New cold war RAF pictures
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Fitter2
Quite correct.
from the text under the 2nd photograph (Victor).
Even if they have been used many times, they are still excellent mementos of an era when we had a range of aircraft available.
Quite correct.
These images were gathered together in The Royal Air Force in the Cold War, 1950-1970, by Ian Proctor
Even if they have been used many times, they are still excellent mementos of an era when we had a range of aircraft available.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
The RAF I was hoping to join. I joined in Dec '64, just before I turned 18. In time for the grounding of the Valiants, scrapping of TSR2 and the policy of withdrawal from east of Suez. Still enjoyed my 12 years though.
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Even if they have been used many times, they are still excellent mementos of an era when we had a range of aircraft available
Happy New Year to all.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
FED, but you could have been a Vulcan captain at 23.
Which was the more awesome task? A supersonic Lightning or a nuclear bomb and looking after the safety and well being of a crew, some of whom were older than your father?
Which was the more awesome task? A supersonic Lightning or a nuclear bomb and looking after the safety and well being of a crew, some of whom were older than your father?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
JW, then there were the boy pilots sent to ASC as they had 4-Jet experience, JK, JR, LA, Chris L and others.
JW411
I took my 8 year option in '73 and due to lack of Flt Nav jobs joined CAA as an ATCO. After dinner one evening in '77 with 2 old Herc' nav' mates decided I really missed being a transport nav' and applied to rejoin.
Thank goodness I found out that the intended posting for me was the V Force, ( transport being overburdened with navs due to the demise of the Comet, Brit, Belfast and Andover fleets ) - having been a Herc' nav' there was no way you would get me in the back of a Vulcan or Victor. Deathtraps for the rear crew! I declined the offer to rejoin!
Thank goodness I found out that the intended posting for me was the V Force, ( transport being overburdened with navs due to the demise of the Comet, Brit, Belfast and Andover fleets ) - having been a Herc' nav' there was no way you would get me in the back of a Vulcan or Victor. Deathtraps for the rear crew! I declined the offer to rejoin!
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Brian, probably a very wise decision, but to let you see what you missed 
Post war, Waddington hosted a variety of Lancaster and Avro Lincoln squadrons, and, later, Washingtons. The station was put into care and maintenance again in 1953 to prepare it for the V-bomber force.
In June 1954 the Queen approved the RAF Waddington badge, incorporating the towers of Lincoln cathedral, and on 25 April 1959 the station was granted the Freedom of the City of Lincoln. Since then all Waddington aircraft have carried the City Crest.
The station re-opened in June 1955. Two Canberra squadrons moved in and the first Avro Vulcans arrived in May 1957. By August 1961 three squadrons of Vulcans were based at Waddington, and the type remained there until March 1984, its planned retirement having been postponed because of the Falklands conflict.
Waddington provided the Vulcans that bombed Port Stanley and also those hastily modified for air-to-air refuelling duties.
In June 1954 the Queen approved the RAF Waddington badge, incorporating the towers of Lincoln cathedral, and on 25 April 1959 the station was granted the Freedom of the City of Lincoln. Since then all Waddington aircraft have carried the City Crest.
The station re-opened in June 1955. Two Canberra squadrons moved in and the first Avro Vulcans arrived in May 1957. By August 1961 three squadrons of Vulcans were based at Waddington, and the type remained there until March 1984, its planned retirement having been postponed because of the Falklands conflict.
Waddington provided the Vulcans that bombed Port Stanley and also those hastily modified for air-to-air refuelling duties.
I took my 8 year option in '73 and due to lack of Flt Nav jobs joined CAA as an ATCO. After dinner one evening in '77 with 2 old Herc' nav' mates decided I really missed being a transport nav' and applied to rejoin.
Thank goodness I found out that the intended posting for me was the V Force, ( transport being overburdened with navs due to the demise of the Comet, Brit, Belfast and Andover fleets ) - having been a Herc' nav' there was no way you would get me in the back of a Vulcan or Victor. Deathtraps for the rear crew! I declined the offer to rejoin!
Thank goodness I found out that the intended posting for me was the V Force, ( transport being overburdened with navs due to the demise of the Comet, Brit, Belfast and Andover fleets ) - having been a Herc' nav' there was no way you would get me in the back of a Vulcan or Victor. Deathtraps for the rear crew! I declined the offer to rejoin!
Sometimes not great in front either. Argosy buddy, Simon Farlow, was co-pilot in the one at Chicago.
Unless you planned to go SO/VSO, I'm sure you made the right decision.
Hi Basil
Simon Farlow was doing the Argosy OCU when I was on my Herc' Course - big mates with Mike Preston a 'co-pilot' on my course.
Yes I think you're right - working as an ATCO with CAA suited my work ethic or lack of it! I only carried a briefcase to work because it contained my headset, newspaper and sandwiches. I had no interest in promotion, why work 9-5 for 225 - 230 days a year when I turned up for about 180 days on our shift system. As one of my much older colleagues said, " LATCC or Heathrow were great places to go between days off!". Despite not joining until I was 27, my working ATCO's pension equated to a long time in the rank Wg Cdr's or junior Grp Capt's.
Yes I think you're right - working as an ATCO with CAA suited my work ethic or lack of it! I only carried a briefcase to work because it contained my headset, newspaper and sandwiches. I had no interest in promotion, why work 9-5 for 225 - 230 days a year when I turned up for about 180 days on our shift system. As one of my much older colleagues said, " LATCC or Heathrow were great places to go between days off!". Despite not joining until I was 27, my working ATCO's pension equated to a long time in the rank Wg Cdr's or junior Grp Capt's.
Brian, Can't recollect if I ever asked if you knew Roger Makins, a supervisor at LATCC. He'd flown Meteors in the RAF and was once our neighbour.
As I've said before, I left from a short ATC tour and liked it.
I think the pay and lifestyle of civil ATCO is one of the best kept secrets of aviation related employment.
As I've said before, I left from a short ATC tour and liked it.
I think the pay and lifestyle of civil ATCO is one of the best kept secrets of aviation related employment.
Basil
I knew Roger Makins by sight but we weren't on the same watch. When I joined in late '73 most ATCOs over the age of 32/33 were ex-military aircrew, mainly navs and siggies/AEOs but with a fair sprinkling of pilots. I doubt there's any now.
Just had ATCO son staying with us - he's on top whack for a working ATCO at Swanwick ( LATCC ) and it's a bit over £110k, which is more than Air Commodore. I would have liked to earn what my Cathay mates were getting at the tail end of the last century!
Just had ATCO son staying with us - he's on top whack for a working ATCO at Swanwick ( LATCC ) and it's a bit over £110k, which is more than Air Commodore. I would have liked to earn what my Cathay mates were getting at the tail end of the last century!
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As an ex-Mil ATCO, I always knew that my civil colleagues were VERY well paid. I just couldn't see the civil ATC life suiting me. Dare I say 'pedestrian' and 'routine'? You know what I mean.
"......and after becoming QFIs went on to fly with BOAC etc. ! Never looked back,even when sitting over the Atlantic, etc., RHS on a VC10 or LHS in a 767!
".........and with a pension more than the Staish at BZN gets paid !
My son in law, BA 787 training capt., gets an Air Marshall's salary !
Don't knock civil aviation!
".........and with a pension more than the Staish at BZN gets paid !
My son in law, BA 787 training capt., gets an Air Marshall's salary !
Don't knock civil aviation!
Last edited by RetiredBA/BY; 30th Dec 2017 at 19:38.