FighterControl

This is probably a long shot but does anyone have any pics of the above performing anywhere in the '70s?
After attending Legends @ Ch. Fenton with my grandson who's the 4th generation of my family to attend airshows there I've been inspired to do a third (and final) airshow book. As the Slivers gave probably the most memorable performance ever seen there in the days before I owned a SLR camera this is likely to be the best chance of including a photo of them in the book.
Good news for all of you who contributed to the Finningley book. The 2nd print run arrived today so you can expect to receive the promised complimentary copies next week.

Sadly Mick, no photo' but memorable for their appearance at Nottingham Tollerton "Barnstormers" airshow in 1971. Their rehearsal on a warm Friday afternoon, where the school classroom windows were open, provoked the comment from our elderly maths teacher, "does anyone know if we are at war?!" Only time I ever saw them. I believe they were operating out of Alconbury.

I only saw them a couple of times, once at the 1973 Biggin Hill 'Battle of Britain' show and at the 1975 Alconbury 'Open House' on the 28th June 1975 where I took these photos. The display consisted mostly of opposition passes followed by 'dumbbell' turns, from memory.

F-104G-FX21-FX90-Alconbury-28JN75 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

F-104G-FX90-Alconbury-28JN75 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

Sadly no pics, but saw them a few times. When they appeared at Biggin Hill, they used to operate from Manston. Couple of nice pics here too.

Thanks Mike. Those'll do nicely and well deserving of a copy of the book when it is published.

MikeH wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 22, 2023 10:28 am

I only saw them a couple of times, once at the 1973 Biggin Hill 'Battle of Britain' show and at the 1975 Alconbury 'Open House' on the 28th June 1975 where I took these photos. The display consisted mostly of opposition passes followed by 'dumbbell' turns, from memory.

F-104G-FX21-FX90-Alconbury-28JN75 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

F-104G-FX90-Alconbury-28JN75 by Michael Hall, on Flickr

You're not allowed to have great colour pics like that from 1975!!
Great pics, fantastic subject....many thanks for sharing!

Could nt agree more Pete. That's why they're going in the book!

Cracking pair of photo's of a very much missed aircraft. Can hear them now.....................

Hi Mick,
I did buy the 'Slivers' VHS video tape back in the early 80's. It covered the flying and action shots on the flightline taken on early cine film by their crewchief Raymond Delestinne. Also the post service lives of both pilots, Palmer De Vlieger and Steve Nuyts, who was a very involved in breeding and training horses. Sadly all three have now passed.
That fantastic video along with my F-104G book with in-depth photography by the Verlinden team of Belgian modellers were both borrowed by a friend never to be returned.. serious lesson learned there !
Just love the two shots posted by MikeH .. clearly I was stood only a few feet from him at the Alconbury NATO day in 1975
Here are my two shots sorry can't help with anything else





Best regards
Keith (3Greens)

I omitted to mention one of the best bits of the video was Steve Nuyts as a well retired Major, being invited back to an F-104G restoration by the Belgian AF and sitting in the cockpit for engine start up and then playing with the throttle through the 'rev range' to get that very distinctive 'Starfighter' howl ... just magic

F3 wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:54 am

Could nt agree more Pete. That's why they're going in the book!

Thanks for sorting through' yr extensive collection of pics Keith but I think Mike's pics will suffice. Particularly liking the landing shot which the Church Fenton audience never got to see as they poured on the coal and headed for home after finishing their display. Did nt know of the book you mention which is probably unobtainable now. Where were they based; Florennes or KB?
Incidentally just dispatched yr. Finningley book which should arrive Wed @ the latest.

Not sure what I am doing wrong but can’t even get pictures of this quality with modern gear they are beautiful MikeH.

Rob

F3 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:05 am

Where were they based; Florennes or KB?

1 Wing Beauvechain.

Rob666 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:20 am

Not sure what I am doing wrong but can’t even get pictures of this quality with modern gear they are beautiful MikeH.

Rob

Thanks.
They were shot using a Praktika L with a cheap (£18 new!) Hanimex 135mm lens with no autofocus. The film was Kodachrome II (25 ASA,) not the ideal film for what was a fairly dull day - I just got lucky.

Not a duo....the other one is out of shot!

A few from Biggin Hill 1974 , not the best but gives and idea ?


SLIVERS 1974 by Paul Newman, on Flickr

SLIVERS 1974 by Paul Newman, on Flickr

SLIVERS 1974 by Paul Newman, on Flickr

Those shots describe the routine perfectly PaulN.
That routine would include their planned pass as 'grass' or 'runway' which rhey would radio call
Dont think alot comes close to a routine like that.

Mick, these and Michael's shots are a superb memory.

I'm looking forward to my Finningley book when I return home
I had just visited the 617Sq memorial at the Derwent dam yesterday when a pair of Chinooks (Airwolf 1/2) came through at low level ..Great

I never got to visit the SSAFA airshows at Church Fenton so will be looking forward to this one Mick!
Cheers Keith (3Greens)

Thanks very much for those Paul. I can only agree with 3Greens on this and certainly intend using a couple of them. I seem to have rapidly gone from 0 pictures on this subject to enough for a two page spread, which sounds like a good idea. As for quality this is one of those occasions when content triumphs!