Fast jet training - 1980s stylee

[stickshaker]

Started with a bit of flying selection at Swinderby





Some us were lucky enough to train in Texas (thread to follow), then it was red and white Hawks at Valley





This one also shows a Lightning detachment at STCAAME




The A5 pass was the same then


Then it was down to Chivenor - heaven in Devon!



Coasting in at Hartland Point






and recovering over Barnstaple


and finally a bit of time at Brawdy. Note the Red Arrows helmet in the front. This was when they had a war role and used to practice it annually.


We went off as a pair, with a couple of us studes in the boot, only to find that the weather was unfit so we were subjected to display of formation aerobatics


By the time I was back at Valley on the staff, the aircraft all had blue tops

[Neilf92]

Brilliant post - my first real hill photo trip found me standing on top of that cliff just behind the E2B shooting Hawks as they hauled round the Ogwen corner - great fun - happy memories.

[SKYRAIDER]

Just fantastic, what a set of photos you have got there, its great to see the Chivenor Hawks again, please if you have any more and you have the time post some others,
thanks for posting these,
Rob

[Epic Formacion]

Great feel for the days in the way the images look.

[PeteM]

Brilliant Have you any more from Chivenor you can post?

[AnglianAV8R]

Great stuff, thanks. What did you train on in the States?
Lovely to see the TWU Hawks, I remember TWU hunters flying from Newcastle on an exercise defending Boulmer against F111s.

[coanda]

Yes, those Hawks at Valley take me back. I spent many a day with my dad watching the blue tops come and go at Valley under the approach - my fave hawk scheme.

Great shots from back in the day - very atmospheric. Especially the over-the-shoulder leaving Valley shot.

[F-86]

Great set, proper coloured aircraft back then.

[travis82]

Brilliant post, I particularly enjoyed the Chivenor pics, it would be lovely to see more of Chivenor if you have them.

Thanks again,

Joe.

[stickshaker]

I have more Chiv but mostly the same as those posted. Standby for the training in the states.

[Kokpit]

Brilliant, the good old days, just how did we loose them so badly?.........................

[TS010]

By the time I was back at Valley on the staff, the aircraft all had blue tops

Which line did you fly from, Goshawk or Seahawk?

[Wingnutt]

Great set, proper coloured aircraft back then.

Hear, hear! Black's fine, but only in moderation.

Lovely photos.