Page 31 - issue19.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P23

■ Please note letters must be a maximum of 300 words and Post: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command,
any accompanying pictures sent as attached, hi-res JPEG files High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4UE Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk Letters
changed over RAFA needs to France tribute
Nothing has

to Stirling lost

medal awards

RE: ‘VETERANS have been tread carefully
let down about medals’ (RAF
News 1463).
Reading this letter and the
previous one I’m sorry to say it IN LAWRENCE McGowan’s many of those who do not turn but ask them to sit through a branch
brought a smile to my face and I article and Alan Mudge’s up anticipate being pressurised or monthly meeting listening to
said to myself, ‘what’s new?’ letter about RAFA (RAF News coerced into taking jobs. Getting committee reports and going down
In the Far East in the aftermath Nos 1461 and 1462), both people to serve on committees a boring agenda and it would be
of World War II the very same advocate intervention for is notoriously difficult. unsurprising if they were missing.
subject was often raised when they those branches that are in Star How welcome, then, The RAF had one million in TO CELEBRATE my son’s
decided who should receive the apparently terminal decline, letter would a RAFA official from uniform at the end of World War II recent 50th birthday, we both
Burma Star. but they did not give any Leicester HQ be who arrived – now it is down to 33,000 Regulars cycled across France, from the
I was one of a very big unit examples of what actions they with a heavy-handed attitude and 3,000 Volunteer Reservists. It is Channel to the Mediterranean.
(14,000) who were responsible for would propose to modernise out- to ‘show the branch the error of its surely unarguable that RAFA must We found ourselves on the Canal
the major servicing of both engines of-date branches or revitalise and way’ (A Mudge)? inevitably shrink year by year. de Berry cycle path north of the
and airframes. Our outpu t was 20 transform ‘old men’s drinking I do, however, agree with Alan The best that all branches can small town of Montlucon, when we
Liberators and up to 400 Dakotas clubs.’ Mudge that it does not help that do is to look after their members – came across a memorial to an RAF
a month. Our war effort did not Branches are autonomous with some branches are unwelcoming how many phone someone who has crew of a Stirling bomber which
qualify but a military policeman entirely voluntary committees. while others are in the grip of die- not been seen for a while? was shot down whilst trying to
patrolling the ‘red light’ districts Every month the emailed hard clinging to yesteryear. RAFA has very good PR and bomb the nearby Dunlop factory.
east of the line qualified. newsletter from S and SE Area HQ Many of today’s young people a proud and honourable history The plaque was in excellent order
I believe it was similar when it shows many advertised vacancies, are put off by formality. They of comradeship, friendship and – clean and with a flower attached.
came to the Africa Star – in transit from Wings Appeal organiser to could well join a branch-supported welfare to both serving and ex-RAF Should anyone wish to discuss
for 48 hours you were entitled, so befrienders and welfare officers. community litter-pick or clear personnel. It deserves to be kept this, please feel free to contact me
nothing has changed. Both Mr McGowan and Mr overgrown vegetation to enable a going for as long as possible. on: alanhlfisher@gmail.com.
Ray Moore (RAF 1942-1973) Mudge mention poor attendances 90-year-old veteran to drive his David Cobbold Alan Fisher (WO Retd)
Wirral at AGMs. I believe it is because mobility scooter to his front door, Wisbech, Cambs By Email

Win bottle THE WRITER of our star letter or email of the month wins their choice of either a bottle
of refined Spitfire Heritage Gin or smooth Supermarine Vodka ‘built to be the best’ from
of spirits spitfireheritagegin.com. Spitfire Heritage Distillers support the Spitfire Heritage Trust.

Chinook Display Team

photo books to be won
photo books to be won
photo books to be won
photo books to be won
photo books to be won

W
WHAT DOES it take to fly the RAF’s tandem-HAT DOES
Win! rotor, heavy-lift helicopter – the mighty rotor, heavy-lift helicopter – the mighty
Chinook?Chinook?
Have you ever thought about the amount of
work that goes into preparing for the annual work that goes into preparing for the annual
airshow display season?airshow display season?
Throughout 2018, Tom Mercer had
unprecedented access to the RAF Chinook unprecedented access to the RAF Chinook
Force, based at RAF Odiham, and has produced Force, based at RAF Odiham, and has produced
a book that takes the reader behind the scenes
a book that takes the reader behind the scenes
of the Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team.
Blade Slap (Amberley Publishing) describes
the work that goes into the display work-up, the
all-important Public Display Approval and key
moments from across one of the team’s busiest
ever airshow seasons. It also shows what daily
life on an operational RAF squadron involves.
This superb title provides a fascinating
insider’s look at the award-winning display
team and is illustrated with stunning original
photography.
We have three copies to win. For your chance
to own one, just answer this question correctly:

At which station is the RAF Chinook Display
Team based?
Email your answer, marked Blade Slap book
competition, to: competitions@rafnews.co.uk
or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster
Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe,
CAUGHT RED HANDED: HP14 4Ue, to arrive by April 24.
Waving to the crowd at Some of the proceeds from sales of the book
RIAT. Inset top, Mercer’s
book, Blade Slap (rrp £18.99) will be donated to the RAF100
appeal. Go to: amberley-books.com for more.