First shot I’ve seen of the Pioneer since its been repainted from camouflage.
Looks very nice, but I thought I read it was going to be put in Sultan of Oman’s Air Force markings? Looks like they had second thoughts about that as XL703 never served with the SOAF!

Twenty very lucky CCF cadets were let out of a weeks camp at RAF Yatesbury on 2 September 1964 for a glorious tour of the west country down to the Scillies in XR395. Love to see a photograph of the aircraft – can anybody oblige please?
Cheers
Bill

Your wish is my command!

I have put a picture up of Canopus post Major Servicing.

This photo was taken from the back of an open ramp Hercules as we headed up from Bath and over Chippenham area. Note the River Avon below. Note also the flaps are set at 30 degrees on Canopus.
I am on-board Canopus at the time of this photo shoot with a flying crew from EPTS.
I can’t remember the name of the Captain now! but it will come to me in the fullness of time…..about a week I reckon. 😀

….and I was on the ramp of that Hercules shooting you on that day – 29th July 1992. The Comet’s pilot of S/Ldr.Mic.Edwards and here is one of my shots taken about the same time, just as we overflew Lyneham with the DH88 Comet formating alongside. After we landed at Hatfield, I had the double-delight of flying back to Boscombe Down inside XS235.

Superb shots Huw! I particularly like the last atmospeheric shot of the Sabre, which could be captioned “In Korea’s stormy skies”.

Am I right in thinking he once owned or flew a 1930s Fairey biplane?

Moggy

Moggy, I think you must be thinking of the Fairey Flycatcher replica which now resides in the FAA Museum at Yeovilton. He built this and fitted it with an engine from a Beaver. It appeared at several air shows throughout the 80s.

I was also able to make it. We left aaround 00.00 hr and were on the field some 8 hours later, the returntrip was more dramatic, arriving home around 03.50 and up for work at 07.00 Getting too old for this kind of trips, but it was well worth it with the almost 50 Austers. Strangest one for me was the one on the pic. Had never seen one of those before. Most beautifull one for me was the Canadian AF example.

BW Roger

That ‘strange one’ is the Army AOP.9 that the late Major Mike Somerton-Rayner converted with a Lycoming engine and designated a Mk.9M (Mike!).
It appeared to have been rubbed down prior to a repaint, so hope this happens soon. Alas that ‘Canadian’ example may look beautiful, but I am a purist and I hate to see aircraft in false markings and this aircraft never served with the RCAF and is really G-BLPG.

Here are those two aircraft when I first photographed them, G-BLPG was previously G-AZIH and seen here at the IAC Auster Meet at Old Warden on 24 April 1977. Also, here is that Mk.9M G-AVHT/WZ711 only a few days after its conversion, when Mike Somerton-Rayner brought it to the Staverton Air Day on 31st March 1968.

Wonderful day at Wallop today. Couldn’t believe there were 49 Austers booked in and if you add those in the museum, that makes over 50 Austers at one Meet – is this a record for IAPC? Tried to find you Rob but failed.