Leuchars memories
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
So, my thought would be that you could see that fit next to 8 Sqn on an exercise, but I can't recall it specifically.
It was reasonably common during JMCs, for Bear D/Fs to come down for a look see and be intercepted. Whilst it was embarrassing, there were the odd occasions when the first indication of their presence was when they were intercepted by an exercise CAP........
Last edited by ORAC; 31st Aug 2012 at 10:29.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South of England
Age: 74
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
When 892 finally left
Does anyone remember how many "final" beer calls 892 set up before they finally departed Leuchars? They seemed to go on for weeks!
Does anyone remember the final final beer call in the OM bar, at happy hour on the definitely final, final Friday. I do remember the little blond who appeared, that evening, wearing only a chiffon cloak, black nylons and high heels. She may have been wearing Channel No 5, as well, but I couldn't get close enough to tell, unlike the Staish, whose name IIRC rhymed with Staish.
Happy days!
Rgds SOS
Does anyone remember the final final beer call in the OM bar, at happy hour on the definitely final, final Friday. I do remember the little blond who appeared, that evening, wearing only a chiffon cloak, black nylons and high heels. She may have been wearing Channel No 5, as well, but I couldn't get close enough to tell, unlike the Staish, whose name IIRC rhymed with Staish.
Happy days!
Rgds SOS
Resisted this for ages but as the post has run this long: Deployed Nimrod SAR when bad wx at ISK in 80s; call PBX and chat them up for a bit prior to having a cozy night in exchange with them. (Un) Surprisingly, the voice matched the looks!!
I know....
I know....
It was reasonably common during JMCs, for Bear D/Fs to come down for a look see and be intercepted. Whilst it was embarrassing, there were the odd occasions when the first indication of their presence was when they were intercepted by an exercise CAP........
Three memories of Leuchars. I'll give you two.
First, in the days of 11 Sqn Lightnings and Red Top missiles, the mess served a drink called a Red Eye. Totally disgusting! Gin, tomato juice and beer. You had to be drunk to drink it. I'll never forget it or its effect on me, the naive APO!
Some years later my first ever PAN, fuel leak in a Canberra over N. Sea at night. Diversion to Leuchars. Visual with floodlights, hangars, domestic site, etc, but something wrong about the runway. "Leuchars, confirm the runway lights are on?" "Affirmative". Oh well, must be me. Seems a bit difficult to get that "string-of-pearls" perspective, and the 'berra landing light was pathetic. No, this really doesn't seem right. "Leuchars, just re-check the lights", "They're on" in a slightly indignant tone.
And as I sank the last couple of feet into the black void, the wierd sensation of all the runway lights being turned up to full brilliance, with not a word said...
First, in the days of 11 Sqn Lightnings and Red Top missiles, the mess served a drink called a Red Eye. Totally disgusting! Gin, tomato juice and beer. You had to be drunk to drink it. I'll never forget it or its effect on me, the naive APO!
Some years later my first ever PAN, fuel leak in a Canberra over N. Sea at night. Diversion to Leuchars. Visual with floodlights, hangars, domestic site, etc, but something wrong about the runway. "Leuchars, confirm the runway lights are on?" "Affirmative". Oh well, must be me. Seems a bit difficult to get that "string-of-pearls" perspective, and the 'berra landing light was pathetic. No, this really doesn't seem right. "Leuchars, just re-check the lights", "They're on" in a slightly indignant tone.
And as I sank the last couple of feet into the black void, the wierd sensation of all the runway lights being turned up to full brilliance, with not a word said...
I'm not sure that this is covered already, but a former RAF Sgt (surface finisher) who was our 'General Service Hand' in my early days in the 1980s in the RNZAF related a story about practices for the Coronation Review and fly-past in 1952. Apparently the incoming and outgoing Stn Cdrs had a mid-air collision (in Vampires according to wee Jock). Both were killed and he stated that there was a bit of a dark cloud over the Station that day. If story is correct, I suspect that was a bit of a Caledonian understatement...
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: northumberland
Age: 67
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FGR1 Cockpit Piccies
I was one of those valuable FLM's on 111(F) Squadron from 1974 to 1982 but in all that time didnt take any photo's of the FGR1's we had in stock. I am now trying to find some HD quality photos of a 1970's era FGR1 cockpit front and rear? Could you help please?
Cheers
Spook
Cheers
Spook
Thread Starter
Many thanks for your contributions so far Gentlemen, I'll be in touch later when I can get round to using some of your contributions. I've already started the book but have had to hold off for a short while in order to complete the index and photos for Fading Eagle, due out at the end of this year, fingers crossed.
FB
FB
