November 2024

Dear AVM Townsend,

Thank you very much for getting back to me, and for your kind words. 

Yes, we have links with the TECT, and speak most regularly to Anthony Knight, they have supported us in a modest way over the years, too, as well as introducing us to some veterans, almost all of whom have now taken their final flight…

Really, I envision the association to be along the lines of mutual sharing of information. Our project (charity) has to raise a significant amount of funds (£6-7million) to return this aircraft to flight. The more awareness we can raise surrounding what we are trying to do, and the more people we can interest (even if just slightly) in the project, the more funds we can raise. Because, of all those who become aware of it, a small percentage might wish to support (small or large contributions), so it stands to reason that the more people we interest through raising awareness, the bigger the number of those who go on to support in some way will be. 

This association could take the form of sharing news articles, attending each others’ “days” or “events” (we have a Black Tie gala coming up at the RAF Club in September that might be of interest to some of your members, and so on…), pieces in respective newsletters, or anything else you/we think suitable. It doesn’t all have to be “direct fundraising” items, it’s about building a relationship, taking small steps forward and raising that awareness.

In addition, you and/or some of your members might have connections in industry, or with wealthier individuals who might wish to explore larger support of the project, you wouldn’t believe how many doors have been closed to us over the years, but the more we knock on, the better chance we have of one or more of them opening!

Something that might well be of interest to you in the near term, is a visit I am organising for Bernard Gardiner, our very own WWII Hawker Typhoon veteran of 71 combat ops, who is now 102. We are getting him to Coningsby on the 28th June to be co-hosted by 29sqn and the display team to see their “new” jet in D-Day markings (the same squadron he flew with, a few months later), and BBMF to have the VIP treatment as he’s never been there. He lives in Jersey, so it’s quite an operation, but it is looking good this time around. If you or a representative would like to meet him on that day it would be great to arrange? 

This short video is from an interview with Bernard two years ago on his 100th birthday, if you get the time and are interested it is just fascinating to watch: https://youtu.be/pYQ-owqnCyw

I welcome your thoughts on the above, perhaps we could set up a call or meeting to discuss further?

All the best,

Sam

Sam Worthington-Leese

Project Director

Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group

Dear Mr Ward,

I have been passed your details by Flt Lt Tom

Bolland, a friend of mine from our time together on Initial Officer Training and now a 3(F)Sqn pilot. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend your squadron association gathering today, unfortunately my work roster (airline pilot) was not as friendly as it sometimes is.

I’m writing to introduce myself, and the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group, which I head up. 

As I mentioned I was with Bolly on IOT, joining in 2009, but as a result of the SDSR in 2010, I ended up leaving the service in 2012. I have stayed in aviation, gaining commercial qualifications, then becoming a flying instructor for six years flying a variety of training aircraft but focusing on the vintage/tailwheel and aerobatic side, obtaining my Display Authorisation, and then starting to fly for the Aircraft Restoration Company, Duxford, where I currently fly the two seat Spits. 

I joined TUI in 2018 and am still with them, typing this from the cruise on the way to Skiathos. During all of this, due mainly to a strong family connection, I co-founded the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group in 2016. We are a small group, all volunteers, working to raise the funds required to rebuild and fly an original, combat veteran, Hawker Typhoon MkIb, serial number RB396. 

My grandfather was shot down (for a second time, the first being in a Hurricane in North Africa, breaking his back) in a Typhoon on the 21st May 1944, captured and incarcerated in Stalag Luft III, he then took part in the “forced March” that winter. My research into this led me to realise there is no memorial anywhere to all that the Typhoon and its crews did. It was a hugely significant aircraft, that demonstrably played a part in shortening the war, certainly the Battle for Normandy following D-Day was only won because of it and its devastating close support of troops.

Of those who flew the Typhoon, 56%, 666 pilots, were killed. These losses do not even include those shot down, or otherwise injured, many seriously. It was an incredibly difficult and dangerous job, that they did without fanfare, and now, without recognition.

The rebuild of our aircraft is underway, progressing as fast as funds allow. The Aircraft Restoration Company, under John Romain MBE, are heading up the rebuild and the first section, the rear fuselage, is nearing completion on the Isle of Wight with a company called Airframe Assemblies. 

3(F)Sqn flew the Typhoon during WWII, and it is for this reason that Bolly and I, and others including BBMF, and the Display Team on 29sqn, have been discussing how to establish links between the Typhoon now, and us, the Typhoon then. So, I am writing today to introduce myself and the project, and see if you have any thoughts on how we might be able to do that with the 3(F)Sqn association. 

I look forward to your response, hope we can open up a conversation, and hope you had an enjoyable day today.

Cheers,

Sam

Sam Worthington-Leese

March 2024

Request for assistance from Tim Brandt (tim_brandt@compuserve.com)

Tim Brandt

RAFG Harrier Force History

Some of you may know me as I was a JEngO on IV(AC) Sqn at Gutersloh from
1983-1986.   About a year ago, and probably rather foolishly, I started
to write a history of the Cold War RAFG Harrier Force.  My aim is to
document the story of the Harrier Force from the arrival of the Harrier
at Wildenrath, until the departure of the last GR3 from Gutersloh in
January 1991.  The skeleton of the book will be a month-by month-account
of the HF, drawn mostly from the F540s for the squadrons, Wildenrath and
Gutersloh, with added details from many of the published memoirs and
accounts, other records and as many other (printable) anecdotes as I can
gather.  To this skeleton I’m adding chapters on RAFG, the development
of the Harrier, the RAF’s planning and preparation for the HF, the
pilots, the Harrier’s roles and weapons, its engineering, ground
defence, logistics, Army support (GLOs, Signallers and Sappers, etc).

Sir Richard Johns has been very supportive, as have been many pilots,
engineers, suppliers, Rocks and others who have contributed memories and
photos of their time on the HF.   The current incarnations of 3(F),
IV(AC) and 20 Sqns have also been very helpful although, sadly, the
IV(AC) Sqn diaries for most of the period are missing.   The National
Archives have contributed over 13,000 pages of documents, so far.  I
estimate that the book is now about 80 percent complete.

I’m going public now to see if anyone else would like to contribute
either anecdotes or photos of the Harrier Force in the 1970s, 1980s or
1990.   I would be particularly interested in contacts from the RIC, as
there is relatively little information on it, especially up until the
early 80s.

Thank you in advance,

Tim Brandt

February 2023

I am pleased to inform you that planning for the Dedication event for the new 3(F) Squadron Memorial at the National Arboretum is progressing really well. I will provide more detail in due course, but the fundamentals remain the same in that the Dedication will take place 1300-1330 on Fri 12 May 23. The cafeteria will be open for guests to purchase refreshments where we will meet from around 1200, so there is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends before we move to the site of our new Memorial. We have a separate function room in the Aspects facility where tea/coffee will be available after the Dedication.

I would be very grateful if you plan to attend the Memorial event and haven’t already done so to let Duncan Olsen (Assn Sec, address below) know that you are coming, and he will then ask you to commit the sum of £5 per family to help us cover the cost of the beverages provided.

I am also pleased to inform you that planning for the Association Dinner at the Hilton at St George’s Park is at an advanced stage. This annual event has changed from our previous October timeline to allow us to meet closer to our Sqn’s Anniversary in May. Again, if you wish to join the 50 people already signed up for dinner, Duncan will provide further details in his next email.

On the whole, I offer that this is shaping up to be a major event in the Sqn’s history and a superb chance to celebrate the Fighting Third.

Sent on behalf of Phil Ward, 3(F) Squadron Association Chairman

Duncan Olsen, Hon Sec

duncanomailbox-3sqnassociationsecretary@yahoo.com

Memorial Gathering

As mentioned elsewhere, the new Memorial will be dedicated on 12th May 2023 at the National Memorial Arboretum near Burton-on-Trent Staffs. Notices will be sent out to members advising on attendance.

Teams Meeting

There will be a Microsoft Teams meeting on Wednesday 24th November hosted by the President. Watch out for emails giving details.

Association Annual Reunion 2021

The Association annual reunion is resuming again this year. It will be held at The Barnsdale Lodge hotel Oakham The Avenue, Oakham, LE15 8AH Phone 01572 724678 (ask for Steff or Emmy) on Friday 22nd October 2021, with the AGM taking place the next day. Bookings are being taken, costs are: standard B&B £99, superior £119 for the Friday night on a group booking, plus the cost of the Friday evening meal.

Zoom Meeting

The next Zoom meeting will be on 4th February 2021 at 19:00hrs and will feature Roland White talking about his Harrier experiences. All members are urged to sign in to the Zoom meeting to make it a bumper turn out. The link to access the Zoom is:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89571300606?pwd=K1BQN2t3NEJUaThDbC8rc2dHWHF5UT09

Meeting ID: 895 7130 0606
Passcode: 325705

Please note: You do NOT need the Zoom app on your phone/tablet

2020 Reunion

As everyone knows there was no reunion this year, hopefully, we can get back to normal next year.

Sonic booms heard as RAF scrambles Typhoons

(with thanks to the BBC)

Loud bangs heard in parts of Yorkshire were sonic booms from Typhoon jets scrambled to identify “an unresponsive civilian aircraft”, the RAF has said.

The aircraft were launched from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on Monday and helped guide an Air France plane to a safe landing in Newcastle. People reported their houses shaking at about 21:50 BST after hearing what sounded like two loud explosions.These were later confirmed to have been sonic booms. An RAF spokesman said: “Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft.

“Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely landed.”

Radio problem

Reports suggested the jets had escorted the plane after it went off course. Air France confirmed that the unresponsive civilian aircraft was one of its planes. The airline tweeted from its official UK Twitter account: “Air France confirms that due to a radio communication problem AF 1558 had to be accompanied by two British fighter aircrafts according to the procedure. “The aircraft landed in Newcastle at 22:20 (LT). Safety of clients & crew is an absolute priority.”

North Yorkshire Police had tweeted to reassure people there was no danger, later writing: “Confirmation from RAF that loud bangs heard across the county were sonic booms from RAF Typhoon jets. No cause for concern.”

One woman wrote: “house shook & whole street was out, car & house alarms gone off. Apparently was a sonic boom”.

Ed’s Note: And that noise is the sound of freedom.