RAF Halton Ground Crew Memorial
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RAF Halton Ground Crew Memorial
As RAF Halton celebrates 100 years of flying from the estate, a memorial to thousands of airmen and women has been unveiled by the Station Commander, Group Captain Simon Harper.
The memorial, a steel figure of a Groundcrew person in overalls, is a tribute to the thousands of men and women who passed through RAF Halton for 77 years commencing with Aircraft Mechanic Trainees and followed by the No 1 School of Technical Training.
Mr Jon Kumela (seen with Group Captain Harper), the Airfield Manager at RAF Halton, conceived and designed the memorial.
The memorial, a steel figure of a Groundcrew person in overalls, is a tribute to the thousands of men and women who passed through RAF Halton for 77 years commencing with Aircraft Mechanic Trainees and followed by the No 1 School of Technical Training.
Mr Jon Kumela (seen with Group Captain Harper), the Airfield Manager at RAF Halton, conceived and designed the memorial.
RAF Halton Memorial
A fitting tribute for all those who have trained at Halton and those that sadly lost their lives flying from the Station
But turning to the public picture taken to mark the event ...
I can understand the absence of SD Cap for the Group Captain as the memorial is on the airfield ... but I don't understand the need for the civilian Airfield Manager to attend in what appears to be a flying suit ... sporting some kind of Green Laurel Flying Brevet (or are these a new thing ?).
I fully appreciate you need someone to co-ordinate daily airfield/flying activities of 613VGS, HMC, RAFGSA, JSGC and HAC, in the absence of, say, a serving OC Flying. But Halton is still an RAF Station where new recruits train and begin their service life ... so perhaps not appropriate dress on this occasion Mr Kumela.
What do others think ?
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 19th Apr 2013 at 14:02.
I thought the Airfield Ops Manager post was an FTRS flt lt's job; or has that gone in the savings measures as well?
As an aside does anyone know who is ODH at Halton? For the types based there and for the airfield? I believe the stn cdr is Admin branch and therefore not SQEP.
As an aside does anyone know who is ODH at Halton? For the types based there and for the airfield? I believe the stn cdr is Admin branch and therefore not SQEP.
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Roland,
The Stn Cdr will be DDH facing. DDH for the VGS will be OC 3FTS; ODH is AOC 22(Trg) Gp. Not sure about the other types, if indeed they are part of the DH construct.
Duncs
The Stn Cdr will be DDH facing. DDH for the VGS will be OC 3FTS; ODH is AOC 22(Trg) Gp. Not sure about the other types, if indeed they are part of the DH construct.
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As a former trainee of RAF Halton I fully respect the memorial and the spirit of its installation.
However, on first impression it looks like an after thought designed in a hurry and manufactured from old scrap metal sheet.
Not a reflection on the technical skills and standards required by engineers to keep aircraft in serviceable condition
However, on first impression it looks like an after thought designed in a hurry and manufactured from old scrap metal sheet.
Not a reflection on the technical skills and standards required by engineers to keep aircraft in serviceable condition
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As a former trainee of RAF Halton I fully respect the memorial and the spirit of its installation.
Though one cannot help thinking it looks like he's having a Ham Shank or has his hands in his pockets, one does also wonder how long until someone embellishes it with a set of bollox.
I wonder how long it will be for some scumbag to have it away for scrap metal?
I was there in 74. Rapide block I seem to recall.
We were privileged enough to take the bus to the airfield. You could get it to rock from side to side at quite an angle...
I was there in 74. Rapide block I seem to recall.
We were privileged enough to take the bus to the airfield. You could get it to rock from side to side at quite an angle...
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I can remember sauntering to work.. sorry, marching past the Fire Section to see the arse end of the fire engine sticking up out of the underpass, someone having forgotten to put the handbrake on, it went straight through the railings and dropped into it.
..
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 19th Apr 2013 at 19:05.
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I do a bit of gliding at Halton and I've seen the Memorial under wraps for weeks now. It looks pretty good in an "Angel of the North" kind of way. It also makes it look like there's an intruder at night!
The Airfield Manager is a microlight instructor and so is entitled to wear non-RAF wings on his Serco supplied flying suit. There is also a microlight Air Experience Flight (AEF) for the RAF Recruits that do their first 10 weeks or so in the RAF at Halton - see link 1000th Air Experience Flight At Halton. This AEF contract was underwritten by CAS who came and flew one of the EV97 Eurostars with a Halton Microlight Instructor. Using 'badged up' civvy flight instructors is good for the Recruits!
I also know that the Airfield Manager can be asked to help with refuelling and "Special" category fire cover - the Air Cadets do a similar type of fire cover and 22 Group orders tell them to wear flying suits whilst doing the duty. There are also 2 other part time Airfield Managers that are present whenever there is flying at Halton; one is a CPL/IR pilot and the other is a PPL / Gliding Instructor (no it's not me!). One of their other duties is dealing with flying complaints from the various NIMBYs in the locale and also the various tresspassers - so looking official is key to their job.
Roland asked about a FTRS Flt Lt. The Serco contract replaced them but the Airfield Managers do report to a FTRS Sqn Ldr who is OC Ops. His duties are not solely airfield related. At present he is an experienced ex Wg Cdr FJ Nav who is also qualified to fly all of the fixed wing aircraft types operated at Halton (everything apart from the RAF Baloon) - plenty of SQEPness there!
The Stn Cdr is DH facing as correctly pointed out by Duncan and the DDH is CO 3FTS and the ODh is AOC 22 Gp.
So I suggest that you lay off Halton, and congratulate Mr Kumela (who is an ex RAF engineer himself) for his thoughtful memorial and celebrate the flying at this small flying station that celebrates 100 years of flying this year.
CPL Clott
The Airfield Manager is a microlight instructor and so is entitled to wear non-RAF wings on his Serco supplied flying suit. There is also a microlight Air Experience Flight (AEF) for the RAF Recruits that do their first 10 weeks or so in the RAF at Halton - see link 1000th Air Experience Flight At Halton. This AEF contract was underwritten by CAS who came and flew one of the EV97 Eurostars with a Halton Microlight Instructor. Using 'badged up' civvy flight instructors is good for the Recruits!
I also know that the Airfield Manager can be asked to help with refuelling and "Special" category fire cover - the Air Cadets do a similar type of fire cover and 22 Group orders tell them to wear flying suits whilst doing the duty. There are also 2 other part time Airfield Managers that are present whenever there is flying at Halton; one is a CPL/IR pilot and the other is a PPL / Gliding Instructor (no it's not me!). One of their other duties is dealing with flying complaints from the various NIMBYs in the locale and also the various tresspassers - so looking official is key to their job.
Roland asked about a FTRS Flt Lt. The Serco contract replaced them but the Airfield Managers do report to a FTRS Sqn Ldr who is OC Ops. His duties are not solely airfield related. At present he is an experienced ex Wg Cdr FJ Nav who is also qualified to fly all of the fixed wing aircraft types operated at Halton (everything apart from the RAF Baloon) - plenty of SQEPness there!
The Stn Cdr is DH facing as correctly pointed out by Duncan and the DDH is CO 3FTS and the ODh is AOC 22 Gp.
So I suggest that you lay off Halton, and congratulate Mr Kumela (who is an ex RAF engineer himself) for his thoughtful memorial and celebrate the flying at this small flying station that celebrates 100 years of flying this year.
CPL Clott
Last edited by Corporal Clott; 19th Apr 2013 at 19:20.
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PS. Coff, you are correct, the airfield is a 'hat's off' area and this is also part of the Recruit's introduction to Service airfields and FOD.
PPS. The wings look like Transair pilot shop ones Embriodered Pilot Wings. Commonly worn by pilots and instructors across the UK.
PPS. The wings look like Transair pilot shop ones Embriodered Pilot Wings. Commonly worn by pilots and instructors across the UK.
Last edited by Corporal Clott; 19th Apr 2013 at 19:18.
Well. Well done to those who created the memorial. IMO, RAF Halton itself is a memorial to the men and women who made the RAF function. Maybe, the effort and sacrifice of all RAF groundcrew deserves a greater gesture in 2018, our 100th?
OAP
OAP
Well said Cpl Clott
I went flying in one of these at Halton and I have to say that they are perfect for giving RAF recruits some of their very first flying from a RAF Station. They are also significantly cheaper to operate than a Grob.
I find the memorial fitting as a tribute to the Groundcrew and Aircrew that failed to return.
As for the Serco uniform - I think it's no different than the flying suits of FRA Cobham, Babcock's JEFTS and some of the contractors on DHFS at RAF Shawbury.
LJ
I went flying in one of these at Halton and I have to say that they are perfect for giving RAF recruits some of their very first flying from a RAF Station. They are also significantly cheaper to operate than a Grob.
I find the memorial fitting as a tribute to the Groundcrew and Aircrew that failed to return.
As for the Serco uniform - I think it's no different than the flying suits of FRA Cobham, Babcock's JEFTS and some of the contractors on DHFS at RAF Shawbury.
LJ
Here you go, a better picture with the aircraft chocks in view...
And here is the sculptors website...
Euan Cunningham - Home Page
And here is the sculptors website...
Euan Cunningham - Home Page
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 19th Apr 2013 at 20:41.
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Cpl C ... All understood and thanks ... But I still don't think that it's appropriate to attend an "unveiling" dressed in flying kit ... There again I suppose it has to double as some kind of "uniform" in these days of civilian contractors.
Leon ... I fully understand the economics of doing recruit AEF this way given modern budget constraints ... but I can't help feel a little disappointed that we can no longer afford to fly our recruits in RAF aircraft with a RAF Pilot
Best ...
Coff.
Leon ... I fully understand the economics of doing recruit AEF this way given modern budget constraints ... but I can't help feel a little disappointed that we can no longer afford to fly our recruits in RAF aircraft with a RAF Pilot
Best ...
Coff.
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When I first read this thread and looked at the photograph I was horrified with thoughts of “what a piece of junk”, and what a cheap insult to all those that served (including myself back in 1978 and 1981) at RAF Halton.
However, I rolled my study chair backwards and squinted my eyes and looked at it from several different angles.
Then I saw something quite special; an Airman, in overalls, hands in pockets, looking up at the skies, wondering if the men/women he had seen off earlier would return!!!
The first photo does not do it justice at all but the second photo showing the chocks is far better.
I am not an artist, but now I see it in a different way I think it is brilliant. Well done to Mr Jon Kumela for (in my opinion), it is a fitting tribute.
And as for your flying suit and wings, you done it mate, so wear them with pride.
CoffmanStarter, thanks for posting.
However, I rolled my study chair backwards and squinted my eyes and looked at it from several different angles.
Then I saw something quite special; an Airman, in overalls, hands in pockets, looking up at the skies, wondering if the men/women he had seen off earlier would return!!!
The first photo does not do it justice at all but the second photo showing the chocks is far better.
I am not an artist, but now I see it in a different way I think it is brilliant. Well done to Mr Jon Kumela for (in my opinion), it is a fitting tribute.
And as for your flying suit and wings, you done it mate, so wear them with pride.
CoffmanStarter, thanks for posting.
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I never got an AEF flight on basic or trade training. Nobody else did either in 1984. We did see a lot of policemen mind!
Good news if those today on basic do get the chance to fly hands on..
As for the artwork, I'm undecided on the hands in pockets, can't be holding bats or wands waiting for your see in on the line. Personal view, but nice to see some memorial to the reason Trenchard decided to use Halton after the Great War..
Is it really almost 30 years since I went through there?
Good news if those today on basic do get the chance to fly hands on..
As for the artwork, I'm undecided on the hands in pockets, can't be holding bats or wands waiting for your see in on the line. Personal view, but nice to see some memorial to the reason Trenchard decided to use Halton after the Great War..
Is it really almost 30 years since I went through there?
Last edited by Alber Ratman; 19th Apr 2013 at 21:10.
Coff
Flying RAF Recruits in small light aircraft at RAF Halton takes it back to the very beginning. The Halton Aero Club was established in 1925 for the RAF Apprentices to design, build and fly their very own aircraft. They built, flew and raced the HAC1 Mayfly in 1927 (registration G-EBOO) and even won some early Air Races https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halton_Mayfly
The brain child of this was Flt Lt C H Latimer Needham who went on to gain the first Soaring licence on gliders in the UK, was the inspiration behind the 'Colditz Cock' glider and formed the Luton Aircraft Company that produced the Luton Minor and Major. He also designed and patented the hovercraft skirt...
...not bad for an Observer from the First World War! Certainly, there were some RAF Pilots flying in the Club in the early days (just as there are now) but the opportunity to fly Apprentices was often given by non-pilot RAF personnel. This also reflects the RAF Gliding and Soaring Assoc's goals when it first started 60 odd years ago and now, via the Joint Service Gliding Centre, teaches Servicemen to fly gliders for free as a Force Development and Adventurous Trg activity - again not a RAF pilot in sight.
I don't believe that using expensive RAF pilots and expensive DE&S assured military-spec hardware should ever be needed for this basic flying activity. i often wonder why we bother with teaching almost the same as a PPL at UASs at probably much more cost than is needed - why not attach a system like the Army's OTC to a local flying school (even better a Service Flying Club) and save some money to spend on Front Line aircraft and hardware?
Just an opinion, though. That is all.
LJ
Flying RAF Recruits in small light aircraft at RAF Halton takes it back to the very beginning. The Halton Aero Club was established in 1925 for the RAF Apprentices to design, build and fly their very own aircraft. They built, flew and raced the HAC1 Mayfly in 1927 (registration G-EBOO) and even won some early Air Races https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halton_Mayfly
The brain child of this was Flt Lt C H Latimer Needham who went on to gain the first Soaring licence on gliders in the UK, was the inspiration behind the 'Colditz Cock' glider and formed the Luton Aircraft Company that produced the Luton Minor and Major. He also designed and patented the hovercraft skirt...
...not bad for an Observer from the First World War! Certainly, there were some RAF Pilots flying in the Club in the early days (just as there are now) but the opportunity to fly Apprentices was often given by non-pilot RAF personnel. This also reflects the RAF Gliding and Soaring Assoc's goals when it first started 60 odd years ago and now, via the Joint Service Gliding Centre, teaches Servicemen to fly gliders for free as a Force Development and Adventurous Trg activity - again not a RAF pilot in sight.
I don't believe that using expensive RAF pilots and expensive DE&S assured military-spec hardware should ever be needed for this basic flying activity. i often wonder why we bother with teaching almost the same as a PPL at UASs at probably much more cost than is needed - why not attach a system like the Army's OTC to a local flying school (even better a Service Flying Club) and save some money to spend on Front Line aircraft and hardware?
Just an opinion, though. That is all.
LJ
I can't speak about the airfield manager, but the Stn Cdr is probably disinclined to wear his No 1 s for the camera. No brevet, no campaign medals...this day and age?
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