February 2018 FLYPAST 73STATION MEMORIES 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
a lesser man would have been
apoplectic. It was Roger that saved
the day. He banged the gavel for
good order and, with great aplomb
and quick wit, showed his Admiral
potential: “Gentlemen! I have
often heard of The Immaculate
Conception; this is the first time I
have witnessed it!”
A ‘hats-on’ interview was
forthcoming, but at the end of it The
Bear declared that – notwithstanding
conduct unbecoming squadron
leaders – the Met Balloon Saga had
been a ‘good wheeze’.The full version of this story and others
like it can be read in Out Of The
Blue: The Final Landing, published by
the RAFBFAbove left
Buccaneer S.2 XV154
of 809 NAS, the
visiting Buccaneer
squadron at
Honington in 1970.
VIA NMRNLeft
A met balloon being
launched. VIA ANDY
THOMASBelow
A pair of RAF 12
Squadron Buccaneers.
KEY