RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps
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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 !
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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
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
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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!
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!
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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
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!!
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!!
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.

Last edited by Hot 'n' High; 11th Jan 2021 at 15:57.
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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!!
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!!
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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
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
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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
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
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
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
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.

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.

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!