It was alright in the Seventies - Pt.1 (Home)

[F3]

When I acquired my first SLR camera (a Zenith) and 300 mm telephoto in 1974 it was a great time for aircraft spotting, esp. in North Yorks where the skies teemed with military aircraft. As the County contained several large training bases the red and white Jet Provosts (constant pitch, variable noise) were part of the soundtrack to our daily lives and the most commonly seen type, closely followed by the Bulldog, Dominie and Jetstream. The Meteor and Vampire of the Leeming based Vintage Pair display team were also regularly flown. Although there were no combat aircraft based in the County the Lightnings from Binbrook were regularly seen, esp. on the coast, where the range at Cowden attracted attack types such as the A10, Buccaneer, F111, Jaguar and Vulcan which were regular customers, plus occasional foreign visitors such as F104s and ANG A7s, esp. on the many exercises. Other birds of passage frequently seen were Canberras and USAF RF-4Cs. The coastline was patrolled by the yellow SAR Wessex from Leconfield esp. during the tourist season whilst the development Buccaneers and Phantoms from Holme on Spalding Moor were frequently seen.

Seventies - JP 5 formation by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Jet Provost Mk.3 XM352 1FTS by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies- Dominie XS729 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Meteor T7 WF791 Ch.Fenton '79 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Wessex XT680 22 Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - F4 Brough by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Buccaneer S2B XW543 12 Sqn S2B by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Jaguar GR1 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Vulcan XL391 101 Sqn. Cowden '79 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Lightning F3 AQ 5 Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - Canberra T17 WD955 EM 360 Sqn. Bridlington by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - A10 USAF by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - F111E USAF by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - USAF RF-4C circa '79 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Seventies - F104G RNLAF Cowden '78 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[JONLITE06]

Great Pics!☺ I always remember driving past Cowden one day.......and 4 Buccaneers nearly took the car roof off!!!

[Uuoret]

Absolutely wonderful pics - thanks for sharing!

jOhn

[3Greens]

Yes indeed Michael Living under the approach of Binbrook we saw everything you listed, almost daily. Aircraft inbound to RWY21 would use the BTP (British Titan Products) tall chimney stack on the south bank of the Humber in Grimsby - it was on the extended centre line from the runway and constantly had a large stream of white smoke/steam which also gave a good indicator to pilots of wind direction and strength. Once you found that you were basically lined up !
Must admit that the most amazing (and I believe unique) sight over Grimsby descending for approach to RWY21 was a B52 , which was taking part in the RAF/SAC bombing competition and was making its' way back to Marham. Not sure whether it was one of four 'G' models that visited in March 1976 or one of the four 'H' modesl that came over in April 1977. I was unfortunately working that day and have never seen any pics.

Yes it certainly was alright in the '70s

Cheers
3Greens

[Sparts99]

Roll on Pt2. Happy days.

[Knife 04]

Excellent stuff

Roll on Pt2.

Definitely - bring on more

Thanks for posting

Darren

[iainpeden]

MIchael
As a Phantom Phanatic and modeller I'm particularly interested in the Brough F-4 picture. I guessing it's an a/c used by BAe for testing; however the key points of interest for me are the RWR fin but retaining red, white and blue roundals and straight fin flash combined with the tone down underwing roundals but with the serial number still extending onto the outer wing panel and the white tanks.

I'd be grateful if you'd let me post it on Britmodeller, suitably attributed of course.
Thanks
Iain

[paddyboy]

Hi Michael

Wondrous shots and memories

Proper WR&N stuff

Which JP team was that

Poachers, Pelicans, or some other

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[F3]

MIchael
As a Phantom Phanatic and modeller I'm particularly interested in the Brough F-4 picture. I guessing it's an a/c used by BAe for testing; however the key points of interest for me are the RWR fin but retaining red, white and blue roundals and straight fin flash combined with the tone down underwing roundals but with the serial number still extending onto the outer wing panel and the white tanks.

I'd be grateful if you'd let me post it on Britmodeller, suitably attributed of course.
Thanks
Iain

No problem Iain. Being one myself I'm very happy to help the cause. There is a serial on the RWR which has defied my efforts to identify.

PB - Not a formal JP team - just one of the 4 ships flown on Graduation Days @ Fenton & Linton which were always worth attending.

[jaybee]

Lovely look back there, from you Mick.I do like the first shot of the JP formation,a rare sight to catch!
The little jet provost started my spotting habit, seeing the ones from 6 FTS (RAF Acklington) then, track for home
over Newcastle and Gosforth...cheers...JB

[capercaillie]

MIchael
As a Phantom Phanatic and modeller I'm particularly interested in the Brough F-4 picture. I guessing it's an a/c used by BAe for testing; however the key points of interest for me are the RWR fin but retaining red, white and blue roundals and straight fin flash combined with the tone down underwing roundals but with the serial number still extending onto the outer wing panel and the white tanks.

I'd be grateful if you'd let me post it on Britmodeller, suitably attributed of course.
Thanks
Iain

Hi Iain,

Should be XT852, although XT853 was the same scheme, saw it at Boscombe in about 1990. Eventually trashed on the dump at West Freugh if memory serves me right, last active camo F-4M..

I think some of these may be 1980s , The Lightning F3 was one of the last 5sqn display pair and has lost its red bar around the roundel suggesting a 1987 shot, the RF-4C is in European one scheme and I'm pretty sure the Jaguar is a T2, great types and schemes though, I would have loved to see active Dutch F-104s. Keep them coming.

[iainpeden]

MIchael
As a Phantom Phanatic and modeller I'm particularly interested in the Brough F-4 picture. I guessing it's an a/c used by BAe for testing; however the key points of interest for me are the RWR fin but retaining red, white and blue roundals and straight fin flash combined with the tone down underwing roundals but with the serial number still extending onto the outer wing panel and the white tanks.

I'd be grateful if you'd let me post it on Britmodeller, suitably attributed of course.
Thanks
Iain

No problem Iain. Being one myself I'm very happy to help the cause. There is a serial on the RWR which has defied my efforts to identify.

PB - Not a formal JP team - just one of the 4 ships flown on Graduation Days @ Fenton & Linton which were always worth attending.

Dick Ward's book "Phantoms squadrons of the RAF and RN" lists the following as being with BAe at Brough and Scampton XT852,853,893,894 and 900 and XV406. Having looked at Peter Foster's RAF Phantom I suspect 852 or 853 which were both YF-4Ms.

[F3]

MIchael
As a Phantom Phanatic and modeller I'm particularly interested in the Brough F-4 picture. I guessing it's an a/c used by BAe for testing; however the key points of interest for me are the RWR fin but retaining red, white and blue roundals and straight fin flash combined with the tone down underwing roundals but with the serial number still extending onto the outer wing panel and the white tanks.

I'd be grateful if you'd let me post it on Britmodeller, suitably attributed of course.
Thanks
Iain

No problem Iain. Being one myself I'm very happy to help the cause. There is a serial on the RWR which has defied my efforts to identify.

PB - Not a formal JP team - just one of the 4 ships flown on Graduation Days @ Fenton & Linton which were always worth attending.

Dick Ward's book "Phantoms squadrons of the RAF and RN" lists the following as being with BAe at Brough and Scampton XT852,853,893,894 and 900 and XV406. Having looked at Peter Foster's RAF Phantom I suspect 852 or 853 which were both YF-4Ms.

I concur Iain. Having looked @ serial again it appears to be 852!

[freebirduk]

Sigh. You've got me reminiscing about Vulcan's, Hastings and Varsity's ploughing round the 70's Waddington circuit now. And the JP's and Chippys. Oh, and the yank F-4's and F-111's. The odd Buck. The odd Canberra. The occasional Shack.

Mind you I kept getting the once over from the RAF rossers on a regular basis for hanging about at the highly sensitive spot where they later built the official viewing area and cafe. Had a wry smile when that happened.

[iainpeden]

I put the picture onto Britmodeller, be interesting to see what's added to the info.

[Punkrunner62]

Top post thanks very much,looking forward to part 2.
Cheers.

[jpickers56]

Great pictures and memories of a wonderful era, thanks for sharing.

[teeonefixer]

[/quote]
Dick Ward's book "Phantoms squadrons of the RAF and RN" lists the following as being with BAe at Brough and Scampton XT852,853,893,894 and 900 and XV406. Having looked at Peter Foster's RAF Phantom I suspect 852 or 853 which were both YF-4Ms.

I concur Iain. Having looked @ serial again it appears to be 852![/quote]

I remember this event well...the one and only time a Phantom "landed" at Brough. Somehow I got word on the street that something was up and I was able to see the deputy Chief Test Pilot doing a roller. He was a really natural pilot (and also represented GB at Orienteering). Somewhere in my junk I may even have the date. Of course the other big event was the Buccaneer landing to become gate guard and I was able to photograph that - a project to find the pics when I retire !

A Great Post from "Happy Days"

[warferry]

The good old Zenith, had one myself many of my old shots taken with same.Thanks for loading great time down South as well.

[Blue Diamond]

Great memories. Thanks for sharing.