Military aircraft classics

[Haselsh1]

Have been scanning some of my old film based photographs over the last week or so for a group on Facebook but thought I would put a few up here as well as long as no one minds. I'd like to start with a shot of a Nimrod MR2 anti submarine type taken at RAF Mildenhall way back around the early to mid nineties. See what you think..?

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/44542611332_e90d60fda7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aS5wvs)Nimrod MR2 at Mildenhall (https://flic.kr/p/2aS5wvs) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr

[walpurgis]

That's good Shaun. Bung some more up! :)

I remember seeing the Nimrod being chucked about at an air show at North Weald. The same one that crashed disastrously into Lake Ontario not long after.

[Primalsea]

Nice.

Had a look at your Flickr as well. Some nice stuff on there.

[Haselsh1]

Geoff, that is seriously shit luck but in spite of my love of military aircraft I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.

Paul, thanks so much for your comments. I still think that film is way better than digital (runs for cover).

All the best you guys.

[Macca]

That's good Shaun. Bung some more up! :)

.

Yeah let's see some more please Shaun.

[Haselsh1]

Here's a Danish airforce F16 to keep you happy but even though it is only 20:15, I need to sleep. Cheers again guys.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/859/42726296835_1b387d466f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/286zrug)Danish Airforce F16 at RAF Leeming (https://flic.kr/p/286zrug) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr

[Haselsh1]

OK, OK, Royal Air Force Tornado F3 at RAF Leeming back early nineties.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/851/29760426298_d0a75c64d4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MkPXUf)Tornado F3 at RAF Leeming (https://flic.kr/p/MkPXUf) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr

[Haselsh1]

These photographs were taken using a Bronica ETRSi with a Zenzanon 50mm wide angle lens onto Fuji Velvia slide film at 6X4.5cm format. The slides were scanned using an Epson V700 scanner a few years back and then modified in Photoshop CS2 with a levels adjustment to modify the blacks and the contrast.

[Oddball]

Superb Images Shaun , as always !!:)

[GrahamS]

https://live.staticflickr.com/1972/45394523292_a5d39399ff_b.jpg
Avro Shackleton Mk3.
This aircraft is on display at the SAAF museum at AFB Swartkop near Pretoria, RSA.

[Lawrence001]

https://live.staticflickr.com/1972/45394523292_a5d39399ff_b.jpg
Avro Shackleton Mk3.
This aircraft is on display at the SAAF museum at AFB Swartkop near Pretoria, RSA.Was that a Lancaster derivative? Thought it was a Liberator at first glance.

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[walpurgis]

Sort of, although it's a totally different plane. The Lincoln came between the Lancaster and Shackleton. Saw dozens of them flying as a kid, I lived near RAF Northolt. Lots of other good stuff flew there too.

[GrahamS]

This tells it all. http://bit.ly/30r7pga
I flew a number of flights in a Shak testing camera equipment when I was doing my military service in the SAAF.

[Audio Al]

Geoff, that is seriously shit luck but in spite of my love of military aircraft I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.

Paul, thanks so much for your comments. I still think that film is way better than digital (runs for cover).

All the best you guys.

+1 :)

[Oddball]

I think this probably gives a real insight into the Shacks relationship to the Lanc . Quite a lot of stuff must have been the same :)

https://pleszak.blog/2019/05/07/from-manchester-to-lincoln-via-lancaster-an-aviation-aristocracy-family-tree/

[Haselsh1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48528319047_4d1b6cda44_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gWhjxZ)Lightning F6 at RAF Alconbury (https://flic.kr/p/2gWhjxZ) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


Looking at this bugger there is no wonder that the British create such wonderful hi-fi equipment. Appalling reliability though and a nasty habit of catching fire. Technically outstanding and groundbreaking though with nothing to touch it for decades and then only really outdated due to combat techniques leaving it way behind.

I had the pleasure of watching these at their last RAF base during the 70's and 80's up to their demise. That base was 10 miles down the road from where I lived.

Fantastic memories.

[struth]

Great plane, if a bit limited firepower wise. Could go damn high, and pretty much straight up

[Haselsh1]

Great plane, if a bit limited firepower wise. Could go damn high, and pretty much straight up

Rumour had it back in the 70's that it could climb vertically and pass the sound barrier on the way up. I have spoken to old pilots at RAF Binbrook who claimed that they would often give their heading as 'vertical'. One guy once said that he was at 50,000 feet and still over the runway. I also remember being told that a few of the pilots had pushed the plane so much that they had started to strip the paint off through the effects of the heat. Two bloody missiles though and two guns if you were lucky is pretty piss poor.

I'm guessing though that the electronics were valve so there is an immediate act of superiority

;)

[struth]

Lol.. Wouldn't surprise me

[Lawrence001]

Rumour had it back in the 70's that it could climb vertically and pass the sound barrier on the way up. I have spoken to old pilots at RAF Binbrook who claimed that they would often give their heading as 'vertical'. One guy once said that he was at 50,000 feet and still over the runway. I also remember being told that a few of the pilots had pushed the plane so much that they had started to strip the paint off through the effects of the heat. Two bloody missiles though and two guns if you were lucky is pretty piss poor.

I'm guessing though that the electronics were valve so there is an immediate act of superiority

;)Designed to counter Soviet nuclear bombers like the Bear I imagine so two missiles would stop 2 nuclear bombs dropping (assuming the Bears carried one big one each). A squadron of Lightnings would hopefully be able to counter the bombers. Nowhere to land unfortunately by the 70s as the ICBMs would have taken out their airfield while they were up.

When I was at school in Louth we used to hear them miles away going full pelt with the afterburners on, it was amazing. Must have heard a few sonic bombs as well.

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[Haselsh1]

A few of us used to sit on the old concrete Battle HQ bunker in the glorious summer months and watch these bloody things for the best part of a week at a time. There were so many aircraft visiting Binbrook back in those days including shedloads of European types. Good times. Sadly we couldn't even defend ourselves from a fart now.

[Haselsh1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48530671462_87fd0c0bea_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gWunQS)Avro Vulcan XH560 27 Squadron RAF Binbrook (https://flic.kr/p/2gWunQS) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


Another shot from RAF Binbrook during the summer of 1979/1980.

[Haselsh1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4485/37990181151_e588954e38_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZT4Bii)Northrop F5 Tiger (https://flic.kr/p/ZT4Bii) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


Northrop F5E Tiger at RAF Binbrook. I think that this is from the Royal Netherlands Airforce. Again back around 1979/1980.

[Haselsh1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4485/26214215839_916a5541d2_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FWsH5B)English Electric F6 Lightning H 5 Squadron (https://flic.kr/p/FWsH5B) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


Didn't do much of a job squaring up the horizon on this shot. 'H' 5 Squadron at RAF Binbrook. I once printed a Cibachrome of this slide that went to the pilot on that particular day.

Again, so many memories.

[Macca]

I bet that picture is still hanging on his wall.

I stood on the edge of the apron and watched a flight of them take off once, think that was the year before they were taken out of service.

[Lawrence001]

The American AWACs used to fly over our school regularly too I think it was based near Lincoln where the Red Arrows are. Heading out towards the North Sea presumably.

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[Lawrence001]

I bet that picture is still hanging on his wall.

I stood on the edge of the apron and watched a flight of them take off once, think that was the year before they were taken out of service.Must have made an epic noise.

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[Macca]

Must have made an epic noise.


It was like the world was coming to an end.

[struth]

Got a little print of a tornado out in shed. Must bring it into house now I'm not out there much.

[Lawrence001]

I have to say the Tornado never inspired me as a youngster like the Lightning or even the Buccaneer and Phantom in use back then. The image of them ground hopping and dropping airfield denial weapons never quite did it for me. And they looked plain uninspiring even in interceptor mode with wings swept back and 4 missiles on the belly, were they AMRAAMs?

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[struth]

Amraams yup. Great weapon.

[Lawrence001]

Just looked it up, it was the Skyflash when I was younger, the Amraam replaced it later. For those interested in such matters!

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[Haselsh1]

It was like the world was coming to an end.

The thing I remember about the Lightnings at RAF Binbrook is that they would take off in pairs with reheat unlike the Typhoons at RAF Coningsby today. The noise from the Lightnings impressed the most because of the way it would thunder into my chest making me feel everso slightly sick.

[Haselsh1]

Talking of the Tornado, does anyone remember the early F2 variant with the concrete in the nose to balance the damn thing..? In the early days the electronics didn't work so it was stuffed full of concrete to balance out the weight lost from no avionics or so the story goes.

[struth]

Talking of the Tornado, does anyone remember the early F2 variant with the concrete in the nose to balance the damn thing..? In the early days the electronics didn't work so it was stuffed full of concrete to balance out the weight lost from no avionics or so the story goes.

yes they decided to try and make an interceptor out of a ground attack vehicle and at same time put an untested new radar in it. radar never got working and wasnt installed, so it got dubbed the blue circle radar:lol:

Mind you it wasnt as bad as the Scimitar. One of the worst planes we made, and probably the most prone to crash.....oh and they put a nuclear bomb in too :doh:

[Haselsh1]

I never knew about the Scimitar, slightly before my time ;)

In fact the only Scimitar I remember was a V6 powered jobbie by Reliant. Anyhow, another story and another classic.

I like the 'Blue Circle' tag for the F2 though, very appropriate. I did get a damn fine photograph of a very early F2 climbing out of RAF Waddington on full reheat. It still had the little black triangles on it for whatever purpose, I'm guessing photography. It was back around 1981 as I took it using a 500mm mirror lens on my then Pentax ME. Always loved the fire in its arse, those RB199's giving the ground a good shaking.

Lovely looking aircraft I always thought but I preferred the 'other' version.

[struth]

The Scimitar was designed to be able to make an unaccelerated carrier take-off, not that it ever did... well i think they did it once just to prove it could, but with no weight in. It thus had thick wings and was downright dangerous, and most of them crashed. Much like the Sea Vixen, a death trap

[Haselsh1]

The Scimitar was designed to be able to make an unaccelerated carrier take-off, not that it ever did... well i think they did it once just to prove it could, but with no weight in. It thus had thick wings and was downright dangerous, and most of them crashed. Much like the Sea Vixen, a death trap

Was the Sea Vixen the aircraft that broke into pieces at an airshow killing quite a few people..?

[struth]

Was the Sea Vixen the aircraft that broke into pieces at an airshow killing quite a few people..?

one crashed at farnborough(early 50's) ...it was so screwed up it never really flew much in anger and was retired in early 70's.. it killed fifty one RN aircrew.

[walpurgis]

Was the Sea Vixen the aircraft that broke into pieces at an airshow killing quite a few people..?

It was the DH110 development prototype. I knew somebody who'd been there and saw the whole thing happen right in front of him.

[Haselsh1]

It was the DH110 development prototype. I knew somebody who'd been there and saw the whole thing happen right in front of him.

Soddit ! I have have seen film footage. Really bad situation but didn't it change all future airshow rules and regs ?

[Haselsh1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48534831846_565dc0b87b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gWRGzC)English Electric Lightning F3 Aerobatics RAF Binbrook (https://flic.kr/p/2gWRGzC) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


I make no apologies for being a Lightning junkie.

I took this around 1980 whilst sat on the old WWII Battle HQ Bunker at RAF Binbrook on a scorching hot summer day. Shot in colour but looks shit hot in black and white.

Solo display pilot flying a practice in an F3 with reheat.

What fabulous days, what fabulous memories.

[walpurgis]

Nice shot. I ought to dig out my old arshow piccies.

Saw a MIG 29 being hurled a round by a loony at Culdrose Air Day about four years ago, that was amazing, bloody noisy too!

They've not held a show since. That was the same day the beautiful Hawker Sea Fury crash landed, I'd been watching it display and left two minutes before the incident.

[Haselsh1]

Oh Geoff I remember being at an airshow at the old RAF Kirmington base here in Lincolnshire when Spencer Flack's Sea Fury developed a fault. He decided to fly home in it accompanied by his Spitfire but had to make an emergency landing at RAF Waddington. He didn't make it crashing just short of the runway.

The Sea Fury must surely be the most iconic British aircraft ever ?

[walpurgis]

The Sea Fury must surely be the most iconic British aircraft ever ?

One of them. You have to include the Spitfire and Mosquito.

I'm also a huge fan of the American pre-jet fighters, like the Corsair and Grumman Bearcat and Tigercat. Strangely the Mustang doesn't do a lot for me these days, probably seen them too often.

The Tigercat has to be my all time favourite plane. It's performance is amazing. Turn the sound up and look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU95cp8-zK4

[Haselsh1]

My passion is for those 1950's/early 60's shiny silver jet fighters that paved the way to where we are now. Also those beautiful experimental aircraft from the USA such as the Douglas Stiletto.

I find the F100 highly desirable and would love to photograph a minter on the ground.

[struth]

Probably the F15 eagle would be my "best military plane" badge.. fav tho is the Lightning..

[Lawrence001]

My passion is for those 1950's/early 60's shiny silver jet fighters that paved the way to where we are now. Also those beautiful experimental aircraft from the USA such as the Douglas Stiletto.

I find the F100 highly desirable and would love to photograph a minter on the ground.Me too, always liked the Sabre don't know why it was plug ugly. Also the big post war silver bombers, Convair B36, Boeing B47, Northrop YB49 (flying wing) etc. The later B58 Hustler was nice too.

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[Haselsh1]

Me too, always liked the Sabre don't know why it was plug ugly. Also the big post war silver bombers, Convair B36, Boeing B47, Northrop YB49 (flying wing) etc. The later B58 Hustler was nice too.

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Oh yes Lawrence I had completely overlooked the B58. What an absolutely amazing aircraft again let down by a change in tactics. Also the Corsair the LTV A7 type. Bloody ugly bugger but I would love to catch one in a museum to photograph it. So many rare and classic aircraft.

[Haselsh1]

Probably the F15 eagle would be my "best military plane" badge.. fav tho is the Lightning..

Yes indeed. I remember seeing an early F15 in blue and orange at an airshow at RAF Binbrook during 1977. At that time it just took my breath away and was the only thing I had seen that could perform like a Lightning. These days we see them constantly at RAF Donna Nook about ten miles down the road.

[Haselsh1]

There is a Lockheed F-94 Starfire at the museum at Elvington near to York that I would so love to get a fine portrait of but every time I go it is in yet another shit location. One day maybe the whole situation will be spot on. I live in hope.

[Lawrence001]

Yes indeed. I remember seeing an early F15 in blue and orange at an airshow at RAF Binbrook during 1977. At that time it just took my breath away and was the only thing I had seen that could perform like a Lightning. These days we see them constantly at RAF Donna Nook about ten miles down the road.I'm not sure its rate of climb (to intercept those nuclear bombers in time) was comparable but I could be wrong.

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[Haselsh1]

I'm not sure its rate of climb (to intercept those nuclear bombers in time) was comparable but I could be wrong.

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I only know that the initial rate of climb of an F6 was around 53,000 feet per minute making it easy to be at altitude and ready for combat but with only six minutes worth of fuel on board I always wondered how effective it would be.

[Lawrence001]

I only know that the initial rate of climb of an F6 was around 53,000 feet per minute making it easy to be at altitude and ready for combat but with only six minutes worth of fuel on board I always wondered how effective it would be.I thought we were taking about the F15, what you're describing sounds more like an ME163!

Edit: oh you mean the Lightning F6 variant, I thought you meant a US plane F6.

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[Macca]

I only know that the initial rate of climb of an F6 was around 53,000 feet per minute making it easy to be at altitude and ready for combat but with only six minutes worth of fuel on board I always wondered how effective it would be.

After 6 minutes you'd probably have used up all your missiles and ammo anyway.

[Oddball]

I thought we were taking about the F15, what you're describing sounds more like an ME163!

Edit: oh you mean the Lightning F6 variant, I thought you meant a US plane F6.

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The Komet , now that would be a thing !!!:eyebrows:

[Lawrence001]

I've been reading the autobiography of the top RN test pilot of WWII and after, Capt. Eric Brown, he was assigned to testing captured German types after the war. He said the Komet was exhilarating to fly, as you would expect! Only captured German ground crew knew how to get it going, so they took special measures to protect themselves against Nazi sympathisers as there was evidence of sabotage attempts on previous flights. I think he was also called upon to interview Von Braun and the Horten brothers for the British.

Well worth a read, it's called Wings on my Sleeve. Lots about the development of carrier ops with early jets. Much experience was shared with the US, along with our technology.

Speaking of dangerous German rocket planes, I wonder what he would have made of the Bachem Natter if he'd ever got the chance to test it. I suspect he would have thought twice before climbing in the cockpit!!

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[Haselsh1]

After 6 minutes you'd probably have used up all your missiles and ammo anyway.

:thumbsup:

[struth]

I've been reading the autobiography of the top RN test pilot of WWII and after, Capt. Eric Brown, he was assigned to testing captured German types after the war. He said the Komet was exhilarating to fly, as you would expect! Only captured German ground crew knew how to get it going, so they took special measures to protect themselves against Nazi sympathisers as there was evidence of sabotage attempts on previous flights. I think he was also called upon to interview Von Braun and the Horten brothers for the British.

Well worth a read, it's called Wings on my Sleeve. Lots about the development of carrier ops with early jets. Much experience was shared with the US, along with our technology.

Speaking of dangerous German rocket planes, I wonder what he would have made of the Bachem Natter if he'd ever got the chance to test it. I suspect he would have thought twice before climbing in the cockpit!!

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Sure Eric said he would refuse to fly it... dont blame him either..... He was qute a pilot and probably flew more aircraft than anyone

[Lawrence001]

After 6 minutes you'd probably have used up all your missiles and ammo anyway.Actually that's an interesting point about interception tactics. Assuming the bombers flew solo missions one (plus maybe a back up flying a slightly different route), with 6 mins of fuel once at the target, the Lighting can only intercept a single bomber so two missiles are probably enough, if one fails you have a back up.

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[Haselsh1]

Apparently the Lightning F6 carried 1,200 gallons of fuel but consumed 200 gallons per minute on full reheat. That is what I was told donkey's years back. It may be true, it may be fanciful. The missiles it carried had a range of just three miles. With Fire Streaks you had to be behind the target, with Red Tops you could fire head on. Don't forget though it had two 30mm cannon. I'm guessing though that there wouldn't have been much time to dogfight with six minutes worth of fuel..?

[Lawrence001]

Apparently the Lightning F6 carried 1,200 gallons of fuel but consumed 200 gallons per minute on full reheat. That is what I was told donkey's years back. It may be true, it may be fanciful. The missiles it carried had a range of just three miles. With Fire Streaks you had to be behind the target, with Red Tops you could fire head on. Don't forget though it had two 30mm cannon. I'm guessing though that there wouldn't have been much time to dogfight with six minutes worth of fuel..?Ah so that's at full reheat, I read it as once at interception height it had 6 minutes of operational fuel before returning to base (rather like the ME263 which I think only had fuel for a couple of passes at the American bombers). Given its climb rate, it would only need full reheat for a couple of minutes (depending on how far over the North sea/wherever you want to get before intercepting them). When they had nuclear bombs you could get them pretty close to the UK so hopefully plenty of interception time before you only have enough fuel to get home. Once they had stand off nuclear missile capability (Kitchen was the main one IIRC) then it's not as simple, I don't know the range of those weapons.

We had air to air refuel tankers (Victors, again IIRC) but they would have to be up at height ready and waiting after the climb. Unless there was always one up there 24/7 then these wouldn't be much use, except for extending the Lightning's range for planned operations elsewhere in the theatre of operations.


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[Oddball]

I've been reading the autobiography of the top RN test pilot of WWII and after, Capt. Eric Brown, he was assigned to testing captured German types after the war. He said the Komet was exhilarating to fly, as you would expect! Only captured German ground crew knew how to get it going, so they took special measures to protect themselves against Nazi sympathisers as there was evidence of sabotage attempts on previous flights. I think he was also called upon to interview Von Braun and the Horten brothers for the British.

Well worth a read, it's called Wings on my Sleeve. Lots about the development of carrier ops with early jets. Much experience was shared with the US, along with our technology.

Speaking of dangerous German rocket planes, I wonder what he would have made of the Bachem Natter if he'd ever got the chance to test it. I suspect he would have thought twice before climbing in the cockpit!!

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Didnt Hanna Reich test one ??

[Macca]

I don't think so, she did test flights with the manned version of the V1 though which is probably just as crazy.

[Oddball]

I don't think so, she did test flights with the manned version of the V1 though which is probably just as crazy.
Yes , you re right !! It was the manned V1

[Haselsh1]

Ah so that's at full reheat, I read it as once at interception height it had 6 minutes of operational fuel before returning to base (rather like the ME263 which I think only had fuel for a couple of passes at the American bombers). Given its climb rate, it would only need full reheat for a couple of minutes (depending on how far over the North sea/wherever you want to get before intercepting them). When they had nuclear bombs you could get them pretty close to the UK so hopefully plenty of interception time before you only have enough fuel to get home. Once they had stand off nuclear missile capability (Kitchen was the main one IIRC) then it's not as simple, I don't know the range of those weapons.

We had air to air refuel tankers (Victors, again IIRC) but they would have to be up at height ready and waiting after the climb. Unless there was always one up there 24/7 then these wouldn't be much use, except for extending the Lightning's range for planned operations elsewhere in the theatre of operations.


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Yeah we also had Bloodhound SAM bases on the coast here as well. I think their range was 400 miles.

[Alanbeeb]

Re: DH110 Farnborough & the Sea Vixen


one crashed at farnborough(early 50's) ...it was so screwed up it never really flew much in anger and was retired in early 70's.. it killed fifty one RN aircrew.


And after that crash, they carted off the bodies and injured, cleaned up...and on with the show - which drew bigger crowds the next day. Different world then.

If the Sea Vixen was so dangerous, surprised there are some still allowed to fly at airshows... I saw a fantastic display from one at the the East Fortune Air Day in the 2000's. It might have been a terrible plane, but it did look absolutely fantastic, like something straight out of a Dan Dare comic.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThDMrAfYd2CTIfM0pBQoFtwa7hStgto WhRzdyYtG32nK1H6A-V

[Haselsh1]

A couple more classic aircraft images taken back in the dark days of film.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49356368542_77ef30b5f3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icshPq)North American P51D (https://flic.kr/p/2icshPq) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49356367042_45c4feb5af_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icshny)Vought F4U Corsair (https://flic.kr/p/2icshny) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/4608/40149073342_0b0c2e669c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24aQuJs)Curtiss Kittyhawk (https://flic.kr/p/24aQuJs) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr

[struth]

Ah, a mustang.. Fast plane that.. Became the f51 during Korean war I think

[Lawrence001]

Ah, a mustang.. Fast plane that.. Became the f51 during Korean war I thinkHelped win the war by escorting the US bombers all the way over Germany in their daylight raids with enough fuel to dogfight. It's reputed that when Goering saw them over Berlin he said the war was lost.

[Oddball]

Awesome pics :)

I have a Mustang type wheel in my shed :eyebrows:

[Spectral Morn]

Helped win the war by escorting the US bombers all the way over Germany in their daylight raids with enough fuel to dogfight. It's reputed that when Goering saw them over Berlin he said the war was lost.

And the Tuskegee Airmen, flying Mustangs shot down the first ME262s

'The Tuskegee Airmen shot down three German jets in a single day.[42] On 24 March 1945, 43 P-51 Mustangs led by Colonel Benjamin O. Davis escorted B-17 bombers over 1,600 miles (2,600 km) into Germany and back. The bombers' target, a massive Daimler-Benz tank factory in Berlin, was heavily defended by Luftwaffe aircraft, including propeller-driven Fw 190s, Me 163 "Komet" rocket-powered fighters, and 25 of the much more formidable Me 262s, history's first operational jet fighter. Pilots Charles Brantley, Earl Lane and Roscoe Brown all shot down German jets over Berlin that day. For the mission, the 332nd Fighter Group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation.[37]'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen

[Spectral Morn]

A couple more classic aircraft images taken back in the dark days of film.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49356368542_77ef30b5f3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icshPq)North American P51D (https://flic.kr/p/2icshPq) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49356367042_45c4feb5af_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icshny)Vought F4U Corsair (https://flic.kr/p/2icshny) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/4608/40149073342_0b0c2e669c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24aQuJs)Curtiss Kittyhawk (https://flic.kr/p/24aQuJs) by Shaun Haselden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156648964@N02/), on Flickr

Beautiful photos as always.

[Made in 1968]

Those English Electric Lightnings were awesome.. Regarding the Shackleton, i didnt think their were any of them left..

[Landloper]

And the Tuskegee Airmen, flying Mustangs shot down the first ME262s

Neil, I'm a bit confused as to the meaning of this claim. Do you mean that the 332 Fighter Group shot down the first 262s of the day on Saturday 24th of March 1945, or do you mean 332 had the first combat kill of an ME262 during WW2?

[struth]

The first me262 downed was forced to crashland, in fact the first 2 were by a p47.. first one shot down was by spitfires if i remember right..

[Oddball]

Here you are boys !! :)

http://donaldnijboer.com/who-shot-down-the-first-me-262-jet-fighter/

IIRC the 262 was vulnerable when coming in towards landing , (as were most aircraft to be fair) as throttled back made them less of a speeding target , and a diving P47 or P51 / Spitfire , took a better advantage !!

[Lawrence001]

Here you are boys !! :)

http://donaldnijboer.com/who-shot-down-the-first-me-262-jet-fighter/

IIRC the 262 was vulnerable when coming in towards landing , (as were most aircraft to be fair) as throttled back made them less of a speeding target , and a diving P47 or P51 / Spitfire , took a better advantage !!That's right it's possible they were shot down in combat but if they were downed when coming into land I wouldn't go shouting about it as a great achievement, is rather unchivalric really. Although the US pilots may not have had the classic esprit de corps/cavalry attitude of the European forces.

[Landloper]

That's right it's possible they were shot down in combat but if they were downed when coming into land I wouldn't go shouting about it as a great achievement, is rather unchivalric really. Although the US pilots may not have had the classic esprit de corps/cavalry attitude of the European forces.

There may have been chivalric actions carried out by individual pilots, but in the main the air war was ruthless, and was so right from the start. Sorties on enemy airfields timed to meet returning bomber streams were standard practice for both the Luftwaffe and the RAF during WW2. These were known as intruder missons by the RAF, who typically deployed Mosquitos and Beaufighters to engage German bombers they came into land after night sorties. The Luftwaffe used intruder raiding againt the RAF and the USAAF right up until the end of the war: while the RAF intruders, having practically no German bombers deal with anymore, intruded the intruders.

[Spectral Morn]

Neil, I'm a bit confused as to the meaning of this claim. Do you mean that the 332 Fighter Group shot down the first 262s of the day on Saturday 24th of March 1945, or do you mean 332 had the first combat kill of an ME262 during WW2?

Its a wki article, not my writing. It was my understanding that the red tails were the first to shoot down me262s in combat. There is more info if you read the article at the end of the link.

[Lawrence001]

There may have been chivalric actions carried out by individual pilots, but in the main the air war was ruthless, and was so right from the start. Sorties on enemy airfields timed to meet returning bomber streams were standard practice for both the Luftwaffe and the RAF during WW2. These were known as intruder missons by the RAF, who typically deployed Mosquitos and Beaufighters to engage German bombers they came into land after night sorties. The Luftwaffe used intruder raiding againt the RAF and the USAAF right up until the end of the war: while the RAF intruders, having practically no German bombers deal with anymore, intruded the intruders.Yes that's a fair point, they were all at it. The bomber/air defence war was pursued with different values to the earlier campaigns like the Battle of Britain.

[Landloper]

Its a wki article, not my writing. It was my understanding that the red tails were the first to shoot down me262s in combat. There is more info if you read the article at the end of the link.

Thanks, Neil. I had a read through. As far as I can tell the first destruction of an ME262 by Allied fighter action seems to have taken place in August 1944. Two fighters from the 78th FG, not the 332nd FG, were credited with the kill.

The 'Red Tails' have accrued a few myths over time. One was that no US bomber was lost while the 332nd were on escort duty. This appears to have been a claim writen by an African American journalist working for the African American Chicago Defender during 1945. The claim was repeated since the end of the war and was used in the advertising for film called The Tuskagee Airmen. It was only when the Tuskagee veterans appointed another veteran of WW2 to be their offcial historian that the claim was investigated. Using the 332's own combat reports the claim was found to be groundless. The historian was an African American, William Holton, and his book of the 332nd FG was greeted with disbelief and emotional opposition by the surviving veterans. The vet's association then asked another veteran, one of their own, a former Tusagee airman called William Holloman to investigate Holton's claim that the never-lost-a-bomber was untrue. Holloman concurred with Holton's findings. Matching the 332 combat reprts with the MACRs [Missing Air crew Reports] of bombardment groups escorted by the 332nd proved that the ciaim was indeed untrue. It seems that the very idea that the record should be examined at all was though racist, even though it was some of the veternas of the 332nd who asked other African American veterans to undertake the verificatory work.

What a re-examination did show was thatt he numbers of bombers lost while the 332nd was assigned as fighter escort was below average. Not quite as glamourous as 'never lost a bomber', but a great achievement and a genuine testament to the courage and professionalism of the 332nd FG.

Properly speaking The Tuskagee Airmen also included the 477th Bombardment Group USAAF, an outfit so bedevilled by the racsim of certain commanders that many of its officers mutinied and the group never saw combat. The story of how badly the 477th was treated may be found here: http://ecctai.org/tuskegee-477th-bombardment-group

[Vinyl turner]

Apologies for coming late to the party, I've only just seen this series of posts.
You've hit a nerve with me on this subject.
Reading what a few of you say strikes a chord with me as I was an Air Cadet in the mid 70's and spent much of my youth drooling over all these planes and some of the bases too.
Our squadron CO (who was young at the time flew Lancasters just as WWII was coming to an end): his son was a Lightening pilot. One of his anecdotes, and I don't know if it was true, was that they only did a limited tour on Lightenings of something like 6 months - otherwise they began to loose their hearing !
One summer camp was spent at Waddington and happened to be when they decided to run a TACEVAL. I remember being in the middle of the airfield when all the Vulcan squadrons were scrambled. It was unbelievable !
At the time I was impressed, but now with hindsight - I can't believe how lucky I was.
In those days I had a Zenit B and shot a lot of transperancy (slides). Most were in colour but I have one set in B&W that I shot at RAF Finningley in 1977. As ATC we were allowed to the dress rehearsal for the Queens Silver Jubilee Air show.
I should dig them out and get them scanned as they'd be far easier to see than having to get a projector & screen out.
Unfortunately I could bore you all shit-less but better leave those facts/stories for another time.

[Alex_UK]

Apologies for coming late to the party, I've only just seen this series of posts.
You've hit a nerve with me on this subject.
Reading what a few of you say strikes a chord with me as I was an Air Cadet in the mid 70's and spent much of my youth drooling over all these planes and some of the bases too.
Our squadron CO (who was young at the time flew Lancasters just as WWII was coming to an end): his son was a Lightening pilot. One of his anecdotes, and I don't know if it was true, was that they only did a limited tour on Lightenings of something like 6 months - otherwise they began to loose their hearing !
One summer camp was spent at Waddington and happened to be when they decided to run a TACEVAL. I remember being in the middle of the airfield when all the Vulcan squadrons were scrambled. It was unbelievable !
At the time I was impressed, but now with hindsight - I can't believe how lucky I was.
In those days I had a Zenit B and shot a lot of transperancy (slides). Most were in colour but I have one set in B&W that I shot at RAF Finningley in 1977. As ATC we were allowed to the dress rehearsal for the Queens Silver Jubilee Air show.
I should dig them out and get them scanned as they'd be far easier to see than having to get a projector & screen out.
Unfortunately I could bore you all shit-less but better leave those facts/stories for another time.

Sounds fascinating Mark, I for one would be interested in seeing your pictures, and reading further anecdotes!

[Landloper]

Apologies for coming late to the party, I've only just seen this series of posts.
You've hit a nerve with me on this subject.
Reading what a few of you say strikes a chord with me as I was an Air Cadet in the mid 70's and spent much of my youth drooling over all these planes and some of the bases too.
Our squadron CO (who was young at the time flew Lancasters just as WWII was coming to an end): his son was a Lightening pilot. One of his anecdotes, and I don't know if it was true, was that they only did a limited tour on Lightenings of something like 6 months - otherwise they began to loose their hearing !
One summer camp was spent at Waddington and happened to be when they decided to run a TACEVAL. I remember being in the middle of the airfield when all the Vulcan squadrons were scrambled. It was unbelievable !
At the time I was impressed, but now with hindsight - I can't believe how lucky I was.
In those days I had a Zenit B and shot a lot of transperancy (slides). Most were in colour but I have one set in B&W that I shot at RAF Finningley in 1977. As ATC we were allowed to the dress rehearsal for the Queens Silver Jubilee Air show.
I should dig them out and get them scanned as they'd be far easier to see than having to get a projector & screen out.
Unfortunately I could bore you all shit-less but better leave those facts/stories for another time.

Love to see those photos sometime.

[Landloper]

The first me262 downed was forced to crashland, in fact the first 2 were by a p47.. first one shot down was by spitfires if i remember right..

For what it is worth, here's the opinion of a 262 pilot:

'...the Messerschmitt Me262's most dangerous opponent was the British Hawker Tempest - extremly fast at low altitudes, highly manouverable and heavily armed.'
[Hubert Lange of 1/KG51 - quoted on 'The Hawker Tempest Page'].

[struth]

For what it is worth, here's the opinion of a 262 pilot:

'...the Messerschmitt Me262's most dangerous opponent was the British Hawker Tempest - extremly fast at low altitudes, highly manouverable and heavily armed.'
[Hubert Lange of 1/KG51 - quoted on 'The Hawker Tempest Page'].

tempest was a fast plane.. think it w\s an improved typhoon...

[walpurgis]

tempest was a fast plane.. think it w\s an improved typhoon...

It was and also forerunner to the legendary Sea Fury!

[Landloper]

tempest was a fast plane.. think it w\s an improved typhoon...


Aye, the Tiffy was mostly (3,000+) produced at Brockworth/Hucclecote 5 miles from me. You wouldn't know it as you pass by nowadays. Nothing, not even a measly plaque. The Typhoon's finest hour seems to have been the halting of the German counterattack at Mortain in 1944:

"The chief credit in smashing the enemy's spearhead, however, must go to the rocket-firing Typhoon aircraft of the Second Tactical Air Force... The result of the strafing was that the enemy attack was effectively brought to a halt, and a threat was turned into a great victory."[Eisenhower]

[...or, perhaps, the attack on the HQ of the 15th German Army in October 1944 by 146 Typhoon Wing resulting in the deaths of 2 generals and 70 other staff officers, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the 15th and thus aiding its defeat at the hands of the advancing Canadians].

[Lawrence001]

Aye, the Tiffy was mostly (3,000+) produced at Brockworth/Hucclecote 5 miles from me. You wouldn't know it as you pass by nowadays. Nothing, not even a measly plaque. The Typhoon's finest hour seems to have been the halting of the German counterattack at Mortain in 1944:

"The chief credit in smashing the enemy's spearhead, however, must go to the rocket-firing Typhoon aircraft of the Second Tactical Air Force... The result of the strafing was that the enemy attack was effectively brought to a halt, and a threat was turned into a great victory."[Eisenhower]

[...or, perhaps, the attack on the HQ of the 15th German Army in October 1944 by 146 Typhoon Wing resulting in the deaths of 2 generals and 70 other staff officers, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the 15th and thus aiding its defeat at the hands of the advancing Canadians].Funnily enough I was watching this video about the rocket attack on the HQ of Panzergruppe West a few months earlier on the treadmill at the gym yesterday:

https://youtu.be/c844En8XvC4


Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Landloper]

Funnily enough I was watching this video about the rocket attack on the HQ of Panzergruppe West a few months earlier on the treadmill at the gym yesterday:

https://youtu.be/c844En8XvC4


Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the link, Lawrence. Despite the warning about not meeting in easily identifiable locations, the staff of the 15th Army decided to congregate in Park Merwestein, Dodrecht in Holland and met the same fate at the as those in Chateau La Caine, again Typhoons from 2 Tactical carried out the strike. Incidentally it was 2 Tactical Airforce that undertook Operation Jericho, the attack on the Amiens Prison in February of 1944.

[speedyj]

I was in the RAF as a boy from 16 to 21/22 and served most of my time on XI Sqn Binbrook working on Lighnings. A fabulous jet to work on but ab bugger to work on also. It was built as an out an out interceptor and for is age it was fantastic with incredible climb to height performance that held many records until a stripped down F15 managed to beat it eventually.

It was also the only jet that managed to catch and outstrip Concorde in level flight with many others trying and failing.

I have fond memories and am still in touch with many old colleagues even now. A military mate is for life.

The line at Binbrook. Had some fun, worked bloody hard and it was COLD in the winter.https://i.ibb.co/KVMvfzp/Binbrook-Line.jpg (https://ibb.co/0Ygb6VR)

Thats me in the middle at the bottom of the ladder.https://i.ibb.co/W26RTr9/Ian-Turnet-JC-and-Phil-Wallace-in-Akrotiri.jpg (https://ibb.co/BCtY1hD)

APC in Cyprus at Akrotiri. I'm on the LH side sitting with my legs out on the wing.Again worked hard but had some serious fun also.https://i.ibb.co/qMwCM80/11183441-957698967595606-2615204815560008547-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/Z6CS6rH)

Another Cyprus APC. I'm the short one in the middle at the back.More of the same.https://i.ibb.co/58qjprp/Cyprus-87.jpg (https://ibb.co/2tXMVvV)

[struth]

great story and photos john.. lightning was a fav of mine too... amazing what it could do for its design date

[speedyj]

great story and photos john.. lightning was a fav of mine too... amazing what it could do for its design date

It was unbelievable in terms of speed and climb to height. Not much duration and up and down like a yoyo but we loved it for what it was.

[graham67]

Nice one John great pics.
I remember these at Leuchars. I read somewhere they used to be a pig to service particularly the top engine which required the bottom to be removed. But happy to be corrected if I have this wrong :)

[speedyj]

Nice one John great pics.
I remember these at Leuchars. I read somewhere they used to be a pig to service particularly the top engine which required the bottom to be removed. But happy to be corrected if I have this wrong :)

They were not really built to be worked on. It was 60's technology in terms of the airframe so lots of small panels and captive fasteners. We even used wire locking on many nuts and bolts. I often glued nuts to my finger when working blind through two small panels so as not to drop anything. By th end of the day you had a bald finger tip. If you dropped anything inside it often meant dropping the ventral tank and taking out the engines to find the loose objects. That never made anyone very popular.

[speedyj]

I remember the first time a Dutch f16 Sqn came to Binbrook and I watched one of their long haired yetis press a button and take half the fuselage off one side exposing most of the inner workings. He almost walked into the plane and we were in shock. So easy to work on.

Everyone loved the Lightnings though so we got to travel all over the world with them. It was an absolute blast.

I did a small tour on Harriers. Another great jet but nothing on the Lightning. Also finished my time on Tornado on the TWCU at Honnington. Interesting but nothing like XI Sqn which was proper old RAF.

[graham67]

I often glued nuts to my finger when working blind through two small panels so as not to drop anything. By th end of the day you had a bald finger tip
:) brilliant hopefully not araldite!! Bet u would have killed for some blu tack !!!

[graham67]

Recently read and can highly recommend Valiant Boys. Although not as famous or as good as the later V bombers, it was the first so a huge step forward and took part in the nuclear tests in Oz and Christmas Island and Suez.
An interesting read for military aircraft tragics :)

[graham67]

And for real anoraks like me, this is great fun
Salute In Sound: 50th Anniversary Of The R.A.F. [LP]
Group Captain Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC - Salute In Sound: 50th Anniversary Of The R.A.F.

Url: https://www.discogs.com/Group-Captain-Douglas-Bader-CBE-DSO-DFC-Salute-In-Sound-50th-Anniversary-Of-The-RAF/master/1119335

Shared from the Discogs App

Love putting this on and cranking the big JBLs up to window rattling levels

[Vinyl turner]

As I'd always been an aircraft 'nut' somebody my parents knew gave me the vinyl LP of that recording , which I still have. I think (but memory fades) I got it around the time when the film Battle of Britain was released, probably '69'ish or thereabouts.

One thing that strikes me, when I'm being fanciful or trying to philosophise (is that a word ?)...... is that we all encounter a certain phenomenon and often we don't realise:
It's what you may refer to as 'the last time' and by that I mean, we all do and see things and often they become common place. But, in hindsight - we never remember when those sort of sights/events stop. If you knew at the time, that what you were seeing/doing would be the last time you ever saw it/did it - you would try to remember it better or photograph it....... but because these instances creep upon you, you don't have the chance.

One such, major memory was of being in the back of my parents car, driving back from holiday Northbound on the A1. As we approached Alconbury the ground to the right was higher than the carriageways and several Phantoms were just taking off and gaining height as we drove beneath them. What a sight it was, but in those days Phantoms were common-place.
But one day they weren't and now every time I drive that stretch of road, I look across and think of that hot summers day and think " we don't fly Phantoms anymore, do we ?"

You wouldn't believe the thrill I got many years later when I read a book by Cecil Lewis called Sagittarius Rising, which is about Cecil's time in WWI as a RFC pilot ..... and out of nowhere he suddenly writes about 'The Last Time'.
Keep these stories coming guys, because one day we won't be here to tell them and they will fade from memory like the old soldiers are doing now.

[GrahamS]

I second that, Mark. We should also get those memories down "on paper" before it's too late.....

[struth]

A BOEING bird of prey.... 1991 i think


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Boeing_Bird_of_Prey_USAF.jpg/1280px-Boeing_Bird_of_Prey_USAF.jpg

[Enossification]

I second that, Mark. We should also get those memories down "on paper" before it's too late.....

:thumbsup:

[StanleyB]

When I was a kid the first plane I ever saw was the actual one in the picture below, which is a Gruman Goose that used to hunt for submarines but after the war turned into a water taxi between the capital and the city where I am from. But even more amazing is that the picture was taken where I was born. The land at the other side of the river was in fact land that belonged to my family. You can see our house in between the trees behind the tail of the plane.
The landing where the guy is standing is the at the water front of the hospital where I was born. I used to fish there regularly.

https://i0.wp.com/farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2915146295_e78524f768_b.jpg

[Lawrence001]

When I was a kid the first plane I ever saw was the actual one in the picture below, which is a Gruman Goose that used to hunt for submarines but after the war turned into a water taxi between the capital and the city where I am from. But even more amazing is that the picture was taken where I was born. The land at the other side of the river was in fact land that belonged to my family. You can see our house in between the trees behind the tail of the plane.
The landing where the guy is standing is the at the water front of the hospital where I was born. I used to fish there regularly.

https://i0.wp.com/farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2915146295_e78524f768_b.jpgThat 'plane reminds me of the drawings from a Biggles book I read when I was young, might have been Cruise of the Condor or Biggles in the South Seas (if that exists). Must look at them again.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[struth]

When I was a kid the first plane I ever saw was the actual one in the picture below, which is a Gruman Goose that used to hunt for submarines but after the war turned into a water taxi between the capital and the city where I am from. But even more amazing is that the picture was taken where I was born. The land at the other side of the river was in fact land that belonged to my family. You can see our house in between the trees behind the tail of the plane.
The landing where the guy is standing is the at the water front of the hospital where I was born. I used to fish there regularly.

https://i0.wp.com/farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2915146295_e78524f768_b.jpg

great picture. looks a nice place to live

[StanleyB]

Not anymore unfortunately. Cocaine now makes the law.

[palace]

That 'plane reminds me of the drawings from a Biggles book I read when I was young, might have been Cruise of the Condor or Biggles in the South Seas (if that exists). Must look at them again.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

You are quite correct Cruise of the Condor I have the book, coincidentally I was thinking of it recently on QI it was said that the latest research suggested that Incas used knotted strings called "Quipus" as a form of writing exactly as W E Johns wrote in a book published in 1933

[Lawrence001]

You are quite correct Cruise of the Condor I have the book, coincidentally I was thinking of it recently on QI it was said that the latest research suggested that Incas used knotted strings called "Quipus" as a form of writing exactly as W E Johns wrote in a book published in 1933I haven't read it for about 35 years, did they take a professor around South America looking for things, his name was Donald so they called him duck?

Was just thinking about it and I recalled a scene where they found someone injured by poison arrows who'd been slowly dying and he gave them the treasure (a sacred figure or something) and said take it, it's no use to me any more. Must have had an effect on me at the time to remember all these years later , I was about 11 or 12.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[palace]

I haven't read it for about 35 years, did they take a professor around South America looking for things, his name was Donald so they called him duck?

Was just thinking about it and I recalled a scene where they found someone injured by poison arrows who'd been slowly dying and he gave them the treasure (a sacred figure or something) and said take it, it's no use to me any more. Must have had an effect on me at the time to remember all these years later , I was about 11 or 12.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

I read it at about the same age in late 1950's. I found a brief synopsis on the internet from memory Biggles visits his uncle Dickpa whose house is under siege. My copy is packed away...
https://biggles.fandom.com/wiki/The_Cruise_of_the_Condor

[struth]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/AW_Meteor_F8_Prone_Pilot.jpg

interesting plane... who knows what it is?

[walpurgis]

It's a Gloster Meteor. But not a version I've seen before.

[struth]

It's a Gloster Meteor. But not a version I've seen before.

correct :eek: its full name is gloster meteor f8 prone pilot. it was a trial to see if pilots got any benefits from flying lying down. it was just before flying suits became better at protecting from g forces. although it helped with g forces it wasnt very good position otherwise and was quickly scrapped

[walpurgis]

I used to see all the early RAF jets, living near Northolt Airport. Being in the ATC I could get in and take a look inside or go on a test or training flight, NAAFI canteen did good grub :). Flew in Doves, Pembrokes, Beverley's, Hastings, Valletta at Northolt and others at different airfields bases.

Regular sights were Anson, Shackleton (amazing), Neptune, Packet (very noisy), Dakota, Brittannia, Comet (now and then), Dragonfly, Gannet, Argosy and loads more.

[Lawrence001]

correct :eek: its full name is gloster meteor f8 prone pilot. it was a trial to see if pilots got any benefits from flying lying down. it was just before flying suits became better at protecting from g forces. although it helped with g forces it wasnt very good position otherwise and was quickly scrappedI think the Germans originally experimented with this technique and the Arado Blitz bomber pilot was prone.

[Lawrence001]

I used to see all the early RAF jets, living near Northolt Airport. Being in the ATC I could get in and take a look inside or go on a test or training flight, NAAFI canteen did good grub :). Flew in Doves, Pembrokes, Beverley's, Hastings, Valletta at Northolt and others at different airfields bases.

Regular sights were Anson, Shackleton (amazing), Neptune, Packet (very noisy), Dakota, Brittannia, Comet (now and then), Dragonfly, Gannet, Argosy and loads more.

I don't know the Neptune and Packet, what were they?

[walpurgis]

I don't know the Neptune and Packet, what were they?

Lockheed Neptune, maritime surveillance aircraft.

https://i.ibb.co/c8rp6VZ/Neptune-blue-960-640.jpg (https://ibb.co/JpsbvgG)

Fairchild Packet, freighter.

https://i.ibb.co/qCdNxh7/Screen-Shot-08-10-22-at-08-10-AM.png (https://ibb.co/hcyBCrL)

Both planes notable for noisy takeoffs. Neptune had radial engines plus jets.

[struth]

remember the neptune.. was a decent plane and could be used in anti sub warfare. i can imagine it to be pretty noisy on takeoff as you say :D

[walpurgis]

remember the neptune.. was a decent plane and could be used in anti sub warfare. i can imagine it to be pretty noisy on takeoff as you say :D

For the Americans, it filled a similar role to our Shackleton, both were regular visitors to Northolt.

The Packets took off half a dozen times a day, as did the Dakotas, likely flying to Germany at that time. There were two US establishment bases nearby (Ickenham and Ruislip).

Later, the Packet was replaced by the Hercules, saw loads of those there.

I also remember an Avro Anson doing a belly-flop onto the roof of a big Express Dairy warehouse on the landing approach. Don't think anybody was hurt, bet they had fun retrieving that! I also bet the pilot was in deep Doo-Doos!! :D

[The Black Adder]

When I was young, my father took me to RAF Finningly AirShow... They had the Nimrod there and you could go inside it an take a look. The pilot was there and my dad got chatting to him. He said, "What's it like to fly?".. "Well, it's great but it never works". The Pilot was quite scathing.

[walpurgis]

When I was young, my father took me to RAF Finningly AirShow... They had the Nimrod there and you could go inside it an take a look. The pilot was there and my dad got chatting to him. He said, "What's it like to fly?".. "Well, it's great but it never works". The Pilot was quite scathing.

I saw the Nimrod at the North Weald air show shortly before it crashed into Lake Ontario killing all on board in 1995.

[struth]

I saw the Nimrod at the North Weald air show shortly before it crashed into Lake Ontario killing all on board in 1995.

remember that one, was an air show.. was a few of them crashed over years.

[struth]

When I was young, my father took me to RAF Finningly AirShow... They had the Nimrod there and you could go inside it an take a look. The pilot was there and my dad got chatting to him. He said, "What's it like to fly?".. "Well, it's great but it never works". The Pilot was quite scathing.

my brother in law was very into airshows when younger. he went to them all up here and some down south. he liked making models of them too

[Lawrence001]

When I was young, my father took me to RAF Finningly AirShow... They had the Nimrod there and you could go inside it an take a look. The pilot was there and my dad got chatting to him. He said, "What's it like to fly?".. "Well, it's great but it never works". The Pilot was quite scathing.

Me too must have been 1985 or 86. Loved it but can't remember much about it now. Think it was an organised bus tour from E Lincs (Louth).

[flapland]

My memory is aged around 9 or 10 (1975ish) was a trip to Woodford airshow and seeing a Lightning doing its thing. Wish I could replicate that in 2022.

[struth]

Vulcan bomber forgot to stop.lol

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-62930756.amp

[struth]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/322d_Bomb_Group_B-26_Marauder_41-31773.jpg/1280px-322d_Bomb_Group_B-26_Marauder_41-31773.jpg

flak-bait..

an amazing plane.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flak-Bait

[Lawrence001]

Not really a surprise that the plane that survived the most missions is a shorter range faster bomber than the B17 and Liberator. I'd certainly have rather been flying a Marauder myself. Not to put the achievement down, a fine record, and amusing the name sounds like it should be the unluckiest plane in the USAAF.