Re post 130.

Although I cannot provide any info relating to nimgen’s observations of the 1976 Nimrod nose leg up landing that he remembers, I do recall witnessing a similar event whilst I was stationed in Ops Wing at the base during the same year.

From memory (which I’m afraid is somewhat hazy these days), I believe the incident I remember concerned a Nimrod that was en-route to Malta or Cyprus when a nose wheel problem was diagnosed. I think I was told that the aircraft captain had been given the option of landing at a nearby French military base or returning home to either Manston or SM. He chose the latter.

Having positioned myself on the airfield for the aircraft’s return, I still recollect feeling very tense as the Nimrod made its final approach. This soon disappeared however as the aircraft touched down perfectly and proceded down the runway on its main undercarriage with the nose section kept at a high angle above the tarmac. It was eventually lowered onto the deck when the aircraft had almost come to a stop. A very graceful and skilful manoeuvre. Close inspection of the damage revealed slight denting to the airframe under the nose area which seemed to me to be very minor in view of the circumstances.

I’m sorry I can’t be 100% certain of all of the above facts and I especially regret not remembering the name of the squadron leader captain who did such a good job in bringing the aircraft home.

Members may not be aware that exactly the same thing happened to the Royal Naval Memorial on Plymouth Hoe last year. Four large bronze slabs containing the names of the fallen were forced off part of the lower memorial. The first one with the names of Royal Marines killed in WWII was stolen a few hours after a Veterans Day event, and the other three were taken the following night.

They were eventually recovered but two were damaged beyond repair, one having been cut into four pieces and sold to a scrap dealer for £172. The other three, all damaged when levered off the wall, were sold to a scrap dealer in Somerset who luckily smelled a rat and called the police. The cost of restoring the memorial amounted to £17,000 and was compled a few months ago.

The despicable low life who carried out the crime was eventually brought to court for ‘handling’ stolen goods. It transpired that he was also charged with a more serious sexual assault offence. He was found guilty of all charges and was jailed indefinitely. Are his ‘mates’ still around though?

Sea Vixen XJ494

I have found a photograph which I am fairly certain includes XJ494. It shows 22 JSTU staff at Boscombe with aircraft and missiles towards the end of the Martel trials in 1973. A few of us in the 3rd row from the back are looking sideways with a little trepidation as another Buccaneer is heading straight for us. Thankfully it stopped before ruining the picture.

I regret that I cannot credit the photographer.

St Mawgan memories

Having just come across this nostalgic look back at St Mawgan, I wonder if anyone can help jog my bad memory by providing more details of a rather special event there in 1976, possibly during the spring or summer months. My own sketchy recollections are as follows:

I was working in the Ops Block when word went around that a number of Vulcans were inbound from Waddington and Scampton. I think it may have been between 1600 and 1700 hours on a Friday afternoon, just as we were preparing for the weekend. Rapid arrangements had to be made to accommodate our visitors and I think we had to move our Nimrods from their usual positions to make room for them.

A little later I watched the Vulcans arrive from the Tower but again my bad memory precludes giving an exact number of aircraft involved, although I believe it may have been 20. Ten from each Base.

At home the following day I had a visitor who had driven past the Base on his way to me. His first words were “I didn’t realise St Mawgan was V Bomber Base!”. A day or so later I watched them depart (a very noisy occasion) although one didn’t make it, going unserviceable (I think) on the ground.

Can anyone fill in the gaps?.