Blue Eagles

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Blue Eagles Team News Archive

Archived 31 August 2001

Waddington and Later

The last weekend in June once again saw us visiting RAF Waddington for their annual airshow. The weather wasn’t brilliant with passing thunderstorms and strong winds, on Sunday in particular, being our biggest problem to contend with. Nevertheless, the team sucessfully calculated beforehand some countermeasures (using a closely guarded formula) which nullified the effect of the wind and ensured that the display remained centred on crowd centre. Although the formula has worked time and time again over the years, it is still extremly nerve wracking to apply as it appears at first glance to overcompensate. It is a severe test of the Gazelle pilots, in particular, self-discipline. It also tests our maths!

Once again, it was great to meet some old friends from Waddington shows in the past and it was nice to see that Ian Williamson, the winner of our second free competition, managed to use his free ticket to the show.

Team Manager, Capt Rod Lambert sings “I’m a little teapot” to some young visitors to the caravan!

We were also reunited with Stewart McQuillan.

Stewart is well known for his work with the Raptor Foundation rescue centre for birds of prey and is paralysed from the waist down as a result of an accident whilst serving with the RAF working on a Tornado. Since the accident he has become an active pilot and is in the process of converting to helicopters. His aim is twofold; to operate the first wildlife air ambulance and secondly to provide flying opportunities to the disabled. The project is well on the way to success with over 50% of the required funds already raised. Stewart can be contacted on 01487 741140.

A rescued Eagle Owl of the Raptor Foundation.

If you were at Waddington you may have noticed something strange in the cockpit of Eagle 2. Closer examination showed that WO2 Cuz Curry was receiving some much overdue flying instruction from “Tigger”.

Congratulations go to Lynx crewman L/Cpl Grant Meekey on the award of his “Gunner” badge. He has been busy between shows completing the challenging TOW anti-tank missile course culminating in a live firing of a missile on Salisbury Plain last week. Needless to say, it was a perfect firing with a perfect hit! He was awarded his new badge on Friday and was busy replacing his Observer badge with the much rarer one in time for the first display at Waddington.

Nice sewing Grant! (He can fire missiles and sew but still can’t use a camera!)

The team also made an appearance at the popular Breitling stand. It’s Thruxton next and then off to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix….

Archived news is available by clicking here.

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