Zaps
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Frightning 'Zaps'
Does anyone remember or have knowledge of this great little character on an 11 Sqn bird? Seems 74 Sqn 'zapped' her at Tengah in '69 but try as I might I can't find the serial. I found reference to a 145 Sqn (226 OCU) Lightning that got a similar treatment (maybe at Leuchars) but no joy on that one either! I'd be really interested to know which aircraft decorated in this manner.
http://www.lightningpilots.com/11sqn2.html
Makes you wonder if there were more...!
http://www.lightningpilots.com/11sqn2.html
Makes you wonder if there were more...!
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Not seen that one before! There was one Lightning (I forget which squadron but think it was either 92 or 11 sqn, from very vague memory) that had a pink panther peering over the roundel in a similar fashion.
Gentleman Aviator
Almost certainly 92. One of the last (if not the last - memory fades) Lightning bosses of 92 was one Wg Cdr Bob B******n who was known as the Pink Panther ....
..... if you'd have seen him, you'd know why.
..... if you'd have seen him, you'd know why.
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Daddy of all Zaps!
Crew Chief Chf Tech Bill Pearsey poses next to Avro Vulcan B2 XH562 of the NEAF Bomber (Akrotiri) Wing at RAF Masirah in March 1972. 562 was returning from a trip to New Zealand where it had been most spectacularly 'zapped' by personnel of the RNZAF. The squadron badge on the nosewheel door is that of No 75 Squadron RNZAF. Bill Pearsey remembers:
"The 'vandalism' was done at Ohakea. Even the station commander was involved. We threatened to fly under Sydney Harbour Bridge on the way back. We had arrived at Ohakea on the Monday; the following day we were taken on a trip to Roturua in a VIP Dakota. They were just removing the steps that they used to paint the kiwi as we arrived back in the evening. On the Wednesday we flew down to Christchurch. Some Yanks came to ask us how long us Kiwis had been operating Vulcans and my mate told them that 562 was the first of 94 that we were getting. Some months after I arrived back in Akrotiri I received a very large envalope containing a photo of a squadron of 9 Kiwi Vulcans flying over Ohakea control tower. It was definitely the best trip I ever did." © Bill Pearsey. Vulcans in Camera.
Crew Chief Chf Tech Bill Pearsey poses next to Avro Vulcan B2 XH562 of the NEAF Bomber (Akrotiri) Wing at RAF Masirah in March 1972. 562 was returning from a trip to New Zealand where it had been most spectacularly 'zapped' by personnel of the RNZAF. The squadron badge on the nosewheel door is that of No 75 Squadron RNZAF. Bill Pearsey remembers:
"The 'vandalism' was done at Ohakea. Even the station commander was involved. We threatened to fly under Sydney Harbour Bridge on the way back. We had arrived at Ohakea on the Monday; the following day we were taken on a trip to Roturua in a VIP Dakota. They were just removing the steps that they used to paint the kiwi as we arrived back in the evening. On the Wednesday we flew down to Christchurch. Some Yanks came to ask us how long us Kiwis had been operating Vulcans and my mate told them that 562 was the first of 94 that we were getting. Some months after I arrived back in Akrotiri I received a very large envalope containing a photo of a squadron of 9 Kiwi Vulcans flying over Ohakea control tower. It was definitely the best trip I ever did." © Bill Pearsey. Vulcans in Camera.
Talking of zaps
Ark Royal cross decked with USS Forrestal in the Med about 1973 (IIRC), and had a couple of F4's from VMFA-531 operating for a few days. Came time to go into Grand Harbour and one F4 went U/S, and went U/S and went U/S as we came very close to Dom Mintoff's anti-USA dominion. The only solution was to strike the offending machine into the lower hangar away from prying eyes whilst we were in Malta.
After a couple of days it was snuck into the upper hangar and repaired by 892, who had this really nice tail fin colour scheme. A few days before we departed Valletta a light grey RN F4 appeared on deck to carry out ground runs, with brown paper stuck just where USMC markings might have been
Within 2 hours of clearing the harbour, VMFA-531 CO's personal airplane was returned with one of the best zaps: so good, he took it all the way back home
After a couple of days it was snuck into the upper hangar and repaired by 892, who had this really nice tail fin colour scheme. A few days before we departed Valletta a light grey RN F4 appeared on deck to carry out ground runs, with brown paper stuck just where USMC markings might have been
Within 2 hours of clearing the harbour, VMFA-531 CO's personal airplane was returned with one of the best zaps: so good, he took it all the way back home
RAAF Sea Vixen
Zapped at RAAF Pearce, flown on the last launch by FW from Eagle back to Yeovilton 
(The underwing roundels, not the "For Sale" sign!)
(The underwing roundels, not the "For Sale" sign!)
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The RAAF F-111 that came over for the Queen's Silver Jubilee at Finningley stopped off for a few days at Honington. T'was zapped by the 12Sqn Linies with a rendition of 12's fox grabbing the kangeroo in the roundel by the throat and "slipping it one" with the caption:"Say Beep, Beep now yer bastard".
No pic unfortunately.
No pic unfortunately.
In the days of painted fins, the 56 Sqn red and white chequerboard fin was seen sporting chess pieces.
Then there was a tanker crew who filed an Airmiss against an ATC vehicle – red & white chequerboard.
I have no knowledge of the F102 which sported RAF roundels at USAF Colorado Springs!
Then there was a tanker crew who filed an Airmiss against an ATC vehicle – red & white chequerboard.
I have no knowledge of the F102 which sported RAF roundels at USAF Colorado Springs!
Back in the early 90s a 43(F) Sqn F3 dropped into Akrotiri with an engine snag whilst 29(F) Sqn were doing APC. Whilst working the 43 jet, the 29 Sqn linies painted a large egg below the fighting cock and painted its head so that it was now looking behind it with a worried look on its face. 
Sorry no picture.
Sorry no picture.
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Even the Queens Flight got zapped
Mid 70's, HRH The Prince Phillip down under. The Andover (XS793, but don't quote me) appeared after overnight point guarding in a RAAF hangar bearing a dayglo red Kangeroo by the pax door. HRH thought it was a great laugh!! Funny old thing, a year later in Canada, a Maple Leaf appeared. Since then, everytime he flew Andover, we had to stick dayglo 'roo's and Maple Leaf's on the airframe.
Originally Posted by FoxTwo
Does anyone remember or have knowledge of this great little character on an 11 Sqn bird? Seems 74 Sqn 'zapped' her at Tengah in '69 but try as I might I can't find the serial. I found reference to a 145 Sqn (226 OCU) Lightning that got a similar treatment (maybe at Leuchars) but no joy on that one either! I'd be really interested to know which aircraft decorated in this manner.
http://www.lightningpilots.com/11sqn2.html
http://www.lightningpilots.com/11sqn2.html
You could probably narrow it down from the serials of the original 11 Sqn a/c that were on strength at the time, (Jan 1969) but exactly which one.....
Maybe an email to Ed D at the Lightning Pilots Assoc would be best bet to see if any have it in their log books perhaps.
I know that 10 x 11 Sqn a/c made the short deployment to Singapore and the trip there and back for the 10 x Lightnings involved 228 contacts with Victor tankers.........
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A VC10K detached to Singapore for an Air Defence exercise had its AAR pods decorated overnight by Kiwis over painted with the red "No Entry" sign. This was because we were not allowed to refuel the RNZAF aircraft, something to do with paying for the fuel I believe.
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Frightening Zaps
For the record,W/C Barcelon was boss of 19. During my very happy 3 years at Gut on 92, we detached to Bitburg for some air defence training with the yanks.Our squadron 3 tonner arrived at the base loaded with kit for the weeks det only for the yanks to refuse us entrance because we were carrying Avpin(used for starting the 18 ton aluminum pursuit ships).We eventually got in of course.
Everything that moved (or didn't) was zapped with 92 SUX, the staish was not amused especially as his staff car was targetted.
Happy days.
Stay safe everyone.
WF.
Everything that moved (or didn't) was zapped with 92 SUX, the staish was not amused especially as his staff car was targetted.
Happy days.
Stay safe everyone.
WF.
Just a numbered other
Not big zaps, but after a few ales during my EFT at Leeming in '78 we decided to brighten up the Red's Gnats with discreet 'Fly Navy' stickers beneath the cockpit hoods.
So discreet that the crabs almost missed them before displaying for the queen mum's visit.
Lot's of chuntering about possible peeling off and ingestion. Grumpy buggers took 'em off.
When we returned from Topcliffe that evening we were outside the squadron building as they taxied out. Cheery waves exchanged, until the tail end gnat turned tail-on to us. Red smoke on - GO.
He must have laughed all the way back to Kemble at the thought of us fishheads stood there drenched in red deisel.
Top marks!
So discreet that the crabs almost missed them before displaying for the queen mum's visit.
Lot's of chuntering about possible peeling off and ingestion. Grumpy buggers took 'em off.
When we returned from Topcliffe that evening we were outside the squadron building as they taxied out. Cheery waves exchanged, until the tail end gnat turned tail-on to us. Red smoke on - GO.
He must have laughed all the way back to Kemble at the thought of us fishheads stood there drenched in red deisel.
Top marks!
...Not sure if this qualifies, but in the early 60's at Tengah (ummmm Tengah
)
some 81 Sqdn linies went out one lunchtime and attached cardboard anchors to the nose wheels of some visting Scimiters from the gray funnel line, each one placed in a bucket of water. they were not amused for some reason
Cliver029
)some 81 Sqdn linies went out one lunchtime and attached cardboard anchors to the nose wheels of some visting Scimiters from the gray funnel line, each one placed in a bucket of water. they were not amused for some reason
Cliver029
Originally Posted by Arkroyal
discreet 'Fly Navy' stickers beneath the cockpit hoods.
So discreet that the crabs almost missed them before displaying for the queen mum's visit.
So discreet that the crabs almost missed them before displaying for the queen mum's visit.
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Thanks all. I've not seen the Pink Panther before WolvoWill! I have narrowed the search for our pawed friend down to 10 jets which arrived at Tengah between 8th and 11th Jan '69:
XS919, XR758, XS933, XR724, XS918, XR723, XS934, XS932, XS904, XS931
Still a needle in a slightly smaller haystack though!
Plus you've got me loking for the Pink Panther jet as well now! 
I have narrowed the search for our pawed friend down to 10 jets which arrived at Tengah between 8th and 11th Jan '69:XS919, XR758, XS933, XR724, XS918, XR723, XS934, XS932, XS904, XS931
Still a needle in a slightly smaller haystack though!
Plus you've got me loking for the Pink Panther jet as well now!
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When we returned from Topcliffe that evening we were outside the squadron building as they taxied out. Cheery waves exchanged, until the tail end gnat turned tail-on to us. Red smoke on - GO.
He must have laughed all the way back to Kemble at the thought of us fishheads stood there drenched in red deisel.
Top marks!
He must have laughed all the way back to Kemble at the thought of us fishheads stood there drenched in red deisel.
Top marks!
To think that all that fun was 29 years ago, almost to the day
Thanks all. I've not seen the Pink Panther before WolvoWill! I have narrowed the search for our pawed friend down to 10 jets which arrived at Tengah between 8th and 11th Jan '69:
XS919, XR758, XS933, XR724, XS918, XR723, XS934, XS932, XS904, XS931
XS919, XR758, XS933, XR724, XS918, XR723, XS934, XS932, XS904, XS931
Be fun putting pressure on the LPG lads to paintstrip off all that camo and return '904 to her '60's bare finish complete with a recreated 'Tiger' zap...