RAF WSOp (AIRCREW) jumps course?
valMORNA and aa62 - "Snap", but in '55. Not pointed out was that we did our balloon jumps WITHOUT the benefit of reserve 'chutes - the feeling of relief when the thing opened was, perhaps, that much stronger!! Didn't use the practice tower, just the fan trainer.
Did some reservists 'sim 15s' where my stick leader started to go on the red and I had to hold him till the green, then let go! He hit the fuselage en route and I was worried sick until we got back and I checked with him - he had no recall of it! 'Jock' Fox was the kingpin W.O. PJI and ruled his chaps with the proverbial. Hastings return from WotG offered a splendid head massage by sticking your head through the open door into the slipstream! 60 years ago??? - Never!!
Did some reservists 'sim 15s' where my stick leader started to go on the red and I had to hold him till the green, then let go! He hit the fuselage en route and I was worried sick until we got back and I checked with him - he had no recall of it! 'Jock' Fox was the kingpin W.O. PJI and ruled his chaps with the proverbial. Hastings return from WotG offered a splendid head massage by sticking your head through the open door into the slipstream! 60 years ago??? - Never!!
Cornish Jack,
nice story. Not unusual for someone to try to go at 'Red On' or even the command 'Stand in the door'. We could usually hear some of the troops bumping down the side of the Hastings. Always preferred despatching from the port door as you had more room. The starboard door was further forward for structural reasons.
nice story. Not unusual for someone to try to go at 'Red On' or even the command 'Stand in the door'. We could usually hear some of the troops bumping down the side of the Hastings. Always preferred despatching from the port door as you had more room. The starboard door was further forward for structural reasons.
Last edited by ancientaviator62; 16th Aug 2014 at 11:58. Reason: word
In my day PJIs were gnarled veterans who shouted at trainees how to land on two feet or roll properly or whatever. I was reminded how things have changed when I visited Northolt a few years ago for the launch of a range of MOD approved action toys.
At the event we were introduced to a variety of serving personnel including these two from PJIs from 1 PTS at Brize Norton.
Just shows how things change - or perhaps I've just got older!
Sgt Jimmy O’Brien, 1 PTS, R.A.F. Brize Norton, Member of the R.A.F. Falcons Parachute Display Team and Flt. Lt. Louise Buxton, Leader of the R.A.F. Falcons Parachute Display Team.
Read more here:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ml#post4910140
At the event we were introduced to a variety of serving personnel including these two from PJIs from 1 PTS at Brize Norton.
Just shows how things change - or perhaps I've just got older!
Sgt Jimmy O’Brien, 1 PTS, R.A.F. Brize Norton, Member of the R.A.F. Falcons Parachute Display Team and Flt. Lt. Louise Buxton, Leader of the R.A.F. Falcons Parachute Display Team.
Read more here:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ml#post4910140
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Warmtoast, Thanks for posting the colour pics of the tower and knacker cracker. I have just put some B&W photo's up on another site from 1969 when I was in Singapore.
As you know I enjoy the historical aspects and do my best to preserve artefacts and documents. When we had a clear out at JATE circa 1995 I sent the original drawings of the Ringwood tower over to Rolly W in the PTS Museum. they were drawn on waxed linen in India ink and were really works of art rather than Engineering drawings. I do hope they are still there.
Does anyone know when the knacker cracker on the Gateway Field at Brize was taken down. Probably to make way for the C17 Sqn buildings mid 2000s. I think it was abandoned on advice of the elf and safety police when nobody would accept any responsibility for it's design.
I did the water course 3 times as a civilian and had several goes on the big fan and swings in the PTS hangar.
As you know I enjoy the historical aspects and do my best to preserve artefacts and documents. When we had a clear out at JATE circa 1995 I sent the original drawings of the Ringwood tower over to Rolly W in the PTS Museum. they were drawn on waxed linen in India ink and were really works of art rather than Engineering drawings. I do hope they are still there.
Does anyone know when the knacker cracker on the Gateway Field at Brize was taken down. Probably to make way for the C17 Sqn buildings mid 2000s. I think it was abandoned on advice of the elf and safety police when nobody would accept any responsibility for it's design.
I did the water course 3 times as a civilian and had several goes on the big fan and swings in the PTS hangar.
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I seem to remember that the tower was the only bit of equipment that I felt uneasy about, when one was pulled against the gate there was a total lack of 'self-control', by which I mean that you had lost all control over the situation, once the gates were opened by the PJI's then you went, like it or not. Even the fans in the hangar had less trepidation for me.
I remember also the descent from the Argosy, seeing the tail-boom alongside thinking, ' I'll hit that', the tailplane whizzing past overhead as my head went back, and then floating down, I was No1 in the stick of four and last to hit the ground - skinny rake in those days.....
I remember also the descent from the Argosy, seeing the tail-boom alongside thinking, ' I'll hit that', the tailplane whizzing past overhead as my head went back, and then floating down, I was No1 in the stick of four and last to hit the ground - skinny rake in those days.....
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Question, how much para drill do aircrew do now?
In my day practically every other gym session was para rolls. I don't recall any continuation training thereafter. Escape training, dinghy drills and in the V-force annual CS exercise.
Once I joined Sunshine Airways we did an annual swim but no camping and delighting. In Maritime is was too wet and in AEW well . . .
My para skills are very useful in my forage as I convert a fall to a forward left, roll, and get up unhurt.
In my day practically every other gym session was para rolls. I don't recall any continuation training thereafter. Escape training, dinghy drills and in the V-force annual CS exercise.
Once I joined Sunshine Airways we did an annual swim but no camping and delighting. In Maritime is was too wet and in AEW well . . .
My para skills are very useful in my forage as I convert a fall to a forward left, roll, and get up unhurt.
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P N,
Agreed, a forward-left (or -right) roll is a good escape route in event of a trip. My wife did something similar a few years ago, but broke her shoulder. Should have gone to Abingdon!
Agreed, a forward-left (or -right) roll is a good escape route in event of a trip. My wife did something similar a few years ago, but broke her shoulder. Should have gone to Abingdon!
