The Trust is holding four ‘VRT Enthusiasts Events’ during 2008. A guest speaker, with ‘big-screen’ visual projection to support and add interest to the talking, headlines each event. The meeting will also include engineering updates on XL426, and the Trust as a whole. The VRT’s sales stand will be in attendance selling a multitude of merchandise. Teas, coffees and light refreshments are available all afternoon, as is a licensed bar. These events are very friendly and sociable events, as well as being informative and entertaining.
Saturday 19 April: Guest speaker – Wing Commander Peter West MBE. Peter is a noted speaker at many aviation events and will be talking about his role as a Vulcan Air Electronics Officer and his time serving with the V-Force. This event is also the VRT Annual General Meeting.
Saturday 26 July: Guest speaker – Wing Commander WA ‘Robby’ Robinson. We are thrilled to welcome famous test pilot and speaker ‘Robby’ Robinson who will be talking to us about his time with A V Roe & Co at Woodford on the Nimrod and Vulcan. Not to be missed! Robby will also be signing some of his highly acclaimed books on the day so bring your wallet!
Saturday 4 October: Guest speaker: Wing Commander Adrian Sumner. Adrian will be talking about interesting and varied career in aviation including his time in the RAF and his many hours on the mighty Vulcan.
A Christmas special event is planned for 7 December 2008, with a guest speaker and price yet to be confirmed. This will be a special-priced ticket-only event, and will include a buffet. Details will be released when available.
Admission to each event is free for VRT Members, with a suggested donation of £4.00 for non-members.
Start time is 12.00, with the entertainment beginning at 1.00pm.
The Events take place at Hawkwell Village Hall, Main Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4EH
By: TwinOtter23 - 5th April 2008 at 18:42
Lot’s of former Vulcan aircrew doing the lecture circuit this year!
Newark also has an update on their website about their talk on May 22nd by Group Captain John Laycock.
By: BigPhil - 5th April 2008 at 18:23
19 April 2008
For the first event, on Saturday 19 April, the guest speaker will be Wing Commander Peter West MBE. Peter is a noted speaker at many aviation events and will be talking about his role as a Vulcan Air Electronics Officer and his time serving with the V-Force in his inimitable style. This event is also the VRT Annual General Meeting.
Peter West joined the Royal Air Force in April 1951 and served for two years as an Engine Mechanic servicing Lancaster bombers. After training as an Air Signaller and gaining his ‘wings’ in August 1954, he was posted as a sergeant to Coastal Command and joined 38 Squadron at Luqa, Malta, flying the Shackleton MR2. In 1958 he converted to Air Electronics Officer (AEO) and was posted to Bomber Command to fly in the Valiant. He served briefly with 214 (Tanker) Squadron at Marham, Norfolk, before he was commissioned as a pilot officer and joined 138 Squadron, also on Valiants, at Wittering, Cambs.
He converted onto the Vulcan B2 in 1962 and joined 12 Squadron at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, until 1966 when he transferred to 230 Operational Conversion Unit. He spent the next six years on staff duties, during which he was promoted to squadron leader. He returned to the Vulcan in 1972 when he joined 44 Squadron at Waddington, Lincolnshire, as the AEO leader. The following year he transferred to 27 Squadron, operating the Vulcan in the maritime reconnaissance role, again as AEO leader.
In 1976 he moved to Allied Forces Central Region (AFCENT) in The Netherlands as an Intelligence Officer and, in 1980, was awarded the MBE, as well as gaining promotion to wing commander. He was a staff officer at RAF Strike Command High Wycombe from 1980-83, during which time he spent three months as the head of intelligence watch at the Ministry of Defence during the Falklands War. He was posted to the NATO Intelligence Staff in Oslo, Norway, before retiring from the RAF in 1985. Peter now lives in Yorkshire.
Admission to the event is free for VRT Members, with a donation of £4.00 for non-members.
Start time is 12.00, with the entertainment beginning at 1.00pm.
The Event takes place at Hawkwell Village Hall, Main Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4EH
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March 12, 2008 at 7:46 pm