RAF 1918-2018
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No, perhaps not...
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Had an email from Al Pollock this morning so he is still around, though not too well.
I was prompted to look in my logbook to confirm my memory of the fiftieth anniversary, 01/04/1968, when the Chivenor Wing flew a formation of 32 Hunters and four Meteors plus a couple of airborne spares over Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple. ( I flew one of the Meteors on that occasion, there being very few current Meteor pilots there then) Happy days !
Did any other unit celebrate?
I guess the RAF would be pushed to get that number of aircraft in the sky together now and would find it difficult to get anyone to authorise the trip.
I was prompted to look in my logbook to confirm my memory of the fiftieth anniversary, 01/04/1968, when the Chivenor Wing flew a formation of 32 Hunters and four Meteors plus a couple of airborne spares over Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple. ( I flew one of the Meteors on that occasion, there being very few current Meteor pilots there then) Happy days !
Did any other unit celebrate?
I guess the RAF would be pushed to get that number of aircraft in the sky together now and would find it difficult to get anyone to authorise the trip.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Looking at the very small budget, so a very small Air Force (?), It seems blindingly obvious that lots of costs will be coveted by slight of hand. Training budgets will cover training for fly pasts, mess bills will cover banquets - guests free, Servicemen will pay.
26er, sorry to hear that Al Pollock isn't too well.
In Apr 1968 I was on a Flying Scholarship at Cranfield. The day after Al's flight through Tower Bridge made the news, the CFI came in and said "None of you lot are to go anywhere near any bridges, OK?".
No doubt there'll be some Risk Assessment made which will result in the RAF's 100th anniversary flypast being conducted....in simulators
.
In Apr 1968 I was on a Flying Scholarship at Cranfield. The day after Al's flight through Tower Bridge made the news, the CFI came in and said "None of you lot are to go anywhere near any bridges, OK?".
No doubt there'll be some Risk Assessment made which will result in the RAF's 100th anniversary flypast being conducted....in simulators
.
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Hi 26er 
From my logbook ----
1 Apr 68 - Chivenor
Also - Queen's Review Abingdon (Wittering) - 15 Jun 68
Hope Al is recovering ---
From my logbook ----
1 Apr 68 - Chivenor
Also - Queen's Review Abingdon (Wittering) - 15 Jun 68
Hope Al is recovering ---
Last edited by jindabyne; 8th Aug 2017 at 11:45.
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Hi Jindabine,
I'm afraid that my facial recognition isn't too good now though one or two of the steely eyed killers in your photo seem familiar.
I notice that at the end of April '68 we were detached to Wittering for the Fighter Command disbandment flypast at Bently Priory. Quite a busy month in which I flew Hunters F6, T7, FGA9 and FR10, Meteor T7 and F8 and the Chipmunk. I have a photo of the parade with the aircraft overhead but all too small to pick out anything.
I'm afraid that my facial recognition isn't too good now though one or two of the steely eyed killers in your photo seem familiar.
I notice that at the end of April '68 we were detached to Wittering for the Fighter Command disbandment flypast at Bently Priory. Quite a busy month in which I flew Hunters F6, T7, FGA9 and FR10, Meteor T7 and F8 and the Chipmunk. I have a photo of the parade with the aircraft overhead but all too small to pick out anything.
Al. Pollock the pilot of the Hunter that flew through Tower Bridge in April 1968 wrote an article "Why I Flew my Hunter Through Tower Bridge - 5th April 1968" for "Flypast" magazine.
His article can be seen here: Jever Steam Laundry - 4 Sqn personnel Pollock 004
His article can be seen here: Jever Steam Laundry - 4 Sqn personnel Pollock 004
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Mal,
I'm not Sam and I don't appear on the photo. It appears to have been taken on a detachment somewhere. The wing moved to St Mawgan in June 1969. By then Chris Golds had taken over 79 from Sam and I left the mob, my last flight being to position one of the Meteors there.
Mike
I'm not Sam and I don't appear on the photo. It appears to have been taken on a detachment somewhere. The wing moved to St Mawgan in June 1969. By then Chris Golds had taken over 79 from Sam and I left the mob, my last flight being to position one of the Meteors there.
Mike
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26er,
Look closely. We were detached from Chivenor to Wittering for around 10 days - from where we flew as part of the Queens thingy at Abingdon. A boozy time, wonderfully hosted by the Victor guys, with Nigel Price leading the way.
I'll PM you to catch up.
Look closely. We were detached from Chivenor to Wittering for around 10 days - from where we flew as part of the Queens thingy at Abingdon. A boozy time, wonderfully hosted by the Victor guys, with Nigel Price leading the way.
I'll PM you to catch up.
