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Centenary News - Issue three
The highlight of this year’s Centenary of Naval aviationwill be
the visit to London of the UK’s Strike AircraftCarrier, HMS
Illustrious together with her embarkedNaval Air Squadrons for the
100 birthday celebrationsand flypast over the ship on Thursday 7
May 2009.
HMS Illustrious will be moored at Greenwich and the flypastof
Fleet Air Arm Merlin, Sea King and Lynx helicopters willfollow the
River Thames from east to west passing directlyover the ship at
midday.
The impressive Balbo formation of aircraft will give
spectatorsthe rare opportunity to see a large number of
Navalhelicopters operating from an Aircraft Carrier against
thebackdrop of the home of the Royal Navy since Tudor times,the
magnificent Old Royal Naval College. HRH PrinceAndrew, The Duke of
York and Commander-in-Chief of theFleet Air Arm will take the
salute onboard HMS Illustrious asthe aircraft pass overhead.
Operating with the Royal Navy, the Joint HelicopterCommand and
Joint Force Harrier, the Squadrons of the FleetAir Arm have never
been in greater demand.
“Over 80% of our Squadrons are currently deployed
fulfillingdefence commitments worldwide” said Rear Admiral
SimonCharlier, Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm. “Naval aircraft
aremaking a direct and vital contribution to operations
inAfghanistan, Iraq, the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman,
theFalklands, the North Atlantic, the Far East and
theCaribbean.”
HMS Illustrious will be in London for six days as thecentrepiece
of the Centenary celebrations, hosting a dinneronboard on Thursday
7 May and supporting the Service ofThanksgiving at St Paul’s
Cathedral on Friday 8 May.
CENTENARY FLY PASTHMS ILLUSTRIOUS – 7 May 2009Greenwich, London
12 noon
Royal Navy CentenaryCelebrations
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1909 - 2009
Fleet Air Arm Memorial
Raising the Game
Their names will live for evermore . . .
Over 6,000 men and women have giventheir lives in the service of
Naval aviationover the past 100 years and it isparticularly fitting
during this Centenaryyear that their sacrifice should behonoured in
the peaceful setting of theNational Arboretum. The new memorial,
asculptured plinth of Portland stonesupporting a granite aircraft
carrier, will beset amidst ‘hearts of oak’ in an avenue offine old
English oak trees, close to theNational Armed Forces Memorial.
The Fleet Air Arm has a ‘battle honours’memorial on the Victoria
Embankment inLondon. The new memorial, however, hasbeen especially
designed to enablesquadrons, ships and associations to placeplaques
or wreaths around the base of theaircraft carrier allowing the
memorial tobecome the spiritual property of everyonewho has served
in the Fleet Air Arm.
Speaking of the new memorial, Chief ofStaff Aviation and
Carriers, Rear AdmiralSimon Charlier said, “We are very gratefulto
the Fleet Air Arm Associations for theirconsiderable contribution
in raising thefunds to commission this project. Thedesign of an
aircraft carrier is not only
testament to the enduring importance ofcarrier aviation which in
a relatively shortspace of history has had such a significantimpact
but it holds memories of lovedones for so many people throughout
thecountry.”
The dedication service will be open to alland will include an
unveiling ceremony,flypast and a Royal Marines Beat Retreat.
In the meantime funds are still beingsought to finalise the
project and ensurethat the dedication service is a
fittinglymemorable occasion. Donations fromindividuals or
organisations would be verywelcome and should be sent to Fleet
AirArm Officers Association, 4 St JamesSquare, London, SWIY 4JU.
Please makecheques payable to FAAOA and markedon the reverse
‘Memorial’.
A ceremony to dedicate a new memorial to remember and celebrate
the service of the many men and women who haveserved in the Fleet
Air Arm will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum near
Lichfield in Staffordshire on Friday 11September 2009.
Designed by architect and sculptor, Steve Field, thememorial is
being built on a plinth of Portland stone, the
traditional material for Naval memorials
The deployment, the Navy’s largest Amphibiousdeployment in ten
years, aims to strengthen theRoyal Navy’s fighting capability,
proving theiramphibious landing skills by means of landingcraft and
helicopters and enhancing their ability tocarry out combined
operations with NATO alliesand other nations.
The Task Group comprises 12 ships includingcapital ships HMS
Bulwark and HMS Ocean, twoRoyal Navy frigates, a US Navy destroyer
and aFrench Navy frigate, two nuclear poweredsubmarines and an
embarked force of RoyalMarines from 40 Commando and 539
AssaultSquadron Royal Marines. At its height, 3,300personnel will
take part in the 20,400 mile round-
trip deployment, interacting, training andrelationship building
with 17 nations.
Merlin helicopters onboard the air assault shipHMS Ocean took
part in rigorous preparationsearning praise from Rear Admiral
RichardIbbotson, Flag Officer Sea Training. He told theship’s
company that without exception everyoneonboard had raised their
game and embraced the challenge of being ready to embrace
amphibiousoperations anywhere in the world. Taurus 09 willbe split
into two phases, phase one will involveamphibious training exercise
in the Mediterraneanand phase two will culminate in a
multi-nationaltraining operation in the jungles of Brunei.
Deploying with a maritime force forprolonged periods,
supportingamphibious operations and operating indifficult
environments is what the FleetAir Arm does best. Taurus 09 is a
textbook example of the projection of seapower over land by means
of the air andI know the squadrons deployed will takeit in their
stride.
“
“
Rear Admiral Simon Charlier
Fleet Air Arm
In 2008 MASU joined forces withNAML, the Naval Aircraft
MaterialsLaboratory at Fleetlands, Gosport,to form a formidably
capableforward support organisationcalled Fleet Forward Support
(Air)providing the full range of rapidaviation support to
helicopters ofall three Services anywhere in theworld.
Based in new premises inPortsmouth Naval Base, theorganisation
is responsible for theassessment and repair of damagedhelicopters,
designing and fittingmodifications, providing analysis on
all aspects of airworthiness andadvice on the care of aircraft
toprevent and manage corrosion,Health Usage Monitoring
andVibration, materials and compositeevaluation and chemical
samplingof fuels, oils and lubricants. Theunit also assists with in
depthinvestigations into failures andaccidents. As well as
deployableteams able to support airoperations anywhere in the
world,the unit currently has adetachment in Afghanistan. In thetrue
spirit of joint operations, it isanother arena in which the
FleetAir Arm is leading the way.
MASURapid Aviation Support Most people familiar with the Fleet
Air Arm will have heard ofMASU, Mobile Aircraft Support Unit, or
MARTSU, Mobile AircraftRepair Transport and Salvage Unit as it was
previously known.Historically responsible for the recovery and
repair of damagedaircraft the remit of the unit has grown
exponentially in recentyears to meet the exacting demands being
made on all UK militaryaircraft deployed on current operations.
CentenaryCelebrations in London
Merlin helicopters from 820 Naval Air Squadron and Sea King ASaC
aircraft from 857 Naval AirSquadron, both based at Royal Naval Air
Station Culdrose and Commando Helicopter Force SeaKing Mk 4s from
845 Squadron and Lynx Mk 7 aircraft from 847 Squadron, from Royal
NavalAir Station Yeovilton have deployed as a powerful air group
with the Royal Navy’s AmphibiousTask Group on Taurus 09 to the Far
East.
TAURUS 09A century after the Admiralty orderedits first aircraft
on 7 May 1909, it isastonishing to think that within arelatively
few years, air power fromthe sea would transform navalwarfare as
radically as had the gunand the steam engine.
The celebrations with HMS Illustrious inLondon could not be more
fitting orbetter timed to commemorate aremarkable 100 years.
Emerging fromadolescence in the First World War andcoming to
maturity in the Cold War, Navalaviation has developed a core
expertiseand depth of experience in operating atsea that sees us
now, on the brink of asignificant step change in capability.Carrier
aviation and the Fleet Air Arm areintrinsically intertwined and the
combination of the Queen Elizabeth classcarriers and the F-35 Joint
Combat Aircraft herald an exciting future - we aregetting back in
the big carrier game.
It will be a proudmoment watching thefly past over
HMSIllustrious, but it isimportant toremember that 80%of the Fleet
Air Arm iscurrently deployed onoperations around theworld. The
Harrier jetsof the Naval StrikeWing and Navalhelicopters assigned
tothe CommandoHelicopter Force areheavily committed tojoint
operations inAfghanistan, 829Naval Air Squadron isvery active,
parentingsmall ships flightsembarked in Type 23frigates, Merlin
helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron are conducting ongoing
surveillancemissions in the Persian Gulf and the Naval Air
Squadrons embarked withTaurus 09 are conducting intensive
amphibious exercises in the Far East.While our birthday will be a
memorable day for the Service, there can be noclearer message of
the versatility, adaptability and utility of Naval aviation.
A highlight of the celebrations will be a visit by HRH The Duke
of York, ourCommander-in-Chief and the Secretary of State for
Defence, The RightHonourable John Hutton MP.
In addition to our birthday fly past, there will be a fire works
displayover HMS Illustrious on 7 May at 22.00 and flying displays
overthe Thames in front of the Old Royal Naval College onSaturday 9
and Sunday 10 May at 14.00 each day.
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The Armourers AssociationAfter attending Nobby’s ‘going outside
run’,Shiner’s 50th birthday party and Bungy’s‘promotion do’ and
seeing the same peopletravel from miles around to attend, it was
thegeneral feeling that the same lot wouldprobably support a
Bombheads Reunion. So in
1989 with the aid of a few Christmas card lists and
seventeenquidsworth of postage stamps, the Armourers Association
wasborn.
The inaugural meeting wasin Coventry in 1990. Theycame from
Penzance, theycame from Lossiemouth,and all stations in
between.They were old, they werevery old, and they were‘Gordon
Bennett! Who’dhave thought he’d still bealive.’ Amongst them
werePolice, Prison and FireOfficers of all ranks, aForeign
Legionnaire, aMayor, a town crier, a blokewho breeds racing
tadpolesand a part time Lancashiresausage knotter but we allhad one
thing in common –once a bomb’ead, always abomb’ead!
The aim of our Associationis to preserve the valuesand
comradeship we allenjoyed in the Fleet AirArm. You may have
nodesire to travel to a reunionbut wish to be in contactwith your
old oppos. Weare currently in touch withover 900 ex armourers.
Theannual membership is £5payable to the ArmourersAssociation by
standingorder. Please contact MikeHoldsworth
[email protected] tel 01227 832826 forour current
newsletter, nominal roll and registration form.
Meet Your NavyJoining in the celebrationsof 100 years of
NavalAviation, Navy Days 2009will include a stunning airdisplay,
featuring a widerange of Naval aircraft.Visitors will also be able
toclimb aboard the Navy’sships and submarines,witness a dramatic
hostagerescue demonstration bythe Royal Marines, and geta glimpse
of the future inthe ‘Future Navy’ marquee.This promises to be
anincredible day out for thewhole family, so book earlyfor big
discounts!
Musical Tribute‘Hands to Flying Stations’
An inspiring and moving musical tribute to the Fleet Arm Arm,
composedespecially to celebrate 100 years of Naval aviation and
incorporating themuch loved bugle call ‘Hands to Flying Stations’
was performed for thefirst time by The Massed Bands of Her
Majesty’s Royal Marines at theMountbatten Festival of Music at the
Royal Albert Hall, London inFebruary.
The new piece of music, composed byformer Warrant Officer Royal
MarinesMichael McDermott, is called‘Daedalus’, a name long
associatedwith the Fleet Air Arm, after the greatAthenian inventor,
Daedalus, who builtartificial wings for himself and his sonIcarus
and HMS Daedalus, the RoyalNaval Air Station at Lee on Solent,
thespiritual home of the Fleet Air Arm.
The idea to compose a special musicaltribute to celebrate this
year’sCentenary was proposed by the FlyNavy Heritage Trust who
sponsored a
national competition. 97 applicationswere made to enter the
competitionand 16 full scores were submitted. Thewinning
composition which was playedto accompany a film on 100 years
ofNaval flying, received a standing ovationat the Royal Albert
Hall.
“It is a truly magnificent tribute” saidAdmiral Terry Loughran,
Chairman ofthe Fly Navy Heritage Trust. “There wasnot a dry eye in
the house and we hope‘Daedalus’ will be played on manyoccasions
throughout the Centenaryyear and for many years to come.”
Fleet Air Arm Roll of HonourThe Fleet Air Arm Roll ofHonour
containing thenames of the 6,749Royal Naval Air Serviceand Fleet
Air Armpersonnel who havegiven their lives in theservice of Naval
aviationis kept at the Fleet AirArm Memorial Church,St
Bartholomew’s atRoyal Naval Air StationYeovilton in Somerset.
Aservice to celebrate theCentenary of Navalaviation and dedicate
aplaque in honour of thefour Naval aviatorsawarded the
VictoriaCross will be held atSt Bart’s on 9 October2009 at
10.30.
A mix of GR7 and GR9 Harrier jets together with12 pilots and 80
support staff and engineersclocked up an impressive 84 sorties in a
fortnightincluding a round the clock rigorous deck work-up passage
which saw 4 new Harrier pilots gaintheir initial deck landing
qualifications and twofurther pilots re-qualifying.
Further air combat training was conducted withRAF Hawk aircraft
of 100 Squadron, RAF Leemingand the new Typhoon from X1 Squadron
RAFConingsby. The Commanding Officer of HMSIllustrious, Captain Ben
Key stated “It was
fantastic welcoming the jets back on board. Theship comes alive
when the flight deck is busy andwe are delivering our primary
capability of airpower from the sea.”
Lieutenant Simon Rawlings, one of the pilotsfrom the Naval
Strike Wing embarked in HMSIllustrious, stated “It was great being
backonboard. The Squadron has spent a lot of time inAfghanistan but
embarking in a carrier again issecond nature to us. The whole team
works likeclockwork.”
Back OnboardNaval Strike Wing
After intensive operations in Afghanistan the Naval Strike Wing
returned to HMS Illustriouslast month for a period of reintegration
training to get back up to speed in their corebusiness of carrier
aviation.
Their work has been described as some of the most demanding
flying anywherein the world, outside war zones. Last month members
of the Royal Navy Searchand Rescue unit HMS Gannet were recognised
for their outstanding bravery, witha remarkable 8 of the 20 aircrew
at the helicopter station in Prestwick beinghonoured in the
Operational Honours list.
Fleet Air Arm Heroes
Honoured
The honours were awarded forexceptional courage in
dangerousrescue situations and ranged fromQueen’s Commendations for
Gallantryin the Air and Commander-in-ChiefFleet’s Commendations to
the AirForce Cross the highest award inrecognition of exemplary
gallantry inthe air on non-active operations.
The Search and Rescue Flight was alsoawarded the prestigious
Firmin Swordof Peace in recognition of theoutstanding service
provided by HMSGannet to the local community andthe Boyd Trophy
awarded annually forexcellence in aviation.
HMS Gannet’s work in Scotland covers an area of 98,000 square
miles, more than 12 times the size of Wales.The Commanding Officer
of HMS Gannet, Lieutenant Commander Bryan Nicholas said “I am
incredibly proud ofthese men and the courage and determination
which they have shown in the face of adversity. They saved livesand
risked their own.”
Speaking after the awards ceremony Rear Admiral Simon Charlier
said “Whilst there is an ongoing debate aboutthe future of Search
and Rescue, I have nothing but the greatest admiration for Gannet
SAR Flight. It is a vibrantand busy part of the Royal Navy doing an
absolutely magnificent job. Last year’s record number of call
outsamounted to more than the number of days in the year! I am
immensely proud of the Flight’s outstandingachievements.”
Left to right: Lt Cdr Martin Lanni decorated with the Air
ForceCross, Lt Tony Sherwin, Commander-in-Chief’s
Commendation,Leading Aircrewman Kev Regan, Queen’s Commendation
forBravery in the Air, Rear Admiral Simon Charlier, Chief of
StaffAviation, Lt Cdr Martin ‘Florry Ford, Queen’s Commendationfor
Bravery in the Air, Petty Officer Daz Craig, Queen’sCommendation
for Bravery in the Air.
Lt Mike Paulett (not pictured) formerly Gannet SAR Flight andnow
854 Squadron was also decorated with the Air Force Crossand Olivia
Millies also not pictured received a Commander-in-Chief Fleet’s
Commendation for Bravery in the Air.
1909 - 2009
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A significant part of the 100 year history of Naval aviationwas
occupied by the dark days of the Cold War, which lastedfrom the
late 40s to the late 80s. It was a very importanttime for the Fleet
Air Arm, for in addition to maintaining aconstant front line
readiness to engage the massive forces ofthe Warsaw Pact in what
could be full scale nuclear war, itwas a period of huge and
demanding transition in Navalaviation capability.
Those four decades took Naval aviation from the operation of
theobsolete propeller driven aircraft, in service during the Korean
War,through to what was the peak of operational carrier flying
whenthe Fleet Air Arm eventually acquired the large, purpose
builtFighter and Strike jet aircraft and fixed wing Anti submarine
andAirborne Early Warning aircraft – and operated them day and
night– from relatively small carrier decks. It was undoubtedly one
of themost demanding and at the same time professionally
rewardingperiods in the history of the Fleet Air Arm. Carrier
operations havealways carried risks, and along the way, in the
continuous challengeto fulfil a crucial role in helping to keep the
Cold War just that, theFleet Air Arm sadly lost many fine
aviators.
The first jet to enter service with the Royal Navy was the
Attacker,followed quickly by the Sea Hawk and Sea Venom. Both the
SeaHawk and Sea Venom were involved in Operation Musketeer, theSuez
Campaign in 1956 where they more than proved theeffectiveness of
carrier aviation being able to remain on station forconsiderably
longer than land based aircraft operating out ofCyprus.
The Scimitar and Sea Vixen followed andalthough never involved
in full scale conflict,both aircraft took part in many
operationsincluding campaigns in Indonesia and Aden.The world’s
only flying De Havilland Sea Vixenwill be taking part in this
year’s Centenarycelebrations flying in 899 Naval Air
Squadroncolours as she was in HMS Eagle in 1971.
Driven by Cold War tensions and the need topenetrate soviet
naval groups and if necessarydeliver a nuclear payload, it was the
Navy jetsof the 60s and 70s however that transformedcarrier
aviation capability. The long rangestrike aircraft the Buccaneer
built to fly fastand low to avoid detection by enemy radarand the
impressively versatile fighter, thePhantom were much loved by the
men whooperated them.
The Royal Navy operated Phantoms between1969 and 1978 and in
1969, on the fiftiethanniversary of the first aircraft crossing
theAtlantic by Alcock and Brown, a Royal NavyPhantom won the Trans
Atlantic Air Racesetting a new world air speed record betweenNew
York and London of 4 hours 46 minutes.The Phantom had formidable
range andperformance and was capable of carryingheavy loads,
including air to air missiles andnuclear bombs.
Speaking of the Royal Navy’s fast jet era,Captain Michael
Rawlinson OBE said, “Theadrenalin really flowed! They were
remarkableyears. It was an era that also led to manypioneering
innovations including the mirrorlanding sight, the steam catapult,
the angledflight deck and the induction loopcommunication system –
all legacies thatmade an enormous contribution to the safetyand
effectiveness of carrier aviation and havebeen standardised by
navies around theworld.”
The Induction Loop With the quickening pace of jet aviation
flight deck personnel were subjectedto deafeningly high noise
levels and communicating with personnel in helmetsand protective
headgear became increasingly difficult. Radios were notpermitted on
deck under radio silence conditions so in 1961 the
AdmiraltyEngineering Laboratory at West Drayton in Middlesex was
asked to look intothe problem of flight deck communications
particularly between flight controland deck crews on aircraft
carriers.
Similar difficulties had been encounteredwith personnel wearing
earmuffs in highnoise level compartments in surface shipsand
submarines. To give mobility topersonnel working in noisy
compartmentsand allow them to hear orders the Admiraltyengineers
designed transistor amplifiers ableto detect audio frequency
signals set upwithin compartments by inductive fields. Acable loop
surrounding the area wasconnected to a standard ship’s amplifier
toprovide the inductive field and the personnelheard orders via the
small detector amplifiersfitted in their headsets.
“Because audio frequency signals from upperdeck loops cannot be
detected at more thana few hundred metres from the ship it
wasdecided to use similar techniques for flight
deck communications” said John Le Warne the senior engineer on
the developmentteam. “However, the steel decking and the large area
to be covered reduced signallevels towards the centre of the deck
entailing the use of specially designed powerfulamplifiers to drive
current through the cable around the deck perimeter.”
To cope with the weaker signals over the flight deck, the
inductive receivers weredesigned with more advanced characteristics
than those for internal shipboard use.These pocket sized receivers,
carried by flight deck personnel and connected by cable totheir
helmets enabled direct audio control to be maintained between
handlers andpilots. Such was the success of the system, that it
still forms an essential part of flightdeck communications to this
day.
The Angled Flight Deck
Cambell’s solution -‘out of the blue’- to quotehim was to shift
the landing axis ten degrees to
port. This would at once give the pilot a clearapproach and
overshoot path such that if he missed the
wires he would only have to apply power and go roundagain.
Furthermore it would do away with the need for
barriers, reduce the number of arrester wires required, open up
alarger deck park and speed up deck operations.
The Americans saw the benefits faster than the British, and
whilst theAdmiralty were still ‘considering’ the issue, the
Americans a little while later sailed
one of their carriers, the USS Antietam across the Channel with
the wires angled off anda slanted centre line at ten degrees to
port! This was not only to show us the whole idea
worked but also a tacit acknowledgement that the Brits had
thought of it first.
Commander Graeme Rowan-Thomson flying a Sea Hawk was one of the
first Royal Navy pilots told to try it out.It worked magnificently,
the Admiralty were convinced and HMS Centaur was the first carrier
to be modified.Throughout the whole development and research
period, Cambell was partnered by Lewis Boddington, the
civiliantechnical officer in charge of the Naval Air Division at
RAE Farnborough whose contribution to the project wasconsiderable.
All carriers operating high performance conventional aircraft have
since had angled flight decks and itwas only phased out in the
Royal Navy after 20 years with the introduction of the VSTOL
era.
The angled deck started as a ‘doodle’ byCaptain, later Rear
Admiral Denis Cambell in1951. Aircraft were getting heavier and
fasterbut they were still being landed on a straightdeck along the
fore and aft axis of the shipwhere, to miss the wires, meant
certain entryinto the barrier or landing in the deck partkin the
bows – a crash in either case.
Naval Aviation Comes of Age
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The Royal Navy’s struggle with Zeppelins for air supremacy in
the First World War
In 1908, HG Wells wrote his science fiction thriller ‘The War in
the Air’ in which a fleet of Zeppelin airshipscrossed the Atlantic
and devastated New York. When war broke out with Germany in 1914,
many people inBritain believed that HG Wells’ story would come true
and that London would be laid waste by Germanairships. Zeppelins
also meant that the Royal Navy could do nothing in the North Sea
without being spotted.It was this ‘menace’ – no aircraft could
match it – which spurred the British Government to form the
RoyalFlying Corps, and which led Winston Churchill and the Royal
Navy to set about bombing these airships on theground in 1914. Thus
it was that the Royal Naval Air Service with IKEA style flatpack
aeroplanes, pioneeredstrategic bombing which eventually led to the
Blitz, and the massive air raids on Germany during the secondWorld
War. The Flatpack Bombers tells the story of the first bombing
raids in history, the Dusseldorf,Friedrichshafen and Cuxhaven
Raids, Royal Navy achievements that have been in the long grass of
history fortoo long. These ripping yarns of early Naval aviation
deserve to be more widely known.
Fly Navy, the view from a Jungly Cockpit 1958-2008, covers fifty
years of Jungly exploits fromcombat to cock-ups, bravery to bravado
and piss-ups to pianos. Compiled by John Beattie and editedby Rick
Jolly, it is a side splitting ‘Kick the Tyres,Light the Fires’
read, both moving and hilariouslyfunny with stories of the ordinary
every day,crashes, machinery breaking, outstanding gallantryand tea
and medals. Available by post from theRoyal Navy Historic Flight,
RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester,Somerset BA22 8HT. Price £10.99 plus
£2.00 postand packaging. Please make cheques payable to‘RN Historic
Flight.’
65th Anniversary of
Operation Tungsten
The Fleet Air Arm Officers Association AviationScholarship Trust
aims to encourage young peoplebetween 16 and 19 to consider a
career inaviation. The Association has awarded glidingtraining
courses to more than 1000 students overthe last 20 years and many
of them have gone onto become pilots and observers in the Royal
Navy.
Students are accommodated in the wardroom of aRoyal Naval Air
Station as potential officer cadetsand attend an intensive 8 day
gliding instructioncourse leading to a solo flight. Students also
getexperience in an aircraft of the Fleet Air ArmSquadron and many
get the opportunity to attendfurther advanced training. If you are
interested ina gliding scholarship, details can be found
atwww.fleetairarmoa.org under the link toscholarships and grants.
The Trust is a charity andreceives sponsorship and donations from
industryand individuals. If you would like to help sponsoryoung men
and women or simply make adonation, please contact: The FAAOA
AviationScholarship Trust, 8 Oaklands Close, Adel, Leeds LS16 8NST.
0113 261 2853 E. [email protected]
Aviation Scholarships
Sixty five years ago, on 3 April 1944 the Fleet Air Arm launched
one of the largest and mostconcerted air strikes ever undertaken
against the German battleship Tirpitz in Kaafjord inNorthern Norway
rendering her incapable and critically removing the significant
threat she posedto the crucial D-Day landings.
Codenamed Operation Tungsten, the attack wasorganised in two
waves of 60 aircraft, each of 20Barracuda dive bombers and 40
escort fighters,Corsairs, Wildcats and Hellcats launched an
hourapart from the carriers HMS Victorious and HMSFurious. The
Tirpitz was subjected to two closelycoordinated and fearlessly
executed dive-bombingand strafing attacks with 200 Naval aircrew
from 12Naval Air Squadrons giving their all in a highly
wellorchestrated and synchronised plan. For many ofthem it was
their first experience of enemy action.
As a result of the attack the Tirpitz suffered heavylosses and
was rendered incapable of putting to seafor several months. While
the attack has never reallybeen credited with the recognition it
deserves,effectively it was the success of the Fleet Air Armtactics
that kept the convoy routes open and gavethe green light to the
D-Day landings. 4 aircraftwere lost in the attacks, 2 as a result
of enemy firewith the loss of 8 lives including the strike leader,
LtCdr Roy Baker Falkner DSO DSC MID RN.
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The Royal Navy Historic Flight based at Royal Naval Air
StationYeovilton in Somerset is a living memorial to all those who
serveor have served in the Fleet Air Arm. It is a thin slice of
Navalaviation history, representing not only the aircraft but also
thepeople who flew, maintained and supported the 200
differentaircraft types that have shaped our Naval aviation
heritage overthe past 100 years.
Making Sure the Past has a
Significantly every time a historic Naval aircraft flies itis
also a salute to the memory of those who valiantlygave their lives
in the defence of their country. Todaythe Fleet Air Arm is very
much in the front line,particularly in Afghanistan, getting the job
donedespite the privations and severe conditions. Makingthe
machinery work and achieving good operationalresults, whatever the
problems, has never been moreimportant. The men and women of the
Fleet Air Armtoday continue to employ ingenuity, invention
andinnovation tempered with common sense and goodpractice just as
their predecessors did.
The folk lore of the past, such as stripping andrebuilding the
broken Pegasus engine of a Swordfishon a beach in 1940 prior to
flying it across theMediterranean to North Africa, lives on
withnumerous present day parallels in motivation anddedication.
The Royal Navy Historic Flight is manned by ex servicepersonnel
who no longer have to do battle in far offlands, but they do have
to do battle with ageingmachinery, lack of spares and the need to
complywith modern regulations and testing procedures thatwere not
extant when the aircraft were in service. Inthese days of stringent
budget constraints and theneed to ensure that defence expenditure
providesour front line forces with the best possibleequipment we
can afford, there is no public fundingleft for heritage projects.
Only the core manpower ofthe Royal Navy Historic Flight is paid for
by the RoyalNavy. All repairs and running costs are financed
byindustry and private donations and in the presenteconomic
downturn this is becoming increasinglydifficult to sustain.
“We all have a part to play in making sure that thepast has a
future” said Sue Eagles, Communications
Director Fly Navy 100. “During this Centenary yearour historic
aircraft will be very much in the publiceye, but for this year to
have made a difference, weall need to recognise the importance of
maintainingour Naval aviation heritage for future generations.
Byjoining the Fly Navy Heritage Trust support group youcan make
that difference and help keep thisevocative Historic Flight alive.
It is the Royal Navy’scontribution to our National heritage and
issomething of which we can all be justifiably proud.”
Future
A standing order of just £20 a year means asignificant amount to
the Flight and togetherwill help assure the future of YOUR
HistoricFlight and the Flying Memorial that it represents.For
further information and a supporters joiningform please contact the
Fly Navy Heritage Truston 01935 842005 or email
[email protected]
Cobham Aviation Services is pleased to be amajor sponsor of Fly
Navy 100, helping toraise the profile of Naval aviation in
thisimportant Centenary year.
Cobham has a close working relationship withthe Royal Navy and
the company’s Falcon jets,flown by ex Royal Navy pilots, will
beparticipating in the Fly Navy 100 displays atEastchurch, the
Royal International Air Tattooand RNAS Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose
AirDays.
Cobham plc was founded by aviation pioneer SirAlan Cobham who,
in 1926, flew from England
to Australia and back in a DH50 aircraft. Landing on the River
Thames infront of the Houses of Parliament before an audience of
one million, he wasknighted for his pioneering efforts. Today
Cobham provides aircraft forwarfare training for the Royal Navy,
with regular ‘Thursday war’ exercisescarried out against both UK
and foreign fleets.
The Royal Navy’s Operational Training Partner
Pleased to support the Centenary of Naval
Aviationwww.cobham.com
1909 - 2009
Corrections and Clarifications• three
• three
• three
Fly Past Over East Church
Royal Naval Air Station
Culdrose
Air DayWednesday 29
th July
Open 9.00 am
For more information
contact your local
Tourist Information Centre
This year’s Centenary will get off to a flying start on 1 May
2009 with aceremony at the Pioneer Memorial at Eastchurch on the
Isle of Sheppeyfollowed by an spectacular flypast of Harrier GR7
and GR9 jets, Falcons andJetstream aircraft, paying tribute to the
first home of British and Navalaviation.
The memorial at Eastchurchcommemorates the historic eventswhich
took place on the Isle ofSheppey during the formative yearsof
aviation in Great Britain between1908 and 1911. The Shorts
Brothersestablished the first factory in the
world for the production of aircraft at Shellbeach in 1909,
moving production toEastchurch in 1910. The first four Royal Navy
pilots learned to fly at Eastchurch andin 1911 Eastchurch became
the first Royal Naval Air Service Station.
“The historical importance of Eastchurch in the early
development of Naval aviationis immense,” said Commander Sue
Eagles, Communications Director Fly Navy 100.“Sheppey was the
cradle of aviation in this country and the budding Naval
aviatorsfound themselves immersed in the wealth of pioneering
aeronautical technologyand endeavour being built up there. The
memorial was dedicated in recognition ofthe spirit of innovation
and adventure of the early pioneer airmen and that spiritlives on
in the Fleet Air Arm today.”
The names of the first four Naval aviators who trained at
Eastchurch are inscribedon the memorial together with twelve Royal
Naval Air Service technical ratings. Thefirst Naval aircraft were
also built at Eastchurch on a site called Westland Farm,which
became the origins of Westland Aircraft Works.
Guest of Honour at the event will be Admiral Sir Raymond Lygo
KCB who will takethe salute with Rear Admiral Simon Charlier, Chief
of Staff Aviation and RearAdmiral Fleet Air Arm as the fly past
passes overhead. The service will be attendedby current and former
serving members of the Fleet Air Arm, veterans, guests andlocal
residents.
www.culdroseairday.co.uk
Europe’s largest helicopter base, RNAS C
uldrose
delivers highly capable Naval Air Squad
rons
specialising in Anti Submarine Warfare,
Anti Surface
Warfare and Airborne Surveillance and C
ontrol.
Frontline Squadrons from Culdrose depl
oy aircraft in
support of operations all round the wo
rld. RNAS
Culdrose also provides intensive training
for Aircrew,
Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers, Fire Fi
ghters and
Flight Deck Crews. The air base is also th
e home of
771 Search and Rescue Squadron, on c
onstant alert
365 days a year to respond to emergen
cies
throughout the South West region.
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Editor’s Note
Ski-JumpIn the 1970s Lt Cdr Doug Taylor invented the ‘Ski-Jump’.
This upwardscurving ramp at the forward end of the flight deck
ensures that the aircraftis launched on an upward trajectory giving
considerable performance gains,including much greater payload and
range, than a corresponding flatdeck, short take-off. The early
trials proved so successful that theSki-Jump was incorporated into
the design of HMS Hermesand the Invincible Class carriers.
1909 - 2009
Leading the way in
InnovationFirsts
Naval Aviation
Designed and Printed by Shelleys 01935 815364
Fly Navy 100, RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset BA22 8HTTel:
+44 (0)1935 456150 or 456530Email: [email protected]
royalnavy.mod.uk/flynavy100
Programme of Events2009
Telegraphist Air Gunners Association Memorial Service and Lunch,
HMS CollingwoodSunday 17 May 2009
Opening of ‘One Hundred Years of Naval Flying’ ExhibitionFleet
Air Arm Museum, RNAS YeoviltonThursday 2 July 2009
Royal Garden Party Buckingham PalaceThursday 9 July 2009
RNAS Yeovilton Air Day Saturday 11 July 2009
RNAS Culdrose Air DayWednesday 29 July 2009
Dedication of Channel Dash Memorial, ManstonSaturday 29 August
2009Channel Dash Association dedication of a Swordfish Memorial in
memory of the unsurpassed bravery of the Channel Dash Heroes.
Navy Days 2009 – Devonport Naval BaseSaturday 5 September –
Sunday 6 September 2009
Dedication of Fleet Air Arm Memorial, National Aboretum,
StaffordshireFriday 11 September 2009
The Britannia Centenary of Naval Aviation DinnerFriday 16
October 2009Fly Navy Heritage Trust dinner onboard the former HMY
Britannia in Leith.
Fly Past and Reception HMS Illustrious in LiverpoolFriday 23
October 2009
Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, Royal Albert Hall
Saturday 7 November 2009
Royal Centenary Gala Dinner, Old Royal Naval College
GreenwichThursday 10 December 2009
JunglyCocktail Party
Saturday 4th July 2009from 1900
Hazelgrove HouseSparkford, Somerset
£50 per double ticket
For tickets and [email protected]
01935 456342 or 456256
9498:Layout 1 15/4/09 09:20 Page 12
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HMS Illustrious
Fly Navy 100 is a fantasticopportunity for the Royal Navy
tocelebrate and promote thecontribution that Naval aviation hasmade
and will continue to make toour nation’s security. It is an
honourfor HMS Illustrious to be in ouraffiliated city of London to
supportthe occasion.
Captain Ben Key
Commanding Officer HMS Illustrious
“
“
6 - 11 May 2009
in London
HMS Illustrious, the Nation’s currentStrike Carrier will be
paying a highprofile visit to the city of Londonfrom 6 – 11 May
2009 as thecentrepiece of the Royal Navy’scelebrations to mark the
Centenary ofNaval aviation.
The ship, which will be moored atGreenwich, will be taking part
in a busyprogramme of events, the highlight ofwhich will be a
Centenary Fly Past overthe carrier at midday on 7 May 2009.
The Admiralty ordered its first aircraft, HisMajesty’s Airship
1, on 7 May 1909 andthe Centenary celebrations mark theintroduction
of Naval aviation, a radicalnew capability that was to
transformNaval warfare and have a far reachinginfluence on strategy
and operations tothis day.
HMS Illustrious, which operates Harrierjets and helicopters,
will have aircraftfrom a number of different squadronsembarked. The
Duke of York,Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet AirArm, will take the
Royal Salute on theflight deck as the Fly Past passesoverhead. He
will also meet members ofthe ship’s company and current andformer
serving Fleet Air Arm personnel.
The Centenary celebrations will includea spectacular firework
display to musicover HMS Illustrious on 7 May at 22.00
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A service of Thanksgiving will take place at St Paul’sCathedral
on Friday 8 May 2009 to celebrate the Centenaryof Naval aviation
and pay tribute to the courage,commitment and professionalism of
everyone who hasserved with the Royal Naval Air Service or Fleet
Air Armover the past 100 years.
Their Royal Highnesses ThePrince of Wales, the Duchessof
Cornwall and theCommodore-in-Chief of theFleet Air Arm, The Duke
ofYork will be in attendance,alongside dignitaries from theCity of
London, theCommander-in-Chief FleetAdmiral Sir Mark Stanhopeand
2,000 current serving members of the Fleet Air Arm, togetherwith
veterans and families.
The service will also remember the 6,749 Royal Naval Air
Serviceand Fleet Air Arm personnel who have given their lives in
100years of Naval aviation. The perils of flying at sea are much
greaterthan flying over land resulting historically in many more
Naval aircasualties from accidents than from combat. During the
service thetraditional Royal Navy bosun’s call will pipe the
‘still’ as the Booksof Remembrance are laid on the altar in a
poignant replica of aburial at sea.
One of the readings during the service will be read by
theinternationally acclaimed actress, Kristin Scott Thomas
whosefather, a Fleet Air Arm pilot died in a Sea Vixen in 1967.
Hermother remarried but tragically was widowed a second
time.Kristin’s step father, another Fleet Air Arm pilot died in a
Phantomin 1971.
After the service HRH The Prince of Wales will take the
Royalsalute as the Guard from HMS Illustrious and veterans march
pastthe Cathedral. HMS Illustrious is affiliated to the City
ofLondon and members of the ship’s company will be supporting the
service, lining the steps of St Paul’s as guests arrive and
leave.Receptions will be held after theservice in The
Guildhall,Merchant Taylor’s Hall andSkinner’s Hall.
The Royal Navy at
Fly Past in LondonCentenary
The Royal Navy has been closely associated withGreenwich since
Tudor times. The Old Royal NavalCollege, on the south bank of the
river Thames atGreenwich is the centrepiece of MaritimeGreenwich,
now a World Heritage Site managedby the Greenwich Foundation.
It was from the windows of Greenwich Palace thatQueen Elizabeth
watched the famous explorer andAdmiral, Martin Frobisher, with two
small ships, startdown the river for his voyage to discover the
NorthWest passage. It was also from Greenwich Palace thatthe Queen
watched Drake’s famous ship the ‘Golden
Hind’ passing up river to Deptford, after his three yearvoyage
of circumnavigation.
The Greenwich Hospital was founded in 1694 as theRoyal Naval
Hospital for sailors. The pensioned sailorswore blue uniforms
similar to the red ones of theChelsea Pensioners. On 5 January 1806
Lord Nelson’sbody was laid in state in the Painted Hall of
theGreenwich Hospital before being taken up the riverThames to St
Paul’s Cathedral for a State funeral.
From 1873 to 1998 Wren’s magnificent buildingsbecame the home of
the Royal Navy. The Royal Naval
College provided advanced strategic, scientific andtechnical
training for thousands of Naval officers.
The custom for all ships of war to fire a salute whenpassing
Greenwich was instituted in Henry VIII’s reign.In 1588 the order to
resist the Armada was made atGreenwich. Sir Walter Raleigh was
often at Greenwichand it was at Greenwich that this famous explorer
andsailor of Queen Elizabeth’s reign made his dramaticgesture of
spreading his cloak over a ‘splashy place’ forthe Queen to step
on.
Greenwich
www.oldroyalnavalcollege.orgGreenwich Foundation for the Old
Royal Naval College
1909 - 2009
Centenary Servicein St Paul’s
A static park of Royal Navy aircraft, including aSea Harrier, a
Sea King, a Lynx and a Gazelle,together with a Merlin Flight
Simulator and aRoyal Navy hot air balloon will be on display inthe
grounds of the Old Royal Naval College.Flying demonstrations will
also take place onSaturday 9 and Sunday 10 May, over The Thamesin
front of the Old Royal Naval College at 14.00to 14.30.
The best place to view the Fly Past is from theOld Royal Naval
College. The grounds are opendaily from 0800 to 18.00 and can be
enteredfrom Cutty Sark Gardens, College Approach,Royal Gate and
Park Row. Car parking is verylimited. To plan your journey visit
the Transportfor London Journey Planner website stating youare
travelling to the Old Royal Naval College SE10 9LW.
The Royal Navy will celebrate the Centenary of Naval aviation
with a Fly Pastover HMS Illustrious at Greenwich on 7 May. The
Balbo formation will belead by four Merlin helicopters, the Royal
Navy’s newest state-of-the-artaircraft followed by a line-up of
current Fleet Air Arm aircraft including thefast, agile Lynx
Maritime Attack helicopter as well as many variants of thevenerable
Sea King helicopter, and Jetsream training aircraft, both of
whichcelebrate 40 years service this year. The aircraft will fly
East to West overLondon, passing over the ship at exactly
midday.
Commander Mark Deller, Commander (Air) HMS Illustrious, said ‘We
always get afantastic welcome in London and we are particularly
looking forward to visiting ouraffiliated City and to supporting
such a significant anniversary in Naval aviation.”
Carrier aviation is an important part of that heritageand as the
UK’s High Readiness Strike Carrier, HMSIllustrious is a crucial
element of national security.“With 80% of Naval Air Squadrons
currentlydeployed on operations worldwide, the Fly Past isonly a
small representation of our capability” said
Commander Deller. “We recently welcomed our Harrier jets back
onboard after beingon operations in Afghanistan. They have been
deployed almost continuously over thepast five years. There can be
no greater demonstration of the versatility andexpeditionary nature
of Naval aviation.”
Royal Navy Static Display Park
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ROYAL NAVY PILOT:JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE OFFICE
The ‘office’ just happens to be the cockpit of the Sea King Mk
4. Like any office it’s got a view, except this is more like a
penthouse suite.
Whatever you fly in the Royal Navy, from fast jets to troop
transport helicopters, it’s a responsible, challenging career that
will take you further than you’ve ever been before.
If you want more than just a job, join the Royal Navy and live a
life without limits.
6 WEEKS’ PAID HOLIDAYFREE MEDICAL & DENTAL CARE
SPECIAL SKILLS PAYHIGHLY COMPETITIVE PENSION
CLEAR CAREER PATHS
LIFEWITHOUTLIMITS
Join the Royal Navyroyalnavy.mod.uk/careers
or call 08456 07 55 55
1909 - 2009
Successful Trials for New Joint Strike FighterThe new Short Take
Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) F35 JointStrike Fighter is another
step closer following extremelysuccessful trials of the aircraft’s
advanced flight controlsoftware which will enable pilots to land
onboard ship in allweathers, day and night with ‘centimetric
accuracy’.
The trials, carried out onboard HMS Illustrious using a veteran
twoseat Harrier airframe, the Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced
FlightControl (VAAC) Harrier, put the new system to the test. The
Harrierwas heavily modified with a conventional control arrangement
in thefront cockpit and a modern glass cockpit display in the rear
seat tosimulate the way the new Joint Strike Fighter will fly and
respond todifferent inputs. 66 running landings and recoveries were
achieved invarying sea states up to and including sea state six
with outstandingresults.
The test aircraft, XW175 is the oldest flying two seat Harrier
in theworld. Commander Kieron O’Brien, the Air Engineering Officer,
HMSIllustrious said “The VAAC harrier provided a fantastic facility
to trialthe Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) techniques
that will beutilised by the Joint Combat Aircraft in the new
carriers. It workedbrilliantly. XW175 represents an incredible link
between the past andthe future of the Fleet Air Arm.”
The UK has historically been in the forefrontof innovation in
carrier technology. Thedevelopment of slow running
recoverytechniques could well be next, enabling JCAto recover with
a significantly greater fractionof weapons and fuel than achievable
using avertical recovery.
“
“
Rear Admiral Simon Charlier
Phot
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phy
cont
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ILLU
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and
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Phot
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Designed and Printed by Shelleys 01935 815364
XW175 Harrier 7GA (VAAC)
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