SkyWatch - Video (BBC 21/6/1974)
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a nav running? Such ungentlemanly behaviour would never have been seen on tankers 
Ok, ok. Lets say then, that he ambled in an expeditious manner and with focus and a sense of purpose. Perhaps thats why there is now a fitness test.. perhaps a 15 year old saw him at the time and and thought 'Grr. When I'm making decisions there, they'll all be running much better and they'll thank me for it.. I know, I can call it a bleep test'.
What was interesting
was how they all played to the camera. The OTR team had no sense of cynicism and they all got stuck in because they knew the camera was on them not despite of it. CAS seemed stiff (gulp) without a klingon in sight and the Nav who handed the air fots to Wing Commander Warren even braced up for a second before turning away. Didn't anyone even wear coolio sunglases in those days???I was back at Wittering last week and how 1(F)'s old hangar has grown. And Vigo Wood? Then, it was Vigo Copse. Where did they get that name from? Time to rest.
A navigator running? I should think not. The reference to Flt Lt Derek Dunnachie being Wg Cdr Warren's nav was correct, but the man running and bringing the enlarged prints was one of the phots from the RIC - hence his overalls rather than a growbag. Whole thing caused great mirth at Laarbruch, with DD the butt of many comments.
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Yes it was indeed a good year. Just looked back at my logbook for '74. It includes:
F4K 230hrs including 66 deck landings.
Hunter 20hrs
Chipmunk 2hrs
Various riotous nights in Malta and Gibraltar and Tangier courtesy of GKXS (RIP).
Happy Days.
F4K 230hrs including 66 deck landings.
Hunter 20hrs
Chipmunk 2hrs
Various riotous nights in Malta and Gibraltar and Tangier courtesy of GKXS (RIP).
Happy Days.
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Wg Cdr Warren
Were there any? I can't remember - but not many people were particularly interested in helicopters in those days
RAF '74, a few choppers; Puma, Gazelle, Whirlwind, Wessex, (Wessex Royal Flight.)
Ah - I see.
Back in those days, students who didn't want to fly anything except Buccaneers, Harriers, Jaguars, Lightnings or Phantoms were viewed with deep suspicion and little sympathy by their QFIs.
At Brawdy in early 1976, after yet another hard day in difficult weather, our jovial Flt Cdr bounced into the crewoom to make himself a cup of tea. Seeing a bunch of rather weary students, he quipped "Well, if you think it's all too difficult, you can always volunteer for helicopters - I hear they're a bit short"....
Two of them took him at his word
. They were off the station the next day and on their way to their new postings within a few days......
To Finningley as U/T navigators....
Back in those days, students who didn't want to fly anything except Buccaneers, Harriers, Jaguars, Lightnings or Phantoms were viewed with deep suspicion and little sympathy by their QFIs.
At Brawdy in early 1976, after yet another hard day in difficult weather, our jovial Flt Cdr bounced into the crewoom to make himself a cup of tea. Seeing a bunch of rather weary students, he quipped "Well, if you think it's all too difficult, you can always volunteer for helicopters - I hear they're a bit short"....
Two of them took him at his word
. They were off the station the next day and on their way to their new postings within a few days......To Finningley as U/T navigators....
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That's pretty much the Airforce I joined in 1980, but a shadow of its former self 25 years later, when I thought it was time to look to pastures new.
A great few minutes spent there watching that, thanks for bringing back so many happy memories!!
A great few minutes spent there watching that, thanks for bringing back so many happy memories!!
My mentioning of 'Chuck' and 'PT' (Whirlybirds Section),
at OASC in '74, was met with stony silence, in the interview room!
at OASC in '74, was met with stony silence, in the interview room!
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Great to see it in colour, I do remember watching it in 1974, but on the parents black and white.. Always remember the Vulcan dropping the 21 stick, a TV image that happily seemed to have stayed similar in the episodic memory to the Youtube showing 38 years later.. I'm only 46!
Very much like the Airforce I joined 10 years later.. I did see 4 Vulcans flying together.. 50 Sqn disbandment flypast around Lincolnshire.. Tornados were starting to replace the Jags, but a lot of the aircraft types were the same..
Very much like the Airforce I joined 10 years later.. I did see 4 Vulcans flying together.. 50 Sqn disbandment flypast around Lincolnshire.. Tornados were starting to replace the Jags, but a lot of the aircraft types were the same..
Fantastic blast from the past! - I used to live in Stamford (adjacent to RAF Wittering) & can remember jumping between the telly & the window, seeing airplanes take of on the telly & then watching as they flew over the house a few mins later. Have to love the diversity of the aircraft involved!
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I'm sure the BBC could produce an updated version with today's kit, probably without the live weapons and VTOL element but I doubt if they'd bother. If they did I wonder if it would be viewed with the same nostalgia in 38 years time.
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This got me thinking. In the theatres we have operated in over the last 30 years, right up to date, would any of those a/c types have been found wanting?
When we are talking about gen 5 fighters now being designed, one does wonder what imaginary threat they will be countering. It never seems to be the one they are designed for.
When we are talking about gen 5 fighters now being designed, one does wonder what imaginary threat they will be countering. It never seems to be the one they are designed for.
