I flew a Hawker Hunter T2 once. I was an air cadet and won a draw, so the other cadets that day flew Bulldogs or Chipmunks & I got to fly in the Hunter. I wasn't allowed to perform the take-off or landing, but the take-off acceleration was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, as was the climb-out. I was given control as soon as the undercarriage was up & had verbal instruction until it was time to lower it again. It really felt like flying a fighter rather than a trainer, even though it was the T2 and had no weapons fitted. I believe that plane was one of the last few Hunters in the RAF, when they were normally used for avionics & systems testing and for calibrating air-defence radars. This interview was a delight, even without the trip down memory lane, I look forward to part 2.

This channel needs more exposure, it captures real pilots stories from pilots that are invaluable and captures it for history.

Those were the days when we had an Air Force with as many squadrons as we now have planes. Brought back memories of ATC camp at Chivenor and the Hunters, much happier days.

Roger Hymans was my instructor at Oxford (OATS) 1990 good to he's he's still doing well.

Sadly, last month I attended this great man’s funeral. Much missed by his loving family and many friends. A dynamic life lived to the full. I was so proud to have served firstly as his student and then as a junior fighter pilot under his leadership.

@Aircrewinterview

3 ай бұрын

He was a top bloke and it was an honour to have him on the show.

Wow! What a true pleasure it is to listen to this man's early experiences in the RAF! I could listen to him all day. Thank You!

The Hunter is got to be the most beautiful early jet

@johnziegelbauer4999

3 жыл бұрын

Along with the F-86 , they just looked the part ....

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

You are so right but then it was designed by Sir Sydney Camm - who designed the Hawker Hurricane

@bowpilot55

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed wholeheartedly,. I'd go so far to say it's graceful lines and perfectly balanced appearance make it the best looking jet of all time...

@sergarlantyrell7847

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 The Hurricane is the only ugly plane he designed. The Tempest, the Sea Fury, the Sea Hawk and the Hunter are all marvellous looking aircraft.

"...fitted with ejector seats, but not when I flew it..." Pretty sobering! A most gentle and relaxing interview. Great stuff as usual.

I had the privilege of having Roger Hymans as my instructor on the first ever Gnat course at RAF Valley, and later as my Flight Commander on 208 Squadron Hunters at RAF Muharraq Bahrain. In an era when most instructors and commanders were distant authoritarians, usually horrid to junior pilots, I remember Roger and Alan Pollock (of Tower Bridge fame) as being the nicest and kindest of men, believing in the use of the carrot rather than the stick.

Happy to find these two videoes. --- In 1972-74, as a RNoAF Exchange Instructor with RAF 63 Squadron, I had the pleasure to fly Hunter both Mk.VI, T7, F(GA)Mk IX, and FR. 10. Roger Hymans was my Boss - a great leader and friend. In June 2022, I will celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Great aircraft, great two years, and great memories!!!

@Aircrewinterview

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Brilliant....could listen to this chap all day !

What a great old boy. As casual as you like. Great interview.

Roger Hymans was probably the best raconteur we had on Treble One Squadron, and it is still good to hear him pass on the information of what it was like to fly the Vampire and the Hunter. It is the kind of information we 'erks' would have loved to hear from them in those long ago days, when we strapped them to the steel and sent them off on a sortie. Happy daze.

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Andrew I really don’t need to say this but you were one of a special group of engineers that kept us flying. As you know we always took “spare” aircraft to air shows . In my three three years we never needed a single one - not many squadrons can say that.

@andrewockenden

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 Thank you Roger. They were good days indeed we worked hard but we worked for the best in terms of Boss and aircrew. Not many can say that! I was lucky to get a VampireT11 flight from North Weald to Leconfield, for a 'jolly weekend' . As a reward, after 3 years and on posting to Singapore, I had a flight with 'Oscar' Wild in the Hunter T7. We had been at the same Grammar School at the age of 10/11! A shame I was colour blind and could not become aircrew as I had dreamt from CCF days.

I knew this interview was going to be great. I love listening to these older pilots. They're always full of fascinating information.

Man I wish this channel grows

I worked on Hunters at Chivenor, at West Raynham and Gibraltar and with training at Halton I probably did 10 years with them. Never flew in one though. Mine were Mk 6, 7 and 9.

Brilliant loved the chat

Thanks for that one Mike. Most enjoyable.

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Linda.

The Hunter and the Spitfire epitomise the saying if it looks right it is right. Great interview as always thanks 👍

Marvellous interview with a fascinating,informative and entertaining gentleman. Thank you, made my day.

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Frank, great to hear that.

Priceless memories ...

brilliant interview!

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Iain!

What a great guy and as usual a brilliant interview 👍

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Darren.

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind thoughts much appreciated- regards Roger

@d-rob5513

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 your very welcome Roger

@d-rob5513

3 жыл бұрын

Come the great interviews coming Mike thanks

@nigeh5326

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 Roger I think you may enjoy this video 😊 kzread.info/dash/bejne/iYZo1KuclaaXd5M.html

14:28 - heard about a Phantom pilot getting laid out on the ramp one time by the target tug pilot, who identified the plane that missed the target and made holes in his tailplane!

Excellent interview.

I really enjoyed this interview. It was one of the best!

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Peter.

Fantastic!

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Julian.

top stuff again.

One of Rhodesia air force favourite aircraft even shot a mig fighter down ideal for bush warfare. .along with the Canberra. .

@garynew9637

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you would enjoy a you tube Rhodesia war stories.

@robinmclaren4596

3 жыл бұрын

@@garynew9637 there is a you tube Rhodesian war stories. .but could do with another. .

For those researchers who wish to further pursue their studies into the Hawker Hunter story, they would do well to visit the website at The Jever Steam Laundry, which records the stories of the Hunter squadrons who served at RAF Jever, north Germany from the years after WWII until 1960, when the station was returned to the Luftwaffe. The viewer will benefit from close study of the site which has many stories and photographs which ought to yield a very satisfying catalogue of detail. Just type in to Google: "Jever Steam Laundry" and take it from there.

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

Yes a very good idea. Why Jever Steam Laundry? Well I could be wrong but there was a story about a pilot sending off his laundry with a terse note pinned to his shirts saying “USE MORE STARCH”. his laundry returned with a note pinned to his underpants saying “USE MORE PAPER” proof that the Germans do have a sharp sense of humour

@blue47er

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 Ah, I've just realised who you are: the famous Roger Hymans, once of of 93 Squadron. By the time I arrived at Jever, you'd moved on to !!! Squadron. It's possible I might have seen you in June 1959 when treble-one came for the Jever station air show. I worked in 101 Signals Unit at Brockzetel, and was a mere erk. My story of that time is on the Steam Laundry website in the 101 Sigs Unit stories file. I mention this in case you can't get to sleep one night, and need something to act as a sleeping draught.

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

Ah Brockzetel the guys who guided us with their magic radars, you once guided me to a U2 If the other side had got a bit more tiresome you would have been essential to us . Best wishes Roger

@blue47er

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 Thankee kindly Roger. Type, "2nd TAF Blues" into Google, to find me. It'll get you off to sleep faster than a pint of Nytol. Cheers, and all the best. I(Must say you look to be in much better shape than I feel these days). Now I must sign off - here comes Matron with my cocoa.

Hey Roger !! Great interview !! Tahir Alam !!

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tahir always nice to hear from a talented Fighter Pilot rgds Roger

It is a bit hard to call the Hurricane ugly - I see what you mean but maybe many liked it for the invaluable work it did during WW2

Is that the Boscombe Down collection at Old Sarum? Only about two miles from where I live.

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

It is indeed.

Part 2?

Shackelton???

Hymans' instructors seem to have figured out he is a bit more clever than they are, and in jealousy, gave him bad instruction.

@rogerhymans6885

3 жыл бұрын

You know I think you are being a bit hard on my instructors. They were giving me a hard time but I did benefit greatly - still alive at 84 years old. Thank you for your kind thoughts- regards Roger

@DumbledoreMcCracken

3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerhymans6885 I've had many instructors, and when one really cares that I survive, that means a lot to me.

Needs more wind noise. Perhaps wait until it's more windy then record in the middle of the runway?

@Aircrewinterview

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers for watching.

@MOPARdave999

3 жыл бұрын

There's always one!

@garynew9637

3 жыл бұрын

Haha.

What does a women,s Hymen got to do with fighter airplanes??????