Ahhh, the old TwinPin! A couple of memories to share with you;

When I was but a lad, with the Air Scouts in Singapore, our troop was donated one of 209’s remaining aircraft as a training aid. It was flown from Seletar into Changi and moved to the Station’s football pitch to be presented to us, together with a very large metal key, inscribed “Turn 360 times for one hours’ flight!”

More recently (sometime in the late 80’s/early 90’s) I was driving home past Bar Hill in Cambridgeshire one evening before the Mildenhall Air Fete. In the distance I could see what looked like an odd-shaped helicopter, hovering about 3000 feet up. As I got closer I could see it was the Air Atlantique machine, making its’ way towards Mildenhall against the headwind – ground speed about 25 knots!

[QUOTE=chiron A way of remembering the smaller British bolt shank diameters. A; 6 BA, B; 4 BA, C; 2 BA, E; 1/4 BSF, G; 5/16 BSF, J; 3/8 BSF, L; 7/16 BSF, N;1/2 BSF. ?All Boys Can Eat Good Jam, Leave None?, was passed on to me by one of those old world types I mentioned, it has proven useful, I just wish he?d had a better way to remember them!

Chiron[/QUOTE]

Now for the larger sizes;
P; 9/16″
Q; 5/8″
S; 3/4″
U; 7/8″
W; 1″

“Peter Quickly Slips Up Wendy” – never forgot that one!! 😀

Well, none of those ‘Ladies’ had better think of climbing on my aeroplane with those stilettos on………. :diablo:

Superb thread, chaps…..paid a visit there myself over a Bank Holiday in ’73, must have been Easter I think (memory chip in dire need of an upgrade… 😮 )

Anyway, just as a reminder of what was there, here’s a list from an old school friend and well-known tormentor of the Greek Air Force;

RF510 Lincoln B.2, (wings, rear fuselage and other parts) allocated 7377M at Weeton 16.10.56, Soc 13.5.58.

RH746 Brigand TF.I, Aw/Cn 16.3.46, to CRD Filton 5.4.46, to A&AEE 18.6.46, to ATDU Gosport, to Bristol’s 15.10.47, returning to ATDU 29.4.49.

VT376 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham as an AS.5 1.3.48, to Abbotsinch by 1.49, to Hal Far 13.5.49, to Gosport 9.49, to Fairey’s by 7.50 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.12.51, to Anthorn by 7.52, to ‘217’ 812 Sqn, to Belfast by 7.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VT409 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 9.4.48 as an AS.5, to the Med 31.1.49 and with 810 Sqn as ‘233/T’ by 7.49, returned to the UK 29.2.50, to Fairey’s for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.5.51, to Anthorn, to St Merryn by 1.52, to ‘224/J’ 820 Sqn, loaned 826 Sqn 10.52, to Fairey’s by 7.53, to Hal Far 28.11.53, returned to the UK on HMS Glory 1.1.55, to Anthorn and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VT460 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 1.7.48 as an AS.5, to 812 Sqn 7.48, to Gosport by 9.49, to Fairey’s by 7.50 for AS.6 conversion, to Abbotsinch by 7.52, to Eglinton 27.1.53, to Belfast by 7.53, to 826 sqn by 7.54, struck by VT464 in taxiing accident 29.9.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 22.7.57.

VT475 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham as an AS.5, to Lee by 1.49, to Abbotsinch by 7.49, to ‘237/T’ 810 Sqn, hit barrier on HMS Theseus, to Fairey’s by 1.50 for repair and AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to Anthorn by 7.51, to Eglinton by 7.52, to ‘287’ 824 Sqn 4.53, to Eglinton 7.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VW369 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 18.12.50, to 38 MU 15.1.51, alloc to MEAF 27.2.51, despatched 14.3.51 and arrived 20.3.51, to Fayid Stn Flt 22.3.51, to ‘H’ 208 Sqn 14.4.51, to 109 MU 16.2.55, issued to UK 12.5.55, to FRL for overhaul 7.6.55, to 33 MU 12.12.55, declared NEA 28.1.57 and sold for scrap 5.9.57 to Enfield Rolling Mills.

VX395 Firefly AS.6, (but reported Minworth 28.8.57).

VZ593 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 28.12.50, d/d 8 MU 9.1.51, alloc to MEAF 7.3.51 and despatched 9.3.51, to ‘Q’ 208 Sqn 13.3.51, all oc to UK 13.12.55 and to 32 MU 19.12.55, to 12 MU 25.7.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, sold for scrap 7.2.58.

VZ607 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 29.3.51, d/d 2 Sqn 16.4.51, Cat.4 accident 27.11.52, to Glosters for repair 3.12.52-17.6.53, to 8 MU 19.6.53, to ‘T-S’ 79 Sqn 4.2.54, Cat.4 accident 8.6.55, issued to UK 7.9.55, to Flight Refuelling Ltd for overhaul 7.9.55, to 33 MU 6.12.55, to sold for scrap 5.9.57.

WB431 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 28.4.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.12.50, to Anthorn by 7.51, to Yeovilton by 7.52, to Anthorn by 7.53, to Stretton by 9.53 as ‘214/ST’, to 737 Sqn at Eglinton by 1.54, struck by VT474 in taxiing accident 5.11.54 but repaired and sent to Anthorn by 7.55, sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WB437 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 16.5.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to Anthorn by 7.51, to 812 Sqn by 7.52 as ‘215’, to Eglinton by 1.54, to Lee-On-Solent 14.9.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WB440 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 22.5.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to 826 Sqn by 7.51 as ‘278/A’, to Fleetlands by 7.54, to Anthorn, to Eglinton 7.12.54 as ‘220/GN’, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.2.57.

WD847 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 31.8.50, to Abbotsinch by 1.51, to Fairey’s by 1.52, with CS(A) at Eglinton by 7.52, to RNAY Belfast by 7.53, to 703 Sqn/A Flt at Arbroath by 4.54 as ‘283/J’ until 2.7.54, to Arbroath Stn Flt, to Anthorn by 7.55 coded ‘602’, sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WD859 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 3.10.50, to Anthorn by 1.51, to 1830 Sqn at Donibristle by 12.51 as ‘243/DO’, re-coded ‘243/AC’ 2.54, to 1842 Sqn at Ford, to Fleetlands by 7.54, to 1841 Sqn at Stretton by 6.55 as ‘286/ST’, to Anthorn by 1.56 and Soc 22.7.57 (but reported at Minworth 25.8.57).

WD907 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Anthorn 22.2.51 and with 814 Sqn by 1.52, to 826 Sqn by 2.52, to Belfast by 7.52, to 824 Sqn as ‘286/A’ by 4.53, to Scottish Air Division by 1.54 as ‘241/AC’, re-coded ‘221/AC’ 4.54, to Anthorn by 1.56 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WD918 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Anthorn 11.4.51, to 1840 sqn by 9.51 as ‘204/FD’, to C(A) by 7.54, to Ford by 10.54, to Anthorn by 1.56 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WF989 Balliol T.1, d/d A&AEE, to 7 FTS, to ‘CJ’ RAFC 22.2.54, to 9 MU store 22.4.55, sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WF991 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘AC’ RAFC 25.3.54, to 9 MU store 22.9.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WF997 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to RAFC 29.3.54, to 22 MU store 6.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG124 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘AR’ RAFC 2.4.54, to store at 22 MU 6.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG126 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘BR’ RAFC 31.3.54, to store at 22 MU 14.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG139 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘CO’ RAFC 11.3.54, to store at 22 MU 14.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG229 Balliol T.1, d/d Home Command Comms Sqn, stored at 22 MU, sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WK198 Swift F.4, Laid down as an F.1 but completed as the F.4 prototype, f/f 27.5.53 from South Marston piloted by Mike Lithgow, MoS development/trials a/c, established London-Paris speed record 5.7.53 at 669.3 mph, to Tripoli 22.9.53 and on 25.9.53 established World Air Speed Record of 735.7 mph, to 23 MU 9.1.57 and transferred to RAF same day, allocated 7428M 20.5.57 and declared NEA 3.6.57, to 10 SoTT Kirkham 23.7.57, sold for scrap to Unimetal and Soc 2.6.58.

WK265 Swift F.3, Aw/Cn 20.1.56, to 15 MU store same day, to instructional as 7342M 27.3.56 and allocated to 10 SoTT at Kirkham 6.4.56, Soc 2.6.58 and sold for scrap to Unimetal.

WN149 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘AT’ 14.7.54, to store at 22 MU 18.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN516 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘CC’ 23.4.54, Cat.4 7.10.55 and to store at 22 MU and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN533 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC 10.12.54 becoming ‘AX’, to store at 22 MU 18.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN534 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘AF’ 3.6.54, to store at 22 MU 5.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WV418 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.1.53, to CS(A), to 3 FTS, to CNCS, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

WV538 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 13.1.54, to 22 FTS, to 27 MU store, Soc 25.11.63.

WW391 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.8.54, to 9 MU store, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 25.11.63.

WX495 Neptune MR.1, (51-15917) accepted by USAF 7.3.52, dep Burbank 17.6.52, to Kinloss 3.7.52 for 217 Sqn as ‘A-F’, to ‘C-K’ 236 OCU 16.3.53, Cat.3R 5.2.54, repaired on site, completed 26.9.54, to 22 MU 5.9.56 for storage, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold for scrap to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX496 Neptune MR.1, (51-15918) accepted by USAF 30.4.52, dep Burbank 19.6.52, to Kinloss 3.7.52 for 217 Sqn as ‘A-D’, to 32 MU 5.8.52, returned to 217 Sqn 17.10.52, to ‘C-J’ 236 OCU 16.3.53, Cat.3R 5.2.54, repaired on site by 63 MU, completed 19.2.54, Cat.3R again 10.5.54, repaired on site by SAL and completed 28.7.54, to 22 MU store 5.9.56, declared NEA 21.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX551 Neptune MR.1, (51-15963) accepted by USAF 28.4.53, dep Burbank 1.5.53, to Kinloss 13.5.53 for 45 MU store, to ‘C-O’ 236 OCU 7.8.53, Cat.3R 14.8.54, repaired by 63 MU and completed 20.8.54, to 22 MU store 4.9.56, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX554 Neptune MR.1, (51-15965) accepted by USAF 22.5.53, dep Burbank 22.5.53, to Kinloss 3.6.53 for 45 MU store, to ‘A-A’ 217 sqn 8.6.53, Cat.3R 9.8.54, repaired on site by 63 MU, completed 14.8.54, Cat.3R(FA) port u/c collapse at Kinloss 10.4.56, repaired on site, to SAL for mods 18.4.56-19.9.56, returned to 217 Sqn 20.9.56, to 22 MU store 19.10.56, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX962 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 16.5.52, to 20 MU 23.5.52, to 33 MU 13.8.53, allocated to MEAF 12.6.54, to ‘Q’ 208 Sqn 3.7.54, allocated to UK 20.3.56 and arrived at 12 MU Kirkbride 26.3.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, Soc and sold for scrap 7.2.58.

WX968 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 23.6.52, to 33 MU 24.6.52, to ‘B-W’ 2 Sqn 10.12.52, to 33 MU 5.4.55, to ‘H’ 2 Sqn 8.9.55, to 38 MU 6.6.56, to 19 MU 31.1.57, Soc 30.12.57 to HH Bushell.

WX969 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 30.6.52, to 33 MU 2.7.52, alloc to MEAF 16.7.54, to 107 MU 22.7.54, to ‘V’ 208 Sqn 25.8.54, to UK 20.3.56 and to 12 MU Kirkbride 26.3.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, Soc 30.12.57 and sold for scrap 7.2.58.

XF540 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.4.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF553 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.5.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF557 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.5.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF564 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 30.6.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF686 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.3.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XG657 Sea Venom FAW.21, (fuselage nacelle only) d/d Stretton RDU 4.6.56 (received 6.6), to 894 Sqn at Yeovilton 17.12.56, to 766 Sqn at Merryfield 26.2.57, to DH at Christchurch 2.5.57 for fuel tank replacement, to Merryfield 22.5.57, to Ark Royal (via Lossiemouth) 29.5.57, returned to Merryfield 28.6.57 for 766 Sqn as ‘737’, to RNAY Belfast 3.7.59 for modernisation, to 738 Sqn at Lossiemouth 1.6.60 (received 8.6.60) as ‘650/LM’, to Abbotsinch AHU 22.9.60 as “R/T 716” and occasionally used by Stn Flt as “Navair 657”, preserved 16.3.62 and eventually sold as scrap 19.12.62.

All of this lot were noted in March ’73. A fair few were in a very sorry state even then, I remember the Balliols and Provosts as being the most recogniseable, as they were in an area away from the main building. Most of the remainder were just in heaps, but the record breaking Swift was actually visible from the railway as I left for home – sheer good fortune that it remained at all really….funny people, scrapyard owners!!

Rabit Leader to ‘Starlight’ – Roger – can you give me a course to intercept?

No need to set off yet……you’ll still catch him if you leave before teatime!!! 😀

There was a chunk of Stirling at Wyton when I visited there in July ’01. It’s in very poor condition, being about (relying on poor memory here) 15 feet of centre fuselage only, and with severe corrosion. Might be the basis of a project. Don’t have my W & R to hand but I’m guessing it’s gone on to Cosford with everything else from Wyton.

Yeah, it was a bit of a shame about the content this year, but to be fair the organisers did let us know in advance what the programme was, including the cancellations. I do still enjoy Waddo (have to, it’s my only airshow of the year) and the current military situation means that we do have to put up with what’s on offer. Seeing as how most Air Forces in Europe either have Tonkas or F-16’s you ain’t gonna get the variety of old. Despite that, we got Phantoms, NZ Orion, first Airshow appearance of the Cat, etc, etc…

To any of the staff at Waddington who may be reading, you guys did a grand job and I will be back next year!