I also have fond memories of St Mawgan and managed to see a few Mirage IV’s at different times and also the distinct privilege in seeing all 12 French Air Force C-135F’s over many years
My most memorable year at St Mawgan was 1976 when on the 22nd October I was sat at home on a cold wet and windy Friday, I had heard jet aircraft flying overhead on 2 or 3 occasions and thought perhaps I should get on the motorcycle and make the 20+ mile journey to the SM, I dressed up against the elements put on my crash helmet and away I go.
Now Nick mentioned the wooded valley through Carnanton and I remember thinking what am I doing here when all of a sudden I was confronted by 12 x A-6E Intruder’s and 4 x EA-6A Intruder’s of the USMC sat on the dispersals ahead of me. Parked up at VASS which at that time occupied the area to the South of the Civil Terminal where 4 x KC-130F’s again all USMC. I then carried on to the 13 approach just in time to see the first of 11 x USMC F-4J Phantom’s arrive. Also noted RAF Gnat T1 and VC-10 C1 and the RAE Varsity T1.
I unfortunately was not able to visit again over the weekend when 5 x KA-3B Skywarrior’s also arrived. On the Sunday the Intruder’s left with the KA-3B’s going to Lajes. 3 x KA-3B’s returned later.
I was able to visit SM on Monday 25th October a much more pleasant day weather wise I remember. The F-4J’s left in the morning accompanied by the 3 remaining KA-3B’s in 3 waves. The sight of 4 Phantom’s 2 each side of the Skywarrior on Mawgans 300′ wide runway taking off in formation is a memory that I shall take to the grave. Also on the field this day KC-130F, KC-130R, CAF CP-107 Argus 2, FAF C-135F approaches, RAF Argosy E1, VC-10 C1, 4 x Hercules C1, Phantom FGR2, 6 x Jaguar GR1 and last but not least a FRADU Hunter T8. Those really where the good old days – RIP St Mawgan I already miss you.

I’ve a feeling that these might have come in the same time as a F-105 deployment went into Lakenheath as quite a few of the lads from Scotland had been down to Mawgan in expectation of the USMC fleet coming in and had returned back north having seen nothing.

They then came down to see the 105s arrive and then had to tootle off to Mawgan again knowing that the Marine Corps had arrived.

How I wish I had had a car in those days.

I really can’t you believe you just used, Hitler and not a bad idea in the same sentence.

What a day… :diablo:

What was that about Godwin’s Law?

Would that be MOD Lynx only?

Then add all the nations, who have had to replace/rebuild their fleet and you might find that there are close to 100. Which is high for a fairly insignificant aircraft (historically).

AFAIK the Dutch and the Brazilians have “life” upgraded their fleet too, which could add 32 unservicable airframes to the museum circuit.

When you say preserved, I assume that you don’t mean in a museum? I would hazard a guess and say that I would be surprised if museum/gate guard examples were in double figures

Doesn’t the City of Norwich have a plain vanilla ex-operational Jaguar?

as I alluded in my last sentence.

Anything but a calm water body and your pretty much toast anyway.

And you are probably not that safe with calm water if you are approaching at some speed.

The Ethiopian B767 being a case in point where one engine ‘dug’ into the water and next thing it was pretty well cartwheeling. Luckily, it happened not that far off the beach otherwise the death toll would have been much higher.

http://hanschowdhury.fotoblog.co.uk/p54867862.html

A Czech railway snow blower….

I watched Casino Royale for the first time last night and was somewhat disappointed. The humour had gone and DC was just a thug as mentioned by others.

One of the first AAIB reports I ever recieved (back in 1972 or so) concerned a Pa-28 which collided with a cow when landing somewhere in Northern Ireland (I think it was).