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Post by zz on Jun 20, 2016 15:44:45 GMT
Hello all
Reminders for tomorrow-
08.45 - at Access Control. Map attached somewhere in this thread! As Michael suggests, it may be a bit busy on the roads and at the gate.
Photo ID - needed if you want to get in the Apache hangar.
Donations- I'll collect donations for the museum on arrival, then write a cheque to cover everyone.
The forecast looks good!
See you all tomorrow
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Post by smudger98 on Jun 20, 2016 16:05:16 GMT
Hello all Reminders for tomorrow- 08.45 - at Access Control. Map attached somewhere in this thread! As Michael suggests, it may be a bit busy on the roads and at the gate. Photo ID - needed if you want to get in the Apache hangar. Donations- I'll collect donations for the museum on arrival, then write a cheque to cover everyone. The forecast looks good! See you all tomorrow See you all there in the morning...
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Post by keefyboy on Jun 20, 2016 17:14:09 GMT
Hi Graham
I too drove past Stonehenge this morning and all I can say is bollards!!....and plenty of them too. The lorry in front of me clipped one that went flying towards me - I managed to swerve and avoid it as there was no oncoming traffic. From where I am in Chippenham, I think I'll head your way and take the road through Lugershall to Andover and double back ever so slightly. I'm sure it's sound advice to avoid Stonedhenge at all costs in the morning Cheers Keith
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Post by graham on Jun 20, 2016 18:20:52 GMT
Hi Keith, good idea I reckon, of course it's easier for me, straight down the A342 to Andover, then one junction on the A303 to the A343 turning for Middle Wallop. Unfortunately I have to get back straight after the visit but I'm sure we'll have the chance to say hello.
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Post by rugbyref on Jun 20, 2016 19:01:11 GMT
Anyone know of a good place to stop for breakfast before the tour ( I have to brave the M25 at silly o'clock to get there, so will be looking for somewhere about 7.30) as I assume the café at the airfield will not be open that early?
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Post by zz on Jun 20, 2016 19:17:00 GMT
Little Chef at Popham?
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Post by keefyboy on Jun 20, 2016 19:18:22 GMT
I believe there is a Little Chef at the BP station opposite Popham airfield as you head west along the A303 shortly after you leave the M3. Google it to check opening times etc. Other than that I can't think of anything else that might be open on the road to wallop
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Post by mick on Jun 20, 2016 20:01:45 GMT
If your coming down the M3, theres always Fleet services. I shall probably call in for an overpriced coffee and a sandwich or something
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Post by Dylan on Jun 21, 2016 6:06:17 GMT
.... Zzzzzzzz.... Good morning! Look forward to seeing you all
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Post by Dylan on Jun 21, 2016 11:26:32 GMT
'Twas a great tour with many in the book, no final amount just yet however it was LOTS! Many thanks to ZZ for making it possible, and very nice to meet you all again and meet some for the first time
Cheers Dylan
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Post by davidallum on Jun 21, 2016 12:27:51 GMT
Just got back from the tour and although military is not really my thing I found it very informative and interesting.Many thanks to zz for organising it and it was good to meet up with a lot of you again and also to meet some members for the first time.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 12:44:22 GMT
Not mad on Mil Spotting myself- apart from stuff I see OTT (Heavies & Biz) and the odd things on the approach at LPL and in Museums- but the wife works with a guy who used to work as a Helicopter Tech at Wallop and offered to arrange a trip around the place where he has a lot of colleagues who still work there. To date I have not taken him up on his offer- as he usually makes the same when he has had a few pints- but I may call his bluff in the near future. Update:- Having seen the log from Wallop- albeit a good one- I would only have only made 25 - (Thought more Apatche's would have been there) seems a long way for such a small number of cops. So doubt that I will take him up on his offer- unless I can get a flight in an Apatche Lol. Happy Days Bob
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Post by denwil189 on Jun 21, 2016 15:25:54 GMT
Great visit to Middle Wallop, enjoyed meeting fellow members on the Forum and having a good laugh. Well done Phil for organising the visit, and a big thank you to all the Army Guys for making it so interesting and accessable.
Den
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Post by mick on Jun 21, 2016 16:04:56 GMT
Great visit to Middle Wallop, enjoyed meeting fellow members on the Forum and having a good laugh. Well done Phil for organising the visit, and a big thank you to all the Army Guys for making it so interesting and accessable. Den Just to reiterate whats already been said. Thanks for organising Phil. The Apache hanger tour was impressive and the Historic flight lads looked chuffed with our donation. Most enjoyable. Still don't know who half you buggers are though.
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Post by graham on Jun 21, 2016 16:35:34 GMT
LOL likewise Mick, I reckon I knew by name ( or forum name) about half of our group. I'm sure we'll have more days out in the future. Myself, along with a couple of others bunged our donations into the bucket before ZZ made the official collection so I would estimate we must have contributed about £250 or thereabouts to a very good cause. George "Smokey" Bacon was a character wasn't he? The stories he must be able to tell......
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Post by rugbyref on Jun 21, 2016 17:01:38 GMT
Have also just got home (via a deserted Lasham;) not only was the tour super, but there was some good chat in the Apache café afterwards - and the welcome arrival of a Canada based Gazelle. I also discovered that one of our members (who actually went with the Herts society) was a colleague until 1989, and we discussed our trip in the 1970s to Sculthorpe to see the F105s. Here's to the next trip!
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Post by zz on Jun 21, 2016 17:03:24 GMT
No worries guys- it was all very simple and a very enjoyable trip. That's the first time I've known them let us sit in the Apache!
It was a good call to give the donation to the Historic Flight- the guy was clearly genuinely touched and as Graham says, it was a substantial amount! Several members went to the museum and more of us went to the cafe, so the museum did ok out of us too!
Nice to meet you all- I will send an email to MW tomorrow thanking everyone involved.
Cheers
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Post by graham on Jun 21, 2016 17:24:38 GMT
We really appreciate all you've done for us today ZZ. A superb tour and some great conversation.
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Post by smudger98 on Jun 21, 2016 17:44:08 GMT
Last to the post as usual.. Nice to meet the guys at last, big thanks to ZZ for the organization and huge thanks to the Army for making it such a fun day.. even the 1st part was informative..!! But Hanger 5 was just a little bit special in my book. Real glad the funds went to such a worth while cause, almost got my hanky out for the boss of it.. Tally Ho.. Smudger.
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Post by tomcat14 on Jun 21, 2016 18:24:02 GMT
Have also just got home (via a deserted Lasham;) not only was the tour super, but there was some good chat in the Apache café afterwards - and the welcome arrival of a Canada based Gazelle. I also discovered that one of our members (who actually went with the Herts society) was a colleague until 1989, and we discussed our trip in the 1970s to Sculthorpe to see the F105s. Here's to the next trip! And that member was me. Good to meet up again Phil (rugbyref). Paul
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Post by zz on Jun 21, 2016 18:43:08 GMT
Have also just got home (via a deserted Lasham;) not only was the tour super, but there was some good chat in the Apache café afterwards - and the welcome arrival of a Canada based Gazelle. I also discovered that one of our members (who actually went with the Herts society) was a colleague until 1989, and we discussed our trip in the 1970s to Sculthorpe to see the F105s. Here's to the next trip! The Canada-based Gazelle, ZA736, was worth waiting for! It was one of my last 7 Gazelles (after making another on the tour) For my Dad it was one of his last 3. And davebasing said it was his last one! Apparently it's due to go back to Canada on Friday.
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Post by graham on Jun 21, 2016 19:24:28 GMT
I didn't realise your Dad was there ZZ. It would have been good to say hello ( maybe I did?)
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Post by rugbyref on Jun 21, 2016 20:11:40 GMT
Needed 41 of those seen on the tour / flying and 18 in the museum. A good day indeed!
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Post by Jeff on Jun 21, 2016 20:16:48 GMT
Great day all round, maybe we need to put names to grahams photo :-) im third left .... Lol
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Post by Dylan on Jun 21, 2016 20:39:00 GMT
Great day all round, maybe we need to put names to grahams photo :-) im third left .... Lol Kev and I are the 2 on the end (right)
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Post by davidallum on Jun 21, 2016 21:23:53 GMT
I'm the handsome guy in the red jumper next to Graham.
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Post by rugbyref on Jun 22, 2016 17:29:02 GMT
...a bit late I know, but Military Aircraft Markings 2015 shows Middle Wallop as having some BDRT frames. I wonder whether we should have asked whether there were some we could see?
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Post by Jeff on Jun 22, 2016 17:39:03 GMT
I think the question was asked as we passed the last hangar, On the way round to see the 6 lynx wrecks, but were told no admittance to that hangar.... If that was the BDRT hangar that is
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Post by graham on Jun 22, 2016 19:30:07 GMT
Jeff, do you have the reggies for those final six we saw before going back to the cars?
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Post by zz on Jun 22, 2016 19:30:10 GMT
...a bit late I know, but Military Aircraft Markings 2015 shows Middle Wallop as having some BDRT frames. I wonder whether we should have asked whether there were some we could see? According to the demobbed site, some of the frames listed as BDRT, no longer exist. For example, Scout XP893 still listed in MAM 2015, is described in demobbed as having expired around 2001 !
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