Black Buck 1 Anniversary Day 30th April 2017

Some “veterans”. From the left: Mike Beer, Mike Knight, Simon Baldwin, John Ingham, Al Bowman, Barry Ireland, Bill Lloyd, Badger Brookes

What a great time we all had. Thanks to Dave Walton we had exclusive use of the new Whittle Building to meet and greet, take lunch and hold the mission briefing. There was a gathering of Black Buck 1 Air Staff, aircrew, engineers and mission planners the previous evening for an anniversary dinner at Hothorpe House, near Bruntingthorpe.

The Woodlands Centre – our social venue for the meal and drinks

There was an informal meet and greet on Badger’s verandah as the afternoon wore on.

John Ingham, Al Bowman, Tux and Badger

Jerry Price and Barry Ireland in deep discussion – possibly fuel planning?

Martin, Sheila and Simon, Barry, Monty and Ingrid, Glyn and Theresa

A selection of comrades and wives catching up on the years. Lots to talk about.

And so to the preparations for our dinner in the Woodlands.

Bob with Eileen and Midge
Badger, Midge and Eileen scrubbed up and ready

Pre-dinner drinks then the pre-flight meal.

Glyn and friends – Red Section table

 

 

Martin and friends (inc. Sir Michael) – Blue Section table

Tux and friends – White Section table

Mike and friends – Teasin’ Tina’s engineers and wives

Great meal. Great company. Excellent address from Mike Knight stressing the historical importance. A response from Tux, who took the opportunity to introduce each of the engineering team responsible for keeping Tina fit to taxy.

All retired to the bar and settled down to relive past experiences and make new friends. Bed finally called as the following day was expected to be long and hopefully enjoyable.

And so to the Sunday. Everyone met in the new Whittle Building overlooking the pan. There was an opportunity to meet the veterans, some of whom could not make the dinner the previous night. Whilst our Bruntingthorpe team prepared the presentation room our guests had a coffee and chat and Victor XM715 was towed from its pan into position for the photo shoot.

Adrian Kilby in front of the banner he designed and donated for the day

Great banner for the day

 

 

Darren Harbar, of Flypast magazine, kindly organised the photo shoot in front of the aircraft, building up the groups of veterans like a wedding photographer. His photos accompany the article in the May edition of Flypast and he has kindly agreed to show all his photos in our Photograph Gallery.

Badger and Dick in earnest talks whilst Mike Wood scans for aircraft
The veterans line up

The aircrew, operation and engineering support for Operation Black Buck 1

The veterans from left to right: Simon Baldwin, Dick Evans, Dave Baradell, Neil Brooks, Mike Beer, Steve Biglands, Steve Webley, Mike Wood, Barry Ireland, Frank Milligan, John Ingham, Dick Russell, Al Bowman, Glyn Rees, Bob Tuxford, Martin Withers, Monty Montgomery, Jerry Price, Trevor Sitch, Bill Lloyd and Warwick Pike. John Foot in the front. Al Skelton also attended.
All the Black Buck 1 veterans joined by Tina’s engineering support team

Dave Barradell and Frank Milligan exchange views
Simon Baldwin explaining to Martin the finer points of life

The re-enactors joined us to continue the photo shoot dressed in authentic flying kit, including the uncomfortable immersion suit. They posed around the cockpit for everyone to get their shots.

Popular re-enactors – prettier than the real thing. Wearing the uncomfortable immersion suit – what memories
It doesn’t get any more authentic
Posing by our re-enactors

Next up was the demonstration by Tux and crew of an aborted take off. The crew were joined in the run by Tony Wallis, the son of Tux’s late Navigator Radar, Ernie Wallis. Unfortunately, a stiff cross wind had blown up so a revised plan of running towards the threshold had to be implemented.

The XM715 team on the day. Roger, Mike, Brendon, Glyn, Bill, Amanda, Dave, Ian, Bob, Terry, Steve, Frank. Roy and other Ian missing.
Victor K2 XM715 shone up for the day

Just noticed the ladder is missing the bottom two rungs
An excellent shot of the drag bag still attached in the turn for the photographers

Streamed, air brakes extended and braking
Chute streamed

A final presentation at the aircraft before moving indoors. Stephen Reglar, the Team Adjutant of the Canberra WT333 Operating Team also housed at Bruntingthorpe had worked hard to produce 189 first day covers to celebrate the anniversary of Black Buck 1 and specifically the sortie flown by the Tuxford crew in Victor XL189. The covers were in the cockpit for the anniversary run and will be flown to Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands by RAF transport aircraft to be franked. It is hoped to generate some funds to keep XM715 running.

Terry joins the crew line up to show the First Day Covers
The first day cover for White 2 – XL189

XL189 Filler
XM715 Teasin’ Tina Filler

The final part of the day was an overview of the Victor’s involvement in Operation Corporate and, specifically, a Black Buck 1 mission briefing. After an excellent buffet lunch, the Tux crew delivered.

Mike introducing the initial section, explaining how the MRR task worked
Tux introducing his briefing
Glyn enthralling us with tales of the Falklands and the Tristar air link

Tux espies someone off to the toilet
He does not get any prettier!!

The refuelling plan – easy peasy!!
The audience enthralled

A poignant finale. 35 years ago Dick Russell, a Marham Air to Air Refuelling Instructor, was the refuelling adviser on board Martin Withers Vulcan and celebrated his 50th birthday during the mission. So our anniversary day was his 85th birthday, celebrated with a surprise cake made by Brendon’s wife, Toni.

Toni’s beautiful cake for Dick’s birthday

Brendon (the one in the trademark cap) presenting a surprised Dick Russell with his birthday cake

And so it was all over. What a good day to meet old friends and share our memories with the enthusiasts who came along. Look forward to the 40th!!!

Black Buck patch worn by Victor tanker crew members who took part in Operation Black Buck missions

Dedicated to the memories of those Black Buck 1 veterans no longer with us, especially remembering Squadron Leader Ernie Wallis, QCVSA and Flight Liuetenant John Keable, QCVSA of “White 2”.