Just to prove that I can take some slightly better quality photos, here are a selection from my local yard, that of Carsons Helicopters PA. Since I came to the US some 6 years ago I have not forgotten my roots in British Military and although I am interested in all things aviation, my knowledge oif the equipmernt used by the US military is rudimentary. I will not embarras myself by providing any detail to these shots except to say that they are all in the last 3 years.

QP

Ian Old, your wish is my command. But first this to Dr Strangelove. I find it fascinating to see the log book entries of the folks that actually flew these aircraft. It somehow adds an extra dimension, where was your father based in 1953?

So on to the log for RAF Catterick for 26 July 1977, and I apologise to those that might find this a bit tedious. I will type the info exactly as it appears in my log but I will try to correct the spelling erros and poor grammer.

WL755 Shackleton MR2, nose burnt and lying in the fire training area on its belly.
XA939 Victor B(K)1 lying on belly minus nose. Acting as its nose was the front end of a white Vulcan.
XJ895 Sycamore HR14 coded SU, crumpled wreck.
XN559 Jet Provost T3, fuselage only, lying on its side.
WL629 Varsity T1 coded K, a bit battered but still complete.
WV736 Pembroke C1 dismantled. 60 Sqn markings.
WF422 Varsity T1 coded B, silver/dayglo.
7912M/WN895 Hunter rear fuselage only.
Unknown Meteor T7 with yellow T bands in the burning area. Burnt.
Remains of a Shackleton with what appears to the a Varsity tail tagged on. Used for fire practise earlier on in the visit.
TG536 Hastings, minus engines.
XE851 Vampire T11 coded B. Due to be exchanged with an example in private ownership in London.
XH647 Victor B(K)1 untouched. 57 Sqn markings.
WJ896 Varsity T1 coded D.
Unknown Pembroke marked CG partly camoflaged believed to be WV754.
WN310 Meteor T7 standing on nose. Burnt.
XM997 LightningT4 minus wings, tail etc. Used for rescue training.
XJ380 Sycamore HR14 coded SM.
XN925 Buccaneer S1.
XH228 Canberra B(I)8 coded B ex RAF St Athan.
A panel from Meteor WH250 was noted lying near the Lightning.

In the Safety Section hanger were the following:
VW452 Meteor T7 nose section, coded S.
WT362 Canberra B(I)8 nose section, coded R.
XA939 Victor B(K)1 nose section.
Canberra B2 nose section, the ejection seat was marked WH925.
Unknown Hunter nose section reported to be WT646/7410M.

The ejection seat section held four seats only one was marked ie Sea Vixen XS583.

Gliding involved WB979 and XE808.

I have not changed my recording of aircraft serial number or aircraft mark. Any errors were those made 34 years ago and I can no longer be held responsible.

Hope this is useful/interesting.

QP

Many thanks for the correction. It was a very long time ago and I know I was based in Kingston upon Hull at the time. As I was typing Huddersfield, I wondered if my memory was playing tricks but I thought if I am wrong I am sure someone will point out the error of my ways. And they did, many thanks.

Yes I can still remeber the smell of the smelter and also the general run down feel and look of the entire place. It seemed almost to be a fitting end to old discarded airframes that served the country so well in former years. Of course I could think of a much better ending but …..

Interesting comments about the helmet shot. I have felt ever since I took it that it had an odd erie feeling to it,. Difficult to describe but its there nevertheless. Thats why I included it.

Glad you approve of the pictures taken for my own interest so many years ago, I never had an inkling that they would be on such public view later on. I am very happy to share with interested folks.

QuePee

The last ones at Catterick

Here is the last few taken at RAF Catterick on 26 July 1977. I had to rush through taking these as I had to get over to RAF Finningley for the last practise session before the Silver Jubillee flypast. I was lucky to attend both the official Royal day and also the first of the two public days but that as they say is another story and another few dozen pictures.

We start off with a couple of Pembrokes, the first one being WV736.

Followed by WV754 (I think).

Shackleton WL755 looking very close to expiring. Notice the Meteor T7 that was featured in an earlier post.

I know someone was waiting for the pictures of the Varsities at RAF Catterick to appear. I hope you are not too disappointed and that they show one of the aircraft you were/are interested in.

Lastly the second Varsity, WL629.

QP

Moving on to 1977

Just a couple for this post. Lightning T4 XM967 was on the dump at Kemble for quite a while and I captured these shots on 3rd Jan 1977. The second is a close up of the detail just below the cockpit. Please excuse the dust on the slides………

QP

You really should not encourage me….,.This could go on for quite a while yet.

17 September 1975 A couple of Varsities at RAF Kemble awaiting their turn for the JCB (that was how they were “dismantled” in those days). Sorry I do not have the serials to hand at the moment but I know they are in my logbook at home.

The next three are rather poor pictures fior which I apologise. If only digital was available in those days and if only I could have afforded one…. The first one is a Meteor at Tarrant Rushton taken on 4 Oct 1975 and is obviously WM234.

A couple from RAF Bicester, firstly Ex A&AEE Hastings TG500 followed by an even poorer shot of Whirlwind XK937.

QP

Another Batch

A few more from my collection in the period 1974-1975.

Shackleton WB847 at RAF Kinloss on a sunny day 27 August 1974.

Hastings TG514 at RRE Pershore on my birthday 31 August 1974.

Argosies and Meteors at RAF Kemble on 8th Feb 1975. The Meteors were WL349 and WF991. Anyone know their ultimate fates, were they scrapped?

More Agosies at RAF Kemble this time on 8th Feb 1975.

Lastly XF707 Shackleton MR3 at RAF Benson on 31 May 1975

QP

Porton Down

The establishements at Porton Down have changed their names numerous times over the years. When I was there in the early 1970’s it consisted of the Chemical Defence Establishment and the Microbiological Research Establishment. A nearby site at Winterbourne Gunner was called the Nuclear and Biological Warefare Establishment and was also a MOD run affair but totally separate from Porton Down. I think thats about all I can say, the signing of the Official Secrets Act in 1972 precludes anything else (probably).

In some earlier posts this aircraft was mentioned. Its not a scrapyard photo but was taken at Coventry on 29 Oct 1972.

QP