Piston Provost
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When the Valiants were grounded in 1964 we squadron co-pilots were issued with a Chipmunk so that we could maintain flying practice.
Ah, that explains the markings on the Chipmunk that inhabited the Rect Flt hangar at Cranwell around 1966/67. It had the 90 Sqn green pennant (90 having been a Valiant squadron) on the fin and the inscription "Thud'n'Blunder" on the fuselage beneath the canopy. Can't remember the serial number.
Polecat
Ah, that explains the markings on the Chipmunk that inhabited the Rect Flt hangar at Cranwell around 1966/67. It had the 90 Sqn green pennant (90 having been a Valiant squadron) on the fin and the inscription "Thud'n'Blunder" on the fuselage beneath the canopy. Can't remember the serial number.
Polecat
Gentleman Aviator
To this end it had a full green/grey camouflage finish with a light grey underside.
We now had our own baby Spitfire.
We now had our own baby Spitfire.
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Originally Posted by TH
Like the one(s) at Wallop, aka "Spitmunk"!
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 29th Sep 2013 at 17:58.
It had the 90 Sqn green pennant (90 having been a Valiant squadron) on the fin
Thread Starter
Back to the PP ! This project is far from dead, the machine is U/S at the moment with a cracked cylinder head. As soon as it's fixed we will be doing the survey and test flight, then decision time !
If it goes ahead, won't be offering shares in her as I now have a prospective pilot to share the PP with, with all the right experience so it'll just be the two of us.
However, if it all comes to fruition I will be delighted to fly others in it, just share the cost of fuel (if the CAA still allows that ) the magic of the big radial will be free !
Fortunately I am ex JP QFI (ex SORF at Manby) so converting to the PP should be straightforward and, ironically, just the reverse of some of the piston to jet conversions we did at Manby !
(and it doesn't have those b....y heel brakes like my old Luscombe !)
If it goes ahead, won't be offering shares in her as I now have a prospective pilot to share the PP with, with all the right experience so it'll just be the two of us.
However, if it all comes to fruition I will be delighted to fly others in it, just share the cost of fuel (if the CAA still allows that ) the magic of the big radial will be free !
Fortunately I am ex JP QFI (ex SORF at Manby) so converting to the PP should be straightforward and, ironically, just the reverse of some of the piston to jet conversions we did at Manby !
(and it doesn't have those b....y heel brakes like my old Luscombe !)
Last edited by RetiredBA/BY; 30th Sep 2013 at 08:30.
Talking of brakes, suggest you don't be too vigorous with them if and when taxying over rough surfaces. A number came to grief on North Airfield at Cranwell in the mid 50s'. Although this may have mentioned before, it really happens! As you probably know, Shuttleworth have a PP in unusual colours', their resident PP Pilot may be able to help but then I suspect I may be teaching my granny..... .
RAF Halton PP
Further to Smudges comments on PPs at Halton ( and yes I do know you and you know me) I too was there with the PPs and was chased round the airfield by them as some of the resting Entry commanders would taxi them round while those on the Airfield training element of the Apps training would be introduced to Marshalling live aircraft. The pilots were briefed to do exactly what the App would tell them to do as long as it was safe which certainly produced some hysterical moments as long as you weren't the one doing the marshalling.
At a later date as a chiefy at Abingdon I supplied Adour spares to a Mate from Laarbruch for the Jags used for ground running training who was responsible for the then current aircraft used for the marshalling practice and as a Quid pro Quo was invited to taxi the JPs for the Apps, a rather interesting day spent veering round the pan and down a rather narrow piece of road which had a marked degree of camber. It was easier taxying a Herc, at least you had a steering wheel!
At a later date as a chiefy at Abingdon I supplied Adour spares to a Mate from Laarbruch for the Jags used for ground running training who was responsible for the then current aircraft used for the marshalling practice and as a Quid pro Quo was invited to taxi the JPs for the Apps, a rather interesting day spent veering round the pan and down a rather narrow piece of road which had a marked degree of camber. It was easier taxying a Herc, at least you had a steering wheel!
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I did my taxy training with a Pembroke at Saints, then we all got a lift back to the hangar in it, the whole course LOL, crammed as far fwd as we could get to stop it sitting on its tail.
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My father learned to fly on PP at Ternhill for his National Service, I at Shawbury in helicopters quite a few (!) years later.
It was only after some time reminiscing about various exercises and flights in the local area that we realised we were both talking about the same place, having both flown circuits at Chetwynd, just 40 years apart!
It was only after some time reminiscing about various exercises and flights in the local area that we realised we were both talking about the same place, having both flown circuits at Chetwynd, just 40 years apart!
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Wander00 ... I'm with you here
Equally I wonder what the handling between the Piston Provost and the BP Balliol was like ? What were they like to spin ? I know I've asked this before ... but live in hope that someone has had hands-on both aircraft
Equally I wonder what the handling between the Piston Provost and the BP Balliol was like ? What were they like to spin ? I know I've asked this before ... but live in hope that someone has had hands-on both aircraft