In the ’60s, whilst cycling may have been the mode of transport for airfields withina reasonable distance, I joined the Air Training Corps and with uniform donned, it was easy to get a lift to wherever. In those days, people were only too pleased to give a lift to any ‘serviceman’ in uniform, as regarded as respectable and upstanding citizens doing their bit for the country. Little threat of mugging or abduction in those days! This was the only way to get about before I could drive and managed to hitch-hike to Benson, Little Rissington,South Cerney, Kemble, Fairford, Abingdon,Middle Wallop,Boscombe Down, Yeovilton, Hurn and, Colerne as well as countless lifts to/from RAF Lyneham.

I am stunned at the work that has gone into this, a real ‘Phoenix from ashes’ story! Fantastic work! The RAF Museum should be ashamed that they did not identify this aircraft earlier as this should be at Hendon. There was one other genuine former ‘Black Arrows’ Hunter in the UK right up to the early 90s. This was XE653 that was used as a ground instructional airframe at Scampton and actually painted in the same authentic Black Arrows scheme, so obviously it’s heritage had been recognised. Instead of keeping this one for the RAF Museum, what did the MoD do? Why sell it to Thunder City in South Africa!!!! Thank goodness that XG194 has been saved!

hi guys sorry to hi-jack the post! but im writing an essay on the sea devon and what its role was in the FAA but i cant seem to find any information about it anywhere!

cheers for any help

Ryan

Probably as the Sea Devon had a pretty pedestrian role in the FAA, being purely a communications transport aircraft. Main operator was 781 Squadron based at Lee-on-Solent, but one was allocated to each Royal Naval Air Station as a hack for use by the Station Commander. There were a couple painted green and white and one painted blue and white allocated to the the Flag Officer Naval Air Command and known as ‘Admirals’ Barges’. Hope this helps.

What is the reg? It appears to be G-AOXN?

AMB, don’t forget the duffle bag and jam sandwiches – and the lady who used to broadcast a running commentary on what was coming in next.

Ah yes I remember her well, as I was there the first time she and I had seen a Swissair DC-8 and announced that it was a 707, so I knocked on her door and corrected her. The commentary was interspersed with Glen Miller music usually. You guys really should get Avion Video’s DVD “London Airport in the ’50s and ’60s” as it’s all on there -research for this done by yours truly! Look here:
http://www.avionvideo.com/programDetails.asp?pid=27

Very sad and whats spooky is on the Sunday here in New Zealand, members of the Wings over New Zealand forum flew in Stan Smith’s DH84 Dragon. Bit shocked to hear one of the other surviving Dragons was missing the next day!

I was working my way through having flights in the world’a airworthy Dragons and was hoping to add VH-UXG and the one in NZ to my list, having flown in G-ADDI, EI-ABI and G-ECAN. So very sad. R.I.P.