Skywriters

摘要

I read with interest your Flight Line column in the July issue, and wondered if you would like the view of a mere erk of the 'Treble-One' 22-Hunter loops. I was a corporal tech in the Aircraft Servicing Flight at Odiham on the week of the Farnborough displays. I was returning from lunch on the Friday, ready to make a swift getaway for a weekend at home in Southampton when we were told that all leave had been cancelled until, at best, Saturday lunchtime. 'Treble-One's' aircraft and pilots were augmented by using good pilots from 54 and 247, the resident squadrons at Odiham. At around 16.45, Hunters were all over the sky returning from Farnborough, and we were told to await the arrival of a black Hunter. It was the rule that aircraft should shut down on the pan and be towed to a hangar - not this pilot! He taxied at a pace between two hangars and up a slight incline into the ASF hangar, shutting the engine off as the aircraft entered it. He braked, and as soon as the ladder was on the side of the fuselage he was off and away. I never saw him again.