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President: Air Commodore Steve Skinner BSc RAF (Ret’d) Chairman:
Wing Commander Derek Straw MRAeS MRIN RAF (Ret’d) Life Vice
President: Air Commodore Bob Joseph CBE BSc RAF (Ret’d) Life Vice
President: Mrs Marie Emmerson
No 206 Squadron Association
December 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter for 2019. These
are timed to appear shortly after the two major social events of
the year – the annual reunion and the Autumn lunch – which gives me
something on which to report each time. These events further the
main aims of our Association, providing social events that foster
good fellowship between members, and hopefully maintaining the bond
between past and present members of 206 Squadron. At the last AGM
we also added to our aims the supporting of charitable causes,
particularly those relating to past and present members of the
squadron. To that end, you will find in these pages an initiative
to promote that aim, which we hope will be of benefit to any of our
members who may find themselves in need of support.
Once again the contributions in this edition are largely from
the Chairman, the Squadron and the editor. However, my plea in the
last newsletter for some other input has produced a welcome item
from one member and the promise of articles from others, which I
hope might be included in the next edition. Also in these pages you
will find the location and date of next year’s annual reunion,
final details of which should be available soon. As the festive
season approaches, may I wish to all our members a very happy
Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Andy Collins
Chairman’s Meanderings. During this past year we have been able
to enjoy several gatherings, from our Spring Reunion in Nairn, the
Squadron’s Concorde Dinner Night and Summer Families’ Day, to the
recent Autumn Lunch at the RAF Club. My thanks to all who supported
these excellent occasions. Time to hibernate for the Winter? Well,
not quite! 206 Squadron are hoping to officially open their
Conference Room next February; the date is yet to be announced but
Association members will be invited to attend. The Conference Room
is to be named after Jim Glazebrook DFC. This is a singular honour
for Jim, and for the Association, and a good turn out would be
appreciated. Full details and confirmation of the date will be
promulgated when known. This will be another chance to visit Brize
Norton and to meet the Squadron. Also, the Association has
contributed in a small way with funds towards some of the items
that will be displayed. Another date to note in your 2020 diaries
is the next Association Spring Reunion, 24-26 April. It will be
held at a hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon, organised with our thanks
by Ais & Geoff North. It is hoped there will be an opportunity
to be reminded (for a modest fee) of the sights, sounds and smells
of Nimrod XV232 & Shackleton MR2 WR963 at Coventry/ Baginton.
See you all there? Details are on the last page of this newsletter.
The Reunion weekend will also include our AGM; time to let the
committee know what more you would like to do, what burning issues
you would like to air. Outside the AGM, your Committee continue to
discuss a number of incidental issues affecting either the
Association or the Squadron past. My thanks to all involved in
addressing these issues. Finally, a Happy, Healthy & Enjoyable
holiday season. Stay safe and see you in 2020.
DS
mailto:[email protected]
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206 Sqn Report 206 Sqn has had a particularly busy summer this
year with many new work strands in development. The Sqn now has a
dedicated ISTAR TP embedded within the Shadow R1 community in
Waddington. He is currently involved with a trial to introduce an
electronic
flight bag to support operations, which is progressing well. He
is also conducting IR Signature trials in parallel to flare trials
which together form the IR countermeasure defence system for the
Shadow.
As most association members are of a maritime background, they
will be delighted to hear that our Poseidon TP begins his refresher
course in early 2020 and we will once again have a maritime
contingent on 206 Sqn. Flt Lt Matt Moore was previously on the
Poseidon program in USA as an instructor pilot so brings a wealth
of experience gained both on the Nimrod and the Poseidon.
The ongoing pan-platform trial in association with the Air
Platform Protection Test & Evaluation Sqn (APP TES) is Easy
Rider. This trial updates all Infra-Red signatures of our aircraft
and looks at flare counter-measures against IR guided missiles. We
have an intensive 2 week program involving C-17, A400M, C-130J,
Shadow R1 and the BAe146 of 32 (The Royal) Sqn.
On the A400M front, A Flt have been continuing their work with
Airbus and were instrumental in introducing High Altitude
Parachuting on the platform. The burden of introducing a new air
system continues with the constant program of minor upgrades and
fixes to existing problems but the serviceability rate on the fleet
seems to be on the up and
there is more flying, which pleases most! On the C-130J side of
the Sqn, B Flt are looking at a possible upgrade to the current
High Altitude Parachuting techniques which would be a definite
capability enhancement. There is also a plan to introduce an
electronic flight bag which is finally gaining some
traction. The update to IR Signature should have been completed
by the time this newsletter goes public.
The big trial currently taking place is the Phenom Trial.
Following an incident which resulted in a mid air collision between
2 aircraft operated by 45(R) Sqn (the Multi-Engine Training Sqn),
206 have been instructed to conduct a trial of the Phenom’s
handling characteristics. This has grown to be a very large test
program with the project TPs and FTEs conducting formation flying
on several other platforms such as Hawk and Tutor for background
information. They are nearing the end of the trial and their input
will be instrumental in how Ascent develop the formation flying
phase for the new Multi Engine Training Program under the Military
Flying Training Program.
On the social front, the Sqn Families Day in September was a
great success with passengers flown on both the A400M and the
C-130J. The new display cabinet which the Association helped to
purchase is installed in Building 23 and looks
magnificent. We have arranged some of the artefacts, medals and
logbooks from John Beresford and hope to have a formal ‘grand
unveiling’ in the new year. For now, a sneak preview photo.
Until next year, Happy Christmas and as always – Nihil Nos
Effugit ! The new display cabinet with John Beresford’s
memorabilia
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Congratulations to ‘Jack’ Frost on reaching his 100th birthdayAt
the end of July long time Association member, MJG ‘Jack’ Frost,
celebrated reaching his Century. Alongside his wife Kyllikki,
family and friends, a debonair and spry Jack, sporting his 206
Squadron tie, rightly enjoyed the limelight of this achievement in
Shaftsbury. Confusingly, ‘Jack’ is known as John within his family
– but we all knew whom we meant. Jack’s Centennial celebrations
continued the following day in his home village. The sun was
shining that weekend, both literally and metaphorically, on a
wonderful achievement.
Jack had transferred from the TA to the RAFVR in April 1939 and
started his flying training on the Miles Magister near Redhill. On
the eve of war on 2 September he was called up and took the train
to Cambridge, where he was taken with other trainees to Trinity
Hall. Jack described the first night as an un-forgettable
experience: “There were elaborate candelabra and floral pieces on
the dining tables. The College silver gleamed and the cutlery shone
in the candlelight. A Fellow at High Table said grace after which
roast beef and vegetables were served from silver dishes. We were
in a world beyond most of our knowing…. The following days were to
be different as the RAF took over. The silver went away and the
menu changed to corn beef and hash. We understood that more serious
times had come as we started our training in earnest.”
Some of Jack’s wartime achievements are known in part from
‘Naught Escapes Us’. In particular, the story of his tangle with a
clutch of Me110s off Norway, and his subsequent ‘arrival’ at
Sumburgh, for which action Jack was rightly decorated. Less well
known and poorly documented, there
emerge from the Sumburgh Airport Archives details of the crash
two days later of an ASR Warwick into West Voe. These archives
record that Jack’s co-pilot, Frank Harris, dived into the Voe to
attempt a rescue. Sadly, this was to no avail and Frank returned to
Sick Quarters thoroughly wet through. Jack commented “and that’s
where they wanted us to land”, as he recalled that ATC had told him
“to ditch in the sea in order to make way for returning
Beauforts!”
A lesser known episode in Jack’s Coastal career occurred on his
first Squadron, No 608 AuxAF Squadron. In March 1941 while part of
a detached flight to Wick for convoy escort duties, he was co-pilot
on an Anson that was forced to ditch after a double engine failure;
Jack was the only survivor. This event occurred before the
formation of the Goldfish Club so Jack refuses to claim
qualification. (The current Chairman of that Club is however
willing to offer a waiver …) Jack was rescued by HMS Electra and
was subsequently trans-ferred to the hospital ship SS Amarapura in
Scapa Flow. As soon as he was able he was placed on ‘light duties’,
which mainly comprised cleaning the ship’s wards or peeling
potatoes in the galley! He was no doubt pleased when transferred
further south to complete his recovery and return to flying. It is
hoped to continue Jack’s wartime story, including that time on 206,
in the next newsletter.
After his party weekend, Jack wrote to the Chairman to express
his thanks for “the kind words about my lucky break to be a 100
years old”; those words were expressed in many cards he received on
his birthday from Association members and from 206 Squadron. The
Association wishes Jack continued good health and ever more “lucky
breaks” to continue piling on the ‘runs’. We are grateful to Jack
& Kyllikki Frost for the quotes from “Fortunate Choices”,
Jack’s memoir; Photos – Michael Patrick & D Straw
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206 Squadron Families Day
21 September was a glorious sunny Oxfordshire day when 206
Squadron held its annual Families’ Day. Association members and
their families had also been invited. The programme offered the
opportunity for a short local flight in a C-130 or an A-400 Atlas
(YES, there was one serviceable – well done Aidy), or C130/ A400
simulator rides (I was taken back 55 years when I found that my
A400 simulation was in the circuit at Gibraltar). Additionally,
there were aircraft static and equipment displays, a chance to get
into a fire truck and for the pilots, a bouncy castle. Added to
those delights was a chance to view the latest improvements made to
the Squadron buildings, including the completely re-furbished
Kraken Coffee Bar and BBQ patio, which was very busy with helping
hands from the Brize Norton sergeants’ mess who slaved over the
very hot barbecues. Those Association members who attended were
able to enjoy the Squadron’s hospitality, friendliness and the
beautiful weather, as well as being able to immerse themselves once
more in the memories and memorabilia of past 206 times. OC
Neil Philp and his personnel are thanked whole-heartedly for a
wonderful day back at the front line.
Derek Straw
206 Squadron Kraken Coffee Bar backdrop with
squadron tankards.
Aircraft on display at RAF Brize Norton on the 206
Squadron Families Day.
Squadron Kleptomania An element of the rivalry that existed
between Maritime Patrol Squadrons – especially in the Cold War
decades – was a marked interest in acquiring Squadron memorabilia,
especially that of other squadrons! Perhaps, dear reader, you will
recall the more challenging acquisitions such as the Bison’s Head
(whose eyes like the Mona Lisa seemed to follow you) and the large
scale Argus aircraft model so difficult to get into the
Shack-leton’s back door; plus, smaller items that were so easily
‘lifted’ such as the squadron line book; even Squadron Standards
were not immune to this primal urge. In 1976 a 407 RCAF Squadron
crew acquired a ‘beer stein’ from 206 Squadron during a squadron
exchange visit at Kinloss. Their reasoning was it was required back
in Nova Scotia as a model for a similar article that 407 wished to
reproduce. It is not clear if plagiarism was then added to
kleptomania, but that artefact remained in a bottom drawer until a
conscience riven Canuck offered it back to 206 Squadron. Ken xxxx
(whose blushes are spared) carried it trans-Atlantic this summer
where a rendezvous with John Martin in Edinburgh saw the
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artefact back in 206 Association hands. John played the ‘White
Van Man’ and carried it south to Buckinghamshire where in an
un-named supermarket car park it was handed on to David Ford; the
penultimate leg saw David deliver it to the Chairman in the quiet
corner of a modest little coaching inn where it was finally
unwrapped from its protective cocoon to reveal its identity. Up to
this point, nobody was entirely sure what this artefact was! It was
recognised as the product of the Kinloss Ceramics Club and CPO Mel
Fadness USN on exchange with 206, whose artistic expertise produced
a design, and whose contacts in the Keflavik Commissary sold the
raw materials. This ‘stein’ carries the 206 Squadron crest, is gold
rimmed (which mine isn’t) and is un-named, and was possibly the
first off the production line. The final leg of its journey saw it
returned to its rightful Squadron on Families’ Day in September
when Neil Philp took possession. After 43 years it will be dusted
off and safely displayed. PS Grateful thanks are extended to Ken
(ex-407), John Martin & David Ford for their assistance in the
‘stein’ relay. PPS If anybody still has a stuffed Bison’s head in
their loft, please do not contact the Chairman.
The Chairman and David Ford in a “modest little
coaching inn” with the newly recovered tankard.
The chairman returns the tankard to OC 206 Squadron
Charitable Causes At the last AGM we passed some changes to the
Association constitution, one of which was to add to the aims of
the Association: “To support such charitable causes as seen fit by
the Association, particularly those relating to past and present
members of 206 Sqn”. To promote that aim I believe that we should
be proactive in offering support to any members who might find
themselves in difficulties. Springing immediately to mind is a
situation where a member or their spouse has died, and the survivor
finds difficulty in getting support that they might need, for
example in preparing a case seeking help from the RAF Benevolent
Fund. Others might appreciate help with IT, for example in setting
up email accounts. When someone suffers a personal trauma such as a
bereavement it would be appropriate for the Association to be able
to offer assistance if it is needed. To that end, any members who
feel that they have an ability to help in a specific area can
register the fact with the Association Secretary so that, should
the need arise, they could be asked to provide the assistance
needed by someone in their vicinity. Many of our members have
skills that could appropriately be called on, perhaps having worked
in a Citizens’ Advice Bureau, being competent in IT, or even simply
being undaunted by the ghastly process of filling in application
forms.
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I must emphasise that there is no suggestion of any obligation
on members to register in this way. But any members who have a
skill that might be useful to former colleagues and friends, and
who would be happy to assist where the need arises, can let the
Secretary know of their willingness to help. In practical terms, if
someone sought our help, the Secretary would simply say that he or
she would see what help is available, then contact anyone who has
registered the appropriate skill and put them in touch with the
person seeking assistance. If there is no one suitably qualified,
then nothing has been lost. The areas in which I would suggest
offering assistance include general assistance, form filling, IT,
case preparation, visiting and specialised Citizens’ Advice Bureau
type help.
If you feel that you would like to register, please drop me an
email or a letter or simply telephone me, and I will then include
that information in your membership record. My contact details are
on the first and last pages of this newsletter. Andy Collins
Museums
Romney Marsh Wartime Collection The onetime RAF Brenzett
Alternate Landing Ground (ALG) near Ivychurch in Kent is now home
to the Romney Marsh Wartime Collection, which incorporates the
Brenzett Aeronautical Museum Trust. This small museum is staffed by
keen volunteers, equipped with adequate facilities, and provides an
interesting glimpse into a small chapter of Kent’s WW II history.
One of several ALGs in Kent, Brenzett opened in 1943 and was home
to RAF & Polish Spitfire squadrons through 1944. The fighters
provided escort to Coastal Command Beaufighter shipping strikes,
escort to Transport aircraft and gliders during Operation Market
Garden, and were in the front line bringing down V1 flying bombs.
The ALG closed in late 1944 and became a base for the local
Women’s’ Land Army personnel. It is in the building that was hostel
to those ladies that the current Aeronautical Museum is now housed.
As might be expected exhibits mainly reflect local flying
activities and mishaps and include the usual selection of aviation
ephemera, memorabilia and bits of bent aeroplane, the latter
including a large collection of Merlin and Jumo aero engines dug
out of the marshes. Also offered is an insight into the Land Army’s
work, together with those of the Royal Observer Corps and the
Gurkhas. D-Day is remembered with a display about PLUTO; this
pipeline carried fuel from England to France with one of its
branches routed through nearby Dungeness to the Pas de Calais.
Other exhibits and displays that are perhaps less locally
inspired include an ‘Upkeep’ bouncing bomb that was used for
experimental drops on the nearby marshes, and two connections to
Coastal Command, one of which embraced 206 Squadron history. The
latter display certainly caught my eye. It was the wartime
biography of WO Peter Carey who served in Coastal Command as an AG.
Peter Carey first flew on Sunderlands & Catalinas, then
embraced 282 Squadron Air-Sea Rescue Warwicks at Davidstow Moor,
and finally in
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October 1944 Peter was posted to 206 Squadron at Leuchars. He
joined the Liberator crew lead by Captain Prinsloo SAAF. There was
a photo of that crew that brought back memories of perhaps a decade
ago when I was asked to identify the crew; only five were
identified then including Captain Prinsloo1 and Peter Carey – the
rest remain anonymous still. The second ‘Coastal’ connection
related to a collection of tankards and cups awarded to a Master
Signaller Turner from his time at RAF Ballykelly Flying Wing
(1972), 201 Squadron Kinloss, and RAF Turnhouse (1975). Would any
of our readers recall the gentlemen? There could not have been too
many M. Siggies in the Air Force then? Ephemera that might appeal
to an inquisitive navigator included a FAA astro plotter, and a
(ship, zeppelin or flying boat?) Star Finder Globe; the third item
was unlabelled and is still a puzzle but maybe from the surface
navy? Answers on a postcard.
This Museum offers several interesting hours of browsing and for
only £4 for old geezers2. To add to the visitors’ entertainment,
there is the nearby “Romney Hythe &
Dymchurch Rail-way” offering a scenic coastal ride among a few
of the Cinque Ports; the Woolpack Inn –allegedly a Smugglers
redoubt – between Brenzett and Rye is also highly recommended as a
refreshment stop – just mind your head on the low beams!
Above: Plotter Below: Globe
Photos from Derek Straw with permission of the Brenzett
Aeronautical Museum
Left: Unknown device.
Any ideas?
1 See Naught Escapes Us, second edition, p148 and p 157.
2 www.brenzettaero.co.uk still say admission for OAPs is £3
Derek Straw
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Books
Shackleton Boys The “Boys” books from publishers
Grubb Street are now an established feature of aviation
literature. Dr Steve Bond’s Shackleton Boys volume 2 is the latest
addition to that stable, following on from his volume 1 published
last year. Volume 1, which deals with the UK based squadrons, has a
long introduction with a comprehensive history of the Shackleton,
from its genesis as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, through the
development of various marks and phases to its final iteration as a
stopgap AEW aircraft. Volume 2, which deals with the overseas
squadrons, has a shorter introduction relating mainly to overseas
operations. Excellent appendices are included in volume 1, giving a
list of all operating units, details of each production batch and a
worryingly long list of
accidents. Abbreviated versions of those appendices appear in
volume 2, relating only to the overseas operations.
The main body of each volume is divided logically into chapters
relating to an operating base or to a particular operation, and
each chapter has a short but comprehensive introduction setting the
scene. What follows is a series of reminiscences from aircrew and
groundcrew. Some give a general narrative of operations in one
theatre or detachment; many others relate to a particular incident
that generated varying levels of terror in the raconteur. The tales
very definitely relate to an era before the invention of Health and
Safety; some of the procedures adopted by hard pressed groundcrew
to keep the aircraft serviceable and in presentable condition are
truly horrifying: groundcrew going out in a sandstorm in Aden to
deflect flying oil drums from hitting the aircraft; cleaning
oil-stained engines with rags soaked in avgas; finding snakes in
the wheel bay at Changi. Most of the stories, however, come from
the aircrew. Surprisingly, although there are a couple of dozen
accidents described, many of them with fatalities, this was a
popular aircraft. Despite the
Thanks to Charles Peacock for the leaflets on
the left for two aviation collections. Details of
the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum, which of-
fers a look at life in the WW II USAAF Eighth
Air Force base, can be found at: https://
harringtonmuseum.org.uk/
The Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre is
on the site of the Bomber Command airfield at
RAF Metheringham, and details are at: https://
www.metheringhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/
NB not at the link on the front of the leaflet.
https://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/https://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/https://www.metheringhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/https://www.metheringhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/
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fact that they describe some very hairy incidents, none of the
writers expresses a dislike for the aircraft. Most express a
definite affection, notwithstanding the exhaustion of long sorties,
noise, extreme heat or cold or general discomfort. And through it
all comes the camaraderie of the crews and the team spirit of those
who worked on the aircraft.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these volumes and can certainly
recommend them. There are a couple of minor errors in volume 1,
with corrections included in volume 2, but overall I found this to
give a realistic impression of Shackleton operations over the
years. The work includes chapters on the AEW Shackleton and on
operations by the South African Air Force, so is a comprehensive
history of the fleet. With each volume having a hardback cover
price of £25 it is not a cheap read, but they are available from
Amazon for £17.50 each. If your budget stretches only to one
volume, then volume 1 contains a larger amount of general “spotter”
information on the aircraft, while volume 2 perhaps contains the
more exciting tales of derring-do overseas. Both volumes contain
some excellent photographs, my personal favourite being in volume
2, showing a Shackleton of the SAAF overland with about 45° angle
of bank against a backdrop of some very rugged South African
hills.
Andy Collins
A Carrier at Risk - Mariano Sciaroni
“A Carrier at Risk” is a recently published account of six days
in the life of the Argentine Navy’s (ARA) anti-submarine S2F
Trackers aboard the ARA 25 de Mayo.The Carrier was the Flagship of
TG 79.1, and the 3-8May period followed the sinking of ARA
Belgrano.The Carrier, escorted by a pair of Argentine Type
42destroyers and an older ex American destroyer, was tohave played
the northern claw of the pincer movementwhile Belgrano and its
escorts provided the southernpinch. The Carrier’s Skyhawks were
armed and readyto deliver the uppercut to the UK TG. The
Argentinianswere confident that its Trackers and Neptune had
thepositions of the British Carriers fixed. Of course theattack by
HMS Conqueror put paid to the whole plan.From 3 May the S2F
Trackers were tasked mainly onanti-submarine surveillance. The
author has discussedthe conduct of many of these sorties with the
Trackercrews; his book starts with lesson one of ASW for
theuninitiated, then goes on to detail some of the Trackertasks
during the six days. After the Belgrano sinking, the 25 de Mayo
sought theprotection of shallower, more coastal waters.The author,
Mariano Sciaroni, trained as a lawyer and gained higher degrees in
Strategy &Geopolitics at the Argentine Army Military Academy.
His account offers an interestinginsight into the tasks conducted
by the aircrews from the 25 de Mayo. Unsurprisingly,given his
academic background, he takes pains to praise the aircrews for
their skillsoperating against a superior ‘enemy’, all despite their
lack of experience against nuclearpowered submarines. He offers no
conclusions to the identities of their certsub andprobsubs; he does
acknowledge that these contacts could not have been any of the
BritishSSNs as he obtained access to British Records of Proceedings
(logbooks) whichpresumably did not fib. Hints of Russian, Chilean
or even American intrusions are offered,as well as the possibility
of an early British SSK arrival, but evidence is flimsy.
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This short, 70 pages, booklet provides a welcome new perspective
on the Falklands/ Malvinas Campaign. It confirms some of the close
run events that enabled a victory for British forces, but
reinforces that the question of sovereignty is far from settled. ‘A
Carrier at Risk’ is published by Helion & Co, and is obtainable
from on line sources at the reasonable price of £11. The teach-in
on ASW will be superfluous to most of our readers, but the personal
accounts and tasks are illuminating. Derek Straw
206 and the Eagle Squadrons I am very grateful to Chris Hooper
for bringing to my attention the Book “School of Aces”, from which
the information below is taken.
The connection between 206 Squadron and the Eagle Squadrons is,
to put it at its most generous, a tenuous one. Nonetheless, it is a
real connection dating back more than 100 years. The American
artist Clayton Knight joined the Aviation section of the US Signals
Corps and, after training in England, joined 206 Squadron in 1918.
His time with the squadron was short, for in October 1918 his DH9
was shot down behind enemy lines and, badly wounded, he was taken
prisoner. Fortunately he survived and between the wars he became a
well known aviation artist. When World War II broke out, the
Canadian Air Marshal Billy Bishop was in charge of recruiting in
Canada, and he asked Clayton Knight, whom he knew from WW I, to set
up a screening programme for volunteers from the USA who wished to
apply to fly as Canadians against Germany. By mid 1940 the “Clayton
Knight Committee” had about 300 volunteers. Over the next year or
so, Knight gathered thousands more aircrew for the RAF and RCAF,
and arranged that three civilian flying schools in the USA should
offer what became known as the British Refresher Courses. Those who
passed the course were sent to Britain, where they were awarded
their RAF wings. Many of them then became part of the “Eagle”
Squadrons – 71 Sqn, 121 Sqn and 133 Sqn. These units were manned
largely by American pilots and the first one became operational in
February 1942. All served the RAF with distinction before
transferring to the USAAF when America formally entered hostilities
after Pearl Harbour.
After the war Clayton Knight’s services, on 206 Squadron in WW I
and in recruiting in WW II, were rewarded with the award of an OBE.
Andy Collins
Boeing B17 Fortress In RAF Coastal Command Service Robert Stitt
has advised that the revised second edition of his book Boeing B-17
Fortress in RAF Coastal Command Service was published this summer
and is available from online sources.
Minor errors in the first edition have been corrected while a
number of topic areas have been added or updated based on new
information. These include more detail on the supply of B-17s to
Britain under Lend-Lease while background on the decision to assign
the Fortress to Coastal Command is presented for what is believed
to be the first time. There is also a new chapter describing the
Beam Approach Beacon System developed for Coastal Command
operations and an expanded chapter describing the handful of
Fortress Is detached to Egypt. There are over 80 new photographs,
diagrams, tables and document extracts while the scale drawings
have been updated based on newly-available Boeing documents. A
further nine appendices and a photo essay are available on the
MMPBooks website via URL links and QR codes.
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Joining and Off Task
New Member:
Bill Bird
Off Task:
John Forteath - 27 January 2019
John Warren - 10 August 2019
Lost Track:
Derek Job
Bill Alborough.
If anyone has any information about our lost tracks, please
advise the Secretary.
We have received this message from Harry Davey: I am trying to
make contact with Peter J Turner, an Air signaller on 206 Sqn, St
Mawgan in 1956/57. I believe that he retired from the RAF about
that time and joined the Civil Service; I was then an Air Signaller
on 42 Sqn at St Mawgan. I thought that he might be a member of the
Association.
If you can help, please contact Harry at
[email protected]
Social
Autumn Lunch
The RAF Club in London was once again the venue for the
Association Autumn Lunch on Saturday 23 November. And as previously
the Club catered very well for the 50 or so members who attended
the function. A private bar allowed for lively conversation for an
hour before a three-course meal with wine in elegant surroundings.
After lunch our speaker was Flight Lieutenant Matt Moore, who,
fresh from the Seedcorn team operating with the US Navy, is now to
participate in the P8 test and evaluation work with 206 Squadron at
RAF Brize Norton. His topic, however, was far removed from 21st
century aviation, as he entertained us with a well illustrated talk
on his work as a pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
at RAF Coningsby. He described the dozen iconic aircraft operated
by the BBMF, and the thousands of events in which they participate.
With 100 displays and over 300 flypasts each year, their services
are very much in demand. Restrictive operating limitations and
careful maintenance mean that their aircraft should be in a flyable
condition for many years to come, with the re-sparred Lancaster
having potentially another 70 years of flying in it. With
representatives of Bomber Command (Lancaster), Fighter Command
(Spitfire and Hurricane), Transport Command (Dakota) and even
Training Command (Chipmunks), the only thing missing from the
inventory is Coastal Command, a deficiency that Matt hoped might
one day be filled.
Andy Collins
206 Squadron Conference Room Opening The newly refurbished and
redecorated squadron conference room is to be officially opened in
February. This facility will be named after ex-206 Squadron and
ex-Association member Jim Glazebrook DFC. The squadron have kindly
invited Association members to attend this event, and the date and
details will be notified to members when available. It is hoped
that there will be a good turnout of members to witness the honour
to be bestowed on our old colleague.
The late Jim Glazebrook DFC
mailto:[email protected]
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12
206 Squadron Association
206 REUNION WEEKEND
24-26 APRIL 2020“Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make
good people”*
Choosing Shakespeare’s birthday weekend to visit
Stratford-upon-Avon is a coincidence. However, it does afford us
the opportunity to explore the bard’s birthplace where there is
plenty to keep us entertained. Our reunion hotel, surrounded by 157
acres of landscaped grounds, is The Welcombe - Hallmark Hotel. It
offers a quiet haven close to the town, unaffected by the traffic
and the noise of the birthday revellers. It is well located for
exploring Stratford-upon-Avon. You can walk or grab a local taxi
and you’re in the heart of the town. The hotel has an 18-hole
championship golf course, gym and the spa facilities allow you to
unwind and relax if you don’t wish to explore. It’s easy to get to
the hotel by train and the hotel is only ten minutes away from the
M40 if you prefer to drive.
*From Henry VIII an historical play by William Shakespeare and
John Fletcher 1612
Please do join us for the weekend
____
Friday Fork Buffet in the Nestfield Suite
____
Private Dining
3-Course meal on
Saturday in the
Nestlfield Suite
___
Private Bar____
Breakfast included
FULL DETAILS TO
FOLLOW
plus meal booking form
£404/double £343/single for
2 nights Dinner B&B plus private room hire /
bar
Additional nights may be booked:
£134 double/ £119 single B&B
We are very grateful to Geoff and Ais North who are making all
the arrangements for the Reunion.
Shortly after the Reunion, Ais is undertaking a trek up Mount
Mulanje to raise funds to help women in Malawi to set up their own
businesses. If you wish to know more or wish to sponsor Ais, please
see https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlisonNorth1 .
https://www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk/hotels/hallmark-hotel-stratford-upon-avon-the-welcombe/https://www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk/hotels/hallmark-hotel-stratford-upon-avon-the-welcombe/https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlisonNorth1
