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RAF Laarbruch memories

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RAF Laarbruch memories

Old 19th Jan 2020, 14:08
  #101 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Major Cong
Happy days, I have the aerobatics trophy 😎
I have one for the best/most accurate approach and spot landing (I think it was in G-AVIA) somewhere....

but here is my late brother displaying ‘our’ Chippy at the Laarbruch Rally 82 ish.


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Old 22nd Jan 2020, 09:47
  #102 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Rigga
My wife ended up as a witness to that as she saw it as it flew over her car as she approached the Main Gate on her way to work in SCAF.
This incident (and the three week clean-up after it) changed the views of many of Laarbruch's "Fire Orders" in that the direction of the wind was taken into consideration of "Composite Material Fires" leading to alternate Muster Areas to avoid smoke inhalation from them.
Different incident I think Rigga - the one your wife witnessed was in July 98 when a GR7 sucked in a buzzard on finals and crashed just before the 27 threshold... thankfully the pilot banged out safely, but the airframe was 'toast'! I was on AL at the time and missed the event.

IIRC we lost 5 jets (& thankfully no pilots) in my 3 year tour - one was in the USA flying ULL... I was told at the time the jet hit a ridge and that the impact initiated ejection. I think the pilot was badly injured but survived, although I'm not sure if he returned to flying, at least while Laarbruch was open.

I remember on one occasion seeing OC Ops (SF) sprinting out of Ops Wing HQ to ATC - I knew then something had gone down and was proved correct - GR7 with engine failure over Xanten I think.


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Old 24th Jan 2020, 22:32
  #103 (permalink)  
 
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Quite possible that it was the wrong incident. I must say my short jaunt into harriers had the worst accident history of the types I was working on throughout my 24 year career.
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Old 27th Jan 2020, 09:38
  #104 (permalink)  
 
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Rigga - Yes, it did have a bit of a habit of falling out of the sky, but thankfully in my time no-one lost their life (in jets from Laarbruch).
Sadly whilst I was based there, Wittering lost their Station Commander in the nasty accident at Castle Howard.
Were you on 3 (F) whilst at Laarbruch?
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Old 27th Jan 2020, 16:55
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Originally Posted by NickB
Rigga - Yes, it did have a bit of a habit of falling out of the sky, but thankfully in my time no-one lost their life (in jets from Laarbruch).
Sadly whilst I was based there, Wittering lost their Station Commander in the nasty accident at Castle Howard.
Were you on 3 (F) whilst at Laarbruch?
I think there were three in the last six/seven years of Laarbruch (two on the runway, last one - in a greenhouse) of which I was in MEAS/ASF for at least four of those years 93-94 (PCMF) and 96-99 (HMF).
Luckily, when at Laarbruch, I never made it to a Sqn - so was able to enjoy most weekends away with family AND friends instead of just friends!
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Old 30th Jan 2020, 04:24
  #106 (permalink)  
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Once more an unknown location. Seems to be in England. Canberra B(I)8 3Sqn.


Anyone an idea where the pic was taken?
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Old 30th Jan 2020, 06:11
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The loss rate continued when we got back to the U.K, with W_z and W_m senior joining the club. Interesting time to be a Squipper or Armourer. 🤣
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Old 30th Jan 2020, 10:02
  #108 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by RAFG

Anyone an idea where the pic was taken?
RAF Aldergrove ?

lsh

Last edited by lsh; 30th Jan 2020 at 10:03. Reason: edit
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Old 4th Feb 2020, 10:46
  #109 (permalink)  
 
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The Joanna maybe ex Laarbruch ?


From Witham MOD sales.
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Old 4th Feb 2020, 20:54
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It could be RAF Aldergrove. The Officers' Mess behind looks right.
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Old 21st Feb 2020, 08:42
  #111 (permalink)  
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Good Morning,


another Pic again without location maybe 1969 ...
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Old 21st Feb 2020, 13:14
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Originally Posted by RAFG
Good Morning,


another Pic again without location maybe 1969 ...
looks like Lossiemouth?
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Old 22nd Feb 2020, 11:33
  #113 (permalink)  
 
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First one looks like Aldergrove to me, second one Lossie.
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Old 5th Apr 2020, 12:26
  #114 (permalink)  
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Just to keep this thread alive ...
Any more memories or photos of Laarbruch times?
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Old 6th Apr 2020, 06:27
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Over this weekend I refurbished a garden bench ‘acquired’ from the Laarbruch Golf Club on closure. Fond memories of two tours at Laarparts, Buccs and Harriers.

All Laarbruch golfers were aware of the rules if HAS 39 doors were open or an aircraft was parked on it, it meant one hole was out of play. During my first tour, I wasn’t so keen on golfers, and being in position that often influenced the use of HAS 39, I was not inclined to keep aircraft away from that pan. On returning on the Harrier tour and occupying the same HAS Site, and now being a avid golfer, and being in a slightly higher position of influence , I certainly helped to keep all 9 holes in play.

I for apologise my crass behaviour ( depending on your point of view on golf and golfers, you may interpret the apology for my actions against either tour as you wish)
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Old 17th Apr 2020, 14:33
  #116 (permalink)  
 
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RAF Laarbruch

Hi gents, I am not a pilot so have crashed your forum to hopefully get some info on Laarbruch 1971-74 when my dad was Sqn Ldr there (OC Electrical Eng Sqn) CO's were Edwards, Simmonds from memory. I am building a portfolio of memories for him and models too, so I was after some authentic plane idents, for his era.
2 Squadron Phantom FGR2 fitted with AWG12 & SLRR
15 & 16 Squadron Buccaneers
An old Hunter there too, but I don't have a squadron number.
Thanks
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Old 8th Feb 2021, 01:54
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Originally Posted by Captain Radar....
It is Leuchars, we were on det there (TFM or APC?) and the aircrew threw 1000 pounders around, a bit of a change from their usual recce job. We erks lived under canvas by the SAR compound and took our turn at night doing armed guard (with pick axe handles) on Harriers. Unless I'm very much mistaken that's me (as a FLM) strapping the nav in with my mate Viv taking care of the pilot. Happy days.................................(and I do have some piccies of my time on II (AC) and later XV at Laarbruch somewhere but at the time we weren't allowed to take many and get away with it!)
That would be viv George, and Phil Buckley, along with myself Roger Pilbeam and a lad we called stumpy we were the bicycle display team and mamas chicken and jaga schnitzel eating team,
I have vivid memories of viv sat sideways on the toilet, throwing up into the sink with the taps running and then eating the undigested mushrooms out of his vomit.
I also have fond memories of Melice from one February fraus night.
Very happy days. Would love to get back in touch.
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Old 9th Feb 2021, 00:53
  #118 (permalink)  
 
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Plenty of Phantom FGR2 photos on line - search using the correct II(AC) Sqn.

II(AC) Sqn Association here:

https://www.shinytwo.com/phantom.html

Plenty of XV Sqn & 16 Sqn Buccaneer photos on line too.

On line copies of RAF Laarbruch Station magazine - "The Laarbruch Listener" from 1971 onwards here.

https://sites.google.com/site/raflaa...uch-listener-1







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Old 9th Feb 2021, 00:53
  #119 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by RJIngle
Hi gents, I am not a pilot so have crashed your forum to hopefully get some info on Laarbruch 1971-74 when my dad was Sqn Ldr there (OC Electrical Eng Sqn) CO's were Edwards, Simmonds from memory. I am building a portfolio of memories for him and models too, so I was after some authentic plane idents, for his era.
2 Squadron Phantom FGR2 fitted with AWG12 & SLRR
15 & 16 Squadron Buccaneers
An old Hunter there too, but I don't have a squadron number.
Thanks
See post above
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Old 9th Feb 2021, 07:34
  #120 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09
Plenty of Phantom FGR2 photos on line - search using the correct II(AC) Sqn.

II(AC) Sqn Association here:

https://www.shinytwo.com/phantom.html

Plenty of XV Sqn & 16 Sqn Buccaneer photos on line too.

On line copies of RAF Laarbruch Station magazine - "The Laarbruch Listener" from 1971 onwards here.

https://sites.google.com/site/raflaa...uch-listener-1




The II(AC) FGR.2 doesn't look right without its recce pod.
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