Classic British Flight Sim

One thing that had always annoyed me was that, despite it being Tangmere's last flying unit, there was absolutely nothing in the museum there about 623 Volunteer Gliding School. I'd searched the museum's extensive photo library and the Internet but came up with nothing. I was about to contact HQ Air Cadets and the RAF to see if they had anything we could use to build a display when, by one of those odd twists of timing, an elderly gentleman walked in. He said he'd been with the VGS between 1965 and its closure in 1975, first as the Technical Officer, then CFI and finally Commanding Officer and he was wondering if we'd like some photos of 623 VGS in action! Manna from heaven.

The above photo is one of many that he presented to the museum and I thought it might bring back memories not only to Trev and me, who both passed through 623 VGS, but to anyone who got their first experience of solo flight with an ATC VGS in the 60s and 70s.

Incidentally, the T2 hangar under the glider's tail is long since demolished but its concrete base is still used by the local fire service as a skid-pan for driver training. The concrete blast walls are still there but are now used by the local council as giant compost bins - garden and other green waste is stored there whilst being turned into compost.

Pete

I did my Air Cadet gliding course on these very machines at RAF Sealand.

Ahhhh! Memories

Nige C

Thanks Peter, I hope a small space can be found to exhibit those photos. I cannot remember much about the actual gliders, my 3822 (ATC record of service) got lost along the way somewhere.I have great memories of some of the staff at 623, I even shared a house with the son of the ex CO of the school, whilst we both were stationed at RAF Odiham in the late 70's. My own instructor went under the name of Bliss, not a bad name for flying gliders!
That hanger was used by 22 sqn, until they moved to Thorney in 64, it was then the home of the gliders (and winches and caravan!) until closure in 75.