"Coronet Spark" 1984

[Focal_Plane]

Hi everyone,

Not an old serial query as such, but a date question regarding the arrival of the aforementioned deployment to RAF Woodbridge in 1984.

In SEAR magazine they have the four A-7s from the 4450thTG arriving here 31.10.84 but BARG reports they came in on 1.11.84, a day later. I`m wondering if anyone could confirm which is correct and may have been there for their arrival?

Although BARG show the 1st of November as their arrival date I note they also show KC-10s s/n 82-0191 and 83-0080, both 22ndARW, arriving at Mildenhall on the 31st October and suspect these may have been the support tankers.

MTIA

John

[plmc135]

Try the following:- http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy84.htm

[Focal_Plane]

Try the following:- http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy84.htm

Yes, I`m aware of that site but, like SEAR, it`s quoting 31.10.84 and the query is that BARG quotes 1.11.84.

Thank you

[Malcolm]

Try the following:- http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy84.htm

Yes, I`m aware of that site but, like SEAR, it`s quoting 31.10.84 and the query is that BARG quotes 1.11.84.

Thank you

[s]November 1st was a Saturday in 1984. I'm 99% certain I 'boxed' them coming in from Lands End (Callsign was "Delta" IIRC) on the Friday(Oct 31st). I went to the shop at Heathrow on the Saturday to find out what they were, and was surprised to find out they were "Luncheon Vouchers". My radio log books are at home, so I may be able to confirm tonight.[/s]

ETA - Actually scrub that got the wrong year on my calendar. Will look at the logs tonight though

[Focal_Plane]

Try the following:- http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/html/deploy84.htm

Yes, I`m aware of that site but, like SEAR, it`s quoting 31.10.84 and the query is that BARG quotes 1.11.84.

Thank you

[s]November 1st was a Saturday in 1984. I'm 99% certain I 'boxed' them coming in from Lands End (Callsign was "Delta" IIRC) on the Friday(Oct 31st). I went to the shop at Heathrow on the Saturday to find out what they were, and was surprised to find out they were "Luncheon Vouchers". My radio log books are at home, so I may be able to confirm tonight.[/s]

ETA - Actually scrub that got the wrong year on my calendar. Will look at the logs tonight though

Thanks Malcom,

Fingers crossed you still have your old radio logs and can add a little / confirm the date etc.

Regards,

John

[tim_3216]

I can't add anything to directly answer the question, other than to my knowledge the Sharpshooter website (Pete Greengrass) used BARG as a primary source for its research for the Coronet pages.

There is reference to Coronet Spark towards the end of a fascinating article on UK involvement in the the F-117 project here https://www.key.aero/article/hidden-his ... moonflower That article also references 31st October to 14th November 1984, but may well have used Sharpshooter as the source!

A very interesting deployment though. It would seem the purpose of this coronet was to give the F-117 (still a black project then) pilots and ground crews European theater experience in the A-7.