VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

Wed, Jan 07 2004, 0:55:28 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 3/02/05 19:06:05
Author: Michael Akin
Subject: Colerne 1965

Hi all

(trying to get the hang of how to do this so I may have posted this message twice!!)

I have just stumbled on this site and its fascinating reeading your memories.
I would love to hear memories of Colerne in 1965 around the time of the crash of TG577 especially as we are approaching the 40th anniversary. John Akin, my father, was the captain on that plane and my memories of him and the time are very sketchy, as I was just 4 years old at the time.
I have memories of the sky being full (probably and exaggerated memory!) of large white a red aircraft and the sound of their throbbing engines.
Does anyone remenber him? What was he like to serve with? What was the atmosphere like at the time? Etc.
Funny really, I have mixed feelings about the Hastings as you can Imagine but on balance I have a fondness for the old bird. I was lucky to fly in one - apart from when I was a baby on a trip back from Cyprus in the early sixties -in 1976 at Scampton where I think the last two or three operational Hastings flew on reconnaissance trips until that sqaudron was disbanded in 1977.
Anyway I would love to hear from any of you.
Michael

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Re: Colerne 1965 -- John Cooper, 3/02/05 19:46:05

Hi Michael

Thanks for your post, sorry to hear it was your Dad on board, sadly I have come across other relatives that lost loved ones that day too and in other such Hastings accidents.

I do have other details that I feel are too intimate to put on my web pages but if you want to get in touch by email with me please feel free to do so.

John


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> Re: Colerne 1965 -- Michael Akin, 4/02/05 17:17:16

Thanks John

My e-mail address is michaeljakin@msn.com

Would love to hear from you

Michael


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> [> Re: Colerne 1965 -- John Cooper, 13/03/05 21:44:51

I have had an email in today from the daughter of the Air Signaller on board this ill fated flight TG577, there are other relatives that have been in touch also, if there is anyone knowing about the RAF's worst UK peacetime accident in 1965 please let me know or post it here for others to get in touch


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> [> [> Re: Colerne 1965 -- Martin Grinstead, 26/06/05 18:45:53

I dont quite know where to start,particularly for Michael,
I was awireless fitter in asf at Colerne,577 had just come from our hangar after an inspection.
At the time mod was only spending money on the station,and we where fitting SHRIMs(special radio installation mods)
they where mic leads attached to the oxygen pipes,as now the crew flying with airline type headsets.
This ment when the a/c flew high(thats alaugh)the crew would then use oxygen masks plugging their mics. at the same time.The other mod was a switch on the handlebars for the captain to listen to the U.H.F. radio (new stuff then)as theIntercom system was built long before,He was listenting to a tone whilst trying to fly at 50 ft. when the tone changed ,press the sprung loaded switch shout down the mic,the air despatcher chucks the stuff out of the doors,and then fly away.
The blokes working in that hangar where all very happy people,basically a 8-5 job,no weekends,often away by friday midday.After the accident all very quiet,until the boys from Farnboro, tell us what happened,all a/c grounded the complete tail assy. removed and sent to radlett,lots of bods detached to other stations, the smallest rigger you find crawling down the tail to replace the rivets,most radio bods gone not me had to take the aerials of the fin and tailplane.
Then comes the big day the first a/c put back together and an air test,volunteers,yesplease, couldn/t wait.
17 Sept C.O. GroupCatain Mackie,in the driving seat,winco flying in the co pilots seat ,and as theBath &Wilts Evening Chronicle states most of Colerne/s top brass,plus one J/T me.


[ Edit | View ]


[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT+0
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.