Thumper and Vera fly over Lincoln in the UK

 
From: Graham Flanagan, Stafford
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:51 PM
Subject: History Coningsby 13/08/2014

Tony

To-day I had the luck, nay privilege, nay honour, of being at RAF Coningsby to see, along with a few hundred others, a bit of history written. It was the first time in 50 years that two Lancasters had flown together in UK airspace. Anything else that happened after the first hour of flight was very unimportant.

The sight and sound of our ‘Thumper’ and the Canadian ‘VR-A’ [Vera] was unbelievable. I have attached a few photos of the day that you may want to add to the next newsletter. On the shots of the two Lancs ‘VR-A’ is the trail aircraft.

Regards

Graham
 
Lockheed delivers first two F-35 fighters to Royal Australian Air Force
July 25, 2014 - Lockheed Martin Aeronautics rolled out the first two F-35 Lighting II fighter jets for delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Today, we celebrate a milestone in the U.S.-Australia partnership, a partnership built on strength, friendship, and technological innovation,” Frank Kendall, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, said a ceremony at Lockheed's Fort Worth manufacturing plant.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Air Marshal Geoff Brown, Chief of RAAF (pictured at left), and and Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO, the company said.

Lockheed said that the deal with Australia already has $412 million contracted and up to $6 billion in anticipated orders over the life of the program.

The aircraft, known as AU-1 and AU-2, will undergo fuel system checks before being taken to the flight line for ground and flight tests in coming months.
The planes will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force later this year. They will be based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where they will be used for Australian and partner country pilot training, Lockheed said in a release.

Dallas Business Journal
 
From: Richard Allen, Llanmartin, Mon
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 6:02 AM
Subject: 28B Movements Operators Course Graduation

Tony,

Going through some old (very) pictures, I came across this photo which appeared in Jan 1980 RAF News. It was the graduation picture for 28B Operators Course Dec 1979 at RAF Akrotiri, a few old faces on there, but in much younger mode (Bob Simmonds, Dinger Bell, Bubble Roberts to name a few).

We were the first Operator Course to graduate on operations (Op Agila), without taking the final exam, and were assessed on the job!! Couldn't see that happening these days!

Hopefully will be around for the Top-Table this year as finally finishing contracting work in Afghanistan and will be heading home first week in August and will be good to catch up.

Take Care

Taff Allen
 
First RNZAF T-6Cs touch down
The first two Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers for the Royal New Zealand Air Force touched down at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland this week at the end of their 20 stop delivery flight from Wichita, Kansas.

The two aircraft will be formally handed over to the RNZAF in October after intial pilot and maintenance training is completed. To be based at Ohakea, all 11 T-6Cs on order are due to be delivered by June 2015, allowing the first RNZAF pilot training course on the aircaft to begin in early 2016.

“It is great to see the first T-6C aircraft arrive in New Zealand just seven months after Beechcraft Defense Company was awarded the contract to deliver a new effective military pilot training system,” Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said in a statement.

“This project is a good example of smart and efficient procurement. The NZ$154 million pilot training package will deliver a modern reliable training system ensuring our military pilots are trained to the highest performance and safety standards.”
The T-6C was ordered in January to replace the RNZAF’s CT-4E and some King Air 200s in the basic and advanced training roles. As well as aircraft the acquisition includes simulators and classroom and computer-based training devices.

Australian Aviation
 
From: Arthur Rowland, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2014 8:56 AM
Subject: RAF Mystery Photo #072514

Hi Tony,
No difficulty with this Mystery as I am second left back row standing next to the civilian. It was of course the Senior Movements course taken on or around 15 September 1960. I remember the date well as, during one lecture, the CO came in with a telegram to say which one of you is Rowland, because your wife has just had twins! The other Rowland on the course said, "Not me mate, I'm too old". Which left a surprised Sgt as we were only expecting one!!

After half a century, the names get forgotten.  However, the chap seated first left is George Wilmott. Back row 3rd from the left is Tony Lamb (regrettably deceased).  Front row 4th left is the other Rowland, but I can't remember his first name. I think he was a Flt Lt at the time.  I think the small guy seated far right is Allan Walker, but wouldn't swear to it.

Good to see some old friends, mind you didn't we all look young?
All the best,

Arthur
The sands of time can play cruel tricks on our memories at times - Allan Walker was kind enough to supply this course photo from Kidbrooke back in 1960.  He listed the names as: Back Row: Mr Palmer, Sgt Rowlands, F/S Hester, Fg Off  Collins, P/O Farmer, WO Middleton, Sgt Simms, Sgt Roberts, Sgt Lamb, Sgt Ferguson, Sgt Pearce

Front Row: F/O Willmott, F/O Stoner, F/O Simms, Flt Lt Rowe (DS), Flt Lt Davis (DS), S/L Rich (OC), Flt Lt Williams (DS), F/O Cordless, F/OWilley, P/O Walker

 
Helen Mirren follows military-style fitness plan
The 'Calendar Girls' actress has revealed the secret to keeping in shape aged 68 is sticking to the Royal Canadian Air Force's exercise plan which was devised by a doctor in the 1950s.

Helen insists the routine - which takes just 12 minutes and includes push-ups, sit-ups, running on the spot and arm circling to work all the muscle groups - helps her to get fit in just a couple of weeks.

She told Hello! magazine: ''I do a thing that leads me into exercise. It is the Royal Canadian Air Force exercise plan.

''It is 12 minutes and they have charts you follow... Each day, you have to do the exercises within the 12 minutes and until you can, you can't move up.

''It is the exercise I have done off and on my whole life. It just very gently gets you fit. Two weeks of doing that and you think, 'Yeah, I could go to the gym now'.''

Helen - who is a self-confessed 'yo-yo dieter' - revealed that her weight constantly fluctuates by 10lb and is returning to the plan after finding herself at the upper end of her ideal weight range.

She explained: (I'm) at the top end of those 10lb and I have got to get back to the bottom end'.
Despite her intense fitness regime, the Oscar winner also admitted that she no longer feels comfortable wearing a bikini.  She said: ''I am beyond the bikini-wearing age, really. I wouldn't normally wear one. I've always looked awful in a bikini, even when I was young.''

Contact Music
Here are the original exercise programs which are free and available for you in .pdf (Adobe) format to download - just left click on the pamphlet of your choice.
 
From: Graham Flanagan, Stafford
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 4:54 PM
Subject: Lancaster Tour 2014

Hi Tony,

Don’t know how much of the tour you have seen but thought you might like this clip.
 
Australia considering more C-17s, KC-30 tankers
Australian defence minister Senator David Johnston has hinted that his government is considering acquiring additional Airbus Defence & Space KC-30/A330 multirole tanker transports (MRTTs) and Boeing C-17 strategic transports as part of a Defence White Paper currently in development.

Speaking to media on an MRTT flight during the multinational Exercise Pitch Black on 14 August, Johnston said: “When you get good service from a platform it prompts you to say: ‘why don’t you get some more?’ [The KC-30] allows us to go anywhere in our region and far and away beyond that.”

The Royal Australian Air Force currently has five KC-30s in service with 33 Sqn, based at Amberley air base in Queensland.
Despite being registered as a “Project of Concern” by the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation because of ongoing delays in clearing the aircraft’s Aerial Refuelling Boom System and other software-related issues, the KC-30 has recently performed a number of strategically relevant transport and refuelling tasks.

In recent months the fleet has operated a nonstop training mission from Darwin to Dallas-Fort Worth in the USA, has flown nonstop from Amberley to Anchorage in support of a Lockheed Martin C-130J deployment to Exercise Red Flag Alaska, and in June performed an 11h refuelling mission in support of RAAF Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornet and F/A-18F Super Hornet training missions at opposite ends of Australia.

The air force has also used its KC-30s and up to three C-17s in support of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 recovery mission in Ukraine, staging out of Eindhoven, in the Netherlands.
Two of Australia’s KC-30s are currently at Airbus Defence & Space’s Getafe facility near Madrid to support the boom development programme. “Modifications include software drops, boom and refuelling pod upgrades and there have been some physical changes,” the commander of the RAAF’s Air Mobility Group, Air Cdre Warren McDonald says. “It’s much improved and is meeting test expectations. Following the test modification programmes, the two aircraft in Spain will return to Australia by the end of this year or very early 2015.”

Johnston meanwhile describes the possibility of acquiring additional C-17s as a “no brainer”. The RAAF's 36 Sqn operates six of the type from Amberley. With the service's C-130Js used mostly in a tactical role, the opportunity to acquire two of the up to 12 unsold “white tail” C-17s Boeing will complete by early next year may prove tempting.

Flightglobal
 
New members who have joined us recently are:
RAF
Richard (Taff) Allen, Llanmartin, Monmouthshire, UK

Andy Rice, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK

Carl Widdup, Rochdale, Lancashire, UK
Colin Waitt, Herndon, Virginia, USA (Washington, DC)

Andy Crisp, Andover, Hampshire, UK

Mick Alexander, Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Welcome to the OBA!
 
From: Charles Collier, Ewhurst, Surrey
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 5:10 AM
Subject: Aden


Hi Tony,

Yet again I have found a book which describes what happened to the Aden we all knew who served there. The author tells for the first time the comprehensive history of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY).

He explains the power politics that came to form a communist republic a few hundred miles from the holiest site of Islam; the processes and conflicts that led to Yemeni unification in 1990.

I found this book on Amazon and I recommend it to all those - like me - who served in what had been the British Colony of Aden, South Arabia

All the best

Charles 
 
RAF Rivet Joint on first operational deployment over Iraq
The UK Royal Air Force has deployed its first Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft to support operations over Iraq - the first operational deployment of the type since its delivery in November 2013.

The aircraft was delivered under the UK’s Airseeker effort, which will see the RAF operate three converted KC-135Rs in line with the US Air Force's Rivet Joint force.

The deployed jet is stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where it is positioned to easily deploy over northern Iraq to support the humanitarian effort under way in the nation.

Islamic State militants have forced religious minorities from northern Iraq on to Mount Sinjar, which has resulted in humanitarian efforts by the USA and UK, among other nations, to provide aid.
The UK has also deployed two Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports in support of the aid effort, as well as a “small number” of Panavia Tornado GR4s carrying the Rafael Litening III reconnaissance and targeting pod. Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters have also been deployed to Akrotiri.

It is believed the RAF's Rivet Joint was deployed in July - weeks before the other RAF aircraft movements - although defence minister Michael Fallon only announced its involvement on 16 August.

Flightglobal
 
From: John Wickham, Basrah
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 7:18 AM
Subject: Gulf Jobs
Gulf Jobs
Supervisor - Baggage Handling - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:52 AM PDT
Minimum 2 years Airline/Handling experience either above or below the wing (in one or more core areas such as ramp, load control, passenger services and cargo) in any major international airport.
Airport Services Manager - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:51 AM PDT
Graduate is preferable.10 years in airport or ground services operations or in related area of work. IATA Station Management (Thorough knowledge of Airport handling and aviation background). Computer literate. Excellent people management and motivational skills, consultative team oriented working style. High level of entrepreneurial skill, resilient and culturally sensitive with high communication skill. Able to create strong partnering relationships at a senior level with internal and external contacts, including heads of governments, airlines and business associates.
Supervisor - Apron Services - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:50 AM PDT
Minimum 2 years Airline/Handling experience either above or below the wing (in one or more core areas such as ramp, load control, passenger services and cargo) in any major international airport.
Supervisor - Ramp - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:49 AM PDT
- To assist Officer - Ramp Administration in the day to day work.
- Prepare reports and correspondences for Senior Manager - Ramp Services.
- Provides supervision to Ramp Services administration staffs.
Safety - Instructor - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:47 AM PDT
- Be responsible for the safety training in all aspects of Aviation Safety in different areas of the airport, Emergency Response, Family Assistance, SMS and Human Factors
- Set-up objectives, design/plan aviation security   courses/modules for different categories of staff.
- Conduct the above courses/modules as per the requirement of the line departments
Security - Instructor - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:46 AM PDT
- Preferably a Bachelor’s Degree  in security or associated subjects from a recognized university or a Diploma in Aviation security or ICAO Avesec  PMC holder  (aviation security professional managers  certification from ICAO )   - Experience in a Police or an Armed force will be an added advantage.
- Should be able to pass a validation test for security instructors by the security dept (GMGS) as an approved security trainer for the airline airport services and associated companies.
- Must be computer literate to handle all training material and presentations
Administrator - Contract - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:45 AM PDT
Ensure that a written agreement exists between Oman Air and the selected providers clearly defining the safety related services and quality to be provided, along with a continuous monitoring of such agreements to ensure that the renewal is within the time frame set out by Company policies.
Management - Instructor - Oman Air - Muscat
Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:44 AM PDT
- A Master’s Degree  from a recognized university is preferable.                 
- Successful completion of  professional courses in Aviation in the Management Level  with an internationally recognized organization or a government  organization. - Minimum 10 years work experience as a professional  executive in  a reputed organization out of which a minimum of 5 years as a trainer.
- Work experience with a reputed airline will be an added qualification.
- Must be computer literate to handle all training material and presentations
 
Sea King deploys flares during flight -
Now this is one cool photo!

This photo really catches the eye. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship REGINA’s CH-124 Sea King helicopter deploys flares during a routine flight operation in the Indian Ocean on August 14, 2014.

Photo: Cpl Michael Bastien, MARPAC Imaging Services
 
Blast from the past - Operation Phillis
In light of the volatile and violent situation in Cote d'Ivoire in early November 2004, the UK deployed a small military team to review contingency plans, liaise with the French military authorities regarding the safety of, and offer expert advice to the British Ambassador in Abidjan. The Ministry of Defence also put in hand some precautionary preparatory work against the possible need for an evacuation operation, and placed troops on standby in the UK

On 11 November 2004, the Secretary of State for Defence made the following statement to the House of Commons:
"The UK places the utmost priority on protecting its citizens, whether at home or abroad. We are always prepared to deploy British forces to evacuate UK nationals should their lives be placed in jeopardy. In light of the deteriorating security situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a military reconnaissance team deployed earlier this week to assess the requirement to evacuate UK nationals. I wish to inform the House that, following this reconnaissance, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has requested British forces to undertake an evacuation of UK nationals and others over the next few days. Some 400 people are entitled to our protection.

"While I cannot give the House precise details of the mission for reasons of operational security, we have now established liaison teams in Abidjan, and at Accra in Ghana. Concurrently, we have ordered the deployment of the Spearhead Lead Company Group, comprising Royal Gurkha Rifles personnel, to assist with this evacuation. "

The Company Group is pre-positioning in Accra and will be on immediate notice to be called forward to support the evacuation in Abidjan. It is intended to support this evacuation with a number of RAF transport aircraft. In total, this equates to a deployment of around 300 personnel.
"As an additional contingency we have redirected the Landing Platform Dock HMS Albion towards Cote d'Ivoire, and reduced the notice to move for other force elements, should they be required. We would expect the operation to last days, not weeks.

"Our ability to react quickly to the situation in Cote d'Ivoire is testament to the flexibility and capability of Britain's Armed Forces, and to the professionalism of British Servicemen and women. The UK is working in close cooperation with international partners to monitor and respond to the situation in Cote d'Ivoire as it develops. In particular, we are working with the French and Ghanaians, who have offered significant enabling support to British forces."

The evacuation operation commenced early on 12 November, RAF Hercules aircraft flying into Cote d'Ivoire to begin ferrying UK nationals and other evacuees to Accra, where the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Ghanaian authorities took care of their reception and onward movement. Soldiers from the Royal Gurkha Rifles provided assistance to the Consular staff on the ground in Cote d'Ivoire. The evacuation by British forces was completed to the satisfaction of the British Ambassador at 1100 on 13 November, with all those UK nationals who wished to leave Cote d'Ivoire having been flown to safety in Ghana, along with the Embassy staff. In total, the three RAF Hercules aircraft brought out 220 evacuees, including some nationals of other countries at their governments' request. The British forces began returning to the UK from the operating base in Accra on 13 November, having received outstanding support and cooperation from the French and Ghanaian authorities.
Evacuees board an RAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft at Abidjan Airport
Mr Gordon Wetherell, the British High Commissioner, Accra, Ghana praised both the UK military operation and the support from the Ghanaian Government: “We are very grateful for all the hard work, efficiency and co-operation of the British military deployed here and I would like to play tribute to the co-operation of the Ghanaian authorities…..they have been unstinting in their cooperation and their readiness to make facilities available to us, and without that what we have managed to do would not have been possible.”
The overall duration of the operation, from the call forward of evacuation assets from the United Kingdom to the last aircraft departing from Abidjan, was only fifty hours.
Inside the aircraft's hold, awaiting takeoff for the flight to Accra in Ghana
The Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy
in Abidjan is reunited with his daughter at Accra
From: John Holloway, Shrewsbury
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 6:13 AM
Subject: The Hardest Day

Hi Tony
As an aside as I said we had all sorts of aircraft arriving all the time; Yorks, Tudors, Hastings and the new BOAC Britannias even before they had started civil flights. To watch a Tudor landing in the dark and see when the engines throttle back all the flames coming out of the Merlins exhausts was quite a sight as well as listening to the engines crackling and backfiring.

Happy days!

John
 
From: Bryan Morgan, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 6:43 AM
Subject: Frank Johnston’s 75th Birthday!

Frank,

Many congratulations on reaching three score and fifteen this coming week.  It is a long time since we have been in touch and I remember your hard work and efforts in keeping the Eng side of UKMAMS on the go in the early seventies.  As you will know we ran a busy outfit and we would not have succeeded as we did without some pretty massive support in terms of equipment and vehicles.  Many thanks for all your efforts and to those in your team.

I will reach the magical four score next March  but I think our celebrations might be a little closer to home.  We managed a week in Jersey in early July and I think that will be as far as we go for the moment except we have a weekend in Bruges to come - a present from our daughters for our 55th anniversary last year, which we are only now able to take up.

I hope both Janet and you enjoy your trip and I will raise a glass at our normal Happy Hour on Friday for your celebration!

Kind regards,

Bryan Morgan
OC UKMAMS 1971-74
Frank and Janet Johnston

From: Vic Smith, Brassall, QLD 
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 3:39 AM
Subject: Frank Johnston's 75th!

For Frank from a Mover way down under, Happy Birthday mate. Have a great day

Vic Smith

From: Woody Wood, Pembroke, ON
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 9:28 PM
Subject: BIRTHDAY WISHES

I would like to extend very Happy Birthday wishes to Frank.  The Mover World will be tipping one for you on the 29th August.

Best wishes
Len (Woody) Wood
Former 8 MAMS
1 Air Movements Unit
Namao (CFB Edmonton)
Canada
 
Humanitarian assistance to Iraq
MoD
Operation Accordion, Al Minhad Air Base: The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has completed its first humanitarian drop to Iraq, delivering nine tonnes of critical supplies to Yezidi civilians, trapped on Mount Sinjar in the country’s north.  A RAAF C-130J Hercules assigned to Operation Accordion at A Minhad Air Base delivered 10 large bundles of Australian humanitarian supplies.
The cargo included 150 boxes of high energy biscuits and 340 boxes of bottled water - enough to feed and hydrate 3700 people for 24 hours.  The ADF’s contribution in Iraq is part of a coordinated international humanitarian response.

The Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Region, Major General Craig Orme, AM, CSC, said the successful conduct of this operation was driven by a team effort.  “The Australian Joint Task Force has proven its ability to maintain support to our operations in Afghanistan and maritime security while also planning and conducting short notice operations within the region,” Major General Craig Orme said.

"This highlights the importance of an Australian military present in the Middle East with an effective headquarters that works to support Australia’s national interests."
It was night really - October 1956.  I was stationed at Khormaksar and the Suez crisis had just flared up. Normal schedules went out of the window and we had all sorts of aircraft arriving day and night, most carrying freight.

One night an Avro York arrived and I don't know what the procedure is these days but as soon as a kite parked all the aircraft systems were turned off as it was being refuelled. The only lights that were on were outside.  I climbed on board and as I moved inside (in half darkness) a roll of barbed wire fell against my legs and left quite a few wounds. I should have gone sick but no, I patched my legs up myself and suffered for it later. I still have some of the scars on my legs just to remind me.
Joint Task Force 633
 
From: Terry Mulqueen, Sussex
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2014 2:40 AM
Subject: The Hardest Days worked in R.A.F.
I will keep this short & sweet --

The hardest days for me were when, because of the absolutely stupid, idiotic system that meant that we "Movers" in the "old days" were part & parcel of the Supply Trade Group and could be posted to a Supply post, I was posted to E.S.G. as a Cpl in the 60's at R.A.F.Tengah without any knowledge of stores whatsoever.

If it hadn't been for the fact that I was in good ole' Singapore I dunno how I would have existed!!

Terry Mulqueen
 
From: Syd Avery, Guardamar, Alicante
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 11:36 AM
Subject: The Hardest Day(s)

Hi, Tony,

Hardest physically:
August '69 - Operation Spearhead…  that was about 60 hours of non-stop aircraft into Aldergrove - one every 15 minutes and turning them around in under 5 minutes…  knackering!


Initial deployment at Ascension on the Falklands Excursion.

Emotionally:
R.A.F. Changi, six months on the S.W.O's. Funeral Guard of Honour. Unfortunately, on one occasion, we carried out five funerals in 3 consecutive days. Harrowing.

On the senses:

By VC10 to the west coast U.S.A. and return within 36 hours. My next door neighbour asked me if I ever went to work! Wouldn't believe where I had just been.

Regards,

Syd
 
The moving of Tutankharmun
Abingdon, February 1973 -  Flt Lt Chris Twyman, Sgt Dave Barton, Cpl George Lynes, SACs Tony Gale and Tony Moore.

With a sound grasp of Royal protocol, UKMAMS were the obvious choice for moving an Egyptian King, albeit a particularly dead one.  Following the display in London of the Sun King's treasures for a reasonably lucrative time, the Egyptians deemed it was time for their return.  As the treasures were worth the best part of our national budget it was decided that their journey home was to be kept a closely guarded secret. This was strangely appropriate as the journey home of many UKMAMS personnel after a night on the town is often similarly shrouded in mystery
So that a potential thief would be twarted, the treasures were booked to a civil cargo flight as Iraqi super gun parts, with the mummified remains travelling economy class as one Mr Eric Swithers.  It was correctly assumed that a person swathed in bandages would excite little comment on such a flight already familiar with carrying Club Med and 18-30 passengers.
In a remarkably deft piece of counter intelligence work, the treasures were switched at short notice and in total secrecy to an RAF Britannia at Abingdon.  I say "no notice" but a MAMS team were on standby for the task, which means that Command were obviously aware and had, in all probability, tasked the event weeks before.  This in turn would implicate MoD as party to the secret, who themselves, in conjuction with the Court of St James, would have arranged the diplomatic process for a foreign nation to use one of our military aircraft.  Also involved would have been the civil servants in the financial branch of the MoD and the cleaners at both Whitehall and Abingdon.
Add to this list of participants; the personnel at the air traffic control centre at West Drayton who would have been called upon to clear the flight plan through to Cairo, the aircraft handling staff at both Heathrow and Abingdon, the haulage firm who moved the freight, and the staff at the museum, without doubt the secret was safe. 

The treasures turned up at RAF Abingdon in an unmarked furniture removal van [accompanied by the SAS]- probably only ever used to move rare and valuable historical artefacts around, and were quickly loaded to the Britannia.

On this load, the squadron boss, Bryan Morgan, came to supervise, as it is on such loads that careers are broken.  The Britannia plus team got away without a hitch, much to the relief of the boss, and all involved trekked back to the crew room. 

On the way back, Dave Barton, a noted souvenir hunter, reached into his pocket and withdrawing it said to the boss, "Look at this for a souvenir for the crew room then!"  Had Bryan not lost three pints of blood from his face and gone quite faint, he might have seen the joke!
 
 
 
 
That's it for this issue

Have a great weekend!

Tony

ukmamsoba@gmail.com