RAF News Edition 1553, 10 Feb 2023

CRUSADE: Charlotte Hope at the Gilgil Restart centre during one of her many trips to support the charity set up by dad Neil, pictured inset

RAF News Room 68 Lancaster Building HQ Air Command High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 4UE

Editor: Simon Williams

Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk

Features Editor: Tracey Allen

Email: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk

News Editor: Simon Mander

Sports reporter Daniel Abrahams

Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk

All advertising: Edwin Rodrigues

Tel: 07482 571535

Email: edwin.rodrigues@ rafnews.co.uk

Subscriptions and distribution:

RAF News Subscriptions

c/o Intermedia, Unit 6 e Enterprise Centre, Kelvin Lane, Crawley RH10 9PE

Tel: 01293 312191

Email: rafnewssubs@ subscriptionhelpline.co.uk

PM’s Ukraine supply vow

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has pledged to fly out British military equipment to the frontline in Ukraine as quickly as possible.

The news came days after Ukrainian crews arrived at RAF Brize Norton to begin training on the Challenger II main battle tanks donated to thwart an expected Russian spring offensive.

And in recent talks the PM agreed with President Volodymyr Zelensky that it was vital international partners accelerated their assistance to push back the invaders and support the long-term capability of Kyiv’s armed forces.

Mr Sunak said he had met Ukrainian troops training in the UK and was inspired by their courage and the stories of their loved ones back home. He added that they had paid tribute to Zelensky’s strong leadership.

The discussions came in the lead up to the one-year anniversary of Putin’s unprovoked attack.

Meanwhile, UK Ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Neil Bush, has revealed the appalling and long-term impact of the war on Ukrainian children.

“It’s a privilege to be only the eighth woman in modern history to qualify for the Cresta Run”

“They

be as strong as they can and we have to be stronger

If I ever did Mastermind I’d Gordon as my

Simon Mander

MILITARY AID PLEDGE: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with Ukraine President Zelensky during a summit late last year

PHOTO: ALAMY

Ice maiden Mimi’s Cresta debut

WEAPONS TRAINER Flt Lt

Mimi Hobbs has become the first RAF woman to complete the Cresta Run, the world’s oldest and steepest natural ice skeleton toboggan racing track.

The Shawbury-based ice star is only the eighth female in modern history to complete the Cresta Run since a ban on women was lifted in 2018.

The three-quarters-of-amile-long course at Saint Moritz in Switzerland drops 514 feet, and has a gradient of up to one in 8.7 – allowing riders to reach top speeds of more than 70mph.

Flt Lt Hobbs said: “Qualifying to ride from the top of the Cresta Run has been one the

Charlie’s the angel of Kenyan orphans

Simon Mander

A GLOBAL charity set up by an RAF officer has launched a campaign to help destitute street children after his only daughter was killed in a road accident.

Wg Cdr Neil Hope, who founded the Shawbury-based Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal, has so far raised more than £36,000 for a Restart centre in Gilgil, Kenya, that was 19-year-old Charlotte’s favourite place.

He said: “She had visited Kenya several times and her plan was to become a primary school teacher then move there to assist this wonderful organisation which homes, educates and helps abandoned street kids.”

And in April some of her friends will travel to Kenya to help continue the teenager’s legacy.

“Charlotte will always be a huge part of the appeal and will live on in our hearts and the work that it does,” said Wg Cdr Hope.

Despite the tragedy the group completed a record number of deliveries in 2022 with more than 8,800 football shirts and 28,000 boots, training clothes and school uniform despatched to 12 different locations.

Donations from Premier League clubs to grass roots teams, schools, colleges and individuals took the number of countries supported to 60 –with warm clothing

also sent to Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion.

Supporters spent 10 days in Kenya visiting schools in Kibera, the largest slum town in

Africa, and arranged a live webchat between local Kibagare FC players and Leicester City and Nigeria striker Kelachi Iheanacho. Despite Covid other appeal team members visited Nepal to distribute kit through the Gurkha Welfare Trust

most physically and mentally demanding achievements of my life.

“It is a privilege to be the eighth woman in modern history to qualify as a ‘Cresta Rider’. “None of this would have been possible without the coaching, support and patience of the RAF Cresta Team.”

Team Captain Flt Lt Steve Kingdom said: “I am immensely proud of Mimi. She has fought extremely hard to qualify as a Cresta Rider.”

Flt Lt Hobbs (inset left) and sleigh stablemate Sqn Ldr Maddie Smith recently secured a win for the RAF Women at the 2023 Inter-Services Championships.

CRUSADE: Charlotte Hope joined father Wg Cdr Neil Hope on frequent trips to Africa to support his charity work. She was killed in a road accident last year

Oz Tonka joy

A FORMER Dambusters Tornado is to be unveiled at Western Australia’s Aviation Heritage Museum later this month.

The RAF jet – the only one to be given to an institution outside the UK – was rebuilt by a seven-strong Brize Norton-based Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron team, who flew out for the task after its three-month journey by sea to Perth.

The aircraft designated ZG791 was flown five times in Iraq by Sqn Ldr Martin Keer and narrowly escaped disaster after coming under heavy fire from enemy KS19 and S-60 anti-aircraft artillery midway through a sortie in 2001.

and trekked to Everest Base Camp.

In total the appeal has now delivered 95,000 football shirts and nearly 240,000 other items with volunteer help from military personnel in Kenya, Brize Norton and Shawbury.

Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Mike Wigston is due to officially hand over ZG791 to the Bull Creek museum that also boasts a Lancaster in its collection that tells the story of the Australian aircrew who took part in the Dams Raid in May 1943.

FAST JET ICON: Sqn Ldr Martin Keer with Tornado GR4 ZG791

Simon Mander

ON THE RUN: Mimi takes on Cresta

Red Flag gets even bigger

Simon Mander

TYPHOONS ARE taking part in the largest scale Exercise Red Flag ever as Allied Air Forces prepare to face potential future threats from the Indo-Pacific region.

Previously run over the Nevada Test and Training Range’s 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land, this year new training areas in Utah, California and over the Pacific Coast have been added to challenge crews practising long-range combat missions.

Now in its 48th year, the three weeks of manoeuvres involve nearly 100 aircraft and 3,000 coalition air force personnel from the US, Britain, and Australia.

RAF Combat Air Force Commander Air Cdre Howard Edwards said: “This is the most important exercise that the RAF participates in each year because the scale and complexity of it tests all the participants in a way that just does not exist anywhere else in the world.

“The original intent of the exercise was to seek to replicate the first 10 combat missions a fast jet aircrew will face in combat, now

it has developed to recognise the threats that have evolved.”

Aligning with the US 2022 National Defense Strategy, the latest Red Flag aims to ensure the Allies keep pace with rival air forces in the Indo-Pacific.

An RAF detachment of seven Typhoons and around 300 personnel from Lossiemouth’s

II (Army Co-operation) Sqn, supported by a Brize Norton-based Voyager, are taking part.

In addition, 51 Sqn personnel from Waddington have been integrated into the crew of a USAF RC-135 Rivet Joint intelligencegathering aircraft.

USAF 414th Combat Training Squadron commander Colonel

Jared Hutchinson said: “In this iteration, the allied force will be presented with many new and emerging real-world tactical problems that enables them to learn in the world’s best combat training environment.”

He said young operators had been prioritised to take part in simulated large force combat

missions against ground-based air defence systems, aggressor aircraft, cyber and space-based threats.

Other participating aircraft include US Marine Corps F-35Bs from Fighter Attack Sqn 211 based in Yuma, Arizona, B-52H Stratofortress, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-22 Raptor, F-16C Fighting Falcon and EA-18G Growler.

HOGGING THE LIMELIGHT: USAF A-10 Warthog prepares for mission PHOTO: AS1 TOM CANN ON THE PAN: RAF Typhoon from Lossiemouth

PHOTO: AS1 SAMANTHA HOLDEN

REFUEL: US Marine Corps F-35s get a top-up from a RAF Voyager

PHOTO: AS1 SAMANTHA HOLDEN INSET TOP: RAF Voyager Missions System Operator oversees US Navy EA-18G Growler refuel PHOTO: AS1 TOM CANN

Winter warriors

Simon Mander

TROOPS HAVE been practising combat drills on board RAF Chinooks ahead of the largest winter exercise for the UK-led enhanced Nato Battlegroup in Estonia.

Odiham-based Aviation Task Force helicopters ferried French and British personnel across the frozen landscape that simulates a battlefield during the manoeuvres.

Meanwhile, British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks of the type recently pledged by Britain to Ukraine are training Estonian Defence League soldiers in anti-armour tactics.

Hundreds of soldiers take part in the annual Winter Camp exercise on

Hunt is on for ATCs

A PIONEERING team from Waddington has become the first RAF air traffic control unit to scoop a rare honour.

Personnel from the Lincolnshire station have been awarded the Hunt Trophy by the trade’s professional body GATCO – only presented 22 times in 63 years.

FS Mark Taylor said: “The Hunt Trophy is the most prestigious of the awards and recognises the most outstanding contribution in air traffic control and management in the preceding year.

“Presented by Captain V Hunt in 1958, in 1960 it was awarded to the RAF, but has never before been awarded to an RAF Terminal ATC unit.”

The trophy recognises the groundbreaking trial introduction of the SkyGuardian unmanned air system, which required the largest UK airspace coordination effort in peacetime history.

the Central Training Area near Tapa, testing their infantry and armour capabilities against harsh winter conditions.

The British are joined by French troops being deployed as part of a temporary surge to experience operating in a multinational environment, while the Estonians are preparing to act as enemy forces.

The two-week-long exercise brings together the multinational Battlegroup and the 1st Estonian Brigade to test their fighting fitness across a range of armour, infantry, planning, engineering and artillery scenarios.

They culminate in a ‘force on force’ attack and defend training serial, with the Estonian Scouts Battalion and Defence League troops posing as the adversary.

AWARD-WINNING: Waddington Air Traffic Controllers. Below, SkyGuardian UAS

Charity chiefs vet welfare services

Staff Reporter

THE RAF Benevolent Fund has teamed up with Middlesex University to research why some veterans and their families do not access welfare services that are designed for them.

The Forces charity is looking for Air Force veterans and their partners to take part in the online survey, which aims to help make welfare support more userfriendly.

Dr Hannah Brooking, research and evaluation manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “This is an important piece of research investigating the barriers that exist for members of the RAF Family.

“By coming forward for help, this research can help us to better target and reach those in need.

HELPING

“We therefore need your help, by participating in this research and sharing your experiences we will gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced and will be able to support more of you effectively.”

l Go to: rafbf.org/barriers

HAND: RAFBF is launching survey to improve access to support

NATO MISSION: Aviation Task Force Chinook flies in Nato troops during Winter Camp exercise in Estonia

Striker light

Superdad Daz bows out after 37 years

Staff Reporter

SENTRY VETERAN WO Darren Screeton was piped out of his post after retiring from the RAF following 37 years’ service.

Friends and colleagues at Waddington lined the route as he left the unit for the last time, adorned in the traditional bowler hat and umbrella.

His wide-ranging career as an avionics technician has seen him repair Tornado F3s on Quick Reaction Alert, deliver the F-35B Lightning II and support operations in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and the Falkland Islands.

But it was in the latter part of his career that he made his mark, helping the Sentry AEW Mk 1 fleet recover from major airworthiness risks that led to a pause in flying on the Force.

Station Commander

Gp Capt Mark Lorriman-

Hughes said: “On Sentry Darren helped address innumerable airworthiness challenges to ensure that the Force was able to achieve then exceed its annual Nato missions target.”

WO Screeton deployed to recover the aircraft on Operation Shader and led the coordination of nearly 30,000 hours of engineering effort to deliver the first operational Sentry mission on Op Shader, for which he won a commendation.

A devoted family man and father of seven children, he also found time to represent the Service in rowing and rugby and raise awareness of cancer by championing the Movember fundraiser.

“Utterly selfless, he has represented the very essence of what it means to serve and, in so doing, represents the very highest standards and traditions of the Royal Air Force,” said Gp Capt Lorriman-Hughes.

MACr nets the double

RIVET JOINT veteran MAcr Paul Gallagher has been awarded a rare second clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct medal to mark 35 years of RAF service.

Since re-mustering as noncommissioned aircrew in 1998, he has held almost every role in his field – from frontline operator to instructor.

Currently assigned to the 645th Aeronautical Systems Sqn as a Rivet Joint mission system project engineer, MAcr Gallagher enlisted in 1987 as an Aerospace Systems Operator and spent more than 10 years in the trade.

Over the last 24 years he has amassed more than 4,000 hours on ISTAR aircraft, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and current operations against Daesh in the Middle East.

He was presented with the clasp by 645th AESS Commander Lt Col James Slayton USAF.

LONG SERVICE: MAcr Paul Gallagher receives his award from USAF’s Lt Col James Slayton

A C-130J Hercules call sign Striker 37 taxis at RAF Brize Norton ahead of night vision training over the west of England. 47 Sqn Brize-based transporter ZH867 carried out lights-out approaches, take-off and landing and air drops using night goggles.

PHOTO: CPL LEE MATTHEWS

DEDICATED: WO Darren Screeton is walked off the station by WO Michelle Rees-Martin, accompanied by the bagpipes. Inset left, raising a glass with station execs

PHOTOS: ASI SHAUNA MARTIN

Reg

gttar

gt tar s roo

rgetssroookies s

Regt targets rookies

Simon Mander

HOT SHOT students awaiting trade training got to grips with the RAF Regiment’s high-tech armoury as part of a pioneering training programme.

A trio of would-be aircraft engineers and a budding aircrew NCO were the latest to get handson experience of Air Force life after graduating from RAF Halton.

Th newent supported50 slookin y 2021, i Februar o n t alto m H ro ts f fr recrui Honington’sWOI wholeadsthesche t t ha ks t as g t ifyin fy “Ident y a cancompletenotonl kloadwiththeworkl givesustheopportun

The programme, that has supported 50 new entrants since February 2021, is looking for more recruits from Halton to take part.

s- an et h o g ftercelifeaft fe Halton. as t h tha rantssince ormore g f fo n art. e p tak IanDanks, as b nity

ona ing b Boe h r c ch o ost f fo bo

anza ty arity ri

Boeing bonanza boost for charity

s ra eme said:

r

Honington’s WO Ian Danks, who leads the scheme, said: “Identifying tasks that trainees can complete not only assists with the workload but gives us the opportunity to expose the most junior members of the RAF to the day-to-day life they can expect on their first posting.”

The initiative is designed to give meaningful employment to those who have passed phase one but are on ‘hold’ while they await specialist training.

Y CHARIT S g ja hitthefundraisin t ona g d landin oei t B ian e g rospac o US ae illsup y w Themone fund lfare fa we ’s ty charity providesgrantstovete

t y

ACES: TRADINGPL T t ill a ns dr eapo ing w dur instructorexplainsabo

in ts ci li t e g

o to rs n s a pe ai echanical, ee g engi ve avealistshavspecial rogrammepro

raineecheckshissights onington. t H ft t le Inse In un e g achin y m outaheav

SUPPORT: Donation will fund grants and mentoring service FORCES’ CHARITY SSAFA has hit the fundraising jackpot by landing a £70,000 donation from US aerospace giant Boeing. The money will support the charity’s welfare fund, which provides grants to veterans and serving personnel struggling in the current cost of living crisis and a mentoring scheme which supports Service leavers to get on in Civvy Street.

o v ts t es g ersonnelstru g p vin ser thecurrentcostofliv chem g s ntorin nd a me a aversviceleav rtsSer t suppo treet y S v ivvy vv inC ir f S e A chi

olice, ent, nt egimRegi utercomput nd , a g er artinthe en p k aketak

So far recruits to the mechanical, avionic and weapons trades,

RAF Police, RAF Regiment, engineering, and computer specialists have taken part in the programme.

vengive gi has orce ir F A training. et y g ge nl onl t t ferenntdiffe ff in R FP

AS1 Wright said: “This experience

al real the into ht sight gh in an me n fter ft t a ec o exp t t ha d w wh n e a onot g t enamazin am Ithasbe cewith wi erien n exp hands-o et e me v ave av o h t t u ut les, b iffl f r es o typ

has given me an insight into the real Air Force and what to expect after training. It has been amazing to not only get hands-on experience with different types of rifles, but to have met and worked with great hardworking

pe to in pa

avionicandweapon , strades, g htsa tS1Wriggh Wr A erience s exp Thi id: “ dwork wo an , kingrkiworkrdworeathard h g gr dwit wi e ke w

uldn’tbea

A SAFFA ackpotby kp nfrom fr atio ing. portthe hich , w d ransand e o s t es u unio t j osethemos o exp t membersoftheRAFt he e t ya ay-to-day e d th fir fi expectontheir can ” posting tiative e ini Th ivemeanin o g designedt employmenttothose ne e o has d p asse e p hav wa y a aw on‘hold’whilethe training m the to recruits far So

bsIwoul wo o d j lean an op ”onington. tside H Ho u ut o do o vebecoavekisaid:“IhavabskiAS1Dab ak t, t ganisedspor an vedinorvolvenvo nv ootb g f fo yinayilay d p n u a ujits uj t in J r

able ab ome kiing allbal

people and do jobs I wouldn’t be able to do outside Honington.”

AS1 Dabski said: “I have become involved in organised sport, taking part in Jujitsu and playing football with other members of the Flight.”

g p j ht.” t e Fliggh fth t emberso mb herm e wiithot ” commitment

“Wit ded: y ad r y Grego rtofcompanieslik t suppo f o ach o e nd r t a pac the im whichimprovesandcha –wouldbehampered.W ’s oeing’s e B appreciat

ns a gugglin is g cris vin hich me w ton o ge st the thout keBoeing, rk – o ur w o es ges liv an reatly e g W We continued

SSAFA chief Sir Andrew Gregory added: “Without the support of companies like Boeing, the impact and reach of our work –which improves and changes lives – would be hampered. We greatly appreciate Boeing’s continued commitment.”

TRADING PLACES: Trainee checks his sights during weapons drill at Honington. Inset left, instructor explains about a heavy machine gun

MEDAL CITIZENS: But military values might hold you back in the fight for jobs

‘Hero’ vets face battle for top jobs

Staff Reporter

VETERANS WHO embody traditional military qualities like courage and selflessness may struggle to compete in well-paid areas of civvy street, according to a US-based study.

The survey reveals the public generally feels those perceived as ‘heroes’ are better suited to relatively low-paid careers like teaching and firefighting than high-flying wellpaid jobs in banking and sales.

Researchers added that those who took part in the study think the more courageous veteran job seekers appear, the more likely they are to work for low wages.

Dr Matthew Stanley, who led the Duke University team, said: “We typically don’t think that describing groups in such extremely positive terms – as heroes – could actually have negative effects on group members.

“But in the case of veterans, people see them as a better fit at jobs, roles and organisations that they associate with selflessness, which tend to be lower paying.”

Home town tribute to Spit boffin

Jane Shepherd

A FULL-SIZE Spitfire sculpture has been unveiled in Stokeon-Trent, the birthplace of the aircraft’s designer, Reginald Mitchell.

The project celebrating the town’s engineering heritage was launched by council chiefs and local engineering firms and artist Sunhail Shaikh.

The first Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 was delivered to 611 Sqn in 1939. The squadron’s current commanding officer, Wg Cdr Stephen Chaskin, said: “611 has a proud association with the Spitfire, so it was a special occasion to see the sculpture being launched.”

Falklands crew in Pole position

Simon Mander

SCIENTISTS OPERATING in Antarctica have received vital supplies from a UK Atlas A400M.

British Antarctic Survey personnel received 300 drums of fuel in the first airdrop by an A400M over the Sky Blu station in Southern Palmer Land.

The aircraft flew 1,320 miles from its Mount Pleasant base in the

Falklands to start the annual mission Operation Austral Endurance, previously carried out by a C-130 Hercules.

A further five air drops are planned, depending on the weather, with Atlas sorties supported by a Voyager tanker flown by aircrew from 10 and 101 Sqns.

mean that we are able to carry out this extremely challenging mission in one of the most hostile environments in the world.”

The Sky Blu facility began operating in 1997 and is named after the colour of the dense ice that surrounds it.

Airdropping fuel means survey personnel don’t have to carry out multiple sorties by much smaller Dash-7 aircraft.

The polar research stations also receive deliveries of freight and personnel from the RAF’s South Atlantic Air Bridge and Royal Navy ships. miles

905 EAW’s Wg Cdr

Christopher Pope said: “The tenacity and flexibility of our team

Siege hero signs on

A MEMBER of the SAS team who stormed the Iranian Embassy in London during the terrorist siege in 1980 added his name to the RAF’s Wall of Honour.

Rusty Firmin led Team Blue during the famous operation to free 26 hostages held by gunmen from the Democratic Revolutionary Front for Liberation of Arabistan during the six-day stand-off in central London.

He was invited to add his name to the Cranwell Wall and speak to the latest graduates on the aircrew survival and evasion course.

Speaking to the graduates, he said: “Whatever you do, keep a sense of humour – because that’s how you get through the bad times. To this day, I refuse to give in.”

Rusty signed up in 1965 with the Royal Artillery Regt before passing Green Beret Commando selection and later joining the elite SAS in 1977.

After leaving the military, Rusty specialised in training international security teams and became the chief instructor at Hereford, home of the legendary Special Forces regiment. He has also written books and is very altruistic, currently the patron of four charities helping veterans and others.

GO WITH THE FLOE: The British Antarctic facility Sky Blu, close to the South Pole. UK Atlas dropped supplies during 1,320-mile sortie, refuelling from a Voyager tanker. Inset below, crewman on the ramp looks over the ice

ENGINEERING LEGACY: Wg Cdr Chaskin (third left) joins local engineering bosses and council chiefs at statue unveiling

SAS LEGEND: Rusty Firmin stormed embassy

Istar-ing role at Waddington

FORMER E-3D pilot Gp Capt James Radley has taken over as the ISTAR Commander Air Wing at RAF Waddington.

The veteran AWACS flyer becomes only the second to hold the post following the departure of Gp Capt Christopher Melville, who established the unit at the Lincolnshire station.

Gp Capt Radley has flown missions on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and with Nato’s Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Command at SHAPE in Belgium.

Museum battle to save VC

A CAMPAIGN has been launched by the RAF Museum to keep a unique Victoria Cross in the UK.

The rare medal – Britain’s top award for extreme valour in the face of the enemy – is the only one won by the Air Force fighting in the Far East in World War II.

It was awarded to Sqn Ldr Arthur Scarf for a single-handed assault on a Japanese airfield after an enemy attack wiped out his unit.

On December 9, 1941 he had just taken off to lead a formation of 62 Sqn Bristol Blenheims in a daylight attack on Japanese airfields in Burma when enemy bombers swept over the base destroying every British aircraft on the ground.

Alone and determined to complete the mission, Scarf flew low for 30 miles evading attacks by Japanese Zeros and released his bombs before heading home with enemy fighters attacking at close range.

Outnumbered, outgunned and in a slower aircraft he flew at tree top height desperately seeking protection.

Mortally wounded, Scarf continued to

fly while being held upright by his crewmates and made a controlled crash landing at a British airfield, saving his comrades but dying from his wounds shortly afterwards.

The VC, one of only 22 won by the RAF in WWII, was awarded posthumously in 1946 and presented to his widow, Elizabeth, by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

The Museum has just months to raise £660,000 to match an

He said: “The ISTAR Force and the Air Wing are running at pace –whether it be in the skies and over the seas of Nato’s northern and eastern flanks, conducting remotelycrewed air system operations in the Middle East, or providing specialist intelligence analysis in support of current operations.

“Meanwhile, we have an ambitious programme of change, from progressing P-8 Poseidon to bringing in exciting new platforms such as Protector, Shadow Mk 2 and E-7 Wedgetail.”

Get set Doha

AIR FORCE athletes put in an early shift at the Doha marathon to beat the searing midday 40°C Gulf heat.

The team of runners with 83 Expeditionary Air Group joined more than 8,000 other competitors on the start line at 6.30am for the annual endurance event.

One said: “Working shifts has made it difficult to form any sort of routine with my training, so I’ve been running at all sorts of weird and wonderful times so this was no problem.” l See sport, p27.

Sub-zero hero

LOSSIEMOUTH POSEIDON crews have joined Nato antisubmarine training missions in the North Atlantic.

CXX Sqn personnel on board ZP804, christened Spirit of Reykjavik, are operating from Keflavik air base in Iceland alongside the US Navy.

auction bid placed by an overseas buyer and is calling on the public’s support.

It hopes to raise £250,000 in donations with the rest coming from its own funds and a potential grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Museum Historian and Head of Collections Dr Harry Raffal said: “This unique medal is part of our nation’s heritage, and a significant element to a decisive moment in British history.

“There is an imminent risk of it leaving the UK, but we’re hopeful that with public support we can prevent this from happening, and for the medal to remain on our shores. If we’re successful, the medal will be displayed at the Museum, in the heart of our collection, helping us to share the stories of all those RAF personnel who fought, lived and died in the conflict.”

l To support the campaign, go to gofundme.com/f/save-the-scarfvc

Turtle recall

TURTLES ARE returning to the seas around military sites in Cyprus in record numbers thanks to a Defence and civilian conservation programme.

More than 170 loggerhead and green turtle nests were recorded in the coastal waters around Akrotiri, Episkopi and Dhekelia.

The surge in numbers follows a conservation programme to help protect the environment by reporting damage and illegal activity near the breeding sites.

EARLY RISE AND SHINE: RAF Gulf team beat the searing Qatar heat during sunrise marathon

Simon Mander

FAR EASTERN FRONT: RAF Blenheim bombers stationed at Tengah in 1941. Above, telegram informing Sqn Ldr Scarf’s family of his death following the daring solo attack on a Japanese airfield which earned him the Victoria Cross PHOTOS: RAF MUSEUM

HANDOVER: Gp Capt Radley (left) takes over the ISTAR role at Waddington from Gp Capt Melville

ARCTIC ROLE: Poseidon P-8 crew is operating from Keflavik air base in Iceland

The forgotten war

A new paint job on a Dakota symbolises one squadron’s defiance of the Imperial Japanese Army in the jungles of Burma

NEWS that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota is to be painted in Southeast Asia colours has been greeted with considerable acclaim by 31 Squadron Association veterans.

The venerable Coningsby-based aircraft is currently undergoing major servicing at Duxford – hopefully it will return to display flying in time to commemorate the World War II campaign known as ‘The Forgotten War.’

May 2023 heralds the 80th anniversary of Operation Longcloth – the first long-range patrols deployed behind Japanese lines in Burma by troops later known as the legendary Chindits under the command of Brigadier Orde Wingate.

Crucial to the success of the campaign were daily airdrops of 300 individual 70lb backpacks for each man and even more for the mules that carried the rest of the supplies

as they marched deeper into enemy-held territory.

in India in 1916 and specialised in Army cooperation sorties.

They were now the first transport squadron tasked to move personnel and equipment quickly as Japanese forces swept through Burma at an incredible pace.

Its CO Wg Cdr William ‘Bill’ Burbury was well acquainted with supply missions and troop movements over barren mountains from landing Valencia bombers on desert airstrips in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt.

That job fell to 31 Sqn that had recently moved to Northeast India from the Northwest Frontier – from desert to jungle – and ‘B’ flight consisting of two DC2 and 10 newer DC3 aircraft detached to Agartala in Bengal next to the Burmese (now Myanmar) border to carry it out.

The unit had made the first military flight

Now he flew the first monoplane transport aircraft in theatre – the upgraded Douglas DC3 airliner that became the military C-47 variant Dakota – which proved essential in getting food and ammunition to retreating British soldiers and the Chindits.

In October 1942, 31 Sqn gave birth to 194 Sqn to assist with campaign, initially flying converted Hudson bombers.

On April 11, 1943, Plt Off David “Lummy,” Lord spotted a plea for help spelt out in a

AMERICAN DFC: 31 Sqn’s Wg Cdr Burberry receives prestigious U.S. medal from Major General Old

“Pilot Officer David ‘Lummy’ Lord spotted a plea for help spelt out in a jungle clearing in parachute silk deep behind Japanese lines”

DFC: Pilot Flt Lt Mike Vlasto rescued 17 wounded Chindits

VC: Plt Off David Lummy

WORKHORSE: Dakota on dispersal, 1943

BBMF: Dakota

jungle clearing in parachute silk deep behind Japanese lines.

PO Lord would later become the only RAF Transport Command VC winner with 271 Sqn after he was killed dropping supplies to besieged paratroops at Arnhem despite his port engine and wing being on fire.

Back in India

Wg Cdr Burbury sanctioned a daring rescue operation recorded by a London Illustrated News and Time Life Magazine reporter on board the Dakota.

Swooping down to a makeshift landing site Flt Lt Mike Vlasto discovered 17 wounded Chindits and carried them out in

his well-laden DC3 with the undercarriage touching the tops of the trees as he lifted off at full throttle – a feat for which he was awarded the DFC.

This was the first of many ‘drop and recover,’ operations that 31 Sqn and its successor Douglas Dakota units undertook well into 1945 – often flying in 12 inches of rain an hour during the May to September monsoon season over a vast battlefield measuring 1,000 miles by 600 miles.

The air supply technique proved so successful that four squadrons were generated as part of a new Southeast Asia Command to combat the Japanese offensive against Imphal and the siege of Kohima.

The BBMF Dakota will hopefully be back

flying by April 2024 to mark the 31 Sqn effort to supply the encircled Kohima Garrison whose 3,000 men fought off and routed 30,000 Japanese troops in a major turning point of the war.

Airdrops of water, food, ammunition, and replacement weapons were delivered with incredible accuracy to a small DZ that centred on a bitterly fought-over tennis court at the Governor’s bungalow.

Veterans of 31 Sqn are preparing to mark five 80th anniversary dates of significant campaigns during the next 16 months to remember the RAF’s role in driving the Japanese out of Burma a year before the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Meanwhile the unit known as the “Goldstars,” which disbanded on March 14, 2019 at Marham will reform in the summer at Waddington and eventually operate the new Protector unmanned air vehicle.

Kohima Dakota DVD

DAKOTA, AIR Supply Drops, Kohima DVD produced by Life Publications with 31 Sqn Association is available from: lifepublications.co.uk @ £17.50 + £1.90 p&p. The price includes a £5 donation to The Kohima Educational Trust in acknowledgement of the help and sacrifice of the Naga people of Northeast India.

By Terry O’Halloran and Russ Morgan, 31 Sqn RAF Association

JUNGLE ‘OFFICE’: RAF embedded drop coordination team

Crew View Exercise Broaden Horizon

“

We’ve seen Reserves bring their expertise and enthusiasm from a range of trades and professions to extend capability and add value throughout their time here. Their output showed how they can turn their hand quickly and effectively to support operational excellence across the RAF.”

MORE THAN 100 Reservists from across the UK joined regular Air Force teams at Akrotiri for Exercise Broaden Horizon, supporting Defence capabilities at the UK’s forward operating base in Cyprus. Part-time specialists in air operations, logistics, engineering, physical training and catering put their skills to the test during the sixweek drill. RAF News reporter Jane Shepherd spoke to some of the crew involved.

“I’ve enjoyed working in a different environment and getting the chance to be hands-on.”

“It’s been a great opportunity to work alongside regulars in logistics in such a focused and demanding role.”

The feedback with other departments has been very positive. Everybody involved has gained a lot of real-world, deployed experience and it’s given them a flavour of future opportunities.”

It’s been an insightful opportunity to learn from a range of personnel and collate ideas on how to improve their working environment to support their optimum performance.”

“

It’s been a good exercise and the opportunity to see how things work at a fully operational base.

“We’ve been working on a diverse range of equipment in a dynamic environment.”

Sqn Ldr Maris Hodge, SO2 A4 Reserves HQ

Flt Lt Dr Liz Durden-Myers, 611 Sqn

AS1 Tech Daniel Horwood, Mechanical Technician, 614 Sqn

Sgt Chris Lewis, SNCO Supply, 502 Sqn “

FS Pete Rogers, 504 Sqn

ASI Mark Pheasant, 607 Sqn

AS1 Dave Cooney, 501 Sqn “It’s an opportunity to gain extra knowledge.”

AS1 Karl Excell, 607 “

”

By Tracey Allen

Dogs of War

Memorial to hero hounds who saved countless lives in the combat zone

A MONUMENT for Forces working dogs featuring two RAF legends could soon be completed.

Two-thirds of the £150,000 needed for the National Military Working Dogs Memorial has been raised and the first of its four statues, Hero Dog Theo, has been cast.

Now the NMWDM charity has launched an appeal for people to donate the cost of a cup of coffee, saying ‘small donations can really make a difference’, to help reach the fundraising total.

The memorial will be built at The Pet Cemetery in Holywell, North Wales and will feature bronze statues of German shepherd Lucky, an RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog deployed on active service from 1949-52 during the Malaya Campaign, and springer spaniel Buster, who completed five tours of duty to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the last military working dog to leave Iraq.

Spaniel Theo served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in Afghanistan and died in the line of duty, within hours of his handler. The other heroic hound to be honoured is English Pointer Judy – the only dog to be registered as a Prisoner of War, in Japan, and who was mascot of river gunboat HMS Grasshopper.

John Ward, chairman of the charity’s trustees, said: “We have ordered the memorial, which will take about 20 weeks to be prepared. The plan is to have a ground-breaking service on April 4, then start ground work such as concreting in July. We have already put in the roadway, kerbs and electricity. We will erect the monument in August, and plan to put flower beds in during the autumn then hopefully have the inauguration in the late spring/early summer of 2024.

“We have had a lot of support from the RAF, including the Officer and Aircrew Training Unit at RAF College Cranwell, and a team from RAF Akrotiri’s dog section and the dog section in the Falklands. They have been very, very good, raising

HONOUR: Tracker dog Lucky and handler

money through sponsored dog walks and other events.”

He added: “None of our charity organisers or collectors get paid anything at all – 100 per cent of the money donated goes into the fund for the memorial.”

The charity was founded in 2017 to establish a memorial – the idea of legendary airdog Buster’s handler FS Will Barrow and colleague Ian Henderson – to commemorate the military working dogs who bravely served their country in both world wars and in the later conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Alongside the four bronze statues will be plaques with the names of many other loved military dogs. The public can donate in memory of a loved one and of a beloved pet and have a photograph and message added to the charity’s online memorial wall.

The statue of Theo is now temporarily situated at the front of the tea rooms within

TOP TEAM: Frontline RAF dog Buster with handler FS Will Barrow in Afghanistan

STRIKING: Illustration of how the finished memorial in Holywell, North Wales will look

THEO: Statue already completed

the Pet Cemetery’s grounds. It has been mounted on a strong wooden box so that it can be transported to promotional events, including Crufts in March.

The charity’s patrons include celebrity Marc Abraham, known as ‘Marc the Vet’ and former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West. l Go to: nmwdn.org.uk to support the project.

BUSTER IN BASRAH

From Trenchard Brat to Air Chief Marshal

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL Sir Michael Armitage, who has died aged 92, began his long RAF career as a Halton Apprentice, one of ‘Trenchard’s Brats’. Thirty-eight years later he was promoted to the top job to be a member of the Air Force Board, one of only two former apprentices to achieve such distinction.

He entered the RAF’s Apprentice School in 1947, where he excelled, and trained as an airframe fitter. He was awarded the Elliott Memorial Prize for his final essay, a portent of things to come. As one of the top students to graduate, he was given a cadetship at the RAF College, Cranwell, where he trained as a pilot and was commissioned in April 1953.

After converting to jets, he joined 28 Squadron in Hong Kong flying the Vampire, one of the RAF’s first jets into service. Flying from the congested airport at Kai Tak, the nimble jet fighter was ideal for patrols along the Chinese border and the defence of Hong Kong.

On his return to Britain, he qualified as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School before spending the next few years instructing student pilots to fly the Vampire and the Jet Provost.

In 1966, he began the first of a series of appointments in Germany when he became the personal staff officer to the Commanderin-Chief RAF Germany and Commander of the Second Allied Tactical Air Force, Air Marshal Sir Denis Spotswood, who thought very highly of Armitage.

In late 1967 he took command of 17 Sqn, a Canberra in low-level tactical reconnaissance squadron based at Wildenrath near München Gladbach. In December 1969, he oversaw the withdrawal of the long-serving Canberra as the squadron prepared to receive the Phantom.

After two years on the directing staff of the Joint Service Staff College at Latimer, he

was promoted to Gp Capt and left for Malta.

In the spring of 1972, he assumed command of the RAF station at Luqa. Following disagreements with the recently elected government of Dom Mintoff, the RAF had been forced to leave the island at the end of 1971. After a review of the bi-lateral arrangements for the RAF to be based on the island, a new agreement was reached and the squadrons returned to Luqa in 1972.

The base was home to a squadron of Canberra reconnaissance aircraft, with wideranging commitments in the Middle and Near East and in Africa. Another squadron operated the Nimrod on maritime patrol sorties throughout the Mediterranean, which monitored the activities of the Soviet Navy’s Black Sea Fleet. Luqa was also the host to many RAF and Nato squadrons participating in major air and maritime exercises.

In addition to maintaining the operational efficiency of the two squadrons, Armitage had to oversee an extensive programme to refurbish the large RAF facilities. During the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus in July 1974, his aircraft flew reconnaissance sorties to monitor activities on the island and the surrounding area.

He maintained his flying currency on the Canberra and enjoyed giving and receiving hospitality with his people. For his services in Malta, he was appointed CBE.

During 1975, Armitage attended the Royal

College of Defence Studies before heading to the MOD to be the Director of Forward Plans in the Air Force Department. Here he was concerned with the long-term future of the Service.

In 1978 he returned to Germany, this time as Deputy Commander at HQ RAF Germany, where he had responsibility for the day-today running of the four large operational bases and their squadrons of new-generation combat jets.

In 1980 he became the senior RAF member on the staff of the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) before taking up an appointment in the defence intelligence staff in the immediate aftermath of the Falklands War.

Three years later he was promoted to the newly-created post of Chief of Defence Intelligence, responsible for the collection and analysis of military intelligence. Armitage was also responsible for coordination of intelligence activities throughout the Armed Services.

The main focus remained issues relating to the Cold War, but out of area operations, such as the Falklands situation, attracted increasing prominence. As head of defence intelligence, he joined the heads of the other intelligence agencies at the weekly meetings of the Joint Intelligence Committee, which advised the government on issues that

required operational, planning or policy action.

In 1985, Armitage was appointed to the Air Force Board as the Air Member for Supply and Organisation responsible for all the support, maintenance, supply and organisational aspects of the RAF.

In January 1988 he took up his final appointment, a return to RCDS as the Commandant, a post he found particularly stimulating. He retired from the RAF in April 1990. He was appointed KCB (1983).

Throughout his RAF career, Armitage thought deeply about military strategy, and he had a wide interest and understanding of politico/military issues. Many of his appointments provided the opportunity to pursue and develop this special interest. In retirement, he was much sought-after as a lecturer on air power, defence and military history topics.

He was a prolific writer and was a coauthor of Airpower in the Nuclear Age (1984). He also wrote Unmanned Aircraft (1988), The Royal Air Force – an Illustrated History (1999 3rd edition), and he edited Great Air Battles of the Royal Air Force (1996). He contributed to many professional journals.

Sir Michael retained a deep interest and affection for the RAF apprenticeship scheme and was president of the RAF Apprentices’ Association for many years, rarely missing annual events and reunions.

REVIEWING OFFICER: On the parade ground at RAF Halton and, left, receiving his Jaguar patch after a sortie in the aircraft

Pack up your troubles

Win film festival tickets and £180 top-quality rucksack

THE BANFF Mountain Film Festival is continuing its tour of new and exhilarating action and adventure films to big screen venues around the UK and Ireland.

From kayaking in the Arctic Circle to an unusual climbing expedition in Devon and more, the popular festival features the latest collections of the world’s best adventure films.

There are two different film programmes to choose from, or you can double the action and go to both the red and the blue programmes. Each event features a free prize draw for outdoorsy goodies from the tour’s partners. RAF News have the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to a film screening at a venue of their choice from March 1 (availability permitting as some venues are already sold out), and the festival has teamed up with Osprey, leading manufacturers of hiking and trekking equipment, to offer one of their top rucksacks, rrp £180, as a prize too.

The Archeon 30 men’s daypack (pictured, top), in haybale green, is a 30-litre pack for hiking and backpacking, with lid and raincover, made with recycled

The art and treasures of war

AVIATION ENTHUSIAST

Melanie Winterton’s pioneering book The Archaeology of the Royal Flying Corps is the first study of the trench art, souvenirs and lucky mascots associated with the RFC which tells the reader much about the experience of flying on the Western Front a century ago.

The author explained: “Mascots were often infused with special meaning… given from perhaps a wife, girlfriend or close family member, and so invoked intimate personal relationships.

Winterton added: “On 10 July 1917 his [Crutchley’s] head was struck by his aeroplane propeller causing fractures to his skull. His family were informed that he may not recover, but remaining in hospital for nearly one month, he survived his accident and returned to train pilots.”

Some pilots carried black cat toys hoping they would bring them luck, including fighter ace Flight Commander Capt Albert Ball, who had a black velvet cat as a lucky mascot.

CRUTCHLEY

“The lucky mascot ‘Sunny Jim’ was always carried by RFC pilot Gerard Gwyn Crutchley. This act indicated a sensory relationship with the mascot, which seemingly provided a feeling of comfort, enabling Gerard to reflect on the memorable day it was presented to him by the actress and comedienne Beatrice Lillie in 1917.”

Made of golden yellow fabric, Sunny Jim’s head looks like a sun, hence the name.

It was considered unlucky to fly with another man’s mascot or lucky charm and some airmen refused to fly at all if they lost their own, said Winterton.

Linen was used as the skin of World War I aircraft, and was often removed from crashed aeroplanes as souvenirs. It was common for pilots to personalize their aircraft by painting

emblems and insignia on the linen to distinguish them from other squadrons’ aeroplanes.

Winterton revealed: “As early as 1914 the War Illustrated… printed photographs of civilian children and adults searching, in the Belgian countryside and northern France, for war-related souvenirs, collecting spent cartridge cases, bullets and other objects as playthings and souvenirs of the fighting.”

Trench art, the author explained, is defined as ‘any item made by soldiers [airmen], prisoners of war and civilians from war materiel directly, or any other material, as long as it and they are associated temporarily and/or spatially with armed conflict or its consequences.”

The book includes a picture of a photograph frame made from an aeroplane propeller (pictured above).

fabrics and with a comfortable back system. Osprey was established in California in 1974. Its products are covered by an ‘all mighty guarantee’ – as part of its commitment to protecting the environment Osprey says it always strives, whenever possible, to repair products rather than replace them. Its products include hydration backpacks and reservoirs, running and biking packs, climbing backpacks, snowsports backpacks and child carriers. Go to: ospreyeurope. com for more information.

Banff tour films are chosen from hundreds of entries into the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Film highlights include Wild Waters featuring French kayaker Nouria Newman as she prepares to become the first female to run a 100ft (30m) waterfall.

Walking On Clouds follows Brazilian engineer Rafael Bridi on his quest to find complete freedom… and his search has taken him above the clouds.

In Flow big mountain skier Sam Favret explores the closed resort of Chamonix during the unusual

winter of 2021. With spectacular aerial footage of iconic mountain faces, this captivating short offers a dose of unreality, serenity and Sam’s powerful skiing, but above all the pleasure of rediscovering a playground allowed to return to its wild state.

Free To Run focuses on mountain runner and UN human rights attorney Stephanie Case (inset left). When the Taliban takes over Afghanistan, the basic human rights of women across the country are threatened. She must fight to find a way forward for the Afghan women of her NGO, Free to Run, while taking on the longest and hardest ultra-trail race of her life. Go to: banff-uk.com for full tour details.

Kitbag up for grabs

FOR YOUR chance to win a pair of tickets to the film festival and an Archeon 30 men’s daypack, just answer this question correctly: In which year was Osprey established?

Email your answer, marked Banff/Osprey competition, to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by February 24.

Please mark on your entry which film festival venue you would prefer to attend, from March 1.

Win the book

YOU CAN win a copy of The Archaeology of the Royal Flying Corps by Melanie Winterton (pen-and-sword.co.uk). For your chance to own one, tell us:

What was the name of pilot Gerard Gwyn Crutchley’s lucky mascot?

Email your answer, marked RFC Archaeology book competition, to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by February 24.

MASCOT: Sunny Jim

SOUVENIR HUNTERS: Tommies crowd around a crashed German plane to search for mementoes. Some of the aircraft’s linen covering had already been cut off by the soldiers

HEAD FOR HEIGHTS: Rafael Bridi features in the film Walking On Clouds

French panache but few loveable quirks…

FRENCH CARS can be a bit, well, Forrest Gump if you ask me. That is in no way an insult. I mean it as a genuinely analytical observation.

In the classic 1994 film, Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, says “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,” and the same is certainly true of new French models.

The French have always poured passion into their cars and that means they tend to have quirks. The old Renault 4, for example, had different spacing between the road wheels, depending on which side of the car you stood. Then there’s the Citroen 2CV, the world’s most charismatic upturned bathtub, loved and hated in equal measure.

In Germany these oddities would have been seen as horrendous design flaws, but in France they’re applauded as features that give cars unique character. So I was intrigued by what I would find with Renault’s Arkana.

Outside

This is an SUV, a 4x4 in old money, that’s been crossed with a coupe. It’s therefore neither, and sits squarely in a battlefield known as the crossover market. Even under stormy skies it looks good though, sporting a sleek

roofline and a striking profile, especially in Zanzibar Blue.

The 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, trademark Renault lights at the rear and the Cshaped daytime running lights give it a sense of style.

Inside

The interior is well-thought-out and features some nice materials in places. The centre-piece is a large 9.3 inch portrait touchscreen in the middle of the dash, but your eyes soon wander to details like the chrome effect door handles and the brushed steel styling of the dash inserts.

It has physical controls for all the important functions, including the climate settings, so it’s easy to use. The 7.0 inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel is stylish, with crisp graphics. The cabin even looks good in the dark, thanks to some effective ambient lighting.

The centre console plastics are a bit cheap and scratchy in places, which lowers the tone slightly, but the overall ambience is pleasant.

The seats are reasonably supportive and are part leather, with contrasting stitching to maintain that quality feel.

Finding a comfy driving position is easy thanks to a wide range of adjustment. This is

complimented by bags of steering wheel rake and reach. There’s also plenty of room in the back. You wouldn’t want to fit three six-footers in there for long journeys but Renault has done a cracking job of making sure the sleek, sloping roofline doesn’t impact too much on passenger comfort.

On The Road

The Arkana handles pretty well. It has plenty of grip, a small amount of body roll and precise steering that’s well-weighted. The firm set up means that it can thud over large pot holes more than some rivals but I’d take handling over bouncy cushioning every day.

Our test car was the E-Tech 145 hybrid, which switched from electric to petrol power very smoothly. The performance figures won’t get you excited, 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds and a top end of 108mph, but the combined fuel economy figure of 58.9 mpg is reasonable.

The electric motor is silent at low speeds, so it’s ideal for pottering around town. It’s not quite such a rosy picture on winding roads and the motorway unfortunately, because the engine can sound a bit coarse as it drags the large body up to higher speeds. Wind noise can also be heard around the front pillars. On the up-side, road noise is very well damped. The 6-speed auto box changes gear smoothly.

Renault Arkana

Pros

l Eye-catching design

l Balanced ride & handling

l Economical to run

l Competitively priced

Cons

l It’s not fast off the mark

l Limited rear head room

l Lots of plastic on show

Verdict

If you’re looking for outlandish French styling, you’ll be disappointed with the Arkana because it’s almost too normal. It feels like the result of meticulous research, probably generated by a large focus group of parents from Cheville, aged 35 – 50. On the other hand, it is a well-priced coupe SUV that’s cheap to run and practical to live with. Worth a test drive.

Tim Morris RAF Motors

Early bird Mike catches Doha Marathon worm

THERE WAS a first place in the men’s open classification for RAF runner Flt Lt Mike Kallenberg in the Doha Marathon in Qatar.

A team of 16 personnel deployed on operations in the Middle East joined a field of more than 8,000 runners to take on the iconic 26.2 miles around the region’s most famous landmarks.

No strangers to early mornings and physical activity, runners started the Doha marathon at 06:30 to avoid the searing midday sun – a welcome relief to those competing over the full distance, but also to those taking on the half-marathon and 10k races too.

Kallenberg ran an incredible time of 2:23:02 over the full marathon course, to finish first in the male open category.

He said: “Working shifts [Air Operations] has made it difficult to form any sort of routine with my training so I’ve been running

RAF

Cross Country Championships

Holloway and Hazell out in front as Brize and Leeming lead the field

A CHILLY Halton warmed quickly as the RAF Athletics Cross Country Championships burst into life with some combative running and fast finish times.

In a men’s field of 59 athletes, AS1 Max Hazell took the win, crossing the line in a speedy 32 minutes and 52 seconds.

finish times making up a team result – RAF Leeming took the win with the lowest cumulative total points of 58. RAF Halton were not far behind with 72, while RAF Wittering came third with 82 points.

at all sorts of weird and wonderful times. Being away from family, I’ve used the training as a good distraction and have been hitting 90 to 100 miles a week, my highest mileage in years.”

l To find out more about RAF athletics, follow @RAF_Athletics on Instagram.

With an electric race pace, Hazell was quickly followed by Cpl Adam Baker in 33 mins 3 secs, with Wg Cdr Ben Livesey completing the top three with a time of 33:15.

Livesey was also the first vet across the line, while in the U23s race – incorporated in the men’s senior race – AS1 Jack Clark came home first in 36:30s. AS1 Josh Benton came second in 38:14 and AS1 Liam Brennan was next with 40:21.

In the station standings – with the first four recorded

In the women’s race Cpl Gemma Holloway was triumphant in a time of 30:30, with Cpl Helena Schofield not far behind in second with 31:1 and hot on her heels was Sgt Molly Betmead coming in with 31:10s, sewing up the top three positions. The first female veteran to cross the line was Sgt Angela Bell in a time of 33:34, while in the U23s race (also incorporated into the women’s senior race), Cpl Summer Benson was first in 41:38, while AS1 Emily Cantley was runner-up in 43:58 and AS1 Rebecca Bracher third in 46:6.

In the station standings, RAF Brize Norton took a resounding win with the lowest total of 28 points, RAF Wittering came second with 105 and not far behind them, RAF Lossiemouth with 114.

TOP WOMAN: Cpl Gemma Holloway, no. 38

NO. 58: Men's winner AS1 Max Hazell is a tough nut to crack PHOTOS: LUKA WAYCOTT

NO. 1: Flt Lt Mike Kallenberg on podium

Daniel Abrahams

AS1 Rebecca Bracher

Countdown to the start of Inter-Services American football Flying the flag for the Royal Air Force

Daniel Abrahams

THE START of the 2023 season is a touchdown away as the RAF Mustangs set sights on their first game, against Oxford Saints AFL.

HOCKEY

The match will be quickly followed by a series of training camps and a seven-a-side NFL Tri-Service game in May against a United States ‘Visiting Forces’ (USVF) team, in a match funded by

Germans come out on top again in penalty shootout

IT WAS shootout heartache for AS1 Liam Sanford’s England hockey team as they crashed out of the FIH Odisha World Cup to Germany 3-4 at the quarter-final stage.

Having led twice in the match at Bhubaneswar, India, they saw Germany pull back two goals in the final two minutes of open play, before losing on a penalty shootout.

England had sat top of Pool D after the group stages on goal difference ahead of India, having scored two more goals than then host nation.

Beating Wales 5-0 in their

opening clash following a goalless draw with the hosts in their second match and a 4-0 win over Spain, they entered the Bhubaneswar brimming with confidence, hoping to progress further in a tournament they had never won.

Sanford, who had appeared from the bench in all three of the group stage clashes, entered the field of play in the quarter-final match, with England looking set for a semi-final spot, but could do nothing to alter their shock exit from the tournament.

l Follow RAF hockey on Instagram @rafhockey.

NFL big-hitters the New York Jets.

Mustangs general manager Sgt Paul Wakeford said: “It’s great to have our first pre-season game in the pipeline, it shows how quickly things are developing for us and the game Service-wide.

“Saints, who we play at Tilsley Park Ground in Abingdon on March 19, are a well-drilled, professionally-run team and club, it will be a great opportunity for us in so many ways.

“The game fits perfectly with our training camp the same month, at Garats Hay Barracks in Loughborough, which will become our new home for all things RAF AFL, it really is a great set-up, which we are looking to take full advantage of.

“We then have another camp in June as we focus in on the Inter-Services in September.”

Wakeford explained how the NY Jets-sponsored US clash came about as a result of a Royal Navy trip to the Big Apple.

He said: “They were invited to a Jets match and through the day the

club suggested becoming involved with a UK military game, what is known as a flag game – which is a non-contact version of the game, versus a USAF NFL side.

“It will see a team of Service players and coaches in this firstever match up.

“Thanks to the Jets, official NFL game balls will be used and both teams will wear specially commissioned jerseys, with the UK in green.

“The match winners will take ownership of the wrestling style ‘World Champions’ belt until

the next time the two sides meet. The selection process is out to personnel who would like to be involved and then each Service has to put forward around seven players. The next move will be for training sessions, where the altered rules and plays will be worked on and discussed.

“The aim is for this to be an annual competition with the aspiration to incorporate a fullcontact game, perhaps as soon as next year. In the meantime, never have the stakes to win a flag football game been higher.”

l Follow RAF AFL on Instagram @rafamericanfootball.

BIG-HITTERS: RAF gridiron players

PHOTOS: Andrew Wheeler

TRAINING: Camp at RAFC Cranwell

Big freeze hits the university warm-up game

Cambridge match cancelled but victory against Police

IT WAS the calm after the storm for the Service’s men’s rugby union stars as bad weather hindered their preparations with a match at Cambridge frozen off.

The postponed annual fixture at the university side’s Grange Road ground came off the back of a blistering performance from the airmen in their first Inter-Service warm-up match, with a 19-48 win over the English Police at Stourbridge RFC.

A five-star blitz in the opening half saw five RAF tries ran in, with Cpl Toby Jones kicking things off with a superb break from the Police 20.

the airmen was a joy to behold, with Cpl Jordan Oatley’s audacious interception and run from inside his own half highlighting the RAF’s willingness to attack and play with flair.

The introduction of former England scrum-half Shaun Perry to the coaching staff was a welcome addition.

Head coach FS Justin Coleman said: “It was a really impressive and strong first-half performance against the Police, with our setpiece dominating and our backs creating lots of opportunities to give us a lead of over 30 points.

“Lots of replacements in the second half disrupted the balance a little and we lacked composure in defence, allowing the Police a glimpse of opportunity.

“It was a good win overall but we

were a little flat in the second half, which needs addressing.

“It was disappointing to miss out on a crucial fixture that would have been a strong test against Cambridge University, but it allowed us to run an internal contested session instead, so it wasn’t a complete loss, and the few days holed up training allowed us to focus on the details.

“The addition of Shaun Perry to the coaching staff for the day really raised the standards and what could have turned into a lost opportunity turned into a competitive training camp with lots of players putting their hands up for selection, which is creating some headaches, but these are the good problems the coaching staff are pushing for.” l Follow RAF Rugby Union on Instagram @raf_mens_senior_xv.

Switch to Benson puts Oxford sides on home front

IT WAS a tough start for the Service’s men’s water polo team as they broke with tradition to kick off their Inter-Services warm-up campaign for 2023.

They returned with two losses in their opening two matches against high quality opponents in Oxford City and Oxford University, having swapped RAFC Cranwell for RAF Benson to play the fixtures.

Despite the absence of several first team players due to deployments and formal training, 11 players attended the opening fixture against City.

The team made a slow start against an experienced side and despite goals from captain Sqn Ldr Simon Almond, Sqn Ldr Trevor Down and Chf Tech Andy Huckle they found themselves 11-4 down at the break. The RAF rallied in the second half, taking it 5-3, to produce a fairer, if still disappointing, 9-14 result.

The match provided a great

opportunity for three development players – Flt Lt Jack Platts, Fg Off William Sutton and Fg Off James Nicholas – to build their skills and following a further productive training session with Oxford University the final fixture kicked off, against what would prove to be another very capable opponent.

The uni team comprised of players from several top national clubs, but in front of a partisan crowd the airmen made a strong start as goals from Flt Lt Craig Nicholls and Huckle kept the match close at 4-3.

Flt Lt Henry Elwell-Sutton provided some sterling defence in goal, and, bolstered by the none shall pass attitude, further goals from Huckle and Almond, assisted by Platts, rounded off the game to finish 6-15, a very credible result against strong opposition.

l For further information on RAF water polo follow @rafswimming on Instagram.

Washouts won't sink reigning champions

Get a grip & try judo

IF YOU ever fancied trying Judo, then the time is now, and Cosford is the place, according to RAF team manager Cpl Liam Hart.

He told RAF News how the RAF Championships from February 20-24, known as the Festival of Judo, will be the launch pad for future success as the sport makes its return.

“We are bouncing back following Covid and the movements of Service life that every sport struggles with,” he said. “We have kept a core of our more experienced athletes, who have grown with each other over the years.

“Anyone who becomes involved will see and feel this, I know you go on to the mat alone, but everyone has your back and that’s a great place to be. We want new people to come and experience that.

“We have individuals, like me taking command roles, stepping up, new blood as it were. We have a new social media person, AS1 Chris Featherstone, taking charge to highlight these changes and what is available, we have former international and GB champions, European cup competitors and event winners such as Cpl Andrew Melbourne, AS1 Tommy Mercer and Sgt Pete Sutherland, who are now passing on their expertise through coaching.

“All of us are working alongside our director of coaching WO Fred Harris, one of the sport’s shining lights, and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Such is the set-up now, Hart

Warm-up games hit by downpours but squad still on track

firmly believes a newcomer to the festival will be able to hold their own in the Inter-Services in July at RAF Cosford.

“We have the coaching and we will teach people from beginner up. There is also a terrific social side to things and that complete aspect has been key to our success

It's game on for BFBS esports

EVERYTHING ESPORTS is not only back in the game but riding the airwaves of BFBS as OJ Borg’s Esports Live radio show makes a return.

Following the success of series one, the 30-minute show has returned at 6:30pm on BFBS Radio dedicated to the Forces’ favourite esports games and online communities.

Each week Borg will be joined by gamers from the RAF, Army and Royal Navy with the latest

news and stories from the world of esports and Forces community gaming leagues, along with upcoming events.

The show will be available on the BFBS Twitch account, BFBS Creative YouTube and BFBS Radio Facebook, and will be available to watch overseas on TV channel BFBS Sport.

For more information on how to watch or listen head to: bfbs. com/esportslive.

in the past, and it will be in the future,” he said.

“Last year the women’s team took the IS, we want to be the Service to beat in the coming years and we are working towards that.” l You can email liam.hart104@ mod.gov.uk or follow RAF Judo on Instagram @rafjudo.

Daniel Abrahams

RAIN MAY have stopped play, but it is not going to stop the RAF SRT football juggernaut heading towards Inter-Services glory next month.

WO Andy Kuchta – the team’s head coach, who guided the side to the 2022 championship with 4-1 and 2-0 wins over the Army and Royal Navy respectively – is happy with where his side and players are, despite waterlogged pitches scuppering their last two warm-up matches.

He said: “We are all good to go, we lost the last couple of warm-up matches due to the weather, one against Wantage Town and the other versus Gedling Miners FC, but I do not think that will have any impact on us, we played a good match against Shifnal Town FC, losing 4-3.

“We got the chance to field some players I wanted to run my eye over and see the depth of the squad. We have lost a couple of old players, Cpl Dave Webb and Sgt Alex Wood stepping down, but it is all about looking at plan b and c. We have to consider all last-minute aspects.

“Operational demands, and the climate of strikes and so on, means we have lads who are on standby, we need to know who the next player we can call on is.”

Kuchta’s relaxed attitude comes

SRT INTERS FIXTURES:

l Royal Navy v RAF SRT, HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth March 15, KO: 7PM

l RAF SRT v Army, Montgomery Waters Meadow, Shrewsbury Town FC, Shrewsbury March 29, KO 7pm.

after a mountain of work behind the scenes already done, while the comradeship across the squad means a lack of playing time is levelled out by simply being together as a unit.

He said: “The players know our philosophy, so now every time we meet, we get stronger as a group, we put in the foundations last year, it’s now tweaking, fine tuning.

“We still have our captain in Cpl Tom Claisse, he is a warrior, he is a leader, and across the group we have a nice blend of experience and youth.

“We strive for the standard we set last year, but we have to be realistic, the Army and Navy will react, fortunately we pipped them last year, but they will have a point to prove.

“They will come as strong as they can, and we have to be stronger. We respect them and it really is the best team wins on the day.”

CUP GLEE: Celebrating last year's IS triumph

GIVE IT A GO: There's room on the mat for beginners as well as more experienced players

IS teams, 2023

Ladies’ Ski

l Fg Off Kirsty Guest, RAF Marham

l AS1 Winks Baxter, High Wycombe

l AS1 Anna Tod, RAF Honington

l AS1 Georgina Davis, RAF Lossiemouth

l Flt Lt Claire Nixon, RAF Odiham

l Cpl Melissa Gaffney, HMS Drake

Men’s Ski

l Plt Off Dan Barton, RAF Honington

l Cpl Barnaby Rudge, RAF Brize Norton

l AS1(T) Ricky Santamaria, RAF Honington

l Fg Off Isaac Fields, RAF Wyton

l Flt Lt Ross Lucie-Smith, RAF Valley

l Sgt Gary Smith, RAF Halton

l Flt Lt Jack Jardine, RAF Benson

l AS1(T) Mark Albion, RAF Wittering

l AS1(T) Patrick Summers, RAF Brize Norton

Men’s Snowboard

l Flt Lt Patrick Morris (Captain), RAF Lossiemouth

l Cpl Sean Davy, RAF Benson

l Cpl Adam Woolley, RAF Benson

l Cpl Sam Brown, RAF Marham

l Sgt Martin Boon, RAF Brize Norton

l Flt Lt Charlie Hatch, RAF Benson

l Fg Off Chris Harrington, RAF Cranwell

l AS1(T) James Richardson, RAF Waddington

l Cpl Alec Sladen, RAF Wyton

l Flt Lt Luke Shaw, RAF Valley

Ladies' Snowboard

l Sgt Hannah Pringle (Captain), RAF Brize Norton

l A/Sgt Bryany Lowe, RAF Cranwell

l Cpl Nat Fields, RAF Honington

l Cpl Jasmine Furber, RAF Wittering

l Sqn Ldr Nessa Fields, RAF Benson

l Flt Lt Tori Boyle, RAF Brize Norton

Men’s Telemark

Challenge accepted

Daniel Abrahams

A BUMPER Exercise Alpine

Challenge 2023 was roundly celebrated with the Service now focused on IS glory in France.

The first full RAF ski, snowboard and telemark championship for three years was welcomed by RAFWSAA Chair, Gp Capt Martin Cunningham. He said: “It was a huge success with record numbers of athletes. I am looking forward to seeing us compete and win at the Inter-Service Championships in March.”

The ski team and development squad returned to SaalbachHinterglemm

Now bring on Inters

with a bang, putting on an exciting display of courage, grit and determination. Debutant

Fg Off Dan Barton took the piste by storm with wins across all disciplines to become RAF Champion.

He was closely followed by team captain Cpl Barney Rudge, second in all disciplines; while Fg Off Isaac Fields, Flt Lt Si Cook and Fg Off Jack Jardine won their first podium places.

On the ladies’ side, team captain Cpl Rachel Hughes was injured after crashing in the slalom (SL)

and could miss out on the InterServices, while Fg Off Kirsty Guest scooped a clean sweep in all races, with podium places for AS1 Georgina Davis, AS1 Anna Tod and Fg Off Ellie Brewer.

Snowboard chairman Wg Cdr Nicola Duncan said: “It was fabulous to be back as a 22-rider snowboarding team. All riders enjoyed a great championship with every one of them putting down respectable and encouraging performances.

“Team selection was tough due to significant progression in all

riders, and while a challenge it is a great place to be in.”

It was a week of close-run events with podium positions for debutants AS1(T) James Richardson (SBX) and Cpl Alec Sladen (GS), with debutant Fg Off Chris Harrington grabbing a silver medal in the slopestyle. Cpl Nat Fields won the overall ladies’ title, coming first in the PGS and Slopestyle, while Cpl Jasmine Furber took the SBX.

In the telemark there were top spots for Wg Cdr Adam Shave (GS) and Flt Lt Sarah Shave, women’s GS, and sprint GS. Telemark captain Wg Cdr Jono Young, who secured a top

l Wg Cdr Jono Young, RAF Halton (Capt)

l Wg Cdr Adam Shave, RAF Benson

l Sqn Ldr Findlay Farthing, High Wycombe (1st timer)

l Flt Lt Rich Pike, RAF Brize Norton

l Flt Lt Ben Tawney, RAF Cranwell

l Cpl Cameron Howie, RAF Odiham (1st timer)

l Cpl Steve Fryer, RAF Leeming

Women’s Telemark

l Sqn Ldr Clare Thomas, Shrivenham (Capt)

l Flt Lt Sarah Shave, RAF Benson

l Flt Lt Louise Tagg, RAF Odiham

l Flt Lt Emma Tadman, RAF Odiham

spot in Sprint GS, said: “We have continued to build from previous years and while this year’s Alpine Championships included a number of new competitors and developing athletes making selection for the Inter-Services as competitive as it has ever been, we are now established as a credible team at the Inter-Services.”

of the best of RAF Sport action

HITTING THE SLOPES: RAF personnel on Alpine Challenge

Win tickets to classic opera Aida

THE AWARD-WINNING

producer Ellen Kent returns to Wycombe Swan with Aida this spring, performed by the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, on February 22.

The show is part of a tour of Ellen Kent opera productions which also includes Madama Butterfly and La Boheme and features celebrated international soloists sopranos Elena Dee, Olga Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova, the international soprano Natalia Matveeva, the Romanian international tenor Sorin Lupu and Vitalii Liskovetskiy from the Ukrainian National Opera.

This tragic story of war, jealousy and revenge at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames, is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well-known arias Celeste Aida, Ritorna Vincitor and the classic Triumphal March

Ellen Kent said: “I have produced and directed many Aidas over the years and it still remains the biggest challenge a producer can face. My vision of Aida matches Verdi’s vision and I try to give Aida the grandeur which Verdi achieved in the first production in Egypt when he was commissioned to write an opera for the opening of the Suez Canal and premiered in Cairo in 1871.”

We have a pair of tickets to see Aida at the Wycombe Swan on February 22. For your chance to win them, tell us:

Who wrote the opera Aida?

Email your answer, marked Aida competition, to: tracey. allen@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by February 17. l Go to: ellenkent.com for full tour details.

Film Review

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (18)

In cinemas now

No gain without P.A.I.N.

REVERED PHOTOGRAPHER and artist Nan Goldin reflects on the events that shaped her craft and character, all the while fighting one of the most powerful families in America, in this challenging and poignant documentary.

Goldin is funny and unflinching, able to revisit trauma by tackling it head-on. She delves into the loss of her sister at a young age, the ravaging effect of Aids on the queer subculture she was a part of in 70s New York, the political indifference that they faced as a result, and their reaction: to band together and speak truth to power.

The group that Goldin fell into in this social scene was comprised of artists, activists and outcasts – people who seemed to possess a knack for self-expression and a sense of humour. It was here that her artistic sensibilities were nurtured, turning the camera on a life largely unseen, laid bare and beautiful. We see part of the slideshows that she would show to crowds, the ever-changing series The Ballad of Sexual Dependency. In the documentary, we learn of her experiences with men and women, of domestic abuse, and sex work.

The scar that runs along the

Artist takes on pharma kings of U.S.

film however is Goldin’s own history with pain medication, namely OxyContin. Having battled addiction from this over-thecounter drug, and witnessed its destructive power, Goldin formed the group P.A.I.N. (Prescription

Film Review

More Than Ever (15)

In cinemas now

Mortality under the spotlight

HÉLÈNE (VICKY Krieps) has been diagnosed with a degenerative lung condition with little hope for recovery. Confronted by her own mortality, she must decide how she wants to live out her life, and how to factor in her partner Mathieu (the late Gaspard Ulliel).

At a dinner party Hélène is treated with cautious concern, friends not knowing how to approach, or even talk around her. Aware of this disruption, she is desperate for an escape – even the insistent support she receives from Mathieu is suffocating. Krieps is convincing as someone experiencing a crisis, by turns angry and confused, with no clear sense of what she wants, whilst Ulliel’s tragic death last year draws out a poignancy in the way his character desperately wants his

Addiction Intervention Now) in 2017 with a group of like-minded people.

Using her position in the art world to target the Sacklers – the family and pharmaceutical empire often blamed for the opioid crisis in the United States – who have historically had their names in art galleries around the world. Here we see P.A.I.N as they infiltrate museums with elaborate signs and props, an artistic installation

of sorts, that carries an important message, honouring the hundreds of thousands who have died in this epidemic.

Many of these reputable art houses would love to have the work of Goldin, but they get a little more than they bargained for.

The film has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary Feature Film category. 4 out of 5 roundels

Review by Sam Cooney

partner to survive, placing all hope in the possibility of a risky lung transplant.

Searching the internet for some way to make sense of her situation, Hélène comes across a blog that resonates. Unlike many others, which feature inspirational slogans about bravery, she is drawn to the posts by ‘Mister’ for their simplicity: featuring photographs with only a title. Deciding to reach out to this person, Hélène finds herself

on a journey to Norway to stay with Mister and get ‘distance from everything’, including Mathieu.

Although the location is somewhat of a paradise, there is no sudden gratification. Mister (Bjørn Floberg) is not particularly warm, and the fishing cabin he has offered, though placed on the edge of a majestic fjord, has an uncomfortable bed and no blackout curtains to keep out the persistent light.

Much like Mister’s online posts compared to the quasi-spiritual blogs, More Than Ever avoids glossing over the hardship and takes a realist stance on coping with death.

There are interesting choices in the sometimes abstract cinematography, though the tone remains pretty stark as it falls away to focus on difficult conversations. 3 out of 5 roundels

Review by Sam Cooney

RIVALS: Radames' betrothed Amneris and servant Aida

AIDA: Beautiful Ethiophian slave girl

PROTEST: Goldin and others protest against the Sackler pharmaceutical empire in the States

GOLDIN: Part of 70s New York subculture

Oscar nominated

CLOSE: Hélène and Mathieu

End of the reign Queen of the Midlands

The story of Crossroads legend

HELENA BONHAM CARTER stars as ‘legend in her own lifetime’ Noele Gordon in the ITVX series Nolly, from the award-winning team behind It’s A Sin.

Written by Russell T Davies, the drama explores the all-powerful reign, and fall from grace, of the inimitable Gordon – television legend and queen of the Midlands.

Fifty years of Rocky Horror

THIS YEAR marks the 50th anniversary of the smash hit musical The Rocky Horror Show, as it continues to play a newlyextended tour through 2023.

Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ’n’ roll musical celebrates half a century of non-stop partying with a special anniversary production. Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre, it has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.

O’Brien said: “Back in the 1970s when someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and I turned up with a song called Science Fiction Double Feature, who would have known this was the germ of the idea to turn into today what is The Rocky Horror Show?

“To be celebrating 50 years is beyond my wildest expectations.

“The fact that the show continues to delight audiences as it tours the UK is simply thrilling. It is one of Britain’s most performed and beloved musicals of all time.”

As part of the celebrations actor, presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Ore Oduba is to don his fishnets once again as he returns to the role of

Brad Majors for a six-week run between May 3 and June 10 at the Peacock Theatre, London.

He said: “I can’t wait to reunite with my Rocky family. There is just nothing quite like the Rocky Horror Show. I had the most incredible time touring the country last year, so to slip on the heels and zip up my corset again on the 50th anniversary of this iconic show will be so special.”

West End star Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys/Legally Blonde) continues in the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter and actor Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) plays The Narrator.

The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When, by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank-n-Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity.

The show famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed up in the most outrageous fancy dress. l Go to: RockyHorror.co.uk for full tour details.

As flame-haired widow Meg Richardson in the long-running soap opera Crossroads, which started in 1964, Gordon was one of the most famous people in Britain. Then in 1981, at the height of the show’s success and the peak of Nolly’s fame, she was axed without ceremony, without warning and with no explanation. With the boss’s words “all good things must come to an end” ringing in her ears, Gordon found herself thrown out of the show that was her life for more than 18 years.

Bonham Carter (A Room With A View, Fight Club, The Crown) has a rich history of portraying reallife formidable women, including Enid Blyton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Margaret.

The BAFTA-winning actor said: “She was the lead actress in Crossroads when she was abruptly, and without warning, sacked very brutally and suddenly, and people never really knew why and nor did she. Russell thought she was treated appallingly and wanted to bring her back into people’s minds and give her the send-off she deserved.”

Bonham Carter revealed that she did extensive research into Gordon to prepare for the role.

“I’ve got files and files on the woman! She was fantastically multifaceted. She wasn’t easy, she didn’t suffer fools, so I can see she might have put people’s backs up. I spent a long time, as I tend to with every part, unearthing, excavating and going in search

of her. Mostly because I’m terrified that I won’t get it right. I read her autobiography, which is a hilarious read. I spoke to all her friends, who were incredibly generous and that was very telling, because they really loved her.

“I’m a total Noele Gordon nerd. If I did Mastermind I’d do Noele Gordon as my specialist subject, whereas this time last year I would barely have known who she was.”

Bonham Carter added:

“What I also loved about Nolly, which we have in common, is that we both love

DRESSED TO THRILL: Rocky Horror Show cast, with Ore Oduba, far right

TV QUEEN: Bonham Carter as Crossroads star Noele Gordon

STAR PAL: Gatiss as Larry Grayson

of the Midlands

legend Noele Gordon

Stephen Sondheim had just died when I was beginning to prep for the show, and I just thought what great confluence it was that I could sing him again via Noele with Gypsy… I met him when I had the honour to do a film of Sweeney Todd all those years ago – a highlight of my own life.”

The TV drama is set almost 40 years ago but Bonham Carter thinks younger viewers can still enjoy it, even though they might not be familiar

HOT STUFF

with Gordon and Crossroads. She said: “It’s still about lots of things that happen now. It’s a story of betrayal. You don’t need to have been familiar with the show for it to resonate with you thematically. I think for the older audiences, they’ll love to be reminded of these characters that they had huge affection for and hopefully watching it will create a nostalgic bubble of happy in them.”

The series also stars Mark Gatiss (Dr Who, Game of Thrones) as Gordon’s close friend Larry Grayson.

Gatiss said: “To me, the most powerful thing about it is that it’s the story of a queen losing her crown. I don’t think you actually need to know the detail of Crossroads to get the pathos of it, really. And I think that’s the great joy of Russell’s script. It’s very moving and very funny.

“I loved him [Grayson] when I was younger, particularly from The Generation Game, and it was a real privilege to do this role.

“There’s very little to his act really, he’s just sort of filthy and looks down the camera slightly down his nose. But he had an amazing quality to communicate with people, and everyone loved him.

“He had this extraordinary overnight success after 35 years of hard work, had 10 years at the absolute top, and then it just stopped. And that was it. It was a real joy to reacquaint myself with him.”

l Nolly is on the ITVX streaming service. Go to: itv.com for more information.

STRICTLY COME Dancing stars Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are back to set the stage alight with their sizzling routines in a new version of their hit show Firedance

The couple will be turning up the heat when their tour starts at Peterborough’s New Theatre on February 23, culminating on April 1 at Sheffield City Hall.

The show, soundtracked by a live band, will feature routines inspired by the timeless movie blockbusters Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Carmen and West Side Story

Karen said: “I am so excited to be reuniting with Gorka to bring you Firedance: Reignite in 2023. Creating and performing this incredible show has been a career highlight and we are taking things to another level with original dances, new music and a lot more fire.”

Competition Sign Here for Sacrifice

ospreypublishing.com

Born in Venezuela and having grown up in New York from the age of 10, she is the longest-serving professional dancer on the BBC’s Strictly, since 2012. Gorka said: “Karen and I are so excited to dance up a storm for you in 2023. Expect favourite moments and lots of new songs, dance, heat, fire and passion.”

Gorka’s flair for dancing started from a very young age. Originally from Bilbao, Spain, aged 11 he attended Ballroom and Latin dance classes, where he quickly excelled and became one of the top dancers representing Spain, performing across the globe. Best known for his appearances on Strictly, he reached the final of the 2020 season with EastEnders actress Maisie Smith.

l Go to: firedancelive.co.uk for further details.

Win!

The men of the 506th Airborne

IAN GARDNER’S latest book is described as ‘a hard-hitting history of a US airborne unit who made a name for themselves in the unforgiving jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam.’

In Sign Here for Sacrifice, The Untold Story of the Third Battalion, 506th Airborne, Vietnam 1968 (ospreypublishing. com), the author reveals how the 800-strong Third Battalion of the 506th Airborne was imbued with the same legendary ‘Currahee’ spirit that had defined the volunteers of World War II. Through many interviews

and rare personal photographs, Sign Here for Sacrifice shows the action, leadership, humour and bravery displayed by these airborne warriors in near impossible circumstances.

Gardner served for five years in Support Company, 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. After a visit to Normandy in 2000 he decided to focus on the Third Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which led to the critically-acclaimed trilogy Tonight We Die As Men, Deliver Us

From Darkness and No Victory in Valhalla. He is also the author of Airborne: The Combat Story of Ed Shames of Easy Company

We have copies of Sign Here for Sacrifice to win. For your chance to own one, answer this question correctly:

In which battalion of the Parachute Regiment did Ian Gardner serve?

Email your answer, marked Sign Here for Sacrifice competition, to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by February 24. Don’t forget to include your postal address with all competition entries.

DRAMA QUEEN: The real Noele Gordon

ALL THE MOVES: Karen and Gorka

Death

Your Announcements

You can email photos for announcements on this page to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk

TAYLOR John Sqn Ldr passed away peacefully at home on January 24. Formerly of 2375 Neston ATC and Wing Staff Officer Merseyside Wing

Seeking

WERE you stationed at RAF High Wycombe? The station’s Media and Communications Officer, Laurence Parker, is looking for personnel based there, from 1940 to the present, who may have old photographs of the station (if the person is in them, that’s not a problem, says Laurence).

He is aiming to compile a history of RAF High Wycombe through the ages, and possibly use some in a social media campaign. He would also like to hear from people who have recollections of RAF High Wycombe when they were stationed there.

Please email him at: laurence. parker140@mod.gov.uk or write to: Laurence Parker –MCO, RAF High Wycombe SHQ, Walters Ash, High Wycombe. Bucks, HP14 4UE if you can help.

LOOKING for any members of the 47th entry TG19 Hereford 62-64. Any still about? Please contact Jim Cummins via email on: Carol_cummins@aol.com or call: 01302 532865, 07517 416702.

Reunions

223 Entry, 50 years since graduation reunion. To be held at Mount Pleasant Hotel, Great North Road, Doncaster, DN11 0HW June 15-17. All details can be found on our entry website at: http://223halton.hosting. idnet.net/reunion_2023.htm

RAF CHANGI – did you

How to use our service

serve there between 1946 -72? The RAF Changi Association (inc. HQFEAF) would like to hear from you and a warm welcome awaits you. Membership is open to all ranks, ex RAF/WRAF/ WAAF also including civilian personnel who served there. Why not join us for our 25th Annual Reunion and AGM which has been booked for the weekend of May 12-14 at the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Warwick, CV34 6RE? Please contact our Membership Secretary, Malcolm Flack, on: 01494 728562 or email: memsecchangi@outlook. com or please visit the website: www.rafchangi.com for more details.

THE 60th anniversary reunion of the 49th Entry 2 Sqn Clerks Boy Entrants at RAF Hereford is to be held from May 15-17 at Thoresby Hall, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire. If you are interested in attending please contact Dave Beaumont on: 07538651712 or email: beaumont.d@sky. com or Bob Cuss, email: rbc324@john-lewis.com for more information.

RAF Bawdsey Reunion Association. Did you ever serve at RAF Bawdsey? If so, why not join us at our next annual reunion which will take place at Bawdsey Manor on June 3. For details please contact Doreen at: doreen. bawdseyreunion@btinternet. com or phone: 07513 301723.

Associations

RAF Armourers past and present. Do you know that the Royal Air Forces Association has an Armourers Branch?

The aim of the Branch is to provide welfare support and comradeship for all who have served or currently serve as an RAF Armourer.

Please see website: rafaarmourers.co.uk or contact the committee via

plumbersrest@outlook.com for more information.

IF you trained as an RAF Administrative Apprentice (or are related to one) we would be delighted to welcome you to the RAFAA Association. Please see the website: rafadappassn.org; or contact the Membership Secretary on: 07866 085834 or the Chairman on: 01933 443673.

RAF Catering WOs’ and Seniors’ Association (RAF CWO & SA): all serving or retired TG19 Warrant Officers or Flight Sergeants and all former Catering Branch Officers are invited to join the RAF CWO & SA. We meet twice yearly. For more information please email: davescott10@hotmail.co.uk

For sale

SGTS’ Mess Dress Kit for sale, Size 36 Regular. Suit and tie and cummerbund, £100. Please call Thornton Cleveleys: 01253 854909 or: 07544 338869.

Welbeck DSFC

THE Defence Academy is trying to reach students who attended Welbeck DSFC between 2005 and 2019 but who left without joining Defence. Their parents or guardians who incurred the Default Event Recovery charge may have been overcharged and due a refund. Email enquiries to the Defence Academy on: DEFAC-DTOEES-HQ@ mod.gov.uk

Tim pushes on for charity

A RETIRED Major General is on the final push of a gruelling 12-month challenge to raise money for veterans’ charity Royal Star & Garter.

Maj Gen Tim Tyler, the charity’s chair, set himself the goal of covering 1,000 miles in one year, but after passing his target is now hoping to push on past 1,100 miles.

The 69-year-old was inspired by the work of staff in the charity’s three Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.

“I’ve done this because we ask all our staff to go that little bit extra for our residents. This is my bit extra, to try to get on the exercise machine as often as I can and raise some money,” he said.

Since starting his challenge last February, he has passed his initial goal: “My original target was 1,000 miles, but I’ve passed that milestone already, so I’m shifting that target to see how far I can go past 1,100 miles.

“I’m averaging 8.3mph, which is above my target of 8mph. I’ve not been able to get on the machine as often as I had expected – I thought I would be able to do about 250 sessions, but it will be nearer 200 as a result of work, leave, family commitments and a bout of Covid.

“So I’ve had to do longer sessions than planned –

mostly about six miles – which takes about 43 minutes. But I can honestly say that I have not struggled with motivation.”

Go to: justgiving.com/ fundraising/tims1000 to sponsor him. Go to starandgarter.org for more information about the charity.

Time for a new watch?

ARMED FORCES charity SSAFA has partnered with UK-based wristwatch manufacturer Toff London to produce an exclusive, hand-built, made-to-order watch for the UK’s oldest Tri-Service military charity.

The dressier style, priced £89.99, has a 38mm-diameter, highly polished metal case with a smart black leather strap. There is also a heftier design with a 42mm-wide case and unidirectional rotating bezel.

There is no charge for conventionally-worded birth, engagement, marriage, anniversary, death,in memoriam seeking and reunion notices. For commercial small ads contact Edwin Rodrigues on: 07482 571535. We cannot, under any circumstances, take announcements over the telephone. They can be sent by email to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic we are currently unable to accept notices submitted by post.

Important Notice

The publishers of RAF News cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this publication.

Reasonable precautions are taken before advertisements are accepted but such acceptance does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements (or other inserted material) are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publishers, who reserve the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to them at their absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements their true surname or full company name, together with an address from which the business is managed.

SSAFA says all the profits from sales of the watch go to supporting the charity’s work. The SSAFA Toff London watch is available in two designs and both feature the charity’s tri-colour – representing the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army – and branding on the face.

It can be bought with a black or brown leather strap to accompany either a plain or gold-coloured polished case (65g), or an all-metal design with a stainless-steel strap (105g).

Go to: ssafastore.org.uk/categories/ watches for more details.

Squadron marks landmark anniversary

2620 SQUADRON (County of Norfolk)

RAF Regiment marks 40 years since its formation and 20 years since its deployment on Op Telic.

The Squadron intends to hold an event at RAF Marham in the form of a family day and evening function, and a visit to the RAF Regiment Heritage

Centre is also planned. The event will be held at 2620 Sqn on March 31. If you wish to attend, please email the ProjO: philip.lister513@mod.gov.uk

This is unique for 2620 Sqn and for all other personnel who have served with or alongside the Squadron in the UK and on operations all over the world.

PASSING OUT PARADE: Welbeck DSFC

MODERN MAJOR GENERAL: RS&G's chair Maj Gen Tim Tyler; inset, getting on his exercise machine for the charity

STYLISH: The SSAFA/ Toff London wristwatch

Your Announcements

You can email photos for announcements on this page to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk

Museum marks 50 years

Museu

THIS YEAR Newark Air Museum celebrates five decades of being officially open to the public and a two-day 50th anniversary gala and aeroboot/ aerojumble will be hosted at the museum in commemoration.

Comman ficerOffi ff former fo omm er C omb p B rou 5 G atthetimeofthefam DambustersRaid.He th e ga h o t d t introduce hemuse y t enthusiastsb ir t, A thenPresiden ” DavidBonham-Carter

, id B kesman.amuseumspoke

m in ening AVVM the ding mand ous was ered s ’ eum Cdre ”said s can

“The original opening ceremony was led by AVM Sir Ralph Cochrane, the former Officer Commanding 5 Group Bomber Command at the time of the famous Dambusters Raid. He was introduced to the gathered enthusiasts by the museum’s then President, Air Cdre David Bonham-Carter,” said a museum spokesman.

Kids can get creative with colour

Headded:“Sincet humble ftondishtaircraft t eig jus themuseumhasdevel a s l ’ e UK h f t e o n o o int volunteer-managedavi which ir d 100 a roun ys a a display kpitsectionsandcockp avia av of y histor the across u e c h f t l o “Severa

id s with y, ay,play loped rgest ation now ft rcraft from fr tion. urrent

He added: “Since those humble beginnings, with just eight aircraft on display, the museum has developed into one of the UK’s largest volunteer-managed aviation collections, which now displays around 100 aircraft and cockpit sections from across the history of aviation.

“Several of the current exhibits are unique to UK aviation museums.

“Various displays will

u e m h w t o e h illustrat hasdevelopedacross ndmemb s, a ear 50 y en c p s o ’ useum e m th teamwillbeonhandt visitorstheopportun ircra ur a side o k in loo smalladditionalcharg ftaccadeforaircraft fo bem e 24-25 un m J Fro

seum those ersof ve ive o g t o y t nit t – a f aft ewill ” cess. he 5 t

illustrate how the museum has developed across those 50 years, and members of the museum’s open cockpit team will be on hand to give visitors the opportunity to look inside our aircraft – a small additional charge will be made for aircraft access.”

UK will museumstagesitsa kpit-Fest–ruCockp ear n 20 y ye tha ore r m fo

From June 24-25 the museum stages its annual Cockpit-Fest – running for more than 20 years this

annual unning his s t

isito ws v allo event etu o g y t opportunit ersonalwithitem d p an f a y o stor e hi h s t acros efortheirfa fo andvot

FAMILIESCANd FA possibilitieswithar

event allows visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with items from across the history of aviation and vote for their favourite exhibit.

r ae utdoo n o A aerojumbleeventw kpit-Feockp gside C alon t across fr

rs lose p c u sfrom fr m aviation avourite av roboot/ willrun estwith he

ectedtoattendexp newarkairm to: Go etail r d the r fur o rg f fo o useum. ls.

An outdoor aeroboot/ aerojumble event will run alongside Cockpit-Fest with sellers from across the UK expected to attend. Go to: newarkairmuseum. org for further details.

FAMILIES CAN discover a palette of possibilities with a range of colour-themed activities at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire, during half-term from February 11-26.

Bri he t t a activities wicksh ar n, W Wa Gaydo ay y 11-26 fromFebruar fr ak n t a en c Childr museumwiththeCo ful'ArtBot',acolourfu ur a o n t ollectio e C th ofColourshowswith fessorrofe ts, P scientis

aletteof er a p discov rangeofcolour-themed at useum r M Moto tish alf-term g h urin , d hire 6. he h t hroug l t trol e a s ke uild , b rTrail Tr lourCreato olourin y C mil y fa enjo nj cience t in S ar e p ak d t an hthemuseum’sresident kleandDoctorrPickl

Children can take a stroll through the museum with the Colour Creator Trail, build a colourful 'ArtBot', enjoy a family Colour in the Collection tour and take part in Science of Colour shows with the museum’s resident scientists, Professor Pickle and Doctor Pumpkin.

Kidscanbuild u g a c sin , u y ay, y d ever n ts, a eigh t w ferendiffe ff

Kids can build an ingenious 'ArtBot' every day, using a cup, tape, paper and pens, different weights, and battery motor. They

can thei T tim with You Yo the colo late E Lea han

can then watch the completed ArtBot weave their own unique artwork as it moves.

The Science of Colour Show runs four times a day from February 13-17 and 20-24 with Professor Pickle and Doctor Pumpkin. Youngsters can help the scientists explore the fascinating secrets behind the science of colour and decide what colour to paint their latest great invention.

nthenwatchthecompletedArt ueartworkasitmo n uniq irow how ur S olo f C ce o cien e S Th y romFebruar y f fr ada es kleandDoctor l fessorPichProfe cientis e s h p t el n h a s c ungster ecretsbehindthe g s fascinatin ouranddecidewhatcolourto vention. t innv rea t g s s ’ museum the Rawlinson, Emma s ’There “ said: icer, r, f Offi ff rning o y f fo jo o ennj ies t tivit un ac n f fu ds-o

rtBot' s 'A aningeniou ens, d p aperan , p ape , t p ey . Th otor y m atter d b ofa mo

Emma Rawlinson, the museum’s Life Long Learning Officer, said: “There’s plenty of hands-on fun activities to enjoy for children of all ages.”

Go to: britishmotormuseum.co.uk for more information.

tBotweave ves. our s f fo run 20-24 and lore ts exp scienceof painttheir ife fe L of hildren r c to ueuniq are exhibits aviationmuseums. ayssplay s di Variou“Va

y ”allages. britishmotormuseum Goto: ormation. e inffo r kfor fo .co.u

100 aircraft and

HALF–TERM FUN: science combine at the British Motor Museum's family events

Across

6.See 3 Down

Prize Crossword No. 332

Solve the crossword, then rearrange the seven letters in yellow squares to find an RAF term

7. It can be hooded swan outside Rhodesia (5)

9. Blue alphabet we hear you recognise to start with (5)

10. Learner provided member of aristocracy and it was all systems go (4-3)

12. Oily, patchy coins produced (11)

14.See 3 Down

18. Defence Secretary and Scottish hero? (7)

19. Bird well under par (5)

21. Faculty heads find Quayle’s embraced euro (5)

22. She provides food for feline at end of November and December (7)

Down

1.And 4 Down. At zoo, British Rail intern changes station (5,6)

2. A very feminine glint leads to engagement (6)

3.And 6 Across, 14 Across. High-flying directors? (3,7,11)

4.See 1 Down

5. Mythical chopper? (7)

8. Nocturnal sounds of Austen hero (7)

11. Country room wrecked around company (7)

13.See 20 Down

15. Bent story from New Testament (6)

16. When he’s grim, death is inevitable (6)

17. Fast-moving planes? (5)

20.And 13 Down. Maybe Ray forgave Vespina (3,7)

Name

Address............................................................................................................... RAF

The winners of our Prize Crossword and Prize Su Doku puzzles will receive a recent top aviation title – please send your entries to the address printed in the adjacent Su Doku panel, to arrive by February 24. Prize Crossword No. 330 winner is: E James, Oxon.

Prize Su Doku No. 342

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9.

Solutions should be sent in a sealed envelope marked 'Su Doku' with the number in the top left-hand corner to RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4UE, to arrive by February 24.

The winner of Su Doku No: 340 is: K McCarthy, London.

Film Review

Corsage (15)

Out now

Sissi longs to fly her gilded cage

VICKY KRIEPS is

WILLY

Gareth Snook leads the cast as the eccentric confectionary wizard

Wonka hit tours UK

THE UK tour of the West End and Broadway smash hit, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, has just opened at Milton Keynes Theatre, running until March 5.

The tour then moves on to Aberdeen and continues around the country, finishing at the Liverpool Empire from November 8-26.

As Dahl fans will know, it’s the tale of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard Willy Wonka. Gareth Snook stars as Wonka and different young actors play Charlie at various venues.

The show features memorable songs from the iconic 1970s film including The Candy Man,

Pure Imagination and I’ve Got a Golden Ticket as well as a host of new numbers by the multi awardwinning composer and lyricist of Hairspray and Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

When Charlie and four other children win a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets they’ve always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible and edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

l Go to: charlieandthechocolate factory.co.uk for tour and ticket details.

captivating as Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the mainly German language film Corsage from director Marie Kreutzer (The Ground Beneath My Feet) that’s a fictionalised account of the woman known as ‘Sissi’, wife of emperor Franz Joseph (Florian Teichmaster), who was idolised for her beauty but struggled to live a purposeful life.

Luxembourgish actress Krieps (Phantom Thread) is perfectly cast as the accomplished but restricted woman, who, superficially, seems to have everything she wants – wealth, luxury, two children, beloved dogs and horses – but is frustrated and bored by the limits put upon a woman of her status and era.

As she states: “You would feel the same if your only duty was having your hair braided.”

Celebrating her 40th birthday, in 1877, she fights to keep up her public image, and has her corsets laced ever-tighter to maintain an 18-inch waist.

The film covers a year following her significant birthday as she visits

England and Bavaria, goes to see former lovers and friends and meets French artist and inventor Louise Le Prince (Finnegan Oldfield) who introduces her to the “technique of moving pictures.”

But she’s forever restless, and, trapped in a loveless marriage, doesn’t receive the particular attention she desires from her cousin, Ludwig of Bavaria (Manuel Rubey).

As with Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Corsage includes

intriguing historical inaccuracies – a harpist playing The Rolling Stones’ As Tears Go By and Sissi and Ludwig slowly dancing to Kris Kristofferson’s Help Me Make it Through the Night

Krieps delivers a compelling portrayal of a woman who you can’t help but sympathise with – despite her penchant for self-obsession –that promises much for the future. 4 out of 5 roundels

Review by Tracey Allen

Solution to Su Doku No: 341

Gnat 11. Astonished 13. Hysteria 16. My Foot! 17. Firsts 18. Ache 20. Rare RAF term – Veterans

WONKA:

BORED BEAUTY: Sissi, as played by Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps