RAF Kenley and 615 GS
Thread Starter
RAF Kenley and 615 GS
Just a heads up for September 2020 for anyone involved with 615 Gliding School at RAF Kenley circa 1960-80.
It is proposed to have a meet at our former 'home' at a time to be decided that will celebrate that great airfield and our time there whilst it was still in its original 'timewarp' from the Battle of Britain.
615 fittingly carries on the number of one of the famous pre war 'County' squadrons in this case SURREY, and although still recovering from the infamous ATC gliding pause is still in being and working up to normal ops again.as a VGS.
Former instructors and Staff Cadets are all welcome and if any Cadet who gained his A&B 3 solo's (as was) so much the better.
Kenley was never improved or expanded for jet operations therefore is the most complete and original 11 Group airfield left, and until the recent construction of a fence on the peri track (no comment) the airfield was still in its wartime state.
To have this station as a base for Cadet flying was indeed a privilege for us, and those that experienced its use have great respect for its historic past.
Felon and Farns have posted on here so lets get the ball rolling and see if we can round up those from that time.
It is proposed to have a meet at our former 'home' at a time to be decided that will celebrate that great airfield and our time there whilst it was still in its original 'timewarp' from the Battle of Britain.
615 fittingly carries on the number of one of the famous pre war 'County' squadrons in this case SURREY, and although still recovering from the infamous ATC gliding pause is still in being and working up to normal ops again.as a VGS.
Former instructors and Staff Cadets are all welcome and if any Cadet who gained his A&B 3 solo's (as was) so much the better.
Kenley was never improved or expanded for jet operations therefore is the most complete and original 11 Group airfield left, and until the recent construction of a fence on the peri track (no comment) the airfield was still in its wartime state.
To have this station as a base for Cadet flying was indeed a privilege for us, and those that experienced its use have great respect for its historic past.
Felon and Farns have posted on here so lets get the ball rolling and see if we can round up those from that time.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,617
Received 292 Likes
on
160 Posts
I hope that 615 will have some gliders again by then Pobjoy - mind you, I've not been on the airfield for several months and only seen Surrey Hills flying on weekdays so I'm assuming the hangar is still bereft of Vikings.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Horsham, England, UK. ---o--O--o---
Posts: 1,185
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
I had my first ever flight from Kenley in a Kirby Cadet MK III Glider circa 1976.
It didn't last long.. A winch cable break at around 300 ft! Luckily the next couple of launches were normal. Quite an unexpected and exhilarating climb to about 1000 ft felt like quite a rush at the time. I hope the Airfield can remain for future generations.
It didn't last long.. A winch cable break at around 300 ft! Luckily the next couple of launches were normal. Quite an unexpected and exhilarating climb to about 1000 ft felt like quite a rush at the time. I hope the Airfield can remain for future generations.
