swordfish fairey Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Thanks for posting such wonderful pics of our past Hero's down in the FalklandsLost a good friend on the Galahad Big cheer to everyone that gave of themselves so unselfishly. Ay ay brummie!, you will never be forgotten. Steve Thanks Steve, don't know about the hero's bit though, it was just another job to be done, I sure as hell didn't feel much of a hero. I feel immensely proud of what was done, but we were all trained to do what we did ( with the best training in the world) And fortunately it worked out all right...But your thoughts are very much appreciated.....Tony (Smudge) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 I noticed the angle of the Wessex... that's why I asked. But it looks like it's parked there with a crane or something. If you (or someone else) actually landed the Wessex on that deck you have some very large cojones cause that looks insane! All the time it was on the FD the rotors were kept kept turning and the pilot had control on what was going on, any problems and they would have lifted off right away. Shutting down would not be an option in that tight situation. The Wessex was a remarkably agile helicopter and we have often landed with just one main wheel on a rocky outcrop and been able to de-plane safely whilst the pilot held her steady........Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1fuN0 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi Tony Ha, yeah, we all say that we just 'went over to do another job'. I served in Bosnia, got a bit ****** up and certainly, never felt like a hero, but I was with the best trained army in the world, with the best gear and the best mates... My Daughter says, (in her words), we are all hero's because we went away to save people and the people were happy..... I like that. Good talking to you. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi TonyHa, yeah, we all say that we just 'went over to do another job'. I served in Bosnia, got a bit ****** up and certainly, never felt like a hero, but I was with the best trained army in the world, with the best gear and the best mates... My Daughter says, (in her words), we are all hero's because we went away to save people and the people were happy..... I like that. Good talking to you. Steve Sounds like you have a pretty sensible Daughter there Steve, can't argue with that...Take care mate....Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Other news 30 years ago....I've just realised that one of my heros Gilles Villeneuve was killed this Saturday 30 years ago (8/5/82) during qualifying for the Belgian GP. Strangely, I don't connect the two events as being the same era of my life. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 25, 2012 Author Share Posted May 25, 2012 (edited) 25th May 1982 Not a good day today, after what seemed a morning of heavy air activity we heard that HMS Coventry had been hit also the Atlantic Conveyor............ I lost two mates on the Conveyor, and I am remembering them both today.. AEM® Adrian Anslow I didn't know Ade very well, but I had worked with him and found him to be a thoroughly nice lad, professional in his work and with a great sense of humour....R.I.P. Mate LAEM(L) Don L Pryce..... Don I knew very well, having done two tours in Northern Ireland with him and shared a mess with him on the Intrepid in Jan of 82, (had a few good runs ashore with him too)..R.I.P. Mate. I also remember the others lost this day 30 years ago...H.M.S. Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor...........R.I.P. lads Smudge Edited May 27, 2012 by swordfish fairey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 (edited) 26th May 1982 After yesterdays events, today is relatively quite, with just a little air activity.....Well, for us any way... My broken fingers are giving me some gip, I have a hand like a catchers mitt....The Doc onboard thinks I may have a bit of bone kicking around in one of the joints....... HMS Bristol and her group arrive.... Our Wessex does what it does best.... With stores transfers to and from Blue Rover..... HMS Yarmouth gets the call, but for what, we are not sure....... The Boss does a low fly by......Whoopee!! These are all slides that I found whilst going through my print boxes, there are some I had forgotten about completely.. Back soon.....Tony Edited May 26, 2012 by swordfish fairey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Tony, your images are not showing up? Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 Tony,your images are not showing up? Julien How's that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 How's that?? Absolutely spiffing! cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Fantastic shots and some good memories....I was a serving Police Officer at the time who volunteered to go down there at the end of the conflict to help with stability. Currently reading this...an Argentinian perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hello Jim, I would be happy to hear what you're thinking about this book; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Thank you for postong these pictures, i was 14 at the time, it was a big thing to me at the time, first time i rally started watching news or reading papers, it seems a funny thing to say but, its the first time i really took notice of what was going on around me. Thanks very much, thoughts to all involved, family friends. and those who didn t make it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hello Jim,I would be happy to hear what you're thinking about this book; Only 1/4 way through it but it gives a day by day account of the ariel events and thus far it is clearly obvious just how amazingly brave their pilots were when flying in the main 'obselete/outdated' aircraft. Up to the point I'm at their Hercules flew continuously and often at wave top level up to almost the final day of the conflict taking in supplies and evacuating wounded and their Canberra squadron served with distinction also. I'm not yet up to the chapters detailing the exploits of their smaller faster air platforms. Already decided it's a bargain at "22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 I was 19 when it started and was at the end of my first year of my degree at Bristol Poly. As a student, I didn't have a TV, so only got news from papers (and yes that included the (in)famous 'Gotcha' and 'sweethearts' headlines in the Sun) and occasional snippets on other media. My Falklands War was therefore mostly starved of information - the most poignant of what I did get to see was the Bluff Cove coverage. Such brave people (on both sides). It was only when I read stuff like Max Hastings' book 15-20 years later that I realised what an achievement it was. Unbelievable how coverage of these things changed even just 10 years later with the first Gulf War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wafu Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hi Three of my photo's taken not long after our (847 NAS) move to Navy Point (Wireless Ridge) My cab under going a AF/BF Thats the trans deck done, god i'm a spog in that one. Doing the mail run in Stanley X-ray Golf. Great thread Sorry for hijacking it. The Woo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hi Woo, Great pics of you're cab, good to see them. Must have been a bit chilly down at that latitude? Similar if not colder when on 845 in Feb, '66, we did our Operational Readiness Inspection on Salisbury Plain in two inches of snow. as you know the fuel computers used to freeze below 5 degrees. magic no flying. No need to say the officers (Pigs) went of with their shotguns looking for pheasant! Colin on the Africa Station Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wafu Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Hi Woo, Great pics of you're cab, good to see them. Must have been a bit chilly down at that latitude? Similar if not colder when on 845 in Feb, '66, we did our Operational Readiness Inspection on Salisbury Plain in two inches of snow. as you know the fuel computers used to freeze below 5 degrees. magic no flying. No need to say the officers (Pigs) went of with their shotguns looking for pheasant!Colin on the Africa Station Hi Colin Yep funny thing was one second it was sunny and mild the next it was like being in the polar winter. This was my cab X-ray Echo XS516. I have her Cyclic and Collective in my workshop along with the chrome piddle tube head from the cabin. Its now one of my paint brush holders. XS516 came through RAF Shawbury in the 90's to be scrapped so I 'borrowed' a few keepsakes. She had all the paperwork in the cabin and I managed to find my signature in th records from 1982, kind of wish I had kept some of that now. Anyway her she is X E. Cheers the Woo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Nice one mate.......Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roys Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 This weekend at Battlegroup North show at Elvington there was a full Falklands fighting equipment display laid out, which I found most interesting. http://s854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/roys1966/2012/ Photos 6 to 11. Photos 1-5 are WW2 Airborne & Cossack medical/WW2 Quite old tech for the Falklands-the green undies and rubber overshoes were surprise. I quite enjoyed meeting guys reliving 80's experiences but the rest I could not get my head round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 You peeps are putting up some great photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish fairey Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) June 2nd 1982... A bit rough today, (the sea, not me I hasten to add)... HMS Fearless comes to us for a stores transfer, She sure is rolling around.. Mind you, I'm not surprised with the sea being like it is.... I have had a minor op on my hand and it is much better, there was a small bit of bone in my middle finger joint that was causing the agro. TBC......Tony Edited June 2, 2012 by swordfish fairey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Fantastic stuff - thank you for taking the time to update this dynamic calendar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Evocative pictures. Making emotions swell & my eyes water. I was on my Puma course at Westlands at the time, having been on Wessex for some years. Back to Odiham, Pack a go-bag, And then working weekends & all hours swapping rotorheads for one's on which you could fold the blades. We had Civvies in making huge zip up bags to encase the Puma's. Then some one tried landing one on a ship & rediscovered their instability. Then the Conveyor went down,,,,, Never did get to go down there. Wanted to though. Just started reading 'Forgotten voices of the Falklands' By Hugh McManners. Good so far. Next one to get when I'm back home is Scram, written by a Wessex pilot. Bless them all. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Rgr that...Bless them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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