Run & Break

[scroggs]

Ah, Sycamore and Spec Aircrew - happy memories from the early days of HM South Atlantic Flyers Club. RIABs were compulsory even for Fat Albert, and much banter was exchanged in the bars about the quality of your RIAB, whether you were driving an F4, GR3, Shar, Albert or what-have-you.

I well remember one sunny afternoon when an F4 got itself all caught up in one or more cables on Stanley's tarmac - sorry, aluminium. We in Albert 1 had plenty of gas and now some time to kill, so we indulged ourselves in improving our RIAB technique, and giving most sections at Stanley a reasonable close-up of Albert going faster than walking pace at (m'lud) the minimum break height of 250ft.

We tried climbing breaks, level breaks, left and right hand - even one on the other runway (everyone else was - wisely - on the ground). Eventually the word came that the stranded Toom was now clear of the AM2, and we could begin an approach. Of course, the horns were well and truly out by now, so we decided to investigate Albert's ability to approach Vne at low(ish) level. I have it on good authority that the ASI registered 320 kts - briefly - as the climbing turn was initiated. I was too busy accurately judging my 250 ft by the proximity of the VCR and the roof of the Stn Cdr's portacabin - ohhhhh sh1t!!!!

On taxiing in to the 1312 pan, the ground crew took great pleasure in presenting me with the ceremonial (and very green) SD cap, and OC 1312's compliments. Would I care to join him for a no-tea, no-biccies chattette? Of course I would! There followed one of the best bollockings it has ever been my privilege and pleasure to witness - right up to the time the phone rang. OC 1312 said something like 'Yessir. Are you sure sir? But... but.... yessir. [Gulp]' I asked if he was all right? He replied that the staish was delighted to see such spirit and spunk from the Alberteers, and would be treating the crew of Albert 1 to beers at 23 Sqn fifthwith.

Much banter and booze later, OC1312 and I kissed and made up, and Albert's RIAB reputation had been considerably enhanced - and without an overstress! Maybe not very politically correct, but bloody good fun!

Happy days - well, some of them were!

[UncleFester]

Mpa Run and Break..

I seem to remember these manoevres at MPA carried out by F4's and F3' s being referred to as Fiery Crosses... When we did it in the C130's it became a smokey cross for obvious reasons!!. I plead guilty to a certain incident down there when I asked if the "BOG" was hot or cold and ATC didn't understand the transmission. Looking up at the Control tower on the way past at 250kts....not a lot of feet and seeing the BOG himself shaking his fist. The subsequent one-sided interview was brought swiftly to a halt when he realised who and why I was there. Great fun...got the pictures to prove it... How do I post them in these forums? Clues anyone?

[Barney_Gumble]

Now I understand what the maneouvre is, I have a memory of seeing a similar type of flying when the RAF dropped supplies by parachute using Hercs into the bay at King Edwards Point on South Georgia. They semed to pass low and then pull up hard and "Go Around" turning away from the land.

Any of you guys fly these missions during April - November 1991? I seem to remember a dressed up dummy being thrown out for a giggle.

Andy

[whowhenwhy]

As a spectator to many forms of aircrew japery from my vantage point within the tower, both at mpa and others, I think the best initials join I have seen so far was by a soon to be ex-RAF pilot. Sitting in a tower in the north east of the flattest bit of England, we were expecting a privately owned black hunter to pitch up! Dutifully, the gentleman in question called approach, and then me, requesting a low level join. "Yes of course you can", I replied!" Well we were on rwy 22, good vis, should be able to see a black hunter at about 9 miles, nope! Pilot called initials, nope still can't see him! Pilot called on the break to land as he appeared from behind the trees over the threshold!!!!!!!!!! Very impressed! However, my assistant then patted me on the shoulder and told me that the boss would like a word. "Could you please ask the gentleman flying that ac whether he's still in the air force, because if he is I'd like him to come to my office!" Oh well, fun police strike again!

[Top Bunk Tester]

Barney, as a humble ex-overseer of driver (airplane)........ OK I used to sit between and behind them with hands on throttles and flaps in the vain hope that I may be able to stop them killing me......... My recollections of South Georgia are that it wasn't a run & break but more of post drop dambusters type manoeuver ie pedal to metal and pull up and left. The intention not being to slow down but to stop Albert impacting the glacier at the end of the Cumberland Bay. I do not recall a dummy being dropped but our usual wheeze was to stuff a few blank Blueys in the top of the harness pack. On deployment this gave a nice impression of a split mail bag. Was fun to watch the booties in their Geminis(?) racing round the bay trying to collect all of the "lost mail".

[Barney_Gumble]

TBT,

Was fun to watch the booties in their Geminis(?) racing round the bay trying to collect all of the "lost mail".

I was one of those booties and it was bl@@dy freezing in the rigid raiders

Tell you what though, it was a life saver to see the aircraft in the bay

Thanks to all that re-supplied us all those years ago. I shall gracefully retire back to Private Flyers forum

Cheers

Andy

[UncleFester]

Further to Top Bunk testers recollections of Cumberland bay, We used to fly a figure of 8 pattern with the nav watching the starboard wingtip clearance from the cliffs, the co-pilot counting the range to the glacier and me aiming for the Gemini.....this was in a developing blizzard coming off the glacier. We did 6 runs in all...with a bloody great russian factory ship abeam the drop point. Didn't miss once!! Comment from rigid raider..."thanks guys you've got bloody great big ones!!"

Incidently I was asked by senior pongo to deliver some spares to SG. I asked what was in the box....electronic valves and light bulbs!!! He seemed to think there was a landing strip on the glacier!! Soon disillusioned when I told him they wouldn't survive a sea landing but I'd try to drop them into the Gemini for him!!

P.S. regarding my last post it was a free drop from 150' ish...supposed to be 250' but that was too high for accuracy in a confined space.