Mrs 4ma, who was also stationed at Leuchars, is sure there was an airshow in 1979. We were posted not long afterwards to - in her words - "warmer climes".

I'll plead advancing years if I've got that wrong.

Brilliant!

We had very different names for the place when we boltholed there. Don’t remember any of them being in any way complimentary.

We (111 Sqn) arrived at Leuchars from Coningsby in late 1975, replacing 23 Sqn's Lightnings so Leuchars became a completely Phantom Unit; 892 NAS (FG1), PTF (FG1), 43 Sqn (FG1) and 111 Sqn (FGR2). I don't know about a Bolthole in 1975, but I don't dispute it.

In the spring of 1979 (I remember, because I was just married), Leuchars began a Bolthole. 111 Sqn (me included) deployed to Malta for a month of annual APC and recovered to Coningsby post-ex for a detachment of at least 6 months. Date of return to Leuchars I don't know, because I was posted from 111 Sqn to the OCU in late 1979.

During the same period, 43 Sqn detached to Kinloss. The Naval Units? I don't know, but during early 1979, and throughout Bolthole, 111 Sqn was exchanging its FGR2s for FG1s, implying that Naval aviation was going subsonic.

DuncanDoenitz,
Er, whilst not wishing to muddy the waters anymore with nit picking pedantry etc, but you say you deployed to Malta for a month of annual APC in the spring of 1979? Are you sure this wasn't Akrotiri on Cyprus, because I am pretty sure the RAF left Malta in 1978...

pr00ne; I tip my hat Sir.

I'd originally typed Cyprus, then reconsidered and amended it to Malta for some reason. Should have twigged, we were the last squadron to do our APC in Malta the previous year.

Closing Down sale, as I recall.

4mastacker,
Are you sure you don't mean 1978, glorious weather, Phantom 9-ship which over flew Edinburgh Castle before returning, to open the afternoon Tattoo? Also, a Dutch F-104 with a Red, White and Blue Fin? Apologies but I am not so much a spotter as a complete anorak with double zip and fur lined hood!

FB

Why do the Q support Voyagers stand by at Mildenhall and not Brize or Coningsby? TIA

RW work at BZN?

CGY not suitable?

FB, you could be correct although I didn't think my memory was that bad. Could have sworn it was '79. Myself and the, then, brand new Mrs 4ma remember standing in front of 111's hangar looking down into a Buccaneer's cockpit as it done a very low fly-by.

I must have confused '79 with the 1978 show. After having done four or five shows, I preferred to remain in the tea-bar so I'll accept your recall of the flying display. However, I do recall the crew of the Victor in the static display being called to Ops during the display and being launched as the public were leaving. Q had been scrambled during the display and this led to a weekend of intense QRA flying due to Red Star Airlines activity oop north. We were due to receive 4 Victors for EX Northern Wedding by Monday lunchtime, but because of the Q activity, there were 11 thirsty Victors sitting on the airfield by late Sunday evening. I was the duty petrol pump attendant that weekend; QRA's flying and the Victors' uplifts had caused us to reach a very critical figure with our AVTUR stocks, so I had to call-out OC Supply at 04FS. He pulled a red book out of his safe, rang a couple of numbers and activated a plan which caused surprise and alarm at HQ Army Scotland and the stackers at HQSTC. As a result of the call, British Rail diverted extra fuel trains from Grangemouth supported by road tanker convoys from Forfar; AVTUR destined for Edinburgh and Glasgow airports was diverted to meet our needs. Our fuel off-take that week was way in excess of a normal month's usage. Someone decided to throw in a TACEVAL that week for good measure. HQ Army Scotland sent a red tab to find out "What the bloody hell is going on?" - he left quietly reflecting that "He didn't realise such things were happening".

DuncanDoenitz - The 1975 Lossie bolthole had just started when a Jaguar (XX831) planted itself in the ground not far from the dispersal where our guys were working - IIRC it was before 111 arrived. 892/PTF departed in 1978 for the Ark Royal's final commission. The departure of the last of the RN Phantoms was marred by the sad loss of XT868 - I was on the BFI behind the Q shed when the accident happened - coincidentally, I was working on the same BFI when the Sidewinder went walkabout.

4mastacker,

I do recall Exercise Northern Wedding, I'm sure that was toward the end of 1978. I was a scarcely old enough to drink Scopie at Boulmer then!

FB

It was two Russian Navy Tu-142 Bear F.