My first Air Display attendance was probably as an Air Cadet Marshall at Half-Penny Green Airfield in about 1968/69 aged 13 or 14. I don’t recall my ATC squadron number, but at that time we were based at Pendeford Airfield in Wolverhampton – in the base of the Control Tower. Perhaps someone else knows?
Don’t remember much about the display, except walking up and down the fence – and diving under the wing of an aircraft while being chased by a diving Spitfire – probably not an accurate recollection, but I have memories of a great day.
Next one was Finningley in, probably, 1973. I was then temporarily based there helping out in the Engineering section working mostly on Dominie’s (where I waited to collect my first undercarriage “long weight” – a special piece of kit required to balance the UC, I was led to believe :rolleyes: ).
Clearly remember the RA Gnats display (Did one really go below the telephone wires stretched between two hangars?), guarding a Lightening during startup, a four ship Vulcan flourished QRA takeoff and display (amazing sound, amazing sight I’ll never forget) and much more.
To my chagrin, I was the one responsible for accidentally spilling plastic polish on the starboard wing root of the ME262 the day before (and not being allowed to clean it up – the NCO in charge wanted to close the hangar). I don’t think it suffered any long term damage, and I understand the 262 is at Cosford now?
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