Moonrakers
MOONRAKERS
February 1960
The main news item for the report is that the Club have had a most successful start to the winter ridge soaring season. Our thanks go to Neil Swan ton who has generously put at our disposal a fine large field at the base of Huish ridge. The first week-end produced 27 hrs and since then five Silver C durations have been flown. The shocking part of the story is that prior to arrival of John Williamson (CFI) the use of the ridge was hardly considered, but now it only needs the Met. man to mention the possibility of a wind with a touch of South in it and the equipment is put in the field overnight and flying starts at the crack of dawn.
During the past few months we have regretfully said goodbye to four staunch supporters of the Club, namely Plt Off Bill Keppel-Compton (KC) ACI Dave Ellis, SAC Eddie Hodges and SAC John Dack. We wish them all the best with their postings and hope to see them again at Upavon whenever they have a chance to visit us.
Thanks to that ridge and supporting ground organisation, we heartily congratulate Major John Evans, Flt Lt Eric Reeves and SAC John Dack on their Silver C's. John Dack found that the southerly winds did not quite fit in with his off duty time, so he flew his five hours at Fovant. However, he started his distance leg from Huish and landed at Staverton. Also congratulations to our Chairman, Gp Capt P A Cooper, Sqn Ldr R B Stratton and Cpl Steve Warrick-Fleming, they also recently clocked the required five hours in the Olympia. Other qualifications in the past few months are C's for "Bob" McLuckie and Ron Colvin and B's for Peter Lewis and "Jock' McPherson. Our deepest sympathy goes' to JT Geoff Chandler, who came to earth after 153 miles on a very fine attempt at his Gold distance.
The statistics for 1959 have proved what a wonderful year it was. The Club recorded 5,813 launches and 970 hours and the totals passed all previous records by at least 90 %.
Work for the non-flyable winter days is in the shape of a badly damaged Weihe trailer which was purchased from Lasham. History has come home to roost, for the trailer met its doom when on its way to retrieve our CFI at Okehampton in the 1957 Nationals.
At long last we have a Club Room, it needs quite a lot of work in order to bring it to a usable state but the panelling has almost been completed and the floor laid. Some members have remarked that the inside looks like a large coffin but as it is six feet underground, their comments are understandable. Dick Stratton is planning the cooking and heating arrangements, so we should soon be able to offer visitors the odd cup of tea.
The Moonrakers wish all gliding clubs a Very Happy New Year of Soaring, if you ever come down our way during any weekend, just drop in for a visit.
April 1960
In spite of the seasonable weather of rain, snow and fog, the Club has been pressing on with the winter training programme and already the Upavon thermals have been sampled by several members. Cyril Wade in the Olympia II even found a wave from a winch launch, he coaxed her up 500 ft. and remained aloft for 40 minutes Recently the Chipmunk emerged from the Hangar for the first aero-tows of the year and as a result, several members have been checked out for solo tows. They were so elated that they could still smile after the sub-zero tows in the Kite I.
Thanks to the Midland Gliding Club Wave Safari, a group of members had their first taste of wave soaring at the Mynd, plus bungey experience for the majority. Gp Capt Cooper completed the second leg of his Silver C with a climb of 4,700 ft. and JT Eddie Hodges was once again defeated by a sticking barograph. JT Geoff Chandler produced the best Moonraker height of the meeting with a climb to 6,600 ft. and the Club chalked up a total of 23 hours; in brief a good time was had by all (excluding the Studebaker when confronted with the hill!)
Due to lack of club accommodation, the Club rarely has a social gathering, however the night of 23rd January, was an exception. The Royal Oak-Pewsey was the venue, and over the odd glass of beer there was much talk of past activities and things to come. Sgt. John Williamson (CFI) organised a couple of gliding films which went down very nicely, coupled with the usual exclamations of Ah! Gee! etc. and that inspiring feeling that made the individuals visualise themselves in the Championships of the future. JT John Dock was due to receive the Novice Trophy, but unfortunately he could not attend, however the cup was presented by Valerie Reeves to Geoff. Chandler who was just a few points behind in the No. 2 position. The Party was a most successful "do", it was amazing that gliding types could look so respectable.
The EON Primary is still in demand by the hardy members who find joy in braving the wintery blasts and at the other end of the fleet, the magnificent Olympia 419 continuously probes the sky in search for something to arrest the descent. At present the flying has been reduced slightly as the annual inspections are in hand, however, the winter has been the most active one ever known by the Club.
August 1960
During March our section of the hangar at Upavon was due to be invaded by some fuel-burning aircraft and it was necessary to look for another base for a few months. Our problems were overcome when the CO at Netheravon kindly gave his permission for the Club to use a hangar and the airfield, so we moved everything by road and air to a position just four miles south. The return to Upavon is scheduled for mid June.
For the Easter holiday period the Club split its forces between the Mynd and base John Williamson (CFI) and Major John Evans flew the 419 and Sqn Ldr Dick Stratton and JT Geoff Chandler the Olympia llb, leaving behind the remainder of the fleet and "bods" for a most enjoyable session of flying at Netheravon.
During the past four months, twenty members have qualified for A and B certificates; the list goes something like this: McPherson, Vig, Batten, Lea, Oatham, Bakewell, Thomas, Swanton, McWilliam, Rose, MacFarlane, Staines, Pickering, Henderson, Murphy, Pell, Barrett, Binstead and Phipps. Neil Swanton (owner of the No. 1 soaring ridge at Huish) is the only civilian member and Carol Binstead is the first member of the WRAF to take a keen interest in gliding. C certificates ha\e since been flown by Rose, Thomas, Simon Cooper, McPherson, Vig, MacFarlane and Andrews. Congratulations also go to Dave ElIis who completed his Silver C with a cross-country, and to Eddie Hodges who rode the southerly wind at Huish for five hours. Both Dave and Eddie were posted several months ago, but manage to return every few weeks for a couple of days flying with the Club. Bob McLuckie is now well on the way toward his target, having recently completed the height and distance legs, and Jock Reilly made a good start by soaring the Grunau to 5,000 ft. in early June.
We are all delighted that the Grunau has now returned to the air following a major rebuild by the hands of John Evans.
October 1960
A very successful week of gliding was had over Whitsun at Edgehill. Five of the Club aircraft were moved by road. The week produced 400 launches, 70 hours and four A and B's, plus a number of cross country flights. Major John Evans made the best distance flight when he flew the 117 miles to Leeds. Dick Stratton produced his 2.4 Jaguar for auto-towing on the runways and it averaged out at 9 launches to a gallon.
Two members are now well on the way towards their Silver C's, namely "Jock" Reilly, who collected his height at Edgehill and flew to Dunkeswell from Upavon, also Eddie Edwards who recorded his height on one Sunday morning in June and in the afternoon qualified for his distance with a flight to Lasham.
On 16th June the Club entertained 150 pensioners from Messrs. Fry's of Bristol They all enjoyed themselves but were quite happy to remain firmly rooted to the ground.
August Monday was a day of most impressive lift that sent the green ball leaping to the top of the tube. John "Willie" climbed to 21,000 at approximately 2,000 ft. per minute. During the previous few days Geoff Chandler made three climbs to over 8,000 ft. the last one was in an open Grunau.
December 1960
In September, at the request of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth the Club organised a gliding week for 11 cadets at RAF Wroughton.
The cadets averaged 24 flights each and three qualified for their A and B certificates. During the week Geoff Chandler flew northwards in the Olympia 2B for an attempt at Gold distance. Unfortunately he touched down after 153 miles.
Nine months from start to Silver C (subject to confirmation) puts Cpl Tech (Taff) Thomas in the lead for the Novices Trophy.
Hill soaring at Huish (thanks to Nei1 Swan ton) has again produced a number of soaring hours. John Willie has also successfully started bungey operations from the top. .
The Kite I has regretfully been retired from the fleet after 25 years of flying. The Olympia 419 has left for the winter wave project and several members are now making plans for the trek up north.
All gliding types are welcome, but don't approach from the south-west. The Army characters own that air space as a flying area.
February 1961
On the 10th December the Moonrakers thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the Annual Party held in the Black Swan at Devizes. It was a grand gathering of gliding types and included one member who had flown in from Kenya during the afternoon.
During the party the Chairman, Group Captain Cooper, presented John Willie with the Pundits Pot and also expressed the best wishes of the Club members for John's forthcoming marriage on the 1st January. John is off to Sweden before Christmas and in the New Year will return with Boel (C class glider pilot), who has often flown with the Club and is admired by us all.
The day previous to the party a strong contingent of Club members attended annual RAFGSA meeting in London, and it was there that the Novices Trophy was presented by Air Chief Marshal Sir Theodore McEvoy, K.C.B., C.B.E., to Cpl technician "Taff Thomas. Not only has Taff managed his Silver C in nine months but has also done more than his fair share in the hangar.
Also on the list for congratulations are Senior Technician Jock Reilly who completed his Silver C with a five-hour flight in adverse conditions (to say the least) on Huish ridge and also Anne Cooper who, like her brother, went solo on her 16th birthday.
The statistics for the year gave the Club Lodge both stayed up long enough to get 6,393 launches and 896 hours. The launches show a considerable increase and the hours slightly lower than the previous year. As the weather has been mentioned there is nothing more to say other than it has been deadly. The rain has been bad enough but even more frustrating has been the waiting for the airfield to dry out.
The only good thing that can be said for the period is that the supporting equipment is in a very good state of serviceability, thanks to Dick Stratton and his assistants. The Studebaker is now on its 11 plus, the Jeep has had a Minor and the 15 cwt. now has a leak-proof roof.
Recently the T.31 took to the air following a major inspection; Jock McPherson proved to have a light finger for the spray gun and the result is a glider in black and yellow stripes. It certainly shows up well in the air but we hope that it is never mistaken for a drone target aircraft
April 1961
The club was delighted to hear that John Willie has been awarded a bronze medal by the Royal Aero Club for the "continuous and unselfish work he has performed on the gliding instruction side".
Eric Reeves, Jock Reilly, Ed Edwards, and Roger Staines went off to the Long Mynd at Christmas and all experienced their first wave lift. Roger achieved his Silver C height, and Eddie completed his Silver C.
Since the New Year, Brian Hext, Tony Morris, Iain Kite, and Doug Lang have all gone solo. Several ATC trained pilots have recently joined the club.
The "Flying Doc."Sqn Ldr Brown has been flying the Chipmunk on Wednesday afternoons, enabling several of our members to gain aerotow experience.
Jock McPherson, Jock Reilly and Eric Reeves have been busy getting the Grunau ready for the soaring season. Jeff Chandler has completed building a wooden shack in our hangar. This acts as a high temperature enclosure so that our glues can set.
The early morning flying bug has hit the club and as dawn breaks Dave Ellis and his followers can be seen on the airfield ready to start operations.
If any of our ex-members would like to receive our "Newsletter" just let us know and we will put them on our mailing list.
June 1961
Our congratulations go to Eddie Edwards who was presented with his Silver C. The BGA's 1,000th-by Lady McEvoy at the BGA Ball. Also congratulations to Mac McKenna who has gone solo since our last report.
Though the first soaring of the season at Upavon was experienced on the 19th March, when John Willie reached 7,000 ft., there is little more to report from the flying side of club affairs. Of late, effort has been concentrated mainly on repair work and this together with R.A.F. team practice and the Easter Rally at Long Mynd has curtailed our activities somewhat.
However, one ray of hope in an otherwise gloomy report is the maiden voyage of our new 40 ft. trailer which "hit the road" at Easter when it went to Long Mynd. Everyone agreed that it is a credit to its builders- Taff Thomas and his team.
October 1961
Six members have recently soloed and the same number have obtained C certificates. The most outstanding one is Chris Morris who flew a good C less than four weeks after his first instructional flight.
Moving on up the soaring ladder, Pete Purdie and Tony Morris have qualified for Silver C heights, Phil Goodwin for height and duration and Dick Stratton, Roger Staines and Dennis Stubbings have now completed the lot.
On to Gold now and to report that "Jock" Reilly and "Taff', Thomas both achieved the required climb. Unfortunately "Taff" is still hunting out large Cu as the barograph failed to trace the vital part of the climb. Gold distance now and a Diamond (I hope) with a flight to Great Yarmouth via Edgehill for Eric Reeves on the 30th July.
"Taff" Thomas and Jim McPherson did the fine retrieve which arrived back at 06.10 hours, just in time to change for work. Thanks at this stage to "Wilbur" Wright, his wife and all concerned for the hospitality received at Yarmouth Airport.
Now to our "John" and his achievements. First, his attempt on the out-and return record to somewhere in Wales (can't remember the name) on the 22nd July. Unfortunately the weather beyond the Mynd was hopeless, so John did a quick 180 and made it back to Upavon for tea a round trip of 200 miles.
His crowning achievement was the August Monday flight from base to a field seven miles N.W. of Berwick-on-Tweed, duration 8.20. The news arrived at Upavon in the evening and maps were joined together on the airfield to check the distance-the result was 315 miles and great rejoicing.
Hearty congratulations on what we hope is the first set of diamonds to be completed in Britain, also credit to Boel and Jim McPherson for the retrieve.
April 1962
Since our last letter, written in August, we have turned to the Wiltshire hills for our soaring, and found them and the local farmers most obliging.
By keeping the soaring fleet of T.21, Grunau Baby and two Olympias transportable, we can leave Upavon and be airborne at a hill within 90 minutes, whenever the wind blows from any direction but east or south-east.
Granted we sometimes have our fill of muddy lanes and soaked clothes, but most of our pilots have pushed up their hours and had experience of many different fields to land in We can bungey from Inkpen, Huish and Westbury, and have launching fields also at Lavington and Roundway. The hills form the north and south boundaries of the Pewsey Vale and include the northern escarpment of Salisbury Plain.
When the wind is southerly the gliders are winched from Upavon on to Huish, seven miles to the north. The record launch obtained in these conditions is 3,100 ft., but usually 1,500 ft. is enough.
This winter's batch of Silver Durations includes Harry Jones, George Ross and Cyril Wride, whilst several others have flown to Huish.
Plenty of hill soaring has made the winter go pretty quickly, and we look forward to the new season's thermals. The only thing missing is wave soaring, and Wally Wallington, who has recently joined the Club, tells us that even this is possible.
April 1963
"There’s a long long trail a 'winding" - up to the top of the Mynd. An enthusiastic team, led by John Wil1iamson, set out on Boxing Day complete with two Olympias and the 401 from Bicester in search of wave-soaring experience at the Midland Club site.
The expedition provided experience of an unforgettable nature, amongst which a gain of height of some 1,400 ft. was achieved by one of the Olympias, whose rate of climb has yet to be calculated since it spread over three days of slithering and sliding, accompanied by occasional grunts and much thermal-provoking language.
At the time of writing, ways and means are still being devised as to how to get it down again. The 401 got to the top and down again, thanks to strong ropes and strategically placed picketing posts down the Church Stretton road.
The other Olympia eased the situation by conveniently shedding a trailer stub axle in Hereford and consequently not arriving at all. Need it be added that no flying was done?
Little did we realise that those two ridge days at Westbury before Christmas would be the last flying for so long. Not to be daunted, however, our snow covered airfield was surveyed from the cockpit of the Tutor in January by Bill Owens and a hardy band of supporters, and again on February 3rd, when the T.21 and the Grunau were manoeuvred through the frozen hangar doors and took to the air again.
Meanwhile, each week-end sees activity in the hangar, where Jock Reilly and Ken Edwards are doing a major repair and rebuild on the 419 trailer, an airfield control van is taking shape and much fettling and preparation is going on for the coming season. Our new 463 will require a new trailer, for which Cyril Wride is preparing a design, and £5 worth of Chrysler is almost ready for its 11 plus.
We look forward now to the return from the Argentine of John Williamson, Dave Cretney and Wally Wallington, and if they only bring back some soaring weather, the club will be ready and rarin' to go.
February 1964
Because of a lengthy absence from this column it is appropriate to sum up last season’s activities. On the high performance side we did well by any standard. Two Gold distances by Denis Stubbings and Jeff Chandler in Olympia 2’s early in the season gave us a good start. A well won Gold height by John Allerton turned up in June. In July CFI John Williamson, second in the nationals, broke the goal and return record of 242 miles, the day after the same distance was done from Lasham! A substantial claim for the Douglas Trophy can, however, be submitted.
Lower down the scale Silver badges were not very prolific, but the six or so completed did include our first by a lady member, Boel Williamson. A number of Silver distances helped swell the total cross country miles to nearly 3500, of which a healthy 1,200 were in the cooking Olympias.
At the end of the season we were delighted that Hon Sec Douglas Bridson won the National Aerobatic Championship.
Less Auspicious was the record non the recruiting and training side in a Service club these items are perhaps even more important than in a civilian because of the steady drain of top talent fro individual clubs due to postings, often abroard. There are signs, however, that the expansion of the RAFGSA several years ago is bearing fruit at last insofar as the flow of top talent is no longer always one way. A number of tour expired experts are showing up from overseas to carry on where they left off two or more years ago.
August 1964
Since we last reported we have made excellent progress in our efforts to improve our equipment. The new lightweight trailers have been built, the last nail in the Dart trailer being driven home in the early hours on the day before we assembled for the Nationals.
Both our T.21's are now fully canopied and our mobile winch petrol engine has been replaced by a diesel one. We have obtained a second diesel tractor and once our third winch is converted we shall be fully diesel. Already the savings in cost of launches is showing.
On the operational side success has been less marked by only a few solos and a C Certificate. A Silver C distance each for Ted Norman and John Martin and height for Fred Bass. Alex Chapman jumped into a cunim and out again at 14,000 ft. Gain 3.000 metres.
We regretfully say farewell to Club stalwarts Jock Reilly, who has returned to his native Scotland, and Les Manley to Malta. Peter Purdie has gone to Borneo and we hope he will be back in time for the Internationals. We thank these three and wish them good luck. They will always be welcome at Moonrakers.
October 1964
Earlier this year we introduced a package deal for new members: for 50s. (paid in advance) we provide 25 instructional flights, two text books and a log book. This system is now proving most successful.
This month we had our first female solo for some time Gillian Bridson follows her husband Derek who has gained his C Certificate after soloing earlier in the year.
In the August Club news we said we were not doing so well on the flying side but this has changed and we have many successes to report. John WiIliamson, who has been running a summer camp at Keevil during August, hurried round a 100 Km. triangle at 49 m.p.h. which could have been a U.K. record had there been an Official Observer at the turning points.
(On 30th August John Williamson broke the U.K. Goal-and-Return record by flying to Swinderby and back, 274 miles.)
We had mixed fortune at the August Aspirants' Contest at Bicester. Eric Reeves had the misfortune to injure his back landing in a rough field on the second day and could take no further part in the competition. Doug Bridson flew consistently well to win the League 1 competition, hotly pursued by ex Moonraker Dennis Stubbings. John Martin has completed his Silver C he did his duration in May, distance in July and height in August. Geoff Chandler completed his Gold C by getting his height in July.
Our winter programme will include the annual dinner which is to take place en 21st November. Any ex-Moonraker who wishes to attend should contact Flt Lt D Bridson, Station Adjutant at Upavon.
April 1965
We begin on rather a sad note this time by announcing the departure of one of our longest serving members, Bill Owens. On this his second tour with Moonrakers, Bill has put in a great amount of hard work and his enthusiasm and encouragement will be sadly missed when he parts company with the Service and takes his place in civilian life.
New members to the club since we last wrote are Tony Morris, Pete Hanneman, Taff Thomas, Andy Whitaker, Rupert Butler and Steve Warwick-Flemming, who takes over from Bill Owens as Deputy CFI.
On the gliding side our first mention goes to Andy Whitaker who gained a Silver C height in his ejection seat while his Lightning did the first field landing of the season. Congratulations go to Derek Bridson, Roy Johnston and Rupert Butler who gained their Silver C durations during December and January.
It was with some consternation that we received a spanking new Ka-7 a couple of weekends ago but it shouldn't be long before our pundits are convinced of its great possibilities. Since it arrived it has earned its keep to the full and should make a good training aircraft once our instructors are checked out in it.
Work is progressing in the hangar at present with major inspections well under way and the re-spray of the Olympia now completed. We were all very pleased when our new club room was ready for use at the beginning of last month; cups of coffee and hot pies going down extremely well on cold weekends.
December 1965
Although garrulous where gliding is concerned, most Moonrakers seldom put pen to paper a glance at Club records and personal log books provide ample proof of this lack of practice. Having tactlessly mentioned within hearing of the CFI that I could actually write, the job of publicity member was promptly allotted, and so for the first time in six months news of our less notorious exploits reach the gliding world. We have certainly had an eventful six months with 5 Diamond, 7 Gold and 12 Silver legs confirmed and 11 C and 11 A and B certificates completed.
June started well with Whit Week-end when Tony Morris and Rupert Butler managed some good cross-country flights and three Silver legs and three C certificates were completed. Later, Steve Warwick-Flemming inaugurated the milk run to Great Yarmouth, completing his Gold C and getting a Diamond Goal. The following day John Weston Allwork and Derick Bridson completed their Silvers and Scratcher MacMillan flew 136 miles towards Great Yarmouth before the East Anglican sea breeze defeated him.
July was slightly marred by a malignant barograph which, although "repaired" several times, spoilt two Silver and one Gold height claims before it was fixed. Ed Meddings, peering out of his office window one Wednesday afternoon, saw a big black cloud right over his winches. Still in his uniform, he rushed to the launch point, jumped straight into the Oly, and half an hour later was back on the ground with a Gold height to complete his Gold C. Stew Levitt, Adrian Goodwin and Jim Porter completed their A and B and then C certificates in close succession.
August started with a real bang: Taff Thomas and Andy Whitaker flew to Great Yarmouth on successive days for Gold distance and Diamond goal and Andy got his height as well to complete his Gold C. Meanwhile, Tony Chew and Trevor North flew to Lasham for Silver distance and Gillian Bridson was at last persuaded to sit her air law exam and so passed her C. The next week-end the procession eastwards continued; Les Manley got to Great Yarmouth for his 30G-km. goal and Norman Gould drifted over to Lasham and hung around there scaring the locals out of their thermals until he had completed five hours and his Silver C. Ed Meddings tried something different and set off on a 500km. triangle; in 9 hours he had completed 230 miles for what looks like being our longest flight this year.
Our August gliding week was a combined effort with the Mendipians; John Willy in charge. The weather was marvellous but not always useable since our tug failed to appear. Getting away was always a bit chancy for those going cross-country, but A's, B's and C's came thick and fast. Paul Gibson got his C and so did several Mendipians. Doug Bridson, getting into the groove, did a l00km triangle in 1 hour 12 minutes and finally Tony Morris finished off the week on another high note by flying to Great Yarmouth, but two vehicles broke down on the retrieve.
Socially the week was a great success.
Most nights we dined together at the Ship in Upavon. Two barbecues at our wooded caravan site continued until the early hours and were enlivened by Hot lips Whitaker and his trumpet.
December 1967
Our absence from these columns does not indicate inactivity; by the end of July we had already flown 1,000 hours and 6,000 miles cross-country, so the club records will be well broken this years.
The season started well with a task week in April, during which almost 2,000 miles soaring were logged, and George Lee, a visitor from Colerne, did a 315km. out-and return for his Gold distance and Diamond goal.
Anne and Einar Enevoldson return to the States in December. We are almost as sorry to see Einar's Phoebus go as we are to lose Anne, our most efficient duty pilot. We hope to see them again, either here, or in some of their real thermals back home.
