ARRIVED AT R.A.F. SWINDERBY IN 1978. 6 WEEKS OF BASIC TRAINING AND MEMORIES THAT WILL NEVER LEAVE ME TILL THE DAY I LEAVE THIS LIFE . NOW RETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS SERVICE . I THANK ALL MY OLD MATE'S THAT HOPEFULLY ARE ALL STILL OUT THERE AND HAPPY. ALL THE BEST GUY'S.
Lovely to see the old place again .When I was stationed there in 1961-62 I was a SAC working on Vampires T11 ,which was a two seat trainer ,we were training pilots for the cold war situation . I remember that the station had a wing/co as the CO ,and that there was a main road dividing the station domestic side from the air field . I remember that there was some lovely old country pubs ,and that had lovely roaring fires in the hearth in winter ,fond memories ! Nottingham ,Lincoln etc.to visit
Very Nostalgic and thanks for posting. was there in 1976, remember it all from gas chamber to newcomers club new airmens mess, I was in a new block too. luxury but still early mornings to rise to and get out on the parade ground. The cinema during training to view training and sexual healt n wellbeing movie on the screen... it was something like 07.30am.... hard work not to fall asleep. Great experience back then. Sadly nowadays we hardly have a RAF....
October 1976 I was there Gibson block! I cant believe its been flattened 😧 When there it was awful but now as an old man if Dr who came along and he asked me if I wanted to go back and do it all again🤔 TOO RIGHT I loved my time in the RAF!
Newcomers club now that brings back memories.walking in there for the 1st time nervous as hell and everyone singing virgins virgins, that was way back in summer of 1985 . Thanks for putting that on.
Wow this brings back happy memories I. Did my square bashing April 1964 (Feb.)we were then transferred to RAF Hemswell Trenchard block for the 6 weeks square bashing the base was reopened 😊
Remember it well. Attestation Tuesday 10 June 1975 in Cardiff. Train from Newport Wednesday 11 June to report to RAF Swinderby. Met up with a couple of other lads on the train. Arrived Newark, and was met with our taxi, (the big blue bus). Then it all began. Haircuts & more haircuts. Early starts, marching, early starts, marching, ironing, and more ironing. Bedpacks and more haircuts. Cross country runs. 2nd every time. A trip out to Lincoln, singing in an OAP care home. Plenty of laughs in the Newcomers Club. Pass out Parade. Proud parents. Great memories
G’day Dave........I was in either 3rd or 11th September 1980. A Kiwi who everyone called ‘Roo (Go figure) Slept in my sleeping bag. Every one tried “breaking the Bromide Barrier” 🤣 I was in Red Flight with the red terry towelling scarves. The PTI’s .....”climb to the top of the rope........ARE YOU READY? nnnGO!” Cannot remember what block, but I was on the ground floor with a bunch of hilarious Scouses. Chris McKearney
Brings back good and bad memories, hated the marching and PE in those one size fits all big blue shorts and bed-packs best memory visiting RAF Spitalgate one Saturday night the Women's recruitment base!!! Was there Sep-Nov 1970 never to be forgotten.
I was there in 1971 thought i would hate it,but once i got into it really had a great time,happy days.Anybody remember the bus trips to the WAAF training camp,and i think they came to Swinderby once a week.
great video nice to see the old place again some happy memories i passed out from here in july 86 stayed in gibson block ground floor sgt cooling and cpl mckay more like the two ronnies thinking back now.....oh the yellow dusters on your feet my kids just dont believe me now...
I was there in Feb 1976 in the old blocks it was cold DI'S were Sgt Taylor and Cpl Stewart scary but great people.Loved the place would do it all again tomorrow T8124681went on to St Athan after passing out parade on St Patricks day after a massive p***up in the Naafi The Rockapes were a good laugh Sgt Bill Halligan was a scary man met up with him at RAF Catterick when i was posted to 58 Squadron he has passed away but a great gentleman Respect to all that entered RAF Swinderby God Bless
Watched this a few times, makes me sad actually and with song...where has all that time gone ? November the 11th 1965 I was there.Frightening change from civvy street as a young lad.Great memories now. Bloody good video...
Just caught this video whilst browsing. It certainly brought back a few cherished memories. Incidentally, I was Gibson block on the middle floor on the left but in December 1978 to February 1979 (5 Flight). Great times and a great 18 year career were had.
I was Born in the RAF Hospital at Swinderby in 1968. When my dad left the Royal Horse Artillary he was a Prison officer at the Borstal in Swinderby until we moved when they closed it and Vietnam Refugees moved in. My Family were all from Lincoln. Very Fond Memories!
That brought back some memories of Mid-1977. Not the "luxury" of Gibson block but the older H Blocks behind it in my case. So sad to see the state of it now, but it is the same with several other units I was on.
Went through Swinderby in June 1980 for what was the start of a 30 year career. Would do it all again in a heartbeat, I only live a few miles from what little remains of the place but the memories flood back every time I pass what used to be the main gates.
"How could I possibly have great memories of Swinderby?" some might ask. I had left home where I was totally repressed and arrived Newark North Gate station at 0605 on the 23rd March 1965. My companions on the overnight train were from all over Scotland and in our reserved carriage compartments we had bonded before being met by a certain Cpl. Dewsbury who's mercy we would have to rely on during our first week of recruit training. The whole seven weeks was an experience that was dear to me and a helluva ride with the guidance of Cpl Wood whose bark was worse than his bite. Memories of 3rd party bed packs doing flying lessons out of the window on a rainy day propelled by Sgt Jackson always amused me. I loved every bit of it with perhaps the exception of my introduction to boots,"RAF pattern". This first day of wearing them was on the occasion of a 10 mile route - March. Would I do it again? You bet! To see individuals from all walks of life develop their character and learn about teamwork and reliability was a blessing. Sadly, I have lost touch with many of them over the years. Thanks for the memories although we didn't have fancy billets like those introduced later. It was the old "H" blocks for us.
My BED PACK TOOK FLYING LEASON AS WELLL IN MARCH 1978. BUT LOOKING BACK ON IT WOULD NOT OF CHANGED IT. AS I SPENT MANEY HAPPY YEARS IN THE R.A.F. AND HAVE NOW LONG RETIRED WITH NO REGRETS FOR A WONDERFUL LIFE IN THE RAF . AND NOW RETIERED.
My bed pack was pinned so tight when SGT Fosbury threw it, well it just bounced He picked it up by the corner and spent the next 2 mins shaking it until it fell apart thought he was going to have a stroke!
Your comments have triggered so many memories of RAF Swinderby..i was there in 1971 and we were billeted in the old wooden huts . i was the only one in our intake to have the old style uniform with the pockets on the outside of the jacket just like the officers uniform.. Just loved doing parades.....what a time....now 69 ......
‘82 for me, sad to see it all run down. The hotel I was in when stationed in Riyadh in ‘85 has been knocked down, they even knocked down my old school!!! Luckily videos like this bring it all back - thanks.
"Swinditz" Ha ha ha, I was there in November '76. 8 flight with Cpl Bradford, and a soft spoken Sergeant, whose name I can't recall. I can't remember the H block...3 maybe? The place was full of nearly psychopathic drill instructors and inadequate officers. The CS chamber was awful, the dreaded aero run wasn't too bad. Bed packs and bull nights are still a haunting memory. Would I do it again? You must be joking!
Fantastic memories. Very hard training regime when i was there in Jan 1979, how rewarding though on pass out parade with fly past. Bring back national service, it would sort out the youth of today and give them a sense of pride.
I arrived a year later 76 and thought Gibson Block was ACE!! Remember standing in line for our jabs? There was a door open on the left with lots of red [paint] on the walls we thought it was blood!! Then back to Gibson and we all shivered with the yellow fever jab! G8124298!!! Oh happy days!!
I was at Swinderby, in Sept 1965. Flat-roofed blocks - and Sgt, Jessop. Even met him, again, when on detachment in Lusaka. Lovely man! My good mate was Mick Kelham...where is he now? Our intake was selected for the Remembrance Commemoration, televised from Albert Hall, and I was 'marker'. Leading the Royal Air Force contingent down those stairs, was a proud moment, for me. I left the RAF, to study and become a Chartered Surveyor, but I remember many good times - and faces. I just wish I'd taken a commission. I'm very sad to hear, it's all gone. At least Laarbruch, Germany (another of my 'detachments') still has an RAF museum; it was great to go back there, just a month ago.
Must admit NOT THE first week. BUT YES MY FREND AFTER 30 YEARS SERVICE. AND NOW RETIERED AND 63 YEARS OLD R.A.F. SWINDERBY ARE WHERE SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES ARE HELD .
@@peternunns8442 I must agree with you there ,,bring back national service let all the kids today do 2 years .it never hurt me..i still go around the house running my finger along the tops of door frames and pictures making sure there isn't any dust, a favorite one from bull nights!!!!!
I was there in 1970. Hard going right up until the last two weeks then fell in love with it lol. Of to St Athans for trade Training then A/mech/A. (Airframe Mechanic) If I remember correctly it was either 225 or possible 252 Entry but my gut says it was the former. Did 6 years at Little Rissington until they shut it down. Then my last 4 at Lyneham on Hercs. All gone now. There were 96 Hercs at Lyneham in laste 70's C130J's the stretched version 'K' was just coming in at the end of my time there. At Swinderby, I remember running around the peri track with a dummy (3x the weight of the real thing) rifle over my head. Up and down bunker hill there in freezing cold fog. We had two WAFS in withg us for the CS Gas chamber. They were in skirts and absolute agony poor lasses. You have to think on that one. CS affects any moist areas. Women had to wear Battle Dress Pants after that.
I was there in 1978 . Sgt Lillywhite and Corporal Loaney were my instructors. I was 18 at the time. Found it bloody hard but made it to passing out. Had our final drink with our instructors over the road at ( I think ) the Halfway House pub. From there went to St Athan . Great bunch of fellow recruits and some great laughs !
Many thanks for the slides brought back memories the dreaded cs chamber the cinema with training films collecting your rifle from the armoury marching everywhere fond memories sad to see the old place demolished and gone
Swinderby in 1967 (prior to first posting to RAF Scampton (VULCANS)). Our drill instructor was CPL Saville, ex guardsman with a powerful stick !! We used to line up our 12 man room beds with a long length of string for morning inspection, put floor polish on the door so it was the first thing he smelt on entry, it worked !!
Thanks for sharing. My Dad went through about 12 mth before you but it was great to watch as i lost him recently and nice to see where he was when he first joined up
Was there a bit later in mid-76, recall a DeHavilland Vampire on a pole at the parade ground but never got close to it, always drill inside, even passing-out parade inside, due to rain, no flypast. I only really recall the mess and the NAAFI, as I was permanently hungry back then!
Our service No are very close (Q8122106) my attestation was 19 Sep 1975. I got back flighted due to laryngitis but my first block was to the right of the airman's mess. The block I finished up in was just up from the medical centre most of the entry I finished up in were apprentices. So I was the old man of the entry having just turned eighteen. I do remember after the entry piss-up rugby tackling Sgt Crew on the roundabout outside the medical centre. I got the impression that night that he lived for those piss-ups...god he could drink. Happy days.
I was there in Nov 79 in Ward block, part of 12 flight. Our OC was Flying Off Field with Sgt Parry and Cpl Wooluff. I had great memories of there. Enjoyed it a lot. Went straight to Halton after passing out but left shortly after. Went back with family in the 90's and took some phots
Arrived in Swinderby in October 68. Cpl Topping and Sgt Haliday were our instructors. Enjoyed my 9yrs in the RAF but Swinderby was special. Great memories from there.
The 6 week Swinderby miracle they called it 1973 Sept i think i was there best time of my life,Sgt Highman i seem to remember him,still got my passing out parade photos good times in the NAAFI lol,
I am so jealous of you lot that served, was in the ATC wanted to join the RAF but got an apprenticeship in civvy street, who knows might have hated it but will never know. Too old at 59 still had a good working life good jobs.
Great film, brought back a lot of memories. I arrived on the 6th September 1973. I did not do the passing out parade as I was sent on to start trade training after five weeks due to a shortage of dog handlers.
Brings back memories! I was on the April 76 intake; interesting pass out parade with that summer's heat. We all realised very quickly, just do what you are told, when you are told to do it - and it was almost a six week holiday... lol. 'Dixie' Dean was our SNCO and I remember a Cpl Smith in the Guardroom, encountered one particular evening (lesson learned? 'I know my place!'). And as for bed packs, mine was one of the ones launched out of the window; as it contained two coat-hangers and several safety pins, it survived the drop... but I had to make my bed every day for the next week and it was was checked.... The career that followed was uneventful, but it lead to 12 years instructing in Saudi, a couple of years at Uni and a final career teaching (much harder that the military!)
Brilliant, I was there in Sep '75, top floor Gibson Block, I visited many after that to play at the passout parades of thousands of airmen, I joined the Band!! Many thanks Mally Leivers
Crikey! Just as I remember it. I was there June - August 1975. Windsor Davis and Don Estelle 'Whispering Grass' and 10cc 'I'm Not In Love' on the Newcomers jukebox. Trying to pass for 18 to get a beer from the NAAFI barmaid - 12p a pint if I recall! DI's were Sgt Herbert and Cpl Lobb - 'bags of swank, bags of swank you wasters!'
Its daft, I know, but I'm filling up watching that. We were are shit scared to go there, but it is now a happy, if distant, memory. I was there March 83.
Hi Simon, It's not daft at all. I really enjoyed making the video and looking back at it now i fill up a little too remembering my time there and the friends i made. My singing could be improved though but i was trying to impersonate Clive Dunn though rather badly haha. I am glad you enjoyed it though :)
I was there from 10th August 1971 and just before passing out i got German measles and was put into quarantine with another bloke for a week and we missed our passing out parade, very sad about that.
hi brum kid i was there from august 19th 1971 . great times ! spent the rest of my raf career in 2 squdron raf regiment even better times good luck . cov kid
Well I was there in 1979 (I think, if memory serves) no luxury of accommodation blocks for my intake, I was in one of the wooden' huts on the right as you went in... When your there, you're so young and naive you don't really know what to think, just try and keep your head down so as not to get noticed.... well I didn't do too well on that score and ended up doing all sorts of 'punishments'. However, its all some 45/46 years ago and I would go back and do it all again in a heart beat..... They really were part of the best years of my life.... that and the following couple of years in RAF Halton... great memories, great.
Oh what memories that invoked, I was there from 28 Nov 78 to 6 Jan 79.My DI was a complete C*** but he got us all through it. Well I think we all passed out but it was an awfully long time ago. Good vid.
Did my basic here starting in Dec 71 at 17 years old. Went back there the other day, Aug 2016, 45 years later with my daughter. Walked around whats left, mainly the hangars and the outlines of other buildings that once stood there. Strange how the memories return, and the yearning for a time machine, just to go back and see it and myself as we used to be.....Hence I ended up here viewing this video....Thanks for the memories.
When I was at Boarding School it was compulsory to become an Army or Air Cadet. I chose the latter going to RAF Laarbruch (sorry if misspelt) Germany in the summer (1974- 1976) and I have to say despite making friends with Flying Officer Gary Smith (Jaguar Pilot) I thought the whole base was utterly depressing. There was a Navigator also who wasn't talking to Gary at all on (but much higher rank) ATC Tower Duty obviously personal reasons who looked about 50 yet he was wearing a flying "G" Suit.
RAF Swinders Gibson block ground floor far room right corner, DIs Cpl Fosbury now gone to that RAF Station in the sky, and Sgt J Adams , who I friended on FB some years back and still talk too there, best I ever done the mile n half along that perry track was 8.58 would take me 15 mins now at least, im 6 stone heavier , remember the faces that I trained with but not the names except a chap we called Dinosaur because he was so old at 31 ! and another guy we nick named Chalky white for obvious reasons , the lumpy jumpers in training would iron our shirts in their block and we would polish their shoes God how I wish I was back there, thanks for posting this BBKawk , Happy days .
Great Video.. Thanks!!!!.. I was there in Jan 1977 in Gibson Block the same as you!... your photo's bought back lots of memories. I won't say good memories because that would be a stretch! :-) I was 16 1/2 boy entrant! :-) Thanks again
Great posting......Swinders April to June 83, flight 5, Cheshire Block ground floor, trained as a plumber.....Happy memories from back in the day. Çheers!!!!!
It’s so nice to see the heritage of past RAF members, my old man went through here in 86. RAF days are the best of your life. From a currently serving member who went through RAF Halton (booooo) Hahahaha.
