Ops-Normal.org

Sorry, but we’re completely out of blondes!

Sorry but this area is designated "Catch and release only".

PP

No, I don't want a part in the next James Bond film.

It's wonderful what you find floating on Cornish beaches!

"Go away...leave me alone, I officilaly retire from HM service... I have all I need.. GO AWAY"

A difficult one but I think Ex-A has it with "At least the helicopter thinks that it is amusing."

CharlieOneSix wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 10, 2023 10:37 pm

A difficult one but I think Ex-A has it with "At least the helicopter thinks that it is amusing."

Thank you C16. This is rather topical which I will explain later.

"Well, I did suggest you didn't let Charlie do the landing - you knew what happened last time".

If we don’t tell anyone, do you think that we’ll still get an invite to the Coronation?

"Charlie? Too much speed? Grass? Is this an accident report or a drugs order?..and no, I will not send out a team of engineers. Tell him he can jack himself off!"

CharlieOneSix wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 11, 2023 8:24 am

"Well, I did suggest you didn't let Charlie do the landing - you knew what happened last time".

I will give it to C16. Time line incorrect this happened before the Islay accident. Not his fault. We had gone in there a month before as we always did for a Royal flight to check out the strip. We stopped on the grass apron and the port wing just started to go down. He had found the only soft spot on it to park. It took hours to get out. We saw him at a reception that evening and he was very concerned about the situation. We assured him that it was out of the hole. Driving to the strip the following morning I spotted a new plantation. I pulled out a sapling and gave it to the ADC and asked if he would invite HRH to plant it into the hole which he had made which he did.

Thanks Ex-A....Try this....a Sea Venom (or Sea Vampire T22?) on the beach at Littlehampton in 1954. Presumably based nearby at HMS Peregrine (Naval Air Station Ford).

Well the obvious one is 'You are going to have to try something faster than this to get it airborne'

A modern day interpretation of "Turning swords into plow shears".

PP

Trials have begun on the new submersable seaplane...now we wait for the tide.

"CFI? Better have a word with the chaps again about low flying"

Some additional info I've found about the photo challenge I posted. The photo was given to me by the son of the Dragonfly SAR helicopter pilot who was based at Ford airfield. He also invented the Sproule net for rescue use on RN SAR helicopters in the 1950s. The aircraft is Sea Venom FAW20 WM547 of 809 Squadron based at Yeovilton. On 6 October 1954 it was doing Mirror ADDLs (Aerodrome Dummy Deck Landings) at Ford airfield when the HP cock was inadvertently closed on the downwind leg. It was force landed wheels up on the beach south of the airfield. The crew were Lt/Cdr J B Robathan and Lt G E Murray. John Robathan later became Captain of the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose from September 1971 to October 1973 - one of his last postings before he retired in that rank.

The photo apparently also appears in the third volume of Peter Campbell's "Tails of the Fifties" books. I am told the HP cock in the Sea Venom was in the same place as the airbrake lever in the Vampire. As most pilots trained on the Vampire before going onto the Sea Venom it was an accident waiting to happen...

CharlieOneSix wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:14 pm

Thanks Ex-A....Try this....a Sea Venom (or Sea Vampire T22?) on the beach at Littlehampton in 1954. Presumably based nearby at HMS Peregrine (Naval Air Station Ford).
VenomLittlehampton1954.jpg

Past judgment time Sir.

Oops, apologies! Not many to choose from but it’s Ex-Ascot again!

CharlieOneSix wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 10:30 am

Oops, apologies! Not many to choose from but it’s Ex-Ascot again!

Thanks C16. I think that if you can't think of a caption in a microsecond you haven't got it. Try this one then.