Mexe Pad Monday - For all things Harrier
From 40 years ago in RAFG:
I held with 20 Sqn at Wildenrath for a while between my Gnat course and Hunter refresher; this was during a typical RAFG Maxeval at Hövelhof International Mudport.....
I held with 20 Sqn at Wildenrath for a while between my Gnat course and Hunter refresher; this was during a typical RAFG Maxeval at Hövelhof International Mudport.....
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nr Witney
Age: 72
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Wildenrath to Gutersloh.................
"Good attempt at a witty crack .
However I see that either RAFG History or aircraft recognition is not your forte"
A little harsh perhaps? I'm sure it's probably tongue in cheek........................
However I see that either RAFG History or aircraft recognition is not your forte"
A little harsh perhaps? I'm sure it's probably tongue in cheek........................
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nr Witney
Age: 72
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
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3 Sqn Engine Change
"Endex. Lots of Mexe, with Sappers waiting to rip it up. Can the jet be fixed in time to fly out, or will it be a road move?"
Memory fades over the intervening years but was it Sqn Ldr Keith Holland who 'air tested' a 3 Sqn aircraft, after an engine change in the field under one of those blow up rubber hangers (and after everyone else had decamped back to Wildenrath, excepting the engineers + fire & ATC bods) with Sappers waiting impatiently to rip-up the MEXE pad - possibly 1975/76?
I seem to remember a vertical 'rotating' departure from MEXE pad after much faffing about with engine revs etc, followed by a low level (below tree height) fly by in front of assembled engineers - who seemed quite appreciative of said pilot's efforts!
It may have been the same deployment that saw the Canadian Air Force 'attack' us through the trees with their CF-104's which led the ATC controller to put just one word in his log after logging the attack - "WOW!!".
On the other hand they may just be distant memories distorted by the rapid passing of time...........
Memory fades over the intervening years but was it Sqn Ldr Keith Holland who 'air tested' a 3 Sqn aircraft, after an engine change in the field under one of those blow up rubber hangers (and after everyone else had decamped back to Wildenrath, excepting the engineers + fire & ATC bods) with Sappers waiting impatiently to rip-up the MEXE pad - possibly 1975/76?
I seem to remember a vertical 'rotating' departure from MEXE pad after much faffing about with engine revs etc, followed by a low level (below tree height) fly by in front of assembled engineers - who seemed quite appreciative of said pilot's efforts!
It may have been the same deployment that saw the Canadian Air Force 'attack' us through the trees with their CF-104's which led the ATC controller to put just one word in his log after logging the attack - "WOW!!".
On the other hand they may just be distant memories distorted by the rapid passing of time...........
Are there many photos of heavily armed Harriers, I remember the iconic 4 SNEB RAF recruiting photo of a GR.3 unloading (over the Wash?) - but mostly it always seemed to be a pair of drop tanks and the ADENs.
Thanks Bird Controller!
"Good attempt at a witty crack .
However I see that either RAFG History or aircraft recognition is not your forte"
A little harsh perhaps? I'm sure it's probably tongue in cheek........................
However I see that either RAFG History or aircraft recognition is not your forte"
A little harsh perhaps? I'm sure it's probably tongue in cheek........................
Touche, great mate!
