Abingdons Alive still
Have you tried a search for the Beverley Association? I gather the Bev used to be flown from Abingdon; perhaps they'd be up for a reunion?
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BEagle - good idea, yes i will try to find out about the Bev association.
Do you or anyone know how i can get the Plastic replica aircraft of the RAF Exhibition Flight?? - i thought it was Cranwell you have to speak to................??
Do you or anyone know how i can get the Plastic replica aircraft of the RAF Exhibition Flight?? - i thought it was Cranwell you have to speak to................??
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ABN99
Hi ABN99, please check your PMs (but I don't think you'll find anything as I've tried twice and it's still not showing in my sent msgs folder). Please PM me back if you are who I think you are (common name, unusual spelling!)...
Gadget
aka ABN98 (1983-85 vintage)
Gadget
aka ABN98 (1983-85 vintage)
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Interesting and very unusual to see an AAC Apache circuit bashing between 9.45pm - 11pm on Tues 10th June, firstly '26 ' right hand then '18' right hand.Presume with night vision & all that.
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Havnt had time to read through all of this but Dishforth is know as Dishforth Airfield and is sign posted this. I fly there and my father is the CFI. If you look at the address for dishforth camp it is :-
9 regt aac.
DISHFORTH Airfield
thirsk
yo7 3ez
9 regt aac.
DISHFORTH Airfield
thirsk
yo7 3ez
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Re my 'Abingdon Fayre' event, does anyone know if it is the Tatical Communications Wing (TCW) at Brize Norton put in temporary runway lighting for exercises etc???
I wish to find out as runway lighting would further clarify the main runway for my event is in use!!! - had a few army personnel from bottom end of the airfield MQ's cross the active at this years show (could not read the warning signs & climbed over barriers) & like playing 'chicken' to jet traffic - not a good idea!
The CAA inspector & Air Traffic were not impressed
If anyone has details of who & how to get in touch, let me know via my e-mail ([email protected])
I wish to find out as runway lighting would further clarify the main runway for my event is in use!!! - had a few army personnel from bottom end of the airfield MQ's cross the active at this years show (could not read the warning signs & climbed over barriers) & like playing 'chicken' to jet traffic - not a good idea!
The CAA inspector & Air Traffic were not impressed
If anyone has details of who & how to get in touch, let me know via my e-mail ([email protected])
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I would like to hear from any ex RAF Abingdon personnel, be it from LAC's to former Station Commanders with any interesting stories to tell during there time at Abingdon (keep it clean please!!), as we plan to have a noticeboard on our Display Stand which has RAF Abingdon memorabilia & our annual "Abingdon Fayre" Charity events on it. The idea is to present to members of the public a collage of interesting articles to read....from the RAF Days.
E-mail: [email protected]
Our event: www.abingdonfayre.latest-info.com
Many thanks
Neil Poter - Event Co-ordinator
E-mail: [email protected]
Our event: www.abingdonfayre.latest-info.com
Many thanks
Neil Poter - Event Co-ordinator
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Neil Porter
There was the story I heard when I was flying with OUAS from Abingdon in about 1947. There was a Corporal in Pay Accounts who decided that his pay would not let him live in the style to which he was accustomed (he was a National Serviceman, I believe). So he raised a paper squadron and ran it successfuully for several months, drawing all their pay net of deductions etc. He got away with it until the auditors picked up some minor discrepency attributing a breakage to someone who did not appear on the payroll, I believe. They court martialled him and slung him in the cooler. They should have promoted him when he got out - he really knew his onions as an akker-basher!
There was the story I heard when I was flying with OUAS from Abingdon in about 1947. There was a Corporal in Pay Accounts who decided that his pay would not let him live in the style to which he was accustomed (he was a National Serviceman, I believe). So he raised a paper squadron and ran it successfuully for several months, drawing all their pay net of deductions etc. He got away with it until the auditors picked up some minor discrepency attributing a breakage to someone who did not appear on the payroll, I believe. They court martialled him and slung him in the cooler. They should have promoted him when he got out - he really knew his onions as an akker-basher!
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Jags in F Hangar (1 AMS)
Trying to contact anyone (or can contact me) with either Black & White or Colour photos of when Jaguars were serviced under No. 1 Air Maintenance Squadron .... willing to pay for copies.. be it from personal collections or official MOD Photos.
Any pics of the ex Indian AF Jags also most welcome, i believe some were stored in E Hangar in the early 80's.
To go on our RAF Abingdon memory boards as explained in an earlier text on this Post as part of my "Abingdon Fayre" event publicity material ( elsewhere is given the next scheduled event in 2004) - good for the locals etc to see some images from the past... all will be credited to the owners of the photos.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.abingdonfayre.latest-info.com
I will give my home address etc on request.
Also, the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster was given a major overhaul in F Hangar in 84 i think, again any material relating to that then send it through...
Any pics of the ex Indian AF Jags also most welcome, i believe some were stored in E Hangar in the early 80's.
To go on our RAF Abingdon memory boards as explained in an earlier text on this Post as part of my "Abingdon Fayre" event publicity material ( elsewhere is given the next scheduled event in 2004) - good for the locals etc to see some images from the past... all will be credited to the owners of the photos.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.abingdonfayre.latest-info.com
I will give my home address etc on request.
Also, the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster was given a major overhaul in F Hangar in 84 i think, again any material relating to that then send it through...
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Q: i have found out that Abingdons main runway can take loads of up to "LCG III" - does anyone out there know the weight in kgs as i aint got a f*****g clue!!
Need to know for my ref - Abingdon Fayre event, cheers.....
Need to know for my ref - Abingdon Fayre event, cheers.....
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LCG III means that it can take a LCN of 51-75 as normal operations.
Rule of thumb from the FIH says that this means it can bear approx 75000lbs for continuous and that a 50% increase is acceptable as an emergency i.e. 112500lgs Gross Weight.
I am afraid that this limits you to only 34.5 tonnes or 51 tonnes in an emergency.
A rough guide for a/c weights is MAUWs:-
C17 Globemaster 265.8 tonnes.
KC1 Tristar is 234.5 tonnes.
C130 Hercules 72.5 tonnes.
Chinook HC2 24.5 tonnes.
Jaguar GR1 15.7 tonnes.
Tornado GR4 26.6 tonnes.
So suffice to say you can get the jets and rotary guys in but nothing much bigger than a Herc with half tanks.
Hope this is of some help and before you all start shooting me down with my inaccuracies I am going to hide behind p.70 of the current FIH.
VT
Rule of thumb from the FIH says that this means it can bear approx 75000lbs for continuous and that a 50% increase is acceptable as an emergency i.e. 112500lgs Gross Weight.
I am afraid that this limits you to only 34.5 tonnes or 51 tonnes in an emergency.
A rough guide for a/c weights is MAUWs:-
C17 Globemaster 265.8 tonnes.
KC1 Tristar is 234.5 tonnes.
C130 Hercules 72.5 tonnes.
Chinook HC2 24.5 tonnes.
Jaguar GR1 15.7 tonnes.
Tornado GR4 26.6 tonnes.
So suffice to say you can get the jets and rotary guys in but nothing much bigger than a Herc with half tanks.
Hope this is of some help and before you all start shooting me down with my inaccuracies I am going to hide behind p.70 of the current FIH.
VT
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NP
Just some happy memories re Abingdon in the mid 80s. It was then home to London UAS, Oxford UAS, an AEF (No6??) as well as all the holding pilots who flew for OC Fg - a Jag pilot called S/L Mike Lawrence (ace chap). The holding guys were just out of Valley/TWU with their wings and did lots of Hawk delivery flts. They were a good bunch. One chap went along dual with ML on his first that trip he thought was a simple delivery flight. When he got to Valley (or perhaps Chiv), ML said "right chum that's your acceptance check complete, go and fly that ac over there back to Abingdon". The guy hadn't been excpecting this at all and didn't have any LL charts, ATC freqs or red book and the like, and had to cuff it all the way across the country back to Oxon at 400+ kts - bit of shock for someone just out of trg. Needless to say he was fine but how we laughed!
The ULAS guys stayed in the mess but the OUAS lot went home each night. Some of my memories of those days are pretty much unprintable but they were absolutely f-ing magic! I think we must have broken the record for people in a mini when I drove half the sqn back to the mess in my car - unfortunately across runway 26/08 so RAF police not best impressed. However, I was let off with caution "don't be so silly next time, Sir" - that wouldn't happen these days!
The QFIs were top blokes - the best. Woody Woodhall was an hilarious guy who had a wonderful way with duffer studes like me - sadly, Woody is dead now. Pete Thorn - who was old even then (having flown Spits/Hurricanes and just about every ac type in the RAF inventory) was an excellent QFI who sometimes smoked his pipe while airbourne but occasionally fell asleep on Navexes! I think he is still flying in Oxon area and we keep in touch. Then there was 'Wild Bill' - a grumpy scot par excellence - who is still inflicting his razor tongue on unsuspecting UAS studes somewhere - damn fine pair of hands tho'. A brand new QFI called Ron arrived one day (I think he is now a Air Cde but is still an excellent officer and gentleman). Ron mistook Brize for Abingdon on his first flight - however, this wasn't uncommon as Abingdon was home to about 6 ex BA VC10s that were due for conversion to tannkers - so he can be forgiven but he was teased just a small amount!
One of the Stn Cdrs was a chap called Terry - an engineer with a pair of wings who also rose to air rank eventually. Nice enough chap but we ULAS guys broke his toe during a game of mess rugby one night - just before the AOCs AFI - he had to meet said AOC while sporting his foot in a plaster cast - we thought it v funny but he had a bit of a sad on with us from then on, tho!
The saddest day however, was the loss of the phantom crew on eve of the '88 BofB Airshow which was subsequently cancelled. Still we had a good wake that evening in their honour!
All good memories and i was sad to see the base handed to the brown jobs - who immediately built a fence across the runway - sacriledge. The RAF had the last laugh tho' during a major Army Ex in mid 90s when 15+ Hercs arrived on the now disused base, set up camp and had literally hundreds of flying complaints each night they got airborne. I believe Hercs have used the rwy recently for other exs - so PCN not a major prob as long as owners (MOD) happy - don't forget hercs regularly land on grass/sand! You would need to enlist help of HQ2Grope's tactical ATC and firemen to give some semblance of fire cover/rwy control. Suggest you contact Tac AT chaps at new Ascot Ops at Brize.
Arrabest
Just some happy memories re Abingdon in the mid 80s. It was then home to London UAS, Oxford UAS, an AEF (No6??) as well as all the holding pilots who flew for OC Fg - a Jag pilot called S/L Mike Lawrence (ace chap). The holding guys were just out of Valley/TWU with their wings and did lots of Hawk delivery flts. They were a good bunch. One chap went along dual with ML on his first that trip he thought was a simple delivery flight. When he got to Valley (or perhaps Chiv), ML said "right chum that's your acceptance check complete, go and fly that ac over there back to Abingdon". The guy hadn't been excpecting this at all and didn't have any LL charts, ATC freqs or red book and the like, and had to cuff it all the way across the country back to Oxon at 400+ kts - bit of shock for someone just out of trg. Needless to say he was fine but how we laughed!
The ULAS guys stayed in the mess but the OUAS lot went home each night. Some of my memories of those days are pretty much unprintable but they were absolutely f-ing magic! I think we must have broken the record for people in a mini when I drove half the sqn back to the mess in my car - unfortunately across runway 26/08 so RAF police not best impressed. However, I was let off with caution "don't be so silly next time, Sir" - that wouldn't happen these days!
The QFIs were top blokes - the best. Woody Woodhall was an hilarious guy who had a wonderful way with duffer studes like me - sadly, Woody is dead now. Pete Thorn - who was old even then (having flown Spits/Hurricanes and just about every ac type in the RAF inventory) was an excellent QFI who sometimes smoked his pipe while airbourne but occasionally fell asleep on Navexes! I think he is still flying in Oxon area and we keep in touch. Then there was 'Wild Bill' - a grumpy scot par excellence - who is still inflicting his razor tongue on unsuspecting UAS studes somewhere - damn fine pair of hands tho'. A brand new QFI called Ron arrived one day (I think he is now a Air Cde but is still an excellent officer and gentleman). Ron mistook Brize for Abingdon on his first flight - however, this wasn't uncommon as Abingdon was home to about 6 ex BA VC10s that were due for conversion to tannkers - so he can be forgiven but he was teased just a small amount!
One of the Stn Cdrs was a chap called Terry - an engineer with a pair of wings who also rose to air rank eventually. Nice enough chap but we ULAS guys broke his toe during a game of mess rugby one night - just before the AOCs AFI - he had to meet said AOC while sporting his foot in a plaster cast - we thought it v funny but he had a bit of a sad on with us from then on, tho!
The saddest day however, was the loss of the phantom crew on eve of the '88 BofB Airshow which was subsequently cancelled. Still we had a good wake that evening in their honour!
All good memories and i was sad to see the base handed to the brown jobs - who immediately built a fence across the runway - sacriledge. The RAF had the last laugh tho' during a major Army Ex in mid 90s when 15+ Hercs arrived on the now disused base, set up camp and had literally hundreds of flying complaints each night they got airborne. I believe Hercs have used the rwy recently for other exs - so PCN not a major prob as long as owners (MOD) happy - don't forget hercs regularly land on grass/sand! You would need to enlist help of HQ2Grope's tactical ATC and firemen to give some semblance of fire cover/rwy control. Suggest you contact Tac AT chaps at new Ascot Ops at Brize.
Arrabest
Ah yes. A great loss was Abingdon. Perfect for light ac ops as it had 2 runways virtually at right angles.
When I was a ULAS stude at White Waltham (where we definitely broke a record for the number of people in a car from WLAC to the OM via the peri-track. Sadly the impact of Nige Huck's ample backside on the bonnet of said vehicle did little to improve its looks. The car's, that is, nothing could improve the looks of the other!), my last summer camp was when we arrived at Abingdon. "Well at least we'll be secure here, chaps, they'll never close this place down" said the boss at the time...
And so they were until the early 90s when the current downward cut-cut-cut spiral really began to bite. Fortunately my time as a ULAS QFI from 89-92 was primarily at Abingdon, but then the wretched bean counters forced us over to Benson. I was the last to leave Abingdon (and had much fun saying cheerio to the ATC tower); Benson wasn't the same though - but at least we still had summer camps and the studes weren't under the pressure they are nowadays.
UASs of today? Politeness forbids me to comment - or perhaps it's just that words fail me.....
PS - Was that Ron P who said hello to Brize on his first trip? He of the small bladder who would require the bus to stop every few miles on the run back from THQ training nights to Abingdon? Nice chap - used to service the Vulcans I once flew! If 'twas he who to whom you refer, then well done indeed. Last I'd heard he was a Wg Cdr, so promotion must have been even more rapid than an RAF doctor's if he's now an Air Commode!
When I was a ULAS stude at White Waltham (where we definitely broke a record for the number of people in a car from WLAC to the OM via the peri-track. Sadly the impact of Nige Huck's ample backside on the bonnet of said vehicle did little to improve its looks. The car's, that is, nothing could improve the looks of the other!), my last summer camp was when we arrived at Abingdon. "Well at least we'll be secure here, chaps, they'll never close this place down" said the boss at the time...
And so they were until the early 90s when the current downward cut-cut-cut spiral really began to bite. Fortunately my time as a ULAS QFI from 89-92 was primarily at Abingdon, but then the wretched bean counters forced us over to Benson. I was the last to leave Abingdon (and had much fun saying cheerio to the ATC tower); Benson wasn't the same though - but at least we still had summer camps and the studes weren't under the pressure they are nowadays.
UASs of today? Politeness forbids me to comment - or perhaps it's just that words fail me.....
PS - Was that Ron P who said hello to Brize on his first trip? He of the small bladder who would require the bus to stop every few miles on the run back from THQ training nights to Abingdon? Nice chap - used to service the Vulcans I once flew! If 'twas he who to whom you refer, then well done indeed. Last I'd heard he was a Wg Cdr, so promotion must have been even more rapid than an RAF doctor's if he's now an Air Commode!
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Thanks fore the great response to my thread, some excellent info & great memories stories - keep em coming in!
Vortex thing & Flipster - cheers for the Abingdon main runway LCG info & about contacting the Tact AT chaps at Brize..
It was a shame the Army built its Peri fence across the RWY 26 (about third of total length lost), i remember seeing it bein put up - i heard a funny story that when the RAF Motorglider School first arrived there in the mid 90's, the subject of the fence across 26 came up - the Armys response was " no probs we'll just open the big metal gates on the fence" so to get more RWY length if you need it!!!
I think i have mentioned earlier that RWY 18 / 36 has been shortened alittle cos of a military entrance just off end of 36 - its approx 6000ft now.
Flipster - yes the Herc ex (Roaring Lion i believe it was called) was fantastic, i have personally never seen so many Hercs assembled there....
The airfield is still used a fare amount really for flying activities - got to be thankful it aint ended up as a housing estate!!
You mention the Phantom crash in 88 whilst it was practising for the B of B day, one of the crew was Flt Lt C Lackman - my Mother knows Mrs Lackman - Webber (now re married) - but lives down this area bizarrely, and her son joined the local Air Cadets.
Sqn Ldr Lawerance ( Unit Test Pilot (UTP)- i did meet him a few times, nice chap... i know someone who also took a trip in a Hawk to deliver it back to Valley i think it was, on there way up UTP asked if he could see the Severn Bridge, chap in back said he couldn't so UTP promptly went inverted to make sure he could see the bridge!
Regarding my Abingdon Fayre event, again we will have an Air - Ground Air Traffic unit in place, operated by qualified Controllers from Kemble, but will ask Tact unit at Brize if maybe some temp RWY lighting can be put in, can only ask & see.
I have had some good initial feedback from the RAF to support the show in 2004 already, we have started planning again so lets see what happens..
Vortex thing & Flipster - cheers for the Abingdon main runway LCG info & about contacting the Tact AT chaps at Brize..
It was a shame the Army built its Peri fence across the RWY 26 (about third of total length lost), i remember seeing it bein put up - i heard a funny story that when the RAF Motorglider School first arrived there in the mid 90's, the subject of the fence across 26 came up - the Armys response was " no probs we'll just open the big metal gates on the fence" so to get more RWY length if you need it!!!
I think i have mentioned earlier that RWY 18 / 36 has been shortened alittle cos of a military entrance just off end of 36 - its approx 6000ft now.
Flipster - yes the Herc ex (Roaring Lion i believe it was called) was fantastic, i have personally never seen so many Hercs assembled there....
The airfield is still used a fare amount really for flying activities - got to be thankful it aint ended up as a housing estate!!
You mention the Phantom crash in 88 whilst it was practising for the B of B day, one of the crew was Flt Lt C Lackman - my Mother knows Mrs Lackman - Webber (now re married) - but lives down this area bizarrely, and her son joined the local Air Cadets.
Sqn Ldr Lawerance ( Unit Test Pilot (UTP)- i did meet him a few times, nice chap... i know someone who also took a trip in a Hawk to deliver it back to Valley i think it was, on there way up UTP asked if he could see the Severn Bridge, chap in back said he couldn't so UTP promptly went inverted to make sure he could see the bridge!
Regarding my Abingdon Fayre event, again we will have an Air - Ground Air Traffic unit in place, operated by qualified Controllers from Kemble, but will ask Tact unit at Brize if maybe some temp RWY lighting can be put in, can only ask & see.
I have had some good initial feedback from the RAF to support the show in 2004 already, we have started planning again so lets see what happens..
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NP/Beags
Yep, RP is now at least a G/C, of that I am sure - but someone told me he had been promoted again! If true, it couldn't happen to a more absolutely super, pleasant and honest chap. He stands head and shoulders above all people of that pay-group that I have ever met.
Mike Lawrence was a card - banged out of FJs at least twice so he had a few stories to tell! I was fairly big chums with his son, Charlie, who was another absolute gem - tho' dunno what has happened to either - anyone help?
NP. If you PM me I'll get the Tac AT types to touch base with you - they are always looking for more runways for Hercs/C17s to practice on - the local populace near to Keevil are fed up of late night arrivals!. However, suspect that the inhabitants of Boar's Hill would have a fit!!!
Tac ATC can provide rudimentary rwy lighting - white light, NVG or even day-glo marker panels, if req'd - but I'm not sure of the need for either during daylight ops as the runway is pretty big, is it not?.
Yep, RP is now at least a G/C, of that I am sure - but someone told me he had been promoted again! If true, it couldn't happen to a more absolutely super, pleasant and honest chap. He stands head and shoulders above all people of that pay-group that I have ever met.
Mike Lawrence was a card - banged out of FJs at least twice so he had a few stories to tell! I was fairly big chums with his son, Charlie, who was another absolute gem - tho' dunno what has happened to either - anyone help?
NP. If you PM me I'll get the Tac AT types to touch base with you - they are always looking for more runways for Hercs/C17s to practice on - the local populace near to Keevil are fed up of late night arrivals!. However, suspect that the inhabitants of Boar's Hill would have a fit!!!
Tac ATC can provide rudimentary rwy lighting - white light, NVG or even day-glo marker panels, if req'd - but I'm not sure of the need for either during daylight ops as the runway is pretty big, is it not?.
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Flipster - yep the runway is big!!
We have started to have the Merlins also use the airfield at night at times with underslung load training - and occasional Apaches too - last week for example we had a Merlin bumbling around til midnight.
I think people round here have accepted Abingdon is still used regulary for Military flying ops, altho as you rightly point out the Boars Hill mob & a certain gent in a white house off to the left of RWY 18 mildly grumble i suspect!! i believe the gent in the white house even moans about the sheep bleeting in the field!!!
A Warrant Officer told me a Lightning once took off from Abingdon to go around and it blasted across the airfield on its "goodbye pass" to sort of point in the direction of Boars Hill & go "Vertical" in full burner.Lovely jubbly!!
But my arguement is why the hell do people move near an airfield in the first place knowing activity occurs..
It would be nice to have Herks / C17s use the airfield i must admit - Herks used to pop in at night on NVG sorties but have sort of stopped of late.I guess they go to Keevil as its closer???
Tac AT types need to contact the SSO at Dalton Barracks really to see if it ok, send me an e-mail Flipster:
[email protected]
We have started to have the Merlins also use the airfield at night at times with underslung load training - and occasional Apaches too - last week for example we had a Merlin bumbling around til midnight.
I think people round here have accepted Abingdon is still used regulary for Military flying ops, altho as you rightly point out the Boars Hill mob & a certain gent in a white house off to the left of RWY 18 mildly grumble i suspect!! i believe the gent in the white house even moans about the sheep bleeting in the field!!!
A Warrant Officer told me a Lightning once took off from Abingdon to go around and it blasted across the airfield on its "goodbye pass" to sort of point in the direction of Boars Hill & go "Vertical" in full burner.Lovely jubbly!!
But my arguement is why the hell do people move near an airfield in the first place knowing activity occurs..
It would be nice to have Herks / C17s use the airfield i must admit - Herks used to pop in at night on NVG sorties but have sort of stopped of late.I guess they go to Keevil as its closer???
Tac AT types need to contact the SSO at Dalton Barracks really to see if it ok, send me an e-mail Flipster:
[email protected]
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Does any ex Abingdonions remember what year the Illushin IL-76 flew in to off load a Sukhoi SU26 aerobatic aircraft for a private buyer who owns a YAK facility at White Waltham??
I have some pictures of it upon landing and i had a good mooch around in it the following day!
Thought it was Feb 1991, but aint sure......can anyone help....cheers
I have some pictures of it upon landing and i had a good mooch around in it the following day!
Thought it was Feb 1991, but aint sure......can anyone help....cheers
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Neil,
Try the Oxford Mail. I'm sure I remember seeing pictures of that in the paper at the time.
They should have loads of pics of (scheduled) interesting things that happened over the years, whether they will let you have them cheap/free is another matter.
Mike W
Try the Oxford Mail. I'm sure I remember seeing pictures of that in the paper at the time.
They should have loads of pics of (scheduled) interesting things that happened over the years, whether they will let you have them cheap/free is another matter.
Mike W
My somewhat battered 3822 shows that the very first time I took to the air (at the age of 13yrs 4 months) was from the Abingdon AEF where I must have first watched the Jump Jump John video.
Ahh, nostalgia - its not what it used to be.
That loop in a Chippy is responsible for my entire career. To my dying shame the instructors name was not recorded elsewise I'd have bought him a barrel of beer years ago.
Lovely airfield. Like so many now lost. How the heck the RAF managed to loose Chivenor baffles me to this day.
Cheers
WWW
Ahh, nostalgia - its not what it used to be.
That loop in a Chippy is responsible for my entire career. To my dying shame the instructors name was not recorded elsewise I'd have bought him a barrel of beer years ago.
Lovely airfield. Like so many now lost. How the heck the RAF managed to loose Chivenor baffles me to this day.
Cheers
WWW