I graduated as a pilot from 705 NAS in 1979. During my course, I often flew left hand seat in a Gazelle for the early morning Sharks practice sessions before starting the first training detail!
I have searched the web for some video clips of their display routine from this era or even some team photos 1977-80 – without luck.
can anyone help?
By: pondlife - 31st March 2025 at 14:15
Just a quick heads up for anyone who remembers the Sharks display team.I have a signed picture done in a caricature style by and artist who signed the work “Paf 93”.
The picture was done to mark the end of the last team year in 1992 and is 27″ wide,22″ high and has been professionally framed.
I am selling this picture as I need to raise some money for a project that I am undertaking in 2010 to support the work of Leulaemia Research (LRF).
If you,or anyone you may know may be interested in buying this peice of Naval history, it is now for sale on Ebay.There is a reserve,but this is due to the fact that I am only selling for a good cause, and don’t want to see it go for a sum that will be of no use to my intended use 🙂
If you want more info about the project, or about the picture,please go to www.scirocco2morocco.blogspot.com
Many thanks.Andy 🙂
By: bravo533 - 19th June 2009 at 09:40
Dr Strangelove…thanks for the youtube link. Nice images. There is something so immediately recognisable about the landscaspe of the Lizard.
Any idea of its vintage?
I would place it early/mid 80’s?
Here is a quirky aviation story….
When at Culdrose in 79 the US space sation was due to enter orbit and break up with a potential to rain down fragements on us lot below. Someone in the Government took this (tiny) threat so seriously that on the doom laden day ALL aircraft from CU had to be airborne ( or hangared) away from base for a time window when the craft was due above SW England. Most of the Gazelles de-camped to Predannack and at the appointed time flew off on “jollys” until the all clear was sounded.
I recall quite big bits of the station fell on outback in Australia??
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th June 2009 at 08:55
My old next door neighbour was a Sharks pilot & instructor on 705 NAS. This would have been late 70’s/early eighties…
Later on he was ‘little f’ at EGDY…
By: Old Fart - 18th June 2009 at 23:23
They were the Pussers Pair at one time if memmory serves me correct. always did like them, still the Black cats are an amazing team.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th June 2009 at 21:06
I remember watching them in those practice sessions. They were good.
There was also a photo taken sometime later with a Culdrose gazelle pointing straight up and imitating a wind turbine with the local wind farm as the backdrop. Very amusing.
A challenge to the forum – has anyone a copy of that picture to share?
By: Dr Strangelove - 18th June 2009 at 19:31
Seen this clip?
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June 18, 2009 at 5:26 pm