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October 2010
The main aim for the month was night flying for medium and low level work-ups with a small amount of day flying focused on the completion of the outstanding pairs work-ups, Operational Low Flying and potentially to begin 4-ship lead work-ups prior to the Tactical Leadership Training deployment to RAF Kinloss in November 2009.
The Sqn officers held a Dining In Night at the George Hotel, Stamford on 9 October to say farewell to a number of departing officers and also to host a number of representatives of units affiliated to the Sqn including the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, No 4 Army Air Corps and First Queens Dragoon Guards (affiliated in February 2009 in recognition of the support provided by the Sqn to Land Forces based in Helmand province during the winter).
On 14 October, Daily Mail Online published an article reflecting material that had been previously released to the media following briefings at MOD in September, which included participation by the CO, Wg Cdr Smyth. The article is summarised as follows:
Read more…
An email from Rob Harrison:
2366 (Bletchley Park) Squadron of the ATC has Harrier GR3 XV752 as our Squadron gate guard.
We are currently in the process of building a permanent display are for the aircraft. Once complete we would like to put some information display boards in front of the aircraft giving some information about the Harrier and about XV752.
We have copies of the record cards for the aircraft. According to these XV752 served with 3 Squadron from 21.11.89 until December 1990.
My reason for writing to you is to ask whether the IV (AC) Sqn association hold any information about XV752 and what she was involved in during her service with IV (AC) Sqn?
 Harrier GR3 XZ966 in Belize, 1981 My logbook tells me I only flew XV752 seven times, in Belize in 1981. If it had been on IV(AC) Sqn’s strength I would have flown her many more times. (The aircraft pictured above is, I believe, XZ966, which was in Belize at the same time.)
Anybody else have XV752 in their logbook or information on her history?
[Update 1]
Rob has now sent me this picture of VX752 in IV(AC) Sqn colours!
 XV752 in IV(AC) Sqn colours [Update 2]
From Pete Mears:
Some scant details I have on ‘752 that may be of use:
First flown 30/5/69 – Duncan Simpson. Delivered to RAF/HCU Wittering 27/8/69. Noted 1 Sqn/03, Apr 76, 1 Sqn 04 Feb 82, 1 Sqn/02 Feb 85. 3 Sqn/G Jun 87. 4 Sqn/S May 90.
[Update 3]
From Don Fennessey:
BTW, I flew XV 752 in the OCU. First time was my first solo on 7 Sep 77. Once more near the end of the OCU on 27 Feb 78.
Thanks for the memories.
September 2009
From 3 – 7 Sep 09, Flt Lts Jamie Norris, Mark Robertson and Lt Ben Stubbs RN flew to the Czech Republic to support the Czech International Air Fest (CIAF), an international airshow in Hradec Králové Airport near Prague. The pilots were supported by a small team of Sqn engineers who travelled the 1650 miles round trip via ferry and road with overnight stops in Leipzig and Wurzburg. Being the first team to arrive for the airshow the 3 Harrier GR9s were parked at what was to be the entrance to the event. The engineers arranged the aircraft into a static display for the duration of the airshow which began at 0900 on Sat 5 Sep and finished at 1800 on Sun 6 Sep. Positive feedback was received from members of the public with a strong urge to see the Harrier again at next year’s CIAF. With 2 fuel leaks, a missing fastener and a battery that wouldn’t switch off, the engineers were kept busy with the detached aircraft.
Two groups each of 10 engineering personnel from the Sqn took part in Ex SUMMER EAGLE, a week of Adventure Training in Wales from 14-17 Sep 09 and 21-25 Sep 09. The Ex, which included canoeing, white water rafting, mountain biking and high/low ropes, was designed to trial a new concept in decompression training for troops returning from operations in Afghanistan.
Read more…
 Harrier GR7 by Rod Webb Thanks for the uploads in the Members’ Uploads Gallery. I’ve moved some of them to more suitable long-term galleries, such as Harrier GR1/3 and Harrier GR7.
Rambo Frith here (USAF Retired). Who is the designated Ents officer for the 100th reunion… 2012???…. Remember us airline pukes bid vacation one year in advance…. Jan for next Apr to Mar.
I’m at home with a broken fibula…. slipped on outside stairs taking the dog down for her business…. the dog is fine! Using up my sick leave rapidly and driving Ms. Wanda nuts! We’ll be there or be square!
Cheers,
Rambo
Marc and Wanda Frith
From Torsten at Spotting Group Gutersloh:
While preparing some photos to be published on our website www.sg-etuo.de I found a picture of 4 Sqn Harrier T2 XW269 and I remembered that this aircraft was mentioned on fourfax not long ago. I attached a link to the mentioned photo taken in Gutersloh in December 1977 by Wieland Stolze. We are not sure why the aircraft wears or wore something that looked like invasion stripes. Maybe someone on fourfax has an answer. If you want you may use the photo on the fourfax gallery.
Many thanks Torsten! The photo is in the Gallery now.
 Harrier T2 XW269 photographed at Gutersloh in December 1977 by Wieland Stolze
Don’t forget the disbandment parade is on Wednesday 31 March at 1100 at RAF Cottesmore. The attendance list will be closing soon so please get in touch with the Sqn as soon as possible if you’d like to be there.
Further in this post…
http://www.fourfax.co.uk/01/sqn-news/renumbering-of-ivac-sqn-to-4r-sqn
 Harrier T2 XW269 The recent batch of photos from Jim Martin prompted an email from Chris Wilson:
I found your site while researching the history of XW269. We currently own this aircraft and are restoring her to her former glory as shown in some of the pictures on your site. The aircraft is being restored in Queensbury, Bradford. We plan to turn the aircraft back to T2 spec with early style nose. Would it be possible to email me copies of any pictures you have of XW269 plus any information for reaserch purposes? Many thanks. Chris Wilson. Jet Art Aviation Ltd.
I replied that Chris was welcome to download any photos from our website that he thought would be useful.
Thanks for the reply. Pictures now downloaded successfully from the gallery. We plan to repaint the aircraft exactly as shown in your ‘Harrier T2 XW269 TB Taxis past the 4 Sqn Hangar’ picture complete with 4 Sqn markings. I will send you a picture when the aircraft is restored. Thanks again. Chris
There’s a strong chance that our so-called government will try to axe the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) in the current round of defence cuts. Clive Handy, of the 3(F) Sqn Association, has started an online petition to try to prevent it.
In his own words:
It has been suggested that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which celebrates the sacrifice of those who flew during the 2nd World War, will be cut in the next round of defence cuts. This will be a travesty if it goes ahead. The BBMF costs a mere £3m a year, less than 0.1% of the defence budget. It is a great delight for all who see their displays, and the memory of ‘The Few’ will be lost. Please vote to ensure that the BBMF is not closed.
If you’d like to sign the online petition please go to:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BBMFCuts/
[Update] From David Whiting:
My father was flying with 9 & 630 Squadrons: http://www.flensted.eu.com/1944078.shtml
The BBMF give us a superb flypast at our memorial service at East Kirkby, which this year will be Sunday 4 July.
There is also a memorial service in Moffat, Scotland on 12 September to my stepfather who was born there and we hope for a Hurricane or Spitfire flypast over his memorial on this 70th anniversary of the Battle that he commanded. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dowdingout.jpg
David Whiting, Frejus, France.
The Association has received this letter from OC IV(AC) Sqn, Wg Cdr Harvey Smyth:
As I am sure you are aware, as part of the current Planning Round within MoD, there has been a recent Ministerial announcement to reduce the size of Joint Force Harrier and relocate to RAF Wittering. The unfortunate and immediate impact is for Number IV(Army Co-operation) Squadron to renumber as Number 4(Reserve) Squadron and change role from a Front Line squadron to that of the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit: the date for this change is 31 March 2010. Whilst this is incredibly sad news for us all on IV(AC), the silver lining to this cloud is that the Squadron’s name plate will be kept alive in Reserve status, vice being subject to complete disbandment.
Obviously, the next few months will be fraught with the organisation of the Harrier Force Drawdown. To that end, you and all former members and families of IV(AC) are invited to attend a Disbandment/Handover Parade at RAF Cottesmore on 31 March commencing at 1100hrs. The details of those wishing to attend (former IV(AC) Sqn members and families are welcome) should be passed to the Sqn Registry Clerk, SAC Jo Dockrill, on Ext 7577 (01572 812241). The event is being advertised in the RAF News and on Fourfax; however, I would be grateful if you could also advertise it widely amongst former colleagues and friends.
I look forward to seeing as many of the IV(AC) Squadron Association members as possible at the Parade in March!
Yours sincerely,
? Harvey Smyth
So, although this is sad news for the Sqn, it is good that the Sqn isn’t disbanding completely and is returning to RAF Wittering, “The Home of the Harrier”. Let’s all try to get to the parade on 31 March and make it a day to remember!
[I have an email address for the Sqn Registry which I’m reluctant to publish because I know that spambots will make it unusable after a few days. If you wish to attend the parade you may send me your details by email and I’ll forward them to the Sqn. – Chris]
T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone
In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who, in this small home did live
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see –
No tinsel no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds.
Then a sober thought came into my mind
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
T’was the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home
The face was so gentle, the room in disorder
Not how I pictured a lone soldier..
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read,
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed
I realised the families that I saw this night
Owed their lives to these soldiers, who were willing to fight
And soon round the world the children would play
And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day
They all enjoy freedom each month of the year
Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn’t help but wonder, how many alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home?
The very thought brought a tear to my eye
I dropped to my knees and started to cry
The soldier awakened, I heard a rough voice
“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more
My life is my God, my country, my corps”
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep.
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
And we both sat and shivered from the cold nights chill.
I didn’t want to leave, on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honour, so willing to fight…
Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure
Whispered “Carry on Santa, Christmas Day is secure”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right
“Merry Christmas my friend – and to all a good night!”
This poem was written by a British Peace Keeping soldier stationed overseas.
The following is his request – I think it is reasonable: “Please would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can.”
Christmas will be coming soon and much credit is due to our British service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay back a tiny bit of what we owe!
I’m sure you’ve all heard the news that RAF Cottesmore is to close in 2010, and the remaining Harrier Squadrons transferred back to RAF Wittering – “Home of the Harrier”.
All this to pay for 22 helicopters from a discredited government…
Link to Peterborough Evening Telegraph article
Link to Guardian article
Link to Grantham Journal article
Link to Defence Management
Some comments I’ve received:
It comes as no surprise – we’ve been run by a bunch of socialist liberals (slowly shifting to Stalinist) for 12 years now. None of this is deliberate policy, it’s merely the inevitable result of ignorance and incompetence – our New Labour national traits.
We have nothing to worry about over on this side of the pond because we have Obama, and he is getting us out of this mess one shovel full at a time, or is it into this mess? Have a merry Christmas. This will all look much better after the crash of 2010.
The only good thing about these cuts is that Wittering will again be the “Home of the Harrier”. I’ve heard that the reduction in size of the Harrier Force will only just about keep pace with the exit of pilots voting with their feet!! We are now under about a foot of snow, so it is good to see Obama is doing his bit to bring on the much needed global warming by arriving in a 747 with one passenger + crew with 2 supporting transport planes to bring the fleet of large 4×4 vehicles. With a bit of luck the agreements reached should be almost enough to offset the carbon footprint created by the conference!
I’m not close to the front line mood these days so I can’t comment on these observations but as the Harrier Force carried the Afghan commitment for almost 6 years (replaced by Tornado in July) I wouldn’t be surprised that, in the light of the current government’s dismal attitude to defence, the guys have had enough!
Although the Sqn 100th Anniversary is still some time away (2012) I’d like to ensure that my records are as up-to-date as possible. We’ve got 729 registered members on the site but I guarantee that 100 or so will have unreachable email addresses.
 Chaos To check and edit your details, first log into FourFax by clicking on Login on the left-hand-side of the page, under Meta. This will bring up a new page, your Dashboard. By clicking on Profile you can update any personal information, but your email address is the most important. Don’t forget to click on Update Profile before leaving.
Many thanks – Chris
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