RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps
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RAF Valley & Missile Practice Camps
A few of us are in the process of creating an online archive for all known aircraft movements at RAF Valley since 1941. The Station celebrates it’s 80th Anniversary this Year and this archive will become ‘live’ at some stage this Year. We are looking for anyone who has flown to Valley with logbook entries/photos, this includes Missile Practice Camps especially on the Javelin & early Lightnings BUT any visits are of interest. Screenshots from logbooks would be gratefully received and anecdotal stories/events. So with various lockdowns in force please have a look at your logbooks/albums. Please feel free to pass on this request. My email is [email protected]
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We’re chasing that one up but the Station ‘540’s are fairly vague, plus Practice diversions would not have been logged, STCAAME it would appear did not log any specific serial’s etc.
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Another aspect of RAF Valley's history:
I think that the late Sqn Ldr John 'Farmer' Steele might have been on 1 GWDS?
In 1955, No 6 Joint Services Trials Unit was established at Valley as a lodger unit to undertake trials with the Fairey Fireflash air-to-air guided missile. As an air-launched beam-riding missile, the Fireflash possessed only a limited advantage over fixed gunnery and was destined to never achieve operational status. Intensive trials of the missile were however conducted with the redesignated No 1 Guided Weapons Development Squadron in 1957 with 10 modified Swift F7s acting as their carriers.
By 1957, the air-to-air guided missile, Fireflash, has started full-scale Service trials on the Swift 7. The purpose of these trials is both to work out the tactics for using air-to-air missiles and also to get practical experience in the handling of such weapons. In this way, the entry of the next air-to-air missile, Firestreak, for which substantial orders have been placed, would be made easier.
In 1957-59, the Swift made a name for itself in successful trials of the Fireflash (Sky Blue) air to air missile aboard specially configured, radar equipped Swift F7s at RAF Valley. As a result, some consideration was given to its possible use as a high level bomber destroyer but with the Lightning and Javelin on the horizon the idea was soon abandoned.
By 1957, the air-to-air guided missile, Fireflash, has started full-scale Service trials on the Swift 7. The purpose of these trials is both to work out the tactics for using air-to-air missiles and also to get practical experience in the handling of such weapons. In this way, the entry of the next air-to-air missile, Firestreak, for which substantial orders have been placed, would be made easier.
In 1957-59, the Swift made a name for itself in successful trials of the Fireflash (Sky Blue) air to air missile aboard specially configured, radar equipped Swift F7s at RAF Valley. As a result, some consideration was given to its possible use as a high level bomber destroyer but with the Lightning and Javelin on the horizon the idea was soon abandoned.
Last edited by BEagle; 10th Jan 2021 at 20:06.
My Late Father did a jet refresher on Meteors and Vampires with 202 AFS at Valley in August 1952. I believe he and my Mother had lodgings at Llanfair-yn-neubwll.
When I get my scanner up and running again I will scan his LogBook page and forward it to you.
When I get my scanner up and running again I will scan his LogBook page and forward it to you.
Last edited by ExAscoteer2; 10th Jan 2021 at 20:59.
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excellent, cheers
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Are you happy for your email to be passed about on facebook with requests for MPC for a certain RAF type? Admin for a group that threw 9Gs and Ls off from Valley. PM me if you are happy.
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Plonked in at Valley with them as a baby trainee erk (lowest-of-the-low .... but 3 rungs down) and got "misplaced" and ended up with the aircrew at the "feeder" for lunch. Was temp promoted to Midshipman H 'n' H by one of the aircrew to sign in. Should have booked in as Admiral H 'n' H - it was the only way I could have made it to Flag rank!!!
Eventually conned the Queen into giving me a real Commission - but got nowhere near Admiral ..... sadly! Too much time enjoying myself rather than climbing the greasy pole! Ah, happy daze! H 'n' H
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!
Last edited by BEagle; 10th Jan 2021 at 20:54.
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GMP emergency diversion
I was crew on board G-GMPB BN Defender when we were training overhead Anglesey in July 2002. A suspected fuel leak forced us to make a rapid descent and unannounced emegency landing at Valley. It was weekend and I dont think the tower was manned ?
We taxied to the SAR ramp and was invited to an ongoing squadron BBQ after a few hours we were collected by MT and driven back to Manchester ! The aircraft stayed
We taxied to the SAR ramp and was invited to an ongoing squadron BBQ after a few hours we were collected by MT and driven back to Manchester ! The aircraft stayed
Last edited by MAN777; 10th Jan 2021 at 21:35.
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Also fired a Winder on 21 Jun 73. Here are the only pics I've got of the Firestreak launch - sadly none of the Winder as I think that the Winder took out the Jindy!!! Often wondered if the controls went slack when the Jindy was shot down??
Last edited by CharlieJuliet; 11th Jan 2021 at 09:49. Reason: Deleting double picture.
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
