RAF cuts back in Gib
Thread Starter
Suspicion breeds confidence
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Gibraltar
Shame they could not keep the old gate guardian XM571
Gibraltar Vulcan April 1987 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
She was only there a few years but got very shabby very quickly, so I wasn't surprised she got the chop.
Gibraltar Vulcan April 1987 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
She was only there a few years but got very shabby very quickly, so I wasn't surprised she got the chop.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
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From: Lincolnshire
1771, quite. We were in the North Front mess though. Very impressive.
First thing every morning, bugle call, guard would come out, open the gate, every evening in reverese. An exercise in futility, which much of BritMil is, as the Spanish gates remained shut and just got rustier and rustier with litter gathered about.
Bar at lunchtime, white-jacketted barman would shut shop, few minutes later a soldier emerged in greens, webbing, SLR. Try that with an RAF Steward in those days and everyone would have nightmares.
First thing every morning, bugle call, guard would come out, open the gate, every evening in reverese. An exercise in futility, which much of BritMil is, as the Spanish gates remained shut and just got rustier and rustier with litter gathered about.
Bar at lunchtime, white-jacketted barman would shut shop, few minutes later a soldier emerged in greens, webbing, SLR. Try that with an RAF Steward in those days and everyone would have nightmares.
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Fife
I'm planning on visiting Gib in the next few months.
Anyone know if there was a replacement gate guardian put in situ? One of the Nimrods might have been a pertinent type.
Any other military throebacks or memorials of note I should look out for?
That para drop is certainly a more overt statement of sovereignty than the Chipmunk that used to potter about out of Gatow!
Anyone know if there was a replacement gate guardian put in situ? One of the Nimrods might have been a pertinent type.
Any other military throebacks or memorials of note I should look out for?
That para drop is certainly a more overt statement of sovereignty than the Chipmunk that used to potter about out of Gatow!
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Gibraltar
Although it's an ideal site, the old Vulcan stand no longer belongs to 'us' as we've handed much of the land over to the Goverment - including that bit.
There are few possibilities of putting the Jag up near the tunnel when/if it gets built or on roundabout in town....or somewhere else. Sorry to be ambiguous!
There are few possibilities of putting the Jag up near the tunnel when/if it gets built or on roundabout in town....or somewhere else. Sorry to be ambiguous!
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Longton, Lancs, UK
Six Banana detachments there in the Seventies. Now visit twice each year - staying in the Eliot; breakfasts must be in Casemates! Fun, cosy, and great restaurants (especially the Landing for Sunday lunch - expensive, but stunningly good). Aside from the new Marina Village on re-claimed land, little has changed, but what has is for the better. The Laventa, which still blows, can result in logistical nightmare diversions if you're arriving from UK by civvy air (this added 13 awful hours to a journey from Manchester five weeks ago) - an option is by car from Spain or Portugal. Town Range is still there, for those that might be interested ----
Apols for slight thread-drift.
Apols for slight thread-drift.
Last edited by jindabyne; 22nd June 2012 at 09:26. Reason: sp!
Thread Starter
Suspicion breeds confidence
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Gibraltar
Tornadoes are on their way for a month. Presumably they will be bringing their own ground crews.
Eight GR4 Tornados arrive in Gibraltar on Friday
Eight GR4 Tornados arrive in Gibraltar on Friday
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From: East Midlands
The report raises some interesting historical revelations! Apparently the airport was built illegally in the 19th century. I imagine the Wright Brothers were not aware of this alternative flight test location (too windy?)
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Out of Africa but now not quite in Glos
I spent a day in Gib last week whilst on holiday in nearby Spain. Reacquinted with the Gib Arms and the Rock Apes. Great view of the Tornado det and departures - the Sound of Freedom. The gate guardian is a Jag south of the R/W. The sign on the Tower says Welcome to RAF Gibralter - has been there for years. BA, Monarch and Easy Jet have daily flights with a sprinkling of GA. Otherwise a sleepy hollow.
Crossing in to Gib is no fun as the Spanish govt makes it difficult even though the majority of the 'crossers' are Spanish.
Crossing in to Gib is no fun as the Spanish govt makes it difficult even though the majority of the 'crossers' are Spanish.
Last edited by dagama; 4th July 2012 at 17:35.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Longton, Lancs, UK
dag
That's not the case in my past 8 years' experience dag. Getting in is always very easy: either by car/foot from Spain, or by air from wherever - wave the UK passport and glide through. Getting out can be more difficult, depending on traffic/ customs-of-the-day/political situation. But mostly, absolutely no problem, and very swift and hassle-free (but when the Spaniards are feisty, it can take HOURS - very infrequent though, and not the norm).
TIP. If you're going from Spain by car, leave it in the undergound car park on the Spanish side, walk 200 yards across the border, and get a cab to wherever you wish to be (£4 at most). Vice Verca. Simple. And Customs is always a breeze when on foot.
Crossing in to Gib is no fun as the Spanish govt makes it difficult even though the majority of the 'crossers' are Spanish.
TIP. If you're going from Spain by car, leave it in the undergound car park on the Spanish side, walk 200 yards across the border, and get a cab to wherever you wish to be (£4 at most). Vice Verca. Simple. And Customs is always a breeze when on foot.
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
From the image posted above, see those blocks of flats, we passed between them in a Britannia 737 when going on detachment, the crew tried two attempts to get in with bad crosswinds and on the second attempt the wind shoved us towards the rock, the tower I believe from what the 17 Sqn guys said pressed the crash alarm believing we were goners.... as we departed to Faro in Portugal, during the short trip to Faro the bar trolley did two trips and we all got wrecked that night...
Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd July 2012 at 21:29.