RAF News Edition 1534, 22 April 2022

The Forcesit' e favourer pap

Competition

Competition

Slessor – Win! air power supremo

Family comedy drama Win!

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Friday April 22 2022 No. 1534 70p

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Guinea Pig Club – the musical l See pages 16-17

Show tells story of WWII aircrew burns surgeon

League

Raining champs

Forces grants to ease bills surge

l See page 27

Simon Mander

Boxing

GRANTS OF up to £520 are being made available by the RAF Benevolent Fund to help Forces families struggling with soaring fuel costs.

The scheme, open to current and former personnel, their partners and dependants, comes after the energy price cap surged from £1,277 to £1,971.

The RAFBF pay-out supports those most affected by increased heating bills as a proportion of their household income and is aimed at those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

The Fund’s Head of Individual Grants Ian Johnson said: “As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, people are feeling more pressure to pay for everyday necessities such as food, petrol and energy than ever before.

“To help ease this burden, we have introduced a one-off home fuel grant and encourage members of the RAF Family who may need it to get in touch with the Welfare team at the Fund to see how we might be able to help.”

The government has announced a council tax rebate of £150 for households in properties banded A-D and a £200 universal rebate in October to assist.

But these measures will not come close to covering the shortfall that many families will experience in the coming year.

National honours

l See page 31

Rugby

Women hit back

l See page 32

AIR FORCE veterans Sally Renard and Lucy Holt led the UK charge at the Invictus Games bringing home gold as the event kicked off at The Hague.

Injured Afghan vet Cpl Renard took the podium top spot in the 1,500m while Cpl Lucy Holt overhauled rivals in the discus to take gold on the second day of the military competition under the watchful eye of Team UK captain, retired RAF medic Rachel Williamson.

She said: “Facing a pandemic and postponement of the Invictus Games twice, whilst overcoming our own struggles, shows how resilient and strong Team UK are.”

GOLDEN SHOT: Games founder Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex celebrate with a UK Forces competitor; left, discus winner Cpl Lucy Holt

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P2

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Whatever happens, I know the Royal Air Force will be with me”

We were all united to make the passage out of Afghanistan as stress-free as possible”

I understand the dynamics of being in a girl band; the bond, the friendship”

Star Wars fan Cpl Rob Tupholme, as he bids to scale Snowdonia for a cancer charity See p7

Cpl Georgina Young after RAF Police win top award for their work on Kabul airlift See page 13

Former Sugababe Amelle Berrabah on her role in musical comedy Soul Sisters See R’n’R pp4-5

UK steps up military aid as Putin targets Donbas Staff Reporter

RAF News Room 68 Lancaster Building HQ Air Command High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 4UE Editor: Simon Williams Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk Features Editor: Tracey Allen Email: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk News Editor: Simon Mander Sports Editor: Daniel Abrahams Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk Tel: 07966 429755

THE UK is to bolster defensive aid to Ukraine with a new £100m package of weapons and military kit as Russia escalates attacks in a bid to seize control of the Donbas region.

The new support will include more anti-tank missiles and air defence systems, as well as loitering munitions and non-lethal aid such as helmets, body armour and night vision goggles.

The package will also include more than 800 extra NLAW antitank missiles, Javelin anti-tank systems and Starstreak air defence systems,.

The latest move builds on the £350 million of military aid and around £400m of economic and humanitarian support that the UK has already provided.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Putin has steeled our resolve, sharpened our focus and forced Europe to begin to rearm to

guarantee our shared security.

“Alongside our allies, this military support will bolster Ukraine’s efforts to ensure Russia’s barbaric invasion fails.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace added: “The UK Government is resolute in our support for Ukraine and determined that no barbaric Russian act goes unanswered.”

Earlier this month UK Defence confirmed that it is to supply 120 armoured vehicles to Ukrainian troops battling Russian forces.

SUPPORT: Defence Minister Jeremy Quin (right) stands beside Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov during a capability demonstration at Copehill Down Village

This Week In History 1982

Harriers deployed

All advertising: Edwin Rodrigues Tel: 07482 571535 Email: edwin.rodrigues@ rafnews.co.uk Subscriptions and distribution: RAF News Subscriptions c/o Intermedia, Unit 6 The Enterprise Centre, Kelvin Lane, Crawley RH10 9PE Tel: 01293 312191 Email: rafnewssubs@ subscriptionhelpline.co.uk

UK ARMOUR: Mastiff vehicle

Six GR3s with 1 Sqn fly from the UK to Ascension Island in just over nine hours and later sail to the Falklands on board the Atlantic Conveyor.

1943

Horsa Sicily mission 295 SQN Halifax aircraft ferry Horsa gliders more than 1,000 miles from RAF Portreath to Tunisia ahead of the Allied invasion of Sicily.

1988

Lightning bows out THE LAST of the RAF’s Electric Lightnings retire from service at Binbrook after almost 30 years.

Extracts from The Royal Air Force Day By Day by Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork (The History Press)

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P3

News

Guard of bomber UK combat jets escort USAF B-52 on exercise

B-52 Stratofortress

Simon Mander

BRITISH FIGHTERS and an American B-52H Stratofortress were caught on camera in a display of Allied airpower.

The Coningsby-based Typhoons and Lightning F-35Bs from Marham took part in multiple sorties as part of the 2022 Bomber Task Force mission.

69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Commander Lt Col Bryson ‘Bruiser’ Ayers said: “I love your Winston Churchill quote that says the only thing worse than fighting your allies is fighting without them.

“The RAF has been one of our closest allies for the last 100 years, we are here to learn

FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH: B-52H and RAF Typhoon

how to fight with them so that if we get into a nearpeer war then we are better prepared.”

British Air Traffic Controllers worked with the B-52s as they took off and

returned to RAF Fairford and transited through Brize Norton’s airspace.

RAF Regiment Joint Terminal Attack Controllers also liaised with the bombers on the Donna

PHOTOS: CPL ALEX SCOTT

Nook and Tain ranges.

Only the H model is still in the USAF and is based at Minot in North Dakota and Barksdale in Louisiana, under Air Force Global Strike Command.

l B-52s have been the backbone of the US strategic bomber force for more than 60 years, capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons including gravity and cluster bombs, and precision-guided missiles. l During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 per cent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces and decimated the morale of Iraq’s Republican Guard by launching up to 100 cruise missiles in one night on March 21, 2003. l Air-to-air refuelling gives the B-52 a range limited only by aircrew endurance.

Unrefuelled its combat range is more than 8,800 miles. l B-52s flew around 1,800 combat sorties against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. l The B-52H Stratofortress can fly at high subsonic speeds at up to 50,000 feet carrying nuclear or precision guided conventional weapons, including up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles. l The USAF expects to operate B-52s until 2050.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P5

News In Brief

Rivet nails landmark dron celebration CAKE THAT: Squa

Prefect pitch Simon Mander

SURVEILLANCE CREWS landed a major milestone by surpassing 5,000 flying hours on the RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft.

The three-strong Waddington-based fleet clocked up the total since the first aircraft was delivered to the station in November 2013, replacing the Nimrod R1.

The achievement follows on from the

51 Squadron aircraft achieving its highest monthly flying hours tally in March, beating the previous record of 137:25hrs set in April last year.

Gp Capt Christopher Melville said: “Since the Rivet Joint’s arrival at RAF Waddington the aircraft have provided consistent support to British and Allied operations around the world.

“Every one of these 5,000 hours could not have been achieved without the professionalism and dedication of our engineering, aircrew and support staff across the ISTAR force.”

The Rivet Joint programme is a joint RAFUSAF partnership that allows personnel from both countries to train and operate together on intelligence gathering operations.

NEW TRAINING chief Air Cdre Ian Sharrocks (pictured above) made his maiden flight in the RAF’s Prefect aircraft at Cranwell.

He flew one of two of the turboprop trainers, flying in close formation on a simulated low-level attack on a target near the former RAF Binbrook airfield before a demonstration of maximum performance manoeuvring at medium level.

The pair’s mission is a typical challenge set for trainees on the fast-track Prefect to Hawk syllabus.

Garden guru eyes RAF Chelsea win Simon Mander A UNIQUE statue of a World War II fighter pilot is to take pride of place in this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s RAF Benevolent Fund Garden.

The finished sculpture, still being constructed from 223 individual layers of marine grade stainless steel, will be unveiled ahead of the prestigious show from May 24-28 at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Award-winning garden designer and artist John Everiss was inspired to create it by his family connections to the Air Force.

He said: “My father, Stan, was a navigator on Stirling bombers and survived after being shot down over occupied France in 1943.

“After being hidden by local resistance fighters he was guided over the Pyrenees and eventually reunited with his family after four months.”

Based on a single solid piece of Portland stone weighing four tonnes, the figure is the centrepiece of a garden full of aviation-themed elements Mr Everiss said: “It shows a young Battle of Britain pilot standing looking up at the sky, shielding his eyes from the sun as he sees how the air battle fares above him.

“Grabbing a mug of tea, he rests from his last sortie and awaits the call to fly again.

“Standing at 12ft tall, the figure has incredible details showing every crease and fold in the clothing

CHELSEA BOOTS: Designer John Everiss supervises work on the statue of a WWII fighter pilot which will be the centepiece of the RAFBF entry

and equipment, his face tense after many days in the air.

“As you look up, you have the same view as the airman back in 1940, straining his eyes searching for dogfights overhead.”

The model for the figure was Mr Everiss’s own son, George, who is similar in age to the Battle of Britain pilots of 1940.

The sculpture is surrounded by a curved Purbeck stone mortar backed drystone wall imitating concrete blast walls built outside factories and airfields to shelter people caught out in the open during wartime attacks.

Large steel panels radiate from

the seating area within the wall and appear to be slowly corroding away, invoking the fuselage of a long-abandoned aircraft or the remnants of a hangar blown apart.

Large boulders and rocks are strewn throughout the front of the garden signifying destruction, among them pieces of pottery and brick, reminding onlookers of the homes the towering Airman figure was trying to protect.

The garden has been designed to allow visitors to sit and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all RAF and civilian personnel.

TRIBUTE: A computer generated mock-up of the statue; inset left, John’s son models for the figure in design studio

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P7

News In Brief

Game for a Darth

MERCY MISSION: Movers load up supplies at RAF Brize Norton

C-17 delivers on aid pledge AIR MOVERS have been working round-the-clock to deliver military aid to beleaguered Ukraine.

Brize-based personnel have so far completed more than 60 missions using 99 Sqn giant C-17 Globemaster transporters as part of the UK’s pledge to supply nonlethal aid.

Among the cargoes delivered are 100,000 ration packs, 3,000 body armour kits, 3,000 boots and 2,000 helmets.

FORCE IS WITH YOU: PTI Cpl Rob Tupholme dressed for action in the Cranwell gym PHOTO: ANDREW WHEELER

STAR WARS fan Cpl Rob Tupholme has launched a charity bid to march up one of the UK’s highest peaks – dressed as a movie stormtrooper.

The Cranwell physical training instructor is joining forces with two pals to conquer Snowdonia and raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief after one of his teammate’s mothers was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.

Rob said: “The biggest problem will be the lack of vision. The shape of the helmet means you can’t really see where you are putting your feet.

“This challenge is nothing compared to what cancer sufferers go through, no more so than my mate’s mum who has recently undergone a double mastectomy. I have fundraised for Macmillan before and I decided it was time to do another challenge – this time with a difference. Whatever happens, I know the Royal Air Force will be with me.” l Go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/r-tupholme2

Crew hit cardboard city to target homelessness Simon Mander

AIR FORCE Police Warrant Officer Paul ‘Alfie’ Bass dons the traditional bowler as he takes a bow with wife Lena after 35 years in the Service.

During his career he has completed tours across the world including Iraq, Afghanistan,

Kenya and the Falklands, where he introduced the RAF’s first Search and Rescue dogs.

He said: “It was such a privilege to operate with people and dogs together for such a long time – that’s what I’ll miss most.”

AIR FORCE personnel spent the night in cardboard boxes in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral to highlight the plight of homeless people.

The Waddington-based rough sleepers braved temperatures which dropped to 3˚C to help raise cash for the YMCA-run Nomad Trust that provides emergency accommodation and the John Egging Trust.

Flt Lt Chris Atkin, Fg Off Mel Higginbottom, Cpl Alex Payne, Cpl Ben Robus and Cpl Chloe Whelan joined 60 members of the public for the inappropriately-named Sleep Easy event.

Cpl Whelan said: “The event was an eye-opener and has given me a different perspective of the unfortunate people who have no option but to do this as part of normal life. I recommend everyone try it out, just to see what people have to endure.”

The YMCA has hosted similar events since 2010, with more than 6,000 people taking part.

Fg Off Higginbottom said: “It was awe-inspiring to see the hard work of the volunteers who help out behind the scenes – I also learnt

ROUGH NIGHT: Volunteers from RAF Waddington bed down outside Lincoln Cathedral to raise awareness about homelessness in the region

that the Mayor of Lincoln used to be homeless herself, which reflects that it can happen to anyone at any time.”

At the last count the YMCA JustGiving page for the event had raised more than £10,000.

Flt Lt Atkin said: “Sleep Easy

22 was a sombre yet warming affair; a group of people chatting, getting to know each other before hunkering down against the cold night, coming together to replicate ‘sleeping rough’ in order to raise funds and an awareness of homelessness in Lincoln.”

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P9

News

Judgement Day GUNNERS ARE trialling the latest virtual reality kit to test their splitsecond responses and judgement in close combat with the enemy where civilians could be at risk.

Members of The Queen’s Colour Squadron took part in a series of synthetic battlefield drills alongside traditional weapons training techniques to assess if computer simulated game play sharpens fighters’ ability to react.

Training chief Wg Cdr Liam Mitchell said: “Force Protection operators are required to make split-second decisions.

“When operating around complex airfields, packed with people and high value air systems, a great deal of discrimination must be applied in deciding when and how to operate our weapon systems.

“Failure to make the correct instant decision,

In Brief

TRIBUTE: Artwork is on display in Officers’ and Sgts’ Messes at Wittering

Bomb Sqn is in the frame BOMB DISPOSAL missions carried out by RAF experts across the world have been captured by an artist at Wittering.

Prints commemorating operations from Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, the Falklands, and World War II, some signed by personnel who carried them out, have gone on display in the Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes.

Artist Mark Whittaker got the idea from a former member of 5131 (BD) Sqn, which was stood down in 2020.

Mr Whittaker, pictured left, said: “I was quite proud that names from the squadron dating back to the Falklands were signed around the border and they’re up there now in the two messes.”

LINE-OUT: RAF Veteran and UK Rugby legend Rory Underwood hits the phones for RAFA

lly CALL-UP: Cpl McNa

could cost lives and result in the failure of the mission.”

Using VR headsets and replica weapons modelled on the real thing Gunners carried out close force protection scenarios in crowded areas and marksmanship tests.

SAC Newman added: “The speed at which scenarios can be set up is extremely advantageous for busy Force Elements to capitalise on short notice training windows.

“The fact that you are moving around makes it much easier to understand your capabilities, limitations and the risks associated with operating in the Close Quarter Battle environment.”

RAF Rugby stars on call Staff Reporter SERVICE RUGBY aces Rory Underwood and Cpl John McNally hit the phones as Forces charity RAFA launched a nationwide welfare drive.

The duo joined Grammynominated conductor Anthony Inglis and Red Arrows pilots, veterans and volunteers to make more than 5,000 welfare calls to veterans, serving personnel

and families to mark the group’s Founders Day. Mr Underwood said: “As a former RAF fast jet pilot, I’m thrilled to be supporting the RAF Association’s work by making telephone calls to older veterans.

“The people I have been speaking to gave their all for our country, they deserve to be asked, in their later years, how the charity can help them.”

NATO calls in extra Typhoons to secure Black Sea borders

Simon Mander

EXTRA TYPHOON jets are to be sent to the Black Sea region to shore up Nato’s eastern flank defences in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Two additional Typhoons will join four already in Romania as the RAF takes over command of the Enhanced Air Policing from the Italian Air Force.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The UK and Romania are steadfast in the defence of our shared values and commitment to Nato’s collective security, in the air, at sea and on land.

“Together we are supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s illegal invasion, and I pay tribute to Romania’s generosity providing shelter for the tens of thousands of innocent civilians fleeing this horrific conflict.”

It’s the fourth time Britain has deployed on Operation Biloxi to augment Romania’s own Quick Reaction Alert forces since it began in 2014 – following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, said: “Our air forces are at the vanguard of Nato’s collective security, united

SKY GUARDIANS: RAF Typhoons on the pan in Romania. Inset right, crews discuss tactics with Romanian Air Force personnel

in our shared determination to protect our nations.

“From the north of Norway to the Black Sea and Mediterranean, aircraft are airborne, alert and ready to defend against any threat

to Nato territory or populations.”

A ceremony saw jets take part in a scramble exercise and flypast, showcasing Nato’s ability to rapidly respond to incursions into Allied airspace.

Mr Wallace and Sir Mike met with Romanian Defence Minister Vasile Dincu and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Daniel Petrescu, to discuss regional security and the war in Ukraine.

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P13

News

Heroes of Kabul airlift honoured Simon Mander

RAF POLICE who helped evacuate 15,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban have scooped a government security award.

Personnel who deployed to Kabul International Airport to process passengers airlifted out as part of Operation Pitting have been named Team of the Year.

Officers secured the terminal building to get large numbers of passengers quickly on to landing aircraft and minimise the threat from emotionally distressed passengers or terrorists in the air.

Detachment commander Sqn Ldr Di Bird said: “Regardless of if they were providing aviation security on the ground or in the air, they willingly faced the very worst that humanity can throw at you, and they did it with professionalism, compassion and unwavering cheer.”

RAF Police Cpl Georgina Young said: “We were all united in ensuring that the passage out of Afghanistan was as stress free as possible for all of our passengers – often unrealistic at times but repatriating 15,000

people safely will be a number that will stay with me forever.”

Military teams who helped airlift thousands of Afghans and British nationals from Kabul as the Taliban seized control of the country are to be decorated.

The Operational Service Medal Afghanistan will be given to those involved in the largest humanitarian aid operation in 70 years.

During the crisis, the military provided food and water, clothing and medical supplies for evacuees and policed the airport.

The RAF launched more than 100 sorties to rescue refugees from at least 38 different nations during the crisis, including a record-breaking flight with 439 passengers on a C-17 Globemaster.

Armed Forces personnel who helped evacuate British nationals and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul attended an event at the Palace of Westminster as Parliament came together to thank them for their service.

120 members of Armed Forces personnel from the RAF, Royal Navy and British Army attended a reception in Westminster.

GINA YOUNG

KABUL CHAOS: RAF Police teams played a crucial role during the evacuation of more than 15,000 people from Kabul; below, refugees on board C-17

CPL GEOR

In Brief

Housing gets a £640m makeover Simon Mander

HANDOVER: Air Cdre Lyle (left) takes over from outgoing transport chief Air Cdre Manning

Mobility move

AIR CDRE Anthony Lyle has taken command of the Air Mobility Force from Air Cdre David Manning as the UK steps up humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.

Speaking after a formal handover at RAF Brize Norton, he said: “This is an interesting time with the current activity to provide critical logistical support to Ukraine and Nato.”

FORCES HOUSING chiefs have pledged improvements under new multi-million pound contracts to increase standards for 39,000 Armed Forces families across the UK. Five contracts worth £640 million to provide a new national call centre and better maintenance and repair services came into force this month.

Under a £141 million deal Pinnacle Group Ltd will operate the National Service Centre as a single point of contact for families to make service requests, track progress in real time and have more choice when arranging appointments.

DIO Head of Accommodation Air Cdre James Savage said: “Our Armed Forces have no real choice where they serve, no matter how remote, and when and how frequently they move.

“It’s vital we ensure their homes are of the right quality. These

contracts have been developed with Service families firmly in mind to better meet their needs.

“Enhancing customer service will be their focus, with clear satisfaction targets for suppliers to meet, financial consequences for falling short and incentives to exceed the minimum standards.”

Under four Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services worth £499 million Amey will look after military homes in the Northern Region, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and North Wales, and in the Central Region, which includes Mid and South Wales; VIVO will fix properties in the South East and South West of England.

They require suppliers to adopt industry standards to address poor performance including ‘first time fixes’ for repairs, and quicker response times to reduce disruption.

Each contract lasts seven years with an option to extend for up

to three years, and to terminate after three years, depending on performance, and are expected to deliver an estimated £855 million worth of improvements

and refurbishments.

Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin added: “These contracts will provide a crucial step towards modernising Defence estates.”

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P15

News

Wokk star

Falklands icon pulls in museum crowds

SURVIVOR: Bravo November takes off from the deck of the ill-fated merchant ship Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands conflict in 1982

Brize supplies

See p21

lands nook HC6A dodged Falk STAR AT TR ACTION: Chito ser ve in Iraq and Afghanistan missile strike and went on

Simon Mander FALKLANDS WAR survivor ‘Bravo November’ is now on public display for the first time ever at the RAF Museum Cosford.

One of the most famous aircraft the RAF has flown, Chinook HC6A is displayed alongside the Harrier GR3 in a new exhibition commemorating 40 years since the start of the conflict.

It was one of the original 30 battlefield workhorses dubbed the ‘Wokka Wokka’ because of its distinctive double rotary sound, and ordered for its heavy-lifting capability.

The helicopter earned its

AID MISSION: Volunteers at Brize Norton load up supplies for Ukraine

nickname ‘The Survivor,’ when the container ship it was travelling on, the MS Atlantic Conveyor, was hit by a missile, caught fire and sank.

The entire Chinook fleet along with supplies, spares and maintenance kits were lost apart from Bravo November, which remained in service for the rest of the campaign, moving troops, casualties and prisoners of war.

RAF Museum Head of Collections Dr Peter Johnston said: “Bravo November is an iconic aircraft, with a fascinating history.

“She’s been a real witness to war, having travelled the world doing her job.”

Four Bravo November

pilots have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a rare achievement for a single aircraft.

Dr Johnston added: “We’re thrilled to display Bravo November alongside the Harrier GR3.

“It’s great to be able to talk about the RAF’s role in the Falklands campaign, which has been overlooked in comparison to that of the Royal Navy and the Army but is just as important.”

Alongside the aircraft, new Falklands 40 displays, including 3D touch models and footage, will tell personal stories from the 1982 war, including firsthand accounts of Bravo November missions on the museum’s RAF Stories platform.

Odiham Station Commander Gp Capt Donal McGurk said: “Bravo November has been at the heart of operational commitments since she joined the Chinook Force in 1980.

It is fitting that we remember her, and all who have served on her.”

The aircraft was transported by road from the Hampshire base by the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron and reassembled over five days by a team of technicians, before being moved into the museum’s hangar.

Cosford is also home to Vulcan and Victor bombers, the VC10, Nimrod and Hercules, all types used by the RAF in the Falklands campaign.

RAF BRIZE Norton Service personnel sorted and boxed thousands of items donated by the local community for Ukrainian refugees.

More than 2,000 boxes of aid, weighing in at around 40 tonnes of supplies, were then taken by road by civilian volunteers to Ukraine.

The RAF team were joined by 50 local school students wearing blue and yellow – the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

So far £24,000 has been raised for the British Red Cross DEC Appeal for Ukraine.

FS Ali Hedworth, who led the project, said: “The last few weeks have been an exceptionally busy and challenging time for all of us and I would like to thank those who helped for the effort put in throughout the aid collections.

“It was an extremely busy and tiring task down at the Aid Drop-Off Zone and required a lot of effort to make it work out well.

“The persistence and effort by all really did pay off and the overall amount of collections has been frankly staggering.”

Catering ace Chris roasts rivals Saddle score WO STEVIE JOY is saddling up for Forces charity RAFA’s annual cycling fundraiser.

The cycling enthusiast launched his charity crusade last year to help him cope with the loss of his father, raising more than £1,000, and will be hitting the road with hundreds of other bikers in June for this year’s RAFA Rides event.

CULINARY SUPREMO Cpl Master Chef-style battle.

He served up a mouthwatering Christopher Curtis has scooped the top title in a national catering menu, featuring a smoked and panseared black cod loin starter, competition. a pecan granola-crusted The kitchen wizard, venison loin main who is a chef instructor course and a spiced in the Food Services ginger and apple Training Squadron pudding. at Worthy Down, He also created was named Intera winning show Services Chef of the platter menu of Year at Exercise Joint Patagonian surf Caterer at the Public ’n’turf, which included Sector Food Expo. dish Patagonian pork roll, Cpl Curtis beat four SH NOSH: Winning quail and truffle, lobster other military chefs – PO and asparagus terrine, bevre two from the Royal Navy and two from the Army – to win jelly, quail egg, winter pea fricassee the competition after a 90-minute and garbanzo salad with apple and

cucumber chutney and pistachio and watercress pesto.

Cpl Curtis said: “I was delighted to win. It was a lot of hard work – I started practising the menus three weeks before the competition.

“When they said ‘go’ I forgot to put my timer on so just had to make sure I went as fast as I could. I managed to knock six minutes off my final time.”

He added: “I have been invited to be the Royal Air Force captain for the Service’s culinary arts team at next year’s competition, which is a real honour and a privilege. I am keen to develop some of our younger chefs and get them involved in competing.”

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P16

Feature

WWII trailblazer

All eyes on the tow The Guinea Pig Club musical about the work of pioneering WWII aircrew plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe may be coming to a theatre near you very soon

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TOP SURGEON: Archibald McIndoe

IONEERING PLASTIC surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe and the World War II Allied airmen burns victims he treated – known as the Guinea Pig Club – may not seem like obvious subjects for a musical but author, broadcaster, comedian and columnist Andrew Doyle disagrees.

Doyle, who presents a weekly show on GB News, has written the book and lyrics for a musical provisionally titled The Guinea Pig Club, with music and orchestration by composer Craig Adams.

Doyle said: “When I discussed the project with friends many reacted with incredulity that such a topic should be deemed fit for the musical treatment.

“There is a preconception that musicals are associated with frivolity and they can’t deal with serious themes, but Rent was about the HIV crisis.

“The story of the Guinea Pig Club lends itself readily to musical interpretation because it offers a powerful example of human resilience against impossible odds.”

DOYLE: Writer and GB News presenter

He added: “It’s not demeaning to McIndoe and his Guinea Pig Club’s legacy to see their stories brought to life in musical form – it’s a tribute to the extraordinary nature of their achievements. Musical theatre is the best way to achieve that because you’re dealing with a story that involves heightened emotion and it is a testament to the human spirit and human endurance that people can get through that and so many positives came out of it.”

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ew Zealand-born McIndoe developed innovative plastic surgery techniques to treat the airmen’s horrific injuries at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

It became known as ‘the town that didn’t stare’ because the surgeon told his patients to mix with the local

GOOD HEALTH: McIndoe shares a toast with some of his Guinea Pig Club patients

population to help destigmatise their injuries, recognising the need for the patients’ mental recovery from their life-changing injuries.

He promoted a relaxed atmosphere where they could take time away from the ward in between treatments. He had a piano and a barrel of beer installed in the ward and encouraged socialising and singing among the men. When they went out he encouraged them to wear their uniform to instil a sense of pride.

Doyle explained: “Craig heard an interview with a surviving Guinea Pig Club member talking about when McIndoe played the piano on Ward 3, which inspired him.

“At the time I was living in East Grinstead but hadn’t made the connection. Craig and I have written

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P17

by Tracey Allen

wn that never stares UNVEILING: Guinea Pig Club members with McIndoe statue at Queen Victoria Hospital

“

It’s not demeaning to McIndoe and his Guinea Pig Club’s legacy to see their stories brought to life in musical form”

together in the past. He told me about the interview and the more I read about McIndoe’s story the more it lent itself to musical interpretation – so we wrote it.

“A version was staged by the Laine Theatre Arts School in Epsom, Surrey, where Craig teaches, as their end of term production. We’ve done a few rewrites since then as musicals can take years to perfect. We started the project about eight or nine years ago.”

I

n 2014 TV star Amanda Redman attended the unveiling of a statue in front of the Queen Victoria Hospital of McIndoe, created by sculptor Martin Jennings whose father was one of the surgeon’s patients. Redman, who was treated at the hospital for third-degree burns at 15 months old when accidentally scalded with a pan of boiling soup, is a patron of the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation that campaigned to raise money for the statue.

Richard E Grant plays McIndoe in

a film version also starring Sam Neill, now in pre-production.

Doyle said: “I don’t have a particular actor in mind to play McIndoe, I think Richard E Grant would be very good in the role.”

He added: “It would be great to put the show on in East Grinstead.

The ideal would be if it has a run somewhere and then tours.”

Currently in development with production company Perfect Pitch, the musical is now seeking a venue, a producing partner and investors to support a world premiere of the show with a 10-strong cast.

D

oyle has performed standup comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe, is the author of several books including Free Speech and Why It Matters, presents Free Speech Nation

REDMAN: Burns research charity patron

GRANT: Plays surgeon in film version

on GB News, writes columns for The Critic and Spiked and is the man behind the spoof uber woke Twitter activist Titania McGrath.

But he’s no stranger to writing musicals and has worked on adaptations of Pinocchio, Gulliver’s Travels and Terry Pratchett’s novel Soul Music, among others.

Craig is a composer, lyricist and arranger and has recorded with West End star Kerry Ellis on her self-titled album.

Doyle said: “What I’ve mostly done in the past is adaptations of texts for musicals whereas this is a new departure because it’s not a work of fiction I’m adapting. The stories and the characters and the relationships I’m depicting in The Guinea Pig Club musical aren’t explicitly based on real people but they are set in the context of the hospital,

McIndoe and the Club.”

He stressed that his creation Titania, described as a ‘radical intersectionalist poet’, who has provoked major online abuse, is not part of an anti-woke campaign.

He said: “It’s not a campaign – as a comedian my job is to mock what I consider to be the ridiculous elements of society. I would be in dereliction if I didn’t mock it and Titania is simply a way of doing that through a satirical persona.

“You are dealing with a very sectarian and infantile section of people, almost like a cult really, a very powerful cult, who have their tentacles in major institutions. People in power hate being mocked and they will sue everyone they can to stop it, so that is to be expected.” n Go to: globalmusicals.com for more information.

Tell us what you think about the musical WHAT DO you think about a Guinea Pig Club musical – a fine tribute to McIndoe and the Allied airmen he treated, or in poor taste? Let us know. Email editor@rafnews. co.uk with ‘Guinea Pig Club’ in the subject matter or write to: Editor, RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4UE.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P19

Military history

By Chris Pyke

AIR FORCE GIANTS: Sir John (left) with ‘Father of the RAF’ Hugh Trenchard in 1950

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S THE world faces up to the possibility of global conflagration at the mercy of Russia’s weapons of mass destruction in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the life of Sir John Slessor – architect of Britain’s nuclear defence policy – is examined in a new biography.

Air Power Supremo: A Biography of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor shares the extraordinary, and until now littleknown, life story of the wartime RAF commander who became the leading airpower thinker and grand strategist of his generation.

Slessor, who grew up in Oxford, was instrumental in forging the Anglo-American air power relationship in World War II and later in the early years of the Cold War. “While he was not the first to consider the idea of nuclear

deterrence, he ensured the idea became a reality,” said author William Pyke.

“He argued for the nuclear deterrent to be placed at the centre of British defence policy and drove the development of the V-force nuclear-armed bombers which fulfilled that role during the 1950s and 1960s.

“That policy remains the bedrock of Britain’s strategic defence and continues today in the form of Britain’s Trident submarine fleet.”

Slessor, a polio survivor who always walked with a cane, became a World War I pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, winning the Military Cross in Sudan, serving on the Western Front and becoming the first pilot to engage an enemy aircraft over Britain… a Zeppelin.

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etween the wars, he was one of the first to develop new

ROYAL VISIT: Sir John (right) and son John (left) with HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the presentation of a new Standard to 83 Sqn (Vulcans) at RAF Scampton, 1963

Feature

AIR POWER: V-Force aircraft the Vulcan, Valiant and Victor (left to right) and Balkan Air Force Spitfire (inset)

The man behind Britain’s nuclear defence policy thinking about military air-ground cooperation and the introduction of the concept of air interdiction in aerial warfare.

He then became the successful wartime leader of three Commands: 5 Group Bomber Command, Coastal Command during the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic, and finally leading the RAF’s Mediterranean and Middle East Command whilst Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force during the Italian and Balkan campaigns.

After the war, as Chief of the Air Staff, he became a leading expert amongst the Western Powers on global strategy and nuclear deterrence.

His reasoning and energy drove geopolitical thinking on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Slessor’s career and his thinking and writing about airpower span almost the whole story of flight in the first half of the 20th century – from the painful birth-pangs of industrialised warfare to the strategic complexities that are familiar to us today,” said Andrew Roberts, the renowned British

The air power pioneer Win! WE HAVE two copies of Air Power Supremo to give away to RAF News readers.

To enter, answer the following question:

How many commands did Slessor hold during WWII? Email your answer, marked Slessor book competition, to: competitions@rafnews. co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP 14 4UE, to arrive by May 6. Please include your name, address and phone number. historian and author who wrote the foreword to Pyke’s book.

“He fearlessly came up with the geopolitical strategies of deterrence and addressed the terrifying contentions of the atomic and nuclear age in a way that has successfully kept the peace between the Great Powers for three-quarters of a century.”

William Pyke has worked closely with the Slessor family to compile this biography, following each stage

of Slessor’s 37-year career as a pilot and commander. It records his squadron service during World War I, his role as a senior commander in World War II, and his later career during the Cold War. Air Power Supremo: A biography of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor by William Pyke, is published by Pen & Sword Books and is available to purchase in hardback from £18.50.

The True Value of Forces Pension Society Membership s you would expect, many people join the Forces Pension Society for guidance from our Pensions Experts about their individual pension benefits.

But a question I’m frequently asked, is why do Members remain Members for so many years? In this brief article, I will attempt to explain why - and the answer is embedded in our Vision statement:

A

to enhance Armed Forces Pension clarity for our Members and influence policy, now and for future generations.

Armed Forces Pensions are complex. Often seen primarily as a means of encouraging Service retention, they are now more appropriately designed to meet the needs of a diverse and more savvy generation.

The very characteristics that make for outstanding servicemen and women also demand a pension that goes beyond meeting basic needs. Additionally, since April this year,all serving personnel will be members of AFPS 15, meaning there is a uniform pension platform that provides a springboard into civilian life or long-term assurance of a decent living standard.

The Forces Pension Society has been in the vanguard of this evolution, having championed Armed Forces Pensions for more than 75 years, acting as a pension watchdog for the entire military community.

Our Forces Pensions Consultants are always on hand to provide guidance tailored to Members’ individual needs.

For current Members, there are significant decision points in every Service career. Some are predictable, such as the timing of Early Departure Payments and Resettlement grants; others less so, such as divorce (sadly not uncommon in our community), medical discharge or decisions relating to pension top-ups. For some, annual allowances and taxation charges require constant monitoring and planning. This is why our Forces Pensions Consultants are always on hand to provide guidance tailored to Members’ individual needs.

Other reasons Members tell us they remain loyal are because they support our successful campaigning activities (such as Justice for Widows and the recent McCloud Case), our representation of their interests on the Public Sector and MoD Pension Boards, (where strength in numbers helps increase our influence), and we keep them informed of developments in the pension environment through our highly informative biannual Newsletters and flagship publication, Pennant.

Our membership also values our work in running Roadshows and Webinars at bases around the country, where we inform and shed light on pension complexity. These events are attended at one end, by recent entrants to the Services to gain a basic understanding of their Armed Forces Pension; those at their ‘mid-career’ as they assess their options and those towards the latter stages of their career when they and their partners become focussed on their future financial well-being. The Society is there at every step of the way, helping them make the best pension choices.

“If the Society didn’t exist we’d have to invent it.”

We are a self-sufficient, independent organisation, sustained by our Members’ subscriptions, free to criticise whenever we find injustice in the system, and to campaign not only on behalf of our Members, but for the wider Armed Forces Community. As many have said to us over the years: “if the Society didn’t exist we’d have to invent it.”

Maj Gen Neil Marshall, CEO, FPS

Perhaps it’s not surprising that we retain our Members’ support, year after year.

Finally, having spoken about the support we provide at critical stages of Service life there’s another dimension to the Society’s activities. This is our membership benefits programme which is continuously refreshed to meet the needs of our diverse membership. It provides access to products and services (often exclusive to us and usually discounted) ranging from durables (washing machines to cars), insurances (family travel policies to pets), professional services (legal, tax and inheritance planning experts and so on), discounted money transfers, cruises and much more. It’s our way of ensuring our Members get even greater value from their membership subscription.

On reflection, perhaps it’s not so surprising that we retain our Members’ support, year after year.

We continue to grow strongly, heading steadily toward 70,000 Members.

Find out how you can join us by visiting www.forcespensionsociety.org

Scan for Website

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P21

Feature

By Simon Mander

The Survivor still has starring role ng a WOKK STAR: Bravo November is provi

hit

REUNITED: Tom Kinsella visits Bravo November at RAF Museum. He kept her flying during his time as an RAF Chief Tech in the Falklands War, inset below

SOLE SURVIVOR: Bravo November was the only aircraft that was not lost when an Argentine missile hit the Atlantic Conveyor in May 1982, above left, FS Liz McConaghy beside the famous Chinook’s ramp.

IT IS the rock star in the modern RAF inventory. A totemic war horse with an unmatched pedigree, Bravo November has deployed on every major conflict since it arrived in 1982.

It survived a missile strike in the Falklands and faced down rockets and heavy fire in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now centre stage at the RAF Museum, where it is pulling in crowds of aviation fans.

For the crews who flew on her, Bravo November is not just another aircraft. For them, the 40 year-old Chinook is a flying unicorn in a camouflage coat.

FS Liz McConaghy took her firstever RAF flight on board Bravo November in the Falklands in 2001.

It was the start of a 17-year love

MERT TOURS: Flight Sergeant Liz McConaghy

Legendary Chinook is pulling in aviation fans at RAF Museum affair that endured the heat, dust and danger of two tours in Iraq and 10 tours of Afghanistan.

In a twist of fate it was also the last aircraft she flew on before she was medically discharged in 2017 during her last posting – back where she started, in the Falkland Islands.

She said: “All the aircraft in the Chinook fleet were referred to by their numbers in the brief but when it came to Bravo November she was always referred to by name.

“Everyone knew she was the one aircraft that would look after you. You felt like you were in a flying shield.

“She had a kind of aura about her. You were safe wherever you were and whatever was happening. You knew she would look after you no matter what.

“In Afghanistan she was there for two of my tours on MERT duty. There is no doubt that she has saved lives.

“There are people walking around on this planet because of that helicopter. I will never forget seeing people come over the

ramp who were dead and brought back to life at my feet because of the amazing medics that we had – that will stay with me forever.

“I didn’t think I would get emotional seeing her at the museum. It was like when I came back from my last tour of Afghanistan and put my bags down and thought ‘That’s that – I made it out alive. I can relax without being shot at.’

“The same thing went through my mind. I thought ‘Her war is over and she is safe now’. Standing on the back brought back so many memories for me.

“The smell of a Chinook is so distinctive. It instantly brought it all back. The smell of the hydraulic fluid takes you back to your flying days.

“I am not surprised it is a big attraction. The public has a very strong feeling towards the Chinook.

“It is the aircraft they see most of on the news and it is the aircraft they know rescues our troops. It is so distinctive and so familiar to so many people. People identify with it in a way they don’t with other aircraft.”

Bravo November escaped Exocet strike in Falklands Simon Mander FALKLANDS VETERAN Tom Kinsella joined Bravo November days after it earned its indestructible reputation and nickname ‘The Survivor’, by escaping an Exocet missile strike on the Atlantic Conveyor.

Luckily, he was on the Task Force command ship HMS Fearless in another part of the infamous stretch of water nicknamed Bomb Alley when it happened, but remembers the shock of the news.

He said: “When the Atlantic Conveyor was hit, we lost everything, three other Chinooks, six Wessexes and all the equipment, tools and spares on board. We only found out later that Bravo November was flying on task at the time.”

Transferring to the islands, the 78-year-old former Chief Technician witnessed its miraculous reappearance after the attack.

He said: “At that time we in 18 Squadron were the only RAF flying squadron there with just one aircraft and after the original crew was rescued and sent back to the UK, I was told to keep it flying until we couldn’t drive it anymore.”

Using toilet paper as oil filters and an old exercise

book as a logbook, without spares, service manuals or lubricants Tom did what DIY maintenance he could.

Even after Sqn Ldr Dick Langworthy, who won the DFC, and co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Andy Lawless lost visibility in a thick snow shower and hit the sea at 100 knots due to a faulty altimeter, before limping back damaged to San Carlos.

As the only battlefield workhorse helicopter available ZA718, as it was also known, still managed to carry 1,500 troops, 95 casualties, 550 POWs and 550 tons of cargo during the hostilities.

And the start of the legendary aircraft’s 39-year RAF career was filmed by Tom on a super eight camera borrowed from the Paras.

His footage featured in the Discovery Channel documentary Falklands Hero: Bravo November.

The second of the four DFC winners to fly the helicopter – Sqn Ldr Steve Carr, who flew it in Iraq – was at the Chinook’s VIP unveiling at the RAF Museum.

Tom said: “It was great to see Steve at the event and see Bravo November again displayed in the hangar at Cosford among the other aircraft, including the Wessex.”

ADVERTORIAL

IT EC 2

26-28 April 2022 ExCeL, London

Advancing training through technology What you need to know Set to reunite the simulation and training community under one roof and super-charge its members, the International Training Technology Exhibition & Conference (IT2EC) returns this year. Analysing emerging trends, this conference is the key forum where stakeholders from military, government, industry and academia come together to share knowledge and insights about training, simulation and education.

The three-day exhibition will take place at ExCeL, London in 26-28 April 2022, and promises to be the meeting point of the brightest minds of the European training and simulation world. Providing the ideal networking platform, show organisers expect to welcome more than 75 exhibitors and 2,000 attendees representing over 45 nations.

Exploring evolving technologies The event will be led by an overarching theme which will focus on evolving technologies for training and education data and explores modelling and algorithms. Under this theme, the show’s conference will investigate the notion of Digital Twins, the risks of AI and the applications of Machine Learning for training. This will include topics such as “Train, Reflect, Learn and Train Again” and the Reality-Simulation-Reality cycle which have become fundamental enablers for robust training systems.

This year’s exciting agenda includes discussions about augmented reality prototypes, simulator-based military training and education, the role of commercial gaming in training multidomain leaders, data visualisation, and

digital twins. The show will welcome UK and international panellists from organisations such as the US Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Finnish Defence Forces and the Joint Warfare Centre of Qatar.

NATO will also have a strong presence at the show, as the organisation aims to explore new avenues in military training.

A key discussion includes a panel on Wednesday 27th April featuring Lars Jansson, Project Engineer, FMV; and Captain Peter Lindskog, Developer of Simulation Systems for Military Training, Swedish Armed Forces, who will discuss Exercise VIKING 22: Leveraging MSaaS Technology and Process. RAF Wing Commander, Ruari Henderson-Begg, and Dr Robert Siegfried, Chair of the NATO Modelling and Simulation Group, will also join forces on Thursday 28th April to discuss Distributed Synthetic Training: Roadmap towards a Future NATO Capability.

What can visitors expect to see on site?

IT2EC 2022 visitors will find exciting features on site which aim to explore ambitious new solutions that could reshape the future of training and military and civil domains. These include, a new Technology Lounge and the return of the Disruptive Technology Theatre (DisTec), where exhibitors will host live demos of wearable tech, AI/Machine Learning, Robotics and 5G networking. The lounge is entirely free-of-charge and will give visitors a hands-on experience of real-life applications, such as arson investigation, firefighter training and armed police response.

To get an exclusive 10% discount on conference tickets, use code MOD10 when you register for IT2EC 2022

IT2EC’s bustling show floor will host leading training and simulation organisations of all sizes. The long list of exhibitors includes; Lockheed Martin who unveiled a new training simulator in November 2021 for the F-35 joint strike fighter, as well as SAAB who is set to deliver a number of live tactical engagement simulation training systems to multiple international partners, such as Poland and the Netherlands.

Reflection on the immense value that SMEs bring to the industry, IT2EC will also welcome a range of small and medium innovative companies and offer a dedicated platform for them to showcase their advances in simulation technology.

Examples include professional-grade VR/XR hardware and software specialist, Varjo, who recently introduced a new Aero Headset to the market, and SimCentric who has expanded the capabilities of its SAF-FORESIGHT live range planning system with additional risk assessment, analysis and safety intervention tools to support live-fire collective training.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet MAK Technologies, the Winner of the 2021 DisTec Challenge, a competition which invited progressive organisations to showcase solutions that can disrupt training, education and simulation as we know it. Legion, the Grand Final winning entry by MAK Technologies, is a next-gen scalability and comms framework which enables distributed simulation exercises to scale into millions of entities.

In response to COVID-19, IT2EC 2022 will follow government health and safety guidelines to ensure that social distancing and hygiene measures are in place to protect attendees.

www.itec.co.uk/mod-2022-registration

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P23

Flt Lt Douglas Coxell Obituary

Pilot at D-Day, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossing F

LIGHT LIEUTENANT Douglas Coxell, who has died aged 100, towed gliders and dropped parachute troops on the three great airborne operations in north-west Europe during World War II. He joined the RAF in March 1942 and, after completing his elementary flying training as a pilot, he sailed on the Queen Mary for Canada. cOn arrival he travelled by train to Terrell, near Dallas in Texas, where he trained at No 1 British Flying Training School.

He graduated in May 1943, when he was commissioned. On return to England, he converted to the Albemarle aircraft, an unsuccessful bomber, which was transferred to the new 38 (Transport) Group to support airborne operations.

He joined 297 Squadron based in the New Forest and flew his first operation on March 11, 1944, when he carried supplies for the Special Operations Executive.

In May the squadron began intensive training on glider towing and parachute drops in preparation for the D-Day landings.

On D-Day Coxell took off just before midnight and at 1am on June 6, 1944 he dropped Pathfinder parachutists on Drop Zone ‘N’, near Ranville, in the vicinity of the Orne Canal and River bridges. On a second sortie that day at 9pm he returned to the same drop zone towing a Horsa glider carrying reinforcements.

routing through France, the Middle East, India and Thailand. Each aircraft was airborne for 71 hours and the aircraft arrived in Malaya on schedule 14 days after leaving Scotland.

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oxell became qualified as a VIP pilot flying the Royal Family, Prime Minister and other Heads of State. In June 1962 there was a visit by the King and Queen of Thailand. On a visit to the Cameron Highlands, accompanied by the Malayan Royal Family, there was some confusion over travel arrangements. In the event, Coxell carried both Royal Families to the small 300-yard landing strip at Temerloh. He later commented: “I had on board two kings and queens, two prime ministers and two chiefs of staff!”

After three years he returned to England and became the personal pilot to the Air Commanderin-Chief of Technical Training Command (Air Marshal Sir William Coles).

In March 1968 he took early retirement to join the Alderneybased Aurigny Air Services. Initially based on Alderney, he ended up as chief training captain and in 1976 flight operations manager.

After 18 years flying Islanders, Trislanders and Twin Otters around the Channel Islands and adjacent coasts of France and England, he was obliged to retire from public transport flying at the age of 65 on December 21, 1986. However, he managed to fly until he was 86 as training captain for the Channel Islands Air Search, only hanging up his cap when he could no longer be insured.

He was invited back to celebrate liberation day in Oslo on many occasions and in 2021 was given a Norwegian Medal of Honour by the country’s defence attaché on behalf of the King of Norway.

In 2019 he received the Légion d’Honneur from the F r e n c h Government.

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n September, the squadron moved to Manston in Kent. On the 17th, Operation Market, the capture of the bridge at Arnhem, began and Coxell took off with a Horsa glider in tow, which was released just west of Arnhem. The following day he returned to drop supplies to the airborne forces.

After the Arnhem operations, the squadron received Halifax bombers, which had been modified to tow gliders and drop paratroops and supplies. Coxell dropped arms and personnel to the Resistance movements in Norway and in France. On March 23, he took part in his third major airborne operation, Operation Varsity, the crossing of the River Rhine, when he towed a Horsa glider and released it near Wesel.

On April 26, 1945 he completed his 20th and last WWII operational sortie, which was a supply drop in a remote valley in what is now the Hardanger National Park, in the Telemark Region of Norway.

On May 9, 1945, the day after VE Day, he landed at Gardermoen Airfield, near Oslo, with a contingent of the 1st Airborne

BOMBER DUTIES: Douglas Coxell at the controls of an Albemarle and, inset right, in the uniform of Alderney-based Aurigny Air Services

Division to accept the surrender of the German garrison at the airfield and subsequently all German Forces in Norway. He was mentioned in despatches.

H

e left the RAF September 1945 but rejoined in December

1952. Over the next few years he was a flying instructor, initially on piston-engine aircraft before converting to jets in 1954 and instructing on the Vampire.

In December 1959 he left for a loan appointment with the Royal Malayan Air Force to train pilots on

the Chipmunk. After six months, he led a ferry flight of three new Twin Pioneer light transport aircraft from Prestwick to Kuala Lumpur.

The flight was completed in short stage lengths of no more than four hours at 95 knots,

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P24

Feature

Training

Students dig deep to learn how to survive ROOKIE SURVIVAL experts simulated evading an enemy in sub-zero temperatures on a recent RAF exercise in Canada.

Specialists from St Mawgan deployed for the first time to Springer Lake in Nopiming Park to deliver

Extreme Cold Weather training to students seeking an instructor qualification.

In the final phase trainees waded waist deep in snow as the thermometer plummeted to between -20 to -30˚C and tried covering their tracks by moving at night in varying terrains.

A team of 29 instructors, students and support staff took part in the three-week course.

In week one, students lived in ‘luxurious’ sleeping huts with woodburners to learn the theory of coping with environmental hazards and physiology in cold weather.

They then moved outside to be taught how to build fires, natural shelters, store water, locate, trap and forage for food, and get located when stranded in Arctic conditions.

Then followed four days of training with limited kit in local woodland with student pairs showing they could survive isolated over an extended period.

Those completing the exercise were awarded the Unit SERE Instructor ECW qualification which allows them to train their parent units should they have to operate in cold environments.

HOLING UP: Digging out a snow shelter, and enjoying the results, inset, and bivouacking, left

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Boris Defence bonanza fuels UK space race MAY THE FORCES BE WITH YOU: Boris Johnson has pledged extra funding for military space defence technology

£16.5bn to combat Russia & China 'Star Wars' threat Simon Mander DEFENCE IS set for the biggest funding lift since the end of the Cold War government budget boost of £16.5 with a to transform the Armed Forces. billion PM Boris Johnson announced the spending spree to counter the growing threat Russia and China in space and the cyber from realm.

Among the projects to receive extra funding are a national Cyber Force and RAF Space Command, to safeguard military and commercial satellites from attack by adversaries.

Senior Air chiefs this week warned the next major conflict could be won or lost in space and that a move away from traditional military war fighting is vital to protect the UK and its allies.

Mr Johnson said: “I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic because the defence of the realm must come first.

“The international situation is more perilous and intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War and Britain must be true to our history and stand alongside our allies. To achieve this, we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.

“This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology and defend our people and way of life.” l Continued p3

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P26

Motoring

Volkswagen ID.3 Life Pro

The quiet Life WITHIN TWO days of driving the Volkswagen ID.3 I’d decided that I liked it. Firstly, it had reached 60mph in a respectable 9.6 seconds and, secondly, it had proved itself pretty adept at dead bird slalom.

I’d taken it for a test run up to Norfolk and we were just skirting the outskirts of the Sandringham Estate when it started raining pheasants. A shoot was obviously underway and I could only assume that a respected guest, probably an American, had taken his new Gatling Gun for a spin. Knowing only too well the damage that a fully grown pheasant can do to a bumper, especially when it’s

TIM MORRIS Motoring Correspondent inbound at full-chat, I decided that evasive action was in order. No pheasants were struck, ID.3 agility test successfully passed.

There are a few issues, including slight understeer during tight turns, shuddering over potholes and a fidgety ride on the motorway, but all are relatively minor grumbles.

It’s actually one of only a few EVs that genuinely feels fun to drive, thanks to its well-weighted steering, rear-wheel drive and excellent

body control. This is primarily down to its MacPherson strut front suspension and five-link rear axle suspension but its well-designed chassis helps.

Our Life Pro 58kWh 145 PS test car felt particularly feisty and matched the acceleration of the pricier Kia e-Niro. With a claimed range of 264 miles on a single charge, it’s also streets ahead of key rivals such as the Citroën e-C4 and the Peugeot e-208.

Real-world range On a mild, cloudy run to Norfolk, with temperatures in double figures and climate control switched off, the ID.3 did hit a comfy 4.0 miles per kWh, which isn’t far off the claimed range. To add a small caveat to that however, it has to be remembered that driving an EV in hot or cold weather can reduce your range dramatically thanks to the climate control, you won’t always be that lucky.

Of course electric charging is never going to be as convenient as petrol but a 30-minute break at a 100kW rapid charger will bang 180 miles back on the gauge for you. If practicality on a run matters to you, this could give it the edge.

Interior The ID.3 is a remarkably wellrounded small electric car and it comes with bags of kit.The interior

is well laid out but minimalist, to say the least. Everything feels solidly built but it couldn’t be described as plush. Cheaper, hard plastics are in liberal supply and the seats are finished in no-frills cloth fabric.

There are a few smart details dotted around to raise the tone however.

There’s a digital screen behind the steering wheel that shows the speed, range and sat-nav instructions. The display is small but the graphics are sharp. All ID.3s come with a 10in infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dash, which is a similar size to many of its rivals. The software could be more intuitive but the display is impressive, featuring animated pictures of the car that rotate impressively as you flick through options.

The driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment on the seat and the steering wheel. The gear selector is in an odd spot, positioned as a twist switch on the right hand side of the instrument binnacle, but everything else is pretty much where you’d expect to find it.

Sat-nav is standard across the range, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart phone mirroring. All models also get voice control. It’s great when it understands you but unfortunately it’s a bit hit and miss. Even with my polished ex-BBC voice it

VW ID.3 Life Pro PROS l One of better EVs to drive l Should hold its price well l Lively performance l Great range CONS l Interior not brilliant l Infotainment system sluggish l Top speed of 99mph VERDICT The cost of our test car, including the government’s plug-in vehicle grant, was £32,345 – so it’s sensibly priced for the market. It’s designed to be easy to use, practical family transport and it does what it says on the tin.

It’s certainly a great bit of kit but people love the VW Golf.

With a range of 144 miles on an e-Golf, it does make you wonder whether its sibling may yet be its greatest rival.

didn’t often get instructions right.

As an experiment I also tried other accents. Irish, Scottish and American all delivered worse results while it inexplicably responded well to Captain Jack Sparrow and Herr Flick of the Gestapo impressions.

Go figure.

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Sport

RUGBY LEAGUE

SUPER SUBS: The RAF players – including SAC Sam Roberts (with ball, left) and Cpl Ben Mellor (with ball, right) – made a real impact when they came off the bench

PHOTOS: MKS PHOTOGRAPHIC/JACKIE CLOWES

Deluge of points dampens Police spirits as UKAF put down marker

Raining champs pour on pressure Daniel Abrahams AS A show of intention, UKAF Rugby League’s 52-0 hammering of GB Police in the opening round of President’s Cup matches could not have been any clearer.

Having seen the weather turn from bright warm spring sunshine just before kick-off to snow and bitter cold, the military men turned on the style at Saddleworth Rangers’ Shaw Hall Bank Road ground in Oldham.

Head coach CPO (Ret’d) Danny

UKAFRL GB Police

52 0

Johnson, whose team were defending the Cup, said: “I was really pleased with the performance that the lads put on, we had a good camp.

“We had issues with the availability and ended up with a squad of 20, but you would never have known. The players were amazing at the camp, I was aware the Police had prepared well and we focused on being on our game.

“The weather situation was difficult, so we discussed it and it was obvious from the first whistle that we were in control.

“I could not fault them in any way against a good team.

“The Police came back at us in the second half, which allowed us to work on our defence.

“It takes a particular type of team to continue in the same vein as they did in the first half, but they did, which was so pleasing.”

The squad featured four RAF players, with RAF senior team

TWO TRIES: SAC Kieran Prescott bagged a brace of scores at soggy Shaw Hall Bank Road

captain Cpl Ben Mellor relishing the chance to get back to action.

Starting on the bench, along with SAC Kieran Prescott, Cpl George Mosey and SAC Sam Roberts, all four made a massive impact when they came on.

One highlight was Prescott’s entrance in the first half, which saw him scoring a try under the sticks with his first touch of the ball. He

then added a second only a few minutes later, at the stroke of halftime, for a 30-0 lead.

The second half saw further attacking play from the military men, putting a further 22 points on their beleaguered opponents.

The next round of championship matches takes place on April 27 at Lock Lane sports ground in Castleford.

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Sport

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Steep learning curve Riders need steel nerves for descent THE OPENING round of the 2022 Pearce Cycles race series saw RAF Downhill duo Cpl Adam Pendleton and team manager SAC(T) Gareth Hernaman-Wood tackle the tricky Kinsham course in Hertfordshire.

The pair, who took on the course in treacherously rainy conditions last year, encountered a technical run that was now dry from early spring sunshine, making the track fast and tight to navigate.

Hernaman-Wood said: “The unseasonably warm and dry conditions made the track great fun to ride, but scary to race.”

His views were supported by race organisers altering the course at the last minute after practice runs saw the steep middle section catching many riders out.

The new course though was also not for the fainthearted, pointing straight downhill – a real test of the nerves for riders.

The RAF duo laid down solid first runs, which meant the pressure was off for the second attempt.

For their final outings, both showed remarkable consistency on the ever-evolving course with Hernaman-Wood going a second faster, while Pendleton – who only started racing last year – finished a second slower than his opening due to a small mistake.

Hernaman-Wood said: “For a season opener it was great, we were talking afterwards and agreed we

NEWCOMER: Cpl Adam Pendleton

PHOTO: gareth dalley (rootsandrain.com)

both felt strong on our bikes after an off season of practice and training, so we cannot wait now for the next

stage and the rest of the season.”

Pendleton added: “The opening round was definitely one to remember.

INSET: SAC(T) Hernaman-Wood

I’d ridden as much as I could over the winter but hadn’t encountered anything this fast and steep for a while,

PHOTO: DIGITAL DOWNHILL

it was quite the wake-up call.”

The next round is at Bringewood, Ludlow.

CRICKET

RAF women to play in maiden IST2O

THE SUMMER game will have something extra special when the Service’s cricketers walk out at Lord’s on June 16 for the IST20 event.

The triangular match-day – the highlight of the short version of the game for the military – will also see the ladies compete for the first time in the event’s 17-year history.

Of the day itself, men’s team captain SAC(T) Tom Shorthouse said: “It’s always great to play at Lord’s. It will be even better this year after a couple of seasons away due to Covid. This will be the first time leading the team at Lord’s so I think that will be quite special, even more so if we can win.”

He added: “I think the women’s game at Lord’s is a great opportunity to

showcase cricket across the UK Armed Forces. It will be a positive move and hopefully grow the women’s game within the Armed Forces.

“It will give all the women playing cricket in the Armed Forces a massive incentive.”

Covid restrictions saw last year’s fixture played at Arundel (pictured left), with the Army winning despite a gallant display from the RAF. A RAFCA spokesperson said: “To have both teams competing together for the first time is long overdue. We are always looking to improve our squads and welcome any new players, coaches, and umpires to our community. We are looking forward to an all-round fantastic day of cricket.”

The women’s side will also rekindle its involvement with the Bowling Out Gender Inequality campaign at Park Avenue, Bradford on July 29.

UKAF ladies players will be on hand to talk to people about the sport and the military and give workshops, as well as take part in matches. All activities will be free of charge.

The day will see Service players take the field as part of the UKAF women’s team.

Tickets for the IST20 – available via tickets.lords.org – are £20 adults, £5 U16s and £10 over-65s.

For updates visit: interservicest20. co.uk and see InterServicesT20 on Facebook.

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 P30

Sport

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s t e V s a k ic r -t t a h F A R y t r a p s r e t n I e h t join

SUNK: RAF make life difficult for Navy keeper, above and main photo

FOOTBALL

Three Air Force sides take military champs HAT TRICK: Cpl Rachael Howes with Ladies IS trophy

Daniel Abrahams THE WAIT was well worth it for the RAF Veterans men’s footballers as they retained their InterServices title after a 2-1 win over the Royal Navy and goal-tastic 4-4 draw with the Army.

Following on from the pre-pandemic win in 2019, the Veterans retained their hold on the Sir Christopher Colville Trophy after the Royal Navy defeated the Army 2-0 in Portsmouth a week after the light blues’ final match of the championship.

The result came a week after the SRT and the LRT teams got their hands on their respective IS trophies, following the 4-4 draw with the Army at Sandhurst.

Head coach, Sgt (Ret’d) Matt Beattie said: “I was proud to be able to make a call to the RAF Veterans family and tell them that

we are IS champions. It is a serious achievement with lots of hard work gone in to secure this title. To retain the championship is superb.

“Huge congratulations have to go to everyone involved. I am proud and obviously delighted with the outcome.”

A topsy-turvy opening game against the Navy at St George’s Park was one the RAF should and could have won by more.

A first-half brace from Cpl Steve Norton saw the sides go in at 2-1. WINNING WAYS: Cpl Tom Claisse (left) lifts Inter-Se rvices trophy for men's SRT team It then took an exceptional lastminute save by the RAF keeper Potts to ensure the victory after the Navy had looked odds on to Norton smashed home a 29th- when, through on goal for a hatequalise after a half of squandered minute penalty and, having penned trick, he squared to Sgt Dave the hosts into their half for the Wanless to smash home for 4-3, the RAF chances.

Sandhurst was the late-change opening 15 minutes of the second first time the men in light blue had venue for the RAF’s second match period, AC Mike Duerden levelled led in the match.

It wouldn’t last, as the RAF’s and the men in light blue found on the hour from 25 yards.

The Army again led, but Norton inability to defend corners showed themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 17 minutes and facing a pegged them back and he would again with the hosts making it 4-4 show another side to his game in the final minute. mountain to win the game.

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Sport

BOXING WHAT A BELTER: SAC Arran Devine joins gold medal Olympian Cpl (Ret'd) Dick McTaggart by becoming an Open Class National Elite champion.

Below right, ref raises Devine's arm in victory after bout at Motherwell

It's divine for Scots Elite champ Devine National honours for SAC Arran

RAF BOXING is celebrating after SAC Arran Devine became the Scottish National Elite Middleweight champion.

He now joins an exclusive band of Air Force Open Class National champions, emulating the Service’s and Scotland’s most successful amateur boxer and gold medal Olympian, Cpl (Ret’d) Dick McTaggart.

The win ends the Association’s most successful period for more than 50 years, following a hugely successful UKAF Elite championships.

The RAF came away with three titles wins through SAC Brad Axe, RAF Akrotiri; SAC Emyr Parry, RAF Boulmer; and AC Blaine Lambert of RAF Cosford.

Another milestone saw SAC Frankie Lyall (Digby) becoming the first RAF Elite female to contest the first UKAFBA title.

Following the event SAC Axe and AC Lambert qualified for the National English Championships, reaching the quarter-finals, while SAC Parry has fought his way to the semi-final stages of the Welsh National Champs.

Devine took his hard-hitting style into battle with the best Scottish fighters in the country, to complete the RAF’s Tri-Nation representation.

The RAFBA vice-captain led by example, fighting his way through to the final at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility, Motherwell.

There, the RAF man was pitched against Olivier Kasasula of Renfrewshire – a rising

WELSH WIZARD: SAC Emyr Parry (left)

star. Following a cagey opening round from both fighters, Devine took control in the second.

Utilising his height advantage and movement, the RAF boxer dictated the pace – preventing his extremely talented opponent from settling – to take the historic victory.

DEVINE: Star of Service boxing

ICE HOCKEY

Ladies want a piece of the Inters action Daniel Abrahams THE LIST of firsts appears endless for the Service’s female ice hockey team the RAF Pumas, and they are looking to scale new heights in 2022.

Currently the only female representative team within the UK Armed Forces, boasting players of all ranks at their training camps and games, along with a padre, they have their sights set on a world cup berth within five years, joining the men who will be playing at the sport’s premier event in 2023.

With an overseas training camp in Canada scheduled for later this year, a Tri-Service Championship week in June, and a further push to attract new members, their schedule might be busy enough, but

TOUGH GAME: Pumas lost 8-2 to Wrekin Raiders at Telford Ice Rink earlier in the season

the team has its sights on levelling the playing field further with the men’s team the RAF Aces.

Team stalwart Cpl Kerby Colgan said: “Ultimately our goal would be to have a yearly Inter-Services

tournament for both the men and women’s representative teams, as we see within other disciplines within the military.”

Developing from a team of five, relying on civilian players to make up a team at its first training session in 2016, the Pumas now boast one consisting of 15 Service players – many who began with the squad as absolute beginners. The team competed in its first game a year later in Telford.

Before 2016, female players would have to play alongside their male counterparts to get time on the ice.

Rev Sqn Ldr Rebekah Cannon, from RAF Brize Norton, joined as a total novice three years ago and is now a first-team regular. She said: “I came to the sport unable to skate, but after an initial training

camp at Cosford I have gone from wobbling around the ice to being involved with a team and a sport I completely adore.”

Chf Tech Jennie Anstey, who began organising the team’s Learn to Play camps five years ago, said: “Having the chance to introduce new players through the camps is fabulous. I am supported by great coaching and administration assistance from the RAF Ice Hockey Association, some who have even come through this programme.

“Ice hockey can be expensive so to get the support from the RAF Central Fund has been pivotal. To date more than 200 personnel have been able to experience the sport, which is amazing.”

Visit: Facebook @RAFIcehockey or Instagram @RAFIcehockey

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Sport Signing off in style l See p31

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National honours for Service boxer

RUGBY UNION

THE SERVICE'S women’s rugby union stars bounced back in style to hammer the Royal Navy 3215 in their second Inter-Service championship match.

The girls hit their stride immediately in the match at Ealing having seen the men’s team beat the Army Veterans 26-24 with the final kick of the game to start the day off.

Co-Captain Flt Lt Lucy Nye said: “I’m super proud of the heart all the girls showed to get a win against an extremely competitive Navy side.

It’s amazing to be back at a home stadium and in front of a great crowd again, so I’m glad we had the platform to showcase Women’s Inter-Services Rugby. We’re excited to keep building into next season.”

Having seen RN kick off, the RAF wasted no time making their intentions known, taking an eighthminute 10-0 lead. The scores were sparked in the fifth minute as winger Fg Off Nicole Burger of RAF Odiham collected a cheeky offload on the Navy right, before touching down in the corner.

Three minutes later No 8, Cpl Rhiannon Walton (AFCO Portsmouth) went over, superbly

4

RAF Women Royal Navy Women

32 15

supported by Fg Off Carys Williams (Halton), who had been heavily involved in both scores.

A 12th-minute penalty from the visitors pegged back the score, but again the RAF settled and, having weathered an RN storm, extended their lead to 15-3 through a sprinting Fg Off Williams try.

The missed conversions came back to haunt the hosts as a 49thminute Navy score, which followed a penalty, meant somehow the teams were level pegging at 15-15.

Williams then dotted down her second try of the day for 20-15.

Knowing they were not out of the woods yet, the RAF, inspired by a series of substitutions, blitzed the visitors.

One chance, created out of nothing, was lost to a knock-on, before Fg Off Sarah Graham (Wycombe) added the icing, with a conversion to a stunning Cpl Charlie Murray 72nd-minute try to make it 27-15.

Hunting further points now, the RAF were rampant. Cpl Annie Forbes was unlucky not to score

HANDS ON: Cpl Jedd Evans (left) with Cpl Joe Parkin in support

chasing down a Navy kick, before Cpl Sian Williams collected the ball from the back of a powerful RAF scrum and, taking a hit, offloaded

perfectly for Flt Lt Nye to score.

Both the women’s and the men’s IS winners will be decided at Twickenham on April 30.

POWER PLAY: Cpl Charlie Murray makes a powerful break, supported by try-scorer Flt Lt Lucy Nye ALL RUGBY PICTURES: SBS PHOTOGRAPHIC

Men building for the future

A LATE Royal Navy try broke RAF hearts at Ealing as the second men’s Inter-Services rugby union championship match went the way of the Senior Service 18-10.

Having lost their opening game to the Army in Gloucester a fortnight ago, FS Justin Coleman’s men, who are in a transitional phase with the coach introducing numerous debutants to his squad and team sheets, battled hard in a close-fought match but were just pipped by the visitors.

Coleman said: “The players have been outstanding throughout and with 16 newly-capped players this season, it really shows how young and talented the squad is with a bright future.

“We knew the setpiece was important and spent a lot of time changing and tweaking key areas, as well as the breakdown, before the game.

“On the day I think we only needed a bit of luck and decent line break to win it, but unfortunately our execution was lacking in key areas.”

He added: “We have all learnt a lot from these two games and work will shortly start as we reflect on what we could do better and plan for next season.”

In the final of the three matches on the day, Coleman’s side took to the all-weather pitch at Ealing Trailfinders Ground and held their own after going behind, with a man down injured, to a converted Navy try after 21 minutes, with a further penalty making it 8-0.

RAF Senior Men Royal Navy

10 18

The RAF fought back well, driving over two minutes before the break for a converted try, through captain Cpl Alex Stanley. On the stroke of half-time, the Navy scored again for 13-7.

An early second-half penalty in front of the posts for Cpl Luke Riddell for hands on by the Navy made it 13-10. Another Navy score out wide sealed it at 18-10.

CHARGE DOWN: Cpl Kieran Forbes thwarts Navy scrum half

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Steppin' out – Faye Tozer

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Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 R'n'R 3

R'n'R Theatre review Fatal Attraction On tour (atgtickets.com)

Louise hits right note as an actor

H

AVING EARNED her musical theatre spurs with starring roles in Cabaret and 9 to 5 The Musical, Louise Redknapp (formerly of girl band Eternal) shows she is also an accomplished straight actor in the role as wronged wife Beth in the stage version of classic 80s thriller Fatal Attraction.

Based on the massive big screen success that starred Michael Douglas and Glenn Close as happily married New York attorney Dan Gallagher and the terrifying ‘bunny boiler’ Alex he embarks on an ill-fated affair with, this entertaining touring production, that continues until May 7, maintains the tension throughout.

When I saw the show at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre Susie Amy (Footballer’s Wives, Hollyoaks) who had previously played Beth, was starring as sexy, charming Manhattanite editor Alex who meets good-looking Dan (Oliver Farnsworth, Mr Selfridge, Hollyoaks) in a trendy bar while his wife and daughter

Redknapp impresses as wronged wife Beth are away in the country looking at a potential new home.

Although their passionate encounter amounts to just one weekend, Dan can’t shake off the obsessive, increasingly unhinged Alex and their relationship spirals into a toxic situation that threatens to derail Dan’s future.

The three leads deliver solid performances – and Louise has

NEW PATH: Louise Redknapp has gone from pop star to actor. Inset left, Susie Amy and Oliver Farnsworth

the best American accent of the trio. The clever set design, that projects the protagonists’ text messages and video calls onto a skyscraper backdrop, adds to the gripping atmosphere.

Those who remember the 1987 movie will see that the play’s ending reverts to

screenwriter James Dearden’s original version, apparently changed after test screenings.

The production features adult language, violence, partial nudity and scenes of self-harm.

Four out of five roundels Review by Tracey Allen

Film review

Competition

On digital platforms now

Series 1 & 2. On DVD and download from April 25 (Dazzler Media)

Bull (18)

There She Goes (15)

Raging Bull B

ULL IS the name of a London thug, enforcer and son-in-law to Norm, the boss of a local crime syndicate. But when Norm’s drugaddicted daughter Sharon (Tamzin Outhwaite) wants to separate from Bull, and won’t allow him to take their son, things escalate: a caravan is set ablaze and he is left for dead.

We’re not sure of the details just yet, information is steadily doled out in flashbacks between visits from Bull (Neil Maskell) to each member of the gang. If you’ve seen Maskell on film before, you’ll know that it’s a mistake to cross him.

Starring in director Ben Wheatley’s films with a fury that sometimes explodes on screen in horrific barbarism, Bull keeps Maskell’s reputation firmly intact.

It’s easy to see why he was a valued asset to his father-in-law; where Norm (an intimidating

DANGEROUS MAN: Gangland enforcer Bull, played by Neil Maskell

and insidious David Hayman – pictured below) does the talking, Bull gets straight to action – unflinching and apparently unbound by morals. There is a bold matter-of-factness to the violence which sometimes tips into fullon gore.

Whilst there is tension, there is no standing on ceremony, no conversation that needs to be had, just revenge to be enacted – which is probably why the film flies by with a lean 87-minute runtime.

Written and

directed by Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton, Cherry Tree Lane) there are some clever stylistic touches that take us into Bull’s rage-fuelled mania – with one particularly haunting moment on a Waltzer fairground ride that just keeps growing in intensity.

It’s in the final moments that things go a little awry, building to a reveal that doesn’t quite pay off. As a quick and brutal revenge thriller though it works fine simply as an excuse to follow this deranged antihero on a warpath.

4 roundels out of 5 Review by Sam Cooney

Family life isn't always Rosie for Si and Emily T

HE CRITICALLY-acclaimed BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award-winning series There She Goes makes its DVD debut this month.

Based on the real experiences of creator/writer Shaun Pye (A Young Doctor’s Notebook & Other Stories, Extras) coping with his daughter’s chromosomal disorder, There She Goes is a comedy-drama about severely learning disabled nine-year-old Rosie (Miley Locke, The Royals), her dad Simon (David Tennant, Doctor Who, Good Omens), mum

Win!

FRAZZLED: Mum Emily with Rosie

Emily (Jessica Hynes, The Royle Family, Years and Years) and brother Ben (Edan Hayhurst, The Secret Garden).

We have copies on DVD to own. To be in with a chance of winning one, just tell us: Who is the creator/writer of There She Goes?

Email your answer, marked There She Goes DVD competition, to: competitions@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP 14 4UE, to arrive by May 6.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 R'n'R 4

R'n'R

Fabulettes have still got soul N

SUGABABE: Amelle Berrabah stars as Dionne

EW COMEDY-musical Soul Sisters is now on tour around the country until the end of May. It stars Amelle Berrabah (Sugababes), Nicole Faraday (Bad Girls) and Wendi Harriott (The Voice) as Dionne, Monique and Rachael – otherwise known as 80s chart-topping trio The Fabulettes.

On a trip to a holiday camp Soul Weekender, the three friends seek to reclaim the elusive closeness they once shared as starry-eyed teens.

They face honest truths and express themselves in the only way they know how – through the music that brought them together and took them to the top of the charts. Can they pull

off a performance of a lifetime? Do they still have what it takes? Is their bond strong enough to overcome their flaws? Can they forgive and forget and remain Soul Sisters?

The show is written by David Kent and directed by multiaward-winning comedienne and writer Angie Le Mar. Le Mar, the first black female stand-up on the British comedy circuit with a career spanning three decades, said: “I am truly honoured to be directing this amazing musical. I grew up listening to soul music.

David has given us a great relatable story of sisterhood, friendship and so much more.”

Leading the cast is ex-Sugababe Amelle, who during her time in the girl band scored international chart success with Push The Button and About You Now.

She said “When I read the [Soul Sisters] script, I knew I wanted to be in this amazing show instantly.

I understand the dynamics of being in a girl band, the unspoken bond, the friendship, the respect for one another and knowing what the other is feeling with just a simple look.

“The character I play, Dionne, is a flirtatious, confident woman.

Although she is quite far away from who I am as a person, it’s a very exciting role.”

Soul Sisters also features Bad Girls and Emmerdale star Nicole Faraday, who has previously toured in the UK as Eva Cassidy in the critically-acclaimed Eva Cassidy Story.

Nicole said: “As a former cast member of both Bad Girls and Bad Girls the Musical, I am very used

to working with an all-female cast, and delighted to be a part of this new exploration of the ‘sisterhood’ and the close bond that friendship amongst women brings.

“The music is amazing, the storyline crackles along with twists and turns and the girls are fabulous. I am uber-excited to tour this show and give the audience a moving, fun and musical night out.”

Completing the trio is Wendi Harriott, who came to the public’s attention with her powerhouse vocals on ITV’s The Voice and who has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry including Rod Stewart and Jennifer Hudson. n Go to: soulsistersmusical.com for full details.

STEPS STAR FAYE'S (VERY BADLY) IN TH B

LINA LAMONT: Faye Tozer stars as the silver screen siren with a voice that could curdle cream. Inset right, Charlotte Gooch plays Kathy

EST KNOWN as a member of Brit Award-winning pop band Steps, Faye Tozer is currently stepping out on stage in a touring production of the much-loved musical Singin’ in the Rain.

Faye guest stars as the strangulated silver screen siren Lina Lamont in the Edinburgh and Newcastle dates of the show, reprising the role she played at Sadler’s Wells last summer.

The stage show – a smash hit in Chichester and the West End before going on tour – is based on the classic film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, and features the songs Good Morning, Make 'Em Laugh and, of course, Singin’ in the Rain.

Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want – fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk … and sing … and dance. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition, and will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?

The tour continues to

August and Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton will join as a special guest, playing Cosmo Brown, for the Bristol, Cardiff, Southampton, Liverpool and Glasgow dates.

Faye, who stars with West End names Sam Lips as Lockwood and Charlotte Gooch as Kathy, said: “It’s a night of escapism. It takes you back to the era of Hollywood glamour and big movie sets. It’s a visual spectacular, bright and colourful and with gorgeous costumes. And it really rains on stage. We have the splash zone in the first two rows of the audience so don’t be wearing suede or anything you can’t get wet!

“It’s just pure joy. The reason I keep going back to this show when I’m asked to reprise the role is because I think it’s the happiest musical I’ve ever been in. I defy anyone to leave the auditorium without a big smile on their face.”

S

he added: “The story is about when Hollywood went from silent movies to the talkies and it’s unfortunate for Lina because she doesn’t have a voice to match her beauty.

They have to try and work around the shortcomings in her speaking voice so she’s fighting for her career and her survival. She’s the underdog and she’s great fun to play.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 R'n'R 5

Theatre

SOUL SISTERS: Starring Nicole Faraday, Amelle Berrabah and Wendi Harriott (left to right) MAISIE SMITH: From EastEnd to West End

SINGIN' Maisie keeeps HE RAIN up Strictly action “She’s an absolute diva and she has so many amazing, iconic lines.

And her squeaky voice is so much fun to do. I’ve based it a little bit on Karen from Will & Grace and also Fran Drescher from The Nanny, and I studied the movie quite a lot at the beginning because I wanted her to have the flavour of the movie whilst making the role my own. She’s a bit of a mix.”

Faye admitted that, although Lina doesn’t come across as a likeable character, she wouldn’t mind being more like her.

She revealed: “Actually I’d like to be a little more like Lina. I admire her fight and her zest. She’s quite fearless.”

Lina has a dreadful singing voice – how difficult was it for Faye to sing deliberately out of tune as she has to in the number What’s Wrong With Me? “We worked out that if you go sharp on a note it’s more convincing than if you go flat. It’s more about being brave enough to do it,” she explained.

“Coming from a pop band who fought for years to prove to everyone we can sing, to go on stage and do a really bad job with a song is something I had to pluck up the courage to do.

Now I just have the best time with it and the worse I am the more delighted the audience is.”

She added: “This show has got something for everyone and again it’s the escapism of going back to

that classic Hollywood era. The choreography is absolutely stunning and there’s comedy as well as a love story. It’s such an easy, fun watch and it’s the sort of show we need now more than ever.”

W

hat does she find tougher – doing musical theatre [she’s also starred in Tell Me on a Sunday, Me and My Girl, Over The Rainbow and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie] or a Steps show? The band had number ones with Tragedy and Stomp and have sold more than 20 million records worldwide.

She said: “They’re completely different and I find equal joy in both of them. With Steps we put on the most exciting show possible for the fans. I become Faye from Steps in that moment, doing all the nostalgic songs, running around fabulous sets, microphones in our hands, singing and dancing.

“With musical theatre I’m playing another person and I love working with different companies of all these amazing actors, dancers and singers.

They both feel very different but, dare I say it, I get a little more satisfaction out of doing musical theatre because you have to work hard to make the audience love you.” n Go to: singinintherainshow.com for tour and ticket details.

T

HE LINE-UP of celebrities and dancers for the forthcoming Strictly Presents: Keeep Dancing 35-date tour has been announced.

The show opens on June 22 at Tunbridge Wells Assembly Halls and will feature Strictly Come Dancing 2020 finalist and former EastEnders star Maisie Smith, together with Strictly 2021 semi-finalist and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson.

They will be joined by the Strictly professional dancers Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Jowita Przystal and Nancy Xu. And, as a special treat for Strictly fans, live music will be performed by The Wanted’s Max George, who competed in the 2020 series of the hit BBC One show.

Maisie said: “I’m very excited to continue my Strictly journey, especially as this show will be very different from the arena tour. And to be giving audiences a unique glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at the Strictly TV show is a real treat.”

“I have absolutely loved every moment of my Strictly experience so far, so I’m thrilled to be appearing in Strictly

CBBC PRESENTER: Rhys Stephenson

Presents. I can’t wait to dance again and give fans an insight into my dancing journey on the show,” said Rhys.

Max added: “I can’t wait to

tour with Strictly again, as I had such a blast on the arena tour.

Although this time I’ll mainly be singing, I’m sure it won’t take too much to get me back on the dancefloor every night.”

Strictly Presents: Keeep Dancing will give audiences a chance to go behind the glitterball and into the sparkly world of Strictly – with the celebrities and professional dancers giving a unique insight into the TV show.

The celebrities who compete on Strictly are all very used to being in the limelight and come from many different worlds – acting, presenting, sport and singing – but nothing quite prepares them for entering the glittery Strictly bubble. Fans will hear some of their fascinating stories as they relive their experiences on the television show.

And the Strictly pros – all of them champions – will give audiences a taste of the fiercely competitive professional dancing world. n The tour continues until July 23. Go to: strictlypresents.com for more information and to book tickets.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 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

Deaths BENGER Brian, Chf Tech, sadly passed away on March 28 aged 85. Husband to his beloved Maureen for 65 years. Father to Julie and Carron, grandfather to Jonathan, Amber, Christian and Lewis.

Brian joined the RAF in 1955, first stationed at RAF Duxford where he met and married Maureen, who was a serving WRAF on camp.

Following an accompanied tour in Singapore, they returned to the UK in 1963.

Tours at RAF Binbrook (1963-65) and Wattisham (1965-68) followed maintaining the Canberra and Lightning aircraft. Brian completed his final tour at RAF Sealand, retiring in 1976 after 22 years service.

Both Brian and Maureen maintained a connection with the RAF for many years, frequently attending reunions with all their fellow friends from RAF Duxford.

To remember and celebrate his life, there was a service on April 12 at Flintshire Memorial Park and Crematorium. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Chf Tech Brian Benger and, inset, as a young airman

BURROUGH Vic Master Pilot (Ret’d) November 21 1924-April 6, 2022. He has piloted his final flight at the age of 97.

He might have flown this mortal world but he will never be forgotten by those he left behind.

Follow the Sun Sir. Vic, Viv, Mick, Katy, Heidi, Lorna and all your other family and friends.

In Memoriam DIXON John Birkett ex WO, Mess Manager, taken April 13, 2002.

It’s been 20 years since that sad day Still loved Still missed Never forgotten Devoted wife Margaret and all your loving family.

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

DOES anyone know the whereabouts of Steve Welburn and Steve Butterworth? Steve Welburn was the OC RAF Swanton Morley detachment at BAe Woodford Nimrod AEW project. Steve Butterworth was on 16 Sqn Buccaneers RAF Laarbruch in the early 80s. Please contact Ron Peate, now Ron ThompsonPeate, via email: lindaro146@ yahoo.co.uk I am trying to contact the next of kin of Pilot Officer Denys Bellerby who, on January 4, 1941, was one of a crew of four on a training flight aboard a Wellington L7783 from 99 Squadron Bomber Command when the plane crashed and two of the crew died.

I would also like to contact

the next of kin of Wg Cdr Walter Hutton (26036, later Air Commodore) of 210 Squadron Coastal Command.

I would like to reproduce their letters of condolence when a colleague died in 1940 and 1942 respectively.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone with any information could contact me: ccecil@carolinececil. co.uk.

I am trying to find anyone who remembers or has information about an RAF chap who served in Wunstorf, near Hanover, in the 1950s. His name is/was John Penford. I am an RBL member living in Germany.

Please email: nigel.capel@ yahoo.co.uk LOOKING for any of the class of IFN4/66, nav inst fitters course held at RAF Newton from April 1966 to March 1967. Please contact Malcolm Hodgson on: hodgson8448@gmail.com I am interested in contacting any ex-40th entry 1 Squadron, C Flight, Boy Entrants, at RAF Hereford 1960-61. Are there any still about? Please contact Ken Tinker on: KenMckean100@ gmail.com or call: 01722 790344 or 07377 03054.

LOOKING for anyone stationed at RAF Safi, in Malta, and RAF Idris, in Libya, between June 1963 and December 1965. Also, anyone on the RAF flight on Floriana parade ground for Independence Day in September 1964, in Malta.

Please contact Geoff Stevens on: moomin33@hotmail. co.uk or (01795) 479803.

DO you know the man in these photos, (above, right)?

These two photographs, taken in August 1991, are from a collection of 20 pictures.

The owner of the photos would like to pass all of them onto the man in them.

How to use our service There is no charge for conventionally-worded birth, engagement, marriage, anniversary, death, in memoriam seeking and reunion notices. For commercial small ads contact Edwin Rodrigues on: 07482 571535.

We cannot, under any circumstances, take announcements over the telephone. They can be sent by email to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic we are currently unable to accept notices submitted by post.

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

Reasonable precautions are taken before advertisements are accepted but such acceptance does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements (or other inserted material) are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publishers, who reserve the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to them at their absolute discretion and without explanation.

All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements their true surname or full company name, together with an address from which the business is managed.

any light on this team or have information about Sqn Ldr Constable please contact Philip Rose at: philiprose3321@gmail. com. Philip is co-ordinating research into the team.

Reunions

The main image was taken at the peak of Mount Grammos in Greece and the image, inset, in Covent Garden, London. The owner of the photos believes that the man’s name is Ian Fancourt and he may have been serving at RAF Wittering at the time. If you know this man, would you forward this article to him asking him to please contact: tracey.allen@ rafnews.co.uk who will put him in touch with the owner of the photos so that the images can be passed on.

THE RAF Mountain Rescue Association was formed in 1993 and since then has built up a large e-archive and website telling the story of RAF MR since it was officially recognised in 1943.

The amount of information about the various teams varies widely and very little is known about RAF Harrowbeer which had a team for only a few months in 1944. In common with all the other RAF MRTs at that time the Team Leader was the Senior Medical Officer, in Harrowbeer’s case Sqn Ldr Frank Constable.

The RAF Harrowbeer Operational Record Book Form 540 indicates that there were approximately 30 to 50 airmen serving on RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue Team which had been in service for at least four months. There may have been an unofficial RAF Mountain Rescue on this station prior to 1944.

RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue Team may have been the first search and rescue unit to be formed on Dartmoor.

RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue veterans are entitled to join the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Association.

If any readers can throw

THE RAF & Defence Fire Services Association was formed in 1995 and would like to attract new members of all ranks, serving and retired. There is an annual subscription fee of £16 and for that you receive three Association magazines a year called the ‘Flashpoint’ which members are invited to contribute their stories to.

We meet for a reunion and AGM once a year. For more information about us and how to join visit the website: rafanddfsa.co.uk – we would love to hear from you.

The RAF & DFS Association has also close links with the Museum of RAF Firefighting, visit: firemuseum.uk RAF Bawdsey Reunion Association.

Having cancelled our 2020 reunion, we have provisionally planned the next reunion for Saturday, May 21 before The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the extended public holidays in early June, and we look forward to seeing our friends again then.

Any queries please email: doreen.bawdseyreunion@ btinternet.com or call: 07513 301723.

AFTER

55

years,

the

RAFAA 308 Entry Reunion will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on June 15. A guided tour is being arranged in the afternoon and there is also an option for dinner, bed & breakfast at the Cathedral Hotel in Lichfield. For more information, please contact Nick Nicholson on: 01691 682174 or email: nich33@ btinternet.com.

RAF Admin Apprentice Association Annual General Meeting and Reunion June 17-19, Northampton Marriott Hotel. For full details and options please contact the Association’s Social Secretary on: 01403 581324 or email: socialsecretary@ rafadappassn.org. This will be our first reunion since lockdown and will be a great chance to catch up with old friends and indeed make new ones.

60TH Reunion, 45th entry, C. Flight 3 Squadron suppliers reunion July 8 and 9 at 3 Counties Hotel, Hereford.

Further information contact Dinger Bell on: 01482377625.

THE RAF Changi Association (inc. HQFEAF) founded May 1996 welcomes new members from all ranks, ex RAF/WRAF/WAAF and civilian personnel who served at RAF Changi (inc.

HQFEAF ) during 1946-72.

Contact our Membership Secretary Malcolm Flack on: 01494 728562 or email: MemSecChangi@outlook. com or visit: www.rafchangi. com for more details.

Dambusters window project

A TOTAL of £9,850 is needed for the proposed stainedglass window for Scampton Church that pays tribute to the legendary 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, officially formed at RAF Scampton on March 23, 1943.

The 617 Sqn Commemorative Window is a Claire Williamson glass commission and its design is focused on remembrance. To make a donation go to: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/617squadronwindow or send a cheque made payable to St John the Baptist Church Scampton, to: Joe Bartrop (617/80 Project Coordinator) Maple Cottage, St John’s Close, Scampton, Lincoln LN1 2SU marked on the back 617 Anniversary Window Donation.

Memorial funds appeal MESOTHELIOMA UK, the national charity for the asbestos-related cancer, is raising funds to site a memorial to veterans and serving personnel at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The charity’s Anne Moylan, who is a Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist based at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, said: “Mesothelioma is completely avoidable and, sadly, the UK has the highest incidence in the world due to its legacy of asbestos use.”

Just over half of the £40,000 target amount for the memorial has been raised to date.

Go to: mesothelioma.uk.com/armed-forces-memorialdonation for more information and to donate.

Royal R oyal Air F Force orce N News ews Fr Friday, iday, A April pril 22, 202 2022 22 R'n'R 7

R'n'R R 'n' nR Your Y our u Announcements Announcements

You Y oou can em email ail photos photos ffor or ann announcements ouncements oon n tthis his pa page ge tto: o: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk tracey..allen@rafnews.co.uk

Event Ev E veent m marks ark ks Falklands Falk a klands date date

FAB FASHION: 1920s to 80s clothes will be on sale over the festival weekend which also features live music, inset

Vintage Cosford V iintage fun rreturns eturns n ttoo Cos ford THE VINT VINTAGE TAGE AND Handmade Handmade F Festival estival iiss back b ack at at the the RAF RAF Museum, Museum m, Cosford Cosfford from from May May 7-8, ce celebrating lebrating m music, usic, fa fashion, shion, desig design, n, aand nd sstyle tyle tthrough hrough tthe he de decades. cadees.

Th Thee ffestival eestival brings brings g together together vintage vintage rretailers etailers and and craft craft stalls stalls with with music music and and family fa mily entertainment. entertainment.

IIn n tthe he H Handmade andmade M Marquee arquee vvisitors isitors w will ill ffind in i d lo local cal creators creators showcasing showcasing aand nd sselling elling ttheir heir h handcrafted andcrafted p products, roducts, w with ith some some li live ve demonstrations. dem onstrations.

Th ere w ill be be plenty plenty of of live live music music over over the the There will ffestival es e tival weekend weekeend ffor or vvisitors isitors tto o sin long and and singg aalong d ance to, to, from from 20s and and 30s 3 show show tunes tunes tto o 40s dance sw ing and and 60s and and 70s pop. pop. swing A nd a va riety o intage ccars ars aand nd ccaravans aravans And variety off vvintage

will will be be on on display display alongside alongside the the museum’s museum’s aircraft. aircraftt. R Re-enactment e-enactment ggroups roups w will ill b bee engaging engagin ng vvisitors isitors w with ith p period eriod ssettings, ettingss, ttalks, alks, demonstrations demonstrations and and displays. displays.

F Family-friendly ami m ly-ffriendly ac activities tivities include include a vvintage intage fairground fairground w with ith sw swing ing b boats, oats, cchair hair o o’planes, ’planes, coconut coconut shy shyy aand nd hig high h sstrike. trike.

F Festival-goers estival-goers can can even even en enjoy njoy a gin gin n tasting tasting experience experieence o on n b board oard a V VC10.

C10. D During urin i g the the 45-minute 45-min nute session session hosted hosted b byy exp experts erts t from from the the G Gin i JJamboree, in amb boree, attendees attendees w will ill sample sample four gins gin i s and and learn learn about about the the history history of of gin gin four making. Tickets Tickeets must must be be booked booked in advance. ad dvance. making.

Go to: to: rafmuseum.org rafmuseum.org for for more more details details and and Q Go to buy buy tickets. tickets. e to

NEW NEWARK WA ARK AIR MU MUSEUM USEUM holds ho lds iits ts F Falklands alkland ds 40th & Cold Cold War War Call Call Up Up event event from rom Saturday, Saturd day, April Apri r l 30 tto o Sunday, unday, May May 1.

Th Thee ttwo-day wo-day event event has has been een o organised rganised tto o ttie ie in with w ith the the commemoration commem moratio i n off tthe he 40th 40th anniversary anniverrsary of of tthe he successful successfful B Black lacck B Buck uck 1 V Vulcan ulcan bombing bombing raid raid on on tthe he runway runway at at Port Port Stanley Stanley Airport A irport in tthe he F Falkland alkland IIslands. slands.

Th Thee ra raid id wa wass co coordinated ordinated byy the b the V Vulcan ulcan Wing Wiing at at nearby n earby R RAF AF Waddington Wad addington in co conjunction njunction w with ith tthe he Victor V ictor T Tanker ankeer W Wing ing aatt RAF RAF Marham M arham aand nd llaunched aunched ffrom rom Ascension A scension IIsland sland o on n A April pril 30, 1982.

A museum museum spokesman spokeesman ssaid: aid: ““Whilst Whilst o our ur V Vulcan ulcan XM594 wa wass p part art o off tthe he Waddington W aaddington V Vulcan ulcan Wing Wing it it did n not ot ffly ly in tthe he F Falklands alklands War, W ar, un unlike likee our our Sea Sea Harrier Harrier aaircraft ircraft Z ZA176, A176, which whiich flew fllew Combat C omb bat Air Air P Patrols atrols o off ff HMS H ermes during durring the the Hermes ssuccessful uccessfful ccampaign ampaig ign to to li berate tthe he F alklland Islands.

Islands. liberate Falkland ““These These aaircraft ircraft w ill form form a will cen tral element element of of the the event, event, central

ICON: The mighty Vulcan at Newark Air Museum

which which w will ill be be supported supported by by a host host o off vvisiting isiting displays displays aand nd exhibits exhibits dispersed dispersed aaround round our our 16-acre 16-acre site. site.”

On A April pril 30 an an RAF RAF Explosive Explosive Ordnance O dnance Or Disposal Disposal (EOD) (EOD) Memorial Memorial will will be be dedicated dedicated in the the Museum Museum Memorial Memorial Garden Garden at at 11a 11am, m, in a short short service service led by

by Rev Rev Alan Alan Boyd.

Boyd. led Thi ill be be followed follo l wed by by Thiss w will the o ffiicial unveiling unveilin ng of of the the the official new R AF EOD EOD Display Di D splay in new RAF Hangar 2.

Hangar

On Sa Saturday turday afternoon afternoon and and aall ll day day on on Sunday, Sun u day, Sqn Sqn Ldr Ldr Mick Mick Haygarth Hayga y rth will will host host various various Question Question & Answer Answer sessions sessions aabout bout hi hiss ttime ime in tthe he RAF R AF and and with with EOD EOD units. units. He He will w ill also also be be signing signing copies copies of of hiss b hi book ook F From rom The The Cold Cold W War ar Too The T The War War On On Terror.

Teerrror.

And A nd tthere here w will ill be be an an Outdoor A eroboot aviation aviation Outdoor Aeroboot sale on on the the museum’s museum’s sale SSouthfield outhffiield Site.

Site.

QG Go o tto: o: newarkairmuseum. newarkair i museum. org o rg ffor or full full listing listing details. d details.

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 22, 2022 R'n'R 8

R'n'R Crossword

Su Doku

No. 314

No. 324

Solve the crossword, then rearrange the seven letters in yellow squares to find an Air Force base

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.

Across 1. Cardinal Fawlty almost joins 100 (5) 4. American girl Bono upsets in Italian city (7) 8. Brain fade confused men in continent (7) 9. Visionary work with heart dietician (5) 10. A fairy tale beginning (4) 11. Base rink ratio pointless perhaps (8) 13. See 2 Down 14. You and I, oddly nude, saunter along (4) 16. Face to face, we hear I equalise (3,5) 17. I’m back with two beginners for factory (4) 20. Tie up, left in disguise (5) 21. Words for those who are late (7) 22. Type of fishing may free ten (4,3) 23. Colour golfer likes putting on? (5)

Down 1. Well done! Mob never destroys iconic Chinook (5,8) 2. And 13 Across. It shows incredible speed as coins produce economic growth (5,4) 3. Actors in production of ‘Cats’? (4) 4. These are shot without danger (6) 5. Inspect rook, love the way it is formed (4,4) 6. Suspect unwanted consequences of eating curry (3,4) 7. Recent naval exercise involved freezing flipper (6,7) 12. Some suppose I don’t like RAF aircraft (8) 13. It is made by insects moving straight from A to B (7) Solution to Crossword No 313: 15. After short month, I am engulfed in alien treachery (6) Across – 7. Apache 8. France 10. Chateau 11. Fiend 12. Need 13.

18. How angry I consider myself (5) Mr Big 17. Punch 18. Hawk 22. Thief 23. Nearest 24. Aboard 25.

19. In debt, loses head over part of plane (4) Legion Down –1. Falcons 2. Manager 3. Cheer 4. Griffin 5. Sneer 6. Kendo 9. Hurricane 14. Duxford 15. Javelin 16. Skating 19. Atlas 20. Pilot 21. Gavel RAF base – Akrotiri

Film Review

Broadcast Signal Intrusion (15) Out now and on digital download and Blu-ray

I

N THIS 90s-set noir, James, a night-shift video archiver, is drawn down a rabbit hole when he stumbles upon a mysterious pirate signal that appears to be connected to the death of his wife.

Based on real incidents that occurred decades ago, when unidentified ‘phreakers’ interrupted live broadcasts with their own strange pre-recorded materials, this film has a lot of fun exploring the conspiracy of what horrors could have been lurking behind these mysterious crimes.

The video clips used here feature an android with a white latex face, twitching between edits, her voice lost in the roars and screeches of video distortion – truly unsettling stuff – before returning to regular programming.

It this darkly surreal footage that piques the interest of James (Harry Shum Jr.), growing obsessed with this freaky figure on the tapes, rewatching endlessly, looking

for clues, until it takes over his life. The noir style becomes a full commitment, as our selfappointed detective gets pulled into an underworld of corruption, exchanging packages and encrypted messages with shadowy figures, all to a solitary jazz trumpet score.

The technology of the period, the analogue tapes and dial-up internet (we even see a Betamax changing hands at one point), work well given the eerie slant, reading as an updated Blow Out or The Conversation.

Much like James, the film gets a little lost in the middle, as its pace slows and more hurdles pop up to keep the truth obscured.

“Sometimes you spend so long looking for the answer, you forget the question” warns Alice (Kelley Mack), a stranger who recognises the obsession taking control. But just as it lulls, there are moments of horror to bring you back in.

3 roundels out of 5 Review by Sam Cooney

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DVD

The Secret of the Sword (U)

Win!

Out on April 25 (Fabulous Films/Fremantle Media)

T

HIS CLASSIC movie will keep the kids entertained and provide some great nostalgia for the grown-ups.

The Secret of the Sword, starring cartoon heroes He-Man and She-Ra, was first released in 1985 and it’s out this month on DVD. The film introduces the relationship between She-Ra and He-Man and the conflict between the Horde and the Great Rebellion. She-Ra was created in answer to the popularity of the

American animated television series He-Man and The Masters of The Universe, based on toymakers Mattel’s Masters of the Universe line.

Troubled by nightmares of the past, The Sorceress sends HeMan to Etheria equipped with a precious jewelled sword.

During a fight against the Evil Horde, He-Man is captured by Force Captain Adora and imprisoned. Adora is disturbed from sleep by a voice that leads her to the jewelled

sword and to her destiny as She-Ra. We have copies on DVD up for grabs. For your chance to win one, just tell us: When was the film The Secret of the Sword first released?

Email your answer, marked: He-Man and She-Ra DVD competition, to: competitions@ rafnews.co.uk or post it to; RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by May 6.