8 Squadron, RAF, 100 years old.
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8 Squadron, RAF, 100 years old.
8 Squadron, of the Royal Flying Corps, was formed at Brooklands on 1st January 1915 and was quickly moved to the Western Front where it saw extensive action, it's battle honours including Loos, Arras, Somme and Cambrai. Captain Ferdinand West, a pilot on the Sqn during the First World War was the first member of the newly formed Royal Air Force to receive the Victoria Cross. The Sqn has seen extensive overseas operations across the British Empire and was later known as "Aden's Own". 8 Sqn's association with the Middle East is acknowledged in the Sqn crest with its Arabian Dagger.
The Sqn is currently based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and flies the Boeing E-3D aircraft.
To celebrate 100 years of service, and to remember all those who have served over that time, 8 Sqn will be holding several events throughout 2015 which will be open to serving members of the Sqn and members of the 8 Sqn Association.
For details of the events, former members of the Sqn are encouraged to join the Association by emailing the Secretary ([email protected]).
The Sqn is currently based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and flies the Boeing E-3D aircraft.
To celebrate 100 years of service, and to remember all those who have served over that time, 8 Sqn will be holding several events throughout 2015 which will be open to serving members of the Sqn and members of the 8 Sqn Association.
For details of the events, former members of the Sqn are encouraged to join the Association by emailing the Secretary ([email protected]).
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Were not 8 & 208 Squadrons co-located out in the Middle East in the 1960s during the Hunter days?
I believe that one or two minor units joined 8 out in Aden during their 50 years of Middle East service.
I believe that one or two minor units joined 8 out in Aden during their 50 years of Middle East service.
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Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to 8 Squadron. I believe that some of the present day Squadron Members have travelled down to Brooklands to commemorate the Squadron's formation 100 years ago today.
It was 43 years ago today that the Squadron became an AEW Squadron, thanks to the handful of RAF aircrew who did their apprenticeship with 849 Squadron and then helped to set the Squadron up along with members of 849.
Does the Squadron still have the Ganneton Trophy? Is there an Uckers board in the crewroom? Ah, the days of mixi blogs and blowbacks!
It was 43 years ago today that the Squadron became an AEW Squadron, thanks to the handful of RAF aircrew who did their apprenticeship with 849 Squadron and then helped to set the Squadron up along with members of 849.
Does the Squadron still have the Ganneton Trophy? Is there an Uckers board in the crewroom? Ah, the days of mixi blogs and blowbacks!
Were not 8 & 208 Squadrons co-located out in the Middle East in the 1960s during the Hunter days?
Aaron
Last edited by AARON O'DICKYDIDO; 1st Jan 2015 at 10:12. Reason: Facts.
CC - I seem to remember it the other way around; a number of 'front-end' maritime crews introduced a handful of 849 trained RAF and Navy aircrew to a couple of MR Shacks, and eventually we all became one big happy Squadron. 
Look at No 1 AEW course; one week long, no aircraft, and just presentations by each side on what we thought was going to happen. Just imagine the long version of that great evening's entertainment in the bar of a complete Shack (or Lincoln or any other 4 engine ac)crew going through the checklists, but with no beer (and no fire drills - unlucky if you represented No 4 engine!).
Look at No 1 AEW course; one week long, no aircraft, and just presentations by each side on what we thought was going to happen. Just imagine the long version of that great evening's entertainment in the bar of a complete Shack (or Lincoln or any other 4 engine ac)crew going through the checklists, but with no beer (and no fire drills - unlucky if you represented No 4 engine!).
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
CC, after the Nott cuts there were so few bods around that even a game of patience was a rarity.
When Dave Greenway came back as OC he would make the long journey across the hangar floor for a coffee and chat with the lads. More often as not he would find an empty crew room.
When Dave Greenway came back as OC he would make the long journey across the hangar floor for a coffee and chat with the lads. More often as not he would find an empty crew room.
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One Big Happy Squadron
Shackman,
Yes, a visit to the 8 Squadron crew room always gave you the impression of 8 being a happy squadron.
The fire in number 4 engine, what a soda siphon was made for!! Great entertainment in the bar.
CC
Yes, a visit to the 8 Squadron crew room always gave you the impression of 8 being a happy squadron.
The fire in number 4 engine, what a soda siphon was made for!! Great entertainment in the bar.
CC
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
CC, ah, but he rarely flew a mission sortie.
"And that'll be another beer in the Bothy"
"And that'll be another beer in the Bothy"
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"More often as not he would find an empty crew room".
Not daft! If you were in the crew room then you were available for one of his SLJs (sh*tty little jobs).
Not daft! If you were in the crew room then you were available for one of his SLJs (sh*tty little jobs).
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Reminds me of an AOCs clean up. I brought a concern duster with 6 foot cane and spent the day wandering around the San (no change there then) and no one said a thing.