RAF Shawbury - 15th July 2008

A long, quite superb day started with a visit to Number Sixty (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Shawbury.

The visit started with a video showing what the squadron are about and the roles they undertake, after which we were taken out onto the apron to have a look at what was going on, and to get up close and personal with one of the squadron's Griffins.

Whilst out there plenty of other flying was going on with the Squirrels of 660 and 705 Sqns, together with "Spades", 84 Sqn, RAF Akrotiri Griffin, back for overhaul and on loan to Sixty

Our initial host, Master Aircrew Phil Davies then had to leave us in the capable hands of Fg Off Charlie Emmerson, who took us for a wander around the rest of the locale.

Also maintaining a presence at Shawbury are a couple of Gazelles of 6 Flt, 7 Regt.

One of the most interesting parts of the morning was seeing this Horsa reconstruction, and talking to a veteran of Operation Vanguard, and whose own ride had crashed behind enemy lines during that mission, killing all bar eight of the thirty souls on board.

A website dedicated to the project can be found at www.assaultgliderproject.org.uk

Of in another hangar was this wingless Dakota.

Our final stop was in the maintenance hangar, where amongst other things we found two Squirrel cabs (literally!) which have been procured as attrition replacements for aircraft lost.

It had been a very interesting morning.

I hope to be able to produce a more in-depth piece looking at Sixty's operations at some point later in the year.

Sincere thanks go to Sqn Ldr Al Dawson, Master Aircrew Phil Davies, Fg Off Charlie Emmerson, and to Master Aircrew Chas McHugh for the initial contact.