"Main Point" (Archive 32).Main Point Newsletter Archived 1st November 2011.
Tony Merry Reports.
John "Digger" Davis B.A.
[The photo shows John suitably attired celebrating with three friends from his Halton days, Jim Young, Tex Grundy and Tony Dovner.]
John is too modest to write to the Editor of The Haltonian extolling his achievement, it therefore falls to me as the 74th Entry Coordinator to write in his behalf.
Digger, no one can recall how this nickname originated nearly sixty years ago, is possibly the Bachelor of Arts who has taken the longest time as an undergraduate to achieve his degree. John read Humanities through the Open University and was capped and certified on the 3rd of September this year.
John poses a small riddle:-
"What is the connection between the numbers 300, 42 and 3?"
300, the sum total of the ages of the four chaps in the picture.
42, the number of years John spent as an undergraduate.
3, the significant date of graduation in September 2011.
If John continues his studies towards an MA, and continues at a similar pace will any of his three 74th Entry chums be available to help him celebrate?
Visit to RNAS Yeovilton 22 Sept 2011
Also from Tony.
Eight members attended a visit to RNAS Yeovilton on Thursday 22 Sept 2011. Five stayed overnight at the Travel Lodge at Podimore, which is quite near to the Air Station, to enable a 09:00 start to the tour of the facility.
On the Wednesday evening an excellent dinner with associated liquid refreshment was had at the Podimore Inn which is situated about half a mile from the Travel Lodge. Around 22:15 a taxi was requested to return us to the Lodge. It transpired that there was not a taxi to be found so the chef ferried us in his own car!
Slightly after 09:00, having been joined by three more members, we were met in the car park of the Fleet Air Arm Museum by our host Chief Petty Officer Jim Phillips (an aircraft artificer), who is the Visitor Liaison Officer for the station.
We were first taken to the Royal Navy Historic Flight, where we were handed over to Katie, a former WRNS officer, who gave us a most informative talk on the operating problems associated with the aircraft on their charge. The RNHF is operated as a charity, the aircraft are on the Navy inventory, operational funding comes from various sources, but not from the defence budget.
The pride of the Flight, The Swordfish.
The Canadians have the other of the two airworthy Swordfishes. The engine of this one was recently overhauled in the USA at a cost of around £100K. The RNHF have a further two, one under current overhaul, and another in storage.
Sea Fury.
The presentation of this Sea Fury is superb, the paintwork has a mirror finish. This aircraft is civil registered and is on loan to the RNHF.
Katie.
Well over an hour was spent in Katie's company so a photo call was obligatory before departure. We were then ferried to Naval Flight Standards for a welcome cuppa where we briefed our hosts on the Halton Entry system.
The Royal Navy operates Hawks, mainly for air shows. We were shown around by a Lieutenant of nine years service, who is waiting to hear if he is to be made redundant under the present round of defence cuts.
At the other end of the hangar we were shown a couple of Sea Harriers, which the RN is managing to keep under cover.
There followed a viewing of the Air Traffic Control facility and a climb to the top of the tower. After which we were transported back to the FAA Museum for lunch and more gazing at aircraft ancient and modern.
A highlight of the museum visit is the Carrier Experience, during which one is "flown" shore to ship in a Wessex helicopter, a two-minute ride with full engine and rotor noises, ending with a bump as the helo touches down on the heaving flight deck. Once on the deck one witnesses the landing-on, recovery in RN language, of a Buccaneer, that misses the arrester wire and has to do a second circuit, and the launch of a Phantom, complete with reheat flame and jet stream wind! Various other parts of the ship's island are also visited, ending on the lift with an aircraft being taken down to the hangar below decks.
Presentation.
Our host CPO Jim Phillips being presented with a thank you certificate.
The Canberra and the WH699 Crash.
Peter Chappelle Reports.
"I read Dennis Purvis account of the crash of Canberra WH699 with some interest. [Ed: See previous Newsletter page.]
"I was posted from Thorney Island to Mamby that year and was allocated to RAF Strubby which was a satellite of Mamby. I was assigned to the Canberra Flight which had assorted types including WH699 Aries IV and WT528 Aries V which was a heavily modified PR7. Aries IV held various records as mentioned.
Aries V (WT528).
Aries V had extra fuel tanks in the Flare Bay and fuselage. It also had a special oxygen system. It was so heavy when full that we had to tow it down to the runway threshold. It was I believe being used for high-altitude temperature research as well as the normal traning task we had.
"It was a small outfit with mainly National Servicemen as supposedly it was just first-line. When I arrived as a Corporal Tech I found I was going to be engine boss as the SNCO was away on his STM course which was about 6 months in those days. My first weekend was a double engine change on Aries V. Bit of a shock but remembered all the Avon stuff from Halton and got on with it. The Avons on Aries V were specially prepared by RR and were allowed an extra 200 rpm at max so instead of 7950 rpm they were set at 8150 rpm.
"Getting back to Aries IV (WH699).
"The night before the crash I had been trying to set the accels on the port engine but could not get within the tolerance. The aircraft was nominated to depart on a Lone Ranger the next day so after some discussion it was decided to red-line the snag (It was only slightly out) until the aircraft returned.
"That day it was overcast with a low cloud base. I was standing in Chiefy's office when the phone rang and the call came in to say 699 had crashed. Chiefy picked up the F700 and dropped in a drawer and locked it. Obviously there was an inquiry but both I and my big mate George Neilson (Corporal Rigger) who had recently fitted a new tailplane jack, were not too involved. I will always remember George on the phone to Farnborough trying to explain (with hand gestures!) some intricate part of the job.
"We heard various reasons for the crash but I do not think it appropriate to comment without some facts.
"Aries V continued to follow me around the world.
"I was at Embakasi (then the name for Nairobi Airport) in Kenya when I got a call from my boss at Eastliegh. "Hey Pete, we have got a very strange Canberra just arrived!" I knew immediately it was Aries V. The Canberra was just an exeptional aeroplane. My last memory was a ride up from St Mawgan to Manchester in a 7 SQN aircraft to pick up Nimrod XV 231 from the works.
Peter,"
Associated Website Links!
Check this Crash Report.
Life at RAF Strubby. Between 1954 and 1959.
Any Comments?
Michael Lewis - In Case You Missed the Email from Tony
Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Nomination.
Michael has been nominated to carry the Olympic Flame with Lloyds TSB in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
A Copy of Mike's CV for the Record.
" Mike Lewis has been a volunteer junior swimming coach with Chippenham A S C for over 35 years and still coaches 2 hours a week ! He has trained them to the higest of levels. He also runs a Charity Trust Fund which gives sporting, talented, young people grants to help them improve their sporting ability. The Trust has raised and given over £8,000 to this cause. He has a great interest in all sports and will help anyone out at any time. Mike also belongs to the local Good Neigbours scheme. For many years he has carried out work for members of the community less able to perform them for themselves. He served in the RAF for 23 years and was on Active service in Malaya for 2 1/2 years. Mike is such a good kind person, and supports England sports at every opportunity. He is 75yrs old, and would be so proud to carry the Olympic flame."
News Items and Stories Needed.
[Editor] Please send me any news items or stories that may be of interest to members of the 74th Entry Association or any other visitors to the 74th Entry Website.
Joe Bosher (74th).