BEST CFS AC
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sneaking up on the Runway and leaping out to grab it unawares
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Jetstream T Mk 1. A truly wretched device.
Granted the course wasn't much cop for those not going to Albert, but for those who were it was perfect.
For those who really don't know what the GT6 was 
, here's a piccy of a model which I found on the Internet:
(A few details are incorrect - no spine UHF antenna, no wing root 'letterbox' intakes, wrong location for the M-B decal, drop tank fin angles incorrect - but otherwise very nice indeed).
The GT6 was a stripped-down Hunter F Mk 6. No guns or sabrina link collectors, radar ranging, gunsight or Rebecca DME system. Instead it had TACAN, was painted in high-gloss polyurethane rather than camouflage and with the big Avon, it went like stink!
, here's a piccy of a model which I found on the Internet:The GT6 was a stripped-down Hunter F Mk 6. No guns or sabrina link collectors, radar ranging, gunsight or Rebecca DME system. Instead it had TACAN, was painted in high-gloss polyurethane rather than camouflage and with the big Avon, it went like stink!
Join Date: Oct 2003
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JP3 gets my vote - just for the giggles when the ex-Harrier CFS course studes went to max chat, released the brakes and then quickly slammed the throttle shut, 'cos as far as they were concerned, nothing was happening!
Thanks exAscoteer; for your supportive comments on the Jetstream. At the time (1974 ish') it was really "that-or-nought" as the M.E. trainer, or the MRVA (Must Refurbish Varsity Again). There was a political/industrial aspect as well but the type was saved from the Handley Page debacle to go on to become the modestly successful J31/J41, many of which are still operating today. Its then primary rival was the Kingair 90/200 Series which of course is now doing the M.E. training job at Sleaford Tech. Though a well-proven airframe/engine combination, and in use in the M.E. training role by the U.S. Navy, that presumably wasn't chosen for the aforementioned political/industrial reasons?
Gentleman Aviator
Couldn't have had much fuel then!
But one of the A2s was M** M******y .....
But then another one was me .......
[And to be fair, we probably did refuel at Scampton before coming back ... thinks: memory and back of fag packet says average 3400 disposable for a training ac - including 3 x (A2!) crew - so the other 12 @ 200 lbs leaves 1000 lbs fuel. 50 mins en route uses about 700 lbs - land with 150 a side - 50 a side above minima! Sorted! So I guess that refuel at Scampton was a definite then
]Edited to add: Yes he was Ish, one MALM J*** M***n was my operating crewman (+ I think one of the pax was a "freight deck executive" as well)
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
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1.40 flying for an appointment of 1/250 second - the rotary riff-raff had to go back to Shawbury after the piccie - not invited to the Lunch!
We had to make our own arrangements for our visiting families. We were obliged to go down the local pub who could only rustle up a few ham sandwiches. Worse still, a bill for the formal lunch appeared on our following month's mess bill.
Hardly a glorious welcome for those just beginning a career serving her Majesty.
Anyway - Although I initially trained on the JP3 and 5A, then Whirlwind 10 and Wessex 5, my vote also goes to the Gazelle, a cracking little sports car of a helicopter.
Gazelle
I've only ever been upside down in a helicopter once and that was near RAE Bedford in about 1988. A fine chap in dark blue offered me a go, which it would have been rude to decline. As we were stooging along, he said something along the lines of: 'are your straps really tight because I haven't tried this recently?' Over we went in roll and it was a bit alarming at first but after that I knew what to expect.
Years later, the school at which I help with the CCF, had a visit from an Army version of same bouncing African animal. The pilot was taking several cadets at a time for a brief flip but the (ex-Para) school RSM insisted on making himself 'ground i/c' despite my best efforts to persuade him to leave it to me. On landing and before being cleared by the pilot, said RSM tried to open the locked passenger door and when it wouldn't budge he applied some prime para regt beefcake and ripped the bloody door off its hinges - end-ex for cadet flying that day! and exit one pi%^&d off AAC pilot with door secured by rope back to Middle what'sit.
The only good thing is that every now and again I get the chance to remind him of the occasion.
Old Duffer
Years later, the school at which I help with the CCF, had a visit from an Army version of same bouncing African animal. The pilot was taking several cadets at a time for a brief flip but the (ex-Para) school RSM insisted on making himself 'ground i/c' despite my best efforts to persuade him to leave it to me. On landing and before being cleared by the pilot, said RSM tried to open the locked passenger door and when it wouldn't budge he applied some prime para regt beefcake and ripped the bloody door off its hinges - end-ex for cadet flying that day! and exit one pi%^&d off AAC pilot with door secured by rope back to Middle what'sit.
The only good thing is that every now and again I get the chance to remind him of the occasion.
Old Duffer
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
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I learned about "who has control" early on during the CFS course on the Gazelle on a "mutual" sortie. Myself and my stick buddy got a little out of synch and suddenly both thought the other had control and was "having fun". When we got to about 100 degrees nose up, and rapidly increasing, we both looked across at the other and then thought "????" because we both realised the aircraft was flying itself - we both had our hands on our knees.
Then we both said "I have control!" at the same time, grabbed the controls together, and mutually wobbled our way through a "roll off the top" of what was somewhere between a mega-wingover and a half loop. Thankfully we both tried to roll the same way or it could have got even worse!
We had a good mutual debrief about that one i.e. we both used similar swear words...
Then we both said "I have control!" at the same time, grabbed the controls together, and mutually wobbled our way through a "roll off the top" of what was somewhere between a mega-wingover and a half loop. Thankfully we both tried to roll the same way or it could have got even worse!
We had a good mutual debrief about that one i.e. we both used similar swear words...
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Gazelle
Most helicopters talk to you as you fly.
Usually they say "don't do it........ohh that was a bit rough.....oops you messed that up.."
The gazelle sits on your shoulder whispering "..go on, you know you want to....just try it, I'll make sure it looks good...it'll be fine......nobody's watching"
Most helicopters talk to you as you fly.
Usually they say "don't do it........ohh that was a bit rough.....oops you messed that up.."
The gazelle sits on your shoulder whispering "..go on, you know you want to....just try it, I'll make sure it looks good...it'll be fine......nobody's watching"
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Tourist. Gazelle.....Oh dear. You are so right. I may have to change my mind. Then again, Walter sat there, grinning daftly, saying "Whatever you do, I'll get on with it - I can't do anything perfectly, but I can do everything. Try it, it may not be pretty, but you'll get away with it."
Think I'll stick with Walt, 'cause he had 2 engines, and I once landed one, and shut down, in Trafalgar Square (RNLI Day) - won't forget that in a hurry - and no birdstrike either!
But Gazelle - Mmmmm, nice. Never flew the Hunter (not talented enough - rotary pilot you see...
), but have never heard a bad word about it. Strongly suspect it was the fixed wing Wessex from what I have heard.
No matter what your chariot of choice, good times all - beats being a civvy.
Think I'll stick with Walt, 'cause he had 2 engines, and I once landed one, and shut down, in Trafalgar Square (RNLI Day) - won't forget that in a hurry - and no birdstrike either!
But Gazelle - Mmmmm, nice. Never flew the Hunter (not talented enough - rotary pilot you see...
), but have never heard a bad word about it. Strongly suspect it was the fixed wing Wessex from what I have heard.No matter what your chariot of choice, good times all - beats being a civvy.