SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION - 13TH APRIL

Tina Cullen, Verger at the FAA Memorial Church has posted the following message:

Following on from last year’s successful get together of Associations, we would like to invite you and your members to join us on Palm Sunday (13 April) for a service of Holy Communion which will include the traditional Palm Sunday Procession, the blessing of any Standards present and prayers for members who have died in the year since the last service. In good, Church of England tradition, there will be tea and cake available after the service!

Last year we had good attendance due to the Junglie Association being in the area following their AGM. This will not be the case this year so we would really appreciate your support in sending representatives of your Association to this, YOUR church. 

Below are images of the ceremony held on Sunday 13th

SWORDFISH CENTENARY BEER

£

SHAR 2020 REUNION 20TH-21ST MARCH AT DRAYTON MANOR HOTEL

The Sea Harrier Association would like to invite any members of the Buccaneer Association to join them during their annual reunion in March this year.
The weekend is 20th-21st March at Drayton Manor Hotel, which is part of the Drayton Manor theme park complex at Tamworth, B78 3TW.
The week end will consist of a dinner Friday night and a Gala evening on the Saturday

Single room - Friday - £126.50. Saturday - £140.00. both includes B+B & Evening dinner
Double room - Friday £158. Saturday £185 includes both B+B & Evening 'Gala' dinner.
Saturday Evening will be a 'Gala Evening' to celebrate 40 years since the First Front Line Sea Harrier Squadron commissioning and we plan to have a band to play. Which will be subsidised by the Association. Therefore, should any of your members be interested we'd charge an extra £10 for the Saturday.
No payment is expected yet and we are going to arrange with the Hotel that a booking can be made using a booking code and secured with a credit card. Payment will only be taken on arrival or should you fail to attend and do not cancel the booking within an arranged period.

Yours Aye
Bob Gellett
Sea Harrier Association Membership Secretary;   SHAR Association sharamem@hotmail.co.uk 

2020 FAABA REUNION AT MANSEFIELD HOTEL ELGIN

VJ75 DAY COMMEMORATIONS HELD BY THE FLEET AIR ARM ASSOCIATION AT THE FLEET AIR ARM WAR MEMORIAL AT LEE ON SOLENT,  SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2020.

From Jim Moulson (FAAA). Just a quick note to say thanks to all who mustered on Saturday morning, it was a good turnout complete with Standard Bearer and a RM Bugler. The weather was kind to us and there were a good number of our ladies there to support us. The Bugler was a complete mystery to me and he said that he had tried to contact me and sent an email which I never received. However, the mystery was solved by the Webmaster, Ray Day, following the post I put on Facebook. A lady, the Bugler's friend/partner was browsing and came across the post and contacted Ray who gave her my contact details. Even though we never spoke he turned up on the off chance that he might be needed, problem solved. Below is a copy of what was published on the FAAA Website, FAAA Facebook and the FAAA unofficial Facebook page, so hopefully reaching out to people who may consider joining the Association.

An excellent turnout on Saturday at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial, Lee-on-Solent to pay our respects to the fallen of the conflict against the Japanese during WW2. There were 16 members in total including our National Secretary Peter Murray who had travelled down from Pinner to join us. It was touch and go with regards to the Standard, our official Standard Bearer, Ben Fenn, was unavailable, but at the last hour on Friday evening our previous holder of the post, Ron Chitty, offered to come out of retirement for the event. A very fine job he did too for a mere snip of a man at 89 years of age!
Also to our surprise, a very smart gentleman was standing with the members, on introduction it turned out to be a ex Royal Marine Bugler who offered to sound the last post and reveille for us. I had no idea how he found out we were going to hold a small informal ceremony. Just before 11:00 The Last Post was sounded, the Standard dipped, followed by 2 minutes silence and then reveille. On completion the wreaths were laid, the Association National by me and the Solent by the chairman Charlie Fitzgerald. A lot of people walking along the sea front also stopped and paid their respects. On completion we had a well deserved "up spirits", after a while we dispersed to retire to the Court Barn Conservative Club for a beer and bite to eat.
A huge thanks to all who joined the gathering, not forgetting our ladies too who came along to support us, as they always do and to our visiting photographer, Jenny. I must say that the Memorial and the surrounds are looking a bit tatty, I may need to call on the Buffers Party (Solent Branch volunteers) to spruce it up!

The Wreaths

Ron Chitty

Mustered

2 Minutes Silence

Up Spirits

DICK GOODENOUGH

We have been informed by Dick's family that he is currently quite ill in hospital in London; he is currently in an induced coma while the medical specialists treat an auto-immune problem meaning his immune system is attacking healthy cells rather than protecting them. Dick is aware when his wife Jan visits and he is in the best hospital for the care he needs, please keep him in your thoughts and hope he pulls through this. UPDATE: Dick is starting his recovery although it may take 18 months but at least the doctors have diagnosed the problem as Autoimmune Encephalitis. Dick can now stand and talk when the feeding tube is out, looking better each day but a long path ahead to recovery.

For those who don't know Dick, he originally joined 700Z Buccaneer IFTU shortly before it became 809 in 1963 as an Artificer Apprentice; in 1965 he joined 736 and by 1967 he was on 801 Squadron as an AA2. Later he was the first engineer to join the RN Unit at RAF Honington in July 1970, after further training Dick returned to the RN Unit as a Sub/Lt fron 1974-75, he was then a DAEO on 809 from 1976-77.

Dick pictured in Sydney, NSW in October 1968 during the visit by HMS Hermes

In 1981Dick was appointed AEO of 801 SHAR Squadron and he served with them aboard HMS Invincible in 1982 during the Falklands Conflict.

SEA HARRIER ASSOCIATION TIE

Harold Williams of the Buccaneer Association has had requests from SHAR Members trying to obtain their Association ties ready for this years Remembrance Parade; he says he has quite a few available for members to buy. His only note is that you order off him early enough to give him time to post it to you before the Parade.

Harold says to contact him by email at taffandangie@btinternet.com if you wish to order.

YOU'LL NEVER RUN A BUCCANEER OUT OF THE BOOT OF A CAR

The Buccaneer Aviation Group (TBAG) have just released their first book - "You'll never run a Buccaneer out of the boot of a Car"

TBAG invite you to purchase this unique insight into twenty years of restoring and running their two Buccaneers, first at Bruntingthorpe and now at Cotswold Airport, Kemble. All monies except printing costs made from sales of the bookazine will go towards the continued running of the their two Buccaneer's. The book has received good reviews and 110 have been sold so far; also being shipped abroad to Germany, Dubai and Israel with enquires from both Florida and Australia

It's the story of a few people with the dream of "saving" a Buccaneer from the scrap yard and ....... who knows? They started with nothing and achieved so much. The first chapter sums up the rest of the book in its title “From Scrap yard to Serviceability” the story of how the volunteers began work to return XX894 and XW544 to running condition back in 2004. Anecdotes from the volunteers add colour and a personal insight into what TBAG means to them, it is their story of how they succeeded in “Running a Buccaneer out of the boot of a car".

The book includes a foreword from Group Captain Tom Eeles who accumulated over 2000 hours flying in the Buccaneer, and Ken Ellis/FlyPast magazine. This A4 sized professionally drafted bookazine is produced using high quality paper with 140 full colour pages filled with many images which have been seen publically before of TBAG at work from 2004 onwards. The images are complimented by some stunning night shoot images from TBAG photographer friends.

I hope you will help and purchase a copy? This link will tell you more about the book and provide purchasing information should any of you wish to own a copy.

https://the-buccaneer-aviation-group.com/tbag-book-new/

All of your payment less printing cost go, as always, to keeping these magnificent aircraft running and displaying to the public. No TBAG volunteers have taken any payment or fee.

ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER AT THE WHITEHALL CENOTAPH

This year the annual Service of Remembrance will go ahead on Sunday 14th November; FAABA need to know how many tickets we require for the event so we can apply to the British Legion for them by the 14th June. If you plan to attend this year please notify Brian Stanley by early June so that he can obtain tickets from the limited supply available.

The British Legion's intent is to seek as broad a representation of the veteran community as possible so they cannot guarantee that all associations will obtain all the tickets they apply for.

NAVAL ASSOCIATIONS PARADE - WHITEHALL SUNDAY 12TH SEPT 2021

From the Fly Navy Federation meeting held April 2021:

The Royal Naval Association (RNA) has decided to open-up its London Parade, held biennially on Whitehall, to all associations of the RN, and consequently to rename it the ‘Naval Associations Parade’. It is open to serving and veteran RN/RM personnel, National and Branch Standards will be paraded, and there will be an RN contingent. In addition, this year’s event will be in honour of all shipmates lost during the Pandemic (whether to Covid-19 or not), in order to give them a proper send-off, which has been denied to many. The event will have very senior representation, but is shorter in duration and less-formal than Remembrance Sunday, and will thus be more ‘approachable’ for many. Wreaths will not be laid. This Parade and initiative is welcomed by the Federation, and the Chairman has confirmed to the RNA that Associations of the FAA will be attending with Standards. Following the Parade there will be a social gathering at the Civil Service Club (Old Scotland Yard). With smaller numbers attending than for Remembrance Sunday, affordable accommodation in London should be more readily available.

UPDATE: This year's Naval Associations Parade will be held on Sunday, September 12th. This is for all Naval veterans but this year the FAA will march as a group which will form from all the FAA Associations within the Fly Navy Federation banner. So if anyone wishes to march with the Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer Association contingent please let me (Brian Stanley) have your name a.s.a.p. All associations will be coordinated through the FNF Secretary when I have a group listing. It will be held at Whitehall and be similar in format to the annual remembrance parade. I expect the post march PU will follow on similar lines!!! All those interested please contact our coordinator, the FAABA Chairman who's email address can be found on the Committee page (button on LH menu).

DAUNTLESS DIVISIONAL PHOTOS

Do you have any Wrens in your family?

I’m not referring to the tiny, feathered variety in the garden but the indomitable ladies who joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Specifically, ladies who joined up between 1946 and 1981 and did their basic training at Training Depot Burghfield/HMTE Burghfield/HMTE Dauntless/HMS Dauntless/Reading.

Dauntless Divisional Photos is a nationwide project, in collaboration with the Association of Wrens, to gather divisional photographs and memories from those training days but also to reunite ladies with old friends, share anecdotes and relive exciting moments.

So if you, your mum, granny, aunt, godmother or even next door neighbour donned a blue suit and aimed for a life on the ocean wave, please get in touch on either ddpwrens@gmail.com or 07765 435295/0771 990 9844.

Many thanks
Mandy Powell & Janette Crisp
Project Coordinators
 

THE BUCCANEER AVIATION GROUP "BUCCANEER BUDDIES"

From TBAG Group Secretary, Mike Overs on behalf of all the volunteers at Kemble.

The FAABA and its members have supported TBAG generously over the last few years and particularly during our Hobson's Choice of a move out of Bruntingthorpe.

TBAG would not have chosen 2020 as the year to move from Bruntingthorpe given a choice or only having £6000 in our account.

Looking back would we still have moved the jets to Kemble so they can display as a living testimony to everyone involved from 1955 onwards? I have not met a person inside TBAG or in the external Cold War / Classic Vintage Jets community that’s has said NO. Not one.

So “On We Go!” dealing with the cards we are dealt.

It doesn’t need a rocket scientist to realise that TBAG, like many organisations and individuals, has been unable to secure any income since Covid hit.

We have been proactive seeking grants and relief from our creditors BUT the reality is that we need to find another income stream other than subscriptions from the volunteers, to sustain and take TBAG into July and August when we can meaningfully find our feet again and hold events.

So BUCCANEER BUDDIES is launched ….

We offer FAABA members the choice of any one of four tiers with the choice of annual, family annual or lifetime subscription. The Platnum Tier is flexible to those that might feel inclined to support us in their own way.

The Buccaneer Aviation Group - Buccaneer Buddies Supporters Scheme January 2021.

NA39 Tier
(Bronze)
• £25/annum or £100 Lifetime or £75 family/annum (up to max of 5 people living at the same address).

Benefits other than just good old plain support for the jets ….
Welcome Gift – choice of metallic TBAG lapel Pin or either a FAA Buccaneer or RAF RBF Key Ring,
Certificate
Newsletter (x4 times/annum).
History of TBAG leaflet, hardcopy (fee applies) or electronic.
5% discount on shop merchandise, including on-line sales (up to a max saving of £15 per annum).

Buccaneer S1 Tier
(Silver)
• £35/annum or £140 Lifetime or £105 family/annum (up to 5 people living at the same address).

As NA39 Tier
PLUS
5% discount rises up to a max saving of £20.
5% discount off events booked on line through TBAG ShOPs.
Quarterly Raffle – Events and At Home Day free tickets worth £100/£55 or £35.

Buccaneer S2 Tier
(Gold)
• £50/annum or £200 Lifetime or £150 family/annum (up to 5 people living at the same address).

As S1 Tier
PLUS
Free Bi-annual Magazine.
Free Supporters Event once a year, resources permitting.
Bi-annual Raffle – Back Seat Sit (Anti-Det) worth £250.

Buccaneer 544/894 Tier
(Platinum Club)
• Any monthly payment of £20 or over. Or £1000 Lifetime or £750 family/annum (up to 5 people living at the same address).

As S2 Tier.
PLUS
Bespoke access to the aircraft and annual Raffle for a back seat ride (subject to serviceability and current availability – 2022 onwards.)

The choices are shown above and payment can be through PayPal, BACS or cheque. If you are interested, please contact Mike Overs at michaelovers@btinternet.com

Thanks for reading.

800 SQUADRON 1964-65

John Hodgkinson, the DAEO(M) of 800 Squadron from when it formed in March 1964 with the Mk1 Buccaneer aircraft and during 1965 has written in the guest book that he would be very interested to hear from anyone else who was in the squadron at that time. The AEO was Lt Cdr Bolus, the other AEO's were Lt Bob Adamson and Lt Roger Pinhey; John is now living in Torquay and can be emailed at jvhandsah@hotmail.com  

FAABA CHARITY DONATION TO BLIND VETERANS (DECEMBER 2020)

Copy of certificate and letter for the Buccaneer Association's recent charity donation to Blind Veterans' UK via Carl Jordan.

2019 REUNION GROUP PICTURE SATURDAY 8TH JUNE

The happy band who attended the 2019 Reunion (Click on picture for full size)

As per the decision made at the AGM; £250 from the proceeds of the raffle has already been donated to Blind Veterans UK

A NEW ITEM FROM OUR SLOPS

Only £3 each, available from H. Williams (Contact details on Slops or Committee Pages)

MESSAGE FROM CDRE JOCK ALEXANDER OBE MA FRAeS

Dear fellow members of the Fly Navy Federation, 

In these trying times, it is clear that a lot of the burden and worry is falling on the shoulders of the elderly.  To be a bit more parochial and in the finest traditions of the Fleet Air Arm (and also now very much in line with the latest government request for volunteers, answered by over 400,000 people in 24 hours!),  I wonder if some of you might consider picking up the phone on the odd occasion whilst we are all sitting at home under lockdown.   A simple 5 minute phone call and bit of banter with a fellow member of your own Association might be all it needs to lift their spirits.   Time to gather round our shipmates perhaps?     

Stay safe. 

Aye     

Jock Alexander

Cdre Jock Alexander OBE MA FRAeS

HMS FEARLESS 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALKLANDS CAMPAIGN  ANTHOLOGY

'HMS FEARLESS 1982' authors have finally realised the initiative to compile and produce an Anthology of her Falklands Campaign experience.

The link goes fully live on Monday, but is open for pre-orders right now from the following website:
https://hmsfearlessfalklands40thanniversarybook.co.uk/

The Mailing Distributor will not be able to start posting the book until after 23 May. So please be patient and allow 10 working days to receive, especially if there is a hoped-for rush to buy!

If anyone has any questions please contact the FAABA Secretary.

FALKLANDS 40TH COMMEMORATION

Please find details below of the Falklands 40 Commemoration Service to be held on Wednesday the 25th of May. The service will take place at RNAS Yeovilton (NOT at St. Bart’s), followed by lunch in the Senior Rates Mess. There will be the opportunity to visit the FAA Memorial Church, FAA Museum and Falklands Avenue in the afternoon. Feel free to spread the word wherever you think you may find someone who would like to come along. Closing date is 13 April.

Also forwarded below from Brian Stanley is a request from the British Modern Military History Society for Falklands stories to go in to a Falklands 40 Commemorative book. The British Modern Military History Society is compiling a book of people’s experiences of the Falklands War to mark the 40th anniversary. We are looking for memories, stories and reflections from those who served, civilians, Falkland islanders and even from an Argentine
perspective too. All profits will go to the charity Blind Veterans UK, as with our previous two books, Glimpses of War, published on Amazon earlier this year.

I am looking for stories/articles of 500 to 1500 words, not so much the history but the personal memories of events. I am trying to get contributions in by the end of January if at all possible, to give us time to publish in May. For those who are interested in writing something or want to find our more they should contact me on andy.cockeram@bmmhs.org

Andy Cockeram
Chairman

BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION 2022 ELGIN REUNION

As you may have guessed, we have decided it would be too unpredictable to go ahead with the delayed 2020 reunion in 2021. Instead we have booked the Mansefield hotel in Elgin once more for 2022 and have decided to have a later event around the time that the FAA left RNAS Lossiemouth 50 years ago. Full details are not yet available, but if you would pencil in the 7th to the 9th October 2022 so that you don't take a cruise (as if).

The deposits previously paid by you for 2020 are still valid for those who had booked previously. Please check this article regularly and I will let you know when the Reunion page has been updated; Meal prices have now been added.

BLIND VETERANS UK - DONATION 2021

Message to all FAABA Members: The Committee took the decision during the Pandemic to make a donation on behalf of the members to one of our favourite charities; Blind Veterans UK. Below is a copy of the letter from Blind Veterans acknowledging receipt.

May thanks to all our members for their support for this donation;

Robin Harper, Association Secretary.

ELGIN 2022 FAABA REUNION - 7TH TO 9TH OCTOBER --- (FAABA FULL MEMBERS ONLY)

Members will find the necessary information and documentation for Accommodation or just meals (to download) in the Members Only area under the "Association Info" Menu.

Members who do not require accommodation but just want attend the reunion and to book meal(s) will also find the forms to download.

Please be advised to read all the supplied information on how to submit their completed forms and take note of the payment dates.

ELGIN 2022 FAABA REUNION - 7TH TO 9TH OCTOBER --- (NON MEMBERS)

The information below is applicable to people who are not members of the Buccaneer Association but would like to attend this year's FAABA Reunion at the Mansefield Hotel in Elgin during the dates shown above

BUCCANEER DAY 2024 - ELVINGTON AIR MUSEUM - NEAR YORK - SATURDAY 6TH APRIL

For Buccaneer Day 2024 at Yorkshire Air Museum three Yorkshire Blackburn Buccaneers will be on display at the museum including a live running of the Navy Bucc aircraft XN974 to mark 30 years since the jet retired. XN974 was delivered to the Fleet Air Arm in June1964 and was transferred to the RAF in January 1971. XN974 joined the museum in 1991; fast taxi runs are no longer permitted by the airfield's owners but live running still continues. Elvington Museum YO41 4AU, 01904 608595. South East of York.

XN974 started out as a Mk1 but was modified during build and was the first Production Buccaneer Mk2 delivered. It was one of the aircraft used by C Squadron  (Boscombe Down) aboard USS Lexington to carry out the Mk2 Hot Weather Trials in 1965. In August 1965 this aircraft was due back in the UK for maintenance and Commander Geoff Higgs (P) and Lt Cdr J A Taylor flew it back Non-Stop in eight hours from Pensacola via Goose Bay and Keflavik.

Picture of the C Squadron Crew aboard USS Lexington in 1965 for the Trials with one of the 3 aircraft (Note the wooden deck), Picture kindly supplied by Terry Stow (Left rear). Third from left back row is Coventry Man, Charlie Mays (ex 800 1967-69)

Click on image to see full size