621VGS News

Posted on: July 20th, 2011 by admin

The Air Cadet Organisation has celebrated its 70th Birthday in style at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

A flypast consisting of the following aircraft flown by the Air Cadets over the last 70 years:

Powered: Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Bulldog and a Tutor
Motor Gliders: Venture and a Vigilant
Gliders: Sedburgh and a Swallow towed by a Chipmunk and a Prefect and MkIII towed by a Piper Cub.

RIAT PoweredRIAT Gliders

The aircraft gathered at Hullavington on the Tuesday prior to the event before training commencing on Wednesday. The display was given approval on Thursday with the first flypast at RIAT taking place on Friday at 6pm. As far as we are aware the first time the organisation has displayed at the event. The weather conditions over the weekend were not the best, rain cancelled Saturdays display and Sunday’s was also a close call.

IMG_4990ed

IMG_5060ed

With some adjustments, the Sunday display went ahead with all the aircraft passing 70,000+ crowds and making it safetly back to Hullavington.

The display was given a special mention at the RIAT Hanger Party, the traditional closing evening event by Air Commadore Nigel Wharmby of the Air Tattoo’s Flying Control Committee. “The display with training aircraft and gliders was truly remarkable given that the wind and weather made conditions phenomenally difficult,” he said, adding: “I salute you.”