3(F) Squadron Association

OC 3(F) Squadron Wg Cdr Frankie Buchler 

3(F) Squadron Association is the official former comrades association of  No. 3(Fighter) Squadron, Royal Air Force.  Membership of the Association is open to those of all Ranks, Trades and Services who have ever been posted, or attached to the Squadron strength at any time since its formation on 13 May 1912.  The Membership form can be found here: Membership Form

This is the Membership Secretary’s email:  Phil’s email

Aims of 3(F) Squadron Association:

  • To foster the spirit and comradeship founded during service with      No. 3 (F) Squadron
  • To provide means of maintaining contact with former colleagues
  • To nurture and encourage the special relationship between the Squadron and its Association
  • To locate and preserve any document, photograph or information which will enhance the official Squadron history.
  • For further details on the history of the association, either navigate via the About 3(F) Sqn  tab or click here

Common Questions

WHY JOIN THE ASSOCIATION?

By joining the Association you are help us maintain our support to past and present members of the Squadron. It’s about friendship and maintaining those links though annual reunions and other events.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN MY MEMBERSHIP?

You get full access to all areas of the website and 3 times a year we issue Three’s Company our newsletter full of stories about 3(F) Squadron past and present. We also have an annual reunion which is starting again this year.

WHY DO WE CHARGE A MEMBERSHIP FEE?

We provide 3 Newsletters a year and together with the web site fees, these cost over £350 to produce and print.

HOW DO I PAY?

You can pay for your membership online:

By Bank Transfer to: A/C No 02550283 S/C: 30-92-33 Ref: 3F Squadron Association or via PayPal @ 3Fsubs@gmail.com

We only accept cheques from overseas members.

20th January 2022
110th Anniversary
OC 3 Frankie Buchler has kindly agreed to host an event to celebrate the Squadron’s 110th anniversary.

There will be a formal reunion dinner on Thursday May 12th 2022 at the Golf Hotel, Woodhall Spa, and a visit to RAF Coningsby on Friday 13th – the actual date of the anniversary . The programme of activities, subject to confirmation, will include a visit to the Squadron and a Typhoon flypast.

The Golf Hotel rates for Thursday 12th.

A double- or twin-bedded room is £115.00 per room for Bed and Breakfast

A Single occupancy room is £92.00 per room for Bed and Breakfast.

The cost of a three-course meal is £32.95 per person.

Our contact is Sandra Moore: sandra.moore@thegolf-hotel.com

Association members wishing to attend are advised to book early because 617 Squadron are having an event at The Petwood Hotel on the same dates and room bookings might overflow to the Golf Hotel.

Alternative hotels:

The Dower House Woodhall Spa

The Inn at Woodhall Spa

The Claremont Woodhall Spa

The Leagate Coningsby

3(F) Squadron Memorial Fund

November 2021

3(F) Squadron Memorial Fund

The RAF’s oldest fixed wing squadron has yet to be properly represented with a memorial to those that have served since 1911. To rectify this situation, a memorial fund was launched on November 12th based on Bob Barckley’s generous legacy of £3000. We have also had a large private donation of £5000, and as of the 16th December we have nearly reached our target. The Just Giving page is still taking donations and my sincere thanks to those members who were quick off the mark. Combined with private donations the current balance of the fund is close to our £12k target.

Our search for a stonemason is ongoing and the £12k target is an estimate based on the quotes we have received so far. This process will continue until we find the most competitive supplier. The memorial design and inscription shown on the Just Giving page is an example of what the memorial might look like and various options will be considered.

While the location for the memorial is open to ideas, the most likely will be the National Memorial Arboretum. Stonehenge was an early choice but has already been rejected by English Heritage. Larkhill is also being considered.

Please follow the link to the Just Giving page and support the fund. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/philip-ward-2

Regards,

Phil Ward
Chairman
It is hoped to have a speaker for a Teams talk on Thurs 20 Jan 22 at 1900: Steve Long (ex-3(F) Sqn pilot and Test pilot now based in the US) has offered to provide our next interest talk on his work on the X-59. Please click on this this link for more details:
The executive of the Association had a very successful Zoom meeting on May 5th, the details of which will be passed on when we know them! Main topic of conversation was the proposed stone memorial which was first suggested some time ago.
A gentle reminder that the £10 annual subs were due on the 1st April, so it would be appreciated if members could contribute to the running costs of the Association. The joining form is attached which gives all the methods of payment, there is no need to send it to Phil, it is for information only, unless you want to notify a change of address or email address. The membership fee does not apply to widows of members. So far this year we have had a good take up of membership renewal.
With regards to the subs, we are hoping to have a memorial in place in time for the Squadron’s 110th anniversary on May 13th next year 2022, and we may need a boost to our account to support the creation and manufacture of a memorial. So the subs you pay will help us to pay for this project.
Dave Ellis has a number of combat ready ties:
These were bought some time ago and would normally only be available to combat ready crews from any aircraft type. If you think you qualify get in touch with Dave and he will send you one for the cost of postage only. Contact Dave on threefassoctreasurer@btinternet.com
As usual, any stories regarding the Sqn or Association would be gratefully received for Three’s Company. We have heard that 4 Sqn Association is basically closing down and handing over its assets to the Harrier Force Association and I(F) is also struggling. 3(F) Squadron Association is the oldest Harrier sqn association having formed in 1984, and is still well supported by its members, and of course we fully embrace all the other aircraft types operated by the sqn. We would like this to continue and it will do, given the support we receive all the time from you, the members. Please visit the website www.3fsquadronassociation.com as often as possible for up to the minute updates.

Any Three’s Company articles to the editor please.

There are cockatrice ties available, £16.00 each contact Clive Handy in stock

The DVD ‘The Stories of 3(F) Squadron’ from the 2007 reunion are also available from me, £5 including UK postage. http://paypal.me/cliverh

I have been sent a sample of new style cumberbund which has the sqn colours on one side and The Wickets or a Cockatrice on the other side. Please see the merchandise page for details. Clive Handy

The  CO’s (Wg Cdr Frankie Buchler) page is under ‘About 3(F) Sqn and the Association’.

This website is designed to be informative and a point of reference for all association members, if you as an association member would like to see a particular item added to the site please contact the webmaster, to contact him click here.