I'd like to endorse the comments made earlier about the F4 force in the FI. It was a professional bunch of guys doing a job a long way from home under less than ideal circumstances. The living conditions - domestic and squadron - left a little to be desired and the weather was always a factor. But the job got done. The acidents were regretable but weren't out of the ordinary for an aircraft with some 'interesting' handling qualities and a lot of performance.

I did several stints down there, the first being on the 4+ month rotation, and I have to admit it was a lot of fun.

And Hi to Wiggy. Long time no see.

We are in agreement, London Mil. May the F4 force be with you. I did my time at Stanley - 4 months of it in the Falklands winter - and I could not have wished to serve with a better bunch of hard-working, hard-playing professional mates. Not sure how the body survived!

CJ and I
 

CJ and I were both made 'Honorary' members of the US Marine Corps back in the early 80s. We entertained the troops for 1/2 an hour with songs and funnies etc, both of us stood on top of the porch at the entrance to the Marine Block one dark night in Keflavic. We were then invited in and didn't buy another drink all night. Happy days.:)

I was JEngO on 19(F) with Ceejay and Mongo, and for some reason I just had an urge to look on Google to see if their loss was recorded on the net in some way. Top marks to you guys for honouring their memories.

I was on 1435 Flt a few weeks after the accident when Mongo's family came down for a memorial service. Tougher than anything I've ever had to do in civilian life.

But on a lighter note, does anyone remember seeing Mongo holding a video camera, trying to protect his head with his hand from falling Vulcan cannon shells (when someone misjudged the distanced to land during an air-to-fish gunnery demonstration)?

Ian Halden
 

Was looking through google and realised that this site was here.
I am Ian Halden's daughter and wanted to find out more from people who knew him.
Was wondering if anyone could get back to me about him and the crash.
Ian Halden was "Mongo" and died with CJ on the 30th October 1991.

Unfortunately I was in the tower when they took off and when it was realised they were missing it was a very,very sombre mood over the next few weeks. Remember the C130's and Sea King's flying from dawn til darkness trying to find them.

We all hoped they would be found on a beach somewhere but, well.

Just bumping this back up the page for you Jo. I didn't know your father, but CJ was a good mate.

Jo
 

Jo , i was at School with Ian . I have e mailed you but I ll keep checking here. might dig around the old snaps etc and see what I have . check your e mail

Thank you very much, which school was it?
That will be brilliant thank you.

Phantom Crash
 

Just so fellow aviators are aware 1435 Flt still hold a short memorial service for Mongo and CJ each year. Just but still moving event. Many still talk with fond memories.

The Goose! On the wall in there is a mural painted by the guys that remains unfinished as a tribute to them - if memory serves the motto was to read "Death Before Socially Acceptable Behaviour" :ok:

I was a liney on 19 SQN at the time.

We were on det in Deci and on walking into the line hut in the morning to start work we were told 'Everybody in the crewroom, Jengo wants a word.' (Not Stavros from post 24, it was the other one!). So there we were, all thinking 'what the hell did we do last night?' when the Jengo walks in and says ' OK lads, I'll get straight to the point. Mongo and CJ have bought it in the Falklands (His words, not mine), there's a Herc inbound, we're going home. Don't worry about the jets, the Jag guys are sorting them out for us. Back to the block and pack your kit.'

You could have heard a pin drop. We all stood there wondering if it was a wind up. Sadly it wasn't.

So we get back to Wildenrath that evening and all the singlies dump their baggage off at BB70 and head to the Mally. We walk in (about 30 of us) and the place falls silent! Go to the bar, get drinks and get completely wasted. I don't think anyone begrudged our singing that night.

A short time later the memorial service was held in the church at Wildenrath with many ex 19 guys flying in to attend. After the service we had to get out of No1's and get back to work as the families of Mongo and CJ were visiting the SQN to see their boys jets. All the groundcrew were stuck in the soft, not allowed outside until the families had departed, when all of a sudden the Wing Co (N.S?) walks in with Mongo's mother. 'All in the crewroom, NOW!'
Then Ian's mum stands there and says 'I just wanted to say thank you for looking after my son's aircraft. He loved flying and spoke of you a lot. Without you, he would have never have been able to fly, so thank you very much.'

That was unbelieveable and very much appreciated.:ok:

I still think of them both. They were great lads, simple as that.:D:D

Oh dear, seem to have a bit of dust in my eye, must dash....

Jo

I joined the RAF on the same day as Ian and had the pleasure of having the bed next to his when we started Officer Training at Cranwell. We were also both on the same Jet Provost course together at Church Fenton in 1987. At the end of the course Ian went fast jets and i went helicopters. We then next crossed paths in the Falklands, him on the F4, me on Chinooks. I was in the bar the evening that he had found out that you were conveived, it absolutely made him even happier and prouder than normal. He spent the evening, having taken the barman's jacket off him, behind the bar serving drinks to us all and sundry. It was quite a night and we were all so very pleased for him.

I was absolutely gutted, as was everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, when i heard of the accident. He was so truly proud that he was to become a father and would have been a great Dad.

RIP Ian my friend

Thank you for all these comments.
Also my Dad's mum (Mary) died last year, unexpected but in her sleep.
All these stories of him are always of him drinking and being loud haha, thank you. Mum has read these and remembers most of the times when he got home after these nights out haha.

Hi All,
My name is Lucy, I am CJ Weightmans neice, my Mum is Sue Weightman (was Atkinson) and her Mum/CJs Mum is Angela Weightman, I only say their names incase you remember them too.
I have been watching this thread for some time, I like to search CJs name every now and again, its touching to see how well thought of he was and how warm your memories are of him.
I see that a few of you contacted Jo, and I am sorry to ask but I wonder if anyone has some old pictures of CJ, I know my Mum, Nana and brother would be overwhelmed with joy if I could find any.
They all miss him dearly, sadly I don't remember CJ but he left an empty space in the family which has never healed.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Kind regards,
Lucy

Lucy,

I am sure that CJ featured in the photo diaries that are kept in 8 Sqn's history room at Waddington. He was at most social events and at the forefront of Sqn life. You can probably contact the Sqn Historian through the 8 Sqn Website (Google is your friend) and ask if it possible to research these and send on copies? (It has been done in the past). I am sure that there are still some people at Waddo who knew CJ from the early 80s on the Shackleton who could help.

W

Good Luck

Hi W,
Thanks so much, I will have a look and see if I can get a response from anyone, I will let you know how I get on with it,
Kind Regards
Lucy

Lucy, check your PM's.....
IFU

Remembering CJ
 

Hi Lucy,

I saw your post and, after years of looking, was finally moved to register on pprune.

CJ and me joined the RAF together and went through officer training and the nav course together. We had a great time, especially at Finningley, but went off in different directions at the end of the nav course (what else from 2 navigators!). I still have happy memories of him.

CJ was a great loss, he was the youngster from our course. I got to Wildenrath for the memorial service and spoke to your gandparents; we had previously enjoyed happier meetings.

I will attempt to PM you some very old photos.

Be proud of him, he was well liked and respected.

bigv

From Simon, Ian's brother
 

Just thinking of Ian and came across this site - still much missed and very good to hear some of the stories connected with Ian after all these years..!