36 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2007
Heron
looks
Bright sparks
back
build in style
VICTORY in the Falklands and
the future of naval aviation will be
the themes of this year’s Yeovilton THE MEN in white coats the Gosport establishment from The four ardent engineers admit
Air Day.
stand poised with mark-
across the length and breadth of that they had not considered a
Organisers of the popular show
ing pen in hand, the Naval
the UK, from Thurso to the local career in the Navy before this
have invited four French Super teams of Portsmouth City Boys
Etendard fi ghters – scourge of the
officers in gold braid hover
introduction to the military world,
School, from Kent over to the
task force fl eet in Argentine hands
with alert eyes fixed on the
and all agree that they will be back
west country. next year with another entry.
in 1982 – to take part in the July
amphibious vehicle, and the
The day, with its displays of Last word should go to the chief
7 display at the Somerset air base.
boy with the controller bites Naval helicopters, gas turbines executive of Young Engineers,
The future of naval aviation his lip as his miniature racer and engineering ideas, is obvi- former Naval captain Stu Ellis:
will be represented by Future
struggles to make it up the
ously popular with the youngsters “This is the jewel in our crown of
Lynx (the updated version of the
sloping beach.
packing the site – this year was the competitions.”
standard helicopter for frigates
At HMS Sultan the Young
eighth time one team had come Find out more about the Young
and destroyers) and by the Joint
Engineers Royal Navy Challenge
back to take on the challenge. Engineers on the internet at www.
Strike Fighter, represented both
is in full flow with flocks of intent
Ken Sanders, chairman of Young youngeng.org or call 01428
in model form and through
youngsters, huddled around their
Engineers, remarked: “Every year 727265.
interactive displays.
robot creations checking and
I get more impressed – the engi-
One of the legendary aircraft
tweaking before their moment in
neering I’ve seen in this year’s
of maritime aviation will be
the spotlight.
solutions is better than ever.
making its debut at the show.
In turn, each of the 25 teams is
“The hurdle has really been
Kennet Aviation’s Supermarine
summoned to the tanks at the cen-
raised here, it’s a tough set of
Seafi re returned to the air for
tre of the massive hangar, where
objectives. We are so grateful for
the fi rst time in fi ve decades the energy and resource that the
last year. Lovingly restored, this
their true test begins – their vehi-
RN has put into this.
naval version of the great Spitfi re
cles must negotiate a tricky entry
“The Navy does a fantastic
will perform for the fi rst time at
to shore past jutting rocks before
Yeovilton.
tackling a sloping beach strewn job on this site – the appren-
Vintage aircraft from the RN
with rocks, trees and a dangerous tice scheme here is second
Historic Flight will also be in the
minefield. to none. Industry should be
air: the Sea Fury, Sea Hawk and
Once past the perils, the cars grateful for what the Navy
the Fairey Swordfi sh are all lined
need to scoop, suck, or grab does here.”
up to perform on home ‘turf’.
an abandoned satellite part (or
Cdr Kevin Fox, the officer com-
Foreign visitors to the show
squash ball) then head back over
manding the Air Engineering and
will include the Patrouille Suisse,
land and through water with their
Survival School at HMS Sultan
the Swiss Air Force’s aerobatic
precious cargo.
that hosts the annual event, spoke
display team in their Northrop
The difficulties of the terrain
with admiration of the children’s
Tiger II jet fi ghters.
and the task for the school parties
efforts to solve the satellite rescue
Not wishing to be outdone, the
was considered tough, but many
challenge.
RAF’s Red Arrows will once again
of the young engineers made it
“There are so many differ-
put on a show for the crowds.
look easy.
ent solutions and innovative
And also not wishing to be
Head of the judging team Dr
approaches this year. We had to
outdone will be the Commando
Stuart Vincent, himself an expert
give them enough latitude to come
Helicopter Force, based at
in nuclear engineering at HMS
up with different designs, but meet
Yeovilton.
Sultan, said: “The standard is
the same aims. They’ve done a
Each year air day closes with
always high.
marvellous job.”
the impressive commando assault
“We’ve made it deliberately
One team of first-timers basked
– a combined air and ground
hard this year. Half the teams have
in the glow of success at the end
attack by the combined forces of
done it in an incredible time – 50
of the day. Team Sypher from
the Fleet Air Arm, RAF, Army Air
per cent have just nailed it. Some
Chatham Girls Grammar School
Corps and Royal Marines.
of the designs are superb.”
in the old Naval heartland were
Ticket prices range between
Each year a new scenario has to
overall winners in the 12-16 age ● (Top) The Young Engineers
£3 for children to £16 for adults
be created for the upcoming engi-
group. judges – engineering experts
(in advance) or £5 to £20 (on
neers, and for the last three years The four girls – Amy Denyer,
from Sultan and Collingwood
the day).
the nuclear expert has been one of Mandy Keywood, Terri Wheeler
– carefully monitor each team’s
Wearers of the MOD’s
the team devising the route that and Jenny Mannion – built an
creations
Veteran’s Badge, the South the youngsters must overcome. amphibious vehicle that traversed
Picture: PO(Phot) Penny Taylor
Atlantic Medal 1982 and “We’ve got to challenge them the terrain and scooped the satel- ● (Above) Capt Jonathan Wood-
the UK Merchant Seafarers but make sure no team goes away lite in record time. cock, Captain of the RN School
Veterans Badge will be entitled to with nothing. We have to stretch Amy said: “Today went extraor- of Marine Engineering, and Cdr
discounts but they must book in the really good teams and not dinarily well. To finish the course Kevin Fox, OC of the Air Engi-
advance. make it too difficult for the other took just two minutes 19 seconds. neering and Survival School, at
Tickets are available from teams.” When the halfway results came
HMS Sultan watch as a vehicle
0870 800 4747 or online from: And they obviously suc- out at lunchtime and we heard we
tackles the RN challenge
www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk. ceed. Schools travel down to were first – we screamed!” Picture: LA(Phot) Judy Hurst
RNAS
Enter our competition and you could be one of the five lucky winners
of a pair of adult tickets to this internationally famous Naval event
Aircraft from all over the world will be taking part in static and breathtaking air displays
including the ‘Black Cats’ Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team
H’Ark back
Simply answer the question below, complete the entry form and post to:
AFTER two years in upgrade, six months in trials, HMS Ark Royal Yeovilton Air Day Competition, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth,
has made a triumphant return to the front-line fleet.
Hants PO1 3HH
Heralded by a flypast of RAF Tornados and aircraft from the
or e mail your answer and details to marketing@navynews.co.uk
RN Historic Flight, Ark was also serenaded by the distinctive
staccato sound of a Sea King, marking her return to the Fleet in
Closing date June 16 2007
her newly-packaged role of helicopter carrier.
The 20,000-ton carrier boasts a new profile with a distinctive,
What is the name of the resident Royal Navy Helicopter display team
state-of-the-art mast that hints at the sophisticated package of
which will be appearing at Yeovilton Air Day 2007?
communications kit that lies beneath.
Next on her schedule is a trip to Scotland for Neptune Warrior.
● (Top) A fl ypast at Portsmouth Naval Base to mark HMS Ark
Answer: ...................................................................
Royal’s return to the fl eet
● (Below) The Band of the Royal Marines, Portsmouth, entertain
the 1,500 guest at the rededication ceremony
Entries must reach Navy News office by 12 noon June 16 2007. Five entries will be drawn at 15.00 on that day.
Each lucky winner will be notified by e mail, phone or post and will receive a pair of adult tickets by post direct from the Air Day office.
The decision of the judges is final and there is no alternative prize. Employees of Navy News are not permitted to enter the competition.
Pictures: LA(Phot) Emma Somerfield
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