Sycamore

Many thanks, much appreciated, a diverse set of types too. Do you happen to have any photos of your times at Valley by chance? Taff

Some years ago I mentioned to a friend the occasion at Valley in either '59 or '60 when I saw about a dozen Piston Provosts arrive.
His reply " It was the cricket team from St Athan arriving for the Wednesday sports afternoon cricket match. I was in one of them."

Thanks for that, we have 12 Provosts from 6 FTS at the Air Day 17.9.60 which may have been them, we have serials for everything apart from ............the Provosts! Long shot but are you still in touch with your friend? Taff

Sadly I lost touch with Mike (Tagg) I recall him saying that his son was a pilot on Tornado - perhaps someone on here might know of him.

EXFIN, Sorry Taff ,not enough hands when flying a hecliopter to be taking `snappies`,other times were really arrive,quick coffee ,and off again..However,if there are any old pics of the SgtsMess Annex ,aka Stalag Luft Cymru,let me have one so I can use it for a bit of target practice....!!

Meteor T7 WF791
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2ffe94f638.jpg

Will see what I can do! There could be a business opportunity here!!!!! Best wishes, Taff

Box Brownie
very nice, keep them coming! Taff

WF791 was the aircraft in which Pete Stacey was killed at Baginton when he encountered the infamous 'Phantom Dive' with airbrakes extended and landing gear down.

RIP

Mustn't forget that Valley was a Strike Force Dispersal with a two-finger ORP (recently removed) at the Rhosneigr end.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....890d0c14a8.jpg
Avro Vulcan B1A XH498 of the Waddington Wing at RAF Valley in May 1966. Photo Peter Middleton.

alamo,
Quite right with numerous dispersal exercises over the Years. Many thanks, Taff

Ignoring Hawk course

With 3 Sqn FTS Cranwell:

19/09/78 JP5A XW422 Cranwell-VLY/VLY-Brize Navex
29/11/78 JP5A XW335 St. Athan-VLY... solo navex.... and whilst I was away it snowed "down south"...heavily....so 48 hours later...
1/12/78 JP5A XW335 VLY-St Athan... solo navex

With 23 Sqn Wattisham

11/09/80 F4M XV408 WTM-VLY/VLY-WTM
16/09/80 F4M XV408 WTM-VLY
17/09/80 F4M XV499 VLY-WTM. ( as I recall it these four sectors were in support of a squadron STCAAME detachment, I was the FNG, no missiles for me..)
1/06/81 F4M XV478 WTM-VLY Transit for start of MPC
1/06/81 F4M XV406 VLY-VLY STCAAME sortie, 1 X AIM-9G
2/06/81 F4M XV420 VLY-VLY Air Combat Training
5/06/81 F4M XT908 VLY-VLY STCAAME Photochase.
5/06/81 F4M XV432 VLY-WTM RTB
24/08/81 F4M XV404 WTM-VLY-WTM Scramble from QRA for AIM-9G firing, land VLY for STCAAME debrief., then RTB


With 29(F)

09/11/83 F4M XV500 CGY-VLY Weather Diversion (Log shows I was one of a three ship)
10/11/83 F4M XV500 VLY-CGY RTB
17/12/84 F4M XV485 CGY-VLY-CGY Not STCAAME related, but no idea of motive.
28/01/85 F4M XV407 VLY-CGY Was done to recover a sick A/C, which had diverted in VLY.. as I recall it we positioned same day CGY-VLY in a HS125
19/02/85 F4M XV409 CGY-VLY-CGY Supporting Air Defence Exercise - Bishops Court

With 1 Sqn FTS Cranwell

11/06/86 JP5A XW292 Cranwell-VLY-Cranwell. Navex

On revisiting my logbook I see Coningsby to Valley on March 3 1968. From memory (I was on 1 course 228 OCU) we were in the midst of poor weather and few aircraft, and the OCU decided to try and find better weather at Valley. I think we flew 1 sortie before RTB due to weather!!

Wiggy, many thanks for the extracts, much appreciated. Here's one from Jun '81, Taff

Many thanks, another gap filled! Taff

Apologies but do you have the aircraft serial please? Taff

XT 910 2 sorties S/L Pete Highton was the Captain

Short, but entertaining.....some may recognise themselves.

Another photo of U16 WA991
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0a6810d131.jpg

2nd July 1987: Aim 9G-Tornado GR1 ZD 790.

Threeputt :ok:

Massive undertaking - good luck.

Between 4FTS and 237 OCU was a Hunter lead in course and on 18/04/1983 we took T7 WX372 Honington Vy and return.

In a later incarnation on 45(R) we did a Welsh away day for John Reid (Armed Forces Minister), on 12/3/1998 XX495 Nholt, Vy, St A, Nholt.

HtH

The Vintage Pair - '73
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....614b7e6684.jpg

Book on MPC Firings
 

When STCAAME closed. 2 of the chaps put together the history of the establishment with articles on the history and the missiles etc. This book comes with CD in the back that has all of the Sqn Photos that were taken each week they arrived. A real historical gem.


It says 'not available' at the moment but put it on your watch list.

Many thanks to all. I have the STCAAME Book and Mr Coleman kindly sent a copy of the CD which is normally attached. Kind regards, Taff

I’ve got AGWOEU data if you’re interested? Plus I can dig out a few trips in for sims?

Krystal n chips. Happy memories! I had a single room in one of the old nissen huts photographed in the review when I was filling time at Valley after getting my wings at RAF Swinderby in 1957. Valley was training new Fleet Air Arm pilots at that time and I don't think they were in the old huts, which were very useful if you had a girlfriend from Holyhead!

If it is of any use
13.8.83 G-BBSE Chipmunk in as support a/c for G-GNAT for the Air Day
14.8.83 Out to Coventry for the Coventry Airshow
G-GNAT in and out on same days from/to Cranfield displaying at Coventry en route