1940 - 1984        

Recording the History  -  Recalling the Memories.

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The Open Days & Air Displays

     In the 1970’s and 1980’s, 1429 Squadron was run by a succession of RAF VR (T) Officers, Including Flt Lt John Armstrong, Flt Lt Frank Forster, Flt Lt Tony Tucker and  Flt Lt Tony Goldsmith who between them had contacts and friends in the RAF.

    By pulling a few strings, and calling a few favours, they managed to hold amazing  “Open Days & Air Displays”.

    For such a small station, in the “back of beyond”, these events were the envy of many regular RAF stations. Let other alone ATC squadrons.

    Among the attractions they managed to call on were the Red Arrows, Hercules Fly Pasts, Parachute Teams, RAF Helicopter Demo Teams and many private Aircraft Owners with special aircraft and expertise to entertain the crowd.

     Below are a few memories of those times. In the 1981 and 1985  programme’s below, take a look at the list of participants and friends of the squadron.

       All the Cadets in the photo’s are now adults approaching middle age, possibly with their own grown children who will never get to see such displays here at Aberporth again.

     It is my intention to scan a selection of my “pre-digital photo’s”    (ie developed by W H Smith) of the “days events”,  and put a few on-line here during 2015-16.

IMAGES, and possibly video clips, will be added  in 2015-16.

<Left:An Air Day at    R.A.F Aberporth in 1981, organised by 1429 (Cardigan and Aberporth) ATC Squadron.

These events popular in the 80’s had many flying Aircraft Display’s including the Red Arrows, and attracted thousands to each event.

 Among the static displays in this image is a Jindivik  which you can just see a glimpse of  in the  background right of the hanger.

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Sample pages from the 1985 Open Day & Air Display