Leuchars Battle of Britain Airshow 1966

RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain Airshow 17th September 1966

[@-Loki--]

Many of the men & women who were enjoying the pinnacle of their RAF careers at this time are sadly no longer with us. It was their time, and what a fantastic job they did, may those who have passed all rest in peace.

[@ianedmonds9191]

My Grandad's RAF wings and his metal RAF Flying Badge certificate are displayed proudly on a shelf in the bookcase in my living room. He was a remarkable man. Luv and Peace.

[@mickboakes7023]

Great airfield, great airshow, great aircraft and great music. Thanks for that very nostalgic trip back in time. Ah those were the days. All the best. Mick🇬🇧

[@animaltvi9515]

Ah. I remember the days when you could go to an airshow. And when the RAF had that many planes. . Thanks for sharing

[@MattThornton87]

WOW!!! If this was a film it would be X RATED AIRCRAFT PORN. Absolutely loved this, thanks so much for sharing. Big grin from first min to last!! Hell that RN Buccaneer was giving it the beans @ 7:33! Things looked space-age until the Shackleton entered stage right... what a beasty though. Rare to see an early Vulcan & blue-steel armed Victor in flight! Music complemented it well.... I need a lay down after that lot! Cheers :)

[@johndavey72]

Nostalgia at it's best. We did actually have an air force with British aircraft !! I suspect the only aircraft still flying is the MK 19 Spitfire ! Thanks for sharing .

[@Yosemite-George-61]

That formation of Javelins looks great !

[@markblackman2542]

i was 1 yrs old then, but i grew up with these aircraft . brilliant film ,thanks !

[@dsclark1954]

My first airshow. I still have the programme for the display

[@climbtherainbow]

2:43 - Classic RAF tactic, walk around with a folder and everyone will assume you're busy and not ask you to do anything!

[@richardpoynton4026]

Ha! I used to do the same thing..... lol

[@smartstuff7784]

Best tool in the world - a clipboard. You get instant respect.

[@gazza9463]

Yep. Works every time.

[@dartskipper3170]

My older brother told me that!

[@nickjames2370]

Considering the cameras and film of the era AND the weather, the quality is stunning. The Buccaneer at 7:33, the Javelin formation etc. etc. Thank you for uploading this.

[@ianedmonds9191]

Up in Blair Athol on holiday Grandad used to teach me to identify aircraft. Buccaneers were easy because of the t-tail. They'd be flying low over our campsite. I loved it. Luv and Peace.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

What a brilliant display aircraft they had in the 60s

[@ibluap]

Tamks, thanks, thanks for allowing me to revive those childhood days.

[@foxonefour]

Je vous en pris.

[@garethbliss]

All designed with slide rules, paper and pencils. Amazing 👍

[@MrAvant123]

Interesting film, good to see the almost forgotten Javelins - even though they weren't particularly great aircraft

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Yeah just looking at the the flight line; you can tell British technology was already a step behind American.

[@sichere]

The Javelin was an exceptional aircraft considering the time of it's introduction and being an "all weather fighter"

[@trigger399]

People tend to remember early development problems - FAW9 was a very good bomber interceptor, which is what it was designed for and was just as fast as a Hunter.

[@hmfc2005]

Superb - that Griffon engined Spitfire looks as powerful as a piston engined fighter possibly could!

[@georgebarnes8163]

one bad looking machine

[@anthonycoffey8753]

Excellent film and soundtrack.

[@billtorrance3161]

OMG I was there that day! The noise!

[@Parawingdelta2]

Great video. Brings back lots of memories. My father was in the RAF from 1937 to 1972 so I was brought up in and around RAF camps in the fifties and sixties when all those aircraft were around. Forget how many airshows I attended. My mother served in the RAF during the war and brother in the seventies and eighties. All gone now. I have a daughter currently serving in the Royal Australian Air Force to carry on the family tradition. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@almac1721]

Thankyou for posting this wonderful footage. Amazing to see all those iconic planes flying. I miss the Leuchars airshow. The weather wasn’t always bad, we got sunburnt in I think 2013.

[@erichedges4765]

I was there as ground crew (Air Radar ) for the HS 125 Dominies from Stradishall. We flew up to Leuchars Friday afternoon and then had a few beers in St Andrews Friday evening. Leuchars was then regarded as the premier Fighter base in the UK. The plan was for our 3 Dominies to do a short display at Leuchars and then visit the other 3 Battle of Britten displays, however the weather was so bad, we just took off, climbed through cloud and returned home. I was posted onto my fitters course at Cosford 1 week later. Happy Days

[@frankassis2684]

Thanks for the opportunity to see so many classic planes flying.

[@colinwhyte3402]

Somethings never change. It's the Leuchars air show, so it's raining. Thanks to whoever made this film originally & for uploading it as it shows, what airshows used to be, Pre Yellowjacks & Red Arrows.

[@rickzette]

Loved seeing the Gloster Javelins, my Dad worked at GAC ( Gloster Aircraft Company) for over 25 years, i remember seeing 3 fly over our house around 1960. ( we lived in Churchdown )

[@mrhutch1956]

Thanks for posting. Brought back memories of my first airshow at RAF Abingdon in 1968. One of many nicknames for the Tornado bomber was the mighty fin, I think the Javelin had a bigger fin in proportion to its fuselage and deserves that tag.

[@MrKapeji]

My first airshow was at Abingdon too, probably about 1960/1. We lived in Drayton, Beverlys, Hastings and Vallettas and Varsitys as well as argosys and Andovers were frequently passing right over the house as well as DC3's an occasional Avro Ansen and other assorted planes right up till 1967 when we left.

[@neiltully4579]

Brought it all back, my first air show at Biggin Hill with my Dad in 66 ( even though he wasn’t really into planes) even wore his suit and tie ha!..... I was so excited at all the aircraft I had only seen in books up to then that I feel down the stairs of the bus bringing us to the show...happy days....a great video thanks for posting it....

[@davidhunt3808]

There is something special about the British aircraft of that era !

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

You mean especially bad. 😏

[@georgebarnes8163]

@@WALTERBROADDUS So bad the Yanks had to buy them as they could not make them themselves.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@georgebarnes8163 🤔 Just what are you referring to George? If you mean the Canberra? The US did build it. It became the B-57 made by Martin. Today now known as Lockheed Martin.

[@georgebarnes8163]

@@WALTERBROADDUS The Canberra was one British aircraft the US used, there were others.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@georgebarnes8163 I know.....

[@rideyourbikent]

Nice to see the F104s keeping everyone safe by staying on the ground .

[@georgebarnes8163]

Yep, the political lemon that killed many, useless pile of junk.

[@rideyourbikent]

@@georgebarnes8163 its like Brexit with bigger wings 😂😂

[@EXG_BLU]

@@georgebarnes8163 it’s a very good looking aircraft imo tho

[@georgebarnes8163]

@@EXG_BLU It is, as long as people do not try to fly the thing.

[@EXG_BLU]

@@georgebarnes8163 indeed it wasn’t given the name “Widowmaker” in Germany for nothing 😂😅

[@dartskipper3170]

Thanks for sharing this film. Lots of iconic aircraft my older brother would have enjoyed seeing again. He served 15 years from 1962, on bomber and interceptor Squadrons after they all became Strike Command. Great soundtrack too!

[@rollingthunder4]

WOW😱👍🏻 You substituted some pretty good alternative ‘sounds’ - all of which will be lost on the iPhone generation😅 When Hunters ruled the skies, Lightnings did QRA and the Red Arrows flew Strikemasters! A pity no Frightning noise but there are plenty of YT vids for that - saw a Diamond 9 at Biggin Hill - one thing that hasn’t changed is the Leuchars weather... My girlfriend’s Father acquired a Javeline nose cone, cut a small section and rehinged it - bingo she had a bespoke Wendy house at the bottom of the garden😉 Thanks for posting mate🥇

[@caterhamsuperlightr81]

FANTASTIC footage - thanks so much for sharing. Such an array of types - that silver Javelin and the four ship display is amazing.

[@donlaight5943]

When we had an Air Force, great video and traditional Leuchars weather, thank you.

[@rovercoupe7104]

It wouldn’t be an old video about the RAF unless someone says: ‘In the days when we had an air force’. I left that comment on a video about the F-35B, just to make sure I would be the first to say that M.

[@bugler75]

Great footage and tunes. Thanks for sharing

[@AndreiTupolev]

I love the Gnat sheltering under the wing of the Beverley.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

I was stationed at Leeming 1956-59 with Javelin 228 OCU. Hairy scary aircraft were the Javs . ‘Night flying Blues’ on a dark dreary cold airfield with RAF Fire Service. Great memories.

[@chasb441]

I was 10 at the time in 1966. We lived in Belgium as my dad was in the RAF and did a tour out there with NATO in a bunker preparing for the expected war with Russia. Fortunately, it did not happen. I served in the RAF for 25 years from 1974 and served my last 9 years at Leuchars on 111 Sqd Phantoms and Tornadoes.....Really great times for sure!

[@davidlange3418]

Thanks, memories are made of this.

[@ianjackson7515]

Wow... four Javelins working at the same time !!! - great 'home movie', thank you so much for posting this. Best from NZ.

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

A fantastic array of aircraft, when we had a real Airforce. Leuchars was my first posting as a young J/T L Tech AC in June 1980 on Phantoms.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Glorious Cold War aircraft ! Love this Era !! : )

[@munchybiker]

Appreciated, thanks. 👍

[@mudskipper0075]

Loved going to Leuchars as a kid ,the Lightning’s were a real treat....👍

[@foxonefour]

Check out the Leuchars Lightnings video if you haven't already - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ-qYXyljMehrck

[@nigeh5326]

@@foxonefour I will do shortly, you gotta love a Lightning 😊

[@gileswhitehead7437]

Totally brilliant, many thanks.

[@Metalmiltia]

Really cool old film Amazing to see some of those planes flying esp the Javelins and the Halifax.My dad used to lift me up so I could see into a Javelins cockpit. It was outside the air cadets in Worcester. I think it's upin Yorkshire somewhere now.

[@brendancooney520]

Great post, thanks (I joined up in the following year)

[@gazza2933]

Typical Airshow Weather for the U.K. Great piece of nostalgia! Thank you.

[@jimcobb4691]

Loved going there as a child the lightning was my favourite

[@michaelalanpowell]

What an amazing array of British aircraft. Nice to see the F-104s and F-4s but it's the British aircraft that blew me away! Such a shame the Brits don't build aircraft anymore. Typhoon, Tornado and Jaguar don't count. I mean pure Brit jets. Ok, maybe Hawk trainers are the last all Brit jets. Good times back then. Javelin....awesome beast.

[@ianedmonds9191]

The V bombers are the most beautiful planes I've ever seen. Luv and Peace.

[@kerrylester8437]

Fabulous footage

[@AndreiTupolev]

Some spectacular low flying there, a lot lower than would be allowed now I suspect. Just imagine the sound of those Javelins and the Lightning towards the end. And those Griffons on the Shackleton.

[@JTA1961]

Yup it was another 10 years before lawyers and insurance companies completely took over the world...

[@nigeh5326]

@@JTA1961 it wasn’t the legal lot who changed things it was the Ramstein disaster that killed 70 people that changed things.

[@nigeh5326]

I used to love air shows back in the 70s at my local civilian airport (Halfpenny Green in S Staffs) Lightning’s, Hunters, Harriers, the Red Arrows great days.

[@user-vj7el2wg9b]

@@nigeh5326 I could have been at Ramstein. Fortunately, we couldn't organize a car to take us there . . .

[@brianwebster3167]

Great music and that Vulcan, such a lovely beast. She sure looked more lethal than our BUFF’s.

[@philnbspook6446]

Super film. Loved the Javelins, i remember two on the frontage at 16MU as a kid, but i never saw one fly.

[@davidblurton7158]

i only remember one,, sad to see it never survived,, except maby the nose perhaps

[@coolerking70able]

Typical Scotland eh, wet! I took our family to Leuchars airshow about 12 years ago, I think perhaps one of the last shows before the squadron was disbanded. Anyway that day low cloud meant the flying display was seriously curtailed, the cloud cover lifted and the sun came just as the show finished! Thanks for sharing these great films, with fantastic accompanying music, a wonderful reflection of times long gone!

[@timhancock6626]

Love it. That was a year or two before I joined the air cadets. The HS125/Dominie did well didn't it. One of our best aircraft exports on the quiet. They built 1,720 HS/BAE 125s from 1963-2013. It was originally a De Haviland design.

[@MattThornton87]

I didn't realise just how old they were! God we certainly produced some futuristic looking A/c back in the day

[@bugler75]

Didn’t realise that! I remember getting an Air Experience Dlight as an Air Cadet in one. Thanks 👍🏼

[@GSP21]

Terrible to work on!

[@bugler75]

@@GSP21 I always read that aircraft X was terrible to work on. Was there any that were considered easy or at least easier? Genuine question by the way. I know it looks a bit sarcastic but it’s not👍🏼

[@GSP21]

bugler75 My main a/c was the Vulcan although I was qualified on the Victor.Liked the Vulcan best.

[@magnuswalker7957]

I was 19 so my generation of aircraft but I was possible in the beer tent. Especially love seeing the V bombers, the Lightnings were 74 squadron and I suspect the Javelins were stationed at Leuchars.

[@kemo36100]

You are right, I did that once with a bucket and a mop. Some good stuff here. well done.

[@ichabodon]

I went to the Farnborough air show in about 1952 and the crowds were right next to the runway. Scary.

[@nigeh5326]

Great stuff, thank you. I haven’t seen much film of the drag master aka the Javelin b4 and I’ve only seen a couple of them on display eg Cosford (a great museum btw). This is around the point when the RAF ordered a toning down of colour schemes as some were too flamboyant for their liking eg 56 squadron Firebird Lightning’s.

[@10percenttrue]

Wonderful!

[@keithroy9217]

I remember it well! Especially the Dutch “howlers” (F-104s). The Canberra B8 display suffered a bit from the weather, but it showed spectacular manoeuvrability for a bomber. And Victors are definitely noisier than Vulcans!

[@MULLAC22]

Ahhh - Dutch F104's - when the camera went down that line I thought it was Czech F104's - LOL

[@anthonyeaton5153]

In the late 70s the Dutch 104 Starfighter team practised at Leeming and one flew VERY LOW off parallel to the runway it scorched the grass. No BS.

[@seumasnatuaighe]

Enjoyed the Lightnings and Strikemasters/Provosts. I had friends in 11 sqn at Leuchars and their Lightning trainer was unbelievably fast.

[@Malc2640]

My Dads unpainted (silver) Javelin XH898 with his initials 'GHB' on the tail!

[@caterhamsuperlightr81]

Malc2640 Simply stunning! Who was your father?

[@Malc2640]

@@caterhamsuperlightr81 Hi. He retired as Wing Commander GH (George Harold) Beaton (hence his initials on the plane which the guys in his squadron put on it for him) he lives in a care home in Crawley now but I saw him Christmas Day and he was on fine form! The Javelin was unpainted because it went to Northern Ireland for a service and Dad got impatient waiting for it to return so he got one of his squadron (he was a squadron Leader at the time) to fly him over there and he just took it before it was finished! There was only ever one unpainted one (to my knowledge) but it is the one you get when you buy an Airfix model or diecast model. Best. Malcolm Beaton

[@caterhamsuperlightr81]

@@Malc2640 Hi - thanks for responding! It must be lovely for you to have seen this footage (in colour too). Hope you've had the opportunity to show your father - notwithstanding the current conditions we are in.

[@Malc2640]

@@caterhamsuperlightr81 Hi yes. He's seen it. We have lots of photos but it was great to have colour movie footage to show him.

[@caterhamsuperlightr81]

@@Malc2640 Fantastic - wouldn't it be an amazing sight in the air again? Sadly never to happen, but a nice thought. Reckon airshows will be cancelled his year too, so will have to stay with KZbin for a while longer! All the best.

[@SimonWallwork]

Nice to see it was pissing down there, even in 1966.

[@PenDragonsPig]

The last air show I went to at St. Mawgan also had a Canberra in the line up display- caked in 1/2 inch of peeling paint. I’m surprised it wasn’t the burn plane from out on the cliffs- which they were using for parts to keep other Canberras flying.

[@brianmarak9689]

This is fantastic. What a time it must have been. The Javelins are the best.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

They would have been MIG bait.

[@brianmarak9689]

@@WALTERBROADDUS The Javelins would have, could have. ..All for practice, I guess.

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

Such variety, the RAF would be hard pushed to display three of anything today. Interesting to see a bare metal Javelin, I wonder what that was about? Happy days.

[@nickjames2370]

See Malc2640's comment and the replies to it. Brilliant story.

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

Fascinating, definitely couldn’t happen today. My dad was an Airframe Fitter and finished his time as a Chief Technician at Leuchars, initially on 74 Sqn then 23 Sqn. I didn’t attend the 66 BOB display, after watching this I wish I had. Thanks to foxonefour for posting it.

[@meertenwelleman6249]

A couple of Dutch 322 squadron F-104's and a Fokker Troopship.

[@nervo6321]

From the days of a proper airshow...performers coming in at tree top height...

[@neildonaldson3408]

Crickey! No one flies that low these days. Great soundtrack though.

[@michaelalanpowell]

Yes, that Lightning was in ground effect. Brilliant!

[@mikeairey459]

How depressing! To think that every aircraft flying was British (apart from the Westland - going for Whirlwind)... But loved it! My Godfather flew the Shack, my Dad the Canberra and my step-dad the Vulcan.

[@johnrenton3463]

Ahh, great days...

[@AndreiTupolev]

By jove, Javelins, Lightnings and Starfighters! Who needs Spitfires?

[@paulmca8514]

Typical Leuchars weather, good choice of music

[@rovercoupe7104]

Brilliant

[@nigeh5326]

For anyone thinking didn’t they fly and close to the crowd back then why not now? The Ramstein disaster when 3 pilots and 67 on the ground were killed is the biggest reason and air show crashes since such as Shoreham have led to even tighter controls on displays. Even the Red Arrows and the Thunderbirds aren’t allowed to fly as they used to.

[@angusmcangus7914]

The days when the public could get right up close to military aircraft - and the UK had a healthy-sized RAF and FAA.

[@edgarcook9607]

F4 Phantom II dressed as USAF F-110--which was all about to change, including putting on the camouflage with a broad brush!

[@lionel66cajppppp0]

That lightning....nap of the earth

[@davidhunt3808]

When Britain still had an air force !!

[@stevebroughton4787]

Look......no barriers, minimal security, loads of different aircraft from when we could make our own stuff. Saddens me to see what we've become now.....relying on just two fighter/bombers.

[@DanSmithBK]

Got a like just for the opening comment!

[@SirGeorgeButtox]

English Electric Lightning⚡️Like a Pit Bull on steroids!

[@georgebarnes8163]

Light the touch paper and run.

[@climbtherainbow]

A good number of the Leuchars airshows I attended 90s/00s ended up with that kind of rain. The B52 wing was great to shelter under!

[@photoisca7386]

You couldn't beat a good old Vulcan for shelter. B52 wings droop too much.

[@Georgeconna32]

Class Stuff FOF. Your own Footage?

[@foxonefour]

Not my footage, I was only 7 at the time of the airshow. A good friend of mine took the film and I had it converted to digital. Search for Leuchars Lightnings and Lossiemouth 1966 for more of the same. More to come when I get the time to edit!

[@grahamariss2111]

That Vulcan in 66 must have been straight out the paint shop as it was only in 65 they announced they would start adopting low level.l

[@andywhite40]

What a great video!! It's a bit before my time but I wish I hadn't taken seeing Lightnings, Vulcans, Victors and Buccaneers for granted as a lad. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but is that the Red Pelicans who were forerunners of the Red Arrows???

[@nigeh5326]

They were one of the early display teams. They were based at Central Flying School and replaced the 56 squadron Firebird Lightning’s as the official display team until the Red Arrows were created in 65 although they carried on until 73 when they were disbanded. Back in the 50s and 60s we had a few display teams including the Black Arrows (Hunters), Blue Diamonds (Hunters) and the Firebirds (Lightning’s) and others 👍😊

[@andywhite40]

@@nigeh5326 Spoilt for choice - all those different aircraft types, oh for a time machine!! My earliest recollections are the Red Arrows using Gnats in the 70's my first airshow being the RNAS Culdrose display in 1977, I was hooked after that.....

[@nigeh5326]

@@andywhite40 There is some great footage of the Reds flying Gnats at low level from their v early days, well worth watching and it’s professional with sound.

[@andywhite40]

@@nigeh5326 thanks, I'll have a look for that!! 👍👍👍👍

[@toddmoss1689]

Great video of some classic RAF aircraft! 3:04 what mark is that spitfire?? I’ve never seen that cowling and spinner before.

[@foxonefour]

High Flight posted a list of all the participating aircraft elsewhere in the comments and this is from his list - PM631 Spitfire PR19 BBMF

[@PeteCourtier]

My old man was a weapons fitter on Javelins👍 33 Sqn.

[@cruachan1951]

Loved it. Music too. The iPhone generation also doesn't know that the equivalent cost today of that 10 minutes of film is about £100! How did you do the transfer from 8mm film?

[@foxonefour]

Thanks for showing appreciation of the video, the music choices and the complexities of 8mm film! The transfer was done by 2 different professional companies and was not cheap. The truth be known if I was doing it again I would buy an off the shelf machine and do it myself.

[@cruachan1951]

@@foxonefour I thought so. It looked professionally done. I run PlanesTV and we transfer for free if it's mostly aviation content in return for permission to use it on our channel. Have you got any more films?

[@foxonefour]

@@cruachan1951 I have few that've been converted but not yet released but I don't have any un-converted 8mm films. Thanks for being honest about your connection with Planes TV.

[@ianedmonds9191]

What was that plane the red arrows were running? T-tail? It looked old. Straight wings too. Never seen that before. Luv and Peace.

[@foxonefour]

I think the aircraft you are referring to is the Gloster Javelin which was not flown by the Red arrows but part of the then based 23 Squadron.

[@denniscashell2407]

⚡

[@philbedford8979]

What was the Vulcans number? I can't make it out...

[@foxonefour]

See the comment by High Flight about a year ago. List of all the airshow participants.

[@bertiewooster3326]

Cor a Super Sabre jet never got to fly one blast !

[@paulsmith843]

YEP...That's how I remember UK Airshows...PISSING DOWN!

[@llanero9177]

I like the music, but I would like more the sound of the engines.

[@photoisca7386]

A 1960's cine camera didn't come with sound.

[@llanero9177]

@@photoisca7386 I don't know if this was recorded for a TV show or a documental and it had sound, or it was an amateur recording.

[@nigeh5326]

@@llanero9177 this is amateur footage taken by an enthusiast at a guess. Sadly sound on cine film wasn’t a thing then

[@jagdpanther2224]

@3:50 Sea Vixen

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

How come an Apache chopper appears at 0.48? 🤔

[@foxonefour]

Either it's a time warp or more likely a small aircraft, my best guess is a Beagle Basset.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Looks like one for the X-Files! 😆

[@magna4100]

How lucky if you were there. What have we got now? Sweet FUCK ALL.

[@MrSkyskooter]

What is that all silver Javelin?

[@foxonefour]

To the best of my knowledge it was a special scheme applied to the Javelin as it was coming to the end of its service life. The GHB tail code is the initials of 228 OCU C.O. Sqdn Ldr George H. Beaton.

[@trigger399]

@@foxonefour Not a special scheme, just bare metal. Stripped of paint at servicing before shipment to the Far East, but urgently required at Leuchars.

[@jeffbridges666]

I never saw a Javelin fly

[@apwilliamson8098]

They they were they were on the flight line at raf Kuching in 64/65

[@erichedges4765]

And at RAAF Butterworth in 64/65, 64 Sqdn i think? They actually managed to get 4 Airborne at once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@trigger399]

@@erichedges4765 In Singapore 1967 they had a formation of nineteen of 60 and 64 Sqns.