RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by Non Linear Gear

I have mentioned. Many TEs in the world. Did you drive at Linton in 2002?

I left the mob in ‘96, followed by 15yrs with Thomas Cook and 6 with Qatar Airways.

[Cornish Jack]

FED - With that dateline,we may have 'shared' aircraft . I was back at Valley instructing then, but world affairs for us were more on the 'confrontation' with Indonesia - the training workload was very close to exhaustion level !

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by 57mm

KC and I claimed a Jindi in our trusty and infamous steed XV422,the one with a Jag silhouette.....

do you have a date please and Sqn?

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by Fareastdriver

I did my winching training at Valley when I was on my helicopter conversion course, or doesn't that count?

It was the week when Ian Smith declared UDI and immediately after the BBC news there was a tannoy ordering all the Rhodesian students to report to the Station Commander at 09:00 hrs the next morning

the more the merrier, Valley’s rotary history from 1955 onwards is just as important as the fast jets, dates/unit/serial/type would be very useful, please send to my email address, Taff

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by BEagle

Apart from my Gnat, Hunter and Hawk courses:

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton

Haven't been back since! But I enjoyed Valley immensely!

excellent, just what we need, many thanks Beags.

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by CharlieJuliet

OOPs not sure why that came out twice - sorry!! Now fixed!

Excellent, would it be possible to send the photos to my email [email protected] . Was the winder on the F-4? If so do you have date/serial/unit please. Regards, Taff

[Mogwi]

Copies of log-book sent.

Mog

[BEagle]

EXFIN, sorry, I forgot to give you the squadrons!

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston was from 669 Sqn AAC. Aircraft had flown in from Wildenrath to collect wedding presents! As I was on my way to a holding posting at Wildenrath (under care of Mogwi!), they gave me a lift from Valley back to Wildenrath via Manston.
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton (35 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales (56 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton (241 OCU)

Also some time in Dec 1980, I was flying a SAP from 63 Sqn RAF Chivenor leading the late Pete 'Stony' Stone (who sadly bought it in an RAFG Harrier prang in 1989, RIP mate) - he simulated a rapid fuel leak somewhere in North Wales so I diverted intending to take him to Mona. But it wasn't available, so instead we blasted into the Valley circuit scattering 4 FTS Hawks as we did so, then RTB'd Chiv to take a rather vexed call from Valley's duty QFI! I think it was probably on 8th Dec in XX219. Magic times at Heaven-in-Devon!!

[Hot 'n' High]

Originally Posted by Hot 'n' High

Such a shame as I lost some phots for a transit up to BUTEC mid-1980 with 2 or maybe 3 Sea Kings for some Torpedo Trials with 810 NAS. I have a few on the helipad at Kyle but had a whole batch from the BUTEC ranges + our stopover at Valley - all sadly lost when pipe split and soaked loads of stuff years later.

The water must affected my memory as see I've done quite a few transits through Valley. Will e-mail the list! And now really quite concerned at just how shocking my memory is!

[EXFIN]

Get that logbook out, a good cure for dementia!

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by BEagle

EXFIN, sorry, I forgot to give you the squadrons!

22 Jun 75 Beaver AL1 XP811 Valley - Manston was from 669 Sqn AAC. Aircraft had flown in from Wildenrath to collect wedding presents! As I was on my way to a holding posting at Wildenrath (under care of Mogwi!), they gave me a lift from Valley back to Wildenrath via Manston.
27 Oct 77 Vulcan B2 XL361 Practice Diversion from Scampton (35 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV487 Wattisham - Valley after LLOLPIs in Wales (56 Sqn)
7 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV469 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 Wx Div from Wattisham EX FLINTSTONE (56 Sqn)
12 Oct 82 Phantom FGR2 XV461 RTB Wattisham (56 Sqn)
21 May 84 VC10 C1 XV108 Practice Diversion from Brize Norton (241 OCU)

Also some time in Dec 1980, I was flying a SAP from 63 Sqn RAF Chivenor leading the late Pete 'Stony' Stone (who sadly bought it in an RAFG Harrier prang in 1989, RIP mate) - he simulated a rapid fuel leak somewhere in North Wales so I diverted intending to take him to Mona. But it wasn't available, so instead we blasted into the Valley circuit scattering 4 FTS Hawks as we did so, then RTB'd Chiv to take a rather vexed call from Valley's duty QFI! I think it was probably on 8th Dec in XX219. Magic times at Heaven-in-Devon!!

Many thanks, we have a photo of your PD with the VC-10, if you'd like a copy just drop me a PM with your email. Barging into the circuit reminds me of a 4ship i was on arriving at Coningsby in the old GR.1. The No.2 instead of shoving the wings forward on the break swept them back. Broke as 2 and landed as No.4!!!

[diginagain]

03-Nov-92 Lynx AH7 XZ613 refuel Inbound from Aldergrove, departed for Wallop. Routed back in another cab via Blackpool.

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by diginagain

03-Nov-92 Lynx AH7 XZ613 refuel Inbound from Aldergrove, departed for Wallop. Routed back in another cab via Blackpool.

Cheers, we have you already! 655 Sqn? Used to get loads in the good old days plus the Wessex on the N Ireland changeovers.

[diginagain]

Originally Posted by EXFIN

Cheers, we have you already! 655 Sqn? Used to get loads in the good old days plus the Wessex on the N Ireland changeovers.

It was indeed! Changing-out an airframe to spread the hours across the fleet.

[Yellow Sun]

1 Jan 1969 Varsity T1 WJ915 Gaydon - Valley - Gaydon Can’t remember why.
7 Mar 1969 Varsity T1 WF333 Gaydon- Valley - St Athan. Take pax to St Athan for UWAS Dining In Night.
8 Mar 1969 varsity T1 WF333 St Athan - Valley - Gaydon Return survivors from above.
6 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM557 Ex Highwood deployed from Waddington due forecast weather, landed at Valley following Keltex in North Sea with Valley Gnats deployed ex Lossiemouth or Leuchars. One of 3 (?) Vulcans deployed, detachment operated from STCAMME
7 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM609 Ex Highwood Valley-Valley
8 Dec 1971 RTB Waddington, probably courtesy of STCBS Hastings but not recorded.
29 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley
30 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 RTB Cranwell
10 May 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW416 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
29 Jun 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW368 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
3 sep 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW435 Final Nav Test Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
4 Jan 1979 Nimrod MR1 XV233 Search and Rescue Standby. Deployed from St Mawgan to Prestwick due Wx forecast 3 Jan. Launched late evening 3 Jan, due wx diverted to Valley on completion of task morning 4 Jan. Recovered St Mawgan 5 Jan. Read about it in “Out of the Blue - The Final Landing”

YS

[EXFIN]

Many thanks, do you remember which units/Sqns they were please. Taff

[EXFIN]

Originally Posted by Yellow Sun

1 Jan 1969 Varsity T1 WJ915 Gaydon - Valley - Gaydon Can’t remember why.
7 Mar 1969 Varsity T1 WF333 Gaydon- Valley - St Athan. Take pax to St Athan for UWAS Dining In Night.
8 Mar 1969 varsity T1 WF333 St Athan - Valley - Gaydon Return survivors from above.
6 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM557 Ex Highwood deployed from Waddington due forecast weather, landed at Valley following Keltex in North Sea with Valley Gnats deployed ex Lossiemouth or Leuchars. One of 3 (?) Vulcans deployed, detachment operated from STCAMME
7 Dec 1971 Vulcan B2 XM609 Ex Highwood Valley-Valley
8 Dec 1971 RTB Waddington, probably courtesy of STCBS Hastings but not recorded.
29 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley
30 Apr 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW410 RTB Cranwell
10 May 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW416 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
29 Jun 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW368 Land Away Navex Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
3 sep 1976 Jet Provost T5A XW435 Final Nav Test Cranwell - Valley - Cranwell
4 Jan 1979 Nimrod MR1 XV233 Search and Rescue Standby. Deployed from St Mawgan to Prestwick due Wx forecast 3 Jan. Launched late evening 3 Jan, due wx diverted to Valley on completion of task morning 4 Jan. Recovered St Mawgan 5 Jan. Read about it in “Out of the Blue - The Final Landing”

YS

Excellent, do you know the Units/Sqns please. Taff

[Yellow Sun]

Varsities RAF Gaydon, 2ANS
Vulcan RAF Waddington, 101 Sqn; there were probably crews from 50 and 44 on the detachment.
Jet Provost RAF College Cranwell, 1 Sqn
Nimrod RAF St Mawgan, 42 Sqn

YS

[Lima Juliet]

EXFIN

It sounds like you need a copy of the following book. It comes with a CD with pictures of all APCs with the Aircrew and their names that flew from STAACME. Goes through about 40 years of history.

[Hot 'n' High]

Originally Posted by EXFIN

Get that logbook out, a good cure for dementia!

Mmmm, dementia - or, in my case, absolute non-recall! As my poor Dad died @90 with severe dementia maybe I'm just way ahead of him on that score. But, to many who have known me over the years more likely "Ops normal! He's always bleeding clueless!" Sadly, I've no defence against that Charge, Me'lud! A fair cop!