Non-flying report Sat 18 Jun 22

With the weather intervening to bring a pause to flying it was day to rig the R43 (K18) and R66 (Astir).

R43 had been through its triennial wood/glue checks together with its annual although we think that Nick L was wearing his sun glasses when he was colour matching the wing patches .  Following the rig Colin undertook range of movement checks and signed off the ARC.  We also took the opportunity to complete the programme of RSGC decals and with R43 that’s the whole fleet now complete.

Meanwhile, and following its return from its latest land-out, we also rigged R66 in the hope that we would fly it today but that was not to be.  The Astir is always difficult to rig and we had to listen to all the old duffers waffling on and on that in their day (sort of 40 years ago) it only required two to rig!  We ignored them and put the port wing on but couldn’t get the starboard wing fitted, so took the port wing off and put the starboard wing on, and so it went on. We did get there eventually!

Following Ian G’s display at the 2022 Cosford Air Show we continue to receive great comments.  For those who missed his display, and only if you are based at RAF Shawbury, there will be an opportunity to see a reprise at the Families Day on Thursday 11 August. 

Let’s hope for better weather next weekend.