Linton on Ouse : The end of an era
Linton No 8 IBFTS July 1976
End of JP5a phase, and off to pastures new. The Interim Basic Flying Training Course was a notional 100 hrs JP3a, Wings awarded with big Parade and Ball. Our Ball really was a big do in April 1976 as it coincided with a reunion bash of a RCAF wartime Stirling Sqn that had been based at LOO. I think that was when the CFI's mini ended up somehow by the ornamental ponds behind the Mess Dining Room! Then it was on to a notional 60 hrs in the JP5a. 'Notional' because the courses were designed to have Sim time, but the Sims did not exist until we were just leaving. So extra real hours! There are a couple of stragglers in this photo from 7 Course.
L-R: Connolly, Cocks (7) Butler, Hirst, Reviewing Officer(?), Al-Said (7), Barrett, Barter, Spencer (7).
If anybody knows whereabouts of any of these desperados, please PM me!
Is that 17 Course.....
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Re The Course Photo
Hi, I posted the picture by the gate guardian earlier - it was a scan of a the official end-of-course photo and the only info I could see was on the file title. I've had a root around and found the actual photo- it was taken on 18 May 1978. No course No though.
Yes, within two years of the photo John C and Steve B had been killed in accidents - and so had a couple of our instructors. . .
Yes, within two years of the photo John C and Steve B had been killed in accidents - and so had a couple of our instructors. . .
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If it was end of course, it could be 21 course.
IIRC, The last course to be awarded flying badges after BFTS was 15 Cse, guest of honour being Sir Douglas Bader. After that, the “wings” parades were delayed until after AFTS. Apparently, the “chop rate” after BFTS was deemed to be too high.
IIRC, The last course to be awarded flying badges after BFTS was 15 Cse, guest of honour being Sir Douglas Bader. After that, the “wings” parades were delayed until after AFTS. Apparently, the “chop rate” after BFTS was deemed to be too high.
Gentleman Aviator
The last RN unit to leave Linton (I think) was No 3 Sqn, their pre-helicopter Chipmunk Sqn, who moved to Church Fenton.
This photo shows their formation en route, photo from Air Clues (and my logbook!):
This photo shows their formation en route, photo from Air Clues (and my logbook!):
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Hi ShyTorque,
The last course awarded wings by Sir Douglas Bader on 1 April 1977 was 14 Cse.
Back row L/R- Wealleans, Newton, Perrins, Curties, MacIntyre, Wright.
Front row L/R - Hitchmough, Marshall, Simmons, Sir Douglas Bader, Smith, Knockles, McAuliffe.
The last course awarded wings by Sir Douglas Bader on 1 April 1977 was 14 Cse.
Back row L/R- Wealleans, Newton, Perrins, Curties, MacIntyre, Wright.
Front row L/R - Hitchmough, Marshall, Simmons, Sir Douglas Bader, Smith, Knockles, McAuliffe.
Tram...
Further research is that was actually our Wings day photo on 30th April 1976, and the RO in the middle was AVM P J Lagesen, CB, DFC, AFC, then the AOC No 1 Gp. I got all the other names correct, though!
Further research is that was actually our Wings day photo on 30th April 1976, and the RO in the middle was AVM P J Lagesen, CB, DFC, AFC, then the AOC No 1 Gp. I got all the other names correct, though!
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Eaw, thanks for the correction. So 15 course were the first “disappointed” course. 
I recognise quite a few on that photo. Kev McAuliffe and myself were at OASC at the same time.
I recognise quite a few on that photo. Kev McAuliffe and myself were at OASC at the same time.
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Still on the subject of Linton-on-Ouse, can anyone with any clarity recall this event?On 28 October 1982, No.1 FTS celebrated 25 years of operational flying at Linton-on-Ouse with a series of commemorative flypasts. Twenty-four Jet Provosts led by the CI, Wg Cdr Ed Jarron, Sqn Ldrs Bill Langworthy and Al Watson, overflew the airfield in a formation that spelled the Station’s identification letters ‘L O 1’. This was followed by a display of various aircraft operated by school, including a Chipmunk, a Vampire T Mk.11, and three different marks of Jet Provosts.
Despite being an historical event for both the station and the Jet Provost, it would appear that the event has passed into obscurity?
Despite being an historical event for both the station and the Jet Provost, it would appear that the event has passed into obscurity?
I recognise quite a few on that photo. Kev McAuliffe and myself were at OASC at the same time.
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A.V.M. Lagesen seems to have been a bit of a character from what I gather, he was certainly a brave man, not bad promotion for a chap who started his flying career as an Air Gunner.
Methinks there may be two Richard Head! I was on ULAS 69-71 and think that RH was senior to me by a year, and as an APO he would normally have gone straight to Cranditz. So unlikely he would have been behind me at Linton as I did not do Henlow/Linton until I joined in 74. But somebody is correct..that Richard Head was Vulcans, Bulldog QFI and then Rotary. And QHI in due course.
I flew with Rick Head, Adrian Knockles and Mike Barter in the 80's on the Wessex. Have lost track of all but the last time I saw Mike Barter was on a Herc in Masirah during Ex Saif Saria in 2001. I believe he was Stn Cdr at Odiham at the time and went on to be College Commandant at Cranwell in 2002.
I flew with Rick Head, Adrian Knockles and Mike Barter in the 80's on the Wessex. Have lost track of all but the last time I saw Mike Barter was on a Herc in Masirah during Ex Saif Saria in 2001. I believe he was Stn Cdr at Odiham at the time and went on to be College Commandant at Cranwell in 2002.
"You will never believe it, we have a guy coming called Rick Head"!
So, like you do, we got all the jests ready for his arrival.
RH arrives (I can still see him framed in the crewroom door) and announces loudly (always with RH!):
"Good morning gentlemen, my name is Richard Head".
"Also known as..............................." Reeling off every combination possible.
Happy Days!
lsh
