The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

Thanks for the Warm welcome.

My nearest is Rackheath (five mins in the car).

It would be great to go out with some of other members
some time thank you for the offer.

Hello All!

A quick intro about me. ... I served 22 years in the RAF as an Armourer (Eng Tech W) , finishing my last 6 years as full time on 5131 (BD) Sqn - The RAFs only full time Bomb Disposal Squadron.

I have a general interest in most historical and current RAF subjects, but my specialty is Ordnance and guns .. (of course Im an armourer - what did you expect!).

Retired from the RAF in 2002 and moved to sunny California where I have settled down in the desert. (I had a lifetime of working in the rain so choose a location near Death Valley!).

Thank you for setting up this web site, It is a great project!

Hugh (Taff) Jones.

Welcome to the forum Hugh.

I'm sure you'll lots to chat about with our resident armourer/BD & bomb stores expert Peter.

Chris

Welcome to AiX, Hugh

Welcome to AiX, Joan

Welcome Hugh from another expat.

I was also RAF Armament Fitter 1959 - 1970 and did 3 years with BD (5131 Sqn) on both Debden and Bicester flights.

Welcome Ben,

You are fortunate in that Norfolk is well covered here:

historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/?PID=4

Hi there. My name is Larry and I reside at Ryarsh in Kent. I have lived in this area all my life and from a very young age I have had a keen interest in aviation, particularly in West Malling airfield where I can remember seeing all manner of aircraft over the years(more than I care to think about!!) My first real memory is of Javelins of 85 squadron flying over our house to land, (we were directly under the flight path) indeed, I remember one such time when the Javelins were so low that the house vibrated with the thunderous noise, I absolutely loved it! The main focus of my memory however was when the US navy resided there in the early sixties, there was such a variety of aircraft, too many to mention. it was pure heaven to me. I spent many happy hours in an old water tower situated on the approach in the woods where I would gaze in awe as a Hercules would fly so low over my head that I felt I could just reach out and touch it!! Happy days!
I have many interests besides aviation. I am very keen on natural history, and I am a volunteer rescuer for two local wildlife hospitals. I love pop and rock music, and I am currently trying to learn to play the guitar. (with very little success!) I am also a very keen plastic kit modeller, having won several competitions at my local model club. I have currently set myself the task of making as many types as possible in the markings that they would have worn whilst based at West Malling. So far I have managed to make 2!! A neptune P2V-7 of the US Navy as photographed in 1963, and a Hawker Typhoon 1b of No3 Squadron based at Malling in 1943. This is where I am hoping that this website may come in useful, so any photos will be gratefully received!
I think I have gabbed on long enough, so I look forward to hearing from any of you who share my enthusiasm.

Living in Sussex, but raised in East Anglia. As a child of the 50's and 60's, I was bought up on a mixture of War Picture Libraries (remember them?) and Boys Own magazines. I lived with my mother near Rattlesden airfield and we were not far from Wattisham. I used to watch the Black Arrows practising occasionally overhead. Visits to Honington (Mum was in WVS) were regular, and a paying guest was an RAF Victor crew member during the cold war. My interest in aircraft (and airfields) has continued, and finding this forum has awakened a lot of memories!