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THE VIEW FROM THE FENCE
Dennis Pritchard • 23 March 2021
THE VIEW FROM THE FENCE (Issue 6)
As 2018 draws to a close, the key words for this year are celebration and remembrance; bearing in mind that 1918 not only saw the formation of the Royal Air Force, but also the end of the First World War. While RAF Valley, which first opened in 1941, has also experienced a unique and significant history of its own.
However, this year’s highlights was unfortunately overshadowed last March, by the untimely death of Red Arrows member, Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, who was poignantly remembered at this year’s Families Day, when the magnificent Reds stole the show.
For us aircraft enthusiasts and photographers at the perimeter fence, the sad decline in what used to be a plethora of different aircraft types and numbers has had to be accepted over the past few years. This year, aspirations have occasionally been rewarded with new types, such as the A 400M Atlas, USAF CV-22 Osprey and even a solitary F-35B Lightning II; quite apart from the steady arrival of the T-6C Texans.
Once again, one of our members trekked to Star Wars Canyon, California and managed to photograph an USMC AV-8B Harrier II, based at NAS China Lake. One wonders if its airframe or engine consisted of any parts from the 72 retired RAF Harriers, which were sold to the Americans!
This year we have celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Valley Aviation Society (VAS) and once again we have unfortunately had to bid a fond farewell to our 12th Honorary President, Group Captain Nick Tucker-Lowe as his tenure as Station Commander comes to a close. So this year, although we thought that we were going to lose two good friends, we were pleasantly informed that Station Warrant Officer Kevin Beattie, who officially retired on the day that the Hawk gate guardian was unveiled, apparently will continue to be seen on station.
It now only remains for VAS to wish you all at RAF Valley, the season’s greetings, while hoping that you also have a very prosperous and safe 2019. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.
Valleyaviationcociety.co.uk
Photo 1 – The Reds arrive at the Families Day 2018. (Paul Johnson)
Photo 2 – First landing of an Atlas. (Jim Le Cras)
Photo 3 – Everything up and down! (Cyril Jones)
Photo 4 – The Harrier lives on! (Victor Priday)
Photo 5 – Another Texan arrival. (Ian Tether)
Photo 6 – The Station Commander and Station Warrant Officer with VAS committee members. (Jane Bailey)
Photo 7 – Honorary President, Group Captain Nick Tucker-Lowe receives a parting gift. (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