Air Cadets grounded?
I did a few Easter courses in the late 60s and it always amused me that the quality of cadets on those courses differed from the usual weekend types. Presumably this was because they were largely public school students and you could guarantee that one or two would be impossible, blaming the instructors for their shortcomings. The others were usually brilliant. On one course we had the charming son of the current CAS and the other cadets were trying to persuade him to get his dad to order Boscombe Down to stop messing us about with ridiculous height restrictions.
Air Cadets UNGROUNDED
THe 615 facebook site states flying all week, so looks like a mini course which is great news for 615 and Kenley. An Easter and Summer course was always the norm with up to 20 Cadets per time and about 9 days of flying per course. Usually fairly local units so no issues completing the training if the weather intervened. Much more simple then with the fretwork fighters and fast trailer retrieves back to the launch point. NAFFI pies and late evening cable repairs using headlights so ready for early start the next day. If we were really late the winches and caravan were 'laagered up' on the peri track near the Wattendon arms and went back to the Belfast much later.
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More Tutor troubles.
From the RAF Tutor display team Facebook:
From the RAF Tutor display team Facebook:
Tutor Display at Cosford Airshow cancelled. Unfortunately, despite the hard work the Tutor Display Team and Babcock have put into getting the Tutor Display ready for Cosford Airshow, as a result of a technical issue within the wider Tutor fleet, we will not be able to display tomorrow.
In my opinion they should never have selected the Tutor in the first place; it had to be 'modded' to make it suitable for the RAF tasks whereas the Firefly was available off the shelf.
I presume they are just used for UAS and AEF training nowadays with the Prefect II (the 'original' Prefect being an Air Cadet glider) replacing the Tutor for BFTS.
I presume they are just used for UAS and AEF training nowadays with the Prefect II (the 'original' Prefect being an Air Cadet glider) replacing the Tutor for BFTS.
THe 615 facebook site states flying all week, so looks like a mini course which is great news for 615 and Kenley. An Easter and Summer course was always the norm with up to 20 Cadets per time and about 9 days of flying per course. Usually fairly local units so no issues completing the training if the weather intervened. Much more simple then with the fretwork fighters and fast trailer retrieves back to the launch point. NAFFI pies and late evening cable repairs using headlights so ready for early start the next day. If we were really late the winches and caravan were 'laagered up' on the peri track near the Wattendon arms and went back to the Belfast much later.
NAFFI pies?
The NAAFI wagon did attend at Halton but only to the hangars during morning and afternoon breaks; as we were out on the airfield they never came near us although on one occasion, we did a special presentation one evening at which the NAAFI wagon attended. I stood waiting in line with the others and as the SWO approached, the NAAFI girl said to him ''you can f***ing sod off, I'm not bl00dy serving you'.
Never did figure out what brought that on.
We had a NAAFI shop and a NAAFI 'Club' at Kenley but no wagon. The Austin would be despatched to collect these delicacies which looked like a toy Tortoise (similar taste). However to a lonely winch driver waiting for signals they filled the gap until the Airman's mess was open.
Just one of those 'magic' experiences for a young Cadet let loose on 'equipment' that provided the means for other Cadets to achieve their A&B at a former Battle of Britain airfield within sight of our Capital.
The Hurricanes were long gone, but the spirit is still there. Long live 615
Just one of those 'magic' experiences for a young Cadet let loose on 'equipment' that provided the means for other Cadets to achieve their A&B at a former Battle of Britain airfield within sight of our Capital.
The Hurricanes were long gone, but the spirit is still there. Long live 615
Last edited by POBJOY; 12th Jun 2023 at 22:16.
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Navy Army and Air Force Institute.
I believe SPAR later took over the organisation.
As for the pies, I remember Freddie Frinton doing a sketch on TV (1960s or '70s so nobody else will remember) . In his usual 'drunk' persona, he bought a tortoise and returned later in the sketch to ask for another saying 'best pork pies I ever tasted.!!
I believe SPAR later took over the organisation.
As for the pies, I remember Freddie Frinton doing a sketch on TV (1960s or '70s so nobody else will remember) . In his usual 'drunk' persona, he bought a tortoise and returned later in the sketch to ask for another saying 'best pork pies I ever tasted.!!
VIGILANTS
Photo on Flyer Forums showing a huge pile of Vigilants in pieces.
I'm guessing it was taken at Kemble judging by the '747s parked next to them.
I thought the intention was to re-furbish the Vigis and re-sell them so more MOD money wasted.
Photo on Flyer Forums showing a huge pile of Vigilants in pieces.
I'm guessing it was taken at Kemble judging by the '747s parked next to them.
I thought the intention was to re-furbish the Vigis and re-sell them so more MOD money wasted.
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Add to that the fact that 621 and 637 VGSs will very shortly cease to exist....621 was the longest serving school at one location until it was booted off the airfield at WSM in 1993, starting as 87GS in 1943. They went on to Hullavington and currently reside at Little Riss...
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear
unless you're in the know...
Answers on a postcard
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear
unless you're in the know...Answers on a postcard
Venture Adventure
Add to that the fact that 621 and 637 VGSs will very shortly cease to exist....621 was the longest serving school at one location until it was booted off the airfield at WSM in 1993, starting as 87GS in 1943. They went on to Hullavington and currently reside at Little Riss...
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear unless you're in the know...
Answers on a postcard
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear
unless you're in the know...Answers on a postcard
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https://forum.aircadetcentral.net/t/...h-spiral/10489
It’s not looking good for the organisation is it.
Apparently, the commandant, (Tony Keeling) has declared that any activity is to be zero risk or its being binned. Classroom activities are the safe way forward!
It’s not looking good for the organisation is it.
Apparently, the commandant, (Tony Keeling) has declared that any activity is to be zero risk or its being binned. Classroom activities are the safe way forward!
Sky Sports,
I just could not believe, or comprehend, that statement allegedly made by the Commandant. ...and as for classroom activities not being dangerous........
Whilst I'm sad I'm no longer part of such a brilliant group of people, I'm glad I don't have to swallow stuff like this.
I just could not believe, or comprehend, that statement allegedly made by the Commandant. ...and as for classroom activities not being dangerous........
Whilst I'm sad I'm no longer part of such a brilliant group of people, I'm glad I don't have to swallow stuff like this.
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From Little Acorns
Sky Sports,
I just could not believe, or comprehend, that statement allegedly made by the Commandant. ...and as for classroom activities not being dangerous........
Whilst I'm sad I'm no longer part of such a brilliant group of people, I'm glad I don't have to swallow stuff like this.
I just could not believe, or comprehend, that statement allegedly made by the Commandant. ...and as for classroom activities not being dangerous........
Whilst I'm sad I'm no longer part of such a brilliant group of people, I'm glad I don't have to swallow stuff like this.
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Classrooms 'What Classrooms', My classroom was doing cable repairs (using Landrover headlights) at the end of a days FLYING, and ensuring everything was ok for the next day. The pay off came at the end of the week when 20 CCF Cadets paraded in front of our CO (they were some smart the CCF Cadets and even wore white spats !!) and presented him with a thank you token of appreciation for getting them all off solo despite the weather. The 'grunts' (Staff Cadets) were pleased to see them do ok, and that was our reward (plus a few NAFFI pies). It was all about great leadership and mega teamwork, plus a large dose of 'observed responsibility' that set us up for the future. Twenty plus years earlier there had been occasions when Cadets of the time had 'trolly- acked' Hurricanes and Spitfires off into action when needed, so is was some act to follow, although we did manage to find some Lloyd Loom chairs for down on the winches.
Oh my God a spelling error
Well It was 61 years ago Chev, but I still remember to tap alongside the altimeter and not to stretch a glide, plus still have all my fingers left even after years of chopping cables (Imagine that today). I think the basic HAS design came from an inverted NAAFI pie (apple flavour),and used the same mixture. I see Kenley operated a 5 day course despite the weather this Easter well done to them.
Add to that the fact that 621 and 637 VGSs will very shortly cease to exist....621 was the longest serving school at one location until it was booted off the airfield at WSM in 1993, starting as 87GS in 1943. They went on to Hullavington and currently reside at Little Riss...
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear unless you're in the know...
Answers on a postcard
You'll never guess in a million years the reason they will disappear
unless you're in the know...Answers on a postcard
13 year old son is debating Air Cadets or Army and sadly I know which way I am leaning.