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A VIEW FROM THE FENCE
Dennis Pritchard • 23 March 2021
A VIEW FROM THE FENCE (Last edition for 2019)
Last August, many Birdwatchers visited Spotters car park, having noted on Facebook that a pair of Ospreys had been reported flying over Anglesey. Imagine their disappointment, when informed that they had not been the rare fish eating Raptor species, (not to be confused with the F-22A), but in fact were two US Marine Corps CV-22s based at MCAS New River, North Carolina!
The following month, a Spitfire flew over the station to remind us of its role in the Battle of Britain and of the number of squadrons that had flown the iconic fighter whilst based at RAF Valley during WW 2. However, this aircraft had not been the Merlin powered version, but a BBMF later Mk XIX, which was appropriately adorned with black and white invasion stripes, thus also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the epic D-Day Landing in June 1944.
And then in October, following on the heels of the Tornado, RAF Valley was to witness yet another end of an era. This was to be a final visit by Tucano Mk 1s before their imminent retirement. Since the first ab initio course in 1989 and after 483,500 flight hours; one cannot imagine as to how many students had qualified during the past 30 years of its service.
History was also to be the main topic at our penultimate social gathering for 2019. We were privileged in first meeting and greeting Air Commodore Adrian Williams, Air Commodore Wales who was to provide a most interesting and quite intriguing presentation, relating to the Welsh influence in regard to the remarkable history of the RFC and RAF over the past 100 plus years.
He was first to emphasise and remind us all of how David LLoyd George, Welsh politician and Prime Minister, who had the vision which led to formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, to become the world’s first independent air force.
The Air Commodore was initially to explain that since then, there have been no less than 36 RAF establishments in Wales. Of course today, there is but Valley and Mona; together with MOD St Athan and Aberporth plus the Pembrey Sands range.
He was to continue by stating that 26 WW 1 air aces had been of Welsh descent. (Of particular interest to us was William Arthur Owens from LLandegfan, Anglesey). In regard to Victoria Cross holders; of particular significance was of course Caernarfon native Group Captain Lionel Rees, commander of No 32 and 11 Squadrons.
The Air Commodore was then to finally identify many other notable Welsh individuals, who had served with distinction, with many having made the ultimate sacrifice during the two world wars. Of particular note is also Air Chief Marshall Michael Wigston, C.B.E. who was raised in the Bethesda area and educated at Friars School, Bangor.
The evening was then to conclude with a £1,000 cheque donation to the RAF Valley Station Charities Committee, which was received by Group Captain Clare Sharp on behalf of the station commander.
One wonders what 2002 might have in store. In the meantime, members of the Valley Aviation Society wish you all at RAF Valley; a “Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda”!
Aerophile
valleyaviationsociety.co.uk
Photo 1 – Birdwatchers’ disappointment! (Jim Le Cras)
Photo 2 – Lest we forget. (John Davies)
Photo 3 – Tucano final farewell and thumbs up. (John Davies)
Photo 4 – Supersonic Hawk? (Meirion Williams)
Photo 5 – Shop assistant Davy Latimer next to our Money Tree. (Dimitris Triadafillou)
Photo 6 – Air Commodore Adrian Williams and Group Captain Clare Sharp with the £1,000 cheque donation for the Station Charities Committee. (John Davies).
THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION
THE USAF AND ITS 75 YEARS’ ASSOCIATION WITH ROYAL AIR FORCE VALLEY
RAF VALLEY FLYING TRAINING ACCIDENTS
HAWK T.1 COLOURS AT RAF VALLEY
THE EARLY POST WAR YEARS AT RAF VALLEY
LEST WE FORGET
350 SQUADRON CELEBRATES ITS EIGHTIETH
BATTLE OF BRITAIN SUNDAY
PRESENTATION OF THE VALLEY AVIATION SOCIETY TROPHY
RAF Valley families Day 2021