[Sussex] OT - Vulcan to fly again....

[Stephen Williams]

On Mon, 2006-09-04 at 20:32 +0100, John Crowhurst wrote:
> On Mon, September 4, 2006 20:16, Stephen Williams wrote:
> > I find the enthusiasm for getting the Vulcan flying again hard to
> > understand. To my generation of R.A.F. pilots the Vulcan (the Aluminium
> > Hair Shirt) was the second least favoured pilot posting after the
> > Shackleton (Shacking Great Fu*klebomber or 20,000 Rivets Flying in Close
> > Formation). For a pilot it had nothing like the kudos of stovepipes or
> > even egg beaters.
> 
> In your generation, what was the most favoured pilot posting? Assuming you
> can mention it? (Offical Secrets and all that)
> 

Generally Fast Jet postings were regarded as the pick of the crop. Most
pilots had their individual preferences - fast jets like the Phantom,
Lightning and Harrier were most sought after, but the most demanding
fast jets were the single seat ground attack aircraft.

In order of difficulty, most demanding first:

1. Harrier - Single seat ground attack, vertical take off -
   Very popular, generally regarded as the epitome of flying tours.
   GR3 had very short range and was not very fast, contrary to poular
   myth. GR5 and later versions are very useful machines.
2. Jaguar - Single seat strike and attack, complex avionics -
   Not popular, very demanding to fly and operate, rugged and
   under-rated aircraft.
3. Lightning - Very limited endurance, very primitive avionics -
   Very popular - complete hooligan's machine - rocket powered sports
   car.
4. Tornado Ground Attack - all weather strike and attack, easier to fly
   Not popular except with ex-Vulcan crews. Very capable machine.
5. Buccaneer - horrible museum piece, loved by crews, very long range -
   Not popular, but engendered a strange affection in its crews. A
   complete nightmare to fly, and even worse, maintain.
6. Phantom - easy job, brute of an aeroplane -
   Popular but over-rated aircraft, a triumph of thrust over
   aerodynamics.
7. Tornado Air Defence - easy job, easy aircraft to fly.
   Not popular, seen as a bit of a bastard child of the ground attack
   version in a role for which it was not suited. Very, very fast by all
   accounts, but handicapped initially by overly complex and unreliable
   radar.

Helicopters were something of a law unto themselves. Guys who flew them
swore by them and wouldn't rate anything fixed wing. All helicopter jobs
appeared to be great fun, provided you didn't mind living out of tents
and working for the Army.

Multi engined aircraft were not so demanding and generally regarded as
less kudos enhancing than fast jets or helicopters. There were quite a
lot of different types, and on the transport squadrons you did get to
see a lot of the world, conversion to civvy licences was easier and it
was good preparation for an airline job.

The aircraft generally regarded as the worst flying tour was the
Shackleton AEW aircraft. The fact that this was still flying
operationally when I left the R.A.F. in 1988 was a searing indictment of
UK defence procurement policy. Now we have the Sentry AEW aicraft,
generally regarded as top drawer and an excellent piece of kit.

In my day the choice in multis was:

1. Hercules, particularly tactical support.
2. VC 10.
3. VIP stuff - Royal Flight etc.
....

....
4th. from last. Victor tankers - very dull but vital job.
3rd. from last. Nimrod maritime patrol - even duller job, just as vital.
2nd. from last. Vulcans - tankers and maritime reconnaisance - most dull
Last. Shackleton AEW - What did you do to deserve this? The only good
thing about this was that it was good preparation for flying the Battle
of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster.

I haven't mentioned training tours here because most instructors showed
a commendable loyalty to previous types flown. There were some first
tourist instructors who had no previous operational experience - known
as "Creamed Off" Instructors, or "Creamies" for short - generally
regarded with suspicion.

There were some tours that were unique. The tactical weapons units,
flying the Hawk, were great fun. And whose ego could fail to be massaged
by selection for the Red Arrows?

A quick, tongue-in-cheek snapshot of R.A.F. flying service in the 80's.

Hope that enlightens and amuses.







> The Shackleton can be seen here at the Gatwick Aviation Museum:
> http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/shack/shack.html
> 
> --
> John
> 
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