617 Sqn Special Unveiling news
 

Got this leaving Lossiemouth for Coningsby an hour ago

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc609f830.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps965360ab.jpg

One of two done up for their 70th this weekend

That looks awesome :ok:

Couldn't the SWO have found some reprobates on jankers to clean the soot off? It does draw the eye a bit from the otherwise excellent paintjob.

But it would only get dirty again very quickly.

Nice paint job. Was on the Sqn for its 50th Anniversary. :ok:

Outstanding paint job :D:D:D:D

Corgi jumped the gun last week, 1/72 model is in their latest catalogue.

Obvious question is, could they still do the same job today? It might be a bit tight getting round the corner low enough in a Tornado.

Like to see the reaction when that landed and taxied in if thay had to do a divert to a German airfield some time soon :E

Nice paint job though :ok:

Shy

BBMF Lancaster is still flying, of course it could be done :O
Just need a bomb :ok:


Always
I thought the same thing, a quick trip to Germany to say "Hi" :O

ShyTorque: The Mohne was no problem in the GR1, it is wide open. However, the Eder is very tight, even in mid flap 250kts I could not get a very good run. RIP our brave wartime heroes.

OAP

But have you flown the actual track required and got down to the height of 60 feet agl? From my own direct experience, at a mere 140 kts, I know it was no mean feat to get round the corner somewhat faster in a heavily laden Lancaster, whilst in a descent, especially at night.

They stopped us doing it later (something to do with some naughty chaps in a Wessex helicopter dropping black footballs on a Sunday afternoon).

Obviously, you wouldn't have been at 60' in a Tornado..... would you? ;)

No, never:rolleyes:

OAP

500N
 

There is an 'upkeep' at IWM Duxford (no explosive, of course). One of the weapons dropped intrials apparently.

Treble

Thanks

Wouldn't it be good if the BBMF Lancaster and the 70th Tornado
could do a fly past of the dams together :ok:

Might gte up the Krauts noses a bit but would still be fun.

What if a German unit celebrated with a reference to Coventry? - We've come a long way in 70 years haven't we..

^^^^^^ Until I got down to your mail I was thinking the very same. Time to move on.

AR1

I agree

Without doubt the original members of 617 Sqdn carried out a courageous and expert piece of flying. I wonder what they would think seeing current members basking in their glory?
I speak as one who served on 617 when it re-formed with Vulcans. During a detachment to the USA we were publicly hailed as the 'Dambuster Boys'. It was most embarrassing.

Only 70 years old? Junior squadron!

It's not a queston of basking in their glory, it is the rightful celebration of pride in our forebears and highlighting the aspiration of the current generation to live up to such an example.

The army are replete with regiments adorned with momentos of previous victories (invariably over current allies), from the bearskin to the cockade, so why point the finger at 617 for continuing a fine miltary tradition?

And, yes, I'm an ex-Dambuster too!

Perhaps we should follow their lead and name our squadrons/wings after the individuals instead - they have the Richthoffen Wing, the Immelmann Wing, the Boelcke Wing and the Steinhoff Wing

All of these individuals were German Air Aces from both wars. Seems the Luftwaffe are happy to take pride in their forebears.

Next thing there will be calls to scrap Remembrance Day for fear of being accused of 'not moving on'.:ugh: