19-05-2021, 10:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 19-05-2021, 04:22 PM by Tony Griffiths.)
(19-05-2021, 10:03 AM)Biddlecombe Wrote: I recall going from the New Forest where I lived, with my Air Training Corps pals to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk where Lightnings were training for Farnborough, must have been about 1962. What a noise! Unfortunately I contracted severe tonsilitis and was sent to the sick bay on arrival where a delightful young WAAF nurse looked after me for most of the week. I still had one of her garters until a few years ago !!
I can't beat the garter story, but in 1967 on my honeymoon, my wife and I drove from London, keeping as close to the east coast as possible, until level with Sheffield. On the way we must have diverted to Coltishall, for there we parked on a gravel track - that ran across pretty close to the end of the runway - and watched three Lightnings doing bumps and circuits. At first, they passed overhead with a lot of room to spare but, obviously spotting the Austin, came lower and lower on each pass. Exciting stuff. Made me wish I'd fulfilled my ambition of joining the Fleet Air Arm.