I was on '1066 Sqn' as an engine fitter from 1971 at Lindholme until after we moved to Scampton in 1972 or'73, I think. I remember you well! Hope you are fine?
Regards, Dick Allen.
robert plumpton, e-mail, 15.02.2024 01:00
In 1960 After trade training I was posted to RAF Abingdon which was then in Berkshire' there was a squadron of Hastings along with Blackburn Beverleys
Rosemarie Dacosta, e-mail, 10.05.2022 12:17
Hi John . Hope you are the same chap who has control of the excellent Hastings webdite. could you send the link to the Hastings website my husband Fred joined and submitted stories? I am away from home and a friend Carol Sawbridge would love to join. She is an historian and her husband was ex Hastings with Fred and her father was Stan Archer who flew with 97 Sqn Lanc in the war and then was a trapper on Hastings as a flight engineer after the war.
David Everall, e-mail, 27.11.2020 15:43
Hi Chris I am currently building a "Vac-form" 1/72 kit of a Hastings C1 (very rare and no other kits exist!) Do you have any photos of the aircraft's nav station? I have a couple of photos of the front of the cockpit and that is all! Any help would be gratefully received. Best regards Dave
Keith Andrew, e-mail, 03.11.2017 03:17
I was with 103 M.U.at RAF Akrotiri in 1966, when two Hastings broke up in mid-air, over the U.K.,both with a full compliment of paras. It was established that dis-similar metal corrosion caused rivets to fail in the rear of the fuselage allowing the tailplane to rotate causing uncotrollable handling problems. We spent several weeks uncrating spare rudders & elevators for some the riggers to check, while others checked 70? squadron's aircraft and replaced thousands of rivets
John Falkenstein, e-mail, 27.04.2017 19:36
I flew in a Hastings from Honolulu to Christmas Island in 1961 to replace the crew on a yacht that had been stranded there. The cargo consisted of a large freezer full of food for the contingent of British military stationed there. I still remember that the weather was beautiful on the flight and the pilot let me ride in the co-pilots seat. I wss 22 at the time. Nice memories.
Sarah Hall, e-mail, 16.10.2016 14:42
My father flew in Hastings during his national service. He was flight engineer on the TG613 when they lost three engines and had to ditch in the Mediterranean in 1953. He would love to know whether any of the other crew are still alive - if anyone has any info., that would be wonderful. Many thanks.
Colin McKeeman, e-mail, 11.10.2016 18:24
I recall monitoring the 'Bismuth' met flights on HF out of Aldergrove back in 1964, radio call-signs MPCFB and MPCFW. Does anyone have a list of the assigned codes to the Met.1 Hastings based in Northern Ireland with 202 Sqdn?
Craig pell, e-mail, 24.05.2016 14:20
2nd update Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Craig pell, e-mail, 24.05.2016 14:18
Update he was in the coyli regiment
Craig pell, e-mail, 24.05.2016 14:16
My mother flew to Cyprus in 1956 in a Hastings she was in the wrac and met my father over there he was in the Yorkshire Royal my mam can't remember the rest of the regiment
Tony Hickman, e-mail, 02.02.2016 23:24
I was repatriated to the u/k for de-mob on a Hastings transport plane. Took off from RAF Fayid on the morning of 21-8-52 along with married families and service personnel.The flight was uneventful till Malta where we landed for re-fueling and a service break.Took off from RAF Valletta and cruised at 8000ft. the Med looked quite calm at that height and ships looked like matchsticks.The flight continued for some time and i was seated with my mate on the starboard side of the plane just on the T/E of the wing,when we noticed that the outer engine had been feathered ,(not to many worries at this point).The flight continued for another 3/4 of an hour when the starboard inner engine was feathered.At this point we began to have grave concerns.Other passengers wern,t aware as to what was happening.When i looked down at the Med,the ships had now become large yachts The flight engineer emerged from the cockpit to say we have a problem!!!He asked us to don the "May Wests"that were provided and keep as still as possible.It was comforting to know that the French air sea rescue were circling around.He requested for 2 volunteers to stack all the cases and bags of personel that was stored in the cargo netting at the open door of the plane,ready to ditch and lighten the load.As the hastings flew alongside the French coast we seemed to be level with the cliffs.the engineer said that we had,nt enough height to land at Marseilles,and would head for a war time landing strip at Estries.The pilot banked the plane in,and throttled back the other two engines.With The flaps and U/C down we waited as the Hastings covered the last 1/2 mile to the landing strip.That was the best touch down of my life.The pilot emerged from the cockpit his K.Ds.covered in sweat.After all passengers disembarked he asked if there were any engine mechs amongst us,Four of the lads responded and were asked to look into the problem as the pilot,a squadron leader,said that warning lights in cockpit meant the engines were overheating.The engine mechs reported that the oil had been contaminated,thus causing the problem.A wing and a prayer or what!!!
Alan Curryer, e-mail, 02.02.2016 00:24
Worked on the Hastings of 70sqdn.in Cyprus flew in them to various places during 56-57
Alan Croft, e-mail, 19.11.2015 01:18
As ground crew I flew(mainly from Cyprus) to Bahrain via Aden (stop overnight)Cyprus to Nairobi and Cyprus to UK via Malta(again stop overnight in Malta. 8 hour hauls very bumpy
David A Palmer, e-mail, 09.11.2015 20:44
Great reading all these comments. I was engine fitter on Hastings May 1970 until July 1973.(also qualified as airframe - airtech as did RR Apprenticeship before RAF, bone of contention there, never got my JT as promised!). I was qualified PPL before I arrived there and flew lots of P2 and some PUT on most of the Squadrons aircraft, Cmk1 (TG536 & TG568) and on the T5's 503, 505, 511, 517, all over Europe, Norway, Germany, Gib, Malta Cyprus + Goose Bay, Rekyavik etc.. Bob Bowman, I am sure we knew each other at Lindholme/Scampton??? I used to fly a lot with Flt/Lt Mick Dobson and other pilots who helped me with 4 Engine training and with navigation. Dropping theoretical Nukes on Queens Mums was our bit of fun as we flew Edinburgh way en route to Bodo etc... The stories I have from those days. like in Gib (nearly getting arrested with the Station CO, GC Phillips, for peeing off the wall into the sea, until they saw his 1250!! lol), or me the only cheque book holder cashing cheques at the Hilton in Sliema to keep the whole crew in Cash?? OMG was I broke when we got home!)... So many, and such good pals on 1066, and that move to Scampton, remember it so well... Happy Days..
Clive P. Willoughby, e-mail, 23.08.2015 13:04
I found a watercolour/painting by J.K.Fletcher of a Hastings, TG 615 recently at Ford Market. It is in RAF colours and has two jeeps or lightweight Land Rovers suspended beneath the underwing fuselage and a paratrooper about to jump from exit door.Is any info available please? C.P.Willoughby, Aldwick Bay, West Sussex, UK.
Dave, e-mail, 16.02.2015 22:13
We had 2 Hastings 75/76 at Kinloss used during Operation Heliotrope AKA Cod War they carried 35mm hand cameras f95 and f134
Tom Jewell 14.01.2015, e-mail, 14.01.2015 19:16
I HAD THREE FLIGHTS IN Hastings at RAF Lyneham in 1950 whilst in 1130 Squadron Air Training Corps. They were TG 604 & TG 537.An amazing experience for a 14 year old!
Bob james, e-mail, 14.12.2014 22:27
I did my para training at raf Abingdon Oxfordshire in1966 I did 5 jumps from Hastings .they were very different to the Beverly and the argosey
Geoff Milner, e-mail, 18.11.2014 03:04
My father F/LT John Edward Milner known as Jack was flying Hastings in 99 Sqdn based at RAF Lyneham in Feb and March 1951.According to his logbook he flew TG561,TG603,TG571,TG531,TG604,TG523,TG551,TG571,TG563 flying in the far east in Negombo to Changi,Mauripor,Bahrain,Habbaniya,El Addem,Castel Benito,Fayid .Dad is now 90 yrs of age.
tony goldsmith, e-mail, 10.04.2014 18:50
I served with 3 Para and have no happy memories of this aircraft..the tin seats used to get so hot you had to move from cheek to cheek..as a signaler carrying a heavy ccntainer it was awefull..the Beverly was much more para friendly being demobbed in 1964 I never got to jump from the C130
David Mayhew, e-mail, 25.11.2012 10:56
I remember the Hastings the Royal Air Force used to monitor communications back in 1968. Never forget the callsign MTVAN. We had to be on our best comms behaviour when it was about!!!
David Mayhew, e-mail, 25.11.2012 10:56
I remember the Hastings the Royal Air Force used to monitor communications back in 1968. Never forget the callsign MTVAN. We had to be on our best comms behaviour when it was about!!!
john prescott, e-mail, 29.10.2012 00:40
I had the great honour to be a passenger on a hastings met mk1 in the formation fly-past over belfast on the last day of its service. Does anyone know if any film was taken of this event and where it may be found if such exists.Thanks
Andres Erdos, e-mail, 14.08.2012 20:55
The Hastings was retired from Royal Air Force Transport Command in early 1968 when it was replaced by the Lockheed Hercules. The Met Mk.1 weather reconnaissance aircraft were used by No. 202 Squadron RAF at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland from 1950 until the Squadron was disbanded on 31 July 1964, being made obsolete by weather satellites.The Hastings T.Mk 5 remained in service as radar trainers well into the 1970s, even being used for reconnaissance purposes during the Cold War in the winter of 1975—76, finally being retired on 30 June 1977.
John Perryman, e-mail, 17.05.2012 12:20
I jumped in 62 Got twisted nearly landed with wepon container. Beverly's better slipstreem.
Steve, e-mail, 26.12.2011 17:42
As a child,between 1964-65 I lived on RAF Lindholme in the married quarters in Cunningham Rd. The Hastings and Varsities were still flying from there. I developed a real love for the Hastings and took every opportunity to watch them. We moved away then returned to the area as my father's 'last to a posting.' The Hastings were indeed still flying from RAF Lindholme in 1968-69, as they repeatedly flew over my school at Hatfield. Teachers were frequently interrupted, whilst giving lessons, by the Hastings in particular. No flying model aircraft of the type appear available. I have drawings of the C1 and C1a and though the task is formidable I shall attempt to alter that1 Hmmm! Best laid plans and all that!
Brian Mills, e-mail, 08.10.2011 23:51
I have just spent two years restored a Bristol Hercules 101 out of the Hastings H.P. 67 to running order (search “millsie216” on Youtube) to see it running.Hope to show it next year.
chris rice, e-mail, 24.09.2011 10:56
TG 517 ex 1066 sqdn now living at Newark Air Museum. Flew in to the collection in June 1977 at the end of nav training. Come and visit us.
Maurice Broadbent, e-mail, 02.05.2011 17:17
I was a young RAF fireman stationed at RAF Scampton in the early 1970's when the hasting's arrived. We all got jollies on them during there time there.One day Our cpl was givening us rescue training on them, and was showing us how the pilots escaped through the floor hatch in the cockpit.suddenly he opened the hatch and dropped through, next we heard an almighty scream, as he hadnt realised how high the nose was from the ground, and broke his ankle!!!was a bit worried when we was given parachutes for our jollies!!great aircraft
Bill Birch, e-mail, 07.02.2011 18:10
As a member of 196 sqdrn Walsall ATC, we were at annual camp at RAF Lindholme in summer of 1967. The Hastings transport plane took most of us in the squadron for a "jolly" out over the sea near to Scarborough.Very noisy at take-off revs, but i do remember that the flight was smooth and `relaxed`.What a week we had!
Bob Ward, e-mail, 01.12.2010 20:18
I served in Hastings in 202 Sqdn at Aldergrove from 1952 to 1955 as a Meteorological Observer on secondment from the Meteorological Office. On return to the Met. Office at the end of my service I regularly came across the self same Hastings in different roles at various stations, especially at Scampton.
Bob Bowman, e-mail, 04.10.2010 22:55
The Hastings was a superb aircraft and give me props anytime''1066 sqd'' was a fun title but we looked on it as an old post warhorse. I was the last of the storemen and was saddened in 1977 of its demise. Not only the aircraft loss but the many great air and ground crew who were parted for good. Hastings fly on.
rod ingerson, e-mail, 03.10.2010 19:00
flew xmas island to lulu as yank civie callsign "colonial boy " a real truck, never let us down..mob crews based changi crew and plane lost on paradrop ...bless em all...
ron hunt, e-mail, 28.09.2010 17:50
I was an instrument fitter on 202 sqdn. We used Hastings for weather forecasting, flying from Aldergrove in the late 1950's.
John Cooper, e-mail, 05.09.2010 23:48
Yes I flew in Hastings in 1969 with '1066' squadron and the Hastings flew on until the mid 1970's
Just type in Google Splashdown Hastings Gan
Les Stone, e-mail, 07.06.2010 16:39
I had an air experience flight in a Hastings at RAF Lindholme in 1972 whilst in the Air Training Corps.
G.W. Gijsbertsen, e-mail, 13.04.2009 15:22
Dear Sir,
For the municipality of Ede (a town in Holland)I am compiling a book on the annual airborne memorial drops on Ginkel Heath and the memorial services. These are part of the Battle of Arnhem memorial activities. In the early sixties the planes used for the annual parachute drop on Ginkel Heath were the Beverly and the Hastings. So far, from the Hastings I was not able to find suitable pictures. What I am looking for are pictures of the Hastings in the European environment, as a troop carrier, preferrably when dropping para's or whith para's entering the plane. Could you help me on that? Regards, Gerard Gijsbertsen (Ede, Holland)
Pete Finlay, e-mail, 25.09.2008 18:09
The article mentions that the last Hastings aircraft were withdrawn from service in 1968, which is incorrect. I was an airman at RAF Scampton 1970 - 1973, and I remember 1066 Squadron flying their Hastings aircraft in. They were based there for some time as Navigator Bombing Trainers, and I ended up doing about 50 hours flying in them (jollies) before going on to become a Flight Engineer.
