FAA 100 years

[tel]

Whilst TMR is bingeing in Bournmouth I shall be travelling down to Yoevilton tomorrow with my dad for the big air show celebrating the centeneray of the Fleet Air Arm in which he served. Apparently this is my belated birthday present. When I agreed to tag along, he had not informed me that the coach leaves Sutton at 0630 and returns at 1030, a long day methinks.

Still I am hoping that the Vulcan will be flying only there is only a "fair" chance of that.

I am now trying to get the logistics sorted - food, drink, cameras, camcorder etc - I need a mule.

[Nick]

Excellent. What can possibly go wrong?

[Snoopy]

Have fun ~ the Yeovilton Airshow is spectacular. We saw it a couple of years ago. Loads of helicopter stunt teams (as you would expect) but they do some really good stuff. Also they had rides in helicopters and Sea Harriers. Brilliant day out.

Downside is you can expect lots of memories from your Dad about his service days and how today's lot are a bunch of pansies by comparison (at least that is what my kids tell me I do)

Have a great day.

[tel]

At least one of my dad's mates is going, they've been on the phone to each other all week - what to wear, blazers, berets etc.

Dad is interested in the static displays, the planes he used to work on. I quite fancy the airborne stuuf so we may go our seperate ways. The ex Mrs tel came fom near Bromley, so I was always going to the Biggin show and always remember the low level jets and then all the screaming kids.

It should be a good day but the weather forecast is not good and my legs are still recovering from Hampton Court.

[Snoopy]

Does he have a "Veteran's Badge"? ~ He is entitled to one. If he doesn't you could get him one from the Government, they are free and mean something to those who have done their time in the services.
See:
http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm

[tel]

He losy his service medal but I got him a replacement one last year, in time for Armistice Day parade. He's also a member of the local RN Assoc.

He did not see action in WW1 as he joined up in 45, then spent next 10 years mainly on carriers - he's got some great pictures of planes landing/not landing on the flight deck. Also some impressive ones of early helicopters (Sikorsky dragonfly I think), many of which seem to have landed up-side down.

So tomorrow for him, it's going to be Swordfish, Seafuries, Seafires, various Fariey machines and Vampires.

[Snoopy]

I "refused" my "Aden" medal due to the manner in which the Wilson Government gave them out. Many of us did.
But I do have my Veteran's Badge and wear it on appropriate occasions.