Where is this old CCF summer camp photo?

[tmmorris]

Clearing out in our CCF RAF section - anyone able to identify this station (date would be great - I'm guessing 1980s?)



https://www.dropbox.com/s/o5kmvfacj6...photo.jpg?dl=0

PS sorry, will have to try another host, when I get a moment...

[Shackman]

What is now McCrea Road, Locking (RAF Locking). There's even the remains of what looks like the plinth the Gnat was mounted on.

[tmmorris]

Excellent, thanks all. Sad to see on Google street view that the ?chapel is boarded up now.

[The Oberon]

Originally Posted by tmmorris

Excellent, thanks all. Sad to see on Google street view that the ?chapel is boarded up now.

I am pretty sure that the church has now been refurbished and opened as a community centre. In addition, the developers were keen to have some RAF memorabilia displayed. One of our ex 100th. Entry members was able to put them in touch with the helicopter museum, at Weston Airfield and also the Henlow museum and as a result several surplus ex Locking items, from both locations, are being donated for display.

[ricardian]

RAF Locking photographic survey

[MAINJAFAD]

RAF Locking post 1985 (there was a Griffon powered Spitfire on that plinth when I left there in mid July of that year). Gnat was there in 1988 when I next did a stint there).

Edit

The Spitfire was a F MK 21, LA198 and it was replaced with the Gnat in 1986. One source states that the Gnat was removed in 1996, but I was posted there from mid 1995 onwards and I don't recall seeing it.

[wub]

I trained at Locking in 1971 and again in 1977. This slightly boring video shows it as was a couple of years ago. Sad.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4qHgo3aI-k4

[POBJOY]

Locking Spitfire

When we used Locking for ATC Gliding courses at Halesland Ridge (Cheddar) there was a Mk9 (clipped wing) Spitfire that had seen operational service during the Normandy campaign. It was near the 'ASTRA' alongside the entrance road. That aircraft now flies with the BBMF. At the time it was complete with dummy pilot in full flying gear (including mae west).
I also remember lots of wooden huts and the parade ground events with trainee's holding leather holdalls.

[NRU74]

Went there as a CCF cadet in, I think, 1959 for annual camp. First time I'd drunk scrumpy. Looking at fig 13 in ricardian's post I seem to recall the RAF Locking Amateur Radio callsign was George Eight France Canada in whatever phonetic alphabet the 'hams' used then.

[622]

This could be a new quiz....I will have to dig out some of my old photos to test the masses recognition skills!

[JAVELINBOY]

The story of the Spitfire and its movements can be found here
BBC - Hereford and Worcester - History - The Perdiswell planes