Goose Bay, Labrador. Canada.

QUOTE=wingcomandrflap;1372973]Found amongst some slides an old friend gave me years ago. Sorry it is over exposed. I have tried to clean it up.

XH558 somewhere abroad, the states I think, poss Canada

[ATTACH]170302[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

Hi Winco-Flap,
It’s at RAF Unit Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada and was taken pre-Spring Summer 1972, because here 558 is on the Old Canadian DOT Ramp, wheras, the USAF moved their KC-97 Tankers out of Goose and the RAF Unit moved in during 72. ( The old WW2 side was much better, more atmosphere, but limited facilities. ) The Re-Fuel tankers were the one used by Canadians and Civil side at that time, ( where we were )

I spent time at Goose, see other post. :D–LOL.

Bill T.

The Blue-Steel Test Valiants–Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Dave,
Wonderful !!!! Thank you very much for putting these great pics. up. These sort of pics. I never dared take, as a serving RAF member who had to sign the Official secrets act, it was more than your job and life was worth, very severe penalties would follow if you were found having any records of any kind, including pics. And the Blue Steel and everything to do with it was top-very top secret. ( My pics. were “Official” taken by 4JSTU Photog, who I still talk to today. ) So If it wasn’t for you Dave who was a civillian enthusiast, youngster,living at Changi with Service parents and was in the best position to “Beat the system”, but for your dogged perserverance and know how to approach people, we would not be enjoying these pics.

Thanks again. Have to agree with you and “Anon” ,– as a youngster in the 1950’s, I was starstruck by these V-Bombers, and being in ATC then was really something, you could get trips in RAF Aircraft by just asking, .303 Lee-Enfield Rifles were kept in a locker at our ATC Sqdn. in a school in Kings Heath Birmingham for weapons practice and Rifle Drill. Try doing that in this enlightened day and age in Brum would see you consigned to Guantanamo Bay. ( I look nothing like Bin Laden anyway )

We were taught by EX RAF -WW2 Pilots, Navigators, Armourers, Riggers, men who really wanted to pass on their experiences and Know how and looking back ,I realise what a lucky young man I was. Compare that with todays ATC Sqdns. Most ex-RAF folk I know won’t go anywhere near ATC Units, ( Me included ) because of our repressive Legal rights, Health and Safety and other shallow self serving Laws, that mean you are always walking a tight rope in a social minefield. We covered all this sort of stuff in our Service times and coped very well. So the youngsters lose out and so does the UK. But I think this Government cares not one Jot and has plans to turn all Forces into one minute Self Defence Force anyway. ( But will still go picking fights with other countries ). So those now far off days in Singapore, Aussie, Cyprus, etc,etc, the likes of which we will not see again, really should be preserved wherever possible in all aspects we can think of, (which is what drove me to get my 2 Sea-Hawks ) so we can show any interested youngsters and parents what it was like.

It Makes me puke to think what has been done to our Aircraft Industry, as thousands of other people must have done when their jobs and the Industry was dismantled deliberately by Harold Wilson and co. We were at the very forefront all right and it was all thrown away. Just pick up some old copies of “Flight ” and look at what we produced and the jobs going during 1950’s / early 60’s.

Anyhow, I’m creeping off thread here, – My Rant over-.::eek: 😀

Does anyone out there know how, where, and exact dates these particular Valiants were scrapped ? I have an Ejection Seat I think is from a Valiant, have a look at Pics. folks and tell me, It certainly seems to be a Martin Baker Mk.3 with armrests.

The Reluctant Sea-Hawks—-Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

🙂 Hi Dave,
What superb pictures—– is there no stopping you-LOL.+

Up here in Mersey side /Nth. Wales area a small group of us have been putting time and effort into Aquisition-History-Restoration and fun with most of 2 Sea- Hawks and 2 Cockpits. All documented now on other threads here.
They are bare bones skeletial scrappers saved from extinction 2 yrs. ago. out of Yeovilton scrap compound and are now located at old RAF Hooton Tech Site up here on the Wirral. the Country has been scoured for spares with some amazing results, but wings–big panels–Control surfaces ,etc,etc, still needed. Roy Coates has re-built WV-838 ‘s C/pit from a scrapyard wreck ( see wv-838.com ) and she looks good, now owned by Jon Howard. ( Hi Jon/Roy ). And of course G. Sparkes with his ” Unknown” C/pit.

Although we have a really good Info coverage, Tec. Manuals-Pics. Histories-Books, up till now what’s lacking has been pictorial coverage of A “Liney’s” life on Sea-Hawks. Your brilliantly taken Pics. have changed that and here is a slice of Indian Navy / RAF Changi –“Life”. For me, the close up shots ,especially of the underwing stores, and Nav. lights are wonderful, ( Nav. lights aren’t clearly defined anywhere.- till now )

If you intend to come up this way at some point, PM me and we’ll be happy to show you our situation so far, have a look around and a good old Yap. And you can get aquainted with 2 old warriors type.

A Sea-Hawk from the Vikrant went into sea after take off and the pilot stayed in and sank down with her whilst the Vikrant passed overhead, he then ejected, underwater, successfully, Phew!!!!! ( Name and other details escape me ) I would not wish to eject in a M.B. Mk.2D seat at any time.!!!!!:eek:

It’s gerr–ait to see such interest in the Sea-Hawk, as till recently, she has been one of the “Forgotten Aircraft.” Here’s some pics. from WV-903 and XE-339’s recovery from Yeovilton, We had to split each Aircraft into 3 big lumps to get them in Brothers yard and 2 yrs. later got the OK to move them to Hooton, where they will enjoy a static but exuberant 4th. life.

Much to be done, but great fun being able to do it and really good that you recorded all that interesting Stuff 43-6 yrs. ago. Many thanks for sharing.

Bill T.

Vulcan Going OUT.

Sadsack: only a cheap ‘Samoca’ 35mm camera with a fixed 45mm f2.8 lens. I took about 1200 aircraft pics in those 2 and half years but had to battle with processsing problems. The local camera shops had no clever film developing machines and controlling the water temperature during development was a nightmare. I was only getting very small prints initially and didn’t really notice how contrasty the pictures usually were. Eventually my dad bought me an enlarger and I started to sort out the problems. I would stay up late with my bedroom windows blacked out with blankets and washed the prints in the bath!
I still had some rather contrasty (or even soft) negatives because of the water temperature problems. Luckily a great many of the negs came out as good as these. Still upsetting to find some that are poor because of the ‘grain’ on the negs being messed up by incorrect development.
Just compare the first of my Lancaster sequence:

with these two of another great Avro- the Vulcan:

You can see that the Vulcan pics are crawling in ‘grain’ and are very soft as well!
The Vulcan by the way is XH539 that took part in Blue Steel tests at Woomera. Taken mid 1961 so I think she’s on her way out to Woomera. Just reading Tim McLelland wonderful Avro Vulcan book but still can’t work out whether she’s ‘going or coming back’!
Dave T

Hi Postfade,
Great pictures again. Vulcan XH-539 was indeed on her way out to Edinburgh Field in South Australia to participate in The Blue Steel Missile Trials. No. 4 J.S.T.U. formed out there about that time for this task, but Hawker Siddely Dynamics( AVRO’s ) were running the Aircraft till around 62-3 when 4 JSTU took over.

XH-539 Joined Victor XL-161 and 3 Valiants at Edinburgh Field, but the Valiants disappeared early in 63 when this Intercrystaline corrosion was discovered and they were flown back to UK to be scrapped.

XH-539 and XL-161 continued with the Trials till around 1965, then flew back to UK. XL-161 actually got into a spin with a Blue Steel missile on Board, which was jettisoned and Brake para. deployed that straightened spin out, she landed OK and eventually became a Tanker back in RAF Service again, being scrapped at Lyneham Circa 1995.

I beleive XH-539 was scrapped in 1970’s on Waddo or Scampton dump.
A great shame, as these 2 Aircraft should have been preserved.

But then again, I’m biased, as I worked on XL-161 as a young RAF J/T and CPL Airframes man on 4 JSTU. Out at Edinburgh Field at that time. here’s some pics.

In the Groundcrew Pic. by Xl-161’s wing, I’m the wee chap with foot on Crew Chief ” Dinger” Bell’s Shoulder. He shared this duty with 2 others, Johnny Walker, ( On Right of group ) and ???? ( Well it was 45 years ago now-:D )

Bill T.

Looks Like early UK Jet Fighter Alt.

Hi Gary,
It looks like a mk 19 -ish Altimeter used on Hunters -Sea-Hawks and probably most of UK’s early -Mid 50’s RAF and NAVY Fighter Jets.

There should be a Sect /Ref No Stamped on the front Face plate, something Like :-
eg:- 6B / 3156 ( that will be a Mk.20C (P )though )

post that up here and it will be absolutely identified with several types of Fighter. 😀

Bill T.

Hunter Canopies–Add ons.

Hi Wyvern,
Agh !! Yes, it could well have. Don’t wish to disclose location of these finds as it would be embarrasing for me and him if owner found folk scouting all over his land for Spitfire relics,etc. Remember these were a specific Grandads purchase, years ago. It is good to be able to help out project owners and promotes a good spirit too, so you were right and I know the Brooklands Hunter owner well, found him some Hunter Belly panels too in Somerset.

Incidentally Wyvern, ( hate to rub it in,–but I’m going to -LOL ;)) but at ( I think ) the very last RAF Castle Bromwich Air Show in 1957, as an ATC Cadet ( 493 Squadron, Kings Heath, Birmingham ) I saw a Wyvern fly in for static Display,then an Aerobatic show and depart. I was able to get to it and look around and in the C/pit too and remember how impressive it all was. That was the only one I ever saw too. That Airfield is of course the now long stood Castle Vale Housing Estate, ( Yuk !!! No way am I going back there, my memories are sufficient )

It made a strange sound for those times and of course was the link between last of Navy Prop Fighters and Jet Fighters. ( PM me any questions,) I like early Navy jets and Wyvern. and will happily look for bits for you. Might be able to help too with Some systems and components Info, that is tech manuals ,ETC.

Pogno, apologies for departing from thread—:D Back to subject.

Bill T.