ASCOT Callsign...
 

A question for the old sweats.

Where does the origin of the ASCOT callsign come from.. ??

I'm lead to believe its from Air Support Command Overseas Transport....

Can anyone confirm this.... few beers riding on it...

Ascot Mob
 

I believe you are close, but think it was derived from "Air Support Command Operational Transport".

Or "Air Support Command Operational Task" ?

Retro has it as I remember. Perhaps worth adding that it was a play on words as "Ascot" was the propriety name of a ubiquitous gas fired hot water boiler, wall mounted over the kitchen sink. Probably a case of Grannies and Eggs, but it was a long time ago! :ok:

I concur, Air Support Command Operational Task..after many years spent in various Flight Watch postings (Upavon/Cyprus/Gan/Singapore) I recall seeing the ASCOT Acronym regularly, with its meaning listed.

Sad to say (donning anorak) even got to know most of the Selcal codes associated with the H/F SSB fitted aircraft. :sad:

ASCOT
 

Gents,

I proffer sincere thanks for your greater knowledge.....

Rgds

LL

aka Ascot 2054

Air Support Command Overseas Trainer - is most probably correct, as they used it to go down route, supposedly checking out the new boys:hmm:

buoy 15; I think that is a red herring. I'm for Air Support Command Operational Task number.

Air Support Command Operational Task - for certain!

bigjok.....

I think buoy15 was attempting humour, no doubt tinged with jealousy (all those Kinloss-Kinloss trips)?


.... and the T in ASCOT meant "Task"!

I think there's another explanation. Several of the Very Highly Paid Help at the top of Air Support Command and 38 Gp were keen on the nags. So it tickled their fancy, if you'll pardon the phrase, M'lud, to have 'their' aircraft going under an international callsign that reflected the Great British Social Occasion which none of them would want to miss. I'm a bit surprised they didn't insist on 'Royal Ascot'.

I think the exact meaning of the 'OT' came later, in post-event justification.

All very British, and redolent of a different era.....

airsound

So is there a more relevant callsign that might be applied today?

How about 'Vintage'?

or OBSOFLEET?

You may say that, airsound, and as regards the SRT set at BN you might well be right. I couldn't possibly comment! :) As to the MRT lot at Wootton Lynestoke, the sink heater was far more appropriate. We were the great unwashed after all, and proud of it! :ok:

airsound

Go to the top of the class!!

US Civil Air Traffic Controllers used insist on putting "Royal" before "Ascot" in the late 60's. Of course I was only a young Co-Pilot then!!

Ah, Wootton Lynestoke, a name to conjure with. My feeble brain can't remember the name of the excellent cartoon strip where all those magical places existed. And the only staging post I can come up with at the mo is KhorMate.

Tangentially, and forgive a teensy thread-creep, ASC's predecessor was of course the fabled Transport Command, whose motto was Ferio Ferendo, which being properly translated means 'My job is carrying stuff', but which we all knew really meant '**** off, we're full up'.

Retires to await incoming, which might not get here because of an AOG or somesuch.

airsound

I remember a US trip in the late sixties when our callsign was Ascot 6555. After the first VHF contact with US ATC we were Ascot six triple nickel from then on.

How about Malcolm Fraser's Admin & Org?

Airsound:
 

Airsound, just Google "Rompers Green" and you'll be transported (pun intended) right back; there's also a thread about Rompers on here somewhere....

And the rest of th eplebs used to use RAFAIR except for the V-Force that chose to use RAFJet. After quite some time this was squashed and we had to use RAFAIR like everyone else.