…... and they were being neglected. Flying ended early at four and after a short break for a meal the whole Squadron assembled in the gymnasium to listen to the Regiment Officer Harry Summers deliver a gore-bespattered marathon lecture on first aid.

Later on Friday night a party developed around a cheque for ray Offord's car, the said Ray and his Biggin compatriots made merry until the small hours besieging Graham Hounsell's card school and rousing the Mess with spirited work on a trumpet.

A working weekend is never a cheerful thing and for those who had indulged the previous night Saturday morning was obviously a horrible thing - even living was an effort according to Ray whose features endorsed the sentiment. The weather was still clear and cold but most diversion airfields were affected by snow and so flying was late in starting. By the afternoon the snow showers reached Tangmere and at one stage things looked as though a few diversions might be necessary, however a clearance enabled flying to be resumed and by the end of the day there were no further people to fly in the new machines - all having done at least one ride and discovered the flying-tail.

Preparations for the departure to Cyprus have been put well in hand and maps and briefings (even aircraft recce) have been prepared. The most practical aspect of the preparations so far are the long-range spin-bending bottom-toughening cross-countries during which a fuel consumption check  is carried out. The advance party, Tom Sheppard, left Southend for Cyprus on Sunday to get things all prepared for our arrival.

Snow overnight Sunday put the airfield black for a while and the sound of voices from the crewroom muttering 'stack' was heard but the sun dispersed the snow and flying commenced with the usual individuals and long-range trips, the latter of which were 'see how many times you can go between Manston and Lands-End' navigation trips. Diversions being St Mawgan. Lyneham and Leuchars the situation was a little fraught but the weather soon improved diversions came up and Graham took the afternoon off to play golf. In that manner a busy week was concluded.

Monday 10th March - Sunday 16th March

Following on from the previous week of steady work it was hoped to fly many long range forms on the dreaded long-range cross-country routes and the accent was on such flying when the 208th took to the air. The weather had a large influence on flying in general and nav trips in particular - ……

Ch 1 - Tangmere 13

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