The unsung part of operations at Honington was the aircraft that went off for Major servicing, this was done at St Athan and sometimes we would have a get together and take a picture, here is one from early 1980.
Some of the people in the team had worked there for 12 years when i got there, some went as far back as the Vulcan majors in the 60's.Perhaps you can spot someone...
Towing out was often done by several people, it was supposed to be done by a tractor driver, brakeman, wingmen and IC. this one had several so quite keen really. First thing in the morning, it usually consisted of the tractor driver and the brakeman. And if we were late the speed we went at increased.
If it meant going down to the detuners, that was long walk so everyone ended up on the back of the tractor.
This one is actually at St Athans, the aircraft were towed out to the pan you see in the picture, made ready and then air tested by the resident test pilot, i have forgotten his name but he loved his job and flew both Buccs and Phantoms. usually with a fly past, only on the way back though as something might be adrift in an aircraft that has just had a major service. the phrase "millions of rivets flying in close formation" comes to mind. there were some mishaps, a fire destroyed one Bucc on a day like this because of a piece of blue towelling in a duct in the Avionics bay. not this one though.
A returning aircraft usually attracts a few snags to deal with, but a returning major servicing airtest is something else. You could be stood there some time at the crew desk, whilst the test pilot rattles off an hours worth of things he found wrong. Still at least he was in one piece to make the report....
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