Just as well he flew single seaters. I think he would of run out of willing Navs with that run of luck! Great interview as always. Loved his modest understatement of the incidents. Best of British.
because the flaps were in "Somewhat of a second-hand state". This had me cracking up! What a sky hero, and thoroughly British about it all :) Wonderful, wonderful stuff.
The pilot of the Tornado in the 2nd incident when he arrived at the RVI in Newcastle the nurse apologised to him saying that she was sorry but she would have to cut his flying suit off. He replied 'When you've just f***** several millions pounds of aircraft they're not going to worry about a flying suit'.
Glad to see that he survived his military flying! These stories of survival are always the most interesting ones. This is actually the third story I've heard of a fighter or attack plane being safely landed after having a wing shorn off in a collision. The first incident I heard was the well-known story of the Israeli F-15D that lost its right(?) wing after a collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during DACT. That plane was also landed at 200kts or better speed. The whole time the pilot was unaware of the fact he lost a wing. He and his backseater were just trying to survive and bring the plane back! The second story involved two F-14s. They collided somewhere over the South China sea. One plane was lost but the other limped back to Singapore with most of its right wing missing and landed safely. In the cases of the F-14 and F-15, I think part of the reason why they were able to saved (besides excellent crew handling) was because of the nature of the airframe design. In both designs, there is a wide, flat frame body between the wings. It's a kind of lifting body design that actually contributes to the overall lift and the planes' actually wing loading is lower than what's generally published. At any case, it sort of acts like a third wing and as long as there's no heavy (and drag-inducing) ordinance loaded in these areas, it contributes a lot of lift.
My father in law used to be on the incident investigation team in the RAF and he got a call put to an aircraft that had landed in a field. He was told it was a mirage but said don’t be daft mirages don’t land in fields, Harriers land in fields. So off they went and arrived to find a pristine mirage sat in a field, minus only it’s canopy. Apparently the pilot had reported an issue, punched out, only for the aircraft to continue flying and seemingly land itself in a farmers field. Seems the pilot had been very french and surrendered far too early😁😁😁😁😁😁
That's a great story, I was based at Honington and dashed up to the site to spend a couple of days on crash guard. I heard the pick up helicopter story from the Tornado pilot. Thank you for sharing.
I was based at Leeming when the Tonka went in at Hexham; they brought it back piec by piece to the scrap compound next to the old Dog Section. The Jaguar did indeed look very "Second Hand", I seem to recall there being some debate about whether or not the airframe was twisted.........
Bloody hell…!!! How has this popped up on my feed? I was RHAG crew at Leeming when this happened! We were told by ATC this was a “state 2” with NO hydraulic control and to get to the barrier road end, as he’s doing an over-run engagement. He toddled off the runway as if nothing was wrong, and we went on our merry way. We later passed VASS and seen the damage! “Second hand” was indeed an understatement!
There's another famous Jaguar Pilot called Bill Langworthy. He earn the nickname of "Bang out Bill" . Ejecting on no less than three occasions, twice from Jaguars and once out of a Jet Proverst. His twin Brother flew Chinooks, and famously flew Bravo November, off the Atlantic conveyer when it got clobbered during the Falklands conflict.
Hi great interview,I was in the vicinity of the 2nd crash in Northumberland,I heard the planes flying around and then suddenly a loud bang which was the Tornado crashing,I didn't actually see the crash although I knew there had been one,it was confirmed when I turned on the local news when I got home.
I also spent a week at Coltishall on cadet although I was there in 1991. All the aircraft were in their desert pink colour scheme from the Gulf war. Amazing week...
So was I. I remember camping in a Farmers field near the crash site. And ended up guarding the ejection seats which were about 1/4 mile from the main wreckage.
I heard of a Canberra crew that were merrily barreling down a corridor that they had been assured was one way only......and meeting a Hawker Hunter which flashed past them going the other way. Luckily for everybody they missed, but it wasn't by much. I heard the story from..how shall i say..... "an impeccable source".
I heard of a Tornado F3 doing low level in Scotland. It crested over a hill, to find itself flying imbetween a pair of Hawks that were travelling in the opposite direction. The Tornado Nav said to the Pilot “Did you just see that?”
Strewth! I'm not sure to call him lucky or unlucky? With two midair collisions and survived to tell the story? I think I'll call him a "STEELY EYED MISSILE MAN".... What an awesome story to tell!!!! ;)
I don't suppose you could track down the pilot who hit Sandy Heath transmitter and then took 10 feet of ladder to RAE Bedford, could you? 1983. I worked at RAE(B), aka RAF Thurleigh, at the time in Flight Systems Squadron 3 (aka FS(B)3) in 115 building and we walked up to the hanger to have a look at the carnage. But he landed it in one remaining piece, some bits weren't with the aircraft, but the ladder made up for the loss I suppose. Unfortunately this wasn't a time or place where taking pictures was allowed.
Amidst all the levity, the lack of a collision warning system on RAF aircraft has cost lives in the comparatively recent past. It was cost considerations...as usual, not the availability of a suitable system.
Same way as the Jaguar pilot didn't know he'd hit a Tornado, in the second incident. Occupied with comms, nav, fuel, weapons, formation - cannot just stare forwards! Check out the heavy cockpit frame (pre-bubble canopy) banked hard over at 500 knots
You had me at, "My first mid air collision..."
Me too, one would be enough for me.
Just as well he flew single seaters. I think he would of run out of willing Navs with that run of luck!
Great interview as always. Loved his modest understatement of the incidents. Best of British.
Another mesmerising interview - certainly not a crashing bore.
Cheers :)
Did he paint two Tornado silhouettes on aircraft he flew afterwards?
( I'll show myself out now. )
Oh, thanks! 😁
It didn't stop 19 (F) Sqn after the famous Jaguar shoot down incident in Germany! ;-)
A cupel more and he would have
qualified as a russian ace. 😁
because the flaps were in "Somewhat of a second-hand state". This had me cracking up! What a sky hero, and thoroughly British about it all :) Wonderful, wonderful stuff.
+NJ Tech that was a great line!
@@Aircrewinterview The understatement is just perfect! - did 3 years on Jags. 31 & 14 - Weapons
The pilot of the Tornado in the 2nd incident when he arrived at the RVI in Newcastle the nurse apologised to him saying that she was sorry but she would have to cut his flying suit off. He replied 'When you've just f***** several millions pounds of aircraft they're not going to worry about a flying suit'.
Glad to see that he survived his military flying!
These stories of survival are always the most interesting ones.
This is actually the third story I've heard of a fighter or attack plane being safely landed after having a wing shorn off in a collision.
The first incident I heard was the well-known story of the Israeli F-15D that lost its right(?) wing after a collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during DACT. That plane was also landed at 200kts or better speed. The whole time the pilot was unaware of the fact he lost a wing. He and his backseater were just trying to survive and bring the plane back!
The second story involved two F-14s. They collided somewhere over the South China sea. One plane was lost but the other limped back to Singapore with most of its right wing missing and landed safely.
In the cases of the F-14 and F-15, I think part of the reason why they were able to saved (besides excellent crew handling) was because of the nature of the airframe design. In both designs, there is a wide, flat frame body between the wings. It's a kind of lifting body design that actually contributes to the overall lift and the planes' actually wing loading is lower than what's generally published. At any case, it sort of acts like a third wing and as long as there's no heavy (and drag-inducing) ordinance loaded in these areas, it contributes a lot of lift.
AvengerII there are probably a lot more stories that are not in the public domain but I have heard all the one you mentioned above.
My father in law used to be on the incident investigation team in the RAF and he got a call put to an aircraft that had landed in a field. He was told it was a mirage but said don’t be daft mirages don’t land in fields, Harriers land in fields.
So off they went and arrived to find a pristine mirage sat in a field, minus only it’s canopy.
Apparently the pilot had reported an issue, punched out, only for the aircraft to continue flying and seemingly land itself in a farmers field. Seems the pilot had been very french and surrendered far too early😁😁😁😁😁😁
Dim Jones! One of the most respected and decent chaps I had the pleasure of flying with, great to hear the incidents recounted once again :-)
Iain Bradford glad you enjoyed it :)
Keep up the good work, lots of interesting content. Thanks for putting these together.
Agreed, excellent channel!!
Thanks :)
I flew with John Haynes at Coltishall before both of us were promoted and went to Valley. He as a Sqn Ldr to CFS and me to the tower as a Sgt.
That's a great story, I was based at Honington and dashed up to the site to spend a couple of days on crash guard.
I heard the pick up helicopter story from the Tornado pilot. Thank you for sharing.
Seems like somebody was holding a grudge against Tornados ^.^
Such a calm and cool recollection of what must have been pretty damn terrifying at the time.
Always fantastic stuff to listen to. A great upload, thanks!
I was based at Leeming when the Tonka went in at Hexham; they brought it back piec by piece to the scrap compound next to the old Dog Section. The Jaguar did indeed look very "Second Hand", I seem to recall there being some debate about whether or not the airframe was twisted.........
Bloody hell…!!! How has this popped up on my feed?
I was RHAG crew at Leeming when this happened! We were told by ATC this was a “state 2” with NO hydraulic control and to get to the barrier road end, as he’s doing an over-run engagement.
He toddled off the runway as if nothing was wrong, and we went on our merry way. We later passed VASS and seen the damage!
“Second hand” was indeed an understatement!
He’s the RAF equivalent of uncle Albert.. Fascinating stories!
Ha totally!
There's another famous Jaguar Pilot called Bill Langworthy. He earn the nickname of "Bang out Bill" . Ejecting on no less than three occasions, twice from Jaguars and once out of a Jet Proverst.
His twin Brother flew Chinooks, and famously flew Bravo November, off the Atlantic conveyer when it got clobbered during the Falklands conflict.
this is what seperates pilots from the rest of us. 2 life threatening incidents and the guy is totally relaxed lol
What a guy ! Take my hat off to him ☺ another cracking interview, Cheers Mike
Mike Ford Cheers Mike :)
Hi great interview,I was in the vicinity of the 2nd crash in Northumberland,I heard the planes flying around and then suddenly a loud bang which was the Tornado crashing,I didn't actually see the crash although I knew there had been one,it was confirmed when I turned on the local news when I got home.
I remember this ......I was a cadet on camp at coltishall at the time !!!!
I also spent a week at Coltishall on cadet although I was there in 1991. All the aircraft were in their desert pink colour scheme from the Gulf war. Amazing week...
i was part of the crash guard on the Tornado for this
So was I.
I remember camping in a Farmers field near the crash site. And ended up guarding the ejection seats which were about 1/4 mile from the main wreckage.
Different breed these guys,So nonchalant about stuff that would have the average person in meltdown 😁
Excellent video,thanks
He's pike of the RAF lol.....the first mid air collision.....you mean you had 2?? Lol
Straight to med centre for an ibrufen and tubagrip
I heard of a Canberra crew that were merrily barreling down a corridor that they had been assured was one way only......and meeting a Hawker Hunter which flashed past them going the other way. Luckily for everybody they missed, but it wasn't by much. I heard the story from..how shall i say..... "an impeccable source".
I heard of a Tornado F3 doing low level in Scotland. It crested over a hill, to find itself flying imbetween a pair of Hawks that were travelling in the opposite direction. The Tornado Nav said to the Pilot “Did you just see that?”
Strewth! I'm not sure to call him lucky or unlucky? With two midair collisions and survived to tell the story? I think I'll call him a "STEELY EYED MISSILE MAN".... What an awesome story to tell!!!! ;)
I would say a lucky man!
Aircrew Interview. After 17 years of RAF knowing many pilots, I would say skillful as well as lucky ;)
I think you’re correct
What do you call a Jonah when he's with the RAF?
A Dim! OK, I'll follow the other chap out...
I don't suppose you could track down the pilot who hit Sandy Heath transmitter and then took 10 feet of ladder to RAE Bedford, could you? 1983. I worked at RAE(B), aka RAF Thurleigh, at the time in Flight Systems Squadron 3 (aka FS(B)3) in 115 building and we walked up to the hanger to have a look at the carnage. But he landed it in one remaining piece, some bits weren't with the aircraft, but the ladder made up for the loss I suppose. Unfortunately this wasn't a time or place where taking pictures was allowed.
They probably should have just put him in Tornado's to save everybody the hassle of re-packing their parachutes ;) What a great story as usual....
Hero👍
Is he The only British serviceman to wreck *TWO* Tornado's?
What's a "bounce"?
"Bounce" = Attacking another plane.
"Bounced" = Being attacked, by another plane.
Amidst all the levity, the lack of a collision warning system on RAF aircraft has cost lives in the comparatively recent past. It was cost considerations...as usual, not the availability of a suitable system.
Still......saves on ammo.
Who names their child "Dim" ?
His parents.
His name's Martin. I don't know where "Dim" came from though.
The Royal Air Force
His real name is Martin. I can ask him where the name Dim comes from if you're that interested? 😂
How could they Tornado not know he'd hit the Jaguar? ??
Same way as the Jaguar pilot didn't know he'd hit a Tornado, in the second incident. Occupied with comms, nav, fuel, weapons, formation - cannot just stare forwards! Check out the heavy cockpit frame (pre-bubble canopy) banked hard over at 500 knots
Closing speed of close to a thousand miles an hour. Things tend to happen a bit quickly.
Should have gone to specsavers 😂
What an unfortunate first name :).
His real name is Martin. Dim isn't his real name, but he prefers it to Martin.
every body fault except yours , interesting ,
Timestamp? Where does he say it's someone's fault?