St Mawgan Nostalgia

[mancman]

As St Mawgan seems to be a popular topic, here are a few more. I think they were taken in the early 80's during an Ocean Safari exercise where 12 Sqn would relocate en masse with Buccaneers and a couple of Hunters. There would always be some interesting visitors during the exercise and plenty of low flying from 12 Sqn. Photos are naff quality but the content is what its all about.Apologies for the incorrect spelling of Buccaneer on the photos - beer and tiredness taking effect!

Hunter T.7 12 Sqn St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

Bucanneer 12 Sqn St.Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

Bucanneer 12Sqn St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

Bucanneer 12 Sqn St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

CP-140 Aurora CAF St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

Bucaneers 12 Sqn St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

Varsity RAF St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

USN C-1 Trader St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

RAF Victor St Mawgan by Andy Bird, on Flickr

[daggerfan]

Nice pics. Thanks for posting.

Oh, to have Canadian Auroras in that old scheme again!

[DanBeeden]

Have to agree with the sentiment above - those CP-140s looked absolutely sublime in that paint scheme. Thanks for sharing these.

[paddyboy]

Hi Andy

Great memories there

Love the Aurora and Varsity

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[eLaReF]

Agreeing with others re the CP-140 scheme
Last time I saw that style of scheme it was on an Argus!
All my Auroras have been in boring dark grey

[F3]

V. nice selection from back when we had an air force (an my old dad used to say - never thought I'd be saying it too). Can only concur with the above sentiments re- the smart scheme CAF maritime + transport a/c used to have. Think it was that unique red/white cheat line that made it. Managed to get some pics of the Orions + an Argus in it but unfortunately not a Herc.

[NickB]

Some more great pics - thanks.

That Varsity took me by surprise - we must have jumped back to the 70s from the 80s as those Buccs are wearing the later wrap around camo paint scheme? I'm sure that last RAF serving Varsities were retired in 1976?

Nice to see the Trader too - we occasionally had them visit Culdrose in the early 80s - I think because Culdrose had a ready supply of AVGAS for the resident Sea Devons.

[eLaReF]

Not my pic so I won't preview it but this shot of WL635 which is what I think the pic is of
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisengland/26417974678
states:-
Vickers Varsity T1 WL635 St Mawgan 15-9-81
Last flown just under three months later on 11-12-81, to RAF Machrihanish for use by the fire section. It had perished by 1995.

[Punkrunner62]

Just what i was thinking with the CP-140 scheme, take me back to Kinloss and the visiting CP-107s, back in the day.
Cheers.

[eLaReF]

In the days of Arguses (Argii??) I only had a 135mm telephoto lens, so never ever got near enough one for a decent shot but this was the 1st production one:-
10710 Canadair CP-107 Argus Mk.1 msn 1 by eLaReF, on Flickr

This was a flypast at Strathallan in 1979 (It's a grass strip, so no landing)

[NickB]

Not my pic so I won't preview it but this shot of WL635 which is what I think the pic is of
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisengland/26417974678
states:-
Vickers Varsity T1 WL635 St Mawgan 15-9-81
Last flown just under three months later on 11-12-81, to RAF Machrihanish for use by the fire section. It had perished by 1995.

Hmmm... that's interesting. Given the Varsity was retired from RAF service in 75/76 at RAF Oakington when the Jetstream was introduced, I wonder what this one was doing up until 1981? Perhaps it was being used by one of the Research establishments?

Some nice exhaust staining on the engine nacelles

[NickB]

After a quick Google search I've come up with the following on Varsity WL635:

"Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough. Had been used for trials including FLIR, Video TV display and Laser."

Source: https://www.airliners.net/photo/UK-Air- ... T1/2168863

[Punkrunner62]

Brilliant eLaReF, i was just a poor guy with no camera back then, the ubiquitous notebook, pen and binoculars!.
Cheers.

[macbear26]

Thanks for bringing back the good times i remember it well spent many a time at St Mawgan.

[Blackcat1]

Hunters, Victor's & Buccaneers!! Bliss!!!l

[PeteHemsley]

What a set!