Help needed, Ex Coningsby / Scampton / Wattisham people
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Help needed, Ex Coningsby / Scampton / Wattisham people
Hi All,
I am cross posting this from a police officer friend's Facebook account, with his permission, as I could think of nowhere better to get a steer in the right direction.
I hope you can help. This was originally posted this evening.
Thanks
Memetic.
I am cross posting this from a police officer friend's Facebook account, with his permission, as I could think of nowhere better to get a steer in the right direction.
I hope you can help. This was originally posted this evening.
Thanks
Memetic.
Sgt Winston Growler
This job often brings us into contact with some of the most vile people imaginable. On the flip side it allows us into the lives of some of the most interesting and delightful who you just don't want to say goodbye to.
Upon arrival at The Old Post Office I was met with a Post Office (Royal Mail) van planted into Mrs Thomson's house having rolled down the hill after the handbrake failed.
Speaking with her inside I spotted a B&W photo of an officer sat behind a desk. Asking if that was her husband she explained, after a quick tear, that it was although he has since passed away some four years ago. For the next hour we sat chatting about her late husbands career and how he used to fly the Lightning as well as the Spitfire and Hurricane for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby and was the Commanding Officer at RAF Scampton home to the Red Arrows.
She informed me that somewhere down in either Sussex or Surrey that there is a 'Ground Ready' Lightning with her late husbands name on it along with an accompanying photo and yet she has yet to see it.
I've now set myself the task of finding out where it is and making sure she gets to see it before it's too late.
If anyone can help then your assistance would be appreciated.
As for the van and the 13th century house with a shifted structure, I think they'll both last a few more years.
This job often brings us into contact with some of the most vile people imaginable. On the flip side it allows us into the lives of some of the most interesting and delightful who you just don't want to say goodbye to.
Upon arrival at The Old Post Office I was met with a Post Office (Royal Mail) van planted into Mrs Thomson's house having rolled down the hill after the handbrake failed.
Speaking with her inside I spotted a B&W photo of an officer sat behind a desk. Asking if that was her husband she explained, after a quick tear, that it was although he has since passed away some four years ago. For the next hour we sat chatting about her late husbands career and how he used to fly the Lightning as well as the Spitfire and Hurricane for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby and was the Commanding Officer at RAF Scampton home to the Red Arrows.
She informed me that somewhere down in either Sussex or Surrey that there is a 'Ground Ready' Lightning with her late husbands name on it along with an accompanying photo and yet she has yet to see it.
I've now set myself the task of finding out where it is and making sure she gets to see it before it's too late.
If anyone can help then your assistance would be appreciated.
As for the van and the 13th century house with a shifted structure, I think they'll both last a few more years.
Last edited by Memetic; 12th Feb 2015 at 21:55. Reason: Added Wattisham to the title having re-read the photo caption
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Found it, Wing Commander Thompson 23 Sqn
http://www.*************************...vor.php?id=376
Link should read. www. Thunder and lightning. Co . UK
It's painted up as his jet
http://www.*************************...vor.php?id=376
Link should read. www. Thunder and lightning. Co . UK
It's painted up as his jet
Another ex-Saudi Lightning, this was one that I spotted once while on a train to Bristol - just idly gazing out of a window and for the briefest of moments the aircraft was visible from behind. Just about enough time to blink and wonder if I was seeing things, and if maybe I should lay off the museum visits because I was obviously hallucinating Lightnings! Anyway, she's real, and she was there alright - at Quedgley. Raymond Hansed, the aircraft's owner, informed me that she had been repainted to represent XR753 as she was in 1975 when she was personal aircraft of Wing Cdr Thomson, CO of 23 Squadron (white spine and fin with red 23 Squadron eagles on the fin). She's since moved to the Tangmere museum and was on external display there for a while until the new hangar was completed - she has now been moved indoors, as you can see. Since my visit they've finished cleaning her up and putting her back together so she should be a lot easier to photograph! - See more at: http://www.*************************...p?id=376#.dpuf
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I believe it is the Ex Saudi F53 painted as XR753 RAF F6 at Tangmere Museum, West Sussex.
See http://www.*************************...vor.php?id=376
Has Name WCDR IAN THOMSON painted on it!
See http://www.*************************...vor.php?id=376
Has Name WCDR IAN THOMSON painted on it!
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It is at 11 Squadron I think. I'm sure a visit could be arranged by Coningsby or 11 Sqn/BBMF:
RAF Coningsby - Visiting Us
RAF Coningsby - Visiting Us
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Yes here, but it will not probably have his name on it, would tie in nice though as the BBMF are also there which he flew with, shame someone cannot arrange a visit.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/last_l...57623635500608
https://www.flickr.com/photos/last_l...57623635500608
XI Sqn 'acquired' XR753 after it was left at Leeming with an apparently uneconomic repair at the disbandment of the Lightning. The fact that the aircraft was an XI Sqn jet flown by a member of XI Sqn and left on the flightline of the new XI Sqn is sheer coincidence.
You might try contacting the association with a view to arranging a visit. See the contacts page.
Welcome to XI Squadron Association
The XI Sqn 100th anniversary reunion is in early May. That might work.
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Though one wonders if the one at Tangmere may have a part display set up about her late husband, as they have marked the aircraft up as his. I believe from the Flypast thread that the Editor of Britain at War is passing on the details to them.
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Another Link
Another link and a few more photos of Tangmere jet.
English Electric Lightning F53 | Tangmere Museum
English Electric Lightning F53 | Tangmere Museum
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Update - mission accomplished.
I am pleased to say that Daisy Thomson was at RAF Coningsby yesterday to celebrate 100 years of 29 Squadron.
Sgt Winston Growler has asked me to pass on his thanks for your help in making this happen.
Sgt Winston Growler has asked me to pass on his thanks for your help in making this happen.
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Result
....
....
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As a recent subscriber to this forum I have trawled through some, shall we say, Sierra Hotel Wun Tango, posts and comments.
This thread ensured dry eyes were lubricated this morning.
Good job, well done.
PM
This thread ensured dry eyes were lubricated this morning.
Good job, well done.
PM
Great story and glad to hear Daisy is well and enjoying some 29 Sqn hospitality!
Well done to all involved especially Sgt Growler! Great name by the way! Bet his police mates enjoy some lively banter!
Well done to all involved especially Sgt Growler! Great name by the way! Bet his police mates enjoy some lively banter!