Photographs from James Jamieson's RAF service, 1955–1958. Click any image to view it larger.
RAF Padgate - the infamous recruit training station near Warrington
Interiors of living quarters at RAF Padgate
Drill Instructors at RAF Padgate
Formal photo - No. 6 Flight, RAF Padgate 1955
Informal photo - No. 6 Flight, RAF Padgate 1955
Full complement of No. 6 Flight, RAF Padgate 1955 (Part 1)
Full complement of No. 6 Flight, RAF Padgate 1955 (Part 2)
Passing Out Parade at RAF Padgate, 1955
Stuart Leary of Charlton Athletic and Frank Upton of Derby County - professional footballers doing their National Service
Kit laid out for inspection on the bed - everything had to be exactly in the right place
Aerial view of RAF Kirkham showing the full extent of the training camp - now an open prison
A Gloster Meteor jet used for armourer training at Kirkham
Hispano 20mm Gun - one of the weapons systems armourers were trained to maintain
The Air Traffic Control Tower at RAF Leconfield - reputed to be haunted. James developed this photograph during his evening class at Beverley High School
A typical RAF barrack room - beds with rolled bedding laid out for inspection, lockers open, floors polished to a shine
'And later!' - the reality of barrack life after the morning inspection has passed
Commanding Officer's Parade at RAF Leconfield - personnel lined up on the parade ground
Two airmen crossing the parade ground at RAF Leconfield with the NAAFI building visible in the background
'I've got the good chair!' - RAF armourers relaxing in their crew room at Leconfield
Peter Harrison and Barry Gwyther performing 2nd line servicing on a Gloster Meteor jet fighter at RAF Leconfield
James Jamieson poses by the armourer's crew hut on the Leconfield pan
James Jamieson working on the ADEN gun pack of a Hawker Hunter jet fighter during 2nd line servicing at RAF Leconfield
John and Keith pose together during 2nd line servicing work on Hawker Hunter jet fighters at RAF Leconfield
Peter Harrison and James Jamieson relaxing together in the Armourer's quarters at RAF Leconfield, with James's 'JJ' initials visible on the wall
The 'luxury' sleeping arrangements for overnight guard duty in the Station Armoury at RAF Leconfield
Bob Robinson ('Robbie') posing in the cockpit of a de Havilland Venom during 1st line servicing at RAF Leconfield
RAF transport vehicle used for visiting squadron officers at RAF Leconfield
A vintage RAF transport vehicle with distinctive chequered markings at RAF Leconfield
A Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed at the RAF Museum Hendon, showing the Aden gun pack installation
Fellow armourers at RAF Leconfield - colleagues during service 1955-1958
Two armourers sharing a bicycle at RAF Leconfield
Four armourers in their work coveralls at RAF Leconfield
Four armourers in berets and work uniforms at RAF Leconfield
Gloster Javelin delta-winged all-weather fighters visiting RAF Leconfield
Visiting Gloster Javelins on the pan at RAF Leconfield
Hawker Hunter jets lined up on the aircraft pan at RAF Leconfield
A collection of armourer portraits from RAF Leconfield
A de Havilland Venom fighter-bomber taxiing towards the runway at RAF Leconfield
A Hawker Hunter taxiing towards the runway at RAF Leconfield
Gloster Javelin all-weather fighters inside a hangar at RAF Leconfield
A Gloster Meteor jet fighter parked on the pan at RAF Leconfield
Visiting Meteor and Hunter jet fighters lined up on the pan at RAF Leconfield
English Electric Canberra jet bomber visiting RAF Leconfield
A de Havilland Mosquito visiting RAF Leconfield - the famous 'Wooden Wonder' from WWII
Group Captain Deacon Elliot, Station Commander at RAF Leconfield
Dramatic front view of a visiting Gloster Javelin at RAF Leconfield
Fighter Weapons School at RAF Leconfield - the unit badge
Gloster Meteor - twin-engine jet fighter used at the Fighter Weapons School
De Havilland Venom - single-seat fighter-bomber operated at Leconfield
Hawker Hunter - the newest and fastest fighter at RAF Leconfield