RAF News Edition 1543, 9 Sept 2022

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QATAR HAS received its first four Typhoons under a £6 billion deal between Britain and the Middle Eastern state in time to provide critical security support for the football World Cup. The aircraft flew from Britain under a contract for the acquisition of a total of 24 jets and a six-year support service signed between the oil-rich Arab country and BAE Systems in December 2017.

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Chinooks return after NATO Baltic mission

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P2 2005Battle of Britain memorial 6171943 Sqn raid This Week In History1983Beirutmission SIX BUCCANEERS from 12 and 208 Sqn arrive in Akrotiri to support British troops in Beirut while Chinooks provide an air transport link to the city. HRH THE Prince of Wales unveils the Battle of Britain London Memorial, listing the names of 2,936 aircrew who flew during the epic fight for UK skies. Extracts from The Royal Air Force Day By Day by Air Cdre PitchforkGraham(TheHistoryPress) 617 SQN Lancaster bombers drop the first 12,000lb HC bomb during an attack on the Dortmund-Ems canal. Five aircraft are lost. “I love putting on my coloursRAFand can’t wait to team up with the girls again” “I’m setting up a Defence creative associationwriters ” AS1 marathonServicesforlimbersRichardsonChloeuptheInter-half See p31 Physio to fast BradshawLtpilotsjetFltDave See page 17 Flt Lt latestreleasedwhoBennyworth,IwanhasjusthisLordof the Rings fantasyinspirednovel See p13 “I help to keep theirassetsexpensivetrainedhighlyanddoingjob ” RAF News Room Lancaster68 Building HQ Air Command High HP14BuckinghamshireWycombe4UE 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 Tel: 07966 429755 All advertising: Edwin Rodrigues Tel: 07482 571535 Email: rafnews.co.ukedwin.rodrigues@ Subscriptions and distribution: RAF News Subscriptions c/o UnitIntermedia,6eEnterprise Centre, Kelvin Lane, Crawley RH10 9PE Tel: 01293 312191 Email: subscriptionhelpline.co.ukrafnewssubs@

TWO CHINOOKS from RAF Odiham have returned home after supporting the UK-led Nato enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic Region. The heavy-lift helicopters hauled more than 1,600 troops and 13 tonnes of kit during the five-week deployment alongside US, Belgian, French, Finnish, Estonian and Danish military personnel. Chinook crews took part in the recent Vigilant Fox combat drill, working with the UK’s C Company from 2 Rifles during a four-day validation exercise with the Finnish Karelia Brigade and Guard Jaeger Regiment.Detachment Commander Wg Cdr Butler said: “Supporting the UK, US and Finnish during a Nato validation exercise was a great opportunity to hone mixed formation skills and support ground formations. “The unique characteristics of the Chinook came to the fore, utilising its long range and large payload capabilities.”

HEAVY LIFT: UK Chinooks in action in the Baltic. Inset right on board with Finnish and Swedish military personnel

Eurofighter

“The sharing of training and expertise between our respective air forces will ensure both our nations stay at the forefront of defence capability. This joint project underlines how much Britain values its Middle East partnerships.”Qatar’sTyphoon deal is part of a package that includes nine Hawk trainers and training for pilots and ground crew at UK air bases.While the Eurofighter order, one of BAE’s biggest current contracts, is expected to be fulfilled in the next two years, the final three of the nine Qatari Hawks to be operated by 11 Squadron at Leeming are expected to arrive by the end of the month.

by the RAF since World War II. The QEAF is said to have trained sufficient combat-ready aircrew to stand up their own Typhoon detachment once Development Tony Gilchrist said: “We are working in partnership with the Qatar Emiri Air Force to ensure we transfer the skills and knowledge required to support, maintain and upgrade both their Typhoon and Hawk aircraft.” The company has established support facilities at Dukhan air base, from where it expects to provide training and support for years to come. In June a Brize Norton-based Voyager conducted a major air-to-air refuelling mission with the QEAF on Exercise Soaring Falcon, topping up the host nation’s Rafale fastThisjets. was the second such initiative under an agreement between London and Doha to provide an RAF air tanker service through occasional short deployments while Qatar considers establishing its own hat-trick for Cup

THE LATEST trio of fighters arrived earlier this month and will join 1 Wing of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QAEF), which is expected to undertake quick reaction alert duties during the football extravaganza that starts on November 20. The first Eurofighter displaying the Emiri Air Force livery took off from BAE’s Warton base in Lancashire and arrived in Qatar on August 27. It was joined by a Brize Norton-based Voyager tanker flown by a mixed crew from 10 and 101 Sqns over the North Sea before transiting Central Europe, refuelling at regular intervals. At a roll-out ceremony at the company’s Preston hub to mark the first delivery, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described the event

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P3 News

Continued from front page

STRIKING: View from the cockpit

TOP venuesotherStadiumoverflyTyphoonsDEFENDERS:willQatarandWorldCup

Qatar World

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P5 News

MENTAL HEALTH crusader Cpl Hayley Court could be set for a Pride of Britain award after being nominated for her fundraising efforts.

PrideHayley’sbid

The Brize Norton-based 622 Sqn Reservist, who set up the Healing Military Minds charity, has raised more than £40,000 to support Forces fighters suffering with conditions including PTSD and has made it through to the final four of the regionalHayleyawards.recently scooped a Combat Stress award for her work and was also named Oxfordshire Reservist of the Year.She said: “I am truly humbled. I had no idea I had been nominated until ITV phoned me. I thought it was a wind-up.”

GUNNERS EARNED praise from American para rescue specialists after completing a tough training course in the States.

Gunners see red Arizona desert drill tests survival skills

A team of 18 RAF Regiment personnel, supported by two Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and two survival instructors, made up the only UK ground extraction force on the US-led joint personnel recovery exercise Red Flag Rescue. Operating over the vast training areas of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, the Leemingbased 34 Squadron detachment seized a rare opportunity to participate in a major American exercise and compare notes with their USAF counterparts. Flt Lt Thomas Harrison, who led the RAF contingent, said: “As the only non-US exercising personnel, the Gunners impressed their counterparts with their level of tactical skill and learnt new techniques from world-leading US specialists.“Being involved with the full planning cycle for a US-led rescue operation was invaluable, not only for ground forces, but for staff and commanders to better understand the operational planning and liaison functions that are so key to successful personnel recovery missions.” Over three weeks, the Gunners conducted several rescues and trained in high tempo, realistic scenarios and practised advanced first aid. Sqn Ldr David Rayfield, OC 34 Sqn, said: “This was a great opportunity to conduct high tempo, realistic ground extraction training as part of an international team. “The squadron built on predeployment training conducted with 28 Sqn Chinooks on Exercise Kukri Dawn.”

Simon Mander

MORE THAN 200,000 spectators flocked to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to watch a line-up of over 900 performers from across the world.The opening ceremony of the first event since 2019 featured traditional RAF Pipes and Drums, rap and rave performances, a Mexican Day of the Dead sequence and a tribute to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to Bomber Command veteran Norman Gregory, who has died aged 100. Lancaster bomb aimer Norman was among the guests at the 10th anniversary ceremony in London in June of the Bomber Command Memorial, where he spoke about his experiences when the Lancaster he was in was shot down over Dortmund during World War II and he was captured and interrogated. He said: “I was thrown into a prison cell and already the next cells were occupied by my skipper and my navigator and, out of the crew of eight, we were the only survivors.”AVM Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund that looks after the Memorial, said: “All of us at the Fund are sad to learn of Norman’s passing.“We were thrilled to see him at the Bomber Command 10th anniversary event, where he shared his incredible story about being shot down over “OurGermany.thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P7 News

Simon Mander

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FIRE POWER: Luftwaffe Tornado GR4s arrive at Waddington. Inset top, Italian Eurofighters join the UK-based NATO exercise

Luftwaffe Lt Col Stefan Kollner said: “It will be a chance to fly with a selection of the best Weapon Instructors from the participating countries. Sharing our experiences will mutually increase our capabilities.”Bothsets of jets will be supported by a G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft and a Nato E-3A Sentry operated fromTheyWaddington.willbejoined by United States Air Force F-16s normally based in Italy, F-15s and F-35As of Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing and Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters of the USAF 56th (Combat Search and Rescue) Squadron taking part fromTheLeeming.fastjets will be supported by RAF Voyager and an Italian KC-767A conducting air-to-air tanking operations, flying from Brize Norton.

NATO trio on target

FIGHTER PILOTS from three nations will hone their combat skills alongside UK Typhoons in the largest UK-based Nato air combat drill of the year. Italian, German, and American jets will take part in high intensity, large force tactical training under the control of directing staff at Waddington. OC 92 Sqn, Wg Cdr Phillip Abbott, said: “Exercise Cobra Warrior is the most important exercise that the RAF runs in the UK and provides us with the opportunity to work with key Nato allies. “It is only by doing this that our personnel are able to learn and maintain the highly complex skills that are required to conduct operations now and in the future as part of a coalition.”SixItalian Air Force Eurofighters were the first to arrive for the training, followed by six German Air Force Tornados. IAF Maj Marco Setini said: “This is the first time we are participating with such a big component. This is testament to how important Cobra Warrior is to us.”

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OPENING CEREMONY: Members of the High Wycombe Gurkha community gather at the new centre GP CAPT ARNOLD

Colin Preece said: “As the research suggests, veterans often don’t speak to professionals first. “This initiative aims to find a way of opening the conversation with someone they trust and training them to be able to spot the signs. In doing so we may well prevent lives being lost to suicide.”

Laurence Parker High Wycombe HIGH WYCOMBE chief Gp Capt Phil Arnold tucks into some spicy delicacies after opening the new Nepalese Community Heritage Centre.The Bucks station’s unit of Gurkhas and RAF personnel helped raise the funds to refurbish the props store at the Theatre Club and transform it into the new facility for prayer, meditation and community events. The official opening was followed by a celebratory Nepalese lunch.Gurkha Sgt Lal Gurung said: “We had a WhatsApp group to discuss and decide on various issues, then we all came to an agreement. There was no committee. It was definitely a team“Aparteffort.from preserving our culture and passing on our traditions to the next generation, it will be used as a multi-faith room and to mark our festivities.”GpCapt Arnold was presented with a GurkhamadeceremonialkhukuriKothimaratraditional–theknifefamousbytheregiments.

A lot of the time the tattoo appointments become almost therapy and venting sessions.“Having gone through some really tough times during and after my military career, I am able to empathise with my customers –who become friends.

Psycholgist

Tattooists to tackle vets suicide risk

Tracey Allen A STUNNING 3D picture of a 617 Squadron Lancaster – to be sold to raise funds for a commemorative stained glass window for the famous Dambusters Sqn – is to be auctioned by top firm Bonhams. The framed artwork, known as a lenticular, shows the iconic aircraft over Beachy Head and will be auctioned at the Goodwood Revival event in Chichester later this Malcolmmonth.Barber, cochairman of Bonhams, said: “We are delighted to be offering this fantastic, unique work in aid of this most worthy cause.”The picture has been donated by 617 Sqn Ambassador Jim Dooley, lead vocalist of The Dooleys –who notched up 17 million record sales in the late Seventies and early Eighties.Jimand business partner Mark Montgomery run Living Pictures, which produces 3D lenticular wall art from Jim’s photographs, making an image animated. Jim said: “It’s a totally unique item – the aircraft moves across the sky whilst the background stays still.”

Retired Royal Engineer Aaron Baillie retrained as a tattoo artist and now runs his own business dealing with a high percentage of military vets. He added: “I regularly tattoo serving military and veterans.

Eat is on at Nepalese Centre

The memorial window will be placed in Scampton church –RAF Scampton was the home of 617 Squadron, from where they flew their most famous mission, Operation Chastise. This year marks 617 Sqn’s 80th anniversary. Jim added: “Any extra funds raised through the auction will go towards two Guy Gibson flying scholarships for the disadvantaged, which cost £3,500 each, and had to be postponed for the past few years due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

MILITARY CHARITY chiefs are reaching out to tattoo artists and barbers in a bid to help veterans in crisis who may be suicidal. Help for Heroes is to provide free online training for staff at community-based businesses likely to be used by former Forces personnel, to make staff more aware of the risks facing veterans struggling with mental health issues. According to research by the charity, more than 30 per cent of military vets have felt suicidal but are more likely to turn to people they know for help rather than healthBecauseprofessionals.ofthe close bond many veterans develop with their tattooists, H4H is offering the training scheme to tattoo parlours in towns with large veteran populations, including Plymouth, Salisbury, Colchester, Maidstone, Middlesbrough and Chesterfield. The charity will also be targeting hairdressers and barbers along with ForcesHelpfamilies.forHeroes

The framed artwork also features the signatures of eight 617 Sqn veterans – John Bell, George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, Leonard Cheshire, Lawrence ‘Benny’ Goodman, Tony Iveson, Gordon Hawthorn, Ray Grayson and Colin Cole.Jim added: “It was due to be auctioned this summer at the RAF Club in London but unfortunately that couldn’t go ahead due to the rail strikes.”

HAMMER TIME: Jim with the 3-D artwork being auctioned to raise funds for stained glass window

CHART STARS: The Dooleys CRY FOR HELP: Tattooists develop personal relationships with clients which could help to prevent suicides

“I think tattooists are perfectly placed to take this training and learn how to spot signs when someone might be struggling.”

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P9 News

The Goodwood Revival is now sold out but if you’re interested in bidding for the Lancaster lenticular email: fundraiser617@outlook.com or contact Bonhams: bonhams.com for details.

Dambusters auction mission

1 EL Sqn Fuels Team’s Cpl Tracey Robinson said: “It felt very tense, but the team remained calm. “We set up a tactical refuelling facility, as we would on a real operation with live fuel in the tanks. “We had to deal with the casualty and then check for explosive material and damage to ourTacticalequipment.”Medical Wing took over 5131 Bomb Disposal Sqn’s former headquarters and turned it into a working field hospital. At around 800 square metres, and with nearly 30 qualified nurses and medics to run it, the unit was equipped to deal with most emergencies.

Exercise Swift Lion brought all elements of the RAF’s Support Force together to train under combatTheyconditions.included 1 Air Mobility Wing loading and unloading passengers and freight from an Atlas transporter, No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron feeding personnel and 90

The deadline for applications is September 30. For details go support-fundcovenantfund.org.uk/education-to: Simon Mander MEDICS WERE confronted with a simulated missile strike on a fuel dump in a combat drill at Wittering.

Signals Unit engineers deploying their advanced communications hardware.RAFSupport Force deputy commander Gp Capt Nick Huntley said: “Military capability is one thing, capability under pressure is quite another. “The essence of a successful exercise is how our teams respond to the “Ourunexpected.trainingteam put together a realistic scenario to really test our capabilities.”

FORCES FAMILIES could qualify for grants of up to £60,000 to help cover the costs of their children’s education under the latest scheme aimed at easing problems of overseas postings and frequent houseThemoves.offeris open to all full-time regulars and reservists through the Armed Forces Families Fund and follows a similar scheme offering subsidies of up to £3,000 a year to cover the costs of child care for youngsters aged between four and 11. A spokesman said: “Grants are available for projects that reduce the negative impact of mobility and separation on Service children.”

Battlefield blast drill tests medics

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P10 News

School aid for Forces families

The mock incident left a member of 1 Expeditionary Logistics Sqn ‘bleeding’ from a ruptured femoral artery at the Cambridgeshire airbase.

LIFE-SAVERS: Tactical Medical Wing team treat a casualty during Exercise Swift Lion at RAF Wittering PHOTO: AS1 JAKE HOBBS

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P13 News

Lord of the Wings

TOBROUGHTBOOK: Air authorForceFlt andBennyworthLt left, the cover of his latest WraithStormAmazonavailablenovel,on Staff Reporter AIR FORCE analyst Flt Lt Iwan Bennyworth is hoping to take the literary world by storm with his latest fantasy novel, inspired by the works of iconic Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien. The 40-year-old officer has just released his sixth title, Storm -Wraith, on Amazon as the web streaming giant launches its longawaited prequel to the Lord of the Rings series, Rings of Power. He started writing at the age of seven and although he admits he has drawn on his military experience to create his fantasy worlds and characters, he keeps his Forces career and writing separate. In the latest Storm-Wraith instalment protagonist Michael Ryan is a former criminal who seeks redemption for past sins by protecting the innocent and inspiring fear in those who would do Iwanharm.said: “My characters seek to stand up to injustice or against evil powers greater than themselves, but they are never flawless and have their own natural human weaknesses as well as strengths, which I hope makes them relatable to my“Ireaders.don’twrite anything associated with the RAF or Defence, as my work is supposed to be completely escapist.

RING CYCLE: Tolkien’s Bilbo

Vulcan out in the cold

VULCAN XH558 faces an uncertain future following a cash crisis which has left the Cold War bomber searching for a new home. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has confirmed the aircraft will leave its present site at Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2023 after failing to raise sufficient funds to build a hangar for a permanent display. A spokesman said: “Our latest fundraising appeal didn’t bring in the money needed to build a hangar and DSA have confirmed that she can only stay where she is until June 2023.” XH558 was the world’s last flying Vulcan until it was grounded in 2015.

“It’s also been a delight to meet fellow writers in the Armed Forces, including a couple of Army officers who are fantasy writers.” His earlier works are set in the criminal underworld and feature a US military veteran. He produced two self-published whodunnit titles before turning to the fantasy genre. He admits he’s unlikely to clock up the kind of sales achieved by JK Rowling but claims he has notched up thousands of downloads Iwan worked as a TV technician on Dr and Sherlock and signed up as a Reservist commissioningbeforeasaregularin2017.Hesayshecomesupwithstoryideasandcharacterswhenhe’sworkingoutinthegym,drivingor Iwan said: “I don’t write commissioningbeforeasaregularin2017.comesupwithstoryideasandcharacterswhenhe’sworkingoutinthe cooking. He added: “It can actually be quite therapeutic, creating worlds where the good guys can and do triumph, given that’s unfortunately not always the case in real “I’mlife.setting up a Defence creative writers’ association to help other aspiring military authors find their feet and meet like-minded comrades. Imagination, talent and good writing knows no rank.”

GRADUATION: Iwan receives the Sword of Honour from CAS, ACM Sir Mike Wigston

A 30 SQN Atlas crew takes on the famous Mach Loop in Machynlleth during a low-level air drop drill.

‘I

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Will pays RAF debt of

UK COASTGUARDS called in an RAF Poseidon P8 crew to help rescue two rowers after their boat sank during a bid to cross the Atlantic. The duo from the Faroe Islands issued an SOS when they hit trouble 800 miles off the CornishRescuecoast.co-ordinators diverted a merchant vessel to their location and called in an RAF Poseidon P8 crew to help track the stranded rowers adrift in their life raft. It is the first time a Poseidon P8 equipped with sensors and weapon systems for antisubmarine warfare and surveillance has been used for search and rescue in the UK, the CoastguardSpokesmansaid.Rob Priestly added: “We are very grateful to the merchant vessel that stopped its busy schedule to rescue these survivors in very challenging weather conditions, and thankful to our friends at the RAF who provided such good support for this incident.” The RAF crew communicated with the merchant vessel and relayed information back to UK mission controllers to help coordinate the rescue efforts. OC 201 Sqn, Wg Cdr Adam Smolak, said: “This operation showcases the worldleading capability of the Poseidon aircraft and coupled with the highly skilled crews, we were able to bring to bear the capability at short notice and help rescue the rowers.”

P8

SOS: Poseidon crews track stricken rowers adrift in their life raft ahead of rescue by the crew of a merchant vessel called in by UK Coastguard

SUBHUNTER: Poseidon

A 99-YEAR-OLD veteran has finally received her wartime pay –77 years after the end of the conflict. Former WAAF Peggy Terry, who served at Coningsby, was presented with five shillings – worth £10 in today’s money – she never received when she left the RAF in 1945.

The stranded oarsmen are said to be in ‘good spirits’ following their rescue, the Coastguard said.

CASH IN

RESCUE: Merchant transport ship closes in on the rowing crew, 800 miles off the Cornish coast

TORNADO HERO: Pilot John Peters survived Iraq jail after being shot down Gulf War prisoner John on the run In Brief

AS1 Anderson volunteered as an NHS driver during the pandemic. Below, chatting with Air Force veteran Peggy at her care home

l To support John go to: com/fundraising/john-peters13justgiving.

The former Tornado pilot, who was shot down and captured by the Iraqis alongside navigator John Nichol during Desert Storm in 1991, will be bidding to complete the 26-mile course to raise funds for the RAF Association. He said: “Not since World War II has the RAF been so constantly deployed on global operations – and across the generations the need for support is becoming ever more“Overcomplex.the Covid pandemic RAFA has seen a 250 per cent increase in calls from the veteran community alone.”

GULF WAR veteran John Peters has launched a bid to complete the London Marathon – as he turns 60.

PAYDAY:HAND

RAF driver AS1 Will Anderson organised the payment after meeting the WWII veteran at her care home while volunteering as an ambulance driver during the Covid pandemic. Peggy revealed that she was never given her final day’s pay when the two struck up a conversation about her time at the Lincolnshire base during a call-out to her care home in Wales. Will tracked down five wartime shillings which he presented to Peggy this month. He said: “It was lovely to meet Peggy and to hear of her experiences at Coningsby during the war. “It is tremendously important that we remember the service of our veterans, and I was delighted to meet Peggy again to present her with the coins.” Mrs Terry’s daughter, Cathy Jones, added: “Our family is grateful to the RAF and to the Welsh Ambulance Service for the care they provided to our mother. “It is nice to know that the RAF still cares for its veterans and the presentation was a lovely gesture on their behalf.”

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P15 News

WAAFhonourPeggyfinallynetswartimecash

missionrescuejoins

INTEROPERABILITY: RAAF and RAF personnel swap notes

The expanded training comes after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-governing island last month prompted Beijing to beef up military exercises around the territory it claims is part of China.Exercise participants include members of the QUAD – the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue of the USA, Australia, India, and Japan – founded in 2007 to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusiveSignificantly,region. Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea are joining the UK in participating fully in Pitch Black for the first time.

AIR POWER: RAF Typhoons supported by Voyager, right MAIN PHOTO: AS1 Ryan Murray

The first week saw fighter integration training ahead of more complex and collaborative training utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world –Bradshaw Field Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range. Officer Commanding 6 Sqn, Wg Cdr Noel Rees, said: “Exercising at this scale and complexity is simply not possible in Europe.

B

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P16 Feature Exercise Pitch Black 2022

“Exercising at this scale and complexity is simply not possible in Europe –with 50,000 square miles of training area available here” Air Adviser at the British High Commission Canberra, Wg Cdr Tim Brookes, said: “This is an exceptional opportunity to train with our partners and Allies in the Indo-Pacific region and underlines the strong history and shared values the RAF has with the RAAF.”

Voyager Detachment Commander, Sqn Ldr Andy Brown, said: “Enabling the deployment of four Typhoons half-way around the world is a great example of the essential air mobility role Voyager delivers in the projection of RAF air power.” Once the exercise ends the aircraft will return to the UK after a short stopover to train with the Indian Air Force.

“With 50,000 square miles of training area, alongside a variety of different aircraft – with support from air-to-air refuelling tankers and E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft – we are able to test ourselves in scenarios which mirror closely realworld combined air operations.”

RAF personnel Pitch

UK joins forces with 16 other nations to show air power can be deployed at speed anywhere in the world –including the Indo Pacific

RITISH Typhoons and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker are taking part in a major Australian air exercise for the first time. RAF Lossiemouth-based 6 Squadron jets and a Voyager tanker flown by a mixed crew from 10 and 101 Sqns at RAF Brize Norton are making their debut on Exercise PitchThreeBlack. weeks of military manoeuvres will see up to 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from 17 nations train together from the RAAF bases at Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory. Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Phil Robinson, said: “Pitch Black is extremely important to the RAF as it tests the ability to deploy air power at speed to any part of the world, in addition to the valuable training opportunity with key partners and allies. “The UK’s participation in such a significant exercise in the Indo Pacific highlights the importance placed on the region and the opportunity to demonstrate the RAF’s ability to project and deliver combat power in the Indo Pacific.”

The UK Typhoons were refuelled en route to Australia by a Voyager tanker during the 8,600 nauticalmile journey which included overnight stops in Akrotiri in Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, India and Singapore. Throughout the exercise the Voyager will fuel RAF Typhoons and fast jets from other participating nations.

Luckily, environmental health practitioner Sgt Wendy McCleary (above) knows all about the dangers from crocodiles to poisonous box jellyfish, taipan snakes to redback spiders that infest the continent.Shesaid: “My role is primarily advisory, mainly from the heat and catering perspectives, but also from the venomous creatures and insects which can bite you here. “We have snakes, spiders, insects and aquatic animals that can give us disease, so I give advice on measures to help prevent personnel being bitten or stung and potentially transmitting disease.”Afour-strong team from Brize Norton’s 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, led by Reservist GP Wg Cdr Peter Gilbert (top), has moved into the medical centre at RAAF Darwin. Among them is physiotherapist Flt Lt Dave Bradshaw (left, below), who treats musculoskeletal issues suffered by fast jet pilots exposed to punishing G-forces on combat manoeuvres.Hesaid:“We have a real air-minded approach and there aren’t many Armed Forces across the world who have this capability. It’s about keeping highly-trained and expensive assets doing their job.”Meanwhile, paramedic Cpl Liam Nayler (right) is ready for any emergency as a member of the Deployable Aeromedical Response Team Squadron, known as DARTS. He said: “The paramedic role is primarily deployed from providing pre-hospital emergency care covering drop zones, ranges, and exercises in the UK or overseas through to teampartindependentlydisasterhumanitarianprovidingandrelief.“Wecandeployorasofahealthcareasrequired.”

Medics take walk on the Oz wild side

MEDICS have been deployed to Australia to keep 170 RAF personnel on Exercise Pitch Black fighting fit. And one of their jobs is to protect them from some of the top 10 most venomous animals in the world – all of which live Down Under.

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P17 by Simon Mander

Pitch in Down Under

LONG WAY FROM HOME: Typhoons and Voyager PHOTO: WG CDR JOHN EKLUND

Editor: Simon WilliamsEmail: editor@rafnews.co.uk Features Editor: Tracey AllenEmail: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk News Editor: Simon Mander Sports reporter Daniel AbrahamsEmail: sports@rafnews.co.ukTel: 07966 429755 All advertising:Edwin RodriguesTel: 07482 571535 Email: rafnews.co.ukedwin.rodrigues@ Subscriptions anddistribution: RAF News Subscriptionsc/o UnitIntermedia,6eEnterprise Centre,Kelvin Lane, CrawleyRH10 9PE Tel: 01293 312191 Email: subscriptionhelpline.co.ukrafnewssubs@ This Week In History1955Supersonic ejectorFG OFF Holland becomes the firstRAF pilot to eject at supersonicspeed when he abandons hisHunter F5 over the North Sea atMach 1.1. 18 SQN is reformed at RAF Odiham as the Service’s firstheavy transport helicopter unit operating the ChinookHC1.

Robin J Brooks PR Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar THIS PICTURE does look like the Hawker P.1052 or P.1081, a swing wing derivative from the Sea Hawk rather than a Hunter.Two P.1052 were built (VX272 and VX279, of which only the latter was rebuilt to P.1081). Considering the air intake this must be the jet powered P.1081 VX279. Hope this helps.

Joop de Groot I BELIEVE the aircraft in question is not a Supermarine Scimitar, but is indeed a Hawker Hunter, but in this case the Hawker Hunter Prototype P.1067, possibly s/n WB188. Steve White (RAF Museum Midlands) IN MY considered opinion the picture is of the Hawker P.1052, a swept-wing version of the P.1042 that became the Sea Hawk, an example of which resides in the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s Reserve collection. Mick Britton EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to all the readers above for getting in touch. We are happy to confirm that the aircraft is indeed the Hawker P.1081.

UK weapons pledge

By Tracey Allen

THE AIRCRAFT is definitely not a Scimitar, the intakes are wrong. It is actually a Hawker Hunter Development Aircraft, the P.1081. Lew MurrowITIS in fact the Hawker P.1081, which first flew in 1950. It was an early prototype for a proposed aircraft for both the RAF and the Australian Air Force. Unfortunately, it crashed killing the test pilot, Sqn Ldr Trevor (Wimpy) Wade and development did not proceed. Paul HartfreeYOURREADER is correct that it is not a Hunter MK F5… but it is a Hunter. The air intake in the photo to which he refers has been altered by the shadow of the cockpit falling on it! It is in fact a Hawker Hunter Development Aircraft, P.1081. Name withheld, ex-RAF and BAE Systems

TANK BUSTER: British Armylaunching Javelin anti-tankmissiles during training onSalisbury Plain. Inset leftDefence Secretary Ben Wallace WITH REFERENCE to your article about Pauline Gower (RAF News 1541, July 29 – below right), I thought you might be interested in these photos [top right] which were taken in the early 1930s at Hunstanton in Norfolk.Pauline and Dorothy Spicer had a small airstrip behind the holiday bungalows and I spent many hours with them at the age of about seven. Pauline eventually agreed to take me up for my first flight, which led to me joining the RAF in 1944 and flying Spitfires in Palestine on 32 Squadron in 1947.

THE AIRCRAFT spotted by Phil McCabe in RAF News No 1542 (August 12) is neither a Hunter nor a Scimitar. It is the one -off prototype Hawker P.1081, a precursor to the Hunter and which could have been a capable transonic fighter for the RAF had it not been tragically lost with test pilot Sqn Ldr Trevor ‘Wimpy’ Wade DFC when it crashed on April 3, 1951. Gary Weightman (RAF Ret’d)

Extracts fromThe Royal AirForce Day ByDay by AirCdre PitchforkGraham(TheHistoryPress)

Aircraft ‘mystery’ is solved by our Hawk-eyed readers

THE RAF’S first four-enginebomber, the Stirling, entersservice with 7 Sqn at RAFLeeming.

Chinook1981 arrives at Odiham Stirling1940 arrives RAF News Room Lancaster68 BuildingHQ Air CommandHigh HP14BuckinghamshireWycombe4UE

ATA’s Gower inspired me to be Spitfire pilot

THE UK will supply scores ofartillery guns, hundreds ofdrones and hundreds moreanti-tank weapons to Ukrainein the coming weeks, DefenceSecretary Ben Wallace hasrevealed. The move marks a step upin British support as Ukrainefights to repel Russia’s brutalinvasion.More than 20 M109 155mmself-propelled guns and 36 L119105mm artillery guns will soonarrive from the Counter-batteryUK. radar systemsand more than 50,000 rounds ofammunition for Ukraine’s existingSoviet era artillery will also follow,said Mr Wallace. The UK will also send morethan 1,600 extra anti-tank weaponsin the coming weeks, along withdrones, including hundreds ofloitering aerial munitions.So far 6,900 NLAW, Javelin,Brimstone and other anti-tankweapons – as well as 16,000 artilleryrounds, six Stormer vehicles fittedwith Starstreak anti-air missilelaunchers and hundreds of missiles– have been sent to Ukraine.The UK has also supplied maritime Brimstone missiles,multiple launch rocket systems,120 armoured fighting vehicles andsets of body armour and over 5,000 night vision devices. MrWallacesaid:“The scale and range of equipmentwe are providing demonstrates thestrength of our resolve. Together with our international partners, wewill ensure Ukraine has the tools todefend their country from Putin’sillegal invasion.”

Pinspiration for women inaviation. She gained herpilot’s licence at the aged of just20 and set up the first femalejoyriding business in 1931, withengineer Dorothy Spicer, taking atotal of 33,000 passengers flyingand clocking up more than 2,000hours. Pauline went on to lead theinaugural women’s section of theAir Transport Auxiliary, the civilianorganisation founded in WorldWar that took over the task fromService pilots of ferrying RAFand Royal Navy aircraft betweenfactories, maintenance units andfrontline squadrons.Many of the organisation’smembers were female, known asthe ATA girls, and included suchpioneering aviators as Molly Rose,Mary Ellis and Diana BarnatoWalker. the RAF Museum, describes Paulineas ‘true pioneer of flight’, and‘standard bearer’ and ‘trailblazer’whose ‘indefatigable determination,laced with charm and diplomacy’ensured success for the women’sbranch the ATA and achievedequal pay for her women pilots.But Pauline’s life was tragicallycut short and she died in 1947 agedjustThe36. book starts with a quotefrom her: “For me, aviation is top-ranking among all the careers opento women. More than that, I wouldsay that every woman should learnto fly. Psychologically, it is the bestantidote to the manifold neuroseswhich beset modern women.” Born in Tunbridge Wells in 1910,she was the second daughter ofSir Robert Gower, long-serving MPfor Gillingham in Kent and his wife

BRAB’S BEAUTIES: As the press called them, following visit from Lt Col John Moore-Brabazon,Rosemary Rees, MoggridgeOfficerSignedphotogivenFirstJackieandkeptproudlyinherATAarchiveformanyyears daughtercourtesy

CHILDHOOD HEROES: A 7-year-old Noel was captivated by Pauline Gower and Dorothy SpicerRoyal Air Force News Friday, July 29, 2022 P19 Feature

WWIIStoryPOWERGOWERoftheleaderofSpitfireWomen

PILOT: Noel with a Mk XVIII Spitfire and, 71 years later, with a Mk XVI when he was 92

THE AIRCRAFT shown is the Hawker P.1081 which was an upgrade of the Hawker P.1052 in that the original Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine was replaced by the Rolls -Royce Tay jet engine. This was because an interest from the Australian Air Force in using the P.1081 as an operational aircraft induced Hawkers to make the change. In the end it came to nothing and the aircraft in the photo, VX279, was handed over to the Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough for further handling trials.Sadly, on April 3, 1951 Sqn Ldr Wade lost his life when the aircraft was totally destroyed in a flying accident, the cause of which has never been discovered. The shape of the aircraft certainly led to the production later of the Hawker Hunter, a superb aircraft in every respect.

When we changed to Vampires in Cyprus I started and led the first jet formation aerobatic team in the Middle East and we displayed all round the days,memoriesbackyourMediterranean.EasternIamnow95andarticlebroughtsomanyhappyofthosethankyou. Noel Dennis

Martin Bayfield isjoined by old friendsand foes on his RugbyGreats UK tour See R’n’R page 3 the SouthWorldOver-50sCupinAfrica See page 31 the RAF DisordersEatingNetwork See page 5

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P19 Post: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4UE Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk LettersPlease note letters must be a MAXIMUM of 300 words and any accompanying pictures sent as attached, hi-res JPEG files

DEVELOPMENT AIRCRAFT: The Hawker P.1081 and, inset, how it first appeared in RAF News last month

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P21 News RAF Falcons land best display award RAF StreamingSportlink-up favouriteForces'Thepaper GlastoRelivefestivalmagic l See R'n'R page 5 l See R'n'R pp4-5 Win flight in a Tiger Moth to mark anniversaryour PrizesWintopaviationbooks lpageSee7 Ruff and Ready Friday March 23 2018 No 1439 70p l R'n'R p5 l R'n'R p4-5HockeyStickstarshithardBiginterviewRedman'saKarmachameleon Win ExclusiveWinRAF100china l R’n’R p5 Win James100BlurayWinAlaskancultclassicMay'sstruckbyLightningAirthroughcombatthedecadesSee p35 See p22 Spitfire pilot Sqn Ldr BJE 'Sandy' Lane, Officer Commanding 19 Sqn pictured in 1940 after cult classicthroughdecadesthe l R'n'R p5 l R'n'R p4-5 Rugby Union Young Guns Scots tussle Win LatestWinEndeavourseriesDVD Win Win Get handsyouronculthit l R’n’R p5 First Hannahclassonthemurderexpress Air power icons of the 1970s Star wars Pilots track enemy forces from space with new satellite p18 Rugby Union Roses win for Amy l See p29 l See theLivingClimbingp28onEdge Boris UKbonanzaDefencefuelsspacerace

Falcons Team Coach FS James Bruce said: “It’s a huge honour to win the best air display award at the“ItSIAF.takes an incredible amount of teamwork from the engineers, pilots, loadmasters, photographers and parachutists to achieve the display you see in the skies above and we hope to display for the airshow again next season.”

DAREDEVIL FALCONS parachutists are celebrating winning a top award at the Slovak International Air Festival. The Brize Norton-based team scooped the Best Sport and Civil Aviation Display award after dropping in on Malacky Air Base. Now in their 56th display of the year, the skydivers were supported by a 47 Squadron Hercules that provided the platform for their jump over the crowds.

Pilot Flt Lt Lloyd Owen said: “It’s always a great honour to not only support our Falcons, but also shows such as the SIAF with the Hercules.“Tosee not only our Falcons perform over Malacky, but also all of our Nato allies was certainly a sight to behold and something that 47 Squadron is happy to be a partTheof.”event gave the Slovakian Air Force a chance to bid farewell to its outgoing MiG-29 Fulcrums and featured displays from the Polish Air Force’s Tiger Demo Team F-16s, the Turkish Air Force’s Solo Turk F-16 and Hungarian Display Pilot Zoltán Veres.

p3 bonanza fuels UK space race stand £16.5bn to combat Russia & l SpaceRAFAcesp16/17 China 'Star Wars' threat Wokk 'n' Roll 40 years ofRAF Chinook lp4-5See DEFENCE IS adversaries. MAY WITHFORCESTHEBEYOU: Boris Johnson has technologyspaceforextrapledgedfundingmilitarydefence Friday November 27 2020 No. 1504 70p favouriteForces'Thepaper ComedyPythonclassic50-yearboxset Win £265 AVI-8 Flyboyiswatchfitforheroes l See RnR p3 l See page 21 Win! Win! RAF News - The Forces’ Favourite Paper Go to rafnews.co.uk to subscribe now Air Cadet Exclusive O er Subscribe to RAF News and get the First 3 Months Free! O er Code AC01 Delivering the best frontline news, sport and features from across the RAF and UK Defence every fortnight.

Simon Mander DEFENCE IS set for the biggest fundinglift since the end of the Cold War with agovernment budget boost of £16.5 billionto transform the Armed Forces.PM Boris Johnson announced the spendingspree to counter the growing threat fromRussia and China in space and the cyber realm.Among the projects to receive extrafunding are a national Cyber Force andRAF Space Command, to safeguardmilitary and commercial satellites fromattack by Senioradversaries.Airchiefs this week warnedthe next major conflict could be wonor lost in space and that a move awayfrom traditional military war fightingis vital to protect the UK and its allies. Mr Johnson said: “I have takenthis decision in the teeth of thepandemic because the defence ofthe realm must come first. “The international situationis more perilous and intenselycompetitive than at any timesince the Cold War and Britainmust be true to our history andstand alongside our allies. Toachieve this, we need to upgradeour capabilities across the board.“This is our chance to end theera of retreat, transform our ArmedForces, bolster our global influence,unite and level up our country,pioneer new technology and defendour people and way of life.”l Continued

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Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P23 ObituaryStella ‘Jaye’ Edwards

STELLA ‘JAYE’ EDWARDS (nee Petersen), who has died aged 103, was the last surviving British pilot of the wartime Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). She grew up in Kent, the third daughter of an Australian trader. She was an adventurous girl who enjoyed scaling walls, climbing trees or riding her bicycle off into the countryside. In later life she admitted: “I think I was always a bit wild.”Itwas during the inter-war years that the first seeds of her longing to fly were planted. A pilot landed in a field near her home to offer flights and fly aerobatics and she was also attracted to the flying circuses that travelled around the country. It was these, together with the pioneering exploits of the numerous aviatrixes, such as Amy Johnson and Jean Batten, that made her long to fly. In 1939 the National Women’s Air Reserve was founded and she joined and began flying lessons in a Tiger Moth, gaining her pilot’s licence on the day war broke out. Aged 21 in 1943, Jaye joined the ATA – often given the name ‘Ancient and Tattered Airmen’ due to the age and various disabilities of some of the pilots. She joined as a third officer and, because of her previous experience, soon graduated to ferrying single-engine aircraft.

A badge was immediately sent to her for presentation in Vancouver.

After the war, she began to travel, visiting friends and family in Singapore and Australia, eventually arriving in Vancouver in 1948 where she met her husband and settled. She trained as a teacher and taught for many years. The role of the ATA pilots’ service was overlooked for many years until the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown approved the award of a commemorative badge to those who had served. aye was unaware of this until reading about the award.

She joined No. 7 Pool based at Sherburn-in-Elmet in Yorkshire, and near numerous aircraft factories in the region. Amongst the 20 different types of aircraft she flew were her favourites, the Spitfire and the Hurricane. She also flew the Mustang fighter, the Swordfish and the ungainly Fairy Barracuda, a Navy torpedo bomber. Later she graduated to flying twin-engine light transport aircraft. Many a World War II pilot, and more, have waxed lyrical about the Spitfire, but not Jaye. “Well to be honest, they were planes,” she said matter-of-factly. “I looked upon them as something to fly so I didn’t really look upon them as being that different. Yes, you had to be a little bit more careful with some than others; you made sure you knew the speeds that you needed, but it was still just flying.”

In 2011, Jaye returned to England for the opening, by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, of the ATA gallery and permanent display to ‘Grandma Flew Spitfires’ at the Maidenhead Heritage Centre, close to the wartime ATA headquarters at White Waltham airfield in Berkshire.

Although she did not fly again after her wartime service, her love of aircraft remained and she looked back on her time with the ATA with pride. She said her experience as a pilot made her more independent, allowing her to find her own way, absent from the influences of family and older siblings. “It was just fun”, she said, “I think one of the things about it perhaps was that I was doing something that no one in the family did. And that was the chief aim of my life – doing my own thing.”

“The Spitfires? Well to be honest they were just planes. I looked upon them as something to fly, not differentanythingreallythat ”

ATA GIRL: Jaye joined the 1943,moversaircraftinaged21

‘Wild’ Jaye was last British pilot of Air Transport Auxiliary

covered in soft-touch materials that give it a bit of a premium feel without losing that ‘belt and braces’ edginess.Theinfotainment touchscreen sits above the central air vents so it’s easy to see on the move. Our car came with the 9.2 inch unit which connected easily to both Apple and Android smartphones. The system’s actually quite impressive for the segment and the price, although it could perhaps be a little more responsive. The FR Sport (one model up) also gets a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, if that’s your thing, but I was more than happy with the traditional analogue dials in this car. The Beats audio system doesn’t provide outstanding sound quality but it isn’t expensive, compared to rivals.There’s plenty of space all round and the driving position is just where it should be. The front seats are well-shaped and the driver’s is height-adjustable. Don’t expect loads of cabin storage for clutter, or an armrest in the rear seat, this isn’t a big family wagon. The interior is, instead, perfectly in-keeping with the simplicity of the car. It’s sporty and raw. It even looks good at night. The air vents are illuminated by red LEDs and door trims glow a nice ‘mission secret’ red too.

On The Road

To me, that’s an open goal missed but what we have is still impressive. The Ibiza is a real car because it’s simple and it’s fun. The ride and handling are brilliant for a motor in this class, thanks to a great little chassis. It looks good too, like a proper hot hatch. Running costs are low, the purchase price is affordable and it’s a 1.0, so even younger drivers can get insurance. For petrol heads everywhere driving is a way of life, a religion almost, and the simple car like the Ibiza FR provides manna from heaven.

The Ibiza is a fun thing to drive. It’s only a 1.0, so it is not fast, well not really. It feels pretty nippy off the mark thanks to a healthy supercharger and the threecylinder 1.0 litre, 95PS engine makes a lovely little thrum when you give it plenty of poke but 0-62mph is 10.9 seconds. On the upside, it will return 51.2 mpg on a combined cycle. It’s a great little motor for use around town and it’s a joy to drive on the open road thanks to its sharp steering. It feels agile and darts into corners accurately, suffering from very little roll. Due to the low power output, it struggles with high gears on hills and you’ll often find yourself knocking it down to second through the bends. If you’re happy to give that slick, short-shift, gearbox a good stirring however, it’s not something that’s going to put you off. There’s nowhere as much steering feedback in the modern Ibiza as you’d have got from a GTi back in the day but, by modern standards, it’s not bad at all. It still tells you when you’re reaching the limits of its ability. It’s stable on the motorway and, although it doesn’t have the refinement of a Golf, it’s not uncomfortable on a long run. Road and wind noise are well controlled by class standards.

Seat Ibiza FR, £20,585 OTR

Ibiza is still hot

Motoring

AS A petrol head, I’ve spent my life driving extremely fast, extremely loud, extremely expensive supercars. What makes them special is that they are massively fun to drive and connect you with the rapidly passing world around you. Traditionally, hot hatches tapped into the same sensory triggers by placing you close to the ground and making the driving experience raw. Over the years, increasing safety regulation and market demands have led to a world where many new models lack that connection, making them dull from a driver’s perspective. Not so for Seat’s latest Ibiza FR. It’s authentic. You start it with a key, for heaven’s sake, and it has an actual handbrake, not a hidden button that takes 10 minutes to find. It has a perfectly slick, 5-speed, manual gearbox, a steering wheel and three pedals. You put your foot down and it accelerates rapidly, thanks to its light weight. You turn left, it goes left, you turn right, it goes right, and the middle pedal stops it, in short-order. Perfect. We’ve got so used to all the modern gizmos and gadgets that it’s a shock when we get into a classic, or something simple like the Ibiza, because we’ve forgotten what real driving is like. For that reason, I loved it. Exterior The Ibiza is one of the best proportioned small cars on the market, in my view. It looks sporty, with well-designed lines that catch the light and make it stand out, but that should be no surprise. Ever since the Ibiza first emerged in the 1980s it’s been a good-looking little bit of kit. Early Ibizas were styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, designer of the original Lotus Esprit, which has always been one of my favourite cars. The 2022 Ibiza, the fifthgeneration, has maintained that attention to detail. The angular 17” alloys, that come as standard by the way, complete the hot hatch theme because they show off the car’s longer wheelbase and wider track. Interior That retro 80s theme continues with cloth seats that you wind into position manually. There are some scratchy plastics and cheap feeling materials around the cabin if you look but the most obvious areas are

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P24

Pros l Brilliantly simple l Great to drive l Surprising performance from a 1.0 l Plenty of space, by class standards Cons l Everything wants to race it l Resale values could be better Verdict In my book a crime has been committed because Cupra, Seat’s sport brand, has not given us a proper Fiesta ST rival here. There is no highpower, bad boy in the range, or in the works for that matter.

Seat Ibiza FR TIM MORRIS

CorrespondentMotoring

a couple of days. I’m still buzzing, and very proud to have captained such a young and talented team.” That’s how Flt Lt Sarah Wilkie described her team’s efforts at this year’s Inter-Services, which saw AR Eve Brady walk away with the IS Champion crown and the ladies come just one doubles rubber short of winning the blue riband Wimbledon event to eventual winners the Army. Wilkie had told RAF News before the championships that she thought her team, which is in a transitional year, would cause a few upsets. She added: “There were tears at the end from most of the team, and that showed the commitment and pride we all felt on and off court. The final standings saw us finish one rubber behind the Army…. it felt like a draw.” Wilkie’s earlier prediction seemed to be right as day one singles went the way of the Army, who won five out of six of the matches on offer. Number one seed AR Eve Brady bucked the trend, winning both her matches to claim the Inter-Services Ladies Champion title. Wilkie called it ‘an amazing achievement and the first RAF champ for many years’. The RAF produced three wins, with number three seed Wg Cdr Delia Chadwick narrowly losing her three-set match to the Navy. Number two pairing Brady and Chadwick started day two’s winning streak, stealing a rubber from a strong Army pairing, before storming through their second match against the Navy. Flt Lt Andrea Jackson and Wilkie faced a tough and clinical first Army pairing but produced the win against the Navy.  Another set of outstanding performances came from yet another debut pairing, AS2 Tilly Harris and Off Cdt Jodie Mitchell, who won both their matches. Coming back from a set down against the Army to win the match in a third set tie break, the pair showed great resilience to produce an unexpected win, on a day of RAF action and so nearly glory. l RAF Masters Men in clean sweep, p28

Eve's just champion

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P27Follow us @rafnewssport SportEmail: sports@rafnews.co.uk

DOUBLES STARS: Mitchell and Harris PHOTOS: LUKA WAYCOTT

Inter-Services glory for AR Brady at Wimbledon

Would you like to see your sport featured in RAF News? Send a short report (max 300 words) & two or three photographs (attached jpegs) to: Sports@rafnews.co.uk TENNIS WINNER: AR Eve Brady, also withbelowtrophy AS2 HARRISTILLY OFFMITCHELLJODIECDT

“The training and effort never stop. Following this session, I’ll be trying to find new sponsors, but with the season starting next month, I feel without new help we can only realistically look to make the halfway point,” he said.

Stanbridge added: “Our next goal is to make a World Cup spot next season, which is possible if we achieve top six European Cup results.”Theteam’s effort is just one part of a bigger picture for Stanbridge, who has been credited with introducing sledders of the calibre of AS1 (T) Alex Cartagena and AS1 Anthony Harvey, who pushed at last year’s Inter-Services event, with Cartagena also competing in the EuropeanStanbridgeCup. also highlights all the aspects of RAF life and personnel and believes combining his and other’s engineering skills to innovate the building of equipment will further show the RAF’s unlimited potential. “We have built our own push sleds with one of our sponsors, Acres“AndEngineering.Ihave recently been working on sled modifications with KS Composites in Melton Mowbray.“Thedream would be to build a British-made sled, that would be groundbreaking,” he added. As part of this campaign Stanbridge has been working with BBC Radio Lincoln and the Look North TV programme to promote RAFHeengineering.said:“Iwas pushing the STEM side of things, it was great to be able to talk about the Service’s potential, I also gave talks at some schools in Derby and colleges in London, it’s something I truly believe in and think our bobsleigh efforts are another way to innovate and if we can find the much-needed help, I want us to be at the forefront of that.”TheService’s bobsleigh trials are due to be held on September 24.

BOBSLEIGH

Bob Worlds bid could be put on ice without new sponsors Master blasters inspired by Lioness

The team more than proved their worth competing well in last year’s IBSF European Cup. Although not gunning for an Olympic slot themselves, Stanbridge and his cohorts got to pit themselves against some of the world’s best sliders, producing respectable results such as a 12th and 14th at Lillehammer.

l Visit: gbbobsleigh.co.uk for further details on the team.

TRAINING DAY: Cpl John Stanbridge (left) with GB teammates at RAF Waddington

PROMOTING THE SERVICE: RAF sliders on a run at Innsbruck

PHOTOS: FIONA TREVITT

On a hot and dry day all six matches were claimed for a clean sweep in the over-40s doubles competition, with first pair Fg Off (Ret’d) Miles Edmeston and FS (Ret’d) Marc Hughes setting the tone with a victory against tough Army opponents.

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P28 Follow us @rafnewssport Sport Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk

Daniel Abrahams RAF TENNIS Men’s Masters showed their class with an Inter-Services clean sweep at Wimbledon. Delighted team captain Flt Lt Andy Keeley felt a chance meeting with Lioness European championship football goal-scorer Chloe Kelly may have added to the team’s sparking performance. Keeley said: “The team were already showing energy and motivation during our practice on the hotel’s grass courts in the buildup to the tournament, so to meet Chloe Kelly may have inspired the team further, as we were staying in the same hotel.”

SAC (Ret’d) Alan Jordan and Flt Lt Keeley defeated the Navy and Army challenge in the meeting of the second pairs, and third pair Sgt (Ret’d) Phil Watson and FS (Ret’d) Mark Lane were far too strong for the Navy, before Flt Lt (Ret’d) Ged Doherty and Sgt (Ret’d) Dave Egerton stepped in to complete the full set of victories.Keeleysaid: “What an effort by this team, to travel from the corners of the country to meet and play at this level is so impressive and I could not have asked for anymore. “They have shown the value of this tournament, particularly as a vital link for those who have left the RAF, and it is a great message to young players of how we value our people throughout and after their service.”

TENNIS

SUCCESS: Stanbridge (right) at World Cup

l The RAF Senior Men finished runners-up to the Army in the Inter-Services competition. See p27 for how the RAF Ladies got on at Wimbledon.

CHLOE KELLY: Winning ways rubbed off on RAF Masters, including FS (Ret'd) Marc Hughes, above, and Flt Lt Andy Keeley and SAC (Ret'd) Alan Jordon (inset top)

Kelly's eyed and we're number 1

RAF BOBSLEIGH ace Cpl John Stanbridge fears without sponsors and kit for his two-man and fourman teams they may only make it to the halfway point next season.

Avionics engineer Stanbridge, who began his bob set-up to help push the sport and skills of the Service and to aim for a World Cup slot, was speaking to RAF News from RAF Waddington as he and his team went through pushing drills on the station’s artificial football pitches. The team have already taken on the infamous Lake Placid course as part of their preparations for the coming season.

StalwartKAYAKING Hughesman bows out in style with double win

SRT footballers

up for Inter-Services title defence

The team will take September off, with a UKAF fixture taking priority and with no less than 12 players called up to represent from the SRT. In the meantime, Kuchta will continue to plan for the upcoming autumn fixtures to ensure preparations remain on track to retain the IS trophy.

Before the second match the SRT hosted Swindon Town players and staff at RAF Brize Norton.Thevisit included a tour round an Atlas A400, plus team building challenges, finishing off with some descents from the Parachute Flight training aid. Kuchta said: “I felt we were definitely the better side, we were without six of the players who won the IS championship, and fielded three new debutants – AS1 Louis Hankin, AS1 Krissy Dixon and AS1 Leon Iluobe – who all coped with the step up to SRT level and quality opponents.” He added: “With new players coming in, it also allowed us to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Cpl David Webb – a stalwart for the past eight years –as he played his final game for the RAF.“Webby has been brilliant for us and has been a great servant to Service football. We wish him well in his new career.”

PHOTOS: Flt Lt Eleanor Bowyer FOOTBALL Daniel Abrahams THE RAF’S kayakers celebrated the fourth Inter-Service Freestyle competition at Holme Pierrepont’s National White-Water Course in Nottingham. The team had trained hard in the days leading up to the championships, under the watchful eye of professional coach Lowri Davies, before doing battle on the Saturday. Association spokesman Fg Off Mathew Settle said: “We had plenty to celebrate for the championships, because along with the team’s ongoing success, this was Sqn Ldr Keith Hughesman’s last RAFCA event, after running both the freestyle and slalom disciplines for many years. He ended on a high coming in first place for both events. “It was also a debut bow for our Discipline Secretary for freestyle, Flt Lt Jake Southern, who oversaw a smooth-running IS event.” Flt Lt Rebecca Jones also took top spot in the freestyle, with Southern coming third, and Cpl Philippa Kavanagh, in her first freestyle event, ensured the RAF’s dominance. In the BoaterX event the men took the top three slots, Hughesman again in first, with AS1 George Eastwood and Southern coming second and third respectively, while Jones again came first for the ladies. l Follow the sport on Instagram @ rafcanoeing.

ON CREST OF A WAVE: RAF byInter-Servicestookkayakersthestorm

l Follow the team on Association@Royal-Air-Force-Football-FacebookorTwitter@RAFSRT. gear

SRT HEAD coach WO Andy Kuchta’s plans to kickstart their season in style are going to plan with one win and a draw under their belt Kuchta,already.whoguided his side to victory in the Inter-Services championship way back in March, kicked things off in July for his squad.The SRT have faced Step 5 side Longlevens AFC in Gloucester, coming away 4-2 winners, while last week they battled out a 0-0 draw against Swindon Town Academy. Despite the blank, it was only former Chelsea FC and FC Midtjylland goalkeeper Jared Thompson who stood in the way of a good win for the military men at Fairford Town FC. Kuchta said: “The Longlevens game was an exciting match, we saw three of our players get on the score sheet [AS1 Joe Spalding (2), Cpl Jake Gosling and AS1 Liam Palmer] and looked comfortable considering it was our first match back.”

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P29Follow us @rafnewssport SportEmail: sports@rafnews.co.uk Would you like to see your sport featured in RAF News? Send a short report (max 300 words) & two or three photographs (attached jpegs) to: Sports@rafnews.co.uk

WINNER: Cpl Brad Axe, also pictured far right

Mr Paul

Now he will spar with all-comers for 100 back-to-back, three-minute rounds, with a maximum of three rounds per entrant, on September 10. The event will raise money for TB Alert, a charity which fights against Tuberculosis, and RAF Akrotiri’s boxing gym.

HAUL TO PLAY FOR: There were big catches for AVM (Ret'd) Sean Corbett (above), Sgt Glenn Beardsall (left) and Sgt Martin Emery (top right)

Axe said: “The challenge is going to be very hard, mentally, and physically. I will have a minute rest in between bouts where I can refuel and hydrate.

Big fish Corbett and Booth win it at death

The charity is close to RAF Boxing’s heart because RAF boxer and coach Sal Hill’s mother passed away after contracting the disease.

The Axeman cometh... to spar 100 rounds

A CATCH on the final morning of the fourth RAF pairs angling event at Berners Hall was enough to see AVM (Ret’d) Sean Corbett and Fg Off Carl Booth win out. Set in the heart of rural Essex, the site comprised three lakes containing large carp in the range of 40-50lb and more.Afield of 26 anglers were competing but it wasn’t until the early evening that the first catch was recorded by Cpl Luke Davenport and Mr Lee Sustins, with a 17lb mirror carp. Despite lots of movement in the water, there were no more catches in the night, before Sgt Martin Emery and Chf Tech Matt Whittaker were called into action in the morning, with a 26lb 4oz mirror taking the lead.Emry recorded further catches taking a 36lb common carp, while FS Ian Coleman also hooked, along with Sgt Lee Podmore, and the pair were just 10lb behind leaders Whittaker andMrEmery.Paul Sampson and partner FS Jim Thomas then got on the scoreboard, before Podmore joined in the action with a mirror carp weighing 23lb 4oz; the pairing had now taken the lead with a running total of 75lb 4oz.

SERVICE BOXING ace Cpl Brad Axe will trade his fighting skills for charity sponsorship as he holds a 100-round sparring event for RAF Akrotiri gym.

Axe has had a hugely successful year in the ring, which has seen him become an Elite UKAF champion, National boxing quarter finalist, International Box Cup Finalist and Riviera Box Cup Silver medallist. He has also become the vice-captain for the RAF Boxing Team and passed his level two coaching course, as well as becoming the head coach at his beloved Akrotiri.

AVM and Fg

Off leave it late but take pairs event

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P30 Follow us @rafnewssport Sport Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk ANGLINGBOXING

WO Jason Verney and Sgt Glenn Beardsall then pitched in before eventual winners Corbett and Booth finally opened theirBoothaccount.then netted a new personal best common carp of 33lbBeardsall’s8oz. 41lb 4oz hook proved a milestone catch, rocketing him and partner Verney up the leader board with a combined score of 69lbs.

“It works out to be slightly more than 6.5 hours in the ring. So far, I have 20 different people who have volunteered to do 2-3 rounds each; some have never boxed and others are elite level boxers, so the intensity of the rounds will vary dramatically.

A second mirror carp was then netted on the final morning, to take Corbett and Booth into the lead with a four-fish total of 107lb 8oz before the hooter sounded. Coleman and Podmore were second with five fish for 95lb 4oz and Verney and Beardsall were third with three for 69lb.

“I have been very lucky and had a donation of £100 towards supplements to help me through the rounds. I can’t wait to get it done.” l To sponsor Cpl Axe axe100@mod.gov.ukhimbrad-axe100rounderjustgiving.com/crowdfunding/visit:,tosparwithintheeventemail:.

A final morning of action as the match drew to a close became white-hot as Booth’s bite alarm signalled a run just 25 minutes before the last hooter.

for Inter-Services ON YOUR MARKS: AS1 Chloe Richardson at the start line, above, after limbering up, bottom right, and competing for England in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, main picture PHOTOS: AS1 Jaden Hewitt JHC FS Aldergrove

CHLOE RICHARDSON failed to set a new personal best at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon as her punishing training regime for forthcoming European events tooks its toll. The RAF runner finished 68th overall in a time of one hour, 16 minutes and 13.6 seconds, coming home one place behind teammate Mollie Williams and Kate Drew in 63rd.AS1 Richardson said: “I was so proud to be part of the England team and was looking for a PB, but it just did not happen. I am in the middle of training for a 50k in October [Madrid], so it might be just that I am tired, but I was expecting more from myself.” The famous course is one of the fastest in the world, with a mainly flat run turning at Ballygally, before taking in a downhill section in the last 1,300 metres – which see athletes coming off the challenging Coast Road before heading inland to the finish at Chaine Memorial in Larne.She added: “The course, although tough, was lovely in parts and to have a great RAF representation at the end was superb. You cannot race well every time, so maybe today was one of those “Everybodydays.seemed to struggle, apart from the winner, who just flew round [Yehualaw – Ethiopia 1:4:21] but compared to last year, when I ran here on my own, I am now part of the England set-up, so I am very proud of that. “I am now focusing on the half marathon at The Great North Run, which doubles as the Inter-Services event. I love putting my RAF colours on and cannot wait to team up with the girls again.” up

Chloe limbers

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 P31Follow us @rafnewssport SportEmail: sports@rafnews.co.uk pages of the best of RAF Sport action5 ATHLETICS

Royal Navy FamiliesVeteransReservesRAFArmy FORTHEARMEDFORCESCOMMUNITY CAREERSFAIR LEISURETIDWORTHCENTRE Nadder Road, Tidworth SP9 7QN 15 September 2022 09:30hrs to 13:30hrs Keep updated by registering early or turn up on the day. Visit www.bfrs.org.uk or call 02476 939931 Jobs,Courses&SupportLinkDirectlytoEmployersCVWorkshop 2022Crowncopyright Hosted by BFRS Main SponsorGold Plus SponsorEvent Guide Sponsor yval NaRoy RArmyAF 20222CrCro ves SerUnifFVeVReseranseretamiliesormedvices RCES Y CESCORS TY M SCOMMUNIT ORTARR M RTHEARMEDFORCAREEREERSJobs,obs,CoCo&Su&SCo ORCFOR SupporSSupportCoukDiiirployCoursesyikkDirectly pployeyers CARRFAIRFAI R CAAIRAILinkEmployWorkWorksCVWorkshopinkDoEmtoE F oNadder R 09:30hrSeptURE CEN h SP9toad, Tidwor tember rsto13:30h2022 9 7QN 2rs upd or t wwrs 13:30h egiy red bdat heturn up on t ww.bfrs.org.uk estering.yda k orcall 024766939931 yed bHost entEv Spo 6 onsor 36 > 9 770035861037 66pISSN0035-8614

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 1 Announcements l PuzzlesP6-7 l P8 R'n'R The big tour – The Amazons l p8Win –actionexplosivemovieonDVD l p5Win!

AFIRST IMAGE has been released from Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut, My Mother’s Wedding, which focuses on three romantically dysfunctional sisters trying to navigate their mother’s third nuptials. The stellar cast includes Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story, Under The Skin), Sienna Miller (Anatomy of a Scandal, American Woman), and Emily Beecham (Little Joe, Cruella), who play the sisters. Scott Thomas plays Diana Frost, their mother. This is the third time Scott Thomas and Johansson have played mother and daughter.

The competition winner will get to see the musical on its opening night at the Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe and have a three-course meal at the theatre’s restaurant. All fans have to do is send in a photo showing they are the region’s biggest Osmonds fan, said a spokeswoman for the Wycombe Swan.She explained: “This could be a photo of them from the past or present with their onbeagreeoneorOsmondscollection,memorabiliaatanconcert,evenmeetingoftheband.”Entrantsmustalsofortheimagestosharedbythetheatresocialmedia.

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 3 R'n'R Form

My Mother's Wedding

She Entrants must also agree for the images to be shared by the theatre and Show Leeds School of Art in 1920–1 to her travels across Europe, and her subsequent life in London in the 1930s, where she started a family and created works such as Mother and Child 1933. The show will explore how, during this time, she moved away from overtly figurative work towards abstraction, though her fascination with the human body would remain evident through much of her later practice.

The exhibition will then trace the development of Hepworth’s work during her early years in St Ives –an artistic community she quickly embraced after permanently relocating to the Cornish seaside town at the outbreak of World War II.

“It will emphasise how the area’s rugged landscape and closeknit artistic community became important sources of inspiration. These local connections are evident in the titles of many key works, such as Curved Form (Trevalgan) 1956 and Sea Form (Porthmeor) 1958, while her engagement with the wider world of international events will also be explored through works such as Disc with Strings (Moon) 1969, perhaps inspired by advances in space exploration, and Single Form, unveiled at the United Nations in 1964,” the spokesperson added. Visitors to the exhibition will follow Hepworth’s early artistic journey from her initial studies at Hunt for Osmonds superfan

The show will explore the artist’s forays into stage design and her interest in the movement of the body, as well as her adoption of bronze to make work in response to the landscape. There will be a particular focus on the creation of Hepworth’s monumental Single Form for the United Nations headquarters in New York – the armature for it was made at her second studio at the Palais de Danse in St Ives.

The Osmonds: A New Musical is at the Wycombe Swan from October 11-15. It tells the true story, written by Jay Osmond, of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as Win! children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade.From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show in the 1960s, to ‘Osmondmania’ The Donny & Marie in the 1970s, the singing siblings lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arenas and making record-breaking TV shows –until one bad decision cost them everything.Themusical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses and many more. The Osmonds have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 59 gold and platinum awards.To enter the competition, send your superfan photos bymarketing@wycombeswan.co.uktoFriday,September23.

l Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life runs from November 26 to May 1, 2023. Go to: tate.org.uk for more details.

Three sisters return to their childhood home for a momentous weekend; the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother. The three are very different: Georgina (Beecham), a palliative nurse; Victoria (Miller), a Hollywood star; and Katherine (Johansson), a captain in the Royal Navy. All are forced to revisit the past and confront the future, with help from a colourful group of unexpected wedding guests, including Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) The film is co-written by Scott Thomas and John Micklethwait. A release date is yet to be finalised.

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life will culminate with a section on the artist’s interest in space and spirituality, with particular reference to the inspiration she took from her visit to Goonhilly Earth Station on the Lizard, Cornwall.

SCULPTOR: Hepworth at Trewyn Studio, St Ives © Bowness. Right, 'Single Form'

OH BROTHER: The musical's cast, including Georgia Lennon as Marie (left) Theatre

The Osmonds: A New Musical Wycombe Swan A theatreBUCKINGHAMSHIREislookingfor the region’s biggest fan of 70s supergroup The Osmonds – with the winner lined up to attend the opening night of the new musical about the band.

Exhibitions Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life Tate St Ives Film

SISTERS: (l-r) Katherine (Johansson), Georgina (Beecham) and Victoria (Miller)

First image THIS AUTUMN, Tate St Ives will present a landmark retrospective on the iconic British artist Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975). Featuring almost 50 sculptures, as well as rarely seen drawings, paintings and archival materials, Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life will celebrate one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century and the special significance of St Ives on her work. Originally staged at The Hepworth Wakefield near the artist’s birthplace, Tate St Ives has collaborated with the gallery to reimagine the exhibition for the Cornish context in which Hepworth lived and worked, said a Tate spokesperson.

HepworthopinionyourofScottThomasindebut

Miles stars Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York), Hiftu Quasem (Ten Percent, Killing Eve), Cristian Ortega (Vigil) and Lewis Mackinnon FALL: Adrian Lukis

In The Fall, starring Kingston, Drew-Honey, Sara Stewart (Transformers, Philomena) and Adrian Lukis (Original Theatre’s Being Mr Wickham), Janet and Liam are happily married until she stops talking to him. And everybody else. In an attempt to diagnose her loss of speech, she begins seeing a psychiatrist who starts to probe at a secret buried in the depths of Janet’s psyche, the revelation of which has profound and lasting implications not just for her but for the entire family. The play examines the complex ideas surrounding free will, love and the painful truths of existence.

Bowie'sR'n'R

B RITAIN’S 50 most influential artists of the last 50 years have been revealed in a new list compiled by a panel of experts. David Bowie landed the number one spot in a list that also features artist Banksy, the Spice Girls and director, screenwriter and actress Michaela Coel. The judges were asked to create the list by TV channel Sky Arts in a celebration of British artists past and present and their influence on globalTheculture.15-person judging panel, led by DJ and presenter Lauren Laverne, included MOBO Awards founder Kanya King and writer Bonnie Greer. “ He was a maverick and a global icon ” Bowie was named most influential by judges as they commended his influence across the industry and ability to transcend a variety of mediums including music, film and fashion. To celebrate Bowie topping the list, Sky Arts commissioned mixed media artist Joe Black to create a unique artwork of the legendary musician using guitar plectrums ( top ). Each plectrum features a cut-out shape to symbolise all the artistic disciplines Bowie influenced, from

The artwork, standing 2m tall, has been made using 8,610 individually placed guitar plectrums. The stunning portrait will be donated by Sky Arts to a school in Bowie’s home town of Brixton.Black said: “David Bowie’s visual representation had a huge impact across all of the arts worldwide. The idea was to use thousands of specially designed plectrums with each design representing one of the five artistic areas of his creative life and influences – music, film, fashion, literature and art. “He was a maverick and a global icon who initiated a new Bowie era in popular culture.”

Top 10 Brit artists 1) David Bowie 2) Director Sir Steve McQueen 3) Screenwriter Russell T 4)DaviesDesigner Dame Vivienne 5)WestwoodPlaywright Caryl Churchill 6) Choreographer Michael 7)ClarkWriter Angela Carter 8) Rapper Stormzy 9) Novelist Muriel Spark 10) Actress, writer and director Michaela Coel music and film to art, performance and poetry (above).

Stars put spotlight on new playwrights

THE WORLD premiere of three award-winning plays with star-studded casts, recorded live from Riverside Studios, London, are now available on Thedemand.plays are all winners of Original Theatre Company’s Originals Playwriting Award and feature stars including Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson, Diana Quick (Brideshead Revisited), Alex Kingston (Doctor Who), and Tyger Drew-Honey (Outnumbered). The plays – Tikkun Olam by Teunkie Van Der Sluij, The Fall by Drew Hewitt and Miles by Eilidh Nurse – were chosen from hundreds of submissions to Original Theatre Company’s nationwide competition to discover unproduced playwrights. The productions can be booked as a triple package, or Tikkun Olam as a standalone production, available to watch now. The Fall and Miles will be available individually later this Thompsonyear. and Quick head the cast of Tikkun Olam, in which Steve Alexander is preparing to stand as a Labour MP for the Westminster constituency. As part of his campaign, he is backing the building of a Holocaust memorial near Parliament Square. To help the campaign gain traction, Steve and his campaign manager Dan invite social influencer Leah on board as a one-woman focus group. As Dan, Steve and Leah try to persuade the divided community to back the memorial, their own motivations are challenged as the political and personal ties between them are tested to the limit. The powerful political drama looks at the stark contrast in views and voices in and around the capital and the ever-growing divisions between theDirectorgenerations.Michael Boyd said: “This particular play could not be more burningly topical about the state of the Labour Party and the progressive left in the UK. Artists who dare to sit with the silent blank screen, or page, and sweat until they have a story and characters to tell it deserve every incentive we can give them. Directing the first reading of an original work is always a privileged and exciting moment of possibility and risk.”

still Starman

employeeinBobby’sScotland,(for THE

THE FALL: Tyger

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 4

I

THE FALL

CineAsia, founded in 2006, is recognised as the premium film label for martial arts and Asian action cinema in the UK. We have copies of Shattered Earth on DVD to add to your collection. To be in with a chance of winning one, tell us: When was CineAsia founded? Email your answer, marked Shattered Earth DVD competition, co.ukcompetitions@rafnews.to:orpostitto:

The true story of Dr Death

ALEC BALDWIN (Mission Impossible, Fallout) and Christian Slater (Star Wars franchise) star in Dr Death, which tells the shocking true story of Dr Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson), a seemingly bright, young neurosurgeon with a thriving medical practice. When a growing number of Dr Duntsch’s defenceless patients end up permanently maimed or worse, two fellow physicians, neurosurgeon Robert Henderson (Baldwin) and vascular surgeon Randall Kirby (Slater), attempt to stop him before he causes any more harm. The cast also features Grace Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep. We have copies on Blu-ray and on DVD up for grabs. For your chance to win one, simply tell us: Who is actress Grace Gummer’s famous mother? Email your answer, marked Dr Death competition, orcompetitions@rafnews.co.ukto:postitto:

n GET READY for an explosive action blockbuster in the epic struggle for survival Shattered Earth, directed by Jun Li. A peaceful town turns into a living hell when a devastating earthquake is triggered, causing buildings to tumble and sinkholes to open. A retired railway soldier and his son, an explosives engineer, travel deep into a cave to rescue trapped survivors. However, a second terrifying quake is just hours away, threatening to bury the whole town and everyone in it.

RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by September 23.Please make sure you include your full postal address with your entry.

TIKKUN OLAM: Luke Thompson and Debbie Korley Drew-Honey

Boy to man in Afghanistan

RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by September 23. Please state on your entry whether you wish to win a copy on Bluray or DVD and don’t forget to include your full postal address.

WHEN I WAS A KID: The star of the documentary Mir now and as a child, inset playwrightsspotlight N CINEMAS for the first time, from September 20, documentaryaward-winningBAFTA My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years In Afghanistan chronicles the extraordinary story of a boy growing up in a land ravaged by war. This epic but intimate portrayal, filmed in Afghanistan across two decades, sheds light on the realities of coming of age in one of the most embattled corners of the Filmedglobe.and directed by Phil Grabsky and Shoaib Sharifi, it follows the life of Mir Hussein –a mischievous and playful boy of eight when the filmmakers first met him, who, over the course of the documentary becomes a man with a family of his own but, at 27, has never lived in a nation at peace.Mir’s journey of pride, resilience and hope is interwoven with the narrative of his nation. Two decades on from 9/11 and the subsequent ‘War on Terror’, the film offers a uniquely personal entry into one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century.Itcaptures Mir’s whole story –including marriage, children, poverty and heartbreak –culminating in a move to start a new life in the rapidly expanding city of Kabul as a cameraman, chasing down suicide bombings one moment and filming premier league football the next. The documentary contains an update on what has happened to Mir since the Taliban retook the country in August 2021. Screenings of the film will be followed by an in-cinema-only short Q&A with the producer/ director Phil Grabsky.

(Young Wallander). Somewhere in Scotland, miles from anywhere, Bobby’s Caravan Park is struggling, in fact it’s crumbling. Janie is the only employee and she’s been stuck there for longer than she cares to admit –and she’s drinking more than she’s willing to admit, yet frankly, who cares anymore?Edcan’t pass the Tesco quiz, he can’t drive and he can’t help who he’s related to. But at least he’s got a new job... at Bobby’s Caravan Park. Hopes, dreams and families collide in this tender yet funny play that asks what it means to process our past and the traumas that lie within.

Alex

EARTHSHATTERED

One of the first companies to launch online versions of their plays, Original Theatre have produced 16 digital productions since March 2020 and streamed their work globally to 57 countries.Artistic director Alastair Whatley said: “The pandemic has made it harder than ever for writers to get their work on stage and so we wanted to make a big, bold and ambitious project that could harness our digital work to help discover what we hope might just be three modern classics.” l Go to: originaltheatreonline.com for more details. : Kingston

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 5 Edited by Tracey Allen Film My Childhood, My Country – 20 years in Afghanistan Seventh Art Productions Competitions Dr Death Fabulous Films/Fremantle Media Enterprises Competitions Shattered Earth (12) Trinity CineAsia Win!Win!

Important Notice

Service for Lancaster crewIn Memoriam 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron. Remembering my school classmate Fg Off Peter Wormall, co-pilot, killed with all the other crew when Valiant bomber XD869 crashed shortly after take off from RAF Marham September 11, 1959. Flt Lt T.C. Watkins, pilot, Flt Lt D. Howard, nav/radio operator, Flt Lt M.S. Hyslop, nav/ plotter, Fg Off C. Candy, air electronics officer and Chf Tech R.V. Sewell, crew chief. May they all rest in peace and rise again in glory. David Cobbold, Wisbech, RAF National Serviceman (1956 –1958).

Assoc RAF Women Officers

2620 SQUADRON (County of Norfolk) RAF Regiment marks 40 years since its formation and 20 years since its deployment on Op Telic. The Sqn 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, 2023. 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.

Deaths ANDREWS, Nigel. Ex-WO Pers Admin. Passed away on May 28 aged 69. Beloved husband of Anita. The funeral service took place on June 16 at Melbourn Church. WITH a lot of sadness and a heavy heart, I am announcing that WO John Collins (Ret’d) Trade Group 11, better known as JC, passed away on August 7 following complications after John’ssurgery.funeral will take place on September 19 at Portchester Crematorium followed by a buffet, tea and coffee in The Seagull pub Portchester. RIP from Nena, Karl and Mark.

THE 60th anniversary reunion of the 49th Entry 2 Sqn Clerks Boy Entrants at RAF Hereford is to be held from May 15-17, 2023 at Thoresby Hall, Ollerton, Notts. If interested in attending please contact Dave Beaumont on: 07538651712 or email beaumont.d@sky.com or Bob Cuss, email: rbc324@ john-lewis.com.

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 6 R'n'R Your Announcements You can email photos for announcements on this page to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk

DAY, Michael. Ex-WO Mov. Cont. formerly 38th Entry Administrative Apprentice. Served for 37 years in many and varied postings and UKMAMS. Passed away peacefully at home in Carterton on August 15 aged 79. Beloved husband of Rosemary, loving father of Chris and Michelle and grandfather to his four Thegrandchildren.funeral service will take place at St John the Evangelist Church, Carterton, Oxon on Friday, September 16 at 1.30pm. Tribute page: donation.fordavid-day-muchloved.commichael-thosewishingtomakea

THE ROYAL Air Force commemorates the Battle of Britain each year at a service in Westminster Abbey. We would very much like to hear from the widows, family descendants and any other family members of those who participated in the Battle. We are seeking to improve our knowledge of this unique demographic and to offer places at the formal Battle of Britain Thanksgiving Service, this year on Sunday, September 18, and in subsequent years. If you are a family member, or know someone who is, please write to: Mrs Michèle Small (RAF Ceremonial Office, Bentley Priory Building, RAF Northolt, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG), providing details of your relationship to your relative who served in the Royal Air Force between July and October 1940 and your email address and a contact phone number. Additionally, for the purpose of allocating tickets, please send your full name, home address, date and place of birth and passport or driving licence number. This information is also required for any additional guests who wish to attend the service with you.

How to use our service

I was stationed at Stanmore Park from 1968 to October 1969 and was known as SAC Christine Warrington. I moved to RAF St Mawgan in October 1969, where I was employed as a civilian at the camp. I am seeking news of JT Roger (Ginge ) Summerfield/ Somerfield who was on detachment at Stanmore Park where we met. He was training on the Nimrod Simulator at Borehamwood. I am also trying to locate Bob Somerville, who was on detachment from Marham to Binbrook between 1967 and 1971. I attended Bob’s wedding in Belfast. Please contact: christineacaley@ gmail.com. LOOKING for any members of the 47th entry TG19 Hereford 62-64. Any still about? Please contact Jim Cummins via email Carol_cummins@aol.comon:or RAFAA Association IF you trained as an RAF Administrative Apprentice (or are related to one) we’d be delighted to welcome you to the RAFAAA. Our aim is to promote friendship and general wellbeing among our veterans, via social gatherings and assorted activities, as devised by an elected committee, and a regular newsletter. See: rafadappassn. org; contact Mem Sec on: 07866 085834 or Chairman on: 01933 443673

KENNY Terry Flt Lt (Ret’d). Passed away August 18 aged 85.He joined the RAF in 1954 and, on completion of pilot training in Canada, served with 12 and 139 Squadrons, 6FTS, 56 Squadron and finished his RAF career as 617 Squadron’s Vulcan display pilot. Sadly missed by his wife Pamela, his three surviving children, eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Always in our hearts forever.

THE ANNUAL Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust service of remembrance for the crew of IX (Bomber) Squadron Lancaster ED503 will take place on September 25 at 2.30pm at Sibsey Northlands. On January 29, 1943, RAF Lancaster ED503, on a training flight from RAF Waddington with a sixman crew on board, crashed into a field at Sibsey Northlands, near Boston in Lincolnshire.Thebody of one member of the crew was recovered and is buried in Scotland. The other crew members and the aircraft could not be saved, despite desperate efforts, and they lie where theyAfterfell. the war the families of the crew, with the landowner’s permission, built a memorial on the exact spot of the crash (pictured). It is known as the Memorial in the Field. The Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust was formed with the aim of maintaining the memorial and the commemoration of the crew, in Routesperpetuity.totheMemorial in the Field will be signposted as you approach the area of Sibsey Northlands (approx. PE22 0UF) and refreshments will be available after the service at Sibsey Village Hall.

Morag's Malayasian medal joy

RAF VETERAN Morag Goulden has been awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysian Service Medal for her hard work and dedication during the Malaysian Emergency between May 1965 and December 1966. SAC Goulden, now 76, served as an Air Traffic Assistant from March 1963 to January 1967 and was based at RAF Shawbury, Sopley, Boulmer, Binbrook, Changi and Leuchars. The prestigious medal is awarded for ‘distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice or loyalty in contributing to the freedom of independence of Malaysia’, and was presented by Gp Capt David Keighley, Station Commander RAF Boulmer, at the RAF Boulmer Honours and Awards Ceremony (pictured above with Morag) Serving at RAF Changi, Morag assisted with the control of aircraft including Shackletons, Hastings, Beverley and Argos, conducting operational maritime recce and air resupply missions, along with receiving fighters and bombers as they disembarked from aircraft carriers from nearby RAF Tengah. She said: “I am so proud to have received the Pingat Jasa Malaysian Medal for my time at Changi during the period of emergency and confrontation.“Allinall,my time in the RAF was different on a daily basis and I enjoyed all that I could take part in. I would definitely do it all again.” call: 01302 532865, 07517 416702.

Squadron marks landmark anniversary

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.

ALL WRAF and RAF Women Officers are invited to the Association’s Annual Reunion Luncheon at The RAF Club, 128 Piccadilly, London on October 22. New members always welcome. Email: suearnold474@gmail. com for further details.

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. Reunions

THE RAF & Defence Fire Services Association was formed in 1995 and would like to attract new members of all ranks, serving and retired. For more information and how to join visit the website: rafanddfsa.co.uk. The RAF & DFS Association also has close links with the Museum of RAF Firefighting, visit: firemuseum.uk. Seeking SEEKING S.J.E Adams. Number 680159, 78th Entry Halton. Pleas contact Reg Butchers: 07702 238509 or you can email: reg.butchers@ btinternet.com

Battle of Britain memorial service

Former entrants lined up in order and marched once again around the parade square where Station Commander Gp Capt Dan Startup took the salute accompanied by Viscount Trenchard, who addressed the parade and expressed how proud his grandfather Lord Trenchard would have Viscountbeen.Trenchard said: “I am honoured to be your guest today. RAF Halton is the spiritual home of the Apprentices, and I am delighted my grandfather’s legacy is still so strong.” Mr Butler added: “Meeting some of the former apprentices who began their Air Force careers at Halton was an absolute privilege. It was wonderful to see what a special place it holds in their hearts, even many decades later.“Hearing tales of past exploits and witnessing such incredible camaraderie served as a timely reminder of the debt we owe our veterans.”WgCdr (Ret’d) Francis Denton-Powell, Halton Apprentices’ Association chairman, said: “RAF Halton is more than the alma mater for thousands of exapprentices – it is where we formed lasting friendships, developed character and above all began careers that so often spread into fields wider than aeronautical engineering.“Thiswas never more apparent than in talking to the reunion attendees, some who had made long journeys to attend.”

Devised by the Chief of the Air Staff Hugh Trenchard and approved by Winston Churchill, the RAF Apprentice Scheme was set up in 1920. Boys from the age of 15 took a series of highly competitive exams and tests, and a select few were invited to join.RAF apprentices went on to hold some of the highest ranks in the Service. Sir Dusty (pictured right at the church service) said: “The only constant in life is change – but what remains unchanged is the high value characteristics and personal attributes of those who join the Royal Air Force, and I am very proud to be here today and to continue to support the next generation RAF.” pals connect salute

theflypastLancaster

for Apprentices' reunion

REUNITED:FRIENDSOld

MORE THAN 700 people marked the centenary of the Halton Apprentices’ Association at the Buckinghamshire station last month. Veterans and their guests attended a service at The Church of St George before gathering at the Henderson Parade Square to visit the Trenchard Museum. The visitors, including VIPs Viscount Trenchard, Aylesbury MP Rob Butler and Air Marshal (Ret’d) Sir Dusty Miller, were treated to a display by the RAF Falcons parachute team and a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster.

Hatstracey.allen@rafnews.co.ukoffatHalton

Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 7 R'n'R Your Announcements You can email photos for announcements on this page to:

TRIBUTE: The veterans

run. The partnership will see The Amazons and BBC Introducing offering emerging acts the chance to step onto the big stage in their hometown.

AMAZONS: Out on tour next month

may run round these planes (10) 13. Developing situation may prove explosive (4,4) 16. Mythical foot? (6) 17. Superior punter (6) 18. Bird batsman hopes to avoid (4) 20. Entertainer with house on street (4) Solution to Su Doku No: 332 Solution to Crossword No 322: Heavenly questions Music The Amazons How Will I Know if Heaven Will Find Me? End of a friendship has shocking result Film The Banshees of Inisherin Due for release next month Across – 7. Liable 8. Docile 10. Morocco 11. Knock 12. Exam 13. Rigid 17. Virgo 18. Tier 22. Awash 23. Bandits 24. Eagles 25. Benson Down – 1. Slumber 2. Fairway 3. Black 4. Cockpit 5. Pilot 6. Leaky 9. Coningsby 14. Fighter 15. Tiniest 16. Present 19. Hazel 20. Mango 21. Inter RAF station – Brize Norton S

“How Will I Know? was mostly created during the seven months I was apart from my girlfriend.

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soonOut

l The tour kicks off in Dublin on October 5. Go to: theamazons. co.uk for full details.

I found that the longer we spent apart, the more I started to question. How will I know if I’m going to see this person again? And even if I do, how will I know it’ll be the same as before? After writing the song, I began to wonder if it’s the dreams and beliefs which are challenged that become our strongest.” The Reading four-piece, who appeared at a string of festivals this summer, are heading out on a huge UK tour in October, which will see them headline London’s Roundhouse on October 20. And they have teamed up with BBC Introducing to curate the support bands across their headline leftFarrell, (Colmand Gleeson

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Royal Air Force News Friday, September 9, 2022 R'n'R 8 R'n'R Crossword No. 323 Su Doku No. 333

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EARCHLIGHT PICTURES has released the first official trailer on YouTube for The Banshees of Inisherin, marking the first feature film from playwright Martin McDonagh since Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, for which he won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2017. He has reunited with fellow Irishmen Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson – stars of McDonagh’s 2008 debut feature In Bruges – for the new film. Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, it follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan, Dunkirk), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences. l The Banshees of Inisherin is due for release in the UK on October 22.

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. Solve the crossword, then rearrange the eight letters in yellow squares to find an old RAF bomber 1.AcrossDuring panic, reward RAF workers (4) 8. Learn rivet adjustment pointless (10) 9. Marsh has correct chill (8) 10. First agapanthus stalks have yellowy, greyish colour (4) 12. Diana’s favourite RAF plane? (6) 14. It leaves riskiest winter sportswomen exposed (6) 15. Capital of the Philippines destroyed creature (6) 17. The Beatles, say, find it on enemy aircraft (6) 18. How dull does Dominic Raab sound? (4) 19. How Henry VIII chose to make progress? (3,5) 21. See 3 Down 22. The first question about job (4) 2.DownMember of 1 Across nearer rung, perhaps (4,6) 3. And 21 Across. RAF officers commending wars? Bizarre! (4,10) 4. 100 rank right basin (6) 5. Mars and Venus dispense with the first flying machines (6) 6. After first answer no, I thank four returning flying aircraft (8) 7. Steady Eddie missing support (4) 11. Cashier

FOLLOWING THE summer release of their single How Will I Know?, The Amazons have announced that their new album How Will I Know if Heaven Will Find Me? is just out, on Fiction Records. How Will I Know? is the album’s opening track, written while lead singer Matt Thomson and his girlfriend were torn apart for the best part of seven months during the“Thispandemic.wasnot only the first song to be written for the record, it was also one of the few to survive 2020 and became the blueprint, lyrically and sonically, for the rest of the album,” he said.

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