I was a local kid, growing up in the 70s in Sawtry. The USAF people were great to us. I have such fond memories of those wonderful people, I've not met such a warm, generous and polite people since. They would Take us to the base to go bowling, and to the Cinema with the projector that broke down midway through a film. Everything about it was from another world. Fanta Grape, Comics in colour, mad clunky cars the size of a house that bounced down the road - Holloween, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, we were all made to feel welcome and we had a blast. Thanks for those wonderful memories.
I was a military kid growing up in the 70’s who lived on base and in Sawtry, at the end of Gidding Road. Such a special time, great people all around….I now realize what a beautiful little village it was and how lucky I was to have experienced it all! Rest in Paradise Mom and Dad, thank you for the adventures and being the best parents and giving me such an awesome childhood. Thank you to the OP for the video and awesome music to boot!
My father Col. John "Jack" Buchanan was was assigned to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, RAF Alconbury, England, as Commander of the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and held the position for three years. 1966 to 1969. He just passed on May 29, 2022 at 98 years old...alert, active and full of wonderful stories. We lived on base but my sister and I went to Lakenheath High School. Best years of our lives living in England!!! Thanks for the wonderful memories of Alconbury from your video!!!
What GREAT MEMORIES. I was there and still remember it. The parade I marched in, boring, and the air show. What a great place to have been, spent 3.5 years there, 30th TRS.😊😊😊😊
We moved to near here (Hemingford Grey) in 1968 from Northern England. Prior to this I had only ever seem those large, wallowing land-boats that Americans drove at the cinema, but now I was surrounded by them. One of our neighbours had been in the US military, but married a Fen lass and settled down. I love old films, but one of the sad things to see was Huntindgon Elms - now virtually eradicated by Dutch Elm Disease. The airfield is now being developed for housing. I had more interaction with the RAF planes at Wyton, passing the camp on the school bus. On the way to school we'd often have to stop for traffic lights to allow aircraft to take off. On the way home we'd often have to stop, in Hemingford Grey, for cows to cross the road to go for milking.
My time at Alconbury was April 1961 to April 1965. Days of RB-66 night reconnaissance bombers. Base was beautiful and well kept. Relatively new brick barracks. Loved my time here and East Anglia.
Thanks for sharing... USAF 64-68 .... RAF Alconbury Feb '65 - Feb 67 ... Automatric Flight Controls Specialist A&E Squadron ... Lived in the Village of Ellington
Thanks for the memories, lived in Huntingdon for many years in the 70's, used to go on the US air base for the Air Shows! It was great place to watch the skies, full of Vulcan's and Victor's, F4's and BAC Lightning's, Canberra's and F-111's.
Brilliant photography. Thank you. I flew from RAF Alconbury on new years day 1960 on detachment with 58 Sqdn RAF to Libya and then Kenya to complete an air survey of Somalia. It may have been that RAF Alconbury was the only airfield "fit to fly" in the UK after the new year celebrations? Well done.
I also was stationed @ Alconbury 72-74 as a aircraft electrician and would go to the Corn Exchange in Cambridge on the weekends to watch Savoy Brown, Uriah Heep, and the likes...great time...still keep in touch with two guys that I was stationed with John Eddy in engines and Chuck Pursel in pneumatics...pleasant memories...many trips to London and a few to Amsterdam (I think)....
I grew up there, dad was stationed at the base from 1970-1974, and I remember a similar airshow in 1972, I should get our 8mm transferred as well. Thank you very much for posting your video! Cheers.
I was stationed there from January 1961-January 1964. Worked in Ground Radio repair (2166 Comm Sq) We took care of the Tower and Fire & Air Police radios. They had RB-66 aircraft ( Photo Recon) when I was there. WE also took care of the Ground Radios at RAF Molesworth . Used for emergency landing -The only thing there was the Fire company & the Air Police ( Brig) and Hospital Radios. They were the good old days.
(Wife's account) I was there from 86 until after the 91 Gulf War. I worked Phase on the F5 as part of the 527th Aggressors. The 527th was soon moved to Bentwaters ( most called it 'BendOvers' ) and the 509th and 511th (A10A Warthogs baby!!) moved on to Alconbury. I worked Phase on the A10A with some awesome people. After a while I was moved to AR which was in the same hanger. I can see from this film that not much about the flightline had changed when I was there.
Bentwaters nicknamed 'Cripple Creek' back in the 60's when I was there. I was also stationed at Alconbury prior to a move to Bentwaters. Alconbury was the best duty - 1266AACS Sq (1960-2).
65 - 69 Ground Radio lived at Lilford Hall then RAF Chelveston. Good local and base people. One of best three years of my twenty. Sad about it closing.
My Air Cadet squadron in Rutland were all set up for a visit to Alconbury as our Field Day Outing in March 1970.....It was cancelled on the day.....so we went to the Shuttleworth Collection instead and somewhere is a photograph of me sitting astride a V1 Flying Bomb outside the museum (it had been used in the film Operation Crossbow)....
We lived in Kettering and many US military personnel lived off base near us so we had many good American friends, we were related to American snacks, visits to the base as guests. Later as a youngster in a group we played at many of the air bases - very happy memories.
During my tour at Alconbury, we lived in Woodford near Kettering. My son was born at Kettering Hospital. Cherish my times in and around Northamptonshire.
Very enjoyable to watch. Those sure appear to be the days! So many fine aircraft in service. Looks to me like RF-4C Phantoms, F-100's, the Red Arrows with I believe Folland Gnats, a Victor on the ground and even an English Electric Lightning. Plus a Canberra or B-57 on the ground in there. All gone now though, they don't even have specialized photo reconnaissance aircraft anymore.
Spent 3 years at RAF Martlesham Heath....'82 - "85. Det. 1, 2164th Comm Squadron. Our main base was RAF Bentwaters. They and RAF Woodbridge accommodated the 81'st Tac Fighter Wing....largest in the Air Force then. All A-10's!! The Time Of My Life!!
Thank you for a very nice video, I was there from 1967 to1970.I was wondering if it would be possible to have a fly over dining hall, barracks airmans club Etc. thanks again
father was there around 89-93, planes still there then, base was full on during first golf war, i remember the airshows to.. great times, bit of a sad sight now..lol
Awesome video.... The mighty f4s Iirc an Alconbury phantom crashed shortly after taking off in the early 80s...the radome opened somehow the pilot ejected as it was at a very low altitude
Me and my Army chum Chas Foxwell went there to spot the jets in 1979. It was dark and so cold, we tried to sleep in a phone booth. The F-4s are FY68, so this must be c. 1970 or a bit later.
Were some of the flybys from an Armed Forces Day show held there during your listed time frame? I recall being impressed by my first experience hearing and seeing the Lightning followed by an RF-4 that could well be going straight up. See
No, the footage may be from more than one air show. Possibly a July 4th open house and/or an Armed Forces Day open house - probably 1968. It's been so long I don't remember exactly.
My wife’s biological father was stationed there between 68 and 70. Does anybody know a way we can find more information on him? All we know is his name and My mother-in-law thinks she knows his home address and mothers name. If anybody can guide me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.
I was a local kid, growing up in the 70s in Sawtry. The USAF people were great to us. I have such fond memories of those wonderful people, I've not met such a warm, generous and polite people since. They would Take us to the base to go bowling, and to the Cinema with the projector that broke down midway through a film. Everything about it was from another world. Fanta Grape, Comics in colour, mad clunky cars the size of a house that bounced down the road - Holloween, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, we were all made to feel welcome and we had a blast. Thanks for those wonderful memories.
I was a military kid growing up in the 70’s who lived on base and in Sawtry, at the end of Gidding Road. Such a special time, great people all around….I now realize what a beautiful little village it was and how lucky I was to have experienced it all! Rest in Paradise Mom and Dad, thank you for the adventures and being the best parents and giving me such an awesome childhood. Thank you to the OP for the video and awesome music to boot!
My father Col. John "Jack" Buchanan was was assigned to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, RAF Alconbury, England, as Commander of the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and held the position for three years.
1966 to 1969. He just passed on May 29, 2022 at 98 years old...alert, active and full of wonderful stories. We lived on base but my sister and I went to Lakenheath High School. Best years of our lives living in England!!! Thanks for the wonderful memories of Alconbury from your video!!!
What GREAT MEMORIES. I was there and still remember it. The parade I marched in, boring, and the air show. What a great place to have been, spent 3.5 years there, 30th TRS.😊😊😊😊
We were there 67-70. Went to Lakenheath. It was a great time. Best of all the places my Dad was stationed.
We moved to near here (Hemingford Grey) in 1968 from Northern England. Prior to this I had only ever seem those large, wallowing land-boats that Americans drove at the cinema, but now I was surrounded by them. One of our neighbours had been in the US military, but married a Fen lass and settled down.
I love old films, but one of the sad things to see was Huntindgon Elms - now virtually eradicated by Dutch Elm Disease.
The airfield is now being developed for housing.
I had more interaction with the RAF planes at Wyton, passing the camp on the school bus. On the way to school we'd often have to stop for traffic lights to allow aircraft to take off. On the way home we'd often have to stop, in Hemingford Grey, for cows to cross the road to go for milking.
Amazing memories Thanks
My Dad was stationed there from 1968 - 1970. He worked on the F-4s. I went to Alconbury Elementary.
My time at Alconbury was April 1961 to April 1965. Days of RB-66 night reconnaissance bombers. Base was beautiful and well kept. Relatively new brick barracks. Loved my time here and East Anglia.
One hell of a good movie, I was at Alconbury 1967 to 1970. Thank you
Thanks for sharing... USAF 64-68 .... RAF Alconbury Feb '65 - Feb 67 ... Automatric Flight Controls Specialist A&E Squadron ... Lived in the Village of Ellington
Thanks for the memories, lived in Huntingdon for many years in the 70's, used to go on the US air base for the Air Shows! It was great place to watch the skies, full of Vulcan's and Victor's, F4's and BAC Lightning's, Canberra's and F-111's.
Great video remember stopping at my aunties in 1968 at Mablethorpe and use to watch the F4s on Donna Nook at night
My dad served here (30th Tac Recon Sq) from 1968 -1972. Really cool to have seen it as he did all those years ago. Thanks for sharing !!!
Great to be able to see the old times we shared back in the day. Thanks !! Tom Maier from Illionois
Wonderful. Simply wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Alconbury/Upwood 90-92.
Brilliant photography. Thank you. I flew from RAF Alconbury on new years day 1960 on detachment with 58 Sqdn RAF to Libya and then Kenya to complete an air survey of Somalia. It may have been that RAF Alconbury was the only airfield "fit to fly" in the UK after the new year celebrations? Well done.
I was stationed there 1972-1974. Pretty much looked the same. In hindsight, it was the greatest adventure of my life.
I also was stationed @ Alconbury 72-74 as a aircraft electrician and would go to the Corn Exchange in Cambridge on the weekends to watch Savoy Brown, Uriah Heep, and the likes...great time...still keep in touch with two guys that I was stationed with John Eddy in engines and Chuck Pursel in pneumatics...pleasant memories...many trips to London and a few to Amsterdam (I think)....
Text me... We will compare memories...would love to hear from you...
Goes Jack... Was there also at the same time...
73-75 at the clinic.
@@michaelleemeredith5917 Loved the Corn Exchange. It's quite fancy now.
I grew up there, dad was stationed at the base from 1970-1974, and I remember a similar airshow in 1972, I should get our 8mm transferred as well. Thank you very much for posting your video! Cheers.
Great sadness its closed 😢
Stationed there 1988-1990. 10th Component Repair Squadron, CRS. Best years of my career. Great memories.
Stunning looking phantoms 👍
My dad was stationed there 66-69. Went to school at Molesworth. Great to see these old videos. Thanks for sharing (Jane Staplecamp)
I was stationed there from January 1961-January 1964. Worked in Ground Radio repair (2166 Comm Sq) We took care of the Tower and Fire & Air Police radios. They had RB-66 aircraft ( Photo Recon) when I was there. WE also took care of the Ground Radios at RAF Molesworth . Used for emergency landing -The only thing there was the Fire company & the Air Police ( Brig) and Hospital Radios. They were the good old days.
Reading all the comments, im quite emotional
Used to sit nearby watching aircraft, TR1 U2 etc,
(Wife's account) I was there from 86 until after the 91 Gulf War. I worked Phase on the F5 as part of the 527th Aggressors. The 527th was soon moved to Bentwaters ( most called it 'BendOvers' ) and the 509th and 511th (A10A Warthogs baby!!) moved on to Alconbury. I worked Phase on the A10A with some awesome people. After a while I was moved to AR which was in the same hanger. I can see from this film that not much about the flightline had changed when I was there.
Bentwaters nicknamed 'Cripple Creek' back in the 60's when I was there. I was also stationed at Alconbury prior to a move to Bentwaters. Alconbury was the best duty - 1266AACS Sq (1960-2).
I was there from 1966-1969 32 TAC. Those were the days!
+ljackso me too 32 TRS 1969-1972
Keith Riggs I understand the Alconbury is closed now and not an active airbase. That is sad. Thank you for your service.
65 - 69 Ground Radio lived at Lilford Hall then RAF Chelveston.
Good local and base people. One of best three years of my twenty. Sad about it closing.
My Air Cadet squadron in Rutland were all set up for a visit to Alconbury as our Field Day Outing in March 1970.....It was cancelled on the day.....so we went to the Shuttleworth Collection instead and somewhere is a photograph of me sitting astride a V1 Flying Bomb outside the museum (it had been used in the film Operation Crossbow)....
I was stationed here from May 1965 to Sept 1968
We lived in Kettering and many US military personnel lived off base near us so we had many good American friends, we were related to American snacks, visits to the base as guests. Later as a youngster in a group we played at many of the air bases - very happy memories.
During my tour at Alconbury, we lived in Woodford near Kettering. My son was born at Kettering Hospital. Cherish my times in and around Northamptonshire.
Very enjoyable to watch. Those sure appear to be the days! So many fine aircraft in service. Looks to me like RF-4C Phantoms, F-100's, the Red Arrows with I believe Folland Gnats, a Victor on the ground and even an English Electric Lightning. Plus a Canberra or B-57 on the ground in there. All gone now though, they don't even have specialized photo reconnaissance aircraft anymore.
You're right,the Red Arrows with Folland Gnats.
Spent 3 years at RAF Martlesham Heath....'82 - "85. Det. 1, 2164th Comm Squadron.
Our main base was RAF Bentwaters. They and RAF Woodbridge accommodated the 81'st Tac Fighter Wing....largest in the Air Force then. All A-10's!!
The Time Of My Life!!
Thank you for a very nice video, I was there from 1967 to1970.I was wondering if it would be possible to have a fly over dining hall, barracks airmans club Etc. thanks again
father was there around 89-93, planes still there then, base was full on during first golf war, i remember the airshows to.. great times, bit of a sad sight now..lol
Awesome video.... The mighty f4s Iirc an Alconbury phantom crashed shortly after taking off in the early 80s...the radome opened somehow the pilot ejected as it was at a very low altitude
Gosh yes phantom F4
Me and my Army chum Chas Foxwell went there to spot the jets in 1979. It was dark and so cold, we tried to sleep in a phone booth. The F-4s are FY68, so this must be c. 1970 or a bit later.
Stationed RAF Alconbury 64-67, Det 3, 7232MMS which became 304 MMS . Thks for the memories.
Correction: Det 2600, 7232MMG
That's Det 2600, 7232MMG
Were some of the flybys from an Armed Forces Day show held there during your listed time frame?
I recall being impressed by my first experience hearing and seeing the Lightning followed by an RF-4 that could well be going straight up. See
Was stationed there 1974-75 at the end of the RF-4C era. 10th AMS
Spent many a weekend outside the NCO club as a child watching the F-4's come and go while my father (Paul Peters) flew a desk inside. Happy Days
!0th SPS-73-75. Great base
Oh wow victors
I lived there from 2015-2018
was stationed at Alconbury, only 10 years later. Probably the same f-4's. Was this at a Battle of Britain airshow?
No, the footage may be from more than one air show. Possibly a July 4th open house and/or an Armed Forces Day open house - probably 1968. It's been so long I don't remember exactly.
Nearby raf wyton, canberra
I have posted an updated version of this video with slightly enhanced quality at
ua-cam.com/video/bW01RQm6m40/v-deo.html
My wife’s biological father was stationed there between 68 and 70. Does anybody know a way we can find more information on him? All we know is his name and My mother-in-law thinks she knows his home address and mothers name. If anybody can guide me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.
Nice video check out my latest shots on Alconbury big changes now 5000 houses to be built on the old airfield