20 Nov 2011

[Nickolas]

Not strictly a meet up but I'm taking some cadets up to see 655 at the behest of Sooty & Co.
If the weather is fine then in the best TG tradition there will be a 'race'.
Ground forces in Sqn minibus vs Civilian Instructor + 3 cadets in his Cessna 172.
Everyone leaves Sqn HQ at 08:00, we head straight towards 655, the aviators go the opposite way to North Weald, stoke up the Cessna, and then head off in the general direction of 655 too.

ETA somewhere around 10:30............................

Oh anyone fancy meeting up?

[Xplumberlives]

Not strictly a meet up but I'm taking some cadets up to see 655 at the behest of Sooty & Co.
If the weather is fine then in the best TG tradition there will be a 'race'.
Ground forces in Sqn minibus vs Civilian Instructor + 3 cadets in his Cessna 172.
Everyone leaves Sqn HQ at 08:00, we head straight towards 655, the aviators go the opposite way to North Weald, stoke up the Cessna, and then head off in the general direction of 655 too.

ETA somewhere around 10:30............................

Oh anyone fancy meeting up?

A very TOP GEAR race!

[MOD]

I'll try to be there Nick.


Ian

[Nickolas]

Come on, you lot, this is how the Invasion of Brunty started.............. remember?????

a bloody stupid idea by yours truly aided an abetted by Steffie, Dickon, XPL and of course Taff 'n Co.

[Xplumberlives]

Come on, you lot, this is how the Invasion of Brunty started.............. remember?????

a bloody stupid idea by yours truly aided an abetted by Steffie, Dickon, XPL and of course Taff 'n Co.

St. Nick

You seem to forget that the "INVASION" started out as a protest and then was accepted and rationalised once the powers that be realised it's better to be involved!

[Dan4th]

I think they also thought it better not
to bite the hand........

Etc.

Of course, remember what happened
right after?

I mean RIGHT after????????

D.

[Xplumberlives]

I think they also thought it better not
to bite the hand........

Etc.

Of course, remember what happened
right after?

I mean RIGHT after????????

D.

I do!

[Nickolas]

Sorry you will have to remind me...............
I personally don't recall it being a 'protest'. What did I miss at the time then guys???????

[Dan4th]

I don't really recall it as a protest, but it
did take some persuasion to make it
happen......

Seems to ME it was a great success for
all concerned, and a wonderful time was
had by ALL!

BUT THEN.......

After everyone had left to go home.......

The Old-Old Forum went Bye-Bye, never
to be seen again!

Not even saved somewhere, just sent
off into the ether!

All that history and information and
fun just.........

GONE!

It was a huge slap in the face to all
Forumeers on the Old-Old Forum......

I will never forget it!

Danf.

[Sooty655]

I hope no-one is suggesting they have any reason to protest at/to/about 655MaPS.

Please bear in mind that a visit to Wellesbourne is NOT like a visit to the replica which used to be just up the road from here. You will not be told to stand well back and not touch everything, we offer the full hands-on experience with as many systems as possible working and demonstrated.

The downside is that we need to manage numbers and ensure we have sufficient volunteers to show everyone round. If you do intend to respond to Nick's challenge, then please let us know so we can make the arrangements. If there are too many, we may have to split you into two separate groups, morning and afternoon. You could still all meet at lunchtime at the (very popular) airfield cafe.

[Nickolas]

I hope no-one is suggesting they have any reason to protest at/to/about 655MaPS.

Please bear in mind that a visit to Wellesbourne is NOT like a visit to the replica which used to be just up the road from here. You will not be told to stand well back and not touch everything, we offer the full hands-on experience with as many systems as possible working and demonstrated.

The downside is that we need to manage numbers and ensure we have sufficient volunteers to show everyone round. If you do intend to respond to Nick's challenge, then please let us know so we can make the arrangements. If there are too many, we may have to split you into two separate groups, morning and afternoon. You could still all meet at lunchtime at the (very popular) airfield cafe.

Oooops, have I stuck my foot in it here????????? Sorry Sooty.

Still it would be nice to come and support the 'crew trainer' and her team, without whom the who damn escapade would have been a lot harder.

Looks like we have about 9 cadets plus a few grown ups too.............

[Sooty655]

Oooops, have I stuck my foot in it here????????? Sorry Sooty.

Still it would be nice to come and support the 'crew trainer' and her team, without whom the who damn escapade would have been a lot harder.

Looks like we have about 9 cadets plus a few grown ups too.............

Not at all, we are always pleased and proud to show off the most powerful Vulcan in the world.

It is just that if we know the numbers we can make arrangements for everyone to have the best possible visit. I don't want to put anyone off ~ just to make sure we know how many to expect.

[Nickolas]

Well tomorrow it is.

I will be driving the Sqn bus with the OC four cadets and one parent.
CI Ian Brierly will set off at the same time with three cadets to North Weald. He will then get his Cessna 172 out of the hangar do all the pre-flight stuff while we are pounding around the M11, M25 and up the M40.
Once Ian and crew get airborne they will catch us up some where along the M40.
Hope fully they will have landed and have got a brew in ready for the bus to arrive.
Sooo looking forward to it.

[Mayfly]

I'm sure you'll have a good time - MaPS aren't a bad lot really!!

[Nickolas]

I'm sure you'll have a good time - MaPS aren't a bad lot really!!

Looking forward to meeting Sooty, MOD and anyone else who pitches up.
Weather looks good too.

[Cluny]

I might pop up

[Sooty655]

You can also expect Ramshornvortex, Bovril, Bry, Av, Bornagainliney and Kermit.

[Cluny]

Pleasure to meet everyone today , shame the weather didn't play ball to allow the race but still a good day none the less
Here a few of my pics from today












And to top it off at the end of the day , I was invited into the cockpit whilst they fired up the rover to close the bomb doors . And got asked to press the engine fire warning system test button , fantastic
Thanks to all at 655MaPS for making us welcome as usual

[Xplumberlives]

Here a few of my pics from today

Blimey Mate, I knew you were tall but that's well high, did you have to stretch much?

[Nickolas]

Wow, what a day, Thanks everyone. We had a great time and the cadets loved it!!!!!!!
Nice to see everyone. we left at 3:30 and got back to Sawbo at 6pm!!!!!!!!!!! Bloody traffic on M40 (fog didn't help either but we are all home safely.

Charles, Sooty and the team, thank you very much for your time today. It would have been nice if you let us cuddle up to the exhaust of the rover as it was cold.

Poor Ian didn't get airborne as it didn't clear at our end till about 11am.

Regards,

Nick & cadets of 309 (Sawbridgeworth) Sqn

[MOD]

Pleasure to meet everyone today , shame the weather didn't play ball to allow the race but still a good day none the less
Here a few of my pics from today

And to top it off at the end of the day , I was invited into the cockpit whilst they fired up the rover to close the bomb doors . And got asked to press the engine fire warning system test button , fantastic
Thanks to all at 655MaPS for making us welcome as usual

Great shots Clunes.

Nick I am sorry I couldn't make it today

I am glad you all had a great time. The XM655 team are a very hospitable bunch of enthusiasts.


ibw

[Xplumberlives]

it didn't clear at our end till about 11am.

I'm glad your END is better!