I am approaching ANCIENT! I was in the Air Training Corps in mid-late 1960's and received .22 and .303 training initially with them, then with RAF. We used to fly de Haviland Chipmunks out of RAF Hamble (overlooking Southampton Water) and High-winged Gliders out of RAF Tangmere, a renowned WW2 Spitfire airfield. Also privileged to have a flight in a Victor Tanker from RAF St Athan in South Wales. Unfortunately, was unable to see a thing from where I was perched and was sick as a dog!
My final flight was in a Jet Provost...a wild experience I'll never forget...and didn't even used the obligatory sick-bag in spite of the amazing aerobatics!
Don't belive there was anything remotely resembling the SA80 back at my time in the middle ages!