in Cyprus on Op Granby when it took me 9 mins to make safe The Mighty F4 on landing.4 sidewinders,4 sparrows,1 Suu gun and chaff and flare( I thought that was fast). Ah well how I miss the rollickings,good old days indeed....Nice to know someone appreciated our efforts........I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the phantoms and was fortunate to get a back seat...it sure beat my trip in an F3...
