As best I can recall, the only people on board apart from the crew during the final flight was John Roast and myself.

I have the names of everyone on board filed away somewhere, I’ll see if I can dig them out.

The best authority to answer any question about the aircraft is Richard Taylor.

Thanks for that nice vote of confidence Geoff – I certainly don’t pretend to know the answer to every question raised about NX611 (G-ASXX / ‘WU15’) but, as you know, I did work with HAPS / Reflectaire during the 60s/early 70s and have many photos / diary entries / records from those ‘heady, never-to-be-forgotten’ days. If I can be of help to anyone genuinly wanting more ‘insider’ information (at least that which won’t attract possible litigation !!!:D ) I would be very happy to try to come up with historic factual
data.

Getting on to the subject of people on board NX611 on her last (to date) flight (RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire to Blackpool – Squires Gate Airport on Friday 26th June 1970) – My own records (transcribed from the original Log Book for NX611 a very short time after the flight) show :

2 x CREW :
Neil Williams (Pilot) and Flt/Lt Eric Hughes (Navigator) (Serving RAF Officer)

7 ‘PASSENGERS’:
John Roast (Reflectaire); Geoff Linge (RAF Hullavington); Brian Goulding (Co-author of ‘Lancaster at War’ publications, etc); Ron Valentine (ex 617 Sqdn. Bomb Aimer); Colin Brash (Reflectaire Preservation Group volunteer) AND 2 (as yet) ‘un-named’ RAF Radio Engineers (stationed at the time at Lyneham).
(I do know one was known as “MAC”, but if anyone else can shed light on their names I’d appreciate being able to complete the record ).

I would be interested Geoff if you could dig out your own record which, you say, lists the people on board with you on that flight, especially if they should differ from the above.

As you also know, I was on board the chase-plane (Piper Cherokee ‘G-AWCY’) with press photographers and (if my memory serves me right) BBC camera crew who were there to record the flight of NX611 to Blackpool. Whether the program was ‘Nationwide’ or not I don’t remember – we were too busy to watch TV – all our energy went into trying to ensure the security of Reflectaire’s various aircraft and exhibits during the evening to prevent any damage / theft by the less scrupulous (minority) amongst the public who flocked to the airfield.

Hope this helps 😉

Richard