RAE Bedford
Farnborough 18/36 was always that until it was closed as a runway in about '95; the surface was never very good (although I've known things like Varsities, 146s and Hercules use it) hence it was the first to go becoming a taxiway, much to the chagrin of the RAE Aero Club who used it at weekends for the Tiger Moth.
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Just checked my little orange HMSO index book, Back in the 80s would phone Mrs Wright X5218 to arrange transport to Farnborough. She would call you back with timings for pick up at the Control Tower and return flights. The Chieften would pitch up and you get on without a word being exchanged. Unfortunately in a way this was after the Ah! de Havilland, Devon.
At the time I was designing some special signals kit for use on Snoopy and the M25 was being built. The drive was so tiresome.
I would get a lift over from Huntingdon with my Dad who worked in the Hangars, spend a bit of time looking over the strange modifications going on. Back in time for a cup of tea and early stack.
At the time I was designing some special signals kit for use on Snoopy and the M25 was being built. The drive was so tiresome.
I would get a lift over from Huntingdon with my Dad who worked in the Hangars, spend a bit of time looking over the strange modifications going on. Back in time for a cup of tea and early stack.
Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.
There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.
The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.
There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.
The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.
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safetypee, I have sent you a PM
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HMS Kid
Do any of you chaps happen to know where "HMS Kid" was mown into the grass? I'm trying to work out where on the site this would have been, I'm pretty sure it was the northern side, but can't be sure. This was the pretend ship with a deck painted onto what looks like one of the taxiways for the MADGE trials.
Also, I don't suppose anyone has an airfield chart with ILS / DME information from any point in the 70's or 80's?
Thanks in advance.
Also, I don't suppose anyone has an airfield chart with ILS / DME information from any point in the 70's or 80's?
Thanks in advance.
Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.
There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.
The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
There was a secondary 24 runway displaced north; used for arrestor system trials and latter as HMS Bedford - full night lighting mock up of an aircraft carrier for Harrier night operations at sea.
The catapult was also aligned 24, again north of the arrestor runway, and as AFAIR the ski jump run up runway was parallel to the catapult overrun area.
There was a northerly sled track at some time but rarely used. Also a ‘rolling deck’ representation of ships motion for helicopter tests.
A helicopter manoeuvrability / agility test course was marked out between 06/24 and the arrestor 24 runway.
The defunct Naval Air Department - NAD, towards the northern boundary became RRE.
On a visit to Bedford in 1974 I was told that the Devons would still use 18/36 in a strong north or south wind in spite of the VTOL pit.
Twinwoods was still used occasionally by the ferry in those days.(At least it was still available according to the Farnborough FOB).
Originally Posted by XR914
Do any of you chaps happen to know where "HMS Kid" was mown into the grass? I'm trying to work out where on the site this would have been, I'm pretty sure it was the northern side, but can't be sure. This was the pretend ship with a deck painted onto what looks like one of the taxiways for the MADGE trials.
safetypee , 5th Mar 2018 22:34
Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
Bedford late 1970s
09/27
06/24
18/36 - inactive due to adjacent ‘hover pit’ for Harrier.
