Well, I had a great time and learned a lot about safe flying at the Moonrakers Gliding and Soaring Club, operating at RAF Upavon in the early 1960's.
Having searched the internet and RAF Gliding and Soaring Association for information and history about it to no avail, I decided to start this blog and see if any of my old friends would pop out of the woodwork and share memories of the good old times, before they are lost.
If you ever flew with the club, or were just a visitor, please get in touch.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hallo Dewlish!
ReplyDeleteI too was a member of the Moorakers from (hm, let's look at my logbook) my first flight on 29.1.1956 at Lyneham (4 mins in the T31 with F/L Morris (who sported such stylish brown brogue shoes) to my last flight on 4.6.1960 at Edgehill (5 mins in the T21 as P1½ with McWilliam (I don't remember him any more). In between I managed to clock up my C and Silver C (UK No. 836, mostly in the Blue Tutor).
I'm starting up my own blog sometime, so will keep in touch.
Still gliding, by the way, at Hyvinkää in Finland (www.hyik.fi)
Cheers!
Robin
Hedda the blue tutor I guess. Tom Docherty & David Wilson the instructors?
ReplyDeleteMoonrakers started at Lyneham - moved to Upavon early 1957
PS
ReplyDeleteRobin is not Robin King by any chance??
In 1957 Robin King flew the blue Tutor from Upavon to Torrington, a distance of just over a hundred miles. Probably the furthest distance ever flown by a Tutor
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed your blog,I don't remeber anything of the Moonrakers, but I know I was there. thank you from Robert Williamson aka Mini Willi.
ReplyDeleteHi Robert, I am still trying to find out what happened to your father (I guess) and your mother. They both treated me kindly and are affectionately remembered. Best regards,
DeleteChris (Micro) Morris.
I think I remember you being shown to us all shortly after your arrival in the world. Where are your parents now, I hope they are well and that I have not got you mixed up with someone else.
ReplyDeleteChris Morris
I remember B4U popped out. We were all wondering what to call you, being boy or girl.
ReplyDeleteMini was in vougue (The car) and for your Dad was a very apt decision.
I've always wondered how John and Boal(not sure of spelling) are doing but not had the fortune to meet up again.
Hoped to have met them at the RAFGSA meet at Bicester a couple of years ago.
Regards,
Ian Smith.
Faringdon.
Hi again folks.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to give you a brief update.
Dad stayed in the RAF until the 80's, having won the UK nationals a few times, he became National Soaring coach for several years, coaching some eventual World champions, certainly Phil and Steve Jones, as well as Mike Young who has today finished third in Texas. then a few years in Australia running the Gliding club of Victoria at Benalla, directing a Worlds championship whilst there. Eventually retired, retuned to UK, now lives in Norfolk. Failing eyesight has grounded him as flying as passenger was/is too frustrating for him, potters around the broads in a small sail dingy that can't really hurt too much when he doesn't see what he sails at. Mum is living SW of London, near my sister and her two kids and husband (my lil sis, being a whirlwind of energy, got nick named willy willy after the dust devils common in Aus'). Still married but tentatively separated they have concluded they need to be 50 - 100 miles apart, but half the time they're visiting each other.
They are hardly aware of gliding anymore because of the aforementioned frustrations, and only went to Lasham comps last year when I told them it was on, Dad ended up presenting prizes, Mum does all the driving.
Rob Williamson.
Dear Rob, somehow missed your note until today. Many thanks for the update on how things are with your Dad. He was one of the special people in my life that I had the privilege to know and learn from. A real action man and your mother was special too.
DeleteDo you mind if I put your comment up on the blog as it is the only recent news of the Great John Willi that there seems to be around.
Best wishes
Chris (Micro) Morris
Yes, moonraker56 = Robin King, living in Helsinki, Finland. Write a blog (in English ;-) that can be found by googling ilmailun riemua.
ReplyDelete