Fincastle 1974
 

Have just found a couple of my father's photos of the crew and Nimrod from the Fincastle competition 1974.

http://www.rafmams.co.uk/5.jpg


http://www.rafmams.co.uk/6.jpg

Anyone remember this?

The person holding the shield, on the right, is F/O Mike Bateson. Mech Eng, Nimrod Line Flight.

DV

206 Crew 2, who won the Fincastle Trophy that year at RNZAF Whenuapai.

Aircrew: Flt Lt's Hemson (Capt), Bruce, Frazer, Parry, Oswald, FS's: Bewick, Burkey, Mills, Stewart, Turner, Sgts: Turner, Jerry, Meadows.

Groundcrew: F/O Bateson, Chf Techs: Barnes, Trowbridge, Sgts: Salter, Braithwaite, Meldrum, Loughrey, Cpls: Grinstead, Duckworth, Lowe, Gormley, Belcher, Williams, J/T Skentleberry, SACs: Swalwell, Clark.

Thanks Nimman

If you remember who painted the emblem on the tail, getting sunstroke in the process...I know him well ;)

Nimrod Crew
 

Nimman, was the Flight Sergeant Bewick named John Bewick, who went to Cathay Pacific Airways from the RAF?

I seem to recall that the "Tail Art" was removed by the painters and finishers when the A/C went into ASF on RTB. I think the word apoplexy entered my vocabulary around that time.(Stn Cdrs response) It was then repainted by the artist,Prub,a photographer by trade and a regular contributor to the station magazine,and remained there for 12 months.
Thread drift
In the second photo I notice 26 is undergoing an engine change.You can see the gantry above Nos 1 and 2 engines. Must have been a priority to do it outside,don't recall doing more than a couple in 4 years.One I do recall was a record and still not beaten. ASF held a duty engine change team on standby OOH and at weekends.We were called around midday on a Saturday and handed the A/C back to NLS 4 hours later- Job complete. Everything slotted in perfectly,not a nut nor a b*****k dropped anywhere.
I also remember 26 being the shortest A/C in the fleet.

Ah, XV 262. Unfortunatly she had her life cut short as it left St Mawgan for a new life as an AEW ! I had the pleasure of stripping out all the unnecessary Comms kit prior to its ferry flight for conversion.

OldAgeandTreachery - PRUB (by then an ACF) did indeed repaint the design. The second time on both sides.

Guess which year my crew (42/6) won it in Oz??????:rolleyes:

Give us a clue Spock ? Would it be 12+16 years ago, perchance ?

Old Fella,

John Bewick did go to Cathay, but he went to BA before that. John and I were on a 747 F/E's course back in 1976. He became a great friend and he definitely took me under his wing as I was a very inexperienced ex BOAC ground Engineer and John was a very experienced ex RAF Flight Engineer.

We used to meet in HKG often when I went on trips there and then we lost touch.

Sadly I believe John passed away in 2004. A great bloke who inspired me in many ways.


Kind regards
Exeng