WADDINGTON WINS! - The Insight Online

8 SquadronAssociationReunionand HunterUnveilingOn 1 June, 8 Squadron heldthe first of many 8 SquadronAssociation events. The dayopened with the unveiling ofthe new 8 Squadron Huntergate guardian and was markedwith a Hunter flypast...Poignantly, Squadron Leader(retired) Tam Syme, the firstof the Squadron’s OfficerCommanding during theHunter era, had been able tovisit from the USA to markthis remarkable occasionand was there to witness themajestic Hunter, flying overRAF Waddington.The new 8 Squadron gateguard, Hawker Hunter XE620was the culmination of 4 yearsof hard work, led by FlightSergeant Barry Dobson and ChiefTechnician Powell, to replacethe 23 Squadron Phantom witha more appropriate figurehead,referencing the Squadron’s richoperational heritage. Thanksmust also go to the large teamof retired RAF personnel who soably restored the aircraft: GaryWatson, Mick Coombes, TerryRobbins, and Ben Bennet, whoseinvaluable enthusiasm andskills ensured the success of thisproject. 8 Squadron has receivedamazing financial support forthis project, and so to all of thosewho contributed to the ‘buy abrick’ scheme, thank you for yourgenerous support! Bricks can stillbe ordered for the area around theHunter through the 8 Squadronwebsite www.8Squadron.co.ukand we are hoping to start thebuilding of this important tributearea shortly. Again, many thanksto all who contributed not onlyfinancially, but also so generouslywith their time and effort. Theauspicious occasion saw thecurrent Officer Commanding 8Squadron, Wing CommanderJim Beldon, join previous OfficersCommanding, Group Captain(retired) Tim Almond and SquadronLeader (retired) Tam Syme, inunveiling the aircraft in front of alarge crowd of 8 Squadron andHunter Association members andtheir familiesThe day continued with visits tothe Sentry Dynamic simulatorand Station Heritage Centre withthe main events focused aroundthe newly renovated Squadrontea-bar and outdoor area - wherekind donations from the Nuffieldtrust had helped purchase newoutdoor furniture and BBQ set. ASentry aircraft helped set theperfect backdrop to the eventand, combined with the beautifulweather, helped set off an excellentday. For the evening the actionmoved to Lincoln, with a formaldining-in held in the Assemblyrooms. The evening was full ofrecollections of daring do andstories from 8 Squadron personnelold and new. Thanks must go toFlight Lieutenant Adele Brownwho was pivotal in not onlyhelping re-energise Squadron linkswith the Association but also inpulling together these two hugelysuccessful events. We hope theseare the first of many joint eventsto be held with the 8 SquadronAssociation, particularly as wenow look towards the 8 Squadroncentenary event in 2015.18 InsightMAGAZINE