Rumblings 1

ED LINES - 2011

A few things have happened to yours truly this year, not least a number of trips across the Pond, presenting a series of lectures leading up to the publication of my latest book, entitled: Two Flights to Victory”, that is due to appear in September. The reception I have had has been tremendous and it is almost certain that I shall be settled in the United States soon after you read this. In the last couple of years, I have received a number of honours from US organizations, including the Cambridge “Who’s Who” Professional of the Year Award for my ‘contributions to vocation education’, as well as an International Automotive Media Award for a vocational training manual I wrote. I have been honoured by being appointed Aviation Historian to the Californian State Military Museum in Sacramento. So, whilst I have been immersed in the Newsletter for many years this, my thirty fifth edition , must be the last. I have had the privilege of bringing the Newsletter through several stages of development, from a multi-paged A4 stapled presentation to a folding-newspaper style, ultimately to colour. It has been a wonderful journey over thirty five years, in which I have maintained contact with many friends and made many more new ones along the way. It is time now to hand over to Malcolm Ward, to whom I shall give as much support as I can to help him settle in, even from across the pond. May I close by thanking everybody who has contributed to the Newsletter over the years and those who have wished me well in it progress.

THE PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD - 2011

2011 marks the 95th Anniversary of the formation of Naval 8 and to commemorate the event 208 Squadron are holding an Open Day at RAF Valley on Friday , 10th June 2011, with the theme of “The Changing Face of 208 Squadron”. The Open Day will include a flying display, BBQ, and an evening dinner in the Officers Mess - it promises to be an eventful anniversary so I hope that you can make it to Anglesey. The squadron will be sending out a flyer with more details. This is a timely reminder of the pressures the Royal Air Force is facing; many famous squadrons have become victims of the drastic cuts affecting the UK Armed Forces and the Royal Air Force in particular. I will keep a watchful “flying” eye on how these changes may impact on 208 Squadron and its future.

At last year’s Association Reunion Dinner Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, the first fast jet navigator Squadron Commander in the Royal Air Force introduced the Buccaneer era on 208 ith an amusing and fascinating account of the early pioneering days with the “banana jet”; his speech is reproduced later in the Newsletter. [ ] This year we move forward with the second chapter of the halcyon days days of the Buccaneer. Air Commodore Ben Laite is our guest speaker and he will cover the middle period and will focus on the first operational deployment of the Buccaneer on Operation Pulsator. The next reunion dinner will be held at the RAF Club on Saturday 29th October 2011.

The Association Web site continues to grow under the guidance of Tim Webb, although more contributions are required for some aircraft chapters: I am sure you will enjoy browsing the pages and if you get inspired to write a short anecdote Tim would be delighted to incorporate your contribution.

Finally, and by no means least , this is the last letter to be edited by Dr. David Styles. After , over 35 years of unstinting work David is handing over the reins to Wing Commander Malcolm Ward. Has done a superb job with the Newsletter over the years and I am extremely grateful foe all his work and dedication to the Association without which we would have been so much the poorer. The Newsletter is a vital lifeline for the Association and provides the glue that brings us together. David will not be handing over all his Association duties as he remains the Association Historian and is a Life Vice President. On your behalf I wish David every success for the future and the potentially exciting endeavours he has lined up. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to David from all of us.