Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Development – Part Six
Two weeks before the first nuclear weapon was used for warfare, dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the results of the UK general election
Having recently joined the Guardian Squad I thought it might be an idea to put on paper, my contact with the Vulcan, during my RAF National Service back in 1959-1961.
Following ‘Square bashing’ at Bridgnorth, I was posted to No2 Radio School at RAF Yatesbury, to train as an Air Wireless Fitter.
This was a 30 something week course, which together the initial training, took up most of the 1st year of my service.
I passed out as a Junior Technician, Air Wireless Fitter, having been Trained to service, HF & VHF radio, Instrument Landing System, Radio Altimeter and I think Radio Direction Finder, and was the posted to RAF Scampton, around Feb 1960, based in the Electronics Centre, out on the airfield.
My duties were to service all the radio equipment relating to the Vulcan B1, which meant I very occasionally got into the cockpit to remove/install items.
I’m not quite sure how many Vulcans were on base at the time and can’t remember any of the Reg Nos.
I might be wrong here but I recall both 617 & 83 Squadrons were on base and of course all the Aircraft were the B1 variant and painted all over white.
We did have a B2 version visit us on one occasion to ‘show off’, I remember the biggest difference to us lads standing on the ground, was its rate of climb, compared to the B1.
Another recollection was the Annual Bombing Competition, where we took on the Yanks, with their B52s, and won!
I have to say I enjoyed my time in the Service, it was mostly a 5 day week , home to Solihull every weekend and of course I learnt another totally different trade, (I was a Jig & Tool Draughtsman prior the joining) and this trade subsequently came in useful in civvy life, with a sideline in radio servicing.
Ken Toone – 5067080 J/T Toone K.
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