Which ATC Squadron are/were you a member of?

[beefsteak]

Are you sure that's 75 H S ? I only ask as that's a bit early to have a Tonka as a gate guard!

I'll come back with my tales of woe in the ATC

[paulh]

1980 - 1982 195 Squadron Grimsby.
Had trips to Finningley, Lindholme, Newton, Binbrook, Donna Nook and Cranwell.
Two camps - Swinderby Survival Exercises 1981 (have the photo somewhere) and Summer Camp at Waddington 1981.
Chipmunk flights in WZ856 (twice) at Newton and WG469 at Waddington. (Can remember walking out to the Chippie
seeing a Vulcan doing circuits at Waddo - those were the days )
Then did my Gliding course at Lindholme in Sedbergh's and MKIII's according to my book.
Also one of the Squadrons duties was to attend the opening of the Humber Bridge.
We had to salute the Queen as she walked past us - never been so frightened as she walked past!!!
Happy Days Cheers Paul.

Managed to dig the photos out and scan them

Swinderby - I'm centre front row!!


Waddington - 195 Squadron - I'm middle row 4th from left.


Enjoy - Cheers Paul.

[GOOSE]

Nice to see a picture of Laurie Hartley and George Bass.

[paulh]

Nice to see a picture of Laurie Hartley and George Bass.

Top bloke George Bass, there was a photo in our local rag not so long back of him.
He took me gliding several times and also remember washing his car for him at Lindholme one day.
He promised me a couple of extra flights in a glider if I did a good job - and he kept his word .

Cheers Paul.

[GOOSE]

And is that a young James Thompson and Mike Lambert front right? Waddo shot

[HighlandSniper]

Are you sure that's 75 H S ? I only ask as that's a bit early to have a Tonka as a gate guard!

I'll come back with my tales of woe in the ATC

Tonka! Tonka! It's a Jaguar GR.1 which had only entered service around 18 months previously.

The Jaguar is on the ramp to the north of the Control Tower with the Station Water Tower in the background, things haven't changed much in that area of the base in the ensuing 35 years.

[paulh]

And is that a young James Thompson and Mike Lambert front right?

The lad centre front - his surname was Harvey as well, his dad helped out with the squadron as well.

[starfighter]

5 Years at 1034 (surbiton ) 1972 - 1977 lods of gliding +flying ,
graet times , and i believe they now have a complete harrier on the parade ground.
any one beat that .
Steve

[GOOSE]

And is that a young James Thompson and Mike Lambert front right?

The lad centre front - his surname was Harvey as well, his dad helped out with the squadron as well.

Aye, didn't recognise him, was it Ian? He wore glasses later on and reached FS iirc?

[MacksAviation]

2276 (Mablethorpe) Sqn 1982-1986 Flt Sgt and Staff Cadet

Far to many experiences to recall here but the best camp by far was Easter Camp 1986 in Cyprus
Flying at Newton and that walk with the parachute Gliders (the wind whistle through the open cockpit) at Scampton and the pilot doing the dagger dagger dagger attack on NX611 Lancaster gate guard
Great times and also good to see so many other Ex Lincs & South Humberside Wing peeps here.
Paulh the image from Swinderby 1981 I recognize several people and I'm sure the guy 6 from the right front row was in my squadron

Can't find the original scan of this Leuchars 1983

[Sheff]

I think I picked a pretty rotten squadron to join as most people seem to have really enjoyed their time in the ATC. 367 Squadron was truly bad. I knew more about aeroplanes than anyone else there, instructors included. The CO was only interested in winning drill competitions and the cadets were there for a lark - which was the only reason why I kept going. Aeroplanes were rarely mentioned. They had a Chipmunk cockpit section (and even that had most of the instruments missing) stuck in a shed but all the time I was there I never saw it brought out for examination. I don't think anyone even knew what it was. That was the closest I ever got to seeing a flying machine in the ATC! Oh well, at least we had the best ceremonial drill and some good rifle marksmen. Vital skills which I use almost every day on my way to Tescos...

[DeltaCharlieKilo]

I joined 335 (2nd Plymouth) Sqn in May 1960 and was a member until I joined the RAF in Sep 64. Re-joined the squadron as a CI in 69/70 after leaving the service but left again in Jun 70 as I re-entered the mob.

During that time, enjoyed summer camps at Ternhill (60), Colerne (61), Waddington (62), Colerne again (63) and Bassingbourne (64). Must dig out the old photos which I have somewhere. Good days.

[andyxh558]

55 squadron from 1986 to 1989, went to Raf wittering and Raf lyneham, flew out of sealand, woodvale and Cambridge. We did our SLR and l98 range practice at Cosford. It was the best time of my life and as you guys said I need a time machine!!!

[onemac]

423 (Elgin) Sqn, Highland Wing. Wow those hairy Marys could itch Late 60's - early 70's IIRC. Rejoined as an adult instructor after a suitable gap and had the time of my life. Happy days......

Al

[HawkEye001]

1237 SQN North Hykeham Lincoln 1983 to 1986.

[22A]

I was never in the ATC, but serve on the Committee of my local branch of RAFA. Peterborough's two ATC squadrons always attend our annual BofB Parade & Service and they always turn out immaculately dressed. This year I asked one group of parents who had pressed the shirts and trousers. "My son insisted on doing his own ironing" replied one mother. Some cadets had a better shine on their shoes than their CO had!

Elsewhere I once went to give instruction to an ATC squadron who were studying for an aircraft recce contest. I told their officers afterwards that I had shown the same slides the previous night in the building next door as the local Air Scouts were studying for their Aircraft Spotter badge. Two air associated, uniformed youth organisations meeting in adjoining buildings, but NEVER any joint activity, not even an exchange of Christmas cards.

[beefsteak]

Are you sure that's 75 H S ? I only ask as that's a bit early to have a Tonka as a gate guard!

I'll come back with my tales of woe in the ATC

Tonka! Tonka! It's a Jaguar GR.1 which had only entered service around 18 months previously.

The Jaguar is on the ramp to the north of the Control Tower with the Station Water Tower in the background, things haven't changed much in that area of the base in the ensuing 35 years.

OOOOOOPPSS (I've cleaned my glasses now!!) The thing is , I looked at your pic and looked again and it wasn't till the fourth or fifth view that I realised I wasn't on it !! . It is so similar to one I had took at RAF Hereford in about 1977 in front of a Hunter (I think)

[Flyingmonster]

Best memory for me was Leuchars 2006 - Well there are two! 1st one was flying my first aerobatics - Loop - Barrell Roll - Stall Turn - and then linking them together Just as we taxied onto the Runway the BBMF Spi and Hurricane were taking off The 2nd was a tour round 111 sqn! We were shown round an F3 (HA) and then they let us in the cockpit! Just as I climbed in 2 111 F3s flew over the 111 HAS site The best desision I have made was joining the Cadets!

[GOOSE]

It was certainly a great time, managed a few camps

85 - Odiham
86 - Linton On Ouse
87 - Northolt
88 - Church Fenton
89 - Sealand

Lucky enough to also get one of the proper Flying Scholarships. 30 hours in a Cessna 150 at Wickenby!

[HighlandSniper]

I've been searching to no avail for a photo taken at Shawbury in front of the then gate guardian, a Vampire T.11 on a pole (XD382 if my memory serves me correctly). There's also one taken in front of the main entrance to CHOM at Cranwell, and another in front of a Victor at Marham. I think I need to check my parents' photo box - I think there's one from Laarbruch as well.

My photo of Lossie posted above reminds me that the corporal on the extreme right of the picture with long-ish hair got pulled up by the SWO later that day and had been shorn in the camp barber PDQ. Said cadet corporal is now a retired Sqn. Ldr. Harrier-jockey who now captains B747s for Virgin Atlantic, in fact there are four B747 captains in that photo.