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| Guest Book
If you were a member of the
Crusaders or just a short term visitor and wish to keep in touch
with us send us an Email. |
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Gerry Kemp
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Hi,
As a founder member I was absolutely gutted to read that
Crusaders had ceased fliyng after 61 years.
We started flying at Akrotiri in 1961 with a Cadet Mk.1 that we
bought from Cambridge Gliding Club and all launching was by Land
Rover, which was obtained via what I think was a F.658 and the M.T.O.
was not happy at receiving these back with the clutch burnt out on a
regular basis.
The intial membership was five, which included Sqdn. Ldr. Roy Salmon
who was the Chairman and Officer i/c, Chief Tech. Bill Owen who was
C.F.I., Sergeant Alex Chapman plus one other, who's name I
forget!
We then bought a T.31 for training and even put the wings on to the
Mk. 1 fuselage so that we had a single seater with better
performance than a brick.
During my tour we progressed to a T.21, a Blanik which got a bit hot
to the touch in summer, a Swallow which came via the Army and an
Olympia 2b courtesy of the Nuffield Trust and by this time we had a
Pfieffer winch which was a bit of a beast.
You used to have a trophy which was awarded to the member making
best progress in the year, this was in memory of Andy Marshall who
was a friend of mine and a fellow member, Andy and his crew died
when they had a runaway tailplane actuator on his Canberra at night,
a not-uncommon occurence on Canberra's at that time!
My last 6 months were as C.F.I. and the club was a fantastic outfit
to be involved with.
When I came back to the U.K. I was at Leeming with the Cleveland G.C.
and had the privilige to be C.F.I. there, up to my leaving the R.A.F.
Sadly both these clubs are no more, but I hope that Crusaders may be
able to survive and get back to Akrotiri again.
I wrote a book with a chapter on Crusaders, never had it printed but
could copy it and send it if anyone is interested.
Regards,
Gerry Kemp. jclenterprises@hotmail.co.uk
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Benny
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Goodman
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Hi Bill
I was sorry to hear of the demise of the CGC at Kingsfield . I was
coerced into attending a gliding course there
in 1969 by a certain George Ross, to be honest I was not that keen at
the time after but after managing to go
solo in the T21 I got hooked, and when I was posted back to UK in 1970
I had completed the silver badge and
obtained the height bit of the gold badge by getting to 13000 feet
over the Kyrenia mountains in the Swallow.
I can clearly remember soaring near the mountains and being joined by
a few Eleanoras Falcons and a
cardboard box! the thermals were quite strong.
On the the ground there was the fierce crosswind caused by the sea
breeze and when driving the winch
there was the sight of coils of piano wire hurtling towards you when
the cable broke and some considerable
time spent sorting out the tangled mess!
After all the trials and tribulations of the day it was great to to
sit at the bar have a few beers and chat about the
days flying, all the problems forgotten.
I had a great time there and sincerely hope the club can find an
alternative place to fly from.
best wishes
Benny Goodman cwsg40@yahoo.co.uk
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Steve
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Morse
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Hi Bill,
I have stumbled across your CGC site and have been enjoying all of the pictures and memories of the club. I only visited the club in my school holidays (1976 – 1979) aged 15 – 18. I flew my first solo in the T21 and it really was a high point for me… flying before driving…!!
I remember the T21 being orange. Is the red and white one re-liveried or a different T21 from the one I took to the skies with in my youth?
I am saddened to hear about the recent demise of the club and hope that like the phoenix or the old orange T21 the club will rise again!!!
Regards
Steve Morse brigitte.starkenburg@talktalk.net
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Jim (Paddy)
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Conway
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Hi
You won't know me but I'm trying to find Paul Gibson, Paul & I were in Cyprus during the late '60's - did some gliding at Kingsfield when the island was ''one'', previously we were flying at
Moonrakers (RAF UPAVON HQTC) while we were stationed at RAF Old Sarum during 1967-1968 prior to our future postings O'seas - me to RAF Episkopi & Paul to RAF Masirah/Sharjah, but lost contact with him after that, did you know him as he seems to feature in some of the ''Guest book'' entries for Crusaders?? If so & you do have some contact info on him I'd appreciate it if you could pass on my email add
james_conway@sky.com , as I'm trying to track down old
ex RAF pals for my 60th celebration at the end of Aug 09', any help would be appreciated.
Best Regds,
Jim (Paddy) Conway
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Philip & Fiona
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Jones
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Hi at Crusaders - we were members of the club 1984 - 1987 I was Treasurer and composer of 'A boot full of rudder' which Avo will remember well. I got my 5hrs out there on one of those rare occasions when the wind was not coming from the
sea. (Jane Sheriff did the same thing the day before) . We had a reunion with ex Sqd Ldr George McKay and his wife Angela John and Iris Golder and ourselves last Sunday and talked of the old days at Kingsfield - Avo and Costas and all the laughs - hence a trip to the website.
In those days we had a Blanik ,a Swallow, a K13 The T21 and Pilatus B4 (with the most effective airbrakes known to man and my first experience of
PIO's).
A quick point on your cockpit checks WULF L was always Landing strip - check the strip was clear , no gliders on the strip or approach & nothing to impede the landing process etc etc - you have it down as Loose article check - there
should'nt be any loose articles there in the first place! (Tell them Im right
Avo!)
Anyway we have a holiday place in Paphos so we will be up to see you when we are next out.
PANDFJONES@aol.com
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Steve & Gina
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Firth
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We flew at Crusaders 92-94. Remember great times on the bus and in the bar & Avo's 'flamin' panties'!! Hope you are fine Avo, Erdinch (Eddie) and Ahmet (PC202). Best wishes from
Queensland, Australia.
firth01@aapt.net.au
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Bill
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Dickson
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I was wondering if anyone had achieved Silver distance from
Kingsfield. I did all my Silver legs at Kingsfield in the Swallow,
during my first tour, 1966/69.
I returned to Kingsfield as the first full time adventure training instructor and CFI 1973/75.
Regards
Bill Dickson bill.dickson1@btinternet.com
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Mark
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Boyle
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Marks Page
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James
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Smith
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I found the Crusaders web site whilst browsing through the RAF
Akrotiri web site.
I found it very interesting to see that the Crusaders club was still
very active as I was a instructor with the club way back in 1963-1964
whilst stationed at Akrotiri.
In those days we had a Slingsby T31 and T21 (commonly referred to as
"the barge") and a Slingsby Swallow, and we flew from the track between the main runway and peri track at Akrotiri. We sometimes
ventured to the Salt flats near Akrotiri and I once had a very interesting out landing at
Episkopi.
Nice memories
regards
James Smith
jamesphotography488@hebrides.net
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Tony
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Heaps
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Hi all , well we managed to visit the strip the first Wednesday we were out there and got a real nice welcome , both of us managed to have two launches and did it bring back memories ??
We would like to pass on our most grateful thanks for the afternoon and also the contact with your goodself , perhaps you would be kind enough to put this in the guest book as I can't work out how to put an entry in it??
One other thing , we think the photos , if we still have them , of the broken T21 , that is all the photos we are likely to have of our time with the club , must be in the loft somewhere , I will get up there when I can and have a good root thru , about time it was cleared out although I dread to think what we might find ??
We usually visit Cyprus about the same time of the year each year so , if we may , we hope to visit the club again next year.
Once again our very grateful thanks to yourself and the rest and best wishes for the coming season of goodwill
Pat and Tony Heaps
pat.heaps@ntlworld.com
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Ralph
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Gwatkin
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Subject:
Confession Time
Hi
They say that confession is good for the soul, and even though I may
not be the most religious person that you may wish to meet, I feel
that I must put a wrong right, even though it may be 33 years after
the event.
Bear
with me please.
My
first flight from Kingsfield is dated 29th April 1972, and my last
is dated 14th July 1974.
Names that crop up in my log book are many, and here are a few,.......................
Len Barnes...Kevin & Phil Allen...Roy
Heslop...Murg...Chalky...Mark
Boyle...Gus Paterson...B? Logan...Ken Jones...John Osbourne...D?
Reilly...&...W (BiII?} Dickson.
Probably one of the more memorable events that took place during my tour was "The Long Retrieve" that took place when we went overland to Czechoslovakia( via Turkey...Greece...Yugoslavia...Austria...&...W.
Germany} to collect L 13 Blanik, serial number 025609 from the factory, and bring it home to Kingsfield. Its first flight in Cyprus took place on 22nd September 1973.
As part of that Retrieve Crew we were awarded the "CFI's Trophy" for that year in recognition of our
efforts. The Trophy (Tankard} was originally presented to the club, according to its inscription, by Messrs Colin Brock & G. Ross Here comes the confession. "I still have that
Tankard" And furthermore I would like to return it to its rightful owners, on the one proviso that no physical violence will take place because of my Gross
Misconduct. I will be visiting Cyprus in late September for a week (my first visit since 74) and would be most grateful if you would accept my humble apologies in person sometime.
Yours
Ralph Gwatkin
P.S.
For those who may read this and know of the Tankard itself.
You may recall that it leaked, and rather than tamper with
tradition. IT STILL DOES. (ralph@ralph1947.karoo.co.uk)
Ralph Handed back the
Trophy on Saturday 22-09-07 (Thanks mate)
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Webby
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Hi Bill,
Just found your website on a whim after doing a search. I was known to all as Webby and was a member, together with the missus Jill, from Jun 83 to Oct 85 spending every spare minute at Crusaders. I was the ground equipment member while there. Started as
A-B initio and finished instructing on the Falke managing over 230 hours.. I did the first 5 hours in many years by soaring over Pergamos. I managed to do a field landing in the Barge on my 5th ever solo by following Ted in the B4 to a dead cert soaring cloud! Avo had kittens that day. When Jill gave birth to our first daughter, Avo sneaked a nice cold bottle of Carlsberg into the ward for her!!!! Remember the T21 being blown upside down while being pushed out of the hanger. Many, many happy memories. We returned for a visit in 2003 and all had another go. Someone reversed the bus into our hire car!!!! I
haven't flown for a few years now as my back gives me problems, and to add to my misery, I've had 2 heart attacks this year. Still see Greg Gordon
occasionally. I can put names to nearly all the photos you don't have names for.
I'll send a separate email with the info. Best regards to all, give Avo our love
Webby, Jill Sam and Rachel
idwebb@btopenworld.com
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Derek
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Taylor
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Hi Avo
Bet you wont remember me , Derek Taylor, 1983 -1985 , great to see the club is still going , remember the dual flight we did in the T21 we were doing aerobatics I think when my control column broke I had just gone solo !! Glad you were aboard that day ! Wonder how Valerie is these days , I bet you are still chasing the women . Happy days some of the best of my life!
Kin,d Regards
Derek
Silver C (retired)
Derek.Taylor@tycoelectronics.com
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| John |
James |
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Hello Bill,
Spotted your website whilst browsing gliding sites last week and thought it about time I dropped you a line.
I was a member or Crusaders during the early eighties and I note from my log book that one of my early pre-solo flights was with you. I first joined in August 1980 and flew intermittently until December - having racked up 20 or so flights with instructors such as Vernon Bradbrook, yourself and Paul Gibson. I then rejoined in January 1982 and attended almost every weekend and Wednesday afternoon until my tour ended in July 1983.
I soloed early in 1982 and quickly achieved both Bronze legs. My bronze flying test was with Roger Crouch in the Falke at Akrotiri. We had to return to the runway rather quickly following takeoff as the engine cowling was smouldering! My bronze papers were taken at Avo's flat in Nicosia after a particularly heavy night at the club - drinking among other things that lethal local moonshine used in Flaming Panties - 'souvenir' I think it's called!
I then went on to convert to the club hotship - a Pilatus B4 at the time - and fly passengers in the T21 and K13 on Wednesday afternoons. The fleet consisted of the 3 aircraft mentioned and a Swallow. In the hangar sat a very poorly Blanik - having hit a large boulder at the side of the hangar on landing. The boulder was named Bing's Boulder after the name of the pilot at the controls at the time. I believe the remnants of the Astir were at Akrotiri where it was recovered after someone's unsuccessful 50K attempt. In all I flew for over 50 hours at Crusaders and had a brilliant time - both social and flying.
I can remember quite a few names from that period. The most active of them were Avo - of course, Dave Braine, Greg Gordon and his 2 sons Jamie and Lee, Sally and Andrew Melville, Brian Ainley and Mike Buckley (Bondu). There was also a small civilian chap called Ted but I can't remember his surname. I just remember he used to hog the B4 for most of the time!
On returning to the UK I flew mostly at Four Counties. I never achieved my Silver C although I do have 2 silver legs. In the process I've flown over 120 hours total with approaching 600 launches. I'm currently not flying although I am visiting Kestrel at Odiham this weekend.
I have revisited Crusaders 3 times since I left - in 1995, 1997 and 2006. I have loads of photos of my time there and I'll send a selection of them if can get to use a scanner sometime.
Just a couple of questions if I may.Do you know what happened to the B4? and has anyone ever completed a 50K from Kingsfield?
Regards
John James ( known to Crusaders as JJ )
P.S. Avo asked me to drop him an email after my visit last year in order to pass on my email address. This I duly did but Avo being Avo - he hasn't replied yet!
Email address Supplied on request to
Webmaster |
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| Robert |
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Dear Bill,
I am researching Olympia gliders, and came across the picture on your website. Please could you let me know any more
about this glider, do you know its registration, do you have any more photos?
Your website makes me wish I was back on Cyprus!
Thanks very much in advance.
Robert.
Vintage Glider Club Member 1718
MirrorsOverKiev@aol.com |
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| George |
Statham |
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Hi I’ve just come across this site while mucking about
googling.
My dad was stationed in Cyprus 1968 for 3 years and got bitten badly .We spent many weekends
Gliding there (well Dad did ) us kids mostly just messed about though we did sometimes get to work the winch
And steer the landrover to pick up the cable.
His name was George Statham and I don’t know if any past members have been in touch but it would be great to hear from them.
I have loads of old photos of our time there.
Regards
Gina Peskett
Perth
W Australia
peskett@iinet.net.au |
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| Kevin |
Dullaghan |
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Hello
Bill,
I was a member of Crusaders from about 1995 to 1998. It was
where I learnt to fly, going solo and getting my bronze. I've
just been looking through the website, and was enjoying looking at
the pictures you've put up, and I've got some names for you I hope that's of some use for you, it prompts me to dig out some of my
old pics of the club to look through! Say hello and merry christmas to
anyone who may remember me (Avo, Brian Maxfield, Eddy and Ahmet and any
others), and let them all know I'm well, and still flying (though here
in Ireland they seem to hibernate over the winter). Still got the bug
that they gave me!
Cheers
Kevin
Mining Engineer
Galmoy Mines Ltd
Kilkenny
Ireland
kevin.dullaghan@galmoy.ie |
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| Mike
& Kathie |
Brennan |
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Hello, I am a former member (Aug 1970 - Dec 1971) of the Crusaders
Gliding Club while I was attached to the American Embassy in Nicosia. I
experienced my very first flying experience as a student in your club.
From my log book the names of my various instructors are: H. Brown, Roy Heslop, George Brindle, Chris Waller, George. Camp (CFI) and Cpl.
Brian (?) Murgatroyd. I soloed on 20 Dec 1970 in the T-21B and eventually
was allowed to fly the Swallow. Then after over 21 years without flying.
I took up gliding again in April 1998 while working in Alice Springs,
Australia. I re-soloed in an IS28B and progressed to the Astir. I have
since flown gliders in Australia as a member of the Canberra Gliding
Club (1997 - 1998) during which time I flew the club's Puchacz to
21,000' in Snowy Mountain wave. Now that I am retired in Massachusetts,
USA I own and fly a homebuilt single seat aircraft and have obtained my
private pilot certificate in a Cessna 172. If interested, I have some
old super-eight movies (converted to digital) of a few moments of flight
of the Crusaders club T-21B and maybe some still photos which I could
share with you. I hope the flying and post-flight time activities are
as fun today as they were during my brief time as a member. All the
best from a very appreciative "Yankee" fellow glider pilot.
Cheers, Mike Brennan
classreunion@comcast.net |
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| David |
Coy |
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Just found the Web Site & as I will be in Cyprus shortly for a few days holiday wondered if the Club was still going.
I joined Crusaders back in 1970 & solo,d in the the T21 moved on to the K13 the Swallow & the oly 401 ( thats when Heslop or Murgy
,troid ) wernt flying it .
Following my Silver C took a PPL at Nicosia in Cessna 150 .
The CFI at that time was Bill Dickingson who recommended me for an Instructors course at RAF Bicester which I passed thanks to the Expert Tuition from Mr Andy Gough & their team .
I returned to Cyprus unexpectedly when the Invasion happened & was again working at 9 Sig Regt as a UKBC .
Despite the restrictions the Gliding Club still operated but limited to the Eastern SBA .
Bill if you get this E-Mail it would be wonderful to visit the Club after so many years Away from Cyprus to re-live what was a fantastic time
Needless to say I have many Gliding Pictures of the members at that time together with some of the Heavy Field Landings or the results.... The odd Herc Doing a Runner ! ! A Turkish Farmer up the Pan Handle who said I frightened` his heard of Goats /Sheep following a field landing
Will be in Paphos but have transport & intend to visit the Eastern end of the Island
Thanks,, Safe Landings & maybe CU
Cheers Dave
Tel 07887 665662 or 01242 673765 davidcoy@blueyonder.co.uk |
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