N.Coates Open Day - 25 June 1988

[F3]

In response to the request on the Lightnings thread for pics of N.Coates Bloodhounds I have pleasure in making this post which includes one such. I do have others taken that day and if Paul cares to message me with his e-mail address i'd be happy to dig them out and send him them. What brought us there that day was the last public display of a Lightning and altho' a cameo by F/L Al 'Porky' Page it was well worth the journey. A small, but quality show also featured, Vulcan, Shack and Tornado F3.

N Coates - Missile site + guard dog by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Shack 1 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Shack WR965 8 Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Vulcan by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Hawks X + Z 151 Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Tornado F3 AQ 65 Sqn. (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Tornado F3 AQ (2) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Lightning F6 BD XI Sqn. by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Lightning farewell by Michael Britton, on Flickr

N Coates - Programme by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Mustang531]

Very interesting selection of shots and from somewhere that wouldn't normally feature. Thanks for sharing these.

[dennis273]

Wow didn't realise they ever had an open day!

When I was there (late 76 to late 77) the place was basically derelict!

Nice to see the Type 87s.

Dennis

[F3]

Wow didn't realise they ever had an open day!

When I was there (late 76 to late 77) the place was basically derelict!

Nice to see the Type 87s.

Dennis

Fairly sure this was the only one they ever held. They probably tidied it up for the event as I seem to remember driving past the HQ which looked very spick and span. Think I might have a spare copy of the programme somewhere if y're interested!

[dennis273]

Wow didn't realise they ever had an open day!

When I was there (late 76 to late 77) the place was basically derelict!

Nice to see the Type 87s.

Dennis

Fairly sure this was the only one they ever held. They probably tidied it up for the event as I seem to remember driving past the HQ which looked very spick and span. Think I might have a spare copy of the programme somewhere if y're interested!

The SHQ, Messes and one barrack block (when I was there) were in fairly good nick but it had only just been reopened when I got there after being closed for a few years after the Bloodhound 1 unit left (25sqn I believe) in 1971.
"B" Flight 85 sqn moved in around March 76 - I got there about a year later and apart from the aforementioned much was in a state of disrepair - I was even told that the Hereford Hooligans had used it for training in the "closed" years,
but that is quite possibly a load of BS told to newbies

Thank, but I'll pass on the programme - the bad memories of that place greatly outnumber the good ones

Dennis

[paulh]

Great post Michael and thank you for posting these

Have sent you a message.

Thank you

Paul.

[F3]

I spent my 1st ROC Trng camp @ West Raynham which was the 85 Sqn. HQ and where they used to service the beasts. Many a lecture was drowned by the sound of rocket motors being tested!

[Nighthawke]

My old ATC squadron was at West Raynham and we had several visits to 85 Sqn. If we were lucky something would fly through in a mock attack.I still miss seeing Bloodhounds pointing skywards when I drive along the A1065 towards Fakenham.

[Malcolm]

Can't help thinking they would be better off aiming at something a bit more modern than a Stringbag.

[Supra]

Certainly an unusual venue for an Anniversary Air-show.Good info'& pictures. Sadly reminds me that the Shackleton displaying would be subsequently destroyed with the loss of all 10 POB within 18 months of this event. Sad day for 8 Sqn. Due to the Flaps position this most probably was Flt Lt Roger Read at the helm!

[F3]

Certainly an unusual venue for an Anniversary Air-show.Good info'& pictures. Sadly reminds me that the Shackleton displaying would be subsequently destroyed with the loss of all 10 POB within 18 months of this event. Sad day for 8 Sqn. Due to the Flaps position this most probably was Flt Lt Roger Read at the helm!

Was this the one that crashed into a mountain on one of the Scottish islands and captained @ the time by the CO, who I seem to recall was Wingco Roncoroni?

[Mustang531]

WR965 was sadly, the one that unfortunately crashed, a tragic loss of life.

[Supra]

Correct F3 & Mustang531. My reference to Flt Lt Roger Read was in connection with the Flying display photo's. The fatal accident that destroyed WR965 occurred on Monday 30th April 1990 & edited details follow.... The crew contacted Benbecula Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 10:25 UTC requesting permission for an approach, stating that they were about 20 miles west of the airfield; permission was given and Benbecula ATC passed their actual weather to the crew. Subsequent investigation determined, however, that the aircraft was actually 15 miles north of the position which it had reported at this time. At 10:30 two RAF personnel saw the Shackleton orbiting an island some 12 miles to the north of Benbecula airfield, and at 10:34 the Shackleton crew called Benbecula ATC stating that the weather was not sufficiently good for an approach and that they were turning right and climbing. At around 10:37 it struck the ground about 30 ft below the summit of an 823 ft hill on the Isle of Harris. Reliable evidence indicates that at that time and in that vicinity the cloud-base was 200 ft above mean sea level, with cloud tops at 3000 ft. At impact, the aircraft was in controlled flight with all four engines developing cruise power.
All 10 Crew listed below were lost
W/Cdr Stephen Roncoroni, (CO. 8 Sqn)
W/Cdr Chas Wrighton,
F/O Colin Burns,
S/L Jerry Lane,
F/Lt Al Campbell,
F/Lt Keith Forbes,
M/O Roger Scutt,
F/Sgt Rick Ricketts,
Sgt Graham Miller,
Cpl Stuart Bolton.
A massive loss to all that knew them.

[F3]

Thanks for the info Supra. Altogether that was a very black day for the RAF as two other a/c were also lost namely a Bruggen Tornado @ Goose Bay and a Phantom @ Valley.