Gents

Just to let you all know, I did produce a small booklet all about XL573, which contained a number of "interesting" stories from guys who had flown or maintained her. This booklet was presented to the then owner, George Begg, and Hawker's test pilot, Duncan Simpson. Duncan flew XL573 on its maiden flight on April 17th 1958 and attended the special 50th anniversary event I had arranged.

Thanks to everyone who has answered my request and I'm sure there's more to come.

Cheers

Hunty :ok:

During the summer of 1985 I was a staff cadet with the 12 AEF detachment at Kinloss. The job involved strapping cadets into parachutes and Chipmunks, un-strapping them, removing full sick bags and making coffee for the pilots etc. All great fun but as an aside, we were all trying to get as much gash flying as possible. Normally this was just Nimrod and Shackleton.

I had arranged such a trip in a Shackleton with 8 Squadron but on arrival for said trip I was told it was delayed 4hrs as both main wheels needed changing. So, nothing trivial then. One of the 8 Squadron guys suggested I pop over to the Buccaneer OCU for a visit while I waited. So phone calls made, I nipped over to say hello. To my surprise, as I walked into 237’s ops room I was told by a very apologetic chap that “really sorry but we can’t fly you today; we just don’t have any free aircraft”.

I thought I was just going to have a look about and a coffee but things were looking up. “How about next week” he asked. “Are you free next Wednesday” I responded in the affirmative and made an arrangement to be there 0800hrs sharp. I thought after that I had imagined it. Had I just strolled into a Hunter trip with no effort?

So on 21st August 1985 at 0800, I turned up, got kitted out and spent all day drinking coffee. There was one problem, then a meeting of staff, then an un-serviceability and I was beginning to think I had dipped out of my trip. Then at about 1500hrs a chap walked in and said “come on then before they change their minds” and off we set to the flight line where XL573 was sat.

I recall seeing a very efficient pair of white gloved hands flashing round the cockpit flicking switches, pressing buttons and pulling knobs as I got the plethora of straps attached to me by some very helpful individual. In no time, we were off and heading south low level..

We flew down the A9 and beat up a train near Blair Atholl. Then it was west along Lochs Tummel and Rannoch. Then it was north up Loch Ericht. The pilot said he liked flying along it as he was called Eric so it made it his loch. We were pretty low most of the time but the pilot indicated the point where a Hawk of the Red Arrows had taken the top of its tail off on a power line and the engineer had ejected a couple of years earlier and it seemed right down in the trees and we were not much above 300ft at that point.

Then it was up to I think 8000ft for some aerobatics south of Kinloss. Lots of “g” and graying out (for me anyway) once or twice. I was somewhat disconcerted when my legs began to inflate vigorously. I had been wearing anti-g trousers since 0830 but I had forgotten about them by this late stage in the day so it took me by surprise but it was a novel experience.

The trip was rounded off by PFL into Kinloss followed by an all too soon arrival back at Lossiemouth.

Since then I have flown over 9,000 hrs in helicopters and fixed wing but I would say that the 45 minutes in XL573 was one of the most memorable flying day of my life. I recall it as if it was yesterday and only wish I could do it again.

XA290
 

Glad you enjoyed the trip, I am sure that I did :) (along with all the other Hunter flying I was lucky enough to do - 600hrs+)!

FYI it was my first flight in XL573 after joining the staff of 237 OCU earlier in the month (ex 12 Sqn).

8 flights in XL573 1973/74
 

Between 19/11/73 and 26/4/74, I flew in 573 at Valley including my first supersonic trip.

Have just found this site, so will wander around with interest.

Good thread, how is 573 doing?

Does the Lebanese Air Force still fly the Hunter; could they ever be bought back to fly in the UK once more?

Update
 

Xl573 is just completing her (very thorough) annual and has had an electric start fitted. She is about to be repainted in her existing colours but in gloss. The matt colours are too difficult to keep presentable as they pick up persistant oil marks from hands and boots too easily. At 60+ she needs quite a bit of servicing.

She should be back in the air very soon.

I flew around 60 sorties in 573 as captain.

This from my logbook:

6Jun75 - Self/Hobbs - St Athan to Valley - Engine Seized - Forced Landing VY

Pete Hobbs was our SENGO, and I was giving him a lift back to Valley from some meeting or other. Unfortunately, XL 573's donk quit at 2000ft about 5 miles from the airfield, but fortunately fairly well placed for low key.

So, as her continued existence is in large part due to me (!), can I claim an early trip in 573? At a price of course :ok:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps56e6a5bd.jpg

Just came across this thread - and having looked at one of the Hunter pictures in my album it is XL573. It has CFI marked on the back, and the album it is in makes me think it was when my step-dad was CFI of 237 - 85-88, so the picture will date around then.

Possible thread drift - but here are three together-taken I believe towards the end of his stint as OC 237 before it was closed. Not sure of one is XL573 as all the markings are too small. But it's a nice picture. :O

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps3f9dc602.jpg

Just came across this thread - and having looked at one of the Hunter pictures in my album it is XL573. It has CFI marked on the back, and the album it is in makes me think it was when my step-dad was CFI of 237 - 85-88, so the picture will date around then.

I took that solo pic, on 1 April 1986, flying with eaw in T.8 WV322.
I have a better pic from the same sortie of 573, but do you think I can work out how to insert an image. (FAQ not helpful.)

You are right, BSC was CFI. The man with "a passion for Flying" was OC 237.

I think the 3-ship "Black Arrows" scheme was at the end of the OCU, before being absorbed into 208. 16 also' briefly' had a Bucc in that black scheme for the wind up in Laarbruch in 1984.

BBad

Mark

Will you be keeping the 12 Squadron badge on your jet?

I hope not! All the Hunters were on the Honington inventory - not as squadron aircraft. Trust me! Crests were simply cosmetic.

That's still one delicious looking aeroplane in my book :ok:

Of course - in any garb!

I'm simply recommending accuracy.