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Old aeroplane photo's.

ladywood, That sounds the right address, the morse code came in handy as I finished up as wireless operator in te RAF in1948, wanted to be a pilot but hadn,t got the necessary qualification for pilot or navigator training, offered flight engineer or w/op choose the latter. First posting was the last Lancaster Sqdn, 82(PR) in Africa, happy days
 
Big G, would not know about the Stormy Petrel , was only about 14 at the time, to young for pubs. had my first ever flights though at Ternhill, Tiger Moth and Avro Anson trainer, enjoyed the Tiger Moth most, also had a go at the link trainer, rather crude compared to todays simulators. Is the station still functional ??? Eric
 
Big Gee said:
Hi Cookie,

I also remember RAF Tern Hill. Not because I was in the RAF, but from attending numerous model flying contests there in the 1960's. There was always a 2-day contest at Easter and it was always bitter cold, windy, wet and on one occasion it snowed. One time we left the official camp-site before we froze to death and set up in the derelict camp, in the old Sergeants Mess actually, and were much more comfortable. I had a look at Tern Hill recently - much the same as it always was, and still active with helicopter training and Air-Sea Rescue. The old derelict camp down the lane is now farm storage. Do you remember The Stormy Petrel pub on the other side of the A41?

Big Gee
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Hi Big Gee,the Stormy Petrel pub is still there,I remember one night,be about 1970,my mate and myself arranged to meet a couple of girls there,and ended up being invited to a party at Tern Hill camp.I don't think that would happen nowadays.However,the best was yet to come.On leaving the party,slightly the worse for drink,we proceeded,somewhat foolishly but fairly common in those days when we were a bit(lot) more foolish,to drive home to Chester.We went round and round that camp,at one stage on the runway,before we found our way out.Strangely,nobody seemed to take the slightest bit of notice!!....Mal.
 
Sometimes wonder what others do with their 'puters besides internet browsing etc. One thing I do is run Flight Simulator. Here's my airplane standing at Gate1 B'ham, notice the city name on it, an 'old' aircraft, you don't see these at BHX these days. Doors closed, passengers all seated, Air Traffic Control say I can push back & start engines and taxi to RWY33. 2nd pic shows view down RWY, ready for take-off, plenty of dials to watch! Flying to London Heathrow via Daventry and Bovingdon to land on RWY 09 left.
Must warn that I only get 8 out of 10 good landings. I've only had my hands on the controls of real aircraft twice, but I can dream.....:)
index.php
 
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oldMohawk, I too have flight simulators on my PC, FS2004 and the more recent FSX (this one needs a powerful PC!). I've had my hands on 2 real real a/c also, a Lancaster in 1950 (I was wireless op at the time and it was quite normal for the skipper to let us all have a go, against all the rules of course ) and a piper tomahawk, two extremes. Eric
 
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Hi Cookie,
My 'go' was in a Provost trainer at RAF Feltwell 1958, I was an Instument Fitter ordered to go up on air test after a major service - made sure we serviced them properly! I was waiting in RH seat and the Pilot came from lunch smelling of whiskey! I didn't care, he asked me to take the controls while he took notes. He then threw that aircraft all over the sky, I blacked out twice - It was worth doing National Service just for that flight!
oldmohawk
 
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Hi ladywood; I was in 157 university sqdrn about the same time as yourself I
remember a corporal Rolfe a cocky git. The building as you say was Congreve St
The White Horse pub was on the corner cause I used to meet my old mom there.
Great Drawings theres a great book in your style.

THE AVIATION BOOK; the worlds aircraft A-Z. PUBLISHED by THAMES & HUDSON.
YOU'LL ENJOY IT. All Drawings.
 
oldMohawk, what flight sim do you have ?? I,m not to clever with the big jets, often tells me I have overstressed a/c, particularly on take off, especially Airbus 320, stick with the small Cesna 182, spitfire and learjet, oh and twin engined Beechcraft and the DC3 for a bit of nostalgia (used to be w/op on the old Dak in 1950/51). Eric
 
Hi, Eric, I only have MS2002, but had a phase of downloading much stuff off the net, such as that BA Regional 737 in my pic. I have software of airports in detail and dug into the FS software files altering and adding features. I find it harder to taxi than fly! I had to do NS and because I was in the ATC at Tower Hill, went into the RAF. I don't know whether you saw that blog link in post #174, here's a bit which shows that an American airline Captain remembers Spitfires and the Battle of Britain.
'Our nose is in a 100 m.p.h. wind which is forecast all the way to The City of Angels. Air Traffic Control is holding us down at 30,000 feet until a B-747, of the Queen's Finest, has crossed our path 1,000 feet above us. The British aluminum cloud is in sight and looking good in the morning light. The Union Jack is clearly visible as they fly across our nose. Awesome sight! I wonder if the Captain is a son or daughter of a Spitfire or Hurricane pilot who fought in the Battle of Britian. It's possible.....'
I'm watching Model AC on BBC4 at the moment
Best Regards Phil
 
liberty10 said:
Hi ladywood; I was in 157 university sqdrn about the same time as yourself I
remember a corporal Rolfe a cocky git. The building as you say was Congreve St
The White Horse pub was on the corner cause I used to meet my old mom there.
Great Drawings theres a great book in your style.

THE AVIATION BOOK; the worlds aircraft A-Z. PUBLISHED by THAMES & HUDSON.
YOU'LL ENJOY IT. All Drawings.
Click to expand...

Fantastic.
Well there are two of us, who were cadets there.
Don't remember corporal Rolfe, But I think the CO was Squadron Leader named Kemp.
One night I was given the job of making tea for 157 Squadron.
There was a very large enamel tea pot and about 20 people to cater for.
At home I had only made tea in a small tea pot, so I was unsure as to how many spoonfuls to put in.
So being young and stupid, I didn't ask for advice and I tipped the the whole packet in.
Squadron Leader Kemp, with his 2IC and all NCO,s personally inspected my tea pot.
15 minutes of fame.
Glad you like the drawings.

ladywood
 
cookie273uk said:
ladywood, That sounds the right address, the morse code came in handy as I finished up as wireless operator in te RAF in1948, wanted to be a pilot but hadn,t got the necessary qualification for pilot or navigator training, offered flight engineer or w/op choose the latter. First posting was the last Lancaster Sqdn, 82(PR) in Africa, happy days
Click to expand...

Hi cookie273, My brother was in the Royal Signals in Malaya around 1954.
Morse ruled all his days in Singapore and KL and on ops.
He said if you sent it fast, the other end would send it back faster.
Dee dah dit.

ladywood
 
ladywood, what a small world I was at RAF Seletar, Singapore in 54,55 with Air Sea Rescue on 205 Sqdn (Sunderlands), my late Wife and I had married quarters on the camp at 9 Lancaster Gate (all the married quarters had London St names) and I recently used Google Earth to see if the station was still there, not only is it still there but the married quarters with the same London Street names are still there too !!! over 50 years later. Iwas amazed. Eric
 
cookie273uk said:
ladywood, what a small world I was at RAF Seletar, Singapore in 54,55 with Air Sea Rescue on 205 Sqdn (Sunderlands), my late Wife and I had married quarters on the camp at 9 Lancaster Gate (all the married quarters had London St names) and I recently used Google Earth to see if the station was still there, not only is it still there but the married quarters with the same London Street names are still there too !!! over 50 years later. Iwas amazed. Eric
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Small world.

ladywood
 
cookie273uk said:
ladywood, what a small world I was at RAF Seletar, Singapore in 54,55 with Air Sea Rescue on 205 Sqdn (Sunderlands), my late Wife and I had married quarters on the camp at 9 Lancaster Gate (all the married quarters had London St names) and I recently used Google Earth to see if the station was still there, not only is it still there but the married quarters with the same London Street names are still there too !!! over 50 years later. Iwas amazed. Eric
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Hi Eric, Here are various drawings and pictures.

ladywood
 
cookie273uk said:
ladywood, what a small world I was at RAF Seletar, Singapore in 54,55 with Air Sea Rescue on 205 Sqdn (Sunderlands), my late Wife and I had married quarters on the camp at 9 Lancaster Gate (all the married quarters had London St names) and I recently used Google Earth to see if the station was still there, not only is it still there but the married quarters with the same London Street names are still there too !!! over 50 years later. Iwas amazed. Eric
Click to expand...

Hi Eric, I can't seem to find a simple way to starting a new thread.
If I could, I could be more useful to the forum.
Is it under 'Home, User Control Panel..................... until Log Out?
Is it because I'm on a Mac and everyone else is on a PC?

ladywood
 
ladywood said:
Hi Eric, I can't seem to find a simple way to starting a new thread.
If I could, I could be more useful to the forum.
Is it under 'Home, User Control Panel..................... until Log Out?
Is it because I'm on a Mac and everyone else is on a PC?

ladywood
Click to expand...
Anyway here are some water colours for you.
all the best.

ladywood
 
ladywood said:
I can't seem to find a simple way to starting a new thread.

ladywood
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Hi, Ladywood,
To start a new thread eg. This thead 'Old aeroplane photos' is in the section 'Airports and Aerodromes', so if you look at 'Todays Posts' you can see the sections on the right of screen, and if you click on the section you want, you can start a new thread in it. I like your water colours by the way!
oldmohawk:)
 
oldMohawk said:
Hi, Ladywood,
To start a new thread eg. This thead 'Old aeroplane photos' is in the section 'Airports and Aerodromes', so if you look at 'Todays Posts' you can see the sections on the right of screen, and if you click on the section you want, you can start a new thread in it. I like your water colours by the way!
oldmohawk:)
Click to expand...

Thanks very much I think I've got it now.
Glad you like the watercolours.


ladywood
 
oldMohawk said:
Oldmohawk reporting in on this aviation thread.
icon12.gif

I've previously mentioned my Dad worked on Spitfires at Castle Bromwich, but I clearly remember listening to him talking to my Mom on many evenings about problems with the turret hydraulics on Boulton Paul Defiants. The strange thing is, I'm not sure they built Defiants at CB. It was an aircraft which seemed a good idea as designed for shooting at bombers, but without forward firing guns, sadly stood no chance against ME109 fighters.
Click to expand...
Hi oldMohawk. I believe that the Boulton Paul was built in Wolverhampton
 
Hi, Chocks2
Yes its always puzzled me why he was talking about the turret hydraulic problems on a a/c which wasn't built at Castle Bromwich, but I was only a kid listening to my dad way back then. He built a model of a Defiant and also a magnificent model of a Lysander. He built them on the kitchen table after tea and often they had to be left there when the sirens went. I think it was all his talk about Castle Brom and aero-modelling which started my interest in aviation.
oldmohawk:)
 
The B-P Defiant was built at Fordhouses in Wolverhampton (once the Municipal Airport, now a housing estate) but I suppose it's possible that they could have been serviced at Castle Bromwich.

B-P was the first company in the world to devise a controlled gun-turret for aircraft, and the first were installed in 1930's biplanes known as the Sidestrand and Overstrand (named after coastal places in Norfolk - B-P's aircraft manufacturing began in Norwich in the 1920's). They ran an advert in aviation magazines showing how you could put a pencil into the muzzle of a gun in a B-P turret and write your name with it on a piece of cardboard, so accurately could the turrets be controlled.

The Defiant was a good idea but an operational disaster. Imagine having to get in front of your opponent to shoot him down... The Defiant ended up as a target tug, but the turrets lived on to equip the RAF's bombers in WW2.

B-P still exists as a company, involved (I think) in metal pressings such as garage doors, office furniture and so forth.

Big Gee
 
hi old mohawk. I worked for a guy that worked for weathershields on the pershore road, they built turrets for all
types of aircraft during ww 11. They possibly built for defiants. He told me how they used test them
with the hydraulics attached for spinning around & up and down etc. Hope this might help.
 
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Just been reading back through the posts in this thread and realised that I missed the question regarding which carrier the Gannet was on. Now, Darby, far be it from me to try to correct an ex-bootneck but the carrier wasn't the Bulwark. Tail letter "J" was for the Eagle during the period mentioned. Bulwark has always been "B".
J was as follows.
1941 to 1943 - HMS Gannet - Eglington, Northern Ireland (Shore Base)
1943 to 1945 - HMS Nabwick - Jervis Bay, Australia (Shore Base)
1946 - HMS Colossus (Carrier)
1953 - HMS Warrior (Carrier)
Oct 1953 to 1957 - HMS Eagle (Carrier)

Now I agree that the A/C could have been detached to the Bulwark but the chance that Eagles SAR Flight (Dragonfly) would have been there aswell is highly unlikely.
 
chocks2 said:
Just been reading back through the posts in this thread and realised that I missed the question regarding which carrier the Gannet was on. Now, Darby, far be it from me to try to correct an ex-bootneck but the carrier wasn't the Bulwark. Tail letter "J" was for the Eagle during the period mentioned. Bulwark has always been "B".
J was as follows.
1941 to 1943 - HMS Gannet - Eglington, Northern Ireland (Shore Base)
1943 to 1945 - HMS Nabwick - Jervis Bay, Australia (Shore Base)
1946 - HMS Colossus (Carrier)
1953 - HMS Warrior (Carrier)
Oct 1953 to 1957 - HMS Eagle (Carrier)

Now I agree that the A/C could have been detached to the Bulwark but the chance that Eagles SAR Flight (Dragonfly) would have been there aswell is highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

chocks2

Now that is interesting, the write up with those two photos states that it occurred on the Bulwark, to add, old mohawk posted that his brother in law who was on Bulwark at the time ( 1956 ) witnessed the incident, methinks more research is needed.

Regards
Darby.
 
Darby. It seems there may be a possability the "J" was used on the Bulwark. I can not find any photographic evidence to confirm the fact or any recordings of it in any books but I have found a paintig showing the "J" on the Flight Deck, unfortunately there is no dete printed on it.
"J" was definately used on Eagle in 1956 & "B" was definately on Bulwark in 1956 and 1958 however from May 1957 through to Dec 1957 Bulwark was returned to the Home fleet as training ship and as such would have used any available deck letter. Incidently, this was the only time that Bulwark carried the Fairey Gannet as part of her Air Group. So this could explain your information but only if it was 1957 and not 1956. Hope this sorts it out. I will try to confirm this at a latter date. Cheers Chocks :)
 
Great pics Baron. Can you tell me what aircraft is in picture #2 It looks like a member of the DeHavilland family but I'm really not sure. Chocks
 
Chocks2 - It's a Vickers Varsity - I've mentioned them somewhere on the forum - National Service - worked on them...
The shot below shows what I've been looking at in the last 15 minutes - lots of planes flying at the moment.....:)
 
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