After leaving school in December 1955 I had a few jobs and although they were of interest, my thoughts were still on the aircraft in the sky.  Aircraft were at that time plentiful,  Javelins, Hunters, Canberra, Meteors to name but a few of the aircraft, these of  course kept the interest going for me as did the excellent RAF open days at the airfields of that time.

 In the summer of 1963 I had the good luck to become a crash fireman at RAF Wattisham, I  was then ,23 years of age.  

I will always remember my very first day when I went to RAF Wattisham  it was a lovely sunny day and I reported to the main guardroom awaiting the arrival of the fire section/ leader. The feel and smell of the airfield was to me great. I did not have to wait very long before a deafening sound was heard, low fast, the mighty Lightning F.Mk1A's were airborne.

I was met at the guardroom and away we walked to the fire crash bays, what a sight, on the ground were Gloster Javelins of 41 Sqn. 56 Sqn. Lightning's III, Sqn Lightnings and the Hawker Hunter T7 hack in overall silver. (Plane on left behind Lightning in picture)

On approaching the crash bays of which were situated next to the Air traffic control tower I looked back just as 56 Sqn. Firebirds started up ready for their rehearsal aerobatics display, the smell of Avpin starter fuel along with Avtag and Avtur was most enjoyable to smell and the noise was out of this world.

 My next day was good, on approaching the guardroom with its hanging baskets and the neat and tidy station headquarters opposite, I made my way to the crash bays, on my right the old water tower, to my left the MT workshops, then arriving at the end of No 4 hanger was a site for sore eyes, the aircraft were being towed out for their day of operations.