I went through Weapons Technicion training at Halton in 1977.

The Sea Vixens were used for bang-seat removal and fitting training, in the main workshop area, and for practice in locating and finding “loose articles”. Fumbling around in the Observers cockpit, even with the hatch off was quite an experience.

There was also at least one example, outdoors, on the airfield, that we used to practice loading bombs and rocket pods.

My abiding memories of RAF Halton, are of regular screenings of two warning information films, “The Man From LOX”, and “Dr Fod and Miss Wayward Body”. Never had crawling up the intake of a Lightning seemed so attractive.

Cabbage

Swinderby Memories

I remember having a look inside the Canberra, when it was opened up, not sure for what reason, in 1976.

Incidently, my father was the CSFC Chaplain at Swinderby, 1976-1977, and retired from the RAF the same day as I passed out from recruit training at Swinderby (in April 1977). Not sure but I think it was quite a unique occasion.

Cabbage

Vulcan XL384

Incidently, this Vulcan was used as a “Special Weapons” loading team trainer, whilst I was at Scampton (1978-1982).

We stopped using it after it creaked a bit too much for safety.

It was then used for the Station’s EOD team to practice their skills, (a bit too enthusiastically if I remember correctly), before being pretty much left in situ for fire practice.

It was located at the end farthest away from the A15.

If anyone is interested, I was an Armourer based at Scampton, in those days, hence my quite vivid memories of that time.

Cabbage

My Dad will be very interested in this site, as he did his flight training there in 1944 – 1945, prior to eventually flying Yorks on the Far East routes with 51 and 511 Squadrons.