How many RAF stations have swimming pools?
I recall two Cranwell pools. There was one down near the airfield, linked to a gym when I arrived in 1960. By the time I left, we were using the new one.
Looking on Google earth, I see that the South Brick Lines have gone. I would have thought they might have preserved one of those huts, to show later generations what luxury the junior entry enjoyed.
Looking on Google earth, I see that the South Brick Lines have gone. I would have thought they might have preserved one of those huts, to show later generations what luxury the junior entry enjoyed.
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Wattisham most definitely had one, just right outside the NAAFI block (where the chip machine was)
A342
A342
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A few memory chips fading hereabouts...only to be expected given the demographic I suppose 
I was at Kinloss on and off from 77 to 03 and the wee pool (next to the gym) was open, functional and extremely well-used throughout. Some famous swimmer (Goodhew? Wilkie?) did an exhibition swim in it once. As I recall, if you volunteered for lifeguard, you got out of some station duties.
St Mawgan had no pool but had early morning time slots reserved at Newquay (indoor and outdoor) which was near Newquay zoo. I well remember swimming in the outdoor pool very early morning listening to the zoo's resident lion roaring. Mountbatten had no pool, so the survival school used the one at RNAS Culdrose (which I recall being a proper size) for its many drills.
I was at Kinloss on and off from 77 to 03 and the wee pool (next to the gym) was open, functional and extremely well-used throughout. Some famous swimmer (Goodhew? Wilkie?) did an exhibition swim in it once. As I recall, if you volunteered for lifeguard, you got out of some station duties.
St Mawgan had no pool but had early morning time slots reserved at Newquay (indoor and outdoor) which was near Newquay zoo. I well remember swimming in the outdoor pool very early morning listening to the zoo's resident lion roaring. Mountbatten had no pool, so the survival school used the one at RNAS Culdrose (which I recall being a proper size) for its many drills.
Lesson Learned
RAF Henlow had one as I learned when I did my IOT there in 74. We all had to prove we could swim one length, Having swum at County level before joining, I took a racing dive into the pool and powered down to the end. My showing-off was seen by the PTI who told me to keep on back and forth until the entire sqn had attempted their one length. Lesson was rapidly learned as I climbed exhausted from the pool at the end.
FW
FW
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Airport Camp Belize had one, again provided under the auspices of an EWS, or so local folk-law had it
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Abingdon had an outdoor pool in the 70s. Remember midnight swimming in 1975 with a couple of hardy people. After a visit to the bar of course
If you want a deep pool, try the one at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, formerly HMS Dolphin. The widths are short but it is 100ft deep. I did the obligatory 2x30ft, 1x60ft and 1x100ft runs through it. Heady stuff at the time.
Deano,
What a surprise. 48 Sqn Association Sec' was trying to contact you earlier this year. I said that I could try to reach you via PPRuNe PM - to no avail. We assumed the worst. Good to see your post!
Brian Wildey
What a surprise. 48 Sqn Association Sec' was trying to contact you earlier this year. I said that I could try to reach you via PPRuNe PM - to no avail. We assumed the worst. Good to see your post!
Brian Wildey
One for the real oldies - Habbaniya had a swimming pool, and a cinema, and a zoo ! ... and a seaplane alighting area and a shopping 'mall' and a hospital ,,, and food poisoning !
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RAF Changi Officers Club
RAF Changi Officers Club , pool, and hairdressers with a free Indian scalp massage. Sorry no photo.
Last edited by middlesbrough; 1st Nov 2022 at 10:09. Reason: Error