Visit: RAF Linton On Ouse

Jimbuna · 10-14-12, 01:17 PM

Took a trip down with a few friends (Boris, Concorde, Squadron Wings) having booked in advance and once through the usual security checks (two docs, one to include a photo) we were escorted to the Halifax Block to be shown around the Memorial Room by Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby.

RAF Linton On Ouse mission statement is simple: To train tommorow's fast-jet aircrew.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflintononouse/

http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflintononous...memorialrm.cfm

We all had a great visit and a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

Herr-Berbunch · 10-14-12, 01:49 PM

Good stuff. Never been to Linton, unless I went as a cadet from a camp at Leeming, I'll check later.

Jealous.

Jimbuna · 10-14-12, 02:05 PM

I honestly wasn't sure if it was my kind of visit what with there being no fast jets or Hawks even but the Wing Commander had been there since 1977 and certainly knew his stuff.

Another plus was seeing original photos of the 4 Group RAF aircrews as well as some of the famouse senior officers such as Harris and Cheshire, not to mention the large array of different bomber types.

Oberon · 10-14-12, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

the Wing Commander had been there since 1977 and certainly knew his stuff.

More than that, I do believe he's been mentioned on these boards before...let me rummage...can't find it but I'm sure it was brought up.

Quote:

In early November 2008 Wing Commander Paul Gerrard, who is based at the station, was involved in an unusual mid-air rescue. Sixty-five-year-old Jim O'Neill was flying a four seater Cessna 182 from Scotland to Essex after a family holiday, when he had a stroke which caused temporary blindness. Gerrard was on a training flight, and after being alerted to the situation, located O'Neill's aircraft and over a 45 minute period, guided O'Neill to a safe landing at Linton

Jimbuna · 10-14-12, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

More than that, I do believe he's been mentioned on these boards before...let me rummage...can't find it but I'm sure it was brought up.

I was referring to another Wing Commander.....Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby

Heard today that Linton and Leeming may be closed next year

Oberon · 10-14-12, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I was referring to another Wing Commander.....Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby

Heard today that Linton and Leeming may be closed next year

And that's what I get for being distracted by the pictures and missing your introductory paragraph...

Either which way, good to hear that he's in charge of the collection there, it helps to have someone who has a vested interest in the matter to look after a museum. Makes it more interesting when you get nattering to them too.

When I went to the Cold War Museum at Bentwaters Nagys dad was explaining the ins and outs of some of the systems there since he used to do jobs on the base back in the 1980s. You pick up some interesting tidbits of info that aren't on display, and there was also a pretty cool American chap who used to work at Bentwaters around the same time. I once thought I saw a F-117 at Bentwaters back in the same timeframe and he denied seeing any, so either it's classified (not likely) or my ID was incorrect (more likely, it was getting dark and I was young).

Shame about Leeming and Linton, bases are dropping like flies now. Got to feel sorry for 100 Squadron, they've been shunted from pillar to post since Finningley folded.

Jimbuna · 10-14-12, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

And that's what I get for being distracted by the pictures and missing your introductory paragraph...

Either which way, good to hear that he's in charge of the collection there, it helps to have someone who has a vested interest in the matter to look after a museum. Makes it more interesting when you get nattering to them too.

When I went to the Cold War Museum at Bentwaters Nagys dad was explaining the ins and outs of some of the systems there since he used to do jobs on the base back in the 1980s. You pick up some interesting tidbits of info that aren't on display, and there was also a pretty cool American chap who used to work at Bentwaters around the same time. I once thought I saw a F-117 at Bentwaters back in the same timeframe and he denied seeing any, so either it's classified (not likely) or my ID was incorrect (more likely, it was getting dark and I was young).

Shame about Leeming and Linton, bases are dropping like flies now. Got to feel sorry for 100 Squadron, they've been shunted from pillar to post since Finningley folded.

Tis just a rumour at this stage mind and hopefully won't come to anything.

Oberon · 10-14-12, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Tis just a rumour at this stage mind and hopefully won't come to anything.

Aye, they managed to save Marham, so it's possible.

Herr-Berbunch · 10-14-12, 04:21 PM

My old unit moved there (Leeming) a few years ago, I hope they don't have to move again, or if they do, as I originally hoped - to Scampton.

Reading a book at the moment called Flying into the Flames of Hell, first person accounts of life in Bomber Command during the '39-'45 conflict, as Uncle Albert would say. Quite a few were at Linton at one point or another. Many former stations also get a mention, soon there'll be nothing left but a bit of engraved granite at all these once-teeming places.

Jimbuna · 10-15-12, 05:00 AM

Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby

Linton was the only UK airfield the F-86 Sabre flew out of.

Canopy and ejector seat.

Herr-Berbunch · 10-15-12, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Aye, they managed to save Marham, so it's possible.

Suicide capital of the Air Force. If one place should've closed it is Marham!

Gerald · 10-15-12, 06:21 AM

Good photos,

Jimbuna · 10-15-12, 01:47 PM

Oberon · 10-15-12, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Suicide capital of the Air Force. If one place should've closed it is Marham!

I've heard that it's not exactly the entertainment capital of Europe...

Quote:

Linton was the only UK airfield the F-86 Sabre flew out of.

Really? How did that come about? I presume you mean only non-USAFE airfield the Sabre flew out from?

Jimbuna · 10-15-12, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

I've heard that it's not exactly the entertainment capital of Europe...

Really? How did that come about? I presume you mean only non-USAFE airfield the Sabre flew out from?

According to the Wing Commander linton was the only UK located airbase the RAF flew them out of....the rest being abroad.

There were USAF variants based at RAF Shepherds Grove for example.

10-14-12, 01:17 PM	#1
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Visit: RAF Linton On Ouse Took a trip down with a few friends (Boris, Concorde, Squadron Wings) having booked in advance and once through the usual security checks (two docs, one to include a photo) we were escorted to the Halifax Block to be shown around the Memorial Room by Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby. RAF Linton On Ouse mission statement is simple: To train tommorow's fast-jet aircrew. http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflintononouse/ http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflintononous...memorialrm.cfm We all had a great visit and a thoroughly enjoyable day out. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-14-12, 01:49 PM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Good stuff. Never been to Linton, unless I went as a cadet from a camp at Leeming, I'll check later. Jealous. __________________

10-14-12, 02:05 PM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I honestly wasn't sure if it was my kind of visit what with there being no fast jets or Hawks even but the Wing Commander had been there since 1977 and certainly knew his stuff. Another plus was seeing original photos of the 4 Group RAF aircrews as well as some of the famouse senior officers such as Harris and Cheshire, not to mention the large array of different bomber types. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-14-12, 04:21 PM	#9
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	My old unit moved there (Leeming) a few years ago, I hope they don't have to move again, or if they do, as I originally hoped - to Scampton. Reading a book at the moment called Flying into the Flames of Hell, first person accounts of life in Bomber Command during the '39-'45 conflict, as Uncle Albert would say. Quite a few were at Linton at one point or another. Many former stations also get a mention, soon there'll be nothing left but a bit of engraved granite at all these once-teeming places. __________________

10-15-12, 05:00 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Wing Commander (retired) Alan Mawby Linton was the only UK airfield the F-86 Sabre flew out of. Canopy and ejector seat. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-15-12, 06:21 AM	#12
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Good photos, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-15-12, 01:47 PM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,539 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	__________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!