MILITARIA

[mull]

Today at Glen Mallon , Loch Long.

Ready for what could be round the corner  ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzZbqxqwfv8

[SteveH]

THE Llandudno and Pernhynside war memorials are both set to benefit from a grants supported by voluntary donations.

The war memorials at Llandudno and Penrhynside are to receive grants of £11,540 and £3,180 respectively, from War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme.

The funding will enable conservation works including repointing to areas of failed or inappropriate mortar, localised conservation cleaning, and associated repairs to be undertaken.

The works have been commissioned by Llandudno Town Council, which is providing the remainder of the funding for the project, and are due to commence on March 28.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20020451.war-memorials-llandudno-penrhynside-receive-funding-boost/

[SteveH]

When to spot the Red Arrows as they fly over North Wales

Taking off from an RAF station in Fairford at 4pm, the planes will take just 25 minutes to reach the Isle of Man, so anyone hoping to get a glance will have to be quick off the mark.

Their way to the island they will be passing over a number of locations across Powys, Shropshire and North Wales, with Capel Curig, the Menai Strait, and Bangor on the route map.

cont flight route  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20192638.spot-red-arrows-fly-powys-tuesday/

[SteveH]

Rhyl Air Show 2022: Damaged RAF Red Arrow pictures shows sheer force of the bird strike impact
The jet - estimated to cost around 5m - took "significant damage" in the incident at Rhyl Air Show which forced to the team to cut their display short

read more https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rhyl-air-show-2022-damaged-24877676?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[DVT]

That answers something for me from yestedray ... I happened to look on flightradar 24 and it showed a Red Arrow manouvering over Rhyl (seems the group were shown as just one), but also one around Hawarden.  Thought that was a bit strange, but now I know why!

[SAJ]

We were also bit confused yesterday as to why the lone aircraft was flying over our Flintshire village towards Hawarden. Good that the pilot was able to continue and land safely. We were also treated to a ?fly past? from the Lancaster bomber yesterday.

[SteveH]

JOURNAL readers have shared their impressive snaps from an unforgettable weekend at the 2022 Rhyl Air Show.

Held on August 27 and 28, huge crowds revelled in displays from the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, Calidus Autogyro, Team Raven Aerobatic Display Team, Silver Stars Parachute Display Team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and more.

Photo gallery  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20828301.photos-readers-capture-best-2022-rhyl-air-show/

[SteveH]

Update on above

THE Red Arrows pilot whose aircraft was struck by a seagull during a display at the Rhyl Air Show has described the incident as the most serious he?s experienced in his career.

Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (Red 6) was forced to make an emergency landing after the bird hit the plane while the display team were bringing the two-day show to a close on August 28.

Sqd Ldr Ogston, 36, was fortunately unharmed, but admitted the incident, which occurred while flying at roughly 100ft and 400mph, was ?very disorientating?, and happened while preparing for a manoeuvre called ?Boomerang?.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/21161226.red-arrows-pilot-disorientating-bird-strike-rhyl-air-show/

And for the RAF memorial flight fans,

BBMF Landing At RAF Coningsby - 14/08/22,  Video shows a Spitfire, Hurricane & the Lancaster Bomber landing back at RAF Coningsby after an afternoon of displaying.

Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj4m__dZYPE

[SteveH]

Wales is joining the rest of the UK in marking Armistice Day.

Friday is the 104th national commemoration since the end of World War One in 1918.

Every year a two-minute silence is held at 11:00GMT - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - and events to mark the occasion will take place across Wales, to remember those who lost their lives in war and conflict.

It will also mark 40 years since the end of the Falklands War in 1982.

[SteveH]

Remembrance Day services in North Wales in past years
This week's selection of old photographs looks at an annual commemorating the fallen from the two World Wars and other conflicts..

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/remembrance-day-services-in-past-years/

photo 1950

[SteveH]

The last surviving Dambuster Squad Leader George Leonard Johnny Johnson, has died aged 101.

The RAF veteran was the last surviving original member of the RAF 617 Squadron?s famous Dambusters raid of 1943.

Johnson died peacefully at his care home in Westbury on Trym in Bristol on Wednesday night, surrounded by his family.

Sharing the news of his passing, his granddaughter, Jenny Sextone, said his family were with him and added "We would appreciate your respect for our privacy in this family time".

In January 2019, Johnson became the last survivor of the original flying members of 617 Squadron following the death of his wartime colleague Fred Sutherland.

In 2017, Johnson was made an MBE after his long-running campaign which was supported by celebrities.

Just a few weeks ago on November 25, 2022, Johnson celebrated his 101st birthday.

PS
A sad passing, but a long life, as some may know my father served in 617 Squadron, and as a reminder of both, I have a print of the Memorial Flight signed by Johnny and a few other famous names from that time.

[SteveH]

ABERCONWY MP, Robin Millar, is urging veterans to have their say by participating in the UK Government?s first UK-wide survey for ex-servicemen and women and their families.

In the next 10 weeks, veterans across throughout the United Kingdom can complete the survey that seeks to identify how veterans? services can be improved in the future.

Funded and commissioned by the Office of Veterans? Affairs, this is the first exercise to collect feedback from the entire veteran community across the UK.

This survey, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), will ask veterans to describe their experiences of being a veteran and of using government services.

This will ensure that the government can adapt services to better meet the needs of veterans and their families.

The survey can be completed online.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23178893.veterans-aberconwy-encouraged-say-uk-wide-survey/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

What new Red Arrows could look like as defence chiefs sign 9million deal
Sources say a light military aircraft being developed could be the successor to the famous Hawk jet - avoiding the potential embarrassment of having to shop abroad for a new plane

Defence chiefs have signed a 9million deal paving the way for a replacement plane for the Red Arrows.

Ministers are due to begin shopping for new aircraft for the famous display team next year  seven years before the Hawks they currently use are retired from service.

The Mirror revealed in July 2021 how the air force's Aerobatic Display Team  the formal name for the Red Arrows - could be forced to fly foreign planes for the first time.

But now the MoD has signed a contract with Bristol-based Aeralis for digital engineering support services? and to access information from its hi-tech system - including data which will help the firm produce a family of light military aircraft.   

The Mirror understands the modular aircraft will all have the same fuselage and cockpits, but the noses, wings and tails will be different depending on what the aircraft is used for - and whether they have a pilot or are flown remotely.

cont https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/what-new-red-arrows-could-28750075?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

I recall feeling old when policemen looked very young, looking at this squadron leader, I feel ancient... 


A RED Arrows pilot has been awarded a prestigious honour in recognition of the way he dealt with the most serious incident of his career at Rhyl Air Show last summer.

Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston (Red 6) was forced to make an emergency landing after a seagull hit his plane while the display team were bringing the show to a close on Sunday, August 28.

Sqd Ldr Ogston, 36, was fortunately unharmed by the incident, which occurred while flying at roughly 100ft and 400mph while preparing for a manoeuvre called Boomerang.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23249470.pilot-involved-rhyl-bird-strike-awarded-highest-raf-safety-accolade/

photo  .. The RAF chief of air staff, Sir Michael Wigston (left), presenting Sqn Ldr Ogston (right) with the award at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. Photo: Cpl Phil Dye.

[SteveH]

Stunning images show largest Royal Navy ship ever built visiting North Wales
The HMS Queen Elizabeth was in the waters off Anglesey

Stunning images show the largest Royal Navy ship ever built visiting North Wales. The HMS Queen Elizabeth was in the waters off Anglesey on Thursday February 2 and had a sea rendezvous with aircraft from RAF Valley.

The 3.1 billion aircraft carrier was built alongside its twin the HMS Prince of Wales in a project costing more than 6 billion, and they are the Royal Navy's first aircraft carriers to be built since HMS Ark Royal was scrapped in 2010.

The ship weighs in at 65,000 tonnes and has a flight deck four acres long, which is enough space for nearly three football pitches. It's expected to be in service for the next 50 years after becoming fully operational in 2021.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/stunning-images-show-largest-royal-26145306