Around 20 HAA members joined a throng of enthusiasts at Air Atlantique Classic Flight’s new AIRBASE Visitor Centre, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the collection’s latest acquisition; XV232, one of the RAF’s last BAe Nimrod MR2 aircraft.
A number of members, including Carol de Solla-Atkins in her Chipmunk, took advantage of the occasion to fly in, but as John Broad records, those arriving by road were equally well catered for.
"The event at Coventry went very well with the booking in team all ready with name badges for the HAA members on the list."
A number of members joined the press briefing on the new AIRBASE living museum, while others joined Wally Epton and Colin Dodds on the apron, for the arrival of the mighty Nimrod.
"When the time came the classic shape of the old Comet hove into view coming from the East as the aircraft had done a flypast of Wittering on the way from Kinloss" said John. "They apparently ran into some snow showers up north; all very fitting for a "cold War" aircraft!"
"After a couple of very quiet flypasts the aircraft landed safely and smoothly onto runway 05, stopping remarkably quickly with those huge flaps dangling. TV crews and serious press photographers like Simon Hazeldine and Steve LeVien had some impressive kit to record the progress to the parking spot. Colin Dodds was interviewed by various TV companies in the cockpit of the aircraft and then we were allowed on board. Most of the kit is still fitted including a teleprinter and a Morse key!"
Colin logged a number of hours as Captain of this very aircraft. One flight was a nine-hour SAR mission from Kinloss, with the crew taking advantage of their designated diversion aerodrome – Goose Bay in Labrador, Canada!
Finally a big thankyou to Mike Collett, Steve Bridgewater and Trevor Bailey at AACF for making us so welcome. Watch out for news of another HAA visit to Coventry a little later this year!
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