The next days out for the FlyNavy livery aircraft is the Navy day @ Devonport on 5th & 6th Sept, no more after that. fairly sure they aren’t doing Bournemouth, but plans could change.

I know Matt Whitfield, he’s one of the Instructors on NFSF at Yoevilton, they use our aircraft, saw him yesterday to, didn’t know he was flying the Sea Vixen though.

Well, that’s okay. I live in Devonport!

Does anyone out there have any pics from the 70’s of dear old Swinders?
Mine were destroyed in an accident and the remaining were nicked.

I remember having to march up and down inside the hangars also.

DI’s were Sgt Taylor and Cpl O’mara.

I passed through at the end of 1972/beginning ’73. My Mom has our passing out photo, taken in front of said hangar, I believe.

Names are on the back, but I haven’t seen it for a while and have forgotten the names. Will have to get her to dig it out for me, so I can scan a copy.

Boy, I was well good lookin’ in those days, even if I do say so myself. Never knew it at the time though.

They couldn’t have thought much of us. Our flypast was 3 chipmunks.

There’s always one riddle that has eluded me:

I contracted tonsilitis while I was there, which put me in the SMC for a week (thereby backflighting me). There was a coloured orderly working there. He asked those of us so interned there why we always put the bottom sheet on with a big margin at the head end. But before he could enlighten us he was called away for some doubtless urgent medical situation, and I never got the chance to ask why. It’s amazing how these trivial things stick in your head.

Weather forcast is worsening. Heavy rain all day.

Why does XM603 need to undergo any CAA certification? It doesn’t fly, so why is it important that it undergoes any regular inspections at all?

Also, why does XH558’s certification rely on dismantling any other aircraft, particularly one that hasn’t flown for AT LEAST ten years?

I’ll be there – rotund with black shopping trolley for my lunch and cameras, silver grey chair. Dark grey Micra in the disabled car park, and as close to it as I can get to it on the crowdline. I won’t be able to venture far from it. I’ll be arriving as early as I can – last year was about the 5th car allowed in.

A bit miffed that there won’t be any disabled scooters at the show this year unless you hire one the day before and take it back the day after – at full rates that could be as much as £40. Yeovilton’s were £7, but limited number.

There are Grandstand seats, but they’re a long way behind the crowdline – in fact, behind the arena. 🙁

Incidentally, for other disabled readers, Tremorvah Industries ARE NOT attending (contrary to Culdrose’s website) – hence no disabled scooters on the day.