RAF Valley through the years

[avro748]

Some photos taken on 05-08-94 of the arrivals for the 1994 Valley Air Show.

MM7159:3-33 AMX 3 Stormo


E11:7-PE Jaguar E EC2/7


84-0044:SP F-15D 53FS,52FW


FA-112 F-16A 2 Squadron


WK128 Canberra B2(TT) RAE Llanbedr


ZG712:F Tornado GR1A 13 Squadron


Other participants of note were Danish F-16's and Finnish Hawk's.

Cheers

Shaun

[thetexpat]

Battle of Britain Day Fifty Years Ago (17th.Sept.1960)!


Vickers Valiant B.K.1 XD823
d/d 21/11/1956, s.o.c. 01/03/1965 and broken up for scrap at Marham.


Gloster Javelin FAW.7 XH783
Allocated to A.F.D.U. (Guide Weapons). d/d 31/12/1958, to No.1 SoTT Halton for G/I as 7798M 09/05/1963. Listed as privately owned in the Catford, Lewisham area Oct.2006.


Canberra PR7 WT535
Based with 2nd. TAF in Germany. Later converted to T22. d/d 25/10/1955, transferred to Royal Navy 15/02/1971, broken up 10/1991 at St. Athan.


Canberra WH878
d/d 15/12/1953, loaned to RNZAF 07/1958 to 01/1962, s.o.c. 07/01/1972 as CAT 5(c) at St. Athan and scrapped.


Hawker Hunter F.4 XF933
Converted to Hunter T.8C. d/d 04/04/1956, transferred to the Royal Navy 16/05/1963, w/o 15/02/1965, wreckage sold as scrap 23/12/1965 at Fleetlands.


Vickers Varsity T.1 WJ939
d/d 23/02/1953, s.o.c. 15/09/1975 at No.5 MU Kemble and sold as scrap to Birds, Long Marston.


de Havilland Vampire T.11 WZ553 & Provost T.1. XF888
Vampire T.11: d/d 09/04/1953, sold to HSA 02/12/1968, to G-DHYY 17/03/1995, canx 07/11/2002, pod converted to flight sim, privately owned Stockton, Warwickshire. Provost T.1: d/d 11/11/1955, sold as scrap 13/07/1964 at No.27 MU Shawbury.


Westland Whirlwind HAR 2. XK987
Based at RAF Valley. f/f 02/07/1956, d/d 17/07/1956, to AMS Brize Norton 03/10/1973 for G/I as 8393M, to No.16 MU Stafford for G/I 09/03/1977, to Swynnerton Camp, Newcastle-under-Lyme during 1985; 'perished (disappeared?)' during 1993.


Lockheed T-33 16953


English Electric Thunderbird 1
From the missile range at Ty Croes. Colour: overall black with red trim and gold nose cone.

All additional notes courtesy of the
www.wolverhamptonaviationgroup.co.uk/ at:
www.demobbed.org.uk/index.htm
and
www.ukserials.com/

[thetexpat]

Battle of Britain Day 49 Years ago (16th.Sep.1961)!

Gloster Javelin FAW.7 XH782
'A' of Guided Weapons Development Unit. d/d 15/01/1959, to No.1 SoTT Halton for G/I as 7797M 09/05/1963, scrapped during 1967.


Hawker Hunter F.4 XF969
'26' of E.T.P.S. @ Farnborough. Converted to FR74B. f/f 14/04/1956, d/d 01/05/1956, to No.1 SoTT Halton 19/05/1967 for G/I as 7935M 19/05/1967, sold to Hawker Siddeley Aviation 02/1971, to G-9-346, d/d 15/12/1972 to Singapore ADC as 529. Stored at Tocumwal, NSW, Australia.


Vickers Varsity T.1 WL623
"K" of 4FTS. d/d 08/04/1953, scrapped Oakington 1974.


Lockheed C-130A 570460
USAF 322nd Air Division of Cargo Command.

All additional notes courtesy of the
www.wolverhamptonaviationgroup.co.uk/ at:
www.demobbed.org.uk/index.htm
and
www.ukserials.com/

[viscount]

I've been collecting together logs for RAF Valley Air Shows and gathering together my negs, slides and prints for several months, with the idea of a posting a thread on the subject next year once I have a new scanner and a connected together PC system. Thetexpat has beaten me to this, with his great record shots of shows that were just before my time. Many thanks for posting them, do you have more?

I've got records for shows 1957 (currently, no lists for shows in 1958, 1959, 1960), 1961 (there were no public shows 62-67), then mostly alternate years: 1968, 1970, (no show 72), 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, thereafter non-public families days and enthusiast photo events

Now is a good time to list the aircraft at the earliest shows I can find records for, to compliment Thetexpat's photos.

Battle of Britain Display, RAF Valley 14.9.57

Static Display
WA436/20 DH Vampire 5 of resident No.7 FTS
WG843/26 DH Vampire 5 of 7 FTS, displayed in a hangar
WJ676 EE Canberra of 50 Sqdn
WJ713 EE Canberra of RAF Flying College in Arctic markings and fitted with a large bomb-bay fuel tank
WK631/C DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10 of Liverpool University Air Squadron
WL668/O V.Varsity of CNCS
WN326 W.Wyvern 4
WZ363 V.Valiant of 138 Sqdn
XA251/H Miles Marathon
XA718/S Gloster Javelin 4
XB285/J Blackburn Beverley of Abingdon Wing
XD619/62 DH.115 Vampire T.11 of resident 7 FTS
XF117 Supermarine Swift F.7 of the Guided Weapons Development Squadron (GWDS), displayed in a hangar
XF544/P-U P.56 Provost T.1 of 6 FTS
XJ730 WS-55 Whirlwind of 22 Sqdn
XK590/45 DH.115 Vampire T.11 of 7FTS, displayed in a hangar
7055 North American B-45A-5-NA Tornado "Our Hero" USAF
90288 Boeing WB-50D, USAF, from Burtonwood

Pleasure Flights
G-AGTV Auster Autocrat
EI-AJL PA-23 Apache

Flying Display
First off were the 7 FTS aerobatic team of Mk.5 Vampires departing for other stations, they were closely followed by 4 x Swifts and 8 x 263 Sqdn Hunters similarly bound.

The show proper started with the inevitable 'Red Devils' of 738 Sqdn. 'Shackboat' WB837 thundered past on two runs before making way for 8 anonymous Meteor NF.14s. Valley's Swifts swept by on their way to another show, followed by 4 Gannets ( 3 Mk.1 & 1 Mk.2) from Eglinton. At this point Valley's own tame example ascended and displayed itself in typical Gannet fashion. Other displays were given by the returning Vampires, Swifts and Hunters; 3 LUAS Chipmunks; a Vampire T.11; 4 Cranwell Vampires giving a ground-attack display and flypasts by 3 Canberras, 4 Sea Hawks, a Valetta, a Hastings and another Shackleton. Then the aircraft from the static park took-off for their home bases. A Vulcan and GWDS Hunter appeared late on (when most people had gone home).

Some serials:
Shackletons: WB837/MOTU-H, and another --/MOTU-F.
Avro Vulcan B.1: XA905.
EE Canberras: WH712/878, WK131.
Valetta: WD171 of the RAE.
Hastings: TG514 of RRE, Defford
Comet C.2: XK670 of 216 Sqdn.
Other aircraft:
Avro Ansons: TX209, VM340, WJ557.
Chipmunks: WD352/U-B, WD375/U-E, WK643/A of Liverpool UAS.
Vampires: WG795/17, WL558/21, WR268/24, WG799/27, WA301/18, XK584/66, XK637/56 all of 7 FTS.
Vampires: WG837/10, WA369/32, WR194/25, WX215/12 all RAF College, Cranwell.
Gannet: XA461/345.
Sea Hawk: WV863
Jet Provost: XD678/Q-N of 2 FTS.
Swift F.7: XF116, XF120, XF121, XF123 of GWDS
Hunter F.6: XE603 of GWDS
Hunter F.6: XE615/A, XE616/E, XE623/G, XE624/B, XE625/X, XE626/W, XE650/U & XF433/- all of 263 Sqdn.

No contributor named, copied from MGAE's 'Merseyside Aeronews' Oct 1957.

Unfortunately, in the magazines I have, there is no list for 1960, but can cover the 1961 'At Home', the report fleshing out the four photos in the post immediately above, and explain the flattened crowd barriers in three of the photos!:

Battle of Britain 'At Home', RAF Valley, 16.9.61

A gale gusting to over 60 knots curtailed activities at Valley. Some prospective static display participants were diverted away- a Provost coming from Manby going to Shawbury, and a Shacketon inbound from St.Mawgan.

Static Park
WA658 G.Meteor T.7 of Valley Station Flight
WZ361 V.Valiant B.1 of 232 OCU from Gaydon
WL623/K V.Varsity T.1 of resident unit 4 FTS
XE857/49 DH.115 Vampire T.11 also of resident 4 FTS
XF969/26 H.Hunter F.4 of the ETPS from Farnborough
XH169 EE.Canbera PR.9 from Wyton
XH782/A G.Javelin 7 of the resident GWDS - the unit is thought soon to disband.
XN553/40 H.Jet Provost T.3 of RAFC, Cranwell
57-460 Lockheed C-130A Hercules of the 322nd Air Division CC, from Bitburg via Wethersfield.
57-547 Lockheed T-33A, USAF from Wethersfield.

Around Airfield
V.Varsity T.1s: WF326/D, WJ912/E, WL629/G, WL635/H, WL670/A, WL628/J, WL917/B, WJ921/C - a line up of eight of 4 FTS's ten Varsities.
Vampire T.11s: a team of 4 from 8 FTS, Oakington - 3 were coded /21, /35 & /42, the tremendous gale hampering your 'scribe's' grip on his binoculars!
Canberra PR.7: WT513, parked by the Vampires, departed home to RAF Wildenrath in the afternoon after several passes.
Avro Anson C.19: TX157 arrived in morning from White Waltham, returning there when wind abated.
Chilton DW.1, G-AFGI of S/Ldr Baker, currently resident
Auster Alpha, G-AGXD, brought in from Eastleigh for joy-rides, but non-operational in view of the wind.

Display Report
The Display itself was limited to a few flyovers by aircraft operating from other airfields. First to appear was Valiant XD869 from Marham, followed by Anson C.19 VM338 from Church Fenton, which proceeded to land to the amusement of the crowd. This extraordinary feat was apparently dictated by a lack of fuel and the presence of the AOC 23 Group on board. Three Canberras flashed over, two (one being WT568) refuelling from a Canberra tanker WD966. Two USAF F-100 Super Sabres found the airfield, but didn't feel like staying, making a high fast pass. XA909 a Vulcan from Waddington, made an effort to throw itself around, but was severely restricted by the wind, as were Shackleton 2, WG555/N of 204 Sqdn and Victor XH619. Last performer was Comet C.2 XK699 of 216 Sqdn.

The Station had gone to considerable lengths to make their 'At Home' enjoyable, so it was therefore an even greater pity that the event was a bit abortive.

Re-arranged from an article by J.R.W. in MGAE's 'Northern Aeronews', October 1961.

R.O.C. DISPLAY, 3rd SEPTEMBER 1967

Although not a public air display, this event is included for the sake of completeness, and as a forerunner of the public air display the following year.

Valley's annual 'At Home' for the Royal Observer Corps was held this year on 3rd September in gale force conditions. Valley continues to be the home of No. 4 Flying Training School equipped with 50 to 60 Gnat T.1s, most of which were present. A fairly new development is that one flight of 4 FTS is now using 6 Hunter F.6 and 4 Hunter T.7s. Most of the students on the Hunter flight are from overseas and no student on Hunters is allowed to fly a Gnat and vice versa. Valley are expected to lose their F.6s shortly in order to meet Jordan's panic order for 40 Hunters to replace those lost on the ground to Israel's Mirage IIIs in the recent skirmish. Valley will receive older, slower Hunter F.4s in excahange, and are understandably not too happy with the deal!

The Hunters are:
XG190/70 Hunter F.6
XG274/71 Hunter F.6
XF384/72 Hunter F.6
XF509/73 Hunter F.6
XG185/74 Hunter F.6
XL609/80 Hunter T.7
XL591/82 Hunter T.7
XL600/83 Hunter T.7

Apart from various Gnat T.1s, aircraft in the static park and static display were:

WB573 Chipmunk T.10, University of Wales Air Squadron
WH166/27 G.Meteor T.7, CFS
WJ728 Canberra B.2, 231 OCU, Bassingbourne
WJ901/O Varsity T.1, 5 FTS, Oakington
WV755 Pembroke C.1, NCS Topcliffe
XF877/T Provost T.1, CATCS Shawbury
XH481 Vulcan B.1, Waddington Wing
XK624/32 Vampire T.11, CFS, Little Rissington
XN605/9 Jet Provost T.3, 6 FTS
XP331/W-T Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS HW
XP350 Whirlwind HAR.10, 22 Sqdn C Flt, Valley
XP352 Whirlwind HAR.10, 22 Sqdn C Flt, Valley
XP758/D Lightning F.3, 23 Sqdn, Leuchars
XR986, XR993 & XR996 Gnat T.1s, CFS "Red Arrows", Kemble
XS766 Basset C.1, NCS Topcliffe
XT138/X Agusta Bell 47G, CFS HW (C/no.1548)
40895 F-4C-25-MC Phantom, 81st TFW/92nd FS
60112 RF-101C-70-MC Voodoo, 66th TRW, Upper Heyford
63217 F-100D-91-NA Super Sabre, 48th TFW, Lakenheath

Also fire wrecks, WA658 Meteor T.7 and 'N' Valetta T.3

Article from MSAE 'Flypast', written by 'R.A.S.' (Alan Scholefield)

[thetexpat]

Viscount,
Apologies for 'beating you to the punch '!
I don't think I have any more photoes of Valley though there's no telling what I may stumble over as I wander through the 'vaults' !
FYI, I'm processing some shots from Thruxton, 1961.
Cheers,
Graham

[viscount]

Thetexpat.
Its no competition. I'm only too delighted that pictorial coverage has been bravely provided for two air shows from a time before widespread use of SLRs and colour, indeed before many of us were around. I say 'bravely', faced with the excellence of Shaun's colour photo coverage of more recent times, b&w struggles to complete visually.

I trust the 1961 show report awakened memories for you - when the wind blows across RAF Valley, it certainly blows! The 1960 photo of Vampire T.11 WZ553/40 shows the aircraft that in the early '70s was owned and displayed by the Merseyside Aviation Society at Liverpool.

I'd love to see further early photos of arcraft at RAF Valley posted on this thread - and more recent ones too.

Brian.

[viscount]

VALLEY 'AT HOME' - 1968

By 1968 4 FTS had relinquished its Vampires for a large fleet of Folland Gnat T.1s, operated together with Hawker Hunters. The following report is from MSAE 'Flypast', compiled by George Jones, with reports from Brian Jones and Keith MacKay.

The Station's first public Open Day to be held since 1961 took place on 10th August, 1968. Excellent weather brought out the crowds, who drank the beer tent dry by 1500 hours. However, for those that bothered to look, there were some aeroplanes present, both in the sky and on the ground. We commence recording them with the static, which was an informal affair so unbeloved by the photographers.

Hangar display:
XF384/72 H.Hunter F.6 4 FTS
XP538/38 F.Gnat T.1 4 FTS
A92-255 F.Jindivik RAE Llanbedr

Static Park: (A few also performed in the flying display)
WE139 EE.Canberra PR.3, 231 OCU. Marked as participant in England-NZ Air Race
WF325/Y V.Varsity T.1, 5 FTS from Oakington
WG362 DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10
WH453 G.Meteor F.8, 5 CAACU from Woodvale. Camouflaged
WR975/A HS.716 Shackleton MR.3/3, 120 Sqdn from Kinloss (also flew)
XF877/A P.56 Provost T.1, CATCS from Shawbury
XH274/P DH.115 Vampire T.11, CATCS from Shawbury
XL591/82 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XM387/25 H.Jet Provost T.3, 3 FTS
XM652 Avro 698 Vulcan B.2, 44 Sqdn from Waddington (also flew)
XP513/13 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
XP338/N:W WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS Helicopter Wing from Tern Hill
XR243 Auster AOP.9, from Odiham
XS727/D HS.125 Dominie T.1, 1 ANS from Stradishall
XS770 B.206 Basset C.1, NCS (Northern Communications Sqdn) from Topcliffe
XS918/B EE.Lightning F.6, 11 Sqdn from Leuchars
XV304 C-130K Hercules C.1, 30 Sqdn from Fairford (also flew)
0-60112 (56-112) RF-101c Voodoo, 66th TRW, USAF
40901 (64-901A) F-4c-25-MC Phantom, possibly 81 TFW, USAF
21628/628 Canadair CL.30 Silver Star (T-33A), RCAF Germany

Pleasure Flying Concession:
G-AWCS SC-7 Skyvan 3 South West Aviation

Flight Lines/Flying Display
In addition to the Shackleton, Hercules and Vulcan mentioned in the static, the flying display featured the following which either flew over from other airfields, or took-off from Valley.

G-ARRT WA.116 Autogyro "Little Nellie"
WH291 G.Meteor F.8, 85 Sqdn from Binbrook
XL112 WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, 22(ASR)Sqdn
XM183/183 EE.Lightning F.1a, 226OCU
XM216/216 EE.Lightning F.1a, 226 OCU - non-flying spare a/c
XP349 WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, 22(ASR)Sqdn
XR681/- H.Jet Provost T.4, CFS
XS601 HS.780 Andover C.1, 46 Sqdn
XS733 HS.125 Dominie T.1, College of Air Warfare (CAW) from Manby
Teams:
3 x unidentified F-100s of the USAF, flew over the airfield
XP615/35, XP662/48, XP678/45, XR699/34 & XR700/49 all H.Jet Provost T.4 all 1 FTS
XT151/I, XT154/K. XT249/Z, XT225/R, XT242/S all Bell 47G-3B1 Sioux AH.1, 'Blue Eagles' teams AAC, Middle Wallop.
XR540, XR986, XR987, XR991, XR992, XR993, XR994, XR995,XR996 & XS111 all F.Gnat T.1 of Central Flying School (CFS) 'Red Arrows' from Little Rissington
XF509/73, XG185/74, XG204/70 & XG274 all H.Hunter F.6 & XL622/81 H.Hunter T.7 all 4FTS
XR538/01, XP503/03, XP506/06, XP537/07, XR569/08, XP510/10, XP516/16, XR572/19, XR573/20. XR574/24, XP536/27, XR948/28, XR953/29, XR954/30, XR952/31, XP533/33, XR537/37, XP540/40, XP541.41, XP542/42, XR998/47, XR980/48, XP500/50, XR982/51, XR984/52, XP535/54, XS100/57, XS105/60, XS104/44 all F.Gnat T.1 of 4 FTS, parked at various locations, participated in the flying display or viewable in their hangars.

Elsewhere around airfield, but took no part in the air display:
G-AEML DH.89 Dragon Rapide, J.Keen, with MSAE members f&t Speke
G-ARGK Cessna 210
G-ARGY PA-22 Tri-Pacer 150
G-ARHT PA-22 Caribbean 150
WF128/638:LM P.Sea Prince, Royal Navy
WL941/- V.Varsity T.1, from RAF Cosford
XM706/94 F.Gnat T.1, CFS from Little Rissington (or XM708?)
XP408 HS.650 Argosy C.1, camouflage colours
XG207/C, XG264/D, XJ635/G & XJ644/K all H.Hunter FGA.9 of 54 Sqdn.
Also, I have a note of a 'glider' No.'394', location (static or flight line) not noted though.

Fire Dumps, various locations:
WA658 G.Meteor T.7, silver with yellow T-bands
WJ479/N V.Valetta T.3
XP512/12 F.Gnat T.1, close to the Valetta
Also two Gnat T.1s close to the Meteor, both burnt beyond identification.

I camped close to Valley, and on the Sunday recorded further 16 Gnats and Hunters as they were moved back to the hangars which had been vacated for public displays. On Mon 14th, visitors were G-ARUJ Piaggio P.166, G-ASVE Queen Air of Shorts ,WZ476/- DH.115 Vampire T.11, XR458/W:Q WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10 CFS-HW, XS730/H HS.125 Dominie T.1 of 1 ANS and a F-104G Starfighter (probably WGAF) that overshot.

RAF VALLEY 'AT HOME' - 1970

From MSAE 'Flypast', comes this Air Display report and comment, written by George Jones, with credit to Brian Jones, Ray Kittle and S.R.A.Rigby.

RAF Valley, Anglesey, was 'At Home' to the North Wales ROC on 15th August, when the public were also made welcome. An excellent show was arranged with good use being made of the large number of resident 4 FTS aircraft as well a public viewing of some of the RAE's aircraft from nearby Llanbedr. It was a pity that the later stages of the show were marred by the arrival of a first class gale.

The Static Comprised:
In the Gaydon hangar an indoor display of:
XF527/70 H.Hunter F.6, 4 FTS
XP331/T WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS
XP516/16 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
XR983/53 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
A92-999 Fairey Jindvik, RAE Llanbedr
Outside on the apron areas:
WA662/K G.Meteor T.7, RAE Llanbedr
WE146 EE.Canberra PR.3mod, RAE Llanbedr, white overall
WH420/S G.Meteor U.16, RAE Llanbedr, red & yellow colours
XG274/71 H.Hunter F.6, 4 FTS
XK624/32 DH.115 Vampire T.11, CFS
XL609/80 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XP360/V WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS
XP706/F EE.Lightning F.3, 111 Sqdn
XR522/BW WS-58 Wessex HC.2, HOCF
XS102/58 F.Gnat T.1, 4FTS
XS217/50 H.Jet Provost T.4, CFS still in 1969's 'Red Pelicans' team red colours
XT639 W.Scout AH.1, 653 Sqdn, AAC
XW189 W.Sioux AH.1, 653 Sqdn, AAC
31+02 Fiat G.91R/3, LeKg 41, WGAF, c/no. 91-368
31+60 Fiat G.91R/3, LeKg 41, WGAF, c/no. 91-428
21642 Canadair CL-30 (T-33A), Canadian Armed Forces, from CAF Base Sollingen, Germany (penguin logo)
Civilian visitors were parked seperately:
G-ARIV Cessna 172B
G-ATAF Cessna F.172F
G-ATID Cessna 337
G-ATJR PA-23 Apache 250, Lusgate Air Services
G-ATOR PA-28 Cherokee 140
G-AWIT PA-28 Cherokee 180D
G-AXOT MS.893 Rallye Commodore (actually parked further away from public areas)

Pleasure Flights:
G-AWIY PA-23 Aztec 250, Northern Executive Airways
G-AXDL PA-30 Twin Comanche 160c, Northern Executive Airways
XL640 B.175 Britannia C.1, 99/511 Sqdns RAFASC, AEFs for ROC personel.

Flying Display Report:
Some of the items for the flying programme were initially parked within the public area and of these 43 Sqdn's new Phantom FG.1s XV575/C and XT874/J excited as much public interest as did the Spitfire P7350/ZH:T and Lancaster PA474/KM:B.

The flying commenced with a mass take-off by 14 Gnats and 5 Hunters of resident 4 FTS. Whilst they were absent Vulcan B.2 XM656 flown by a 101 Sqdn crew from Waddington appeared and performed in classic style. The 'Rothman's Team' led by former Sqdn Ldr 'Manx' Kelly then followed in Stampes G-AYCG, 'YCK, 'XYW and 'WIW and executed some highly skilled aerobatics in weather conditions which were becoming somewhat gusty. The 4 FTS mixed formation then returned for a flypast over the airfield. Whirlwind HAR.10 XP347 of the resident 22 Sqdn ASR Detachment demonstrated its versitility with a simulated rescue. After a solo performance by a Gnat, the mixed formation reappeared for a second flypast and, following a demonstration by 36 Sqdn Hercules C.1 XV220, landed and dispersed to the hangars. Another Hercules C.1 XV299, from Lyneham, was present as the mount for the 'Falcons' parachute display team, but in the event it did not fly as the weather continued to deteriorate and caused the mission to be cancelled.

Solo performances were made by Hunter F.6 XE653/28 of 229 OCU, Dominie T.1 XS734/I of 6 FTS and Neill Williams in one of the Rothmans Stampes. RAF Air Support Command sent 10 Sqdn VC-10 C.1 XV101 from Brize Norton to make several low runs and a touch and go. 3 FTS JP T.4 XR700/49 performed a set of solo aerobatics and provided the 'Gemini Pair' in JPs XR659/67 and XR674/54. 6 FTS Varsity T.1 WL625/A rumbled into the air prior to the vintage spot which was effectively taken care of by P7350/ZH:T and PA474/KM:B.

The high-light of the display was probably the finale. A flight of 4 of 43 Sqdn's Phantoms arrived from Leuchars for an air-firing practice camp at Valley. Having been joined by one of their mates (XT874/J) from the ground, they proceeded to give the area a thorough beating in a very enthusiastic manner. Perhaps they were a little too enthusiastic for No.4's landing was rather fast and a burst tyre resulted in a minor sensation as the aircraft came off the runway into the grass. The four new arrivals were: XV571/A, XV574/B, XV576/D and XV583/G.

Other aircraft, either reserve aircraft for the flying display or operational were: XG158/35 Hunter F.6 229 OCU; XJ426 Whirlwind HAR.10 22 Sqdn SAR; XR672/48 JP T.4 3 FTS; XS712/A Dominie T.1 6 FTS; while WA658 Meteor T.7 continues to survive as a wreck.

XF384/72, XF509/73, XG185/74 (with a white tail) all Hunter F.6 of 4 FTS
XL622/81, XL567/84, XL573/97 (229 OCU code, on loan from Chivenor?) all Hunter T.7 of 4 FTS
XP500/50, XP503/03, XP508/21, XP511/11, XP533/33, XP537/07, XP540/40, XP542/42, XR535/05, XR538/01, XR544/35, XR567/17, XR569/08, XR572/19, XR952/34, XR954/30, XR982/51, XS102/58, XS103/59 all Gnat T.1 of 4 FTS. The new RAF Training Command colour scheme has so far not caught up with all the 4 FTS Gnats but those that are wearing the new scheme also sport a revised 4 FTS badge of palm tree and pyramid on the top of the fin and rudder.



.......lots more to come, along with b&w photos from both 1968 and 1970s displays. Watch this space ...............

[Beemer]

Photos from the 1968 RAF Valley 'At Home'.

Brian Jones's photos, entered on his behalf by Beemer. If the images are not great, that is because they are taken on an incredibly basic 'Kodak Brownie 127' camera - no focus, no apature, no batteries - point, shoot and hope. Film had to be loaded/unloaded in the dark, a film lasted for 12 shots and the negs are huge - too big for the holders on Beemer's scanner!

Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair CL.30 Silver Star (T-33A) 21628 from a RCAF German base.


Hercules C.1 XV304 in the original two tone brown 'desert' colours, bearing the recently formed 'Air Support Command' titles, formerly 'Transport Command'.


Shackleton MR.3/3 WR975/A of 120 Sqdn, along with the Hercules


Gloster Meteor T.7 WA658 on the fire dump.

[avro748]

Some cracking old B&W shots there, all a bit before my time. I wonder what todays Health and Safety brigade would make of the youths clambering all over the Meteor?

Cheers

Shaun

[Beemer]

Quite a number of photos from the 1970 RAF Valley 'At Home' Display. I was using a borrowed 1942 vintage Kodak camera, fixed focal length lens, but with manual apature and speed settings and 35mm film, but half size negs - ie 72 shots to a film.

These Brian Jones photos posted on his behalf by Beemer are from a mix of prints and negative.

XP706/F a Lightning F.3 of 111 Squadron


XK624/32 a Vampire T.11 of the CFS


XS102/58 a Folland Gnat T.1 sporting the new red/white training colours and revised 4 FTS badge, replacing day-glo bands scheme.


XS217/50 a Jet Provost T.4 of the CFS still in 'Red Pelicans' team scheme from the previous summer.


WE146, EE Canberra PR.3(mod) of the RAE at Llanbedr still in an 'anti-flash' white colour scheme, and used in missile development trials - note sleek missile on the under-wing pylon.


WH420 a Gloster Meteor U.16 from RAE Llanbedr. Red and yellow scheme was to draw attention to the ability to fly this aircraft without pilot.


WA662/K Gloster Meteor T.7 from RAE Llanbedr used as a 'hack' and pilot trainer, still in yellow T-bands scheme. Code on nose wheel door only


WA658 Gloster Meteor T.7 on the fire dump. Compare this photo with that shot in 1968 - the aircraft has been repainted silver overall.


21642 a CAF CL-30 Silver Star (T-33A) from CAF Germany.


Badge on LeKg 41 on a West German Air Force Fiat G.91R


31+60, one of two WGAF Fiat G.91Rs in the static park


The arrival of 5 43 Sqdn Phantoms at the end of the display caused quite a stir. XT874/J (photo), XV571/A, XV574/B, XV576/D & XV583/G. Phantoms had not long entered service with the RAF at the time.


A bit distant, XV583/G taxis past another aircraft that had burst a tyre on landing and swung off the runway.


XS734/I HS.125 Dominie T.1 of No.1 Air Navigation School at Stradishall, part of Training Command.

[viscount]

RAF Valley Air Show - 1973

Not sure why, but there was a two year break before the next show in 1973. This report in the MAS 'Flypast' was penned by Stuart McDiarmid, with help from John Downey, Mike Bishop and Clive Harden. I've rearranged this report to match the style of the 1968 and 1970 reports.

Fantastic weather, plenty of aircraft, exhilarating performances and an ample supply of ice cream or something stronger depending on your taste made Valley's open day this year a memorable one. The Society was in attendance with sales stand and much-travelled Fa.330. No fewer than 49 Gnats were present, together with a number of Hunters. All, except for Hunter XF527/70 were in red and white hue. Interesting display aircraft included the Laarbruch Harriers and the Meteors from nearby Llanbedr. The Sea King and Wasp had diverted in on the previous day, and stayed for the show. A disapointment was not being able to see two camouflaged Lightning F.2s of 92 Sqdn which were hangared on the very far side after weapons trials on the ranges earlier in the week. The previous week had also seen four Belgian T-33s visiting - but they did not stay!

Static Aircraft Display: (* also participated in the flying display).
WA669* G.Meteor T.7, CFS Vintage Pair
WA991/F G.Meteor U.16, RAE Llanbedr
WF331/M V.Varsity T.1, 5 FTS
WP789/4 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10. 10 AEF "Thunderbird IV"
XG185/74 H.Hunter F.6, 4 FTS
XH304* DH.115 Vampire T.11, CFS Vintage Pair
XL596/90 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XM453/20 H.Jet Provost T.3, 3 FTS
XM599* Avro Vulcan B.2, Waddington Strike Wing
XP360/V WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS
XR756/M EE.Lightning F.6, 23 Sqdn
XR984/52 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
XS100/57 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
XS452/441 W.Wasp HAS.1, Royal Navy, 829 Sqdn HMS Falmouth
XS712/A* HS.125 Dominie T.1, 6 FTS
XT270 HS.Buccaneer S.2A, 237 OCU
XV313/E Westland 47G-3B1 Sioux HT.2, CFS
XV573/L F-4K Phantom FG.1, 43 Sqdn Leuchars
XV586/P F-4K Phantom FG.1, 43 Sqdn Leuchars
XV713/412:BL W.Sea King HAS.1, Royal Navy, 820 Sqdn, HMS Blake
XV741/A* HS.Harrier GR.1, 3 Sqdn
XW917/L HS.Harrier GR.1, 3 Sqdn
XW336/6* BAe.Jet Provost T.5 'Poachers' scheme
A92-999 F.Jindivik, RAE Llanbedr

Hangar Displays:
The hangar holding the Fa.330 Rotorkite, also held CFS Whirlwind HAR.10 XR485/Q.
Another hangar held Gnat T.1 XR977/46 in an 'exploded' state, to reveal its inner members. The rear of this hangar contained many Gnats in various stages of overhaul. including: XP538/01, XP502/02, XP504/04, XP506/06. XP537/07, XR569/08, XM705/10, XP511/11, XM708/18, XP508/21, XR574/24. XP533/33, XS106/36. XR537/37, XP538/38, XP540/40, XS104/44, XP536/65 and Hunter F.6s XG209/69, XF386/75 and Hunter T.7 WV372/85 - all of resident 4 FTS.

Visiting civilian aircraft:
G-ARLW Cessna 172
G-ARTD PA-23 Apache
G-AVCV Cessna 182
G-AXOT MS.893E Rallye Commodore
G-AXRZ Cessna 150
G-AZTO PA-34 Seneca
G-AZVV PA-28 Cherokee
G-AZVZ PA-28 Cherokee

Pleasure Flying:
G-AXDL PA-30 Twin Comanche, Northern Executive Avn
G-AXXH BN-2A Islader, Northern Executive Avn

Flying Display: (* shows the aircraft participated in the air display)
G-BADW* Pitts S-2A, 'Rothmans' team
G-BADY* Pitts S-2A, 'Rothmans' team
G-BADZ* Pitts S-2A, 'Rothmans' team
G-BAEA* Pitts S-2A, 'Rothmans' team
WJ943/R* V.Varsity T.1, 6 FTS
WL626/P* V.Varsity T.1, 6 FTS
XM139 EE.Lightning F.1a, Wattisham TFF
XM192* EE.Lightning F.1a, Wattisham TFF
XP560/W* H.Jet Provost T.4, 6 FTS
XR673/V* H.Jet Provost T.4, 6 FTS
XS737/K* HS.125 Dominie T.1, 6 FTS
XW354/7* BAC Jet Provost T.5, RAFC 'Poachers' team
XW359/4* BAC Jet Provost T.5, RAFC 'Poachers' team
XW363/2* BAC Jet Provost T.5, RAFC 'Poachers' team
XW373/11* BAC Jet Provost T.5, RAFC 'Poachers' team
XW406/48* BAC Jet Provost T.5, 'Gemini Pair' team
XW410/51* BAC Jet Provost T.5, 'Gemini Pair' team
XW420/8 BAC Jet Provost T.5, RAFC 'Poachers' spare aircraft
XW926/M* HS.Harrier T.2, 3 Sqdn
XP504/04, XR535/05, XP537/07*, XM709/09*, XM706/12*, XS110/20*, XR571/23*. XP536/27*, XR953/29*, XR854/30*, XP532/32*, XP541/41*. XR998/47*, XP500/50*, XR983/53*, XP535/54*, XS102/58*, XP530/64* all Gnat T.1 of 4 FTS
XF527/70, XG274/71*, XF384/72*, XF509/73*, XF526/78* all Hunter F.6 of 4 FTS
XL597/87* Hunter T.7 of 4 FTS.
Both 4 FTS and 6 FTS put up formations of aircraft of mixed types.

Several aircraft flew into the display, some of which landed.
PA474/KM:B Avro Lancaster
RR299/HT:E (G-ASKH) DH.98 Mosquito T.3, HSA
XR364 SC-5 Belfast C.1, 53 Sqdn
XV183 C-130K Hercules C.1, 'Red Arrows' support aircraft
XV204 C-130K Hercules C.1, 'Falcons' drop aircraft
XV247 HS.801 Nimrod MR.1, 236 OCU
.......... F-111E, USAF, Upper Heyford - somewhat distant flypasts only.
The Folland Gnats of the 'Red Arrows' closed the show, putting on their normal faultless demonstration.

All in all, a great day was had by all.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Valley Air Show - 1975

1975 was to prove the last Valley Air Show before the Folland Gnat was replaced. I was in the USA August 1975, so this report is solely from MAS 'Flypast' magazine, the list compiled by John Downey, T. Osborne and Keith Roberts.

Some photos on post #45, top of page 4.

The Valley Air Show this year enjoyed warm, pleasant weather - in contrast to the night before when a violent thunderstorm caused two hour power cuts on the Island. The foriegn participation was most welcome, including the unannounced Swinger.

Static
G-OAHB Lockheed T-33AN, OH-B Collection
PA474/KM:B Avro Lancaster B.1
WA669 G.Meteor T.7, CFS Vintage Pair
WA991/F G.Meteor U.16, RAE Llanbedr
WG486 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10, unit not known, recently at 5 MU
WK562/4 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10, unit not known
WP974 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10, unit not known, recently at 60MU
XF527/70 H.Hunter F.6, 4 FTS
XH304 DH.115 Vampire T.11, CFS Vintage Pair
XL613/91 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XP504/04 F.Gnat T.1, 4 FTS
XR753/A EE.Lightning F.6, 23 Sqdn, white spine and fin
XT769/V-W:B WS-58 Wessex HU.5, Royal Navy
XV573/L F-4K Phantom FG.1, 43 Sqdn
XV804/48 HS.Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU
XW221/DE W.Puma HC.1, 230 Sqdn
XW922/49 HS.Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU
XX142/G SEPECAT.Jaguar T.2, 226 OCU
XX519/1 SA.121 Bulldog T.1, RNEFTS
21+37 Lockheed F-104G, WGAF, also of WS-50?
28+27 Lockheed TF-104G, WGAF WS-50
135 (69-7135) Northrop F-5B, RNoAF, 717 Skv
575 (65-10575) Northrop F-5A, RNoAF, 717 Skv
65667/WR F-4D Phantom, 81 TFW, USAF

Hangar Displays

Display hangar: XP333/G Whirlwind HAR.10 CFS, A92-999 Jindivik, RAE Llanbedr

NAAFI Hangar (ie the beer hangar), behind the screens was Vampire T.11 XE874/61.

Engineering Hangar: Contained 18 Gnat T.1s of 4 FTS behind screens at the rear, plus two in the public area in different stages of disassembly for viewing. XR535/05, XP506/06, XM709/09, XM705/10, XM706/11, XP513/13, XP534/15, XP516/16, XM708/18. XS110/20, XR574/24, XP536/27, XP532/32, XP541/41, XR977/46, XR998/47, XR984/52, XP535/54, XS102/58 & XS109/63 along with XG185/74 Hunter F.6 partly dismantled.

Operational Flight Lines:
XP502/02, XP503/03, XR569/08, XP511/11, XR571/23, XR951/26, XR953/29, XR954/30, XS105/35, XS106/36, XP538/38, XP540/40, XP530/64, XR996/66, plus two, all Gnat T.1s of 4 FTS.
XG274/71, XF386/75, both Hunter F.6 of 4 FTS
XL609/80, XL621/81, XL591/82, XL600/83, XL567/84, WV372/85, XL597/87, XL573/97, all Hunter T.7s of 4 FTS.
Many of the above took part in a mass formation.
XF383/72, XF509/73, both Hunter F.6 parked by the far-side hangars.
XP537, XR457, both Whirlwind HAR.10 of 22 Sqdn C Flt, parked on SAR pad

Elsewhere: Mostly display participants
XM595 Vulcan B.2, 617 Sqdn - parked on top end of airfield.
XP333/G Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS, parked over by far side hangars
XP394/C Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS
XV302/302 C-130K Hercules C1, 'Red Arrows' support
XW852/A Gazelle HT.3, CFS
XW862/D Gazelle HT.3, CFS
XW910/K Gazelle HT.3, CFS
XX382/M Gazelle HT.3, CFS
XX???/N Gazelle HT.3, CFS
plus the Gnat T.1s of the 'Red Arrows' team.

Flying Only:
XV240/42 HS.801 Nimrod MR.1, St.Mawgan Wing
XW353, XW359, XW360, XW375, XW438 all Jet Provost T.5 of RAFC 'The Poachers' team
680043 F-111E, 20 TFW, USAF, Upper Heyford.

Civilian visitors:
G-AAZP DH.80A Puss Moth
G-AWXU Cessna 172
G-AXDU B.121 Pup
G-AXXH BN-2A Islander, presumed used for pleasure flying
G-AYIJ SV-4 Stampe
G-AZTO PA-34 Seneca
G-BARS DHC.1 Chipmunk
G-BCYJ DHC.1 Chipmunk

Fire dumps:
WD702/U G.Meteor TT.20
WL689/N V.Varsity T.1
XP583/12 H.Jet Provost T.4, used for non-destructive crash rescue training.

[Beemer]

All for and be-half of Viscount

R.A.F. Valley 'At Home' 1973

By 1973 I had a Pracktica Nova SLR, with a built in light meter, but I still had to set my own apature, shutter speed and focus manually. Great in bright weather, so the slides taken in 1973 are a quantum leap in quality compared to those b&ws from 3 years before! An interesting set of photos, picturing many types in colour schemes far more colourful than those applied today.

XV586/P F-4K Phantom FG.1 of 43 Sqdn


XW917/L Harrier GR.1 of 3 Sqdn, RAF Germany


WP789/4 Chipmunk T.10 of 10 AEF, named "Thunderbird IV" and still in day-glo colours


The Valley 'At Home' was about the only place drone aircraft were to be seen on public display, WA991 Meteor U.16, from RAE Llanbedr.


XV713/412:BL a Sea King HAS.1 in early dark blue colours, marked as being embarked on HMS Blake.


XS452/441 a Wasp HAS.1 of 829 Sqdn embarked on HMS Falmouth.


Resident Gnat T.1 in the latest training colours, XR984/52 of 4 FTS


Resident Hawker Hunter F.6 XG185/74 of 4 FTS

[Beemer]

Resident Hawker Hunter T.7 XL596/90 of 4 FTS


Jet Provost T.3 XM453/20 from 3 FTS


A Royal Air Force Buccaneer S.2A, XT270 of 237 OCU


All bare metal Lightning F.6, XR756/M in 23 Sqdn markings.


An earlier, Lightning F.1A on the runway. XM139 of Wattisham TFF (Target Facilities Flight). Shooting into sun is always a problem at Valley Shows.


XM599 Avro Vulcan B.2 of the Waddington Strike Wing - always an impressive air show performer


An aircraft impressive for its size, the Short Belfast, this one being XR364 of the only Squadron to fly the type, 53 Sqdn Brize Norton.

[viscount]

R.A.F.Valley Air Shows

Now that we are onto page 2 of this thread, perhaps time to index the Air Show entries to tie together what has already been covered and what has been covered on future posts.

14.09.57 Display report post #7.
--.09.58
--.09.59
17.09.60 Photos post #5.
16.09.61 Display report post #7 & photos post #6.
03.09.67 ROC event
10.08.68 Display report post #10 & photos post #11.
15.08.70 Display report post #10 & photos post #13.
11.08.73 Display report post #14 & photos posts #15 & #16.
08.08.75 Display report post #14 & photos post #45.
13.08.77 Display report post #55
18?08.79 Display report post #18
15.08.81 Display report post #18
13.08.83 Display report post #34 & photos on posts #3, #20 & #21. Also photos on an earlier thread, this section of the forum, post =2267
17.08.85 Display report post #34 & photos on posts #35 & #36 and more posts #38, 39, 40 & #60.
15.08.87 Display report post #37
19.08.89 Display report post #37 & photo on post #31
17.08.91 Display report post #43 & photos on posts #41 & #42
02.10.92 Families Day report post #43.
31.07.93 Display report post #49 & photo posts #28, 29, 30 & many more on #46, 47 & 48.
06.08.94 Display report post #57 & photos on posts #2, #24, #33, #58 & 59.
17.07.96 Base Families Day listing post #61
20.08.99 Photocall listing post #61 & photos on posts #62 & 63.
22.09.00 Photocall listing post #61
18.08.01 Display report post #64 & photos on posts #65, 66 & 67.
2002 Photocall
15.08.03 Photocall, list on post #. (to be entered)
2004 Photocall, photos on post #77.
10.08.05 Photocall, photos on post #80.
2006 Photocall, photos on post #73.
2007 Photocall, photos on posts #27 & 75.
2008 Photocall
27.08.09 Families Day, report & photos on www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=furtherafield&action=display&thread=1380
06.10.10 Enthusiast's Day, photo report www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=furtherafield&action=display&thread=4444

Thread page 1, posts #1 to #14; page 2, posts #15 to #29; page 3 posts #30 to 44; page 4 posts #45 to #59; page 5 post #60 to #74; page 6 post #75 to #89.

I have traced reports/logs for all of the air shows/events listed above, except the very earliest and more recent. While its not impossible I've missed some, I'm now certain every public show since 1961 is listed. Some 'Families Days' and 'Enthusiast Photo Shoot' events are included, even though not open to members of the general public. However though the Valley Aviation Society photoshoots over recent years (2002 onwards) are worthy of their own record, I don't have the participant lists as by then I was no longer a member of the Valley Avn Soc. Someone else like to bring the event listings right upto date?

Photographic coverage for any show would be appreciated, but especially for 1977, 1979, 1981, 1987 and 1989 - as I didn't attend those years, so don't have my own photos to post as a result.

This thread has developed into an interesting pictorial record of the changing aircraft and colours of the RAF over a period of 50 or so years.

[viscount]

R.A.F. Valley - Air Show 1979

The 1979 show was, as this participants listing shows, the least interesting of all the RAF Valley shows for the enthusiast. I was in Iceland at the time and annoyed to miss out on the 'pilgrimage' to the Valley show, however when I saw this report, found I had missed little.

The Report comes from MAS 'Flypast' magazine, compiled using info from Hywel Evans, G.Pritchard, Paul Ellison and Gary Nuttall.

The 1979 show here was held on a day which, although initially cool and windy, ended quite warm with a typical Valley anti-spotters haze. The show itself was poor, with no foreigners apart from the Swinger, and very little of anything else other than training aircraft.

Static
WK800/Z G.Meteor D.16, RAE Llanbedr
WP920/10 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10, 2 AEF
XF526/78 H.Hunter F.6, 4 FTS
XL566/86 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XP331/T WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.10, CFS Det.
XP771 DHC.2 Beaver AL.1, Army, from Aldergrove
XR534/65 F.Gnat T.1, formerly 4 FTS, kids photo mount
XS738/U HS.125 Dominie T.1, 6 FTS
XV592/L F-4K Phantom FG.1, 111 Sqdn
XV778/16 Harrier GR.3, 1 Sqdn
XW304/X Jet Provost T.5B, 6 FTS
XX220/220 BAe.Hawk T.1, 1 TWU/63 Sqdn
XX234/234 BAe.Hawk T.1, 4 FTS
XX496/D Jetstream T.1, 6 FTS/METS
XX657/U B.121 Bulldog T.1, Cambridge UAS
XZ933/T Gazelle HT.3, CFS
80057/UH F-111E, 20 TFW, Upper Heyford
G-BCTU Cessna FRA.150 Aerobat, Mona Flying Club

Engineering Hangar:
XE874 Vampire T.11
XL573/97 H.Hunter T.7, 4 FTS
XX172/172 BAe.Hawk T.1, 4 FTS
Towards the rear of the hangar, behind insufficiently high screens were Hawks: XX162, XX166, XX179, XX180, XX223, XX232, XX233, XX235, XX240, XX243 and XX245.

Near Side Flight Line:
WF791 G.Meteor T.7, CFS Vintage Pair
XH304 DH.115 Vampire T.11, CFS Vintage Pair
XW352/R Jet Provost T.5B, 6 FTS
XX171/171 BAe.Hawk T.1, 4 FTS
XX231/231 BAe.Hawk T.1, 4 FTS
G-BNEA BN-2A Islander, NEA pleasure flights
G-NDNI Firecracker
G-TAXI PA-23 Aztec 250, NEA pleasure flights
plus David Cyster's Tiger Moth and Dragon Rapide

Far Side Flight Line/Flying
LF363 H.Hurricane, BoBMF
PA474 Avro Lancaster, BoBMF
PM631 Spitfire, BoBMF
VP976 DH.104 Devon C.2/2, 207 Sqdn, BoBMF support
XR497 WS-58 Wessex HAR.2, 22 Sqdn, SAR Display
XR501 WS-58 Wessex HAR.2, 22 Sqdn, on SAR stand-by dispersal
XR632 W.Scout AH.1, Army - dropped a very dead red Mini from a very great height.
XV293 C-130K Hercules C.1, 'Falcons' support aircraft
XV305 C-130K Hercules C.1, 'Red Arrows' support
XX763/24 Sepecat Jaguar GR.1, 226 OCU
XX766/14 Sepecat Jaguar GR.1, 226 OCU
The BAe. Hawks of the 'Red Arrows' team

The locals put up a formation of 20 Hawks in 5 boxes of 4, and a single box of 4 Hunters. The aircraft involved being: XX164, XX 168, XX169, XX 170, XX173, XX177, XX178, XX182, XX183, XX184, XX185, XX225, XX236, XX237, XX239, XX241, XX242, XX244, XX249, XX250, with XX161 and XX226 as flying spare and 'coach'. The Hunters being XL597/87 and XL601/88 (T.7s), with XF383/72 and XF527/70 (F.6s). Left behind on the ground were 3 Hawks XX163, XX165, XX174 along with a Hunter F.6 and a Hunter T.7.

Visiting Aircraft
VP955 DH.104 Devon C.2/2. 207 Sqdn, came and went twice
VP958 DH.104 Devon C.2/2, 207 Sqdn, day visitor
Plus about 15 assorted civvies were also present, but not recorded.

A few observations:
The scene at Valley had changed by 1979. Not only had Hawks completely replaced the Gnats, but the Hunters too were on the way out, the last one departing within six weeks (end of September 1979). 22 Sqdn SAR Flight had also exchanged their aging Whirlwinds for yellow Wessex during 1977.

One Air Display participant that should have been present was Lightning F.3 XP737/N of 11 Sqdn that on Valley arrivals day (17th) failed to get three greens and after some time the pilot 'punched out', the Lightning eventually crashing into the Irish Sea.

RAF Open Day, Valley 15th August 1981

After the disappointment of the 1979 show, I had little regret at being aboard for the 1981 event. It was an marked improvement though, a show I was sorry to have missed.

This report from MAS Flypast magazine, compiled from reports by R.A.Bardsley, Gary Nuttall, G.Pritchard and Paul Ellison. The log has been cross-checked with that in AB News.

The weather was changeable, raining on and off all morning, with a cloud-base at about 200'. In mid-afternoon, when in typical Valley style the clouds disappeared and the sun shone through.

Just before the start of the display, Hawk XX295 made a sortie to check out the weather - obviously he couldn't believe his eyes. The MAS were in attendance with the sales stall.

Aircraft marked * flew in the display.

Static Display
WD790 G.Meteor NF.11, RAE Llanbedr
WL453/L G.Meteor D.16, RAE Llanbedr
WL754/54 Avro Shackleton AEW.2c, formerly 8 Sqdn
XE597/F H.Hunter FGA.9, 1 TWU
XJ608 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.2, RAe Bedford "Chalkie"
XP701/BN EE.Lightning F.3, 11 Sqdn
XP811 DHC.2 Beaver AL.1, Army
XR534/65 (8578M) F.Gnat T.1, formerly 4 FTS 'photo mount'
XS731/J HS.125 Dominie T.1, 6 FTS
XV299/299 C-130K Hercules C.1, 70 Sqdn crew
XV355/355 Buccaneer S.2A, 237 OCU
XV404/B F-4M Phantom FGR.2, 56 Sqdn in new colours
XV415/P F-4M Phantom FGR.2, 92 Sqdn
XX198/198 BAe.Hawk T.1, 1 TWU/63 Sqdn
XZ105/25 Sepecat Jaguar GR,1, 2 Sqdn
A92-199 Jindivik Mk.103B, composite demonstration frame, RAE Llanbedr, 47 missions.
104815 CF-104G Starfighter, CAF
GT-908 (56-3908) NA TF-100F Super Sabre, RDAF
136 (69-7136) Northrop F-5B, RNoAF
71-892/LN F-111F, USAF 48th TFW
78-603/WR Fairchild A.10A, USAF, 81st TFW
79-062/BT F-15C Eagle, USAF 36th TFW
Along with Chipmunk PAX from WD318 of 145 Sqdn ATC and XA893 Vulcan nose RAFEF
Also a 'bin bag' on the TAS Stand!

Hangars
Engineering Hangar:
XE874 (8582M) DH.115 Vampire T.11
XR518 WS-58 Wessex HAR.2, 22 Sqdn, camouflage colours, wide yellow band around rear fuselage
XX166, XX169, XX225, XX249, XX291, XX292, XX307, XX309 all Hawk T.1 of 4 FTS
XX236 Hawk T.1 of the CFS

Hangar 15: XT674 Wessex HAR.2, SARTS, camouflaged, wide yellow band around rear fuselage and 'Rescue' titles.

Pleasure Flights:
G-AYLJ PA-31 Navajo, Northern Executive Aviation
G-BBNT PA-31 Navajo, NEA

Near side Flight Line and parking areas:
G-ARZB* Wallis WA-116 'Little Nellie', parked near crowd barrier
G-AZMH* MS.500 'Storch', marked '7A+WN', parked on grass near crowd-line
G-BBOH*, G-ROLL* & G-WREN* Pitts, 'Marlborough' team
G-BCIT* Cranfield A.1, parked on grass near crowd-line
G-HUNT* H.Hunter F.51
G-SHOW* MS.733 Alycon
WF791* G.Meteor T.7, CFS Vintage Pair
WV908/188:A* H.Sea Hawk FGA.6, Culdrose Historic Flight
XE649/P* H.Hunter FGA.9, 1 TWU
XF435/52* H.Hunter FGA.9, 1 TWU/79 Sqdn
XH304* DH.115 Vampire T.11, CFS Vintage Pair
XJ683/X* H.Hunter FGA.9, 1 TWU
XR501* WS-58 Wessex HAR.2, 22 Sqdn SAR
XT604 WS-58 Wessex HAR.2, 22 Sqdn SAR (or XR504)
XV201/201* C-130 Hercules C.1, 'Falcons' drop aircraft
XV491/F F-4M Phantom FGR.2, 29 Sqdn
XV744/D* Harrier GR.3, 233 OCU
XW921/P Harrier GR.3, 233OCU
XX843/33* Sepecat Jaguar T.2, 2 Sqdn (or 226 OCU)
plus the 'Red Arrows' team with their Hawk T.1s: XX227, XX251, XX252, XX253, XX257, XX259, XX260, XX264, XX266.
E.85/314:UM Alpha Jet, ADL, FAF
565* (65-10565) Northrop F-5A, 338 SKv, RNoAF
70-2377/LN* F-111F, USAF 48th TFW
77-257/WR* A-10A, USAF 81st TFW
79-081/BT* F-15C, USAF 36th TFW with yellow fin tip

Mass (24 a/c) 4 FTS Hawk Flypast: XX161, XX163, XX165, XX167, XX168, XX175, XX176, XX179, XX180, XX182, XX183, XX184, XX226, XX231, XX234, XX235, XX237, XX238, XX240, XX241, XX242, XX245, XX290, XX294, XX295, XX296, XX297, XX298, XX299, XX313, XX314, plus XX305, XX308, XX310 which were in the line-up, but did not fly. XX238 also performed solo aerobatics.

Far side visitors park and flight line:
G-ATMX Cessna 150F
G-AVLN B,121 Pup
(G-AYAK)/14* Yak C.11
G-AYJU Cessna 206
G-BAFA AA-5
G-BAMM Cherokee
G-BAPX Robin DR.400
G-BBBI AA-5
G-BBTH Cessna 172
G-BECA MS. Rallye 100ST
G-BIRB MS. Rallye 100ST
G-NDNI* NDN Firecracker
G-OBAE* BAe.125
EI-AOD Cessna 182
EI-AOK Cessna 172
EI-AVC Cessna 337
EI-AVS Cessna 172
EI-BAS Cessna 172
EI-BCL Cessna 182
EI-BEO Cessna 310Q
EI-BGH Cessna 172
RR299/HT:E* (G-ASKH) DH.98 Mosquito T.3
FT229 (G-AZKI) AT.16 Harvard
20385/RCAF385 (G-BGPB) AT-6 Harvard
WB534 DH.104 Devon C.2/2, 207 Sqdn