Slightly drifting OT………

In the not-too-distant past, on ops in a verdant corner of the UK I would routinely carry a 5.56mm HK53 assault rifle, as would my co-pilot, while our crewman carried a 9mm Browning HP in addition to his GPMG. Only the 9mm was for self-defence – we were expected, within our rules of engagement, to use the other weapons in the event the opposition had a go at us or those we were charged to protect.

Which, occasionally, they would.

From what little I can recall from those far-off days, HB bought it, as one of the Directors was high-up in Hull Aero Club. The plan was to turn the airframe into a clubhouse, with the cockpit as the air/ground radio station.

Instead, it provided the local ATC Sqn cadets – myself included – with a heaven-sent opportunity to clamber around a proper aeroplane. The pax seats ended up at East Park drill hall in the Cadets NCO’s Mess, and a fusebox cover was swapped-out with a cracked one from ‘our’ Auster.

Following the fall of Court Line, XB259 flew in to Paull Airfield, (about a mile East of Fort Paull, and now sadly no more) on 30th March 1974; owned ostensibly by Hull Breweries, (no longer with us) for the Hull Aero Club, (gone as well), where it sat for a while before being dismantled for the road-move to the (now defunct) Museum of Army Transport, thence back to Fort Paull. Bit of a jinxed cab, this one.:diablo:

Too late, I fear Tony. The OP has requested that his account be terminated.

Master Green is most probably his Instrument Rating – a system of grading of ability that went ‘White’, ‘Green’ then ‘Master Green’. Your rating allowed you a reduction in the minima you were allowed when conducting instrument approaches.

Quick – rob it for parts and put ‘286 back together.:diablo:

Auster AOP9 XP286 was clambered-over by the cadets of 152 (City of Hull) Sqn ATC during the 1970s. What remains is, I believe, extant at Eggesford.

I think Benyboy is being a little cynical, referring to Avro’s Vulcan.

The BBMF Lancaster isn’t under the remit of the CAA, AFAIK.

Note to self, must try typing more swiftly.