Of the fifteen Squadron aircraft booked to fly in to Henstridge, disappointingly only two actually made it to the airfield through very poor weather. The brave aviators were Phil and Sue Moore in Auster G-ASZE from Lee on Solent and Pat and Jackie Mountain in Cessna 140 G-AXIR from Curry Rivel. Both were rewarded with a bottle of wine and a certificate at lunch.

The day became a drive-in instead of a fly-in however and the Henstridge restaurant rapidly filled with frustrated and hungry aviators who did justice to Kate's excellent buffet lunch. Those who came by car were Ian Herdman, James Crick, Michael & Charmian Ryan, Leo Baker, Gregory Moor, Peter Lovegrove, Michael, Eve, Julie and Jack Bonham Cozens, Ron, Jan and Paul Dobree - Carey, Martin Holloway & Jane Macdonald, John & Janet Beattie, John & Chris Eatwell, Bernard Maslin, Rob Milligan (accompanied by two junior Milligans), Peter Manley, Dave Mackay and Dennis White. The 'by air' squadron non-arrivals, most regrettably, were Jack Lomas, Arthur Record, Neville & Gwen Duke, Colin Ferbrache, Mike Tidd, Denis Stanley, Kevin Crumplin, Nigel Ducker, Jeremy Holland, Dick & Mags Roberts, and Philip Cardew.

The poor weather really was a shame because we would have had a really good turnout of aircraft, possibly more than we have ever had before. As organiser of this fly in I was disappointed that the aerial fun and games planned ( Tac R and FLP from overhead the airfield on to a spot on the runway) were a non starter. Some other time perhaps…………… However, during the afternoon the sky cleared sufficiently for Michael Bonham Cozens, Phil Moore and Michael Ryan to give rides in their respective aircraft to volunteers which was greatly enjoyed. Paul Dobree - Carey, son of Ron, received two doses of air experience flying the Auster and Michael Ryan's Tobago as a reward for his diligent work on our Squadron web site. Paul regrets that he is now too old to fly Harriers - (well I did try to persuade him from the age of three that naval aviation was the future, but to no avail).