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were in the Alliance and where they were

based, so that an official invitation could be

issued. The writer of this article had, until

shortly before, compiled the monthly ‘NATO

Notes’ column for Aviation News, so was a

logical person to be approached for a list of

names and addresses – and honoured to

receive one of the few private invitations to

visit ‘Lossie’ on Monday, August 8.

The day before had been the station’s

Families’ Day, and included a static park of

RAF types of the period: heavies such

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 27

Belgian Mirage 5BA wearing 8.8.88 titles on the rear fuselage, specially applied for the

gathering. No.8 Smaldeel’s badge  lls the whole tail of BA08m, which features a cygnet

in folded paper.

Thirty years on, EC8 is still based at Cazaux, France and continues to  y the Alpha Jet.

An Italian Air Force G.91Y – one of two from 8°

Stormo – was among rarer types to attend.

Italy’s 8° Gruppo sent a PD.808 that is assigned to radio

calibration tasks within 14° Stormo. Other units used

them for VIP transport and electronic warfare.

The larger of Italy’s calibration types, the ‘RM’ conversion

of G.222 military transport, attended the event.

Four Shackletons in formation for a  ypast

at the 8-8-88 event. All photos Paul Jackson

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