First Joint Graduation at RAFC Cranwell
I notice that we had a joint graduation at Cranwell during the week with Recruits, CWO and Officer Cadets all graduating from the same parade. Good to see a full parade square again, but hopefully not a precedent to close another Station. |
Well I suppose they have to do something with the Old place! Every time I drive by expecting to see the circuit full of aircraft, I’m disappointed! Hard to think that the sky was once full of JPs and young men learning to fly! |
Originally Posted by newt
(Post 10267144)
Well I suppose they have to do something with the Old place! Every time I drive by expecting to see the circuit full of aircraft, I’m disappointed! Hard to think that the sky was once full of JPs and young men learning to fly! YS |
newt wrote:
Every time I drive by expecting to see the circuit full of aircraft, I’m disappointed! Hard to think that the sky was once full of JPs and young men learning to fly! What's at RAFC Cranwell these days? A few Ford Prefects and 3 Phenoms? |
I thought it was to celebrate RAF100 not a new regular policy. |
Yes it was for RAF 100, but it's good practice for the future if recruit training is still moving back to Lincolnshire.
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Originally Posted by Yellow Sun
(Post 10267185)
I recall being Duty QFI at Cranwell one Friday afternoon. It was 1615 and we had an empty circuit but there were 32 aircraft airborne. Everyone was down by 1655, all visual recoveries. I wonder if that would happen these days? YS To have 32 JPs airborne, at the same time, with an average sortie length of 1 hour requires a launch rate of 32 aircraft per hour: one ac every 2 min. We were certainly far busier back in the day but I don’t recall launching anything like that number unless perhaps for a College Grad - even then 32 ac would seem unlikely. |
Originally Posted by Melchett01
(Post 10266984)
hopefully not a precedent to close another Station.
|
Originally Posted by Dutystude
(Post 10267496)
Memory can play tricks as we are finding out this week in the Senate. So I am a little sceptical. To have 32 JPs airborne, at the same time, with an average sortie length of 1 hour requires a launch rate of 32 aircraft per hour: one ac every 2 min. We were certainly far busier back in the day but I don’t recall launching anything like that number unless perhaps for a College Grad - even then 32 ac would seem unlikely. Whatever, it was more than a RAF station would probably achieve today on other than a special occasion. The most I recall on a graduation flypast was 22 aircraft including whip and spares. YS |
I recall a story, tall may be, at Middleton St George, 16-ship Javelin formation running in met a 24-ship Hunter formation running the other way. Quick as a flash the sharper Hunter leader called "You break PORT, we'll break STARBOARD"
40 trumps 32. |
I recall being Duty QFI at Cranwell one Friday afternoon. It was 1615 and we had an empty circuit but there were 32 aircraft airborne. Everyone was down by 1655, all visual recoveries. I wonder if that would happen these days? |
Newcy' Amber or Brown?
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Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator
(Post 10267808)
I recall a story, tall may be, at Middleton St George, 16-ship Javelin formation running in met a 24-ship Hunter formation running the other way. Quick as a flash the sharper Hunter leader called "You break PORT, we'll break STARBOARD"
40 trumps 32. |
LB, that is what the Javelin leader thought too and turned 'tother way.
|
Yep! Sense of humour failure combined with ignorance ..........powerful stuff.
Thank you. |
Originally Posted by Stuff
(Post 10267634)
Like the closure of RAF Halton that was announced in Nov 2017?
I’m assuming from the photos it was a former AAC Pilot with the PFB and medals in amongst the graduating officers. If correct and he has come across from the AAC, how does that work his wearing an RAF flying badge if he has passed an Army course of instruction? |
CWO? Isn’t that a US Army term? Does the RAF run a knife and fork class for WOs similar to the Army, and if so, do they pass out as Sqn/Ldr (Major)? |
Originally Posted by Stitchbitch
(Post 10268432)
CWO? Isn’t that a US Army term? Does the RAF run a knife and fork class for WOs similar to the Army, and if so, do they pass out as Sqn/Ldr (Major)? |
In my day as a Master Aircrew I did the full course and a bit . Started at Henlow then after a month 'they' decided to send a guinea pig flight to Cranwell to join the Student Officers Course. So off I went. Passed out as a F/O on a course awash with instant F/L.
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Originally Posted by Melchett01
(Post 10266984)
I notice that we had a joint graduation at Cranwell during the week with Recruits, CWO and Officer Cadets all graduating from the same parade. Good to see a full parade square again, but hopefully not a precedent to close another Station. lsh |
I believe WO's in the Army are comissioned as Captains (not Majors).
|
Originally Posted by Treble one
(Post 10268655)
I believe WO's in the Army are comissioned as Captains (not Majors).
|
Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 10267232)
newt wrote:
And at Leeming, Linton-on-Ouse and Syerston even in my first year at RAFC...:hmm: What's at RAFC Cranwell these days? A few Ford Prefects and 3 Phenoms? |
Originally Posted by lsh
(Post 10268652)
It would be good if they could continue with this; I am sure it is beneficial to all to "start out" together.
lsh |
Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 10267232)
newt wrote:
And at Leeming, Linton-on-Ouse and Syerston even in my first year at RAFC...:hmm: What's at RAFC Cranwell these days? A few Ford Prefects and 3 Phenoms? By all means lament the state of the RAF today and the paucity of assets. In fact, perhaps we need a nostalgia thread "the RAF is rubbish today and was better when I was in because...." but the RAF of today is remarkably different and much busier operationally than the RAF from the late 70s and 80s. |
Bravo Toadstool!
So much on here should be under Nostalgia. |
Originally Posted by muppetofthenorth
(Post 10268803)
Do the timings work out for that, though? Halton kicks out every few weeks (there's an intake I think once every 3 weeks at present?), but Cranwell is only once every 9 (?) at the moment, iirc.
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Originally Posted by The Nip
(Post 10268886)
There is a school of thought that certain aspects of basic training, drill, GSK, IFPT, should be combined. Then once this is completed, the two rank streams separate to carry on with their own training. Pass out parades would need to be synchronized.
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Notwithstanding your rant, Toadstool, what aircraft actually are there at RAFC these days?
Incidentally, you probably have no idea about the potential 'kinetic effects' many of us were facing not that long ago - but we don't find the need to brag about it, generally... |
Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 10268972)
Notwithstanding your rant, Toadstool, what aircraft actually are there at RAFC these days?
Incidentally, you probably have no idea about the potential 'kinetic effects' many of us were facing not that long ago - but we don't find the need to brag about it, generally... |
Toadstool, thank you for your post, the contents of which are noted...and will be ignored.
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Toadstool,
I think you are correct and well said! We do get a bit nostalgic ( mid-50's to 80's in my case) so give us a bit of lee-way but, please keep up the great work and here's to the next 100 years!! Still the best Air Force by quite a bit!! Bill |
Well said toadstool |
Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 10267232)
newt wrote:
And at Leeming, Linton-on-Ouse and Syerston even in my first year at RAFC...:hmm: What's at RAFC Cranwell these days? A few Ford Prefects and 3 Phenoms? . |
Maybe we need a forum just for the children on here! Talk about Teddy Bears out of the cot! We all know the RAF is doing a splendid job operationally! And long may that continue! You may have a problem with us Old Duffers Toadstool, but you cannot deny we developed and practiced many of the tactics used even today! We fully support the RAF in its hundredth year and should be allowed a bit of nostalgia without any backlash from the younger generation!
Now retired to the bunker with my tin hat on and a nice glass of beer! |
Well said
I'll even forgive you for some of the Bucc* simulator debriefs you gave me. Not that I didn't deserve them though. *Youngsters may need to consult Google to find out what a 'Bucc' was.....:\ |
BEagle and Newt
I think I speak for everyone when I say we all have the utmost respect for those that came before us. We understand your contributions and I, for one, would never try to throw spears at the Cold War generation. We all play the hand we’ve been dealt. I don’t believe I have ever made a meaningful contribution to the defence of my nation in my 19+ years and I’m happy to take sh1t for it. It wasn’t of my choosing but as I said, you play the hand you’ve been dealt. However, you should not consider yourselves immune from criticism. Simply stating you are ignoring someone is the same as putting your fingers in your ears and loudly shouting “la la la la la”. Not very grown up or constructive. Danny42C is probably the most respected man on this forum and he will gladly admit when he is wrong and accept that his Air Force was a very different beast to my Air Force. If Danny can do it, then maybe others could try a little harder? It doesn’t matter who you are. You have to earn respect. Obviously I shall now don my own tin hat and standby for incoming. BV |
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Originally Posted by Melchett01
(Post 10268331)
I’m assuming from the photos it was a former AAC Pilot with the PFB and medals in amongst the graduating officers. If correct and he has come across from the AAC, how does that work his wearing an RAF flying badge if he has passed an Army course of instruction? Oh, and implying that the current fleet of this sorely-depleted RAF of about 3 front-line sqns is busier, more operationally-focused and delivering more kinetic effect than ever is both disingenuous and insulting to the Op BANNER/REFORGER/TELIC/HERRICK generation. Youngsters eh?! |
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