Supporters’ Day
A day out with the Royal Navy Historic Flight at RNAS Yeovilton
HM Stevens
When the email dropped into my ‘In Box’ from the Fly Navy Historic Trust inviting me and a guest to visit the Royal Navy Historic Flight at Yeovilton one Saturday last September, my reply in accepting went back in a nano-second! An opportunity not to be missed and thankful just before I was about to embark on the good ship m.v. ’Hebridean Princess’ performing some summer relief work!
Once my places were confirmed the next job was to find somewhere to stay the night before the visit. Living in the East Riding of Yorkshire makes RNAS Yeovilton too far to travel to in the wee small hours and have any guarantee of making the 10:00hrs muster. Looking for a decent hostelry I stumbled across a delightful little gem of place nestling in the picturesque village of Lower Odcombe, hardly a stone throw from Yeovil and approx 20 mins travelling time from HMS Heron. Our overnight venue was to be the Mason Arms, privately and superbly run plus boasting its own micro-brewery. So for future reference, when any of you are in the area do drop in, the home brewed beer is great and the food and service excellent.
Well back to the RNHF, after a substantial dinner followed by a very cosy and comfortable night we were seen on our way by a great breakfast and mustered as requested in the Old Wardroom car park at HMS Heron. There we linked up with another 118 supporters and were warmly welcomed by the Hannah Robinson and the team who checked us in for security and boarded us onto two comfortable standard MoD white coaches for the short trip on to the base and to the ‘Jester’s’ social complex. There we were welcomed with tea/coffee/biscuits and met some of our hosts for the day. The CEO of FNHT, Mike Nixon OBE, the base Commander, Commodore Jock Alexander, CO of the Squadron, Mike Gotck and two of the pilots, Lt. Cmdr Mike Jameson and Lt Simon Wilson.
After coffee we were invited to take a seat in the auditorium where we ‘kicked-off’ with a welcome speech by the CEO of FNHT who brought us up to date with the latest events, a broad financial overview of the finances with plans for the future. This was followed by another interesting talk delivered by the Base Commander, Commodore Jock Alexander who gave an interesting overview of the operational role of the base, the latest developments with the improved new Tiger Lynx, the new carriers, keeping up with fast jet skills and details of the appointment of an army unit to station with a full Colonel as their unit C/O.
Histalk was inter-dispersed with some evocative and moving short films about the history of the FAA with filmed commentary from ‘Winkle Brown’ and Frederick Forsyth.
The CEO took the stage again and fielded lots of questions from the assembled enthusiasts suggesting additions to the flight, ranging from a Gannett, Harrier or even a helicopter such as a wasp! Talking of Wasps, the author recently flew into Breighton, North Yorkshire and came across HMS Ariadne’s ex Wasp, now in the hands of the Real Aeroplane Company based there. Apparently they intend to return her to the air!
Anyway, back to the flight, the CEO explained that the running costs put most of these aspirations out of reach and went on to comment that apparently according to the CAA it would be easier to have a Phantom on than a Harrier! Well I think that’s what he said!! In round figures the privately owned ex FAA Sea Vixen basedat Bournemouth costs an estimated £280,000 per annum to keep in the air! For a Harrier just add another nought on to this figure. Funnily enough though, I read in the November issue of ‘Fly Past’ that there is a Gannet at St.Athan’s currently undergoing restoration back to flying condition.Perhaps we should attempt to get that aircraft affiliated to the flight? Unlike the BBMF the RNHF flight lacks Government funding. However, this is the Navy’s choice as each one of the three services is given an annual fund to maintain a Charitable part of its force. The RAF choose to fund the BBMF, the Army fund the Royal Horse Artillery and the Navy HMS Victory. Although the latter has been now been turned into a trust so we may see some money coming the way of the FNHT? That’s if I understood the workings as explained!
Following the CEO’s talk about the aspirations and future for the RNHT it was the turn of the flight’s Commanding Officer, Lt.Cmdr Mike Gotke. Mike outlined his impressive flying career in the Navy and then along with another of the flight’s pilots Lt.Simon Wilson delivered a very informative and interesting presentation giving all the vital statistics and performance of the aircraft on the flight.
In the afternoon following which we dispersed for an excellent light lunch laid out in the main reception of Jester’s. The group boarded buses for transfer to the far side of the airfield where the hangars and crew room of the flight are situated. First of all we went to see the Sea Hawk, currently grounded and undergoing some major restoration work. We also spotted what are sadly the last current RN fixed wing assets in the shape of two Hawk jets apparently flown enabling a number of FAA pilots to keep current on fast jets. We were told that some FAA pilots are out in the US working on converting to the new F35 Joint Strike jet and even a couple are serving aboard the French aircraft carrier! What would Nelson make of that?
Then it was on to the main event the Swordfish and Sea Fury! There we met the engineers who were keen to discuss all the engineering aspects of keeping these beautiful aircraft in the air. An increasingly challenging and expensive exercise to say the least, I do believe it cannot be over stressed the dedication and expertise that we the supporters owe to these engineers in keeping these legendary aircraft in flying condition. These chaps have to beg borrow or make spare parts for the aircraft. Very few of the original manufacturers are still in existence so finding spares is becoming a major problem and aircraft can be grounded for months due to just a small part being unavailable. Alternatives are used were ever possible and thankfully drawings and specifications have survived. New parts are being made by current engineering companies; we were told that piston rings for the Swordfish have been manufactured by the Cosworth engineering company, better known for ‘souping up production cars’!!
Although this may seem an easy and inventive solution, further challenges arise due to the complex problems of compatibility and metallurgy. We were informed that they had been as far afield as Poland to find the particular smelt that was required for manufacturing a spare part. Just how much the technology of smelting has advanced was brought home to me when attending a recent talk on the ill-fated ‘Titanic’. Apparently and according to the lecturer had the ‘Titanic’ been made from metal smelted by modern methods then by all accounts she would probably have withstood the collision with the ice berg by not sustaining so much damage and may not have sunk!
The intention had been to fly the Swordfish but sadly she was grounded for essential work. However, this was certainly made up for and we were therefore given a splendid display by another well-known Naval aircraft, the Jet Provost! Seriously though, John Beattie piloting the Provost put on a terrific display. This was then followed by the Sea Fury T20 flown by the Flight’s CO Lt.Cdr Chris Gotke showing the amazing capabilities of the Sea Fury’s flight envelope, rightly earning her the reputation of I believe the most successful piston engine aircraft in the FAA’s history. Mike finished his display with some breath taking spectacular low passes and Victory roles before heading off east to North Weald where she was going to be left for her annual maintenance.
Afternoon tea in the glorious sunshine followed being served alongside the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Trailer which did some good business borne out by the sound of the till ringing!! I certainly was a grateful recipient and went away loaded with goodies bought for me by my lovely partner, now wasn’t I delighted that she came along!! I received even more RN flight presents on Christmas Day! So she had obviously been busy whilst my eyes were turned skyward in awe, taking in the stunning displays of the Jet Provost and Sea Hawk. I heard later that the trailer took nearly £1000 during the afternoon!
All too quickly the day came to a close and so boarding our coaches for the return to the Old Wardroom car park we said our ‘Good byes’ and thanks to the RNHT team for arranging such a splendid day, and if I am not mistaken there were not many dry eyes as we left, hoping that this event can be repeated again next year!
As we drove home on that beautiful late summer evening I couldn’t help wondering why the FAA doesn’t get a much wider acknowledgment that it so rightly deserves. In fact outside naval supporter circles, I wonder how many really know about the major contribution and sacrifices made by the Royal Navy and FAA during WWII? Whilst not trying to take away any of the glory so rightly deserved by both the RAF Fight and Bomber Commands during WWII, it is a simple but often overlooked fact that had the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy not won the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest of all the campaigns, then the sacrifices of the Battle of Britain and the bombing offensive would have all been in vain!
Lest We Forget.
HM Stevens ©
