Battle of Britain Anniversary RAF Coltishall 1961 BAE Lightning 74 Squadron

[@maxwellfan55]

Wonderful film. Another reminder of the efficiency and excitement of growing up on an RAF station which always felt like a big family. In memory of my dad, W.O. Nicholls RAF who served from 1944 and did his full term till the early 1970's.

[@user-th5se8en2j]

Thank you so much for uploading this. My Dad, Jim Gilray came across this purely by chance earlier today. Imagine his surprise to see himself recovering the lightning brake chute. He joined up as a boy at 16, was 19 when this was filmed and celebrates his 80th birthday later this year.

[@TomEagles]

Nice :) Glad he found it!

[@jackplug9586]

Wonderful…..

[@meertenwelleman6249]

This is exceptional footage, ladies and gentlemen, please show your appreciation!

[@robertherrick3337]

Wonderful video. If I remember correctly, there were three squadrons at RAF Coltishall in 1961. 74 Squadron, 23 Squadron (Javelins) and the Fighter Development Squadron, (working on night fighter capabilities ) which had been transferred from RAF Tangmere to RAF Coltishall.

[@markfranks1329]

Look at those lovely a/c types. A time when Britain completely excelled and effortlessly punched above its own weight.

[@pauldurkee4764]

The armed forces today will have a job to punch its way out of a paper bag in comparison.

[@Johnbg81327.]

In 1966 I was combat ready at 20 on a fighter squadron and by 29 I was a squadron commander and this is how it should be. How it has got to this I cannot comprehend. Crass leadership spring to mind. Worse, knowing all this, nobody is doing anything about it. How the Air Force gets any recruits is beyond me. Truly it makes me weep to see the wonderful Air Force I knew, sink to this. For God’s sake, somebody do something. Psst… diversity targets are not the answer!

[@jackplug9586]

Love the final comment, it’s speaks volumes…..

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

Makes you want to weep - the quality of the personnel back then were the finest in the world, to be fair think it was for most things. From wonderful Norfolk ‘Pop’ doing his bit to that 23 year old Lightning pilot - what the hell has happened to this country.

[@HowzzatUD]

Too true, back then when aircrew actually go to fly rather than waiting around bcs of budget restrictions.

[@grahamrsnowdon5877]

I was a close neighbour of Vaughan's (he was a year or two older than me) when our respective families lived in Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr, Doncaster.

[@TomEagles]

Hi Graham, thanks for the comment, hope the video was enjoyable, this was three years before I was born. Jill lives in North Devon now besides Saudi, Devon was their home during his Post RAF service time.

[@LarvaeLightening]

Thank you so much for uploading, what a privilege to finally see such rare footage of the legendary Vaughan Radford. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories from my grandfather who was good friends with him during his RAF years. I’ve always wondered what Jill looked like too.

[@tiffcat1100]

@@LarvaeLighteningI have a photo somewhere of the family. Vaughan very kindly gave us a painting afternoon c1974 in Al Khobar/Dhahran; we loved it and the theme was a jungle by night. Jill must have been in UK with the family at the time. Will be sorting through photos this autumn/winter. (Future me: I didn’t!) Vaughan did some fab cartoons & sketches which grace several walls of my father’s home (I took photos of those too, being an archivist at heart!).

[@TomEagles]

@@tiffcat1100 sorry I have only just seen this reply, any chance you could get some scanned and emailed to me if at all possible?

[@tiffcat1100]

@@TomEaglesCan you send me your email address?

[@nervo6321]

Fantastic video

[@TomEagles]

Thanks! 😃

[@John-pn4rt]

@7:20 "I believe it's a mark nine Spitfire" - it most certainly is not, it's a mark 19 and is still part of the BBMF.

[@richardvernon317]

Historic Aircraft Flight back in those days.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

@@richardvernon317 Correct PM631 arrived at RAF Coltishall as part of the historic flight. By the time I arrived as ground crew it had expanded to six aircraft. The 1973 brochure lists it as the Battle of Britain Flight. The lancaster joined the Flight in November 1973, The 1974 brochure lists it as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the first time. it's been the BBMF ever since.

[@bertiewooster3326]

The old 1960s RAF frontline pilot combat ready age 23.The modern RAF front line pilot 30years old due to appalling training system and dreadful leadership .

[@pauldurkee4764]

All across the armed forces it is noticeable, and its not just us, the same situation is occurring in the US, all deliberately done to undermine our countries as strong independent nations. And the chiefs of staff talk about conflict with Russia, all part of the New World Order.

[@meertenwelleman6249]

Who is the presenter? And 'pop' ofcourse.

[@mikec4472]

Great film, just slightly odd that it talked about 74 Sqn but I only saw 111 Sqn Lightnings!

[@HowzzatUD]

74 Sqn, you can see the tigers head in some the shots.

[@tiffcat1100]

The charming & fascinating Vaughan Radford! ❤ (5:30)

[@TomEagles]

Yup taken way too young, was my hero growing up, the best Uncle anyone could wish for.

[@tiffcat1100]

@@TomEagles They & my parents were good friends in UK & in Saudi Arabia. There are those who aspire to climb the ranks & those who want to fly (& keep flying!) ;)

[@TomEagles]

Vaughan was too unconventional to climb the ranks. His Obituary has some crazy stories from his time in Saudi, link is in the Description of the Video@@tiffcat1100

[@tiffcat1100]

@@TomEagles I read it one day but could do with a re-read. Would love to know more of your recollections of him :) ps have re-read it, especially love the yellow beetle story! 🪲

[@jackplug9586]

I can see the airfield from my bedroom window. Worked on the camp for several years as a “Civvi”, (early 1990s-closure 2007), enjoyed it very much indeed, the RAF personnel were wonderful. Still miss the Jaguars flying over the house.