Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
Lynas beat me to it! I was intending to get SWMBO to cut and paste,( or whatever it's called - me being a technophobe ) , Nasher's email with all the details.
Mike, we must get together one day before we fall off the perch!
Mike, we must get together one day before we fall off the perch!
Last edited by Brian 48nav; 13th Jul 2016 at 10:59. Reason: addition
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Heli flying!
Heli flying! Did a ground tour with the Army in Germany. There was a helicopter unit with Gazelles and Lynx. At the time the gazelle was always manned by a pilot and a crewman but I was able to get stick time with the Regimental QHI. Also managed to fly the GAF Bo105 and Belgian Allouette 3. Absolutely rubbish as a heli pilot (some might say the same of my Herc skills) but the Army thought it might be a good idea to get me to solo on Gazelle and have a Soldier Magazine article about RAF Brigade Staff Officer soloing on it. RAF put the kibosh on it as I was on a ground tour, probably saving QHI lots of grey hair.
Just been up to town and perusing the 'collectables' in a local shop. One item caught my eye and triggered a memory, a 'Joe 90' book. Our USAF exchange officer on 47 at Fairford looked very like 'Joe 90' and was thus christened. Anyone else remember him ?
AA62
Could it have been Major J J Smith?
I believe he passed away 2 or 3 years ago, according to C**** K**** - he and a few other ex 47ers met up at the RAF Club to 'mourn' his passing.
I believe he passed away 2 or 3 years ago, according to C**** K**** - he and a few other ex 47ers met up at the RAF Club to 'mourn' his passing.
Smudge,you owe Tucker for a brandy sour, not quite the same taste as Akro but a valiant effort.
One bit of news from the re-union was given to me, a G.E. who I used to bump into around Swindon passed away a week before the do, a bit of a shock as I had met him a week before that and he had seemed fine. His name was Harry Davis which might not ring any bells but he achieved fame or notoriety depending on your viewpoint as being able to do a B.F. in Gander in the winter without leaving any footprints in the snow apart from those leading from the Det office to the Aircraft! If you didn't know Harry Davis you might well know or have heard of "Black Harry ", one and the same!
Another link with the early days of Albert gone.
The do was good, lots of tales told, possibly some of them true, lots of sandbags pulled up and lanterns swung, so much "do you remember" going on and this after a good look round a " J ", an A400 and a C17, a good day was had by all.
One bit of news from the re-union was given to me, a G.E. who I used to bump into around Swindon passed away a week before the do, a bit of a shock as I had met him a week before that and he had seemed fine. His name was Harry Davis which might not ring any bells but he achieved fame or notoriety depending on your viewpoint as being able to do a B.F. in Gander in the winter without leaving any footprints in the snow apart from those leading from the Det office to the Aircraft! If you didn't know Harry Davis you might well know or have heard of "Black Harry ", one and the same!
Another link with the early days of Albert gone.
The do was good, lots of tales told, possibly some of them true, lots of sandbags pulled up and lanterns swung, so much "do you remember" going on and this after a good look round a " J ", an A400 and a C17, a good day was had by all.
Brian,
it was 'JJ' a great chap and I am sorry to hear of his passing.
On a trip to Lajes the crew were surprised to see a high powered reception committee when they landed. It transpired that a signal had been corrupted and the Captain appeared to be one MJ (Major General) Smith !
it was 'JJ' a great chap and I am sorry to hear of his passing.
On a trip to Lajes the crew were surprised to see a high powered reception committee when they landed. It transpired that a signal had been corrupted and the Captain appeared to be one MJ (Major General) Smith !
Regarding the late Harry Davis (AKA B**** Harry).
At one time during the early 70s on A-line, GEs were employed in their main trade on a particular shift when not on route, leave, stand-down after a trip, etc. One Saturday morning, HD should have reported on shift for weekend working. However, by around 0900, no sign of HD - and we were short of engine tradesmen. The shift controller, a Flt Sgt renowned for his colourful (and sometime disrespectful) language, tossed the keys of the Land Rover to one of the lads and told him to nip across to AMQ at Number XX, Melsome Road, give HD the Flt Sgt's compliments and invite him to get his b**** a$$ into work ASAP!
On another occasion, one of lads excitedly pointed out of the office window shouting, "Look! B**** H**** has been run over!". Lying flat on the taxyway outside J3 Hangar was a black anti-kerosene suit.
A colourful character (in more than one way).
R.I.P. Harry.
At one time during the early 70s on A-line, GEs were employed in their main trade on a particular shift when not on route, leave, stand-down after a trip, etc. One Saturday morning, HD should have reported on shift for weekend working. However, by around 0900, no sign of HD - and we were short of engine tradesmen. The shift controller, a Flt Sgt renowned for his colourful (and sometime disrespectful) language, tossed the keys of the Land Rover to one of the lads and told him to nip across to AMQ at Number XX, Melsome Road, give HD the Flt Sgt's compliments and invite him to get his b**** a$$ into work ASAP!
On another occasion, one of lads excitedly pointed out of the office window shouting, "Look! B**** H**** has been run over!". Lying flat on the taxyway outside J3 Hangar was a black anti-kerosene suit.
A colourful character (in more than one way).
R.I.P. Harry.
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Remember Black Harry's wife stabbing him in the leg with the metal tail of a hairdresser's comb at a party in Hilmarton once.
He also tried to convince me the Before Flight was done in the snow at Coltishall . . . one set of footprints to the intake blanks on each engine and there he was huddled up on the Nav's seat with the GTC running.
Colourful character . . . hmm, you could say that.
However, he came into his own when carrying out rects, in my experience he excelled at that.
He also tried to convince me the Before Flight was done in the snow at Coltishall . . . one set of footprints to the intake blanks on each engine and there he was huddled up on the Nav's seat with the GTC running.
Colourful character . . . hmm, you could say that.
However, he came into his own when carrying out rects, in my experience he excelled at that.
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I've just purchased 'Exocet - Falklands: The untold story. What a good, very well researched and unbiased read. Although I heard plenty of rumours regarding Harry Burgoyne's C-130 experiences when I was on LXX; it's nice to read about them.
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Is Harry B still around. I last knew he was on the RIAT organising Ctee.
I have not forgiven him for spoiling my dreams over Val Singleton when we were transiting between CL and Laguna.
Cheese- There are a few other books you may like to read. or look up Marcantilans posts on the Falklands thread.
Drag
I have not forgiven him for spoiling my dreams over Val Singleton when we were transiting between CL and Laguna.
Cheese- There are a few other books you may like to read. or look up Marcantilans posts on the Falklands thread.
Drag
Cheesedoff,
Got and read the book, an eye opener indeed. I was fortunate to support Captain Burgoyne on a route or two, a proper gentleman, as they say.
Gopher01,
I of course know of black Harry from reputation, but never had the pleasure of learning his " operandus modi", thankfully. I mourn his passing as I do all who have passed the course. I would suggest though that long after he ended his days as a GE, I witnessed some who struggled to do the job, with respect to flight servicing down route. I once did a route with a fellow GE and we worked the inside/outside routine so, I did outside on landing the night before. The next morning he did outside. Whilst straightening the passenger straps (which he should have done on the A/F) and noting that the fatigue meter readings had not been recorded in the 700, I was not surprised when he declared he had finished outside, without getting the ladder out. Well, the pogo stick wasn't used for prodding the tanks, just to dislodge the intake blanks. So much for checking the front end of the engine. If any member of the operating crew were so slack in their duty, I for one would have felt entitled to have a say. This bloke was an insult to everything RAF Groundcrew stood for, a complete shirker. He was still a GE when I left the service. If you read this thread mate, you know who you are, I made it clear at the time. Sorry chaps, chest clear, glad to hear Captain Burgoyne is still good.
Smudge
PS Tucker imbibed appropriately. I call him the Sherrif of Nottingham these days, you'll know why !!
Got and read the book, an eye opener indeed. I was fortunate to support Captain Burgoyne on a route or two, a proper gentleman, as they say.
Gopher01,
I of course know of black Harry from reputation, but never had the pleasure of learning his " operandus modi", thankfully. I mourn his passing as I do all who have passed the course. I would suggest though that long after he ended his days as a GE, I witnessed some who struggled to do the job, with respect to flight servicing down route. I once did a route with a fellow GE and we worked the inside/outside routine so, I did outside on landing the night before. The next morning he did outside. Whilst straightening the passenger straps (which he should have done on the A/F) and noting that the fatigue meter readings had not been recorded in the 700, I was not surprised when he declared he had finished outside, without getting the ladder out. Well, the pogo stick wasn't used for prodding the tanks, just to dislodge the intake blanks. So much for checking the front end of the engine. If any member of the operating crew were so slack in their duty, I for one would have felt entitled to have a say. This bloke was an insult to everything RAF Groundcrew stood for, a complete shirker. He was still a GE when I left the service. If you read this thread mate, you know who you are, I made it clear at the time. Sorry chaps, chest clear, glad to hear Captain Burgoyne is still good.
Smudge
PS Tucker imbibed appropriately. I call him the Sherrif of Nottingham these days, you'll know why !!
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Just Joined The Thread
Well, I'm not much of an internet trawler so have missed this thread until a couple of days ago. I've now finished reading up to date and it is nice to hear a few names I recognise as well as some of the faces on the pictures. As someone else has said, I wish I had taken more photographs during my time but this thread has made me find my old negatives and start warning up the scanner.
If CoffmanStarter could kindly send the requisite upload instructions my way (I'm not allowed to PM at the moment as I have only just registered) I will make a start on what photos I have at the moment.
If CoffmanStarter could kindly send the requisite upload instructions my way (I'm not allowed to PM at the moment as I have only just registered) I will make a start on what photos I have at the moment.
VET,
our good friend and mentor in these things, Coffman, is away for a while. Perhaps one of our other contributors could assist. Welcome and we look forward to your pics and stories.
our good friend and mentor in these things, Coffman, is away for a while. Perhaps one of our other contributors could assist. Welcome and we look forward to your pics and stories.
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AA62,
Thanks for the words of welcome, I believe we crossed paths on occasion, especially on Op Vigour as I was on Crew 1. A quick potted history: 47 Sqn 1990-94; 24 Sqn 1994-97; a "temporary" posting of two and half years at 38 Gp; 47 Sqn 2000-04 then out into the big bad world. Once I've worked out how, I'll get posting some photos.
Thanks for the words of welcome, I believe we crossed paths on occasion, especially on Op Vigour as I was on Crew 1. A quick potted history: 47 Sqn 1990-94; 24 Sqn 1994-97; a "temporary" posting of two and half years at 38 Gp; 47 Sqn 2000-04 then out into the big bad world. Once I've worked out how, I'll get posting some photos.
