Friday 30 August 2013

Milligan Visit to UK

By Kevin Milligan (RhAF)

I really loved the recent video on the Hawker Hunter. Excellent, Saw one flying at Eastbourne Air Show recently  and it certainly brought back memories of a lovely aircraft. We were so fortunate to have them. 

When I was in UK recently I visited Newark Air museum which has a great collection of aircraft and amongst them  a Vulcan from 44(Rhodesia) Squadron.

I was like a dog with two tails when I was given the opportunity to play in a Jaguar fighter cockpit.
They also have a Hastings Transport which the original Rhodesian PJIs would have jumped when qualifying at Abingdon.

I also had a guided tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby which was very interesting  especially as I witnessed several Eurofighter Typhoons taking off and roaring (and I mean roaring) around as they  are based there. I then saw the BBMF and a Typhoon in action at the Eastbourne Air Show. Terrific.

Whilst in UK I took the opportunity to meet up with Carlos Gomes a fellow PJI as he was over in UK on holiday. I had not seen him since 1981. It was great to meet up with him and his wife Fiona after all these years. He is now  working in Nigeria. We had a smashing braai including many stories along with Brenda and Alan Sparkes, good  riends from Mashonaland Sky Diving days. (Even had Boererwors - don't get much of that in Ireland!). He sends  his regards to all. 

Carlos and Kevin
Fiona - Carlos - Kevin - Brenda Sparkes

Also met up with Charlie Aust and Paul French who are in good form. Coincidentally Mick McKenna (LT Col., RAR) visited Charlie too whilst I was in Grantham.

Carlos readies the braai - whatever happened to the good old half drum I wonder?

Vulcan Tail showing 44 (Rhodesia) Sqn emblem Vulcan with "Stand Off Bomb"
Kevin in the Jaguar cockpit
Dam Buster Bomb
Hasting Transport
Dakota
Spitfire
Lancaster - one of only two flying - other in Canada 
Lancaster
Lancaster Tail Turret
Spitfire
God Bless and take care
Blue skies
Kevin

End

Thanks to Kevin for sharing his photographs and memories with ORAFs.

Comments are welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com
     

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Thursday 15 August 2013

Great Ouse Eat (August 2013)

Keith Corrans arranged a lunch meeting on the river Great Ouse in Ely (UK) yesterday.

In the images 67 to 70 from right to left :- Bill Galloway (10 SSU), Maurice (Friend of Keith), Beryl Petter-Bowyer, Keith Corrans (10 SSU), Jenny Hobson, Sue Corrans, Glennis (sister-in-law of Bill Galloway), Jill Barnes, Debbie Petter-Bowyer, John Barnes (10 SSU)
Image : 67

Image : 68

Image : 69

Image : 70

Image : 71

Image : 72

Image 72 right to left :- Maurice, Jill Barnes, Vic Wightman, John Barnes, Hobo Hobson (Brown job), Bill Galloway.

End
Thanks to Vic for sharing his memories and photographs with ORAFs
Good to see the folk looking so well 
 
Comments are welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com
     
To view this article on line please click on the  image or on the link below.
[ http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/ ]
(Please visit our previous posts and archives.

Ref. Rhodesia

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Monday 5 August 2013

AFA (Cape) August 2013 Social

 By AndrĂ© Sely (RhAF)

It's good to be back in SA again, after a long spell in Harare attending to family needs.

I forgot to mention last night that it was international beer day, but I think we did justice to the art of drinking, as the beers and red wine flowed freely.

 Attached are some photographs of the occasion enjoyed by all with perfect weather to boot, days temps well into the twenties, somewhat unseasonal, but very welcome.
Jeff Simpson - Pete Micklewood - Tony Cowell ( Inn Keeper)
Carol Lawrence Penny Kobus (tame slope) John Bulpit
Roger Watt - Greg Todd Dicks friend Dick Randall
Denis Croukcamp - Tess Du Toit - Pete Gunning - Mrs. Cawcuit - Dennis Cawcuit -Johnny Ness (inn Keeper)
End


Thanks to André for sharing his photographs, names by Johnny Ness.

Comments are welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

To view this article on line please click on the  image or on the link below.
 
[ http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/ ]
(Please visit our previous posts and archives.

Ref. Rhodesia

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