This was the Squadron's much looked forward to, last fly-in of the season. Shawbury is the home of the Defence Helicopter Flying School whose job it is to provide basic training for the ab initio helicopter pilots of all three services. The squadrons, which carry out this training, are 660 Army Air Corps, 705 Naval Air Squadron and 60 RAF. Local members of the FAAOA including the Mersey and Pennine Groups and our own Squadron members were hosted by 705 Squadron.

We were welcomed by Captain Mike Knowles the Commandant of the DHFS, and Lt/Cmdr.Adrian Hands CO of 705 NAS, who together with Lt/Cmdr.Brian Nicholas (senior pilot of 705) briefed us on the role of the DHFS. Tim Nicholas, Shawbury instructor and member of our squadron, was the organizer for this event.

Following the briefing and an excellent lunch in the Wardroom, members were able to view and ask questions about the Griffin and Squirrel helicopters, which are used for flying training at Shawbury. In addition, we were able to inspect the imposing Merlin, which had been flown up by the CO of 824 Squadron Lt/Cmdr.Steve Bradburn and the Sea Harrier, which flew in from Yeovilton piloted by squadron member Lt/Cmdr. Dave Mackay.

The ladies of our party were kindly offered a tour of nearby Preston Brockhurst Hall by the owners, Christopher and Leila Corbet, as an alternative to the fascination of inspecting and discussing naval helicopters.

It was most unfortunate that the weather forecast was very poor for this day and it put a lot of people off flying in to Shawbury. It is regrettable that weather forecasts are so often unnecessarily pessimistic. Of the original 18 aircraft booked in only those who were not put off found on arrival that it was a beautiful day in the Shawbury area. Amongst those who flew in were Mike Smith (R.44) with Dennis Stanley and Denis Woodhams, David Corbett (Europa), Gregory Moor (Streak Shadow), Michael Bonham Cozens (Bonanza B36) with Ron Dobrée - Carey and Dave Mackay (Sea Harrier). Car borne included Michael and Charmian Ryan (the Tobago was undergoing an inspection), Nigel Ducker, Andrew Eames, Arthur Record, Dick and Mags Roberts, Phil Moore and Roger and Carol Richardson Bunbury.

During the course of the day all present were invited to take part in a Fleet Air Arm quiz. When the Bonanza of Michael Bonham Cozens was taxiing out to the runway, Ron Dobrée-Carey in the co-pilot's seat received a very pleasant surprise when a fine bottle of vintage port was handed through the cockpit window to him as winner of the quiz. Despite rumours the bottle of vintage port was still full on arriving back at Henstridge !

Report by Ron Dobrée-Carey and Tim Nicholas
Photographs by RAF Shawbury and Squadron members.