A/C to fly in

[Pujgnie]

.........guess you have all seen Clarkson in an F15E - and Captain slow in the Tiffie.

nothing compared to his trip in the ETPS Hunter at Boscombe Down!

Is there a vid of that ?

[Saracenman]

well, I've found Clarkson in the F15...........

can't embed it I'm afraid, but here it is all the same!

..........and have downloaded Clarkson at Boscombe Down - will upload to yootoob soonest

sm

[Saracenman]

as promised - J Clarkson Esq in the ETPS Hunter

tiny tale to tell about this actually: i became acquainted with the AEO of XS235 Comet 'Canopus', Nick Newton, who invited me to Boscombe Down a couple of times to look around and, ultimately, to see Canopus' last ever sortie

i was lucky enough to have a good nose in the ETPS hangar - i saw the Hunter there (this was a few years prior to the Clarkson clip) and asked what they used it for. the answer was simple: "we practice tail-slides and spins in it; 40,000ft, spin out of control and then regain control. would you like to be put on the list for a trip?"

stupidly sensibly stupidly sensibly - well, i said "NO!" anyway! don't get me wrong, i LOVE flying, especially extreme flying.................but this was just simply a "no thanks!"

i think the clip will speak for itself! as i say, Clarkson in the F15 is nothing compared with this!

the pilot though...........well, just COOL!



sm

[Mayfly]

as an ex-armourer the hunter is a brilliant aircraft built around armament instead of an after thought as they are today - just slung underneath for conveinence, I love hunters the first a/c I worked on......

I never took you as one to turn down a unique opportunity SM, though I must admit I don't like DT doing spins when he does test flights -

[Mackrick]

Ah hunters... easy engine changes....mind your head in the undercarriage bay though.... I remember being stuck in cockpit of one for hours after it wouldn't open following some setups...

[Saracenman]

well, hence my indecision as to whether it was stupid or sensible to decline the offer! i can't stand roller-coasters, but feel i can't let them beat me so go on them - then hate them even more when i get off

interestingly, the ETPS chaps told me that the Hunter was the ideal candidate for those mad manœuvres, as it is built like the proverbial outside khazi

however, the day i was there, there was much swearing going on, as the Hunter needed it's aircon pack fixed - which entailed a total strip down to get to it! the chaps were not best pleased to have to 'unbuild' a complete aircraft just to get to it!

sm

[Tom.com]

F22 they look amazing and they are so manovable.

[Checkflaps]

Best flight...........

Was lucky enough to get a holding post to 100Sqn on the Hawks at Leeming and was promtly sent up for air experience. Well, who was I to say no.

Anyway, as nice as the trips were, still managed to barf. Made for some excellent in flight footage that WILL NOT make it to you tube. The rest of the flight might if I ever get around to editing it.

As for the wish list....... Hmmmmm, having been up front in one at Gatwick, I would love to have been up in a Shack. The Lightning would have to be in there as would a hunter. Anyone offering Spitfire flights - well, I wouldn't say no.

Garry

[MadNaddy]

Sounds like Fun Garry! Get Editing

Welcome back

[Nickolas]

If Clarkson can Barf on camera so can you...........Post It.

[Checkflaps]

If Clarkson can Barf on camera so can you...........Post It.

Hmmmmm. I'll have to sort out the rest of the film first. We'll see.

Garry

[Gully]

Bumping this one up with a little more input.

For a completely different and memorable experience, I'd love to try the 3rd (nose bomb aimer's") seat in a Canberra. Reckon it would be unique and unforgettable!

Gully

PS. Still can't believe the EE. Canberra didn't make it into the Rankings list

[Spitfire]

No doubt whatsoever - ML407 the Grace Spitfire

Closely followed by any one of the REDs in a display - well I say ANY one - but preferably one near the back so you can see the formation - the leader's no good - all he sees is sky

[RLN]

Fusspot

[Mayfly]

Bumping this one up with a little more input.

For a completely different and memorable experience, I'd love to try the 3rd (nose bomb aimer's") seat in a Canberra. Reckon it would be unique and unforgettable!

Gully

PS. Still can't believe the EE. Canberra didn't make it into the Rankings list

I flew in a canberra in Cyprus it was 123degs in the cockpt when I step out on the aircraft pan it was 86degs & felt positively chilly

[Gully]

Bumping this one up with a little more input.

For a completely different and memorable experience, I'd love to try the 3rd (nose bomb aimer's") seat in a Canberra. Reckon it would be unique and unforgettable!

Gully

PS. Still can't believe the EE. Canberra didn't make it into the Rankings list

I flew in a canberra in Cyprus it was 123degs in the cockpt when I step out on the aircraft pan it was 86degs & felt positively chilly

Okay - despite heat I'm still jealous!

Gully

[Dangerousdave]

I'm greedy as I have a few.

1.Lancaster (hoping to go to Canada and fly in theirs soon).

2. Vulcan (never gonna happen )

3. Carolyn Grace's Spitfire ( I have already got on the waiting list).

4. A fast jet (Ideally a Lightning at Thnuder City, but would settle for a JP, Hunter, meteor or similar).

[Sad Sam3]

Like this thread, main reason being cos I've actually been lucky enough to fly in some of the things you all love so dearly!

First flight ever was in a Vc10 (very gentile), then a Belfast, did a fair bit in Chipmunk's and then the best trip of all 3 hours in a Shackelton practising for the Silver jubilee fly past.

Inspired by all the lovely flying I had done as a Space cadet I joined the RAF, and never got much of a look in again, did manage a low level trip in Herc out of Saints (very impressed to get up to the front just as we got to the end of a box valley) and cadged a lift back from Gutersloh in a Chinook (but I wished I hadn't afterwards, like sitting in an oil drum for 8 hours with someone hitting the top with a hammer!) Did some lovely trips in gliders especially in the French Alps out of Sisteron.

Would love to fly in the Spitfire, did not know there was a list!

[Dangerousdave]

Yeah there is a list. I got told ff for telling anyone though. Apparently I can be shot for treason or something now! Shh.

[Prometheus]

Yeah there is a list. I got told ff for telling anyone though. Apparently I can be shot for treason or something now! Shh.

How does the list work then ? Do you buy a share in the a/c or buy Carolines friendship for the day ?

[Sad Sam3]

Yeah there is a list. I got told ff for telling anyone though. Apparently I can be shot for treason or something now! Shh.

Mums the word then! (Now where have you hidden the pen?)

[Ducati Boy]

The Stallion 51 TF-51 Mustang at Kissimee, Florida, it's a twin sticker. As soon as I get a few more lessons nearer to my PPL I am off to do it. Can't wait Yahoo P-51 Cadillac of the sky!!

[Dan4th]

Ah, well, uh......

How about PACKARD of the sky.....

PMCC didn't like that name very much.

PILOTS knew, though....

Dan4th

[Ducati Boy]

D4th old mate. Hmmm!! "Packard of the skies" doesn't have quiet the same ring as "Cadillac" although I agree a Packard is really a much better car! Best I can do for you is "Packard Merlin" D4th old chap, a great donk even if built by you colonial chappies, well done Do you have a Packard by the way? Any pictures?


Mayfly, Hunter also my first operational aircraft, FGA 9's at RAF West Raynham and just about everywhere on detachement 1965- 1968. Without doubt the most beautiful jet fighter aircraft ever to fly, she is definitely a Ferrari of the Sky. If it looks right it usually is and the Hunter has it all, style, grace and performance, the last of the good looking girls of the sky. AAAAAAHH OOOOOOOOOOO Lovely, lovely, lovely etc etc etc OOps sorry aircraft orgasmic moment

[Mayfly]

yep definitely on the pop