Saturday 28 July
More pictures of the Mustang on Saturday. There was about 15 seconds of sunshine for the run and break!
Wednesday 25 July
The Biggin Hill Harvard FE788 / G-CTKL came in for a quick visit and some circuits.
Monday 23 July
The Sea Fury T20 returned again for some planned maintenance.
A Grob Tutor Britannia 212 / G-BYWM came in to take the Boss back to Yeovilton.
The CFS Gnat G-RORI also returned from Farnborough and did some missed approaches before landing.
Wednesday 18 July
The Navy Sea Fury T20 came in for a day’s routine maintenance
The red Jet Provosts was out several times during the day
The Sea Fury departed back to Yeovilton late afternoon
The Gnat and Jet Provost people saw on Friday were on their way to Farnborough for the airshow
Thursday 6 July
The Vampires went off to Blackpool to position for the Southport Airshow
These were followed later in the afternoon by the Mustang, also going to Blackpool for the weekend
John the Refueller passes away
John Walter was part of The Squadron from its very beginnings on Easter Saturday in 1989. He soon became permanently involved and took up the task for which he was always known – hence John ‘The Refueller’. But he did so much more than this – cutting the grass, getting supplies for the NAAFI and keeping his ear to the ground. He was definitely the person to ask if you wanted to know the latest gossip, and was incredibly welcoming to those new to The Squadron.
His ability to move aircraft was uncanny where others struggled, but came from years of practice getting aircraft in and out of the blister hangar, often without help from anyone else. He also had the knack of making even the most recalcitrant piece of machinery start up in the end, whether it be bowser, tractor or aero engine.
His favourite tipple was a pint or two of Newcastle Brown or cider after a long day fuelling the aircraft. He was well-known for gathering the huge mushrooms that grow on the Airfield. John also enjoyed demolishing large, very rare steaks, along with heaps of roast potatoes – he was one of the Airfield’s greatest characters!
John had been in ill-health for some time, having to undergo regular dialysis, a burden which he bore with cheerfulness and great fortitude. Despite this, he was still a regular visitor to the Airfield. He passed away on 1 July, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him and had their tanks filled by him over the years.
Like many photographers he did not like having his picture taken. The only one I have got does have historic interest. It shows the Mustang Old Crow just after its arrival from Belgium on 10 June 2005
Wednesday 5 July
John Beattie brought in the Wasp, G-RIMM, from Bury St Edmunds for fuel and a few circuits
A couple of the Jet Provosts in for maintenance did engine runs as well
Air Britain Sunday GA
Our friends from Biggin Hill brought in the Dragonfly and Miles Falcon on Sunday afternoon for the Fly-in
There was a range of classic types visiting on Sunday as well.
Sunday 1 July Air Britain Military
The second day of the Fly-in saw two more Harvards flying in from Gloucester and White Waltham
The Storch departed back to Albert Bray in France
The Mustang was out again displaying at Swansea and Plymouth
The Jet Provost Mark 3, G-BKOU, was out on a couple of local sorties as well
Air Britain Saturday GA
Some of the classic GA aircraft attending the Fly-in. The Ercoupe is a regular visitor as well
Saturday 30 June Air Britain Military
The Air Britain 70th Anniversary Fly-in took place over the weekend. A variety of classic types came in. The Harvard was also celebrating its 80th anniversary and one of the Duxford ones came in for the weekend.
A frequent visitor to these events is the Navion from Earls Colne
A French Storch with an Argus engine also arrieved from Headcorn
The Mustang was also out displaying at Swansea and Chalke Valley
Wednesday 20 June
The Hangar 11 Collection’s P-51D Mustang was in the air again doing two air tests following its annual maintenance.
Sunday 17 June
The Vampires returned again at the end of the afternoon. It was cloudy and overcast, but we had an incredibly busy day with 313 movements, and had to hold several aircraft off to recover the Vampires. The total movemtns for Friday, Saturday and Sunday was over 700!
Saturday 16 June
The Norwegian Vampires went off to display at Great Yarmouth, spending the night at Norwich.
Thursday 14 June
Westland Wasp XT787 / G-KAXT departed after maintenance
The C54 was still out on the ramp in the sunshine, but the group has now acquired its own tug and after tidying thier area the aircraft is now back in its place,
The London Ambulance Service carries out regular driver training on the Airfield, but after the incident in Salisbury they are running regular three-day hazmat courses, using the Control Tower meeting rooms and the grass outside for the exercises and decontamination routines. Our reserve fire truck provides the water.
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