RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps
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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.
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Some more from my JP course at RAFC Cranwell (all with 2 Sqn RAFC):
4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Cranwell - Valley Nav 16 (Med / Lo)
4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Valley Nav 18 (Lo / Med / Lo)
5 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Cranwell Nav 19 (Lo / Med)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Cranwell - Valley Final Nav Test Part 1 (Med / Lo)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Valley - Cranwell Final Nav Test Part 2 (Hi)
Plus from a Leeming SORF refresher course:
11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 Leeming - Valley LL Nav
11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 RTB Leeming LL Nav
4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Cranwell - Valley Nav 16 (Med / Lo)
4 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Valley Nav 18 (Lo / Med / Lo)
5 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW336 Valley - Cranwell Nav 19 (Lo / Med)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Cranwell - Valley Final Nav Test Part 1 (Med / Lo)
14 Jun 1974 Jet Provost T5 XW367 Valley - Cranwell Final Nav Test Part 2 (Hi)
Plus from a Leeming SORF refresher course:
11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 Leeming - Valley LL Nav
11 Apr 1980 Jet Provost T5A XW431 RTB Leeming LL Nav
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First trip to Valley for an Open Day weekend 18/20 June 1965 in 85 Sqn Binbrook Meteor F8 WK 654 and then not again till on MPC. Lightning Firestreak was from 5 Sqn F6 XS894 28 April 1967, and Winder was from 228 OCU FGR2 XV436 on 21 June 1973
As non aircrew (wpns tm at the time) I consider myself extremely lucky to have gone up in a Harrier T4 doing video chase on GR5 live firing of a sidewinder. Was amazed how close we were to the action.
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I remember firing the '9G, it felt like one of the Apollo launches! We arrived at STCAAME to be given the Introductory Briefing which consisted of 'next Squadron that screws up and the RAFG MPC is cancelled!' We got airborne as the secondary firer to the previous Sqn's last firing, they then had a weapon malfunction which put us as primary. The rest thankfully was a textbook firing, after landing at Valley we both were looking forward to a few beers/curry but sadly not to be, RTB Laarbruch! Happy Days
I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.
With 3 tours in Ireland and detachments before, I carried out many Wessex change overs. Some we flagged and went onto either Odiham or Benson and Aldergrove on return. and some we carried out the change at Valley. One such trip we arrived at Valley to discover that the cab coming from Benson was delayed. This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.
Potential Thread Drift.
As a schoolboy holidaying in Rhosneigr circa the late 70's I was loitering in the dunes near the threshold of 32 (as it was then) when a foam carpet was laid for a Bruggen Jaguar (I think of either 14 or 17 squadron) which landed using the full length of 14. The aircraft remained on the runway for sometime as a wing was inspected. I wondered if it was a weapon hang up. Anyone here know any more?
My dim memories suggest that a detachment of 4 or 5 Jags were using the STCAAME ramp for all/part of the week. Anything that would give actual dates was consigned to recycling decades ago.
I remember seeing Super Jollies from Woodbridge which unlike most USAF aircraft actually landed. Even with a knowledge of theory of flight I was always slightly amazed they flew.
As a schoolboy holidaying in Rhosneigr circa the late 70's I was loitering in the dunes near the threshold of 32 (as it was then) when a foam carpet was laid for a Bruggen Jaguar (I think of either 14 or 17 squadron) which landed using the full length of 14. The aircraft remained on the runway for sometime as a wing was inspected. I wondered if it was a weapon hang up. Anyone here know any more?
My dim memories suggest that a detachment of 4 or 5 Jags were using the STCAAME ramp for all/part of the week. Anything that would give actual dates was consigned to recycling decades ago.
I remember seeing Super Jollies from Woodbridge which unlike most USAF aircraft actually landed. Even with a knowledge of theory of flight I was always slightly amazed they flew.
when we were at missile camp with a new junior pilot who was flying the spare we would get to the ac the instant it stopped, whip off the winder a fit a used umbilical. As he came down the ladder the ground crew would congratulate him, for a moment some would be in total shock and horror!
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Cheers, do you have the serial/unit please?
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With 3 tours in Ireland and detachments before, I carried out many Wessex change overs. Some we flagged and went onto either Odiham or Benson and Aldergrove on return. and some we carried out the change at Valley. One such trip we arrived at Valley to discover that the cab coming from Benson was delayed. This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.
....... This gave us time to nip to the aircrew feeder for lunch. So there we were pilot and crewman eating quietly in the corner when a young student pilot decides that as an NCO I should leave as ''this feeder is for aircrew only'' My pilot kept stum as I explained to the young gentleman what the eagle on my rank slides signified. Oh Happy Days.
As you said, "Happy Days!"!
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A mixed bag; a few photos to follow if they can be found.
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Aug 20 - Sept 2 1967
23 Sqn Lightnings Ex 'Midsummer' Nov 21 - Nov 24 1967, a carefree / careless defending the Navy (ship control) in home waters; only 2 Irish airliners bagged.
Lightning F6 XR 763 1May 1968 day visit ?
Lightning F6 XR 763 Nov 25 1968 day visit MPC.
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Dec 1 - Dec 12 1968
226 OCU Lightnings T5, F1 MPC Nov 11 1971
and during early 70s as a resident incumbent:-
Lightnings more operationally orientated, first battle flight firing non-stop from Germany, plus QRA / Tac Eval.
First of several Phantom MPCs - what a laugh. Winder worked but only went 'pop', AIM-7 'flew' if all the interlocks were out, slow-burn late-light launch could go anywhere (one RN launch fell back and then flew over the wing!). Lost a few Jindis until the radar polarisation was understood - radar reflector didn't like the launch aircraft rolling through 90deg after release. Then / if fusing, sometime.
PR Sqn failed to take a single air-air photo. Harrier VIFF trials, Boscombe Down Buccaneer with Martel misfire.
Oct 6 1977 Sea Vixen XN 653 target for 'trial 1756' 600 kts at 200 ft
Feb 21 1978 BAC1-11 XX105 overnight positioning for early morning fog flying at BHX
Jan 24 1980 HS 748 XW 750 overnight fog flying at GLA
Meteor F8 WH453 ? PD from Llanbeder, June 1979 ? self-auth first flight, and last flight in the RAF !
June 1983 BAe 146-100 ZD 695 RAF evaluation, photo formation with Hawk, and A5 pass.
and one that I took earlier:-
J
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Aug 20 - Sept 2 1967
23 Sqn Lightnings Ex 'Midsummer' Nov 21 - Nov 24 1967, a carefree / careless defending the Navy (ship control) in home waters; only 2 Irish airliners bagged.
Lightning F6 XR 763 1May 1968 day visit ?
Lightning F6 XR 763 Nov 25 1968 day visit MPC.
23 Sqn Lightnings MPC Dec 1 - Dec 12 1968
226 OCU Lightnings T5, F1 MPC Nov 11 1971
and during early 70s as a resident incumbent:-
Lightnings more operationally orientated, first battle flight firing non-stop from Germany, plus QRA / Tac Eval.
First of several Phantom MPCs - what a laugh. Winder worked but only went 'pop', AIM-7 'flew' if all the interlocks were out, slow-burn late-light launch could go anywhere (one RN launch fell back and then flew over the wing!). Lost a few Jindis until the radar polarisation was understood - radar reflector didn't like the launch aircraft rolling through 90deg after release. Then / if fusing, sometime.
PR Sqn failed to take a single air-air photo. Harrier VIFF trials, Boscombe Down Buccaneer with Martel misfire.
Oct 6 1977 Sea Vixen XN 653 target for 'trial 1756' 600 kts at 200 ft
Feb 21 1978 BAC1-11 XX105 overnight positioning for early morning fog flying at BHX
Jan 24 1980 HS 748 XW 750 overnight fog flying at GLA
Meteor F8 WH453 ? PD from Llanbeder, June 1979 ? self-auth first flight, and last flight in the RAF !
June 1983 BAe 146-100 ZD 695 RAF evaluation, photo formation with Hawk, and A5 pass.
and one that I took earlier:-
J
Last edited by PEI_3721; 12th Jan 2021 at 15:51.
Hot 'n' High sadly this wasn't confined to Valley. The general service knowledge of a great many in the RAF was lacking when it came to NCO Aircrew. On another occasion I was crewman on a Shawbury Wessex doing crash/incident standby at Scampton for one of the 'Reds' anniversary's. And again at lunch one of the Team asked us to leave as it was for aircrew only. The FJ world in particular were guilty of this and it came as a shock to some in the 90's when redundant FJ Navs were posted to rotary and they had to work with them! I can only hope that things have improved since then but I doubt it somehow.
Originally Posted by Peter Carter View Post
I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.
Cheers, do you have the serial/unit please?
Yes: XX889; 16Sqn.
I flew one of two Buccaneers into Valley on 8 Nov 78 for a refuel following HE 1,000lb drops at West Freugh. One of us still had a bomb in the bomb bay, so we kept it shut and forgot to mention it(!). I think I have some 8mm silent film of this somewhere.
Cheers, do you have the serial/unit please?
Yes: XX889; 16Sqn.
