Parachute Course Admin Unit - Permanent Staff PCAU
No 1 PTS Parachute Training School, RAF Abingdon - and - Royal Naval Air Station HMS Hornbill, Culham
Abingdon 
Culham
Photo's
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I joined REME when I went into the Army as I was a time served motor mechanic. I was very fortunate to be given the chance to volunteer for Airborne duties and this is where I finished up, RAF Abingdon.
It was the home of No1 Parachute Training School at that time - 1957- although the Permanent staff (us lot!) were stationed at RNAS HMS Hornbill at Culham for our living quarters, as were all the trainee parachutists who came. We moved all personnel each day by truck into Abingdon, although I do remember some of the courses having to march all the way as a punishment... happy days !!
When we moved into Abingdon life got much easier for the permanent staff (!) as we no longer had to do any Guard duty, the RAF did it all for us !! We also got much better food as we now ate in the RAF canteen
RAF Abingdon was the home of 47 Squadron RAF, flying Hastings and Beverley Aircraft at that time
The Training Tower to teach you what happens when you exit the aircraft , easy to use, just climb up and jump off, attached to a harness and do a roll landing.
The Exit trainer, gave you an idea of what happens when you exit the aircraft door.
Just like a big death slide !!
Shaken AND Stirred !!
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This shows the Balloon used to do the first jumps from.The basket had 2 exits, one from the side door or just drop through the floor hole.
The plane fuselage was used to do aircraft exit drill
My last jump was on 12 June 1959 when I took part in a Demonstration jump for Lieut General Sir Gerald Lathbury, KB, DSO, MBE, Director of Military Training. General Lathbury was on Parachute Course No 2 at Ringway and subsequently commanded 1 Para Bde at the Arnhem Landing and also 16 Independant Par Div (TA)
I have the Daily Routine Orders for that day, here is what it says : Demonstration - Parachuting
The u/m pers will carry out a parachute descent as a part of a demonstration being held for the Director of Military Training.
RSM Tuck-Brown, C/Sgt Wise, Sgt Hill, L/Cpls Whymark, Rowbottom, Ptes Russell, Alford, Blacklock, Chappell, Clutterbuck, Meehan, Dewar, Cooke, Rees, Thompson and Cfn Watson.
1 :: Parade outside 'C' Hanger at 1300 hrs
2 :: Dress as for parachuting - particular care being paid to turn out and the correct shade of green paint on helmets.
© 06 All images in this site are Copyright to Carrick Watson and must not be used or copied without written permission
