FighterControl

Between 1986 and 1989 I was a member of 1260 sqn Newark & Sherwood. I really enjoyed my time in the cadets and was lucky to get flying at Newton, Syerston and Scampton. The annual camps were a real laugh, especially the May camp at Proteus.

Looking back now it would've been great if they had some type of mentoring scheme that helped you work towards entry into your chosen trade. I know everyone wants to be a pilot at that age but a reality check may have made me work harder at school so I didn't bomb when I went for Aircrew selection.

What are your memories of ATC?

P.S. What ever happened to John Andrews?

As I turned 20 last week, I am now and ex-cadet. I was a member of 318 (Sale) Squadron and when I started University I transferred to 2229 (Loughborough) Sqn. As you said some of the best memories are from annual camps. Mine were Innsworth, Waddington and Benson. I was lucky in that I managed to complete a gliding scholarship and a flying scholarship. However I think the best moment was finally managing to win the drill comp at wing in my final year. Altogether a great experience and I am going back as a CI.

From 1980 to 1983 I was in 2121 Sqn Abingdon, 30 years ago! Was it really that long ago!

Iam curretly a Cpl at 2431 Keighley Sqn, Central and East Wing I finish my time in Feb 2011 but am looking at becoming a Adult NCO

195 Grimsby Sqn - '84 - '90.

P.S. What ever happened to John Andrews?

He jump, jumped Sir!

1232 (City of Dundee) squadron 1985 to 1989/90!

Jesus i feel old!!!
Arabest,
Geoff.

Come on, there must be someone out there older than me!

Blimey Arabjazzie, you feel old ?

228 (Bromley) Sqn 1975 - 78ish, made staff cadet while still a cadet. Agree on the trade help thing above, likewise I dropped right out when rejected for commissioned aircrew.

Camps at West Raynham (85 & 100 Sqn Canberras + Bloodhound Servicing flight, got a flight in a 100 Sqn B2), Coltishall (6, 41 & 54 Sqn Jaguars), Laarbruch (15 & 16 Sqn Buccaneers, 2 Sqn Jaguars), Scampton (27, 44 & ? Sqn Vulcans).

Quite a few weekends away at local army camps.

Good times (mostly).

i was a CI At 2180 Galashiels sqn oct 2007-jan 2010 my highlight was a base visit to linton in 2008 and flying in a Viking T.1,
my son is a sargent in the same sqn

mike

104 Sqdn City of Cambridge 91-94

Was a member of 2417(Newmarket), from 1986 to 1998 From cadet throught to Flying Officer. Was a flight a staff a cadet a 5 AEF at Cambridge when they had the Chipmunks and Huskey. Did my BGT at Swanton Mortury and had a launch failiure on my first solo. Went too Gibralter twice, Cyprus and Germany, had two flights in KC-135's, working at Mildenhall Air Fete and meeting loads of different characters along the line who influnced me in many different ways. My main highlight was flying in a Chipmunk into Mildenhall for Air Fete'91 for static display.

rgds

GC

Been with 366 squadron in sheffield since Feb'00, Aged out in Feb'07 as a CWO and went straight to being a CI, currently applying for a commission to get back in uniform
Camps as a Cadet-Henlow, High Wycombe,MIldenhall Air Fete 2001, Leuchars, Kinloss (twice) and Shawbury, Camps as a CI- Kinloss (twice), Leuchars and Wittering. Been flying in a Bulldog, Tutor, Gazelle,Sea King, Griffin (twice) Squirell (twice) Nimrod (6 hour flight over towards Denmark hunting subs), Puma and best of all a 4 hour flight in a Tristar over the north see refuelling Gr.4s, F3s and a single Vc-10.

Happy times indeed.

Mike

Bucky P wrote:Come on, there must be someone out there older than me!

Quite a bit older but I suspect a few others will be even more ancient !
I was in 381(Reading) Sqdn '64 to '67. Got lots of flying, solo'd for the first time in Cadet MK.3 WT894 of 613GS at Halton on 18 June'66 --- anyone else fly that one? Had a great summer camp at Gaydon in '66 which included a 4 hour trip in 2ANS Varsity T.1 WF378(B). Being in the ATC did open a few doors like getting into Greenham Common during the Operation Freloc airlift which was controlled from a mobile tower and radar shack ----- great days they were for a teenage spotter in uniform!
Graham.

Me...203 (Gainsborough) sqd 1982-1985 best time was a 32 minute trip in Slingsby T21 Sedburgh glider from Scampton,and a trip in an Air Atlatique Dakota from Humberside Airport Airshow,1984 i think...we had been on car parking duties for the event.I left at the age of 16 to thrash my FS1E (fizzy) round the streets of Gainsborough

5(F) Sqn. 63-70. Simply the best.
644 VGS. 67-70. Staff Cdt.
Royal Air Force. 71-98.

I can't even remember the years now but I was in 367 Squadron. It was rubbish. All they ever did was ceremonial drill. Dark rumours that one cadet might get a ride in a Chipmunk or a glider if he hung around for years and kissed-up to the right people... so I lost interest! I rebuilt their model collection though!

499 (Port Talbot) Sqn 1989/1990.

Didn't stay in the cadets long for one reason or another, but was a member of the aircraft recognition team, where in Llanelli, I came 1st as an individual, and also as part of a team where we won the same competition. Went on to take part in competitions in Aberystwyth and Hendon, where I came 3 overall nationally in the cadet competition and 16th I think it was in the second competition which also involved Air Britain, RAF Regiment peeps etc.

Usually have a chat with my Flying Officer from back then at Fairford but didn't see him there this year, so hope all is well.

Hi guys,
don't normally post but this intriqued me. ATC 665Sqn (Colfes GS) based Kidbrooke SE London 1965-68.
Fantastic 3.5 years with camps at Leconfield- Lightnings hoh!! and RAF Colerne Hastings (rattlers). Visits to St Mawgen Culdrose and nearer home RAF Manston (chippies) and Kenly (scarey gliders). Gave it all up to join DoT/DTI/NATS/CAA from 1969-2007 finishing up in SCATCC Prestwick. AAH The life has been good.
Sorry for the nostalga...good thread.
the Laird in Cumbria fit an well and waiting for the next low level Tonka toy to rattle the rafters in the Eden Valley

1982-1985 2500 (St Neots) Sqn. Joined RAF in 1986. Still in!!!

1977-1982 with 2452 (Shawlands Academy), Glasgow. I was back in Scotland recently and found my old Record of Service book. Happy days!
I left to join the Royal Observer Corps in 1982 and then joined the RAF in 1985 - Retired in 2007.

TJ