Fincastle 2013
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Fincastle 2013
It was announced today that crew 3 of 11SQN will be representing Australia for the Fincastle competition to be held just South of the Barossa Valley at Edinburgh during October. We are looking forward to hosting those that bring the pirple deeth and the drink that keeps a lot of moose happy!
It will be sad not to have the roar of the speys and the antics of some of the ISK inmates but just think of it as I will keep the trophy safe for you to come and get it, if you are hard enough!!
Yes it is my crew that won so come one come all and have a go
Charlie sends
It will be sad not to have the roar of the speys and the antics of some of the ISK inmates but just think of it as I will keep the trophy safe for you to come and get it, if you are hard enough!!
Yes it is my crew that won so come one come all and have a go
Charlie sends
You will have to have been part of it to know what station ISK was however, hopefully some former inmates will make it out to Oz in October. Obviously as part of the Kiwi or Canadian detachments! 
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Good to know that the Commonwealth countries are continuing with the competition.
For the casual observer details are below, but isn't it wonderful that this memorial competition is still a regular event even though the original sponsor country has dropped out.
What, I wonder, has become of the Aird-Whyte?
Fincastle competition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fincastle Competition began in 1960 when Mr. and Mrs. Aird-Whyte presented a silver tray, (now the Fincastle Trophy), in memory of their son Sergeant Nairn Fincastle Aird-Whyte, (who was killed in action in 1943 while flying with the RAF Coastal Command). Initially the competition was for accuracy in depth charge bombing showcase but it has evolved over the years to reflect the new duties of today's air forces. The competition fosters relations among the four participating nations while encouraging learning and skill sharing.
For the casual observer details are below, but isn't it wonderful that this memorial competition is still a regular event even though the original sponsor country has dropped out.
What, I wonder, has become of the Aird-Whyte?
Fincastle competition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fincastle Competition began in 1960 when Mr. and Mrs. Aird-Whyte presented a silver tray, (now the Fincastle Trophy), in memory of their son Sergeant Nairn Fincastle Aird-Whyte, (who was killed in action in 1943 while flying with the RAF Coastal Command). Initially the competition was for accuracy in depth charge bombing showcase but it has evolved over the years to reflect the new duties of today's air forces. The competition fosters relations among the four participating nations while encouraging learning and skill sharing.
D'you think if seedcorn can make up a crew the Yanks will let them enter with a P-8?
Like your thinking though
Duncs, as they are all on the 'OCU' & 'OEU' then wouldn't it be the same as 236/42 competing? ISTR that only the Op sqns could participate in Fincastle??
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Not long here,
That would never happen nowadays, what with all the accountability and transparency in the selection process!
Makes you wonder why the management just don't pick a crew whose attendance in the Fincastle run off, would fit in with the long range program.
On a more positive note:-
Congrats to Charlie and 3/11.
That annoyed me a wee bit about 10 years ago when my crew won the AW but weren't permitted to take part in Fincastle although we were an operational crew (in fact Advanced crew) embedded in 42(R). 
Makes you wonder why the management just don't pick a crew whose attendance in the Fincastle run off, would fit in with the long range program.
On a more positive note:-
Congrats to Charlie and 3/11.
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Charlie, i have drunk the purple death and done the pub crawl round the backwater of Adelaide. I volunteer to do it in a 747 next time I'm down. I think the pilots were winning on finding subs by looking out the window last time we flew...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Smiler, without consulting Tom L, contacted the USN Poster and got Tom extended to take part in the Fincastle. This was approved and Tom had his posting deferred so that he missed most of the first semester at Annapolis. Not best please.
AlR, with respect, a cheap shot. If you check the wiki entry, while it is true that the RAF won more than any other air force, the RAF has not won the majority of the competitions.
I was lucky to be on the 201 Sqn crew that took part and won the Aird Whyte and Fincastle in 1975/6. During the 76 Fincastle night sortie not only did we locate and attack the competition O Boat but also had time to locate, track and drop SUS on a Soviet Whiskey Class that was in the area. I will always remember the silence when the accoustics lead told the captain that we had just attacked the Soviet. 
. The O Boat captain was apparently more confused as he was listening to all that was going on.
. The O Boat captain was apparently more confused as he was listening to all that was going on.
Janda, great story. Although not ex maritime, I've a friend who was AEOp on Shacks & Nimrods.
I started life in torpedo R&D and then MN and fancied maritime but, at the time, it was Shacks and, following an indulgence in a Bev, decided big pistons were too noisy (what a wimp!). I went to Argosies which, I have to say, was a bit boring. I wish I'd gone maritime but, then, that would probably have changed the civy progression which turned out OK, so mustn't grumble.
I hadn't heard of Fincastle before; are you saying that the Brits won't be competing?
I started life in torpedo R&D and then MN and fancied maritime but, at the time, it was Shacks and, following an indulgence in a Bev, decided big pistons were too noisy (what a wimp!). I went to Argosies which, I have to say, was a bit boring. I wish I'd gone maritime but, then, that would probably have changed the civy progression which turned out OK, so mustn't grumble.
I hadn't heard of Fincastle before; are you saying that the Brits won't be competing?
Basil, As the UK no longer has a maritime patrol aircraft the RAF are unable to enter the competition. Traditionally the competiton has been maritime based and have some element of Anti Submarine Warfare in it as well as intelligence gathering and surveillance.
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Basil, sentry and sentinel have nothing to do with ASW, as a Maritime nation we are a bit bare of a long range maritime asset, this includes long range SAR, hence not meeting our international obligation, we can say we get round it with other platforms, but those in the business know the capability gap that we have.
Good luck to all on fincastle.
Good luck to all on fincastle.