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531:. These are currently in varying states of repair, the main runway 10/28 has an asphalt surface its whole length which stretches to just over 9000 ft and is the preferred runway of operation for the squadron. As well as the main runway there are two further runways, 04/22 and 15/33, these are both around 5000 ft in length and there surfaces are often made up of loose material and grass as opposed to asphalt. This has been caused by two main factors, the first of these is that during the 1980s the base was the home of a runway repair unit which used the smaller runways to test new techniques. The second is that since that very little work has been done to stop the natural degradation of the asphalt.
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a major asbestos removal project was carried out in
Building 161, this took several months and returned the side buildings of the hangar to a usable condition. At the same time as this was carried out the squadron also refurbished its social areas and the side buildings were completely re-roofed making the side building weather proof.
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Since 2006 considerable work has been done with respect to improving and renovating the hangar and side buildings. In 2009 a new kitchen was installed providing the squadron with suitable facilities to feed its members. In 2010 further outside lighting was installed around the car park areas. In 2011
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The squadron is currently organised in much the same manner as it has been for decades. The executives are made up of 6 established posts: Commanding
Officer, Chief Flying Instructor, adjutant, Technical Officer, Training Officer and Equipment Officer. These are then supplemented by further posts to
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In 1995 the school moved out of the Nissen huts that they had been based in since moving to
Wethersfield and into 4 Portacabins inside the T2 hangar; these are currently split, with two being used for accommodation and two being used for offices, briefing rooms, stores and to provide the school with
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During 2006 Sqn Ldr G. Capon took over command of 614 VGS from Sqn Ldr T. Horsley; since this the squadron has undergone major changes in organisation and in personnel. The personnel in the remaining five executive posts have also since changed, this includes the previous
Technical Officer Flt Lt
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The early post-war period saw instruction training in
Germany by the cream of German gliding instruction, courses at sites such as Dunstable and Great Hucklow, and entries by school instructors into the National Championships where they showed club pilots the skill of ATC instructors in ordinary
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The first merger took place at
Fairlop between 142 and 146, and after a move to Hornchurch a further merger took place with 147. It was at Hornchurch that the best achievements of the schools took place, due in great measure to the help and assistance given to the school by the regular Air Force
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These courses were paused as part of the COVID19 lockdowns in 2020, and with the planned closure of
Robertson Barracks in 2025, this was never a solution. A further move was now required, and after investigating the feasibility of many local sites, the move to RAF Honington was announced. The
410:
The airfield was not suitable, in its present state, for gliding operations, so the squadron concentrated on delivering Part Task
Trainer (PTT) coursed using the Viking PTT in conjunction with 611 AGS with their Vigilant PTT. These were delivered to cadets from all across the Eastern region,
406:
Following the announcement of the planned closure of MDPGA Wethersfield, a new home was required for 614 VGS. This was found at the former RAF Swanton Morley, now
Robertson Barracks, near East Dereham in Norfolk, despite it being due to close earlier than MDPGA Wethersfield.
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comprising the catchment areas of both 614 VGS, and the recently diabanded 611 VGS, using instructors from both units. These courses were delivered as part of the
Progressive Aviation Training Syllabus, at weekends, and during week nights for the more local cadets.
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Tractor to tow its winches and caravan as well as towing the cables from the winch. The winches that the squadron operates are Van Gelder Six Drum Trailer variant, this enables 6 launches to be carried out each time the cables are towed from the winch.
150:. One of 27 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, it was made up of between 40 and 60 personnel who annually conducted around 6,000 launches, producing more than 800 hours airborne. The squadron is currently operating under No.2 Flying Training School, within
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support them i.e. Flight Safety Officer. The squadron is then organised into two flights (A & B), these attend on alternate weekends and between them cover the flying during week-long courses. The squadron fluctuates between 40 and 60 members.
515:. During this time much work has been done by the MOD and the squadron to bring the building and the facilities inside up to scratch. Running repairs have been carried out to the main metal skin of the hangar and the doors have been serviced.
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During 1992 the Wethersfield was handed back to MOD Estates by the USAF. Over the next few years the Ministry of Defence Police moved units onto the base until it became their HQ; this resulted in the base being renamed to MDPGA Wethersfield.
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Three Silver C's have been gained by school instructors and many Silver C legs. The outstanding Gold C by Flt Lt W Verling in an open cockpit Slingsby Prefect was not only unique in the ATC gliding movement but in British gliding generally.
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No. 614 VGS is the natural descendant of three Gliding Schools, Nos 142, 146, and 147. These schools were formed in the early days of Air Training Corps gliding, and have seen the transition from single-seater
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Due to its proximity to London, the school often become the show school and flew many VIPs. Later its pilots performed show aerobatics at many air displays including the Battle of Britain show at Biggin Hill.
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On 2 July 2010 Sqn Ldr Terry Horsley reached the milestone of 10,000 launches. This was marked with a memorial flight with the longest serving member of 614 VGS Flt Lt Graham Hayes as a passenger.
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By using the above flight system, the squadron operated between 110 and 130 days a year. Operations were organised each day by the duty instructor and overseen by the VGSDE (
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were announced and two serving members of the squadron were recognised. Squadron Leader Terry Horsley received an MBE and Wing Commander Iain Lunan received an OBE.
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staff, culminating in the appointment of Group Captain Dennison, commanding officer of the station, as an established member of the school instructional staff.
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614 Volunteer Gliding School officially took up residence at RAF Wethersfield on 6 June 1982. USAF units were still in residence at the base at this time.
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The school remained at RAF Debden until 1982, when the Army required the airfield for tank training, and the school was found a new home at
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duty executive). At Wethersfield, 614 VGS completed around 6,000 launches a year, resulting in over 800 hours airborne.
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Also in 1992 Squadron Leader Terry Horsley took over as OC 614 Volunteer Gliding School and the school moved out of the
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The squadron has now been based in Building 161 for 20 years, which continues to be one of the remaining T2 Hangars at
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In 1974 the RAF left Debden and the base was transferred to the control of the Army in 1975 and the site was renamed
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In 1962 the RAF sold the famous aerodrome at Hornchurch and this resulted in 614 Gliding Squadron moving to
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558:. The squadron operates "White Fleet" vehicles as opposed to Green Fleet. This includes 3 Short wheelbase
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Early in the 1950s 146 Gliding School received some staff members from the closure of 141 Gliding School.
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RAF North Weald was transferred to the Army on ????, this caused 614 Gliding School to be moved to
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It was during the squadron's time at RAF Debden that they gained their name "Debden Eaglets".
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and into the far more spacious T2 hangar, which continues as the school's HQ to this day.
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The squadron operates numerous pieces of equipment to support its gliding operations at
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In 2005, following a decision by the Royal Air Force Board, the VGSs were renamed
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No 146 Gliding School (17 August 1946 – 1 September 1955) at RAF Hornchurch.
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Between August 1950 and 1 August 1953 No 142 Gliding School was based at
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On moving to the base the school's HQ was originally set up within two
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864:"RAF Lossiemouth Personnel Recognised in New Year's Honours List"
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614 Gliding School moved to RAF North Weald on 1 February 1962.
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614 Gliding School was officially formed on 1 September 1955 at
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Graham Hayes becoming the current Chief Flying Instructor.
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614 GS Annual General Meeting outside Hangar No.3 at
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with Runway 22 in the background on 1 September 2008
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527:The squadron operates off of all three runways at
495:During the last six years 614 VGS has returned to
179:142 Gliding School was formed at Bulphun in 1942.
929:Military units and formations established in 2005
331:in 1979, 3 years before 614 VGS moved to the base
16:Volunteer gliding squadron of the Royal Air Force
739:Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation
354:During 1984 the school was re-equipped with the
189:On 1 August 1953 No 142 Gliding School moved to
562:and 1 long wheelbase. The squadron also uses a
439:Vikings ZE498 (VC) and ZE627 (XR) picketed at
401:Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley 2018 - 2022
302:In 1978 Gliding Schools were re-designated as
427:Interior of Building 161 and Tractor Boom at
347:at the east end of the airfield along with a
215:147 Gliding School was formed at Willingale.
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201:146 Gliding School was formed at Shenfield.
193:where it was based until 1 September 1955.
760:"618 Volunteer Gliding Squadron – History"
415:squadron commences this move in mid 2022.
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365:In 19?? due to flooding problems in the
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487:outside Building 161 on 5 February 2012
24:No. 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF
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812:"10,000 Launches for top pilot Terry"
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99:Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley
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838:"The New Year Honours List 2012"
471:on Runway 22 on 2 September 2008
162:Pre 614 Gliding School 1946–1955
90:No. 2 Flying Training School RAF
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899:www.centralglidingschool.org.uk
351:to store the school's gliders.
786:"North Weald Airfield History"
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790:northwealdairfieldhistory.org
396:, keeping their VGS acronym.
240:614 Gliding School, 1955–1982
443:on Runway 28 on 27 July 2007
373:MDPGA Wethersfield 1992–2018
306:, creating the acronym VGS.
479:Van Gelder Winches and LWB
394:Volunteer Gliding Squadrons
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919:Volunteer Gliding Squadron
586:Volunteer Gliding Squadron
369:a concrete base was laid.
360:Volunteer Gliding Squadron
336:RAF Wethersfield 1982–1992
148:Volunteer Gliding Squadron
904:www.gliderwincheurope.com
610:Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1
304:Volunteer Gliding Schools
276:RAF North Weald 1962–1965
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542:On 31 December 2011 the
499:, which is now known as
419:614 Squadron 2006 – 2016
245:RAF Hornchurch 1955–1962
895:– archived in July 2016
733:Barrass, M. B. (2013).
647:Flt Lt William Verling
580:Wethersfield Operations
171:to two-seater soaring.
598:Slingsby Sedbergh TX.1
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320:Wethersfield 1982–2018
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152:No.22 (Training) Group
544:2012 New Year Honours
507:Squadron Headquarters
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467:Viking ZE504 (VH) at
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655:Flt Lt William Sole
604:Elliotts Primary EoN
560:Land Rover Defenders
291:RAF Debden 1965–1982
842:RAF Air Cadets News
816:RAF Air Cadets News
616:Slingsby Cadet TX.2
481:Land Rover Defender
453:Land Rover Defender
228:training machines.
109:("Air sustains us")
924:Gliding in England
870:. 31 December 2011
735:"RAF Stations – H"
556:MDPGA Wethersfield
529:MDPGA Wethersfield
513:MDPGA Wethersfield
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211:147 Gliding School
197:146 Gliding School
175:142 Gliding School
844:. 16 January 2012
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592:Aircraft operated
383:Bessonneau hangar
367:Bessonneau hangar
349:Bessonneau hangar
271:on 4 January 1976
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389:a kitchen area.
356:Grob Viking TX.1
329:RAF Wethersfield
314:RAF Wethersfield
118:Grob Viking TX.1
81:Gliding training
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636:Date appointed
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571:Organisation
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86:Part of
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874:21 February
848:21 February
822:21 February
796:21 February
770:21 February
744:21 February
710:Tony Woods
564:Lamborghini
345:Nissen huts
134:Goonie Bird
96:Garrison/HQ
913:Categories
764:618vgs.net
717:References
693:June 2006
679:June 1993
535:Milestones
497:RAF Debden
285:RAF Debden
269:RAF Debden
184:RAF Hendon
618:1955–1983
612:1952-19??
606:1948-19??
600:1947–1983
550:Equipment
114:Equipment
523:Airfield
124:Insignia
104:Motto(s)
219:Mergers
144:614 VGS
46:Country
792:. 2010
766:. 2014
131:symbol
63:Branch
38:Active
668:1983
660:1970
652:1963
644:19??
639:Name
876:2014
850:2014
824:2014
798:2014
772:2014
746:2014
451:SWB
78:Role
687:MBE
483:at
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154:of
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