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Gate Guards

15 Nov 2008 23:49 - 18 Jul 2017 20:42 #11 by Peter Kirk
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A dodgy Honington Buccaneer in Navy colours from 1973

No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)

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16 Nov 2008 00:01 - 18 Jul 2017 20:41 #12 by Peter Kirk
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Gate Guards
A selection of Manston guardians, if that is what they were.

First the Spitfire from 1972. This is now in the purpose built museum which I think was built a few yards up from here, probably where I was standing.


Javelin from 1974


Canberra from 1974


Another shot from 1974


The Javelin again from 1983


Not sure when the Spit moved to it's new home but I can't find a picture of it after 1972. The Javelin and Canberra were probably dragged kicking and screaming to the fire dump across the road.
I have some pics of the fire dump in 1983 with Vulcans a Shackleton and other assorted aircraft. I never tried to get close to the fire dump as there was always a lot of activity and lots of thick black smoke every now and then. Possibly an enthusiastic BBQ?
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)

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17 Nov 2008 22:44 - 23 Jul 2017 15:25 #13 by Peter Kirk
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Gate Guards
At last I found my Debden Gate Guard picture. A bit dark but it shows the Vampire and also a half timbered car.
Taken in August 1972

No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)

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12 Dec 2008 11:49 #14 by Paul Francis
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RAF Upwood

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You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!

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12 Dec 2008 12:59 #15 by REF
Replied by REF on topic Gate Guards
Regarding the Canberra at Upwood, the aircraft is actually WH723, a history of the airfram is taken from this website, www.adf-serials.com/2a84.shtml

Built by English Electric 30/04/53. Delivered to RAF as WH723. Delivered to RAAF 23/11/55 at Edinburgh SA. On 27/11/56 over Woomera at 45,000 ft and 210 KIAS the starboard engine suffered a compressor stall and flame out. Engine No.6830 installed. Aircraft was issued to English Electric on 27/04/59 and returned to UK. Eventially ended up with RAF maintenance serial 7638M. Served as gate-guard at RAF Upwood, painted as "WJ642" from 04/60 to 05/78 before once again being involved in trials (only as a target I would presume) at AWRE Foulness. Sold for scrap 12/90.


This website;
www.ukserials.com/results.php?serial=WH
states this info;

d/d 05/05/1953, as No.8 SoTT, Weeton for G/I as 7628M 08/01/1960, to Upwood, Cambridgeshire for display marked as 'WJ642' , to AWRE Foulness 04/051978, scrapped 12/1990

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13 Dec 2008 20:41 #16 by canberra
Replied by canberra on topic Gate Guards
Wethersfield and red bull, well there was a unit based there called REDHORSE. It was a civil engineering unit IIRC.

As for artillery pieces, yes most army barracks have them. Here in Preston the TA centre next to PNEs ground has an Iraqi tank.

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13 Dec 2008 21:00 #17 by WJT
Replied by WJT on topic Gate Guards
Mawganmad: PS915 was never on the gate at Barwdy. It was on my slop-chit and I thought it should be kept inside in that hostile climate (average rain 46 inches per year). Every now and again she was brought out to play. A little while after I left Brawdy she was taken to Warton to be restored to flying condition. Must look out some pics.

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24 Feb 2009 18:09 #18 by Peter
Replied by Peter on topic Gate Guards
That shackleton looks in mint condition! How close would it be to being runnable??
Cheers,
Peter

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24 Feb 2009 19:48 #19 by andrewayers
Replied by andrewayers on topic Gate Guards

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kemble 1977
andrew

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06 Apr 2009 12:42 #20 by VikingsBoss
Replied by VikingsBoss on topic Gate Guards
They had a Skeeter outside the Wattisham station museum in 2005:

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