SBT Cosford Air Show Special

Sandbag
The
Times
RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW
The 70th
Anniversary of
NATO Remembered
Women in Aviation
A Celebration of Women in
Aviation and Military History
Plus All The Latest Armed
Forces & Veterans News
Proud Sponsors of
The Veterans Awards
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
RAF Cosford Air Show

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03 |

Proud Sponsors of
The Veterans Awards
CONT ENTS
RAF Cosford Air Show 2019
ON THE
COVER
The Swiss
F/A18 C at
RAF Cosford
Airshow 2019
The
Sandbag
Times
RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW
The 70th
Anniversary of
NATO Remembered
Women in Aviation
A Celebration of Women in
Aviation and Military History
Plus All The Latest Armed
Forces & Veterans News
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk RAF Cosford Air Show
In
The Cat is Back
18
18
RAF Cosford Airshow Special
News
06 Charles Clark RIP
Great Escape hero Air Commodore
Charles Clark Passes
away
06 Lossiemouth SQN
4th Typhoon Squadron
welcomed to RAF Lossiemouth
07 RAF Arson Attack
Warnings as RAF base arson
attacks continue
Articles
12 RAF Cosford
RAF Cosford Air Show
introduced by the Sandbag
Times
14 RAF Chinook
Stunning display by the wonderful
Chinook for 2019
18 The Cat is Back
German Navy Lynx to appear
as static display for RAF
Cosford Air Show
Regulars
16 Historical TA Pt1
The first part of our history
pages look at the Battle of
Britain Memorial Flight
20 Tommy Centre
Jane introduces the SBT’s
own veteran centre here in
Worcester
26 Historical TA Pt2
Celebrating Women in
Aviation
14
28
08 Cosford Visitors
Over 440,000 visitors flock
to RAF Cosford Museum in
2018
09 Gliding Alert
British Gliding Association
raises leaflet campaign
24 NATO at 70
A look at the 70th anniversary
of NATO and the line up
of aircraft on display
28 The Red Arrows
The RAF’s Aerobatic display
team close and personal
32 Mrs Fox
AN RAF Cosford Air Show
Special from Mrs Fox Goes
To War
35 Have Faith
Never in the field of human
conflict...
| 04

this Issue...
SBT
SBT Team
Editor: Pablo Snow
Patron: Matt Neal
Honourary Patron:
Jacqueline Hurley
Additional editors:
Kevin Lloyd-Thomas
Jane Shields
Andrew Hall
Julie Warrington
Nel Brooks
Suzanne Fernando
News Media Manager
Jim Wilde
SBT Radio Manager
AJ Vosse
16
Email:
info@sandbagtimes.com
Website
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
24 26
05 |

NEWS
RAF COSFORD EDITION
RAF Lossiemouth welcomes
fourth Typhoon squadron
Story: Air Force Technology
‘Great Escape’
Veteran Dies At
The Age Of 95
Story: Forces.net
An RAF veteran who was
held alongside the prisoners
of war (PoW) involved in the
‘Great Escape’ has died at the
age of 95.
Air Commodore Charles
Clarke was held at the Stalag
Luft III PoW camp in Poland
after his Lancaster bomber
was shot down over southern
Germany in 1944.
On social media, tributes
were paid from the military
community.
RAF Cosford in Shropshire
said they were “devastated”
to hear the news about his
death.
Former RAF Navigator
John Nichol, who was taken
prisoner during the First Gulf
War, also paid his respects to
Air Commodore Clarke on
Twitter.
V sad to say Air Cdre Charles
Clarke has died aged 95. Shot
down in 1944, 3 of his crew
perished & he ended up in
Stalag Luft 3 just before the
Great Escape. He was a wonderful
man, a great friend, a
supporter of countless charities
& a giant of our nation.
Blue skies Sir. RIP
British Royal Air Force (RAF) Lossiemouth has welcomed
its fourth operational Eurofighter Typhoon
squadron to boost its mission to protect UK and
Nato airspace. The RAF officially stood up IX(B)
Squadron at a ceremonial parade and flypast at RAF
Lossiemouth. In a statement, the service said that
the personnel and aircraft of the squadron will be at
the heart of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA)
Force. The operational squadron will be responsible
for taking off within minutes of an alert being
triggered. The standing up of the squadron comes
on the day RAF Lossiemouth celebrates its 80th
anniversary. According to the Ministry of Defence,
the service will paint some of the IX(B) Squadron’s
aircraft in distinctive markings to identify them as
training ‘adversaries’, in their role as ‘aggressors’.
The Typhoon jets will be tasked to provide a sterner
training test to RAF and Nato fast-jet pilots. During
the training, they will act as opposing aircraft and
match the speed and manoeuvrability of the RAF
and Nato pilots while using real-world dogfighting
and air combat tactics against them.
| 06 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NEWS
Arson attacks at RAF Upwood continue despite fire service warning
Story: Hunts Post - Katie Ridley
A fire that engulfed a building at
RAF Upwood is believed to have
been started deliberately despite a
fire service warning that was put
out last week.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue
Service issued a warning last
week, after a “significant increase
in arson attacks” were recorded
in April.
Figures in this weeks Hunts
Post revealed that there
were 19 deliberate fires in
Huntingdonshire in April, with
five being at the former RAF
Upwood site.
Last night, fire crews were called
to another fire at the former
site yesterday evening at 5pm,
where they found a heap of
rubbish alight. One crew from
Huntingdon and two crews from
Ramsey were called to a fire
in the open at RAF Upwood,
Huntingdonshire.
Taking a spin at the RAF’s cutting-edge
high-G training facility
Story: Tech Radar
Staying conscious and alert
while experiencing high G-forces
is hard enough. Flying a plane
at the same time is quite another,
and for fast jet pilots, it’s a matter
of life and death.
That’s why the Royal Air Force
(RAF) has invested in a new
high-G training facility, with a
virtual cockpit that can go from
1G to 9G in one second – and
can reach 12G for unmanned
trials.
TechRadar visited the High-G
Training and Test Facility at
Cranwell in Lincolnshire to
learn more about its state-ofthe-art
technology, and how it’s
helping get the next generation
of fast jet pilots ready for the
air. High-G training saves lives
by helping pilots learn how to
avoid G-force induced loss of
consciousness (G-LOC). This
happens when blood drains
from the pilot’s head, causing
them to black out, and is believed
to be the cause of a tragic
accident at the 2015 Shoreham
Airshow, where a pilot crashed
into a road while performing a
loop manoeuvre.
Overseen by an RAF doctor,
pilots at the facility can safely
practice a technique called
G-straining, which involves
tensing the muscles in the
legs and core to prevent blood
pooling in the lower body, and
performing controlled breathing
to maintain consciousness.
Great Escape veteran, Jack Lyon dies,101
Story & Image: BBC News
One of the last veterans of World
War Two’s Great Escape has
died at the age of 101 - just days
before the 75th anniversary of
the audacious getaway.
Jack Lyon, a former RAF navigator,
died at his home in Bexhillon-Sea,
East Sussex, on Friday.
He was lookout during the
breakout bid from Stalag Luft III
in 1944, but the escape tunnel
was uncovered before he had
the chance to get out himself.
Ironically, he said the plot being
rumbled probably saved his life.
According to the RAF Benevolent
Fund, he had been one of
the last known living veterans
of the escape attempt, which became
the subject of a Hollywood
film in 1963.
Rare Spitfire is to be star attraction at this summer’s Cosford Air Show
Story: Shropshire Star - Emma Walker
A rare reconnaissance
Spitfire will be joining
the line-up at the RAF
Cosford Air Show this
year. The annual event
takes place on Sunday,
June 9.
The Supermarine Spitfire
Photo Reconnaissance
PR. XIX PM651 will be
the centre of a display in
the Air Show’s popular
Vintage Village, which
transports visitors back
to the 1940s. Visitors
to the museum’s stand,
themed ‘Summer of
Spitfire’, will be amongst
the first to get up close to
the last of the specialised
photo reconnaissance
Spitfires, for a view inside
the cockpit.
This exclusive access
to Britain’s most iconic
aircraft is guaranteed
to prove popular with
families attending the
one-day show which
attracts in excess of
50,000 visitors.
The much more modern
PR. XIX has a number
of stark differences to
the Mk1 on display
at the Museum, fitted
with the Griffon engine
as opposed to the
Merlin engine used in
earlier models and was
notably faster than its
predecessor.
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
07 |

More than 440,000 visit RAF Museum
Cosford over last year
Story by Shropshire Star - Dominic Robertson
It is a celebration of the
nation’s military aviation
history, and the region’s
Royal Air Force Museum
has seen a huge increase
in visitors over the past
year.
More than 440,000
people visited the
RAF Museum in
Cosford last year, it
has been revealed,
with the figure
representing a 20
per cent increase
on the previous 12
months.
It comes as the
RAF’s London museum
has also seen
a spectacular rise in
visitors following
a major redevelopment.
In total, 989,593
people visited both
the RAF Museums
from April 1, 2018,
to March 31, 2019
– growth of 39 per
cent on the previous
year’s figures.
The museum’s London
site recorded
544,628 visitors, up
59 per cent on the
previous year, while
Cosford welcomed
444,965 visitors, a
leap of 20 per cent.
Maggie Appleton,
CEO for the museum
said that the
figures were a result
of hard work and
an effort to inspire
people on the
RAF’s centenary.
She said: “This
growth is a fabulous
response to the
huge investment
that the museum
made in the redevelopment
of our
London site in 2018
and a reflection on
the public’s support
for the RAF during
the UK’s commemorations
of the RAF
Centenary.
Plan for statue of ‘Father of RAF’
at Cranwell takes off
Story: Lincolnshire Live - Paul Whitelam
A statue of the airman credited
with saving the new RAF from
being scrapped after the First
World War is to be erected at
RAF Cranwell.
The 7ft cast bronze sculpture of
Hugh Trenchard - the ‘Father of
the Royal Air Force’ who founded
RAF College Cranwell - will
be mounted on a plinth outside
the main college building.
Created by Vivian Mallock who
produced the Royal Tank Regiment
Memorial in London, the
statue looks to commemorate
Trenchard ahead of Cranwell’s
centenary year in 2020. And
North Kesteven District Council
has now approved the scheme.
Trenchard was a senior commander
of the Royal Flying
Corps in the First World War
who ordered aircraft normally
used for reconnaissance to bomb
German airfields and other
targets.
| 08 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NEWS SPECIAL
NEW LEAFLET CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGES
POWERED PILOTS TO DISCOVER GLIDING
By British Gliding Association - www.gliding.co.uk
NEWS
LEADING figures in the world
of aviation are backing a national
campaign to encourage more
powered pilots to discover gliding.
Airline pilots, recreational flyers
and young people pursuing a career
in aviation and aerospace are
among the high flyers encouraging
more of us to glide in Britain.
Pete Stratten, Chief Executive Officer
of the BGA, said: “The choice
of flying powered or non-powered
within General Aviation depends
on what you hope to get out of
your flying, and to a certain extent
what you are willing to put into it.
Gliding offers different challenges
and opportunities from flying
with power.
“Gliding is a great way of
broadening handling skills and
airmanship, and discovering the
thrill and passion of pure flying
and soaring flight. It’s incredibly
satisfying to use the freely
available energy in the sky to fly
cross-country or to simply climb
in a thermal after launching.”
Andrew Perkins, Chairman of the
British Gliding Association and
a B777 pilot, said: “Gliding is like
a big family; you work together
in all the activities that get you
airborne. It hones all your flying
skills and is a great way to learn
about engineering, safety, lookout
and airmanship.”
As part of the literature and social
media campaign, pilots share
their love of gliding and what it
means to them.
Former Royal Navy fighter jet
pilot, Andrew Neofytou, now flies
the B787 Dreamliner for a living
but when he isn’t working for a
major airline he can be seen flying
his glider from Lasham Gliding
Society in Hampshire where he
uses invisible currents of rising
air known as ‘lift’ to soar vast distances
of hundreds of kilometres
and at average speeds of around
100mph – all without an engine!
Andrew explained: “Once you’re
hooked on gliding you will never
have another day in your life
where you don’t look up and try
to predict what the sky and environment
around you is doing!
Even commercial pilots with
thousands of hours find that time
in a glider improves their existing
skills, knowledge and airmanship,
as A380 pilot and Lakes Gliding
Club member, Graham Sturgeon,
added: “I’m an experienced pilot
with around 15,000 hours and
Andrew Neofytou
I’ve been flying for 35 years, but
I learn something new about
gliding every time I fly. It’s also
fun and rewarding!”
Tug Pilot and Glider Pilot Ellie Youle
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
09 |

&
Are Proud to be Sponsoring the
Welsh & English Veterans Awards
Contribution to the
Welsh Fitness
Industry and Society
Veterans Business of
the Year Award
26th June 2019
25th September 2019
| 10 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

ARE YOU A VETERAN?
WE CAN HELP WITH
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
We are the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
Our free 24-hour Helpline provides confidential mental
health advice.
You, your family, friends or carers can contact us anytime,
day or night, for help and support.
Call 0800 138 1619
Text 07537 404 719*
Email helpline@combatstress.org.uk
*Standard charges may apply for texts, please check with your provider. Combat Stress, Company
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
Registered in England & Wales No 256353. Charity Registration No 206002 (SC038828 in Scotland).
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11 |

RAF COSFORD AIRSHOW
Welcome to the RAF Cosford Airshow Special produced by the Sandbag Times Veterans Magazine.
In this special edition, you will find features on what you can see at this years spectacular show.
There is plenty of great attractions this year, in the sky and on the ground including lots of fast jet
action with the RAF Typhoon, the Saab Gripen, the Belgian F16 and of course, the world famous
Red Arrows.
This year, the RAF Cosford Airshow remembers the 70th Anniversary of NATO with a huge
international line up from Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and many more. The show also
celebrates Women in Aviation, in particular, the WAAF who made such an incredible contribution
to the war effort during the Second World War.
This special also has the latest RAF news, many of our regular features such as Mrs Fox Goes To
War, our ‘Have Faith Page plus the latest from the Tommy Atkins Veterans Centre. We even have a
bit of fun for all of you aircraft enthusiasts with a bit of a recognition quiz.
We do hope you enjoy this years RAF Cosford Airshow and this SBT special magazine.
| 12 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

2019
www.cosfordairshow.co.uk
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
13 |

Chinook Confirmed For
RAF Cosford Air Show 2019
The flying displays planned for the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019
have been boosted by the exciting news that the popular Chinook
helicopter will be performing in the skies over Shropshire on
Sunday 9th June.
The Royal Air Force has one of the largest fleet of CH-47 Chinook
helicopters in the world, primarily used for troop movements,
resupply, and battlefield casualty evacuation. However, despite
its size, the Chinook is an extremely agile aircraft and the
flying display will showcase its incredible manoeuvrability
to Air Show visitors.
| 14 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
15 |

The Battle of Britain Memorial
“Never in the fileld of human conflict has so much been owed to so few
Win
It is always so humbling and such an honour to see these beautiful aircraft grace our skies, so it is a privilege
to announce the return of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019.
Based at RAF Coningsby, the BBMF is an elegant reminder of the sacrifice and true grit and determination
shown when Great Britain was at it;s most vulnerable. The motto of the RAF BBMF reflects their mission and
honours the thousands of men and women, in the air and on the ground, that gave their lives for this country
in the noble pursuit of freedom.
“Lest We Forget”
AVRO Lancaster
The most famous and Successful bomber of WW2 and one of the most
legendary aircraft ever. Famed for it’s daring ‘Dambuster’ raids with the
innovative Bouncing Bomb, the ‘Lanc’ was capable of delivering the Allied
Forces largest bombs (4,000lb), It’s four Rolls Royce Merlin engines enabled
the aircraft to reach a range of over 2,500 miles.
It is always so humbling and such an honour to see these beautiful aircraft grace our skies, so it is a privilege
to announce the return of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019.
Based at RAF Coningsby, the BBMF is an elegant reminder of the sacrifice and true grit and determination
shown when Great Britain was at it;s most vulnerable. The motto of the RAF BBMF reflects their mission and
honours the thousands of men and women, in the air and on the ground, that gave their lives for this country
in the noble pursuit of freedom.
“Lest We Forget”
| 16 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

Historical Tommy Atkins
l Flight
w by so many...”
inston Churchill
Hawker Hurricane
A truly magnificent single seater fighter which, in many respects, was underrated,
mainly due to the Spitfire but make no mistake, this was a potent
aircraft claiming 60% of Luftwaffe kills during the Battle of Britain. Like the
Spitfire and Lancaster, it was powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin engine and
was formidably armed with four 20mm Hispano II Cannons proving a match
for any fighter. The Sea Hurricane was also capable of oceanic operations
being catapult launched from carriers.
Supermarine Spitfire
Undoubtedly the most iconic aircraft of WW2. Certainly, the most mass
produced with over 20,000 units being produced and 22 variants. It was
truly feared by the Luftwaffe. It was fast, agile and highly potent. The
Spitfire has always been recognised for the drone of the Rolls Royce
Merlin engine but the Rolls Royce Griffon engine was also used in some
variants. And you have to admit, it is one gorgeous bird.
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
17 |

The Cat is Back
RAF Cosford Welcomes Back an Old
Friend as the 70th Anniversary of
NATO is Marked by the German Navy
Something has been missing from the skies of airshows for the past year or two. The demise of the Army
Air Corps Lynx, one of the great attractions, especially with it’s backflip, left a big hole in the hearts of
aviation lovers. The Royal Navy version of the Lynx, the Mk8a was also a victim of the spending cuts in
which all versions had to make way for the new Wildcat (which, in essence, is still a Lynx at heart). But fear
not. at the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019, it will be possible to get up close and personal with the old cat again.
Albeit in the guise of the German Navy Mk88a.
It will, unfortunately be a static display but it is good to know these incredible aircraft are still operating somewhere
in the world. The German Sea Lynx is appearing as part of the 70th anniversary of NATO amongst a
whole plethera of aircraft, flying and static making this one of the best RAF Cosford Air Show’s yet.
| 18

Inspiring and Empowering Veterans and Partners, to better manage symptoms and their own lives
• Understanding Mind Wellness
Half day workshopintroducing mental health, coping strategies and the 3Self’s model.
• Holistic themed workshop
Includes the benefits of guided meditation, breathing techniques, Yoga and Mindfulness.
• Motorsport themed workshop
Includes the benefits of being focused, having goals to achieve, being part of a team and social
inclusion.
New for 2020, an exciting collaboration between Spar Motorsport and First Step Forward brings you
Racing Minds and the Veterans Trophy, an endurance karting championship that is the first of its kind
in the UK and Europe. It will be made up of seven rounds and is planned be held at eight professional
circuits around the country, chosen for their geographical location to better assist those wishing to
enter, with up to twenty drivers taking part at each location. It is specifically aimed towards those
veterans and partners of service personnel, who have been impacted by poor mental health/illness
and is non gender specific.
There are a few sponsorship opportunities remaining for 2019 and we are now also looking for
headline and location sponsors for Veterans Trophy 2020.
Interested? Email: nick@workingmindsmatter.uk
www.firststepforward.co.uk
SPONSOR - SHOP
Cups • Ropelets • T-Shirts • Polos • Hoodies • Jackets • Prints
Visit our shop currently on FB Page @Firststep4ward
A percentage of all monies will be given to First Step Forward, enabling them to continue subsidising
the mental health training they provide. Should you wish to donate directly then please visit :
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/firststep4ward

Tommy Atkins Centre
RAF Cosford Air Show 2019
Hi and a very warm welcome from all the volunteers at The
Tommy Atkins Veterans Centre in Worcester. We are a small
group of volunteers who are dedicated to looking after our
wonderful armed forces veteran community in any way we can.
The idea behind the centre came from Pablo Snow, who served
22 years in the British Army before finally hanging up his
beret. Sadly, like many ex service personnel, Pablo found the
transition from regimented Army life back into ‘Civvy Street’
extremely challenging, and after several years of struggle to
readjust to this he found himself in the desperation and depths
of PTSD, a very dark time in his life.
Pablo tried desperately to reach out for some support to help get
his life back together, but at that time he was passed from pillar
to post and round and round in circles in the inadequacies of
the mental health system, until eventually after 4 years and
several suicide attempts he was seen by Combat Stress and was
then able to begin the slow crawl back to reasonable health.
Once he was back on his feet again he vowed that no other
veteran would have to struggle the way he had had to in order
to find the support they so desperately needed, and the Tommy
Atkins Veteran Centre was born to signpost, assist, support
and treat any veteran who walks through the door, with all the
dignity and respect they so deserve.
We have our very own psychotherapist who works along side
of us for free, taking veterans under her wing and offering
emotional support and therapies to aid in their recovery,
and also our very own doctor, David Muss who successfully
practices his unique Rewind Trauma Therapy on those in need
of it. All the clients who have received treatment from him
Meet Our Patrons
The Tommy Atkins Centre and The Sandbag Times Veterans
Magazine are extremely fortunate to be supported by two
incredible patrons.
Three Times British Touring Car Champion and current Team
Dynamics Motorsport with Halfords Yuasa Honda driver, Matt
Neal has been our Patron and ambassador since 2017. Matt
is currently bidding for a fourth title in the BTCC 2019 but
despite his incredibly busy schedule, still takes time to visit the
centre and support veterans in the West Midlands along with
his team.
through our centre have reported remarkable improvement in
their PTSD symptoms after only one or two visits. And we are
very fortunate to be able to offer this to any veteran needing it
within days of meeting them, totally free of charge.
We also assist our veterans with homelessness, housing issues,
welfare needs, administrative tasks, benefits, in fact anything
at all we can find an answer for really. Through Pablo we have
also struck up a better understanding of The Forces Covenant
within our local housing department, which means we can now
ensure that any homeless veteran we become aware of within
our district will be found temporary accommodation on more
or less the same day.
We are here to offer a helping hand to any veteran in need,
no matter their circumstances. We do not discriminate or
judge, and we all work voluntarily to find the best resolution
to whatever issues are presented to us. We’re currently seeking
C.I.O. status to help us to secure future funding so we can
continue to be here for every veteran in their times of need.
Here’s looking forwards to a fantastic day at the RAF Cosford
Air Show. If you’re ever in Worcester, please do look us up and
pop in for a chat. The kettle is always on.....
Jane x
info@tommyatkins.co.uk
www.tommyatkins.co.uk
Hurley as our Patron. Her work is simply exquisite. She has
an unbelievable talent for capturing the emotion of conflicts on
to canvas. She has donated many prints to raise funds for the
centre as long as one of her original pieces which we are still yet
to auction. (Very hard to part with that one)
You can find out more about our patrons on the following sites:
www.mattneal.co.uk
www.poshoriginalart.co.uk
“Life is short and we need to live that life to the maximum, the
freedom we enjoy in the UK is in no uncertain part down
to our armed forces, whether active, retired or recuperating and
that is why I am so proud to be a Patron of the Sandbag
Times. What you do and have done for this country goes
beyond words…” Matt Neal.
We are also very fortunate to have War Poppy Artist, Jacqueline
| 20 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

The Tommy Atkins Centre
Supporting Veterans in the Community
c/o KGV Community Centre
10 Ash View
Worcester
WR4 9TL
Fridays - 1000hrs-1430hrs
01905 813936
info@tommyatkins.co.uk
www.tommyatkins.co.uk
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
www.tommyatkins.co.uk
11 |

RAF TYPHOON
Certainly, one of the major
stars of the show is the RAF’s
primary fighter aircraft, the
RAF Typhoon FGR4. Very fast, highly manoeuvrable and very devastating.
The Typhoon first came into service with the RAF in September 2003 although
It’s first maiden flight was some 9 years earlier. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a
twin-engine, canard–delta wing, multirole fighter. The Typhoon was designed
originally as an air superiority fighter and possesses both adequate weapon availability
(up to 6 bombs whilst also carrying six missiles, a cannon and a targeting pod) and
sufficient processing power to simultaneously support missile in-flight updates and bomb
in-flight targeting.
29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby is home to the formidable Eurofighter Typhoon Display team. The
team is made up of the solo Display Pilot, manager, supervisor and supporting team of engineers.
The display pilot for 2019 is the returning Flt Lt Jim Peterson. RAF Coningsby Said:
“We are pleased to confirm that the 2019 Typhoon Display pilot will once again be Flight Lieutenant
Jim Peterson.
We had previously announced that Flt Lt Nick Callinswood would be undertaking the role this year,
however, after further consideration of 29 Squadron Typhoon instructor manning requirements during
this very busy period of Typhoon force growth, it has been decided that it is more appropriate for Jim to
continue for the 2019 display season. We look forward to Nick competing with other qualified Typhoon
instructors for the position in 2020.”
| 22 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

RAF Typhoon
www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
23 |

NATO at 70
It is a great pleasure for the
organisers at the RAF Cosford Air Show to feature
a whole host of international aircraft to celebrate 70
years of NATO.
In 1949, the prospect of further Communist expansion prompted the
United States and 11 other Western nations to form the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO). The Soviet Union and its affiliated Communist
nations in Eastern Europe founded a rival alliance, the Warsaw Pact, in 1955.
The alignment of nearly every European nation into one of the two opposing camps
formalized the political division of the European continent that had taken place
since World War II (1939-45). This alignment provided the framework for the military standoff
that continued throughout the Cold War (1945-91). (www.history.com 2010)
The 70th anniversary gives a unique opportunity to highlight the nations that have provided
security to our way of life and, to be honest, it couldn’t be more fitting and spectacular.
At the writing of this article, Swiss, German, Czech, Slovakian, Belgian and Danish aircraft are
confirmed to be displaying at the show along with the UK with both Flying and Static displays.
Fighter jets, Transport aircraft and Helicopters will thrill the crowds during the six hour
extravaganza.
I have to say from a personal point of view, there are aircraft here I have never seen in the air
including the Czech Saab Gripen and the Swiss F/A 18 Hornet. I have prided myself in being a
major aircraft spotter for many years beginning in Berlin in the early 80’s while serving in the
British Army, so to be amongst this incredible line up will be incredibly exciting as well as very
humbling. Ok, enough about me.
History, power, speed, excitement are the order of the day for the 70th Anniversary of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation at the RAF Cosford Air Show 2019.
| 24 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NATO
The Stars of NATO
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 29 Squadron / RAF Typhoon Display Team FLYING
Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3 Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering STATIC
Panavia Tornado F3 Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering STATIC
Panavia Tornado GR4 Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering STATIC
SEPECAT Jaguar GR3 Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering STATIC
Westland Puma HC2 Squadron TBC STATIC
Aero Vodochody L-159A ALCA (x2) Czech Air Force - 212 Tactical Squadron FLYING
Agusta A109-BA Belgian Air Force – 17 Squadron / A109 Display Team FLYING
Bristol Aerospace Sea Harrier FA2 Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations STATIC
Leonardo Merlin HM2 Royal Navy – 814 Naval Air Squadron STATIC
LET-410 Turbolet Slovak Air Force - 1st Transport Squadron STATIC
Lockheed P-3C Orion German Navy - MFG3 FLYING
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet Swiss Air Force - Fighter Squadron 17 FLYING
SAAB JAS-39C Gripen Czech Air Force - 211 Tactical Squadron FLYING
SAAB T-17 Supporter (x4) Royal Danish Air Force - Baby Blue Display Team FLYING
Westland Apache AH1 Army Air Corps – Attack Helicopter Display Team FLYING
Westland Sea Lynx Mk.88A German Navy - MFG5 STATIC
Lockheed P-3C - German Navy MFG3
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WOMEN IN AVIATION
RAF Cosford Airshow Remembers...
| 26
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Women in Aviation
It is no secret that the success of the Battle of Britain was greatly assisted by
the girls in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the ATA. The Women’s
Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was formed in June 1939 when war seemed
imminent.
Initially, members of the WAAF were recruited to fill posts as clerks, kitchen
orderlies and drivers, in order to release men for front-line duties. However, the
occupations open to women recruits diversified as the war progressed. Women
in the WAAF were involved in telephony, telegraphy and the interception of
codes and ciphers, including at the Government Code and Cypher School
at Bletchley Park. They were mechanics, engineers, electricians and fitters
for aeroplanes. They undertook the interpretation of aerial photographs and
provided weather reports. Many members of the WAAF worked in the radar
control system as reporters and plotters. Their work was vital during the
Battle of Britain and later in guiding night-fighter aeroplanes against German
bombers.
One job that the women of the WAAF were not allowed to do was fly. However,
the necessity of training more pilots in secondary roles to release front line
pilots for active service led to the formation of the Air Transport Auxiliary
(ATA). 150 women flew with the ATA in the course of the war, including the
famous pilot Amy Johnson. ATA duties included delivering new planes from
factories to RAF units and shuttling planes back for repairs. All ATA pilots
were civilians, as the RAF thought it unacceptable to have women pilots flying
military aircraft. (excerpts from bbc.co.uk/history)
And so, women in aviation was born. Today, women operate all flying roles up
to and including fighter pilots in the Typhoon. They operate in command and
have proved time and time again, as effective as their male counterparts.
It is with pride to display aircraft from Women in Aviation at the RAF Cosford
Air Show featuring the Boeing Stearman, the Fairchild Argus and of course,
the Hawker Hurricane. All three will be displayed in the air and the Argus and
Hurricane can be viewed up close as static displays.
Women have been involved in aviation ever since the first world war and are
front role fighters in the demanding roles required today. Our ever changing
world demands the very best from our forces on land, sea and air and it is so
reassuring to know that the dedication and professionalism of our women will
be recognised equally in our future Great Britain.
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THE RED ARROWS
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display Team
What is there left to say about the Red Arrows that hasn’t been said? They are quite simply the best aerobatic display
team in the world. And for a very good reason, the selection process and demanding training schedule along with
the amazing engineers team, The Circus, ensure that only the very best will do.
Over the past few years they certainly have had their fair share of challenges, including the tragic death of Cpl Jonathan Baylis
last year at RAF Valley. Following the accident, the entire fleet of aircraft were grounded, being cleared only just days before
their display season evaluation. 2019 has also had it’s fair share of problems after Flt Lt Dave Simmonds (Red 3) broke his leg
in a football accident taking him out of the 2019 season.
The location of the Red Arrows has even been a talking point in the defence circle when it was announced by the government
that RAF Scampton will no longer be their home due to cuts. Three air bases have been identified as a potential new home
for the Red Arrows air display team. They are RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and RAF
Wittering in Cambridgeshire. Following the announcement last July. there has been an outcry from the public to remain but as
it stands, The Reds will leave Scampton in 2022 when the base is due to close.
Regardless of tragedy, delay or just bad luck, the show goes on and the 2019 display promises to be one that viewers will
remember for the rest of their lives. Sadly, they are only performing in the UK until July where they will fly to North America
for the Western Hawk 2019 tour in the summer, expecting to arrive in Canada on August 8. The deployment, including
displays in New York, Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles, will be the largest to the region in a generation.
But they definitely will be in the skies above Cosford this year to thrill the crowds. All you need to do is listen out for Red 10’s
famous introduction.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Red Arrows.”
| 28 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

The Red Arrows
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Mrs Fox Goes
To War
The Chronicles of Little Hope
1939 - 1945
Villager of the Month
Victoria Cross, SOE agent.
A master (or indeed mistress) of disguise,
Ms Cross resigned from her
post as the librarian of Little Hope
(there was only so much you could
do with six books) in early 1941 and
headed for 64 Baker Street. Although
Churchill’s habit of referring to her as
‘That funny fellow, Bunny’ was a bit
annoying, it did prove that the young
pilot officer with the nomadic moustache
didn’t stand out too much at
Church Parade...
https://www.mrsfoxgoestowar.co.uk/victoria-cross
Hilda Ffinch
The Bird with all the answers
Hilda Ffinch, Little Hope’s very own Agony
Aunt (page 5 of the Little Hope Herald) was
easily bored and terribly rich. She loved
nothing better than taking on the problems
of others and either sorting them out or
claiming that she’d never heard of them if
it all went tits up and they had to leave the
district under cover of darkness having followed
her sage advice.
| 32 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

Letter of the Month
Mrs Hilda Ffinch
Ffinch Hall
Little Hope
Yorkshire
Mrs Fox Goes to War
5th June 1942
Dear Mrs Ffinch
Nora from the NAAFI
RAF ‘Somewhere in England’
8th June 1942
Dear ‘Nora’
Firstly, let me congratulate you on the sterling war work which you
have undertaken in volunteering to staff the RAF NAAFI. An army
may march on its stomach (as that bounder Napoleon once said) but
the Royal Air Force flies on fried egg sandwiches (as mentioned by
W E Johns in his rip-roaring novel ‘Biggles Flies Undone’). And
whilst you may not be beavering away at a top secret government
installation cracking codes and saving lives, your efforts at cracking
eggs and saving the RAF’s bacon are equally commendable.
I’m not local to your village but came across
your problem page whilst travelling from A to B
on the Great Western Railway (during the course
of which journey we stopped three times on account
of dodgy signals, twice while the guard
shooed cows off the line and once on account
of a very annoying Fokker who just wouldn’t
give up and go home, as it were. Fortunately,
he was seen off by a nippy little Spitfire
which appeared out of nowhere, took care of the
business and then and did two victory rolls, a
heart stopping side slip, a slightly antiquated
yet nonetheless perfect Immelmann Turn and a
wing-wiggle-waggle before disappearing into the
clouds again.
Now, with regard to your mysterious flying ace. I do, as you know,
have connections with most branches of the Armed Forces, and
I’m fairly sure that from the description of the aeronautical
display you give that the pilot of the Fokker-off-er is none other
than Group Captain Rupert “Blinkers” Blenkinsop, who used to
fag for my brother Charles at Eton. He was a fine, upstanding
and well-connected lad with a talent for polishing boots, ironing
cricketing whites and - crucially - making the finest paper
airoplanes in captivity (a turn of phrase there, don’t take that
too literally, Charles was a very liberal Fag-Master and gave
Blinkers the run of the place). Young Blinkers, even then, had
such an understanding of aerodynamics that he was able to launch a quick
The thing is, Mrs Ffinch, I think I may have
fallen in love with the pilot, but how ever will
I find one knight of the air amongst so many?
I do hope you can help, I’d hate to pine away
over my tea urn and Malted Milk biscuits.
Yours hopefully
one off the wrist at such a trajectory that it would fly twice round the quad and buzz the
sundial before invariably coming to rest on the headmaster’s windowsill. Of course he was often to be found
in detention after such a stunt but no matter, the seed of greatness had already been sown. After Eton and Cambridge and a brief spell in
The City - where paper planes were banned on the grounds that far too many compromising missives were floating out of windows and
landing on the hats and in the baskets of old ladies sitting on the steps of St Paul’s badgering passers by to feed the birds (tuppence a bag)
- Blinkers followed his heart’s desire and joined the Royal Air Force, where he took to the skies like a great big swallow and was finally able
to unleash his pent up aeronautical prowess.
‘Nora’
The ‘two victory rolls, heart stopping side slip, slightly antiquated yet nonetheless perfect Immelmann Turn and wing-wiggle-waggle’
which you mention in your letter, Nora, comprise what is without doubt the aerial signature of dear Blinkers Blenkinsop. It is a routine
he perfected along the boulevards and grandes rues of Paris prior to the occupation, when a chap might still swoop low enough in his Spit
to snatch two French sticks, la plume de ma tante and a bottle of Bollinger from the table of an unsuspecting madamoiselle and leave
her with a packet of Players Navy Cut and a lightly smoked kipper by way of recompense. Your Fokker foiling hero, my dear, is one of
Blighty’s most renown defenders and is, as such, rather high on the hit list of both Herman Goering and every female under the age of
70 in the Home Counties. My advice to you therefore - should he come into your NAAFI, so to speak - is to act fast lest another get her
equally keen talons into him first, Nora!
With this in mind, why not throw on a nice gay pinny and proceed to ask if he’d like a bit of crumpet or a little hot pudding for supper,
or perhaps look him in the eye and whisper “Meat and two veg, sir?” in your most seductive voice? Should Blinkers still prove difficult to
snare after that (and he shouldn’t, I’ve known him to go weak at the knees at the very mention of toad in the hole), then perhaps hint that
a little tossed salad might be on the menu later, or that you yourself would kill for a decent finger roll or some slightly salty (but not stale)
nuts. Avoid mentioning chocolate fingers at all costs, but a raised eyebrow and a breathy “Chocs away, Group Captain?” accompanied by a
quick flash of your Kit-Kats might be just the ticket. Similarly, asking whether he’d like you to hold his Bertie Bassett’s whilst he reaches for
a napkin may prove to be felicitous. Should he still fail to twig then I can only suggest that it’s probably time to get your dumplings out and
hope for the best, dear, as even the best of fellows can be a little dense at times. Rest assured, that should I run into Blinkers at The Savoy
Spitfire Ball on Saturday next, I’ll mention your name to him.
Tally Ho for now, Nora! God save the King and bless our Boys in Blue!
Yours confidently,
Hilda Ffinch,
The Bird With All The Answers
You can catch more of Mrs Fox and Friends at www.mrsfoxgoestowar.co.uk or on Twitter @mrslaviniafox
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33 |

The SBT Aircraft Recognition Quiz
A little bit of fun for your NAAFI Break. Below are 10 iconic aircraft from
WW2. How many can you identify? This is just for fun but if you would like
the answers please check them out at www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
| 34 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

Have Faith
for service men and women. It is the most memorable passage
in my own bible,
With Pablo
Never in the Field of human conflict...
Probably the most memorable words of the second world war
was that by Winston Churchill “Never in the field of human
conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”. We
all owe our very freedom today by the courage of those who
defended our skies all those years ago. It is sad to know that
there are only a couple of those brave survivors still alive today.
We have been told the stories of those brave individuals so
many times, how they were on the very brink of defeat yet
somehow found the courage to keep fighting knowing that
everytime you take to the air could be your last,
But courage is still a virtue which is we all need to find during
our lives. Even to the point where personal sacrifice is required.
Maybe not to the point of giving our lives but sacrifices
nevertheless.
I see the battle that many veterans face within themselves
almost every day which can be every bit as devastating as the
battlefield. Indeed it is a battlefield in the mind. Thankfully
there is help out there and this battle is becoming more and
more recognised but overwhelming fear is often the sword that
will strike at the heart making recovery such a difficult task. I
often wonder to myself would the bible provide a way to shield
from the sword.
I am a big believer in respecting an individuals own beliefs and
would never dream of ramming my own thought, beliefs and
faith on to others but I also like to share the things that helped
me back from my own brink of defeat some years ago. The
bible was only one way but it is one that still guides me to this
day withreally good advice and inspiration.
Looking at our Armed Forces over the past 18 years, that same
fear and sacrifice has been played out again and again with so
many losing their lives in the name of peace. Coming to the
RAF Cosford Air Show this year will be a reminder of those
words by Churchill and by St John not only by those past but
also those serving and those yet to serve,
So I would like to finish with a small pieceof the bible which
could somehow give a little strength in where ever our forces
go in the hope that they all come home together and in peace.
It also goes out to anyone who is experiencing any hardship in
their lives no matter what.
‘God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.’ Psalms 46:1
If you would like to read more of my reflections then please do
contact me at info@sandbagtimes.com for a free digital copy of
‘Have Faith’
Take care and God Bless
Pablo
This is a type of courage I can’t image despite my own military
career, yet this is something that lives in us all, the difference
being we will never be in that position where it is required.
When I think of the courage, I always think of the meaning in
a very simple way. The presence of fear yet the will to go on. To
me that is it in a nut shell.
But I also cant help thinking of that one passage in the bible that
becomes what every serviceman is all about. ‘Greater love has
no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ John
15:13. It almost feels like that one passage was actually written
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