I was never in the RAF, but as this just finished, I sat here sort of stunned. I know these bases do close as times [and uses] change, but I can feel something of how they might have felt. But my late brother was in the RAF Fire Section. I worked all but two of the signal boxes and level crossings on the Fylde Coast area [all traditional lever frames], then more recently, I watched them being demolished, with no attempt to save even one, as part of our Railway heritage. So this is probably why I can relate to the feelings expressed in this video.. Thanks for posting this, and thanks to all involved, for their service.
I don't suppose your brother served at RAF Finningley in the 70's did he? I was in air traffic and the fire section was next door and was mates with a Pete Harrison - we even went down to Great Yarmouth for a weekend on the p...... er.....having a pint or twelve!! lol
What a place , my first tour, arriving in 1972 I spent three years with the then Battle of Britain flight. before moving onto Jags. A very happy five years, so sad that this station could not be saved.
My brother was on 54(F) at the time of the squadrons disbandment and moved to Coningsby with 6 Squadron. I served at Coningsby myself but visited my brother and old mates at Colt many times and wished that I had served there. Everyone I knew who served there loved the camp.
Our family were stationed at RAF Coltishall on return from Malta in October 1966. Dad was probably one of the last Warrant Officer Air Traffic Controllers. He had joined the RAF in 1937 and retired in 1972.226 OCU were the resident squadron at that time flying Lightnings at the time. There were also some Royal Saudi Air Force pilots being trained on their own Lightnings there tooWe originally lived in the house closest to the 'gate guardian' (Spitfire pictured) in Barton Rd. and I could see the aircraft shortly after take off from my bedroom window.We were later moved to the other end of the married quarters for WO's. in Skeyton Rd.Returned to the old place a couple of times on visits from Australia. Good to see again but always feel a little sad looking at it the way it is now. .
Ah nostalgia!....as a young Air Training Corps cadet back in 1976, my Squadron spent a couple of weeks camp at Coltishall, during I think the 74 Squadron, Lightning days....remember being billeted not far from the hangars and being woken every morning around 6 am by the sound of the Lightning's being started and engines tested and 'warmed up', then being out on the field on activities, with aircraft taking off and landing daily and taxiing too and fro the runway not far away from our activities in the aircraft dispersal area of the field....incredible aircraft, sheer power and performance and...loud! At that time it was also the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight I think? as there were a couple of Hurricanes and Spitfire there...I have our Squadron photo somewhere, in front of the Spitfire! They even had an Air Sea Rescue unit there, yellow Westland whirlwind or Wessex, can't remember which now!!....great video, thanks.
Yeah RAF Coltishall should never have been closed, along with Kinloss, Lyneham Bruggen, Leuchars, Aldergrove, Laarbruch and Cottesmore, such a shame our governments give such harsh cuts towards military spending and capabilities!!😢
Having lived near here when it was working I used to love watching the Jags do their night flying with reheat takeoff as it flew over towards Cromer we could see the flame for miles especially on cold nights and it was magic.... Then I went to work to make my Aunt Bessies chips and spuds.....
I was at Coltishaw around 1976 on a weeks camp with 1756 sqd ATC ( Edinburgh) We were able to work with the ground crew on 41 sqd and enjoyed the experience greatly . When I was there 41 sqd was a Photo reconnicence sqd , No 54 was the fighter sqd and No 6 the bomber sqd . Loved it and remenber the experience fondly :)
I was the last WO Eng of 54(F) Sqn (which had already been disbanded by the time this programme was made). It records Mike Rondot painting the original of "Coltishall: End of the Line" with GY, the 54(F) Sqn trainer front and centre. The original recorded the flight of Mr Goff (of oil supply fame). You can see a Goff tanker added to the right of the LH day-glo groundcrew - it wasn't really there, added for Mr Goff. On the prints, much to my annoyance, Mike Rondot changed the ac to 41 Sqn.
And here we are, seven years later and Boris and his government have just announced huge cuts to our three services. That's in addition to the many cuts which our government have introduced each year. Shameful!
@@pauldg837 All part of the great reset. I'd argue that in the past 70 plus years various UK governments - whatever their party politics - have been treasonous and have allowed, and assisted in, the erosion of this sacred isle. In terms of aviation we are merely a husk now - to see what I mean view the 1966 Farnborough Air Show. Nearly everything within was UK made, even space agency stuff, if it wasn't UK made it had UK engines, often Rolls Royce. Our government doesn't protect and serve us, it's in league with the CCP and WEF et al🙄🙄🤬🤬
Martin, I think you'll find that your comment at 1.30 is incorrect. At the time of this video in 2010, as well as Coltishall, RAF Northolt also served in the Battle Of Britain, and opened in 1915, making it the oldest RAF station in the UK.
really good aircraft! still operating in the Indian Airforce. one of the great work of British engineering as same as sea harriers. it's a pity all are going to be phased out. it even worse to see that the Great Britain is replacing it's tornadoes and harriers with the US designed F35s.
6:31 also the last decades of the RAF too… apparently now the new recruits don’t even have to March they can just bimble, wouldn’t be surprised if they change the uniform to a rainbow colour…. They can have beards, even the women…I kid you not, was working at Shawbury and they have a “something” but it wore a beard and a WRAF skirt one day. Next day wearing a male officers uniform but had hair tied up in a bun with beard and in the Ares club, it went for a slash using the gents bogs… now WTF a is going on ?? A few years ago the padre was a mincer and he decided he would wear bright and flamboyant gay colours on his robes.. it’s a uniform service… in war there will be no time to mince about and make sure there are wheelchair seats for the fighter aircraft…just saying…
ADAM STEELE If rays from the sun are parallel, then eclipses do not cause two shadow types. (umbra, penumbra) If rays do come in at all angles, then the Eratosthenes test and the belief that we can test the earth rotundity in the same way are out! Only one of the above can be true and whichever stays means the other “fact” must go... So think about it which one must go?
Diana Hoskins That comment just made me have Sprite come out my nose and lol!! I SSSOOO agree with you about the idiotic computer generated subs!! It's worse than trying to figure out what some of them are saying due to different accents and such...the subs are like trying to understand Swahili!!!
I was never in the RAF, but as this just finished, I sat here sort of stunned. I know these bases do close as times [and uses] change, but I can feel something of how they might have felt. But my late brother was in the RAF Fire Section.
I worked all but two of the signal boxes and level crossings on the Fylde Coast area [all traditional lever frames], then more recently, I watched them being demolished, with no attempt to save even one, as part of our Railway heritage. So this is probably why I can relate to the feelings expressed in this video..
Thanks for posting this, and thanks to all involved, for their service.
I don't suppose your brother served at RAF Finningley in the 70's did he? I was in air traffic and the fire section was next door and was mates with a Pete Harrison - we even went down to Great Yarmouth for a weekend on the p...... er.....having a pint or twelve!! lol
@@johncollins5178 Sorry mate, no.
What a place , my first tour, arriving in 1972 I spent three years with the then Battle of Britain flight. before moving onto Jags. A very happy five years, so sad that this station could not be saved.
Got to Colt with my tapes in 2000 an did three years. Best tour I did. All gone now :-(
My brother was on 54(F) at the time of the squadrons disbandment and moved to Coningsby with 6 Squadron. I served at Coningsby myself but visited my brother and old mates at Colt many times and wished that I had served there. Everyone I knew who served there loved the camp.
Our family were stationed at RAF Coltishall on return from Malta in October 1966. Dad was probably one of the last Warrant Officer Air Traffic Controllers. He had joined the RAF in 1937 and retired in 1972.226 OCU were the resident squadron at that time flying Lightnings at the time. There were also some Royal Saudi Air Force pilots being trained on their own Lightnings there tooWe originally lived in the house closest to the 'gate guardian' (Spitfire pictured) in Barton Rd. and I could see the aircraft shortly after take off from my bedroom window.We were later moved to the other end of the married quarters for WO's. in Skeyton Rd.Returned to the old place a couple of times on visits from Australia. Good to see again but always feel a little sad looking at it the way it is now. .
Ah nostalgia!....as a young Air Training Corps cadet back in 1976, my Squadron spent a couple of weeks camp at Coltishall, during I think the 74 Squadron, Lightning days....remember being billeted not far from the hangars and being woken every morning around 6 am by the sound of the Lightning's being started and engines tested and 'warmed up', then being out on the field on activities, with aircraft taking off and landing daily and taxiing too and fro the runway not far away from our activities in the aircraft dispersal area of the field....incredible aircraft, sheer power and performance and...loud! At that time it was also the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight I think? as there were a couple of Hurricanes and Spitfire there...I have our Squadron photo somewhere, in front of the Spitfire! They even had an Air Sea Rescue unit there, yellow Westland whirlwind or Wessex, can't remember which now!!....great video, thanks.
By the time I was in the ATC, 74 Sqn was at Wattisham, flying the Phantom. Had a great week there :D
Thanks for posting the video, it brings back very, very good memories.
Thank you for sharing this history.
It should never have closed, I was too young to see it!
Yeah RAF Coltishall should never have been closed, along with Kinloss, Lyneham Bruggen, Leuchars, Aldergrove, Laarbruch and Cottesmore, such a shame our governments give such harsh cuts towards military spending and capabilities!!😢
Having lived near here when it was working I used to love watching the Jags do their night flying with reheat takeoff as it flew over towards Cromer we could see the flame for miles especially on cold nights and it was magic.... Then I went to work to make my Aunt Bessies chips and spuds.....
I was at Coltishaw around 1976 on a weeks camp with 1756 sqd ATC ( Edinburgh) We were able to work with the ground crew on 41 sqd and enjoyed the experience greatly . When I was there 41 sqd was a Photo reconnicence sqd , No 54 was the fighter sqd and No 6 the bomber sqd . Loved it and remenber the experience fondly :)
Poignant and interesting. Thanks for sharing 👍😊
Fond memories of Coltishall. Arrived there in August 1979. Got a back seat flight in a T at Decci' in 1981. Captain Pedersen was the Pilot.
Wow - this was amazing to me. I was pretty anti military until now - and I'm American! The Brits got it goin' on!
I was the last WO Eng of 54(F) Sqn (which had already been disbanded by the time this programme was made). It records Mike Rondot painting the original of "Coltishall: End of the Line" with GY, the 54(F) Sqn trainer front and centre. The original recorded the flight of Mr Goff (of oil supply fame). You can see a Goff tanker added to the right of the LH day-glo groundcrew - it wasn't really there, added for Mr Goff. On the prints, much to my annoyance, Mike Rondot changed the ac to 41 Sqn.
AOC 1 Group:....'You'll be flying a desk, if you don't like it, leave'. Too many good people resign because of attitudes like that!
I loved Colt and the Jag most of all. Great times,great memories.
great aircraft it is still in servise in my country oman until 2013
What a shame, I wish that we could stop the actions that are taken against the RAF Leuchars as well. :(
And here we are, seven years later and Boris and his government have just announced huge cuts to our three services. That's in addition to the many cuts which our government have introduced each year. Shameful!
@@pauldg837 All part of the great reset. I'd argue that in the past 70 plus years various UK governments - whatever their party politics - have been treasonous and have allowed, and assisted in, the erosion of this sacred isle. In terms of aviation we are merely a husk now - to see what I mean view the 1966 Farnborough Air Show. Nearly everything within was UK made, even space agency stuff, if it wasn't UK made it had UK engines, often Rolls Royce. Our government doesn't protect and serve us, it's in league with the CCP and WEF et al🙄🙄🤬🤬
2003 until 2006. A sad loss for all.
My wee brother Steven Telford was also there at that time. Went and stayed with him and had great time at the Hanger bash when it was closing.
Dad helped to design the jaguar in Paris stunning aircraft
Martin, I think you'll find that your comment at 1.30 is incorrect. At the time of this video in 2010, as well as Coltishall, RAF Northolt also served in the Battle Of Britain, and opened in 1915, making it the oldest RAF station in the UK.
Now 7 front line squadrons left! even an F35 at £100 million cannot be in two places at once.
How right you are,should be in Westminster 😉instead of those PRATS 👍
@@cliffrightmove1527 Thank you, I did stand in 1997 but the sheep gave us Tony Blair! lol
really good aircraft! still operating in the Indian Airforce. one of the great work of British engineering as same as sea harriers. it's a pity all are going to be phased out. it even worse to see that the Great Britain is replacing it's tornadoes and harriers with the US designed F35s.
what is the soundtrack of this documentary?. the first song it is very nice. does anyone know it. thank you for helping.
They had the Jurassic Park theme playing at one point!
mar s-m
I used to be a fireman and did Air Sea Rescue training at Coltishall in the 80’s. What a terrible waste
Love it .
the jags are also in service with the IAF also
RAF as with the Army and Navy is depleted now, great Kit but not enough of it
🎉the red Baron m.a hero for being a leader in a xhickshit way to fight a war
Ähm..... Martin Shaw is "Doyle"?
Mike Rondot = Top man
They play the Jurassic Park theme while the shagged out old dinosaurs take off.
where are the jags
F- in politicians 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
6:31 also the last decades of the RAF too… apparently now the new recruits don’t even have to March they can just bimble, wouldn’t be surprised if they change the uniform to a rainbow colour…. They can have beards, even the women…I kid you not, was working at Shawbury and they have a “something” but it wore a beard and a WRAF skirt one day. Next day wearing a male officers uniform but had hair tied up in a bun with beard and in the Ares club, it went for a slash using the gents bogs… now WTF a is going on ?? A few years ago the padre was a mincer and he decided he would wear bright and flamboyant gay colours on his robes.. it’s a uniform service… in war there will be no time to mince about and make sure there are wheelchair seats for the fighter aircraft…just saying…
The earth is flat and stationary ✅
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
TIT.
ADAM STEELE If rays from the sun are parallel, then eclipses do not cause two shadow types. (umbra, penumbra)
If rays do come in at all angles, then the Eratosthenes test and the belief that we can test the earth rotundity in the same way are out!
Only one of the above can be true and whichever stays means the other “fact” must go...
So think about it which one must go?
Raj Maj hahahahaha hahaha 😂
Who the Hell is responsible for the subtitles? They make absolutely no sense at all
They have been automatically created by YT - and they are rubbish indeed.
Diana Hoskins That comment just made me have Sprite come out my nose and lol!! I SSSOOO agree with you about the idiotic computer generated subs!! It's worse than trying to figure out what some of them are saying due to different accents and such...the subs are like trying to understand Swahili!!!