The Dad's Army balloon unit at RAF Hullavington was retired as late as the 1990s. Aside from the BPCs at Abingdon and then Brize a balloon could be trundled across to just about any location to get the jumps in and keep blokes current.
Rhyme written by Bill Watts – to be sung to the tune of ‘Mountains of Mourne’!
“We all think this Ringway’s a wonderful sight, With paratroops jumping by day and by night
No more ten mile runs with rifle and pack,
We all survived Hardwick and we’re not going back!
And Kilkenny’s Circus is something to see,
We sail through the air on the flying trapeze Introduced to the Whitley, a hole in the floor,
We prefer the Dakota where we jump through a door!
The balloon went up slowly to 800 feet,
When it stopped with a jerk I was white as a sheet Then it swayed side to side as I waited my call,
And I clung to the cage so afraid I might fall
When the Sgt said ‘OK! It’s your turn to go!’,
I jumped into space far too proud to say ‘No!’
As the ground rushed towards me I looked to the sky, ‘God! My ’chute hasn’t opened, I’m going to die!’
Still falling I scream, but no sound from my lips, Then the parachute opened, a crack like a whip. A tug on my shoulders, I’m floating in space.
I feel I’m in heaven, there’s a smile on my face But the Sergeant below is shouting at me,
‘Pull down hard on your lift-webs, you’re close to a tree!’
Feet and knees close together I’m coming down fast, But forget to lean forward and fall back on my arse!”