Air Attaché Oslo Andover?
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Air Attaché Oslo Andover?
Towards the end of the Cold War I was stationed at Gutersloh, and seem to recall an Andover from Norway as a frequent visitor, possibly to pick up cheap booze from the air terminal NAAFI store (and obviously more official duties) I think it was possibly attached to the Air Attaché in Oslo?
If true, I'm curious as to why he had this particular runaround?
If true, I'm curious as to why he had this particular runaround?
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Up until 1994, the Northernmost Nato Command was AFNorth at Kolsas (Oslo). The CinC was always a Brit, with a German deputy and the Andover was at the CinC's disposal.
I believe the Andover was hangared at Gardemoen, and indeed when we broke down there in a Canberra T17 in the winter of 83 or thereabouts we made use of the same hangar.
I believe the Andover was hangared at Gardemoen, and indeed when we broke down there in a Canberra T17 in the winter of 83 or thereabouts we made use of the same hangar.
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Yes this was CINC North's taxi during my time in AirBaltap (Karup) in the late 70's. One of my current neighbours was one of the pilots, he can no doubt provide more info if you need it.
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Off thread, but only a little: the last Dakota in RAF service, leaving aside ZA947 with the BBMF, was KN671, which was assigned to CinC AFNorth until finally pensioned off in 1971 and replaced by the Andover. (I stand open to correction on both serial number and year, but think I am right.)
My father, Flt Lt Bill Setterfield, was posted to Oslo during 1954-57 to fly the AFNorth Dakota. As far as I can tell from his logbooks, aircraft and crew were nominally on the strength of 30 Sqn although the squadron was mainly equipped with Valettas at that time.
The aircraft throughout my father's posting was another Dakota IV, KJ994. It was in VIP fit, with six swivelling leather armchairs to the rear of the cabin and more modest accommodation forward. Despite the VIP role only one pilot was assigned. For take-off and landing the radio operator occupied the right hand seat and worked the flaps and undercarriage. Presumably, in the event of pilot incapacitation, it would also have been the radio op's responsibility to get the valued passengers back onto terra firma. Elfin safety through the prism of half a century...
KJ994 was flown back to the UK twice a year for servicing, rather than have it done by SAS or the RNoAF which might have been sensible. On these twice-yearly trips the families of the crew were permitted to indulge. And so it came about that, as an impressionable 8/9/10-yr-old lad, I spent quite a few mesmerised hours in the right hand seat of KJ994, stooging to and fro across the Norwegian skerries, North Sea and
East Anglia en route between Fornebu and Northolt. What other career could there be but to fly, but alas short sight and long spine got in the way of that.
Some time in the late 70s I wrote to the RAF Museum to ask about KJ994's eventual fate, and was told that it was recorded as "struck off charge Near East, 1962". No other details. In the 1990s a French-based Dakota carried RAF roundels and the serial "KJ994", but I suspect that was spurious. If any PPRuNer has recollections of 994 I'd be delighted to hear them. Photos would be even better!
My father, Flt Lt Bill Setterfield, was posted to Oslo during 1954-57 to fly the AFNorth Dakota. As far as I can tell from his logbooks, aircraft and crew were nominally on the strength of 30 Sqn although the squadron was mainly equipped with Valettas at that time.
The aircraft throughout my father's posting was another Dakota IV, KJ994. It was in VIP fit, with six swivelling leather armchairs to the rear of the cabin and more modest accommodation forward. Despite the VIP role only one pilot was assigned. For take-off and landing the radio operator occupied the right hand seat and worked the flaps and undercarriage. Presumably, in the event of pilot incapacitation, it would also have been the radio op's responsibility to get the valued passengers back onto terra firma. Elfin safety through the prism of half a century...
KJ994 was flown back to the UK twice a year for servicing, rather than have it done by SAS or the RNoAF which might have been sensible. On these twice-yearly trips the families of the crew were permitted to indulge. And so it came about that, as an impressionable 8/9/10-yr-old lad, I spent quite a few mesmerised hours in the right hand seat of KJ994, stooging to and fro across the Norwegian skerries, North Sea and
East Anglia en route between Fornebu and Northolt. What other career could there be but to fly, but alas short sight and long spine got in the way of that.
Some time in the late 70s I wrote to the RAF Museum to ask about KJ994's eventual fate, and was told that it was recorded as "struck off charge Near East, 1962". No other details. In the 1990s a French-based Dakota carried RAF roundels and the serial "KJ994", but I suspect that was spurious. If any PPRuNer has recollections of 994 I'd be delighted to hear them. Photos would be even better!
KJ994
KJ994,
it seems that you were scrapped at Northolt in 1963.
The one operating in France in the 90s has 'been about a bit' to say the least - USA, UK, France, Central African Republic, back to France ...
When it was in the UK it was civil, but did serve with the RAF as WZ984 (anyone got *that* in their log-book?).
As regards KN671, I have some conflicting information about it crashing in South Africa in 1948!
Ooh, according to Timeline Index 4_P the last RAF Dakota was retired on 4th April 1970.
it seems that you were scrapped at Northolt in 1963.
The one operating in France in the 90s has 'been about a bit' to say the least - USA, UK, France, Central African Republic, back to France ...
When it was in the UK it was civil, but did serve with the RAF as WZ984 (anyone got *that* in their log-book?).
As regards KN671, I have some conflicting information about it crashing in South Africa in 1948!
Ooh, according to Timeline Index 4_P the last RAF Dakota was retired on 4th April 1970.
Last edited by Geezers of Nazareth; 8th Oct 2012 at 19:02.
Okay, a little bit more, but drifting away from the original thread ...
According to National Cold War Exhibition at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford they have the last RAF Dakota on display - it's KN645, and they have it's full history on their website.
According to National Cold War Exhibition at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford they have the last RAF Dakota on display - it's KN645, and they have it's full history on their website.
Several "stars" marked their leaving Brampton in about 87 or 88 by flying over the HQ in a Dakota, presumably from Boscombe Down. Their final guest night was marked by the flying of many polystyrene Tucani
Last edited by Wander00; 9th Oct 2012 at 07:57.
Off thread, but only a little: the last Dakota in RAF service, leaving aside ZA947 with the BBMF, was KN671, which was assigned to CinC AFNorth until finally pensioned off in 1971 and replaced by the Andover. (I stand open to correction on both serial number and year, but think I am right.)
So, back in 1994 senior Air Officers had their own allocated aircraft?
Whereas nowadays, not even an Air Chief Marshal is entitled to travel First Class on the train, I understand.....
Whereas nowadays, not even an Air Chief Marshal is entitled to travel First Class on the train, I understand.....
Never mind, Beags, he'll soon be getting free tube travel (in uniform of course), if Boris get his way. Can't wait to be sitting next to a four star on the tube and asking him if he's on his way to his shift outside the Ritz!
IIRC one of the navs on 30 Sqn (68-70), Alan Barker, had spent his first tour in Aden flying on a Dakota with the comm' sqn, 66-67.
My late father-in-law was a 'boffin' at Farnborough and again IIRC he went to Kemble in early '73 to see if a Dak they had there was suitable to be used at Farnboro' on some trial he was involved with. I'm sure it was found suitable and it was moved there from Kemble.
My late father-in-law was a 'boffin' at Farnborough and again IIRC he went to Kemble in early '73 to see if a Dak they had there was suitable to be used at Farnboro' on some trial he was involved with. I'm sure it was found suitable and it was moved there from Kemble.
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brakedwell:
If Boris gets his way Air Orifices will proceed on bicycle, in uniform of course, their crash helmets adorned in scrambled egg. .......
...... not to mention the bicycle clips. Can't have the No 1 trouser legs getting caught in the chain.
If Boris gets his way Air Orifices will proceed on bicycle, in uniform of course, their crash helmets adorned in scrambled egg. .......
...... not to mention the bicycle clips. Can't have the No 1 trouser legs getting caught in the chain.
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In the early 60's KP208 was the Oslo machine and it came back to Northolt for service about twice a year. I once asked why they didn't have a Valleta up there and was told that it would never start in the Winter with the sleeve valve engines??
The Avro would seem to have been a much better move.
Speedbird 48.
The Avro would seem to have been a much better move.
Speedbird 48.
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Surely it was the CinC's aircraft not the air attaché. RAF crew.
Allied Forces Northern Europe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Allied Forces Northern Europe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia