Views of Shetland, Unst and Saxa from Above

Various photos of the Top Site, Domestic Site and TACAN Site on Vallafield from above have appeared earlier on this site. The pictures in this section are fairly self explanatory. Whilst I have tidied up most of the photos there are a couple where I haven’t tried to level the horizon – one taken north of the Top Site in particular where some detail would be lost. The pictures start at the south end of Shetland and work northwards before returning to the Domestic Site.  (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

The next 5 photos are possibly taken from Bristows Helicopters, especially those to the north of Unst.

I’m grateful to Frank Josephs and to John Courtis for their permission to use the next two photos of the Domestic Site it its' earlier phase, one from each end of the camp.

The last 2 pictures of the Domestic site are MOD plans, one from the earlier days and the second from after the rebuild is nearly complete .

I don’t have a decode for the second plan but my memory would correlate some of the numbers as follows:

1 - Airmens Accom
2 – Viking Club
3 –Airmens Mess
4 – Central Kitchen
5 – ?
6 – Sgts Mess
7 – Off Mess
8 – Ice Cap
I am quite happy to be corrected if I’ve got the numbers above wrong & to be told what number 5 was!

Footnote There are many clips of Shetland available on youtube - I have put links to 2 videos of landings at Sumburgh and one on the Unst Airstrip below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz5_7gXkqgs&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=24j30BnDMzQ&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=00-rF0UtfUM

CONTENTS LIST

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The Type 80 is Off - Part 2

In March 2010 I published a section entitled “The Type 80 is off (Literally) – 27 Jan 1961”:-
http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2010/03/type-80-is-off-literally-27-january.html
One of the servicemen who was at Saxa at the time, John Courtis, took some photos at the top site soon after the T80 aerial was blown off its’ turntable. At the time John was a Fg Off and was OC Accounts. Although some photos were published in the earlier section there seem to be few pictures of the event and therefore I am glad to be issue some more. I am grateful to John for allowing me to copy his photos and use them on this site.
The T80 reflector assembly weighed about 18 tons and measured 75x25 feet (22.86 x7.62 metres for the young ones). There is little else to say other than the elements are hard to withstand, especially at a place like Saxa Vord.- the pictures speak for themselves. (Left click on photos to enlarge).

The weather must have improved slightly by the time the  2 photos above were taken as people can be seen working on the T80 gantry. An enlargement is attached below|:

 

I know that this was the second T80 Reflector to come to grief - the first was destroyed late in 1956 or early 1957, some time before the Unit opened, I have been trying to get hold of photos of this earlier event for a long time, unfortunately without success. Should anyone have, or know the location of, any photos showing this event I would be pleased to hear from them. I know photos exist. gordon.carleATgmail.com (replace the AT)

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Charity Events Part 2

As was mentioned in Charity Events Part 1:-
http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2010/06/charity-events-part1.html many events were held by servicemen & their families to raise money for good causes throughout the life of the Station. Pictures of a few more of these events are below and there will be subsequent charity sections published in the future. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).
Blue Peter Bring & Buy Sale in aid of Cambodian Refugees - Dec 79

The first photo shows the opening of the sale on 1 Dec 79 by the Station Commander, Sqn Ldr George Keith. The second picture was taken whilst the sale was in progress.

24 Hr Charity Run to provide funds for an ECG Machine on Unst – Aug 87

Forty-five people took part in this event, running various distances for sponsorhip. The occasion was designed to help purchase an ECG machine to be located on Unst. It was one of a number of events organised to raise money for this cause. The pictures below show Sgt Jerry Davey ( who ran the furthest distance – 51 miles), a copy of a memo providing information for a possible RAF News article and 2 pictures of the presentation of the ECG machine to Dr Karam, the local GP, by the Station Commander, Sqn Ldr Peter Hunter.

Charity Run from Sumburgh to RAF Saxa Vord in aid of Muscular Dystrophy & the RAF Benevolent Fund – May 90

A group of eight runners ran the 86 miles from Sumburgh to Saxa to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy and for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The picture below is from the Shetland Times of 25 May 90 and Sqn Ldr Brian Gregson, the Station Commander can be seen accepting a cheque from SAC Jimmy Burgoyne who, along with the 7 other individuals in the photo, took part in the run.

Sponsored Rugby Run for Save the Children Sep 91

In 1991 an organised run carrying a rugby ball, took place from Unst to Murrayfield with the aim of promoting rugby in Scotland and raising money for charities along the way. The RAF Saxa Vord Rugby Club started the event carrying the ball as far as Belmont. It was picked up and carried across Yell by the Lerwick Rugby Club. The Saxa personnel decided to collect money for Save the Childen. The first two photos below show some of the participants and the third is a copy of a Shetland Times article about the run.

Comic Relief – Mar 97

In 1997 the Station took part in a number of schemes to collect money for Comic Relief. One of the most “hair-brained” schemes was the CO getting a sponsored head shave – yes I agree it’s a horrible pun. Sqn Ldr Grays own comments on the operation can be read in the copy of his entry in the Station History (F540) for March 1997.

 

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40th Anniversary Information Gathering

The previous section covered the preparations for the 40th anniversary celebrations, which were cancelled at short notice. One of the plans had been for a display of memorabilia relevant to life on the Unit over the period of its existence. Attempts were made to contact servicemen who had been posted to Saxa in the early days. Responses from 2 people, George Southwick – who was posted in before the Station opened and Bill Garland – who was posted in twice, the first time at commissioning of the Unit, are included in this section.
I think their letters will make interesting reading both for their contemporaries and for those who worked at Saxa in later years. Certainly the early arrivals had to display plenty of initiative and be very self-reliant. I will leave their correspondence to tell their stories. (Left click on pictures to enlarge – some zooming may also be necessary).

George Southwick

The Unit sent George a typewritten copy of his letter as a check but unfortunately got his name wrong. This lead to a response from George which mentioned a few more of the local population. This exchange is below:-

Bill Garland

 

CONTENTS LIST

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