|
|
Post by johnreardon on Jan 12, 2022 14:23:25 GMT
On 5th April 1968, a Royal Air Force, Hawker Hunter pilot, Allan Pollock performed unauthorised low flying manoeuvres across famous landmarks throughout London. Pollock flew the Hawker Hunter through Tower Bridge which situates on the River Thames. Allan Pollock performed the maneuvers to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding against the RAF and a demonstration against the Ministry of Defence for not recognising it. On that day, the aircraft was flown out of RAF Tangmere and Pollock flew low level across London. The Hawker Hunter circled Houses of Parliament three times as a demonstration against the prime minister at the time, Harold Wilson and the government. Allan chose to do this as the government had made cuts which impacted the RAF. The next landmark was over the Royal Air Force memorial where he dipped the wings. After, he then flew through Tower Bridge. Also, Pollock flew low level across several airfields, which were; Dunsfold Aerodrome, Wattisham, Lakenheath, and finally, over Marham. Pollock then arrived at RAF West Raynham. After landing at RAF West Raynham, Allan Pollock was arrested and taken out of the RAF on medical grounds.  |
|
|
|
Post by infant on Jan 12, 2022 14:55:42 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus?
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Jan 12, 2022 15:28:54 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus? It is a neat stunt, but I'm sure this must have caused some real panic. Nowadays with terror threats and all I wonder if he wouldn't have been forced to land or shot down? |
|
|
|
Post by laristotle on Jan 12, 2022 15:50:21 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus? It is a neat stunt, but I'm sure this must have caused some real panic. Nowadays with terror threats and all I wonder if he wouldn't have been forced to land or shot down? He would be fine if he drags a sign, like 'wilma, will you marry me?'. lol |
|
|
|
Post by johnreardon on Jan 12, 2022 16:37:55 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus? Back then, most people would think it was great. These days, there would be health and safety outcries, rather than terrorist concerns |
|
|
|
Post by infant on Jan 12, 2022 16:47:16 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus? It is a neat stunt, but I'm sure this must have caused some real panic. Nowadays with terror threats and all I wonder if he wouldn't have been forced to land or shot down? I thought the same as you with the terror threat. |
|
|
|
Post by johnreardon on Jan 12, 2022 17:05:47 GMT
Wow! That would have been pretty cool to see! I wonder what was going through the minds of the people on the bus? It is a neat stunt, but I'm sure this must have caused some real panic. Nowadays with terror threats and all I wonder if he wouldn't have been forced to land or shot down? Trouble was, he was a member of the service that would try to force him to land, i.e the RAF. They would be loathe to shoot him down as the crash would cause numerous casualties on the ground in a crowded city like London. Stunts like this still happen. When stationed in Germany in the 70s, one of our Sqn pilots was doing his last sortie, in a Harrier, before being posted back to U.K. I was in the line flight hut, waiting for the aircraft to arrive back, so I could record their fatigue details. Suddenly there was a loud noise and an aircraft went speeding past, just above the level of my eyesight. Now a line hut is like a portacabin, raised about 3-4 foot off the ground. I’m 5 ft 9 inches, so the aircraft must have been between 10-20 ft off the ground. He went very fast along our line of 9 aircraft & then zoomed up into the sky, circling before coming into land. Within a few minutes the telephone rang. It was the Group Captain demanding to know who the pilot was. The pilot was ordered to appear before the CO, in 30 mins dressed in his No 1 (best) uniform. Poor bloke had to rush home & get his uniform and just made it. He got hell of a bollocking, but no punishment other than a note on his record. It was a really stupid thing to do. One mistake and he could have written all the aircraft on our line and maybe more on the adjoining Sqn. Probably killed a few people as well |
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Jan 12, 2022 21:35:33 GMT
It is a neat stunt, but I'm sure this must have caused some real panic. Nowadays with terror threats and all I wonder if he wouldn't have been forced to land or shot down? Trouble was, he was a member of the service that would try to force him to land, i.e the RAF. They would be loathe to shoot him down as the crash would cause numerous casualties on the ground in a crowded city like London. Stunts like this still happen. When stationed in Germany in the 70s, one of our Sqn pilots was doing his last sortie, in a Harrier, before being posted back to U.K. I was in the line flight hut, waiting for the aircraft to arrive back, so I could record their fatigue details. Suddenly there was a loud noise and an aircraft went speeding past, just above the level of my eyesight. Now a line hut is like a portacabin, raised about 3-4 foot off the ground. I’m 5 ft 9 inches, so the aircraft must have been between 10-20 ft off the ground. He went very fast along our line of 9 aircraft & then zoomed up into the sky, circling before coming into land. Within a few minutes the telephone rang. It was the Group Captain demanding to know who the pilot was. The pilot was ordered to appear before the CO, in 30 mins dressed in his No 1 (best) uniform. Poor bloke had to rush home & get his uniform and just made it. He got hell of a bollocking, but no punishment other than a note on his record. It was a really stupid thing to do. One mistake and he could have written all the aircraft on our line and maybe more on the adjoining Sqn. Probably killed a few people as well I was thinking about the safety concerns of the bridge stunt, but I don't want to be a wet blanket! Luckily nobody was hurt, although I doubt an act like that changes the system either |
|
|
|
Post by Colchar on Jan 18, 2022 3:28:44 GMT
|
|
