RAF Swinderby derelict camp revisited 

I know the feeling! Same for me.

And everything you worked on is in a museum, don't half make you feel old!

Roly ex balloonie, lives in Folkstone?, Steve Boniface here, Bones, married Shell Hullavington

There is only two camps left that i served at one is RAF High Wycome and the other is RAF Brize Norton and that is UK and overseas. 😔

All of Mine are re purposed or closed, St Mawgan,Kinloss, Wainfleet range,Lyneham.

Sgt Hyrons was our DI in 72.

@@tonyb2614 wow sure is a small world.

I love that!

I walked the gates in 1978. and RETIRED 30 years later and Never looked back. Just wish I could do it again.

@@maljohn6584 ... '78 for me too ... 28th March through until 10th May ... 18Flt/2 Sqn.

@@maljohn6584 i do not think i could get through swinderby basic training again at my age .. love to have the uniform back

Dave Grainger was my Sgt too, in 87.

I salute you my friend. Keep up the good work!

October 1969. Baker Carr and 12 Flt with Sgt Wilson and Cpl Sievwright. It never leaves you does it?👍

Hello Peter…. All of my service was in the Uk, after basic and trade training I was posted to RAF Hullavington in Wiltshire, where I met and married my wife…. I was ordered to go see a Gp Capt Bannister at RAF Wroughton hospital, he told me that because my wife had had a brain operation before I met her(I knew about it) He was restricting my postings to U.K. only….. no overseas tours. After serving three years at Hullavington, I served six years at RAF Brize Norton, where I was demobbed in Feb 1977(9 years service) Australia…. Eleven hours ahead of U.K. time….. My elder brother married and Australian girl and settled in Tasmania in 1951…. He died in March this year from Covid, he was 92. Take care Peter, stay safe. Don.🙂

My father was a Regiment instructor at this time, fortunately he'd left by the time I joined but still met people who knew him.

Great story. Sounds like you had fun! Have not heard of "Squippers Bay" Thanks for info.

Hello MM , my first permanent station was Hullavington, 68-71, as a supplier, married a local girl from Hullavinton Village, her Mum(Pat Baron) worked behind the bar in the NAAFI, I think it was called the WYVERN club, between the airmen’s mess and the cinema, private cars were parked outside the Wyvern on the edge of the parade square…..so many unforgettable memories…. I’m 78 now!

Yes, I was AATC (1975) after Shawbury, Leeming then Border Radar, then CAA/NATS

Cpl Grey through my shoes out the window! I had to laugh!!

i wonder if anyone like ,me got back flighted

wasnt there some comely wenches turned up at the disco, i snogged a few ,thats all tho.

Gas gas gas 😂😂😂

i was there October 76!

Had a look at Brugge a couple of years ago, and thought, nothing but ghosts now,a crying shame, that was a great posting back in the seventies

Me too, Hello. (The Canook)

Glad you enjoyed it!

I was there too ..Dave Miller.

i was there in the mid eighties . and got back flighted ..

i know i was in nettleton block well at first i was back flighted .. (groan )..that was during the 1980s too

That JC Smith, was he a scotsman with glasses?

@@GrahamInnes1 He was a Scotsman alright. Didn't see him with glasses though mate.

@@moodyguymick Yes he ended up at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland in 1977. I was stationed there for a couple of years to 1979.

@@GrahamInnes1 Hope he's keeping well.

@@moodyguymick he was a snowdrop sgt , had a to do with an officer type , fistys, dropped to cpl. he kept on till 22,just everyone hated hime but couldnt get rid . i missed his intake by one week .

Everything changes! Unfortunately.

I reported there for basic training on February 1st, 1972, got back flighted (can’t remember why) for two weeks, then it was off to St Athan for trade training.

@@blackboardbloke i got back flighted too .. despite my best efforts to keep my swinderby basic training together it kept comming apart .i hope the PT instructors who wiped out any chance of me ever getting to a passing out parade are buried there ..kudos bro .

Yup, a crying shame!

So was i

I know, criminal really. Shame they could not have saved perhaps one building and had it as a heritage site with perhaps a small archive. However, these building schemes seem to get away with organising a small memorial. This has hapened at countless sites throughout the country. Quite pathetc in some ways when you think of the amazing history. Trouble is, there are just so many abandoned airfields and other stations.

I wonder how many people like me got back flighted

I was there from Nov 1990 until Mar 1991. Got back flighted for fighting with someone from another flight.

When were you at JOC?

Don't you mean REVALLY, REVALLY THE TIME IS O6.15 HOURS EACH MORNING THAT CAME ACROSS THE TANNOY. AND LIGHTS OUT AT 11.PM APART FROM WEEK ENDS. I WAS 18 FLIGHT BACK IN 1978. R.A.F. SWINDERBY.

@@maljohn6584 yep i remember that i was in 8 flight afore getting back flighted

Yes great to look back at but sad that its all gone now!

I’m sure that the morale of today’s airforce personnel will be lifted by that. All together now...”It’s time for national service, lads, so get some in...Dee dum Dee dum Dee dum dum Dee dum, so get some in....”

I had a long think about your comment. You are of course quite correct. There is so much to be proud of today in our military. However timescale does play a part in the way we perceive it. When I was in the RAF in the 70's, it could not have been the same as it was in the 40's or 50's. Still so proud of our history etc. Nearly all our planes were designed and made here. Even in the 70's this was still the case. I can only think of the F4 that was not british. Now, it is a struggle to think of modern "British" aircraft, save for the colaborations. I think also in the 70's we had well over 120,000 in the RAF. This has dwindled significantly. We now only have 3 dedicated fighter stations. Squadrons disbanded, stations closed and a massive shrinkage all round. I think there is less to be proud of but it is all relative in time. I still think our Air Force is the best in the world but you have to take into account the size of the force. Foreign equipment being bought at the expense of indiginous projects, politics. All these things play a part in it. I think our history is incomparable but our present day and future are both up for debate. You are still correct, lots to be proud of!

@@GrahamInnes1 Thanks for your comment and yes I agree the RAF had to change and evolve with the times. With modern technology etc and most if not all our planes pointing east to Russia. We now have no major threat except the middle east and that is almost finished. I just reflect back when bases where full of people and planes great days Naffi bop etc. Just wonder what its like today. I'm sure there are still some great people in the RAF. Yes we must adapt and evolve with an ever changing world. Thanks.

@@andykettley5519 Why do you think the Middle Eastern threat is "almost finished"? I can`t agree with that.

It is a shame but heyho, things and people move on. I hope it stirred a few good memories for you.

@@GrahamInnes1 I was also there in March 1979. I quite enjoyed it. Then went onto St Athens for trade training.

Tonsillitis in ‘69🤔😉. No parade for me either!

Influenza 78, 3 accommodation blocks used for quarantine.

Yes, I agree, especially as I worked in Air Traffic.

I was in Baker Carr in 1969, still an old H block though.

​@@GrahamInnes1😂air tragic !

We had to watch all those movies about "nuclear warfare", "R&I" etc. That's what it was used for when I did my bashing there. The building was built as the "Station workshops", not sure when it was converted.

@@GrahamInnes1 I was there in 86 , the regiment always whacked the heating up in the hope someone would nod off and they could beast them

@@GrahamInnes1 It was the Astra cinema in ‘69

@@GrahamInnes1 Was standing outside of that place in December 1983 when I saw the most impressive Vulcan flypast by a K Mk 2 Tanker directly overhead.

@@goc1842 Rocks had a mega long pole that that they poked airmen with who had fallen asleep when I went through there in 83/84

Hi Hugh, yup its me. Talk on FB.

@TheCaptain64 2 Flight, Ground Floor, Gibson Block next to the Mess and the Naffi. Flight Commander was a Flying Officer Short if memory serves. 9 Flight on the middle floor and 3 Flight on the top. Rock instructors of note who did those 3 flights were a Cpl Irving and Cpl Andy "You horrible Individual" Taylor. I was there on the 83/84 intake,

Halton looks safe, for now!

Isn't recruit training school moving to Cranwell? Looked on Google earth other day think half of Halton has gone for housing now.

Yes, as a historian and taking the details from the original site plan, I have only shown the original design use.The workshops building was originaly built and designed as the station workshops. It was a fairly standard design used at many expansion period stations. The Armoury is a standard building of the period and often had a photographic section incorporated. The buildings in some cases were used for various purposes over the years. This is explained in the description.

@@GrahamInnes1 You are quite correct I’m sure. I failed to point out that I was commenting with regard to the 70’s to 90’s.

Pat, email me on gijock@btinternet.com I will then have your email address to send you the jpegs for you to print. Let me know the shots you want. I am on holiday and will be able to sort it in a couple of weeks.

i was in 7 flight nettleton block the same year sadly i got back flighted

Many old stations have indeed been used as temporary housing. Also many quarters have been sold on to the public. Unfortunately, in many cases the old camp is worth more as building land. So more money can be made by bulldozing and building new houses or industry or a mix.

Filling up Linton On Ouse with 'asylum' seekers.

Not sure what hapened there?

It is definately not for everyone but I personally loved it. I only left because I could earn more, doing the same job for the Civil Aviation Authority.

Hi John, i was at Swindy Sept- Oct 1980, 15 flight number 1 block, Manser, cpl weeks & sgt lillywhite, they were good days, hard but we all passed, i left from RAF Lossiemouth 8 years later, and have regretted that decision every single day since then. I thought the grass was greener on the outside, how wrong i was. If there ever is a magical way to go back in time, i would & sign on for the entire 22 years, that would be fine by me.

@@davidmcqueen5759 i remember johny weeks,a real bundle of joy. i was staff 1980,

I did my time and had my pension stolen by MOD! Too young at 55 Years of age! Now have to wait to 60, if I live! The RAF always lies!

Its called " Voices in my head". It is supposed to be thought provoking. Perhaps not for everyone!

Yes, they were using it for that when i was there in the 70s. Just trying to find its "original" use. Thanks for info. Happy Christmas 🎄

@@GrahamInnes1 As with all the expansion period airfields it will have had a specific use, if I can find out which letter identifier the build from Laing's had I'd probably be able to find out..

@@Fosh192 Ta

I arrived Jan 11th 1977 :)

I think I may have been there then. Cant remember my flight number or who the instructor was. All I remember is Gibson Block and that I loved it!

i went in there 15/01/75 , 14 flight. cpl hyde / sgt gargvin , ex snowdrop.

JC was my D.I. also. April/May 75 Hannah block.

Could well be. I was looking out for the hanging well for the parachutes.

Yes apart from a couple of hangars down by the main road and the Battle HQ. There may be a handful of smaller ruins. Shame, its all house and industrial now.

This is definitely NOT how I remember it. I enjoyed every bit of it!

Ken Grey was my DI too. I was there in December 1981. Definitely a, 'character'.

That is why it is so important to record images of what is at these locations now. Cause it probs wont be, in the future.

@@GrahamInnes1 Totally agree.

I dont really like cats, so .. RESULT! Next time I will try to do a feline version just for you!

In fact i am reporting you to the RSPCA for forcing yr cat to watch airfield architecture slideshows.

5 fly 1980

The meaning of "stupid" - adjective- having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense. But yes, turning it down is the right thing to do if you dont like it!

I think the NAAFI or institute was part of the Dining Room / airmans mess. Later there was a new building behind this. Did not picture that.

@@GrahamInnes1 I watched a further documentary in which they did mention it. Thanks. I knew it had to be there somewhere they always are. LoL a true Brit institute.

Yes, the Institute building at 3:40, was in effect the original airmans mess, with the NAAFI bar etc upstairs. There was another building added later which was behind this one. A more modern structure.

@@GrahamInnes1 knew they had to have one somewhere. Can't tell you how many I've been in over the years. some tiny some huge but always had what you needed. My first ever Levi jeans bought in Hildersheim W Germany early 70s. Great memories. Shame they keep closing bases all over the world. Go R.E.M.E.

It was indeed above the Airman’s Mess for staff and bottom right of the mess for recruits during its recruit training days.