Hawk 2001 - 2003 (4)

To set the record straight, the ‘Naked Lady’ badge (9) was awarded to the student pilots on the occasion of their First Solo on the Hawk, to recognise that achievement and to differentiate them from the staff. The badge was not (and never was) worn by the qualified flying instructor (staff) Squadron pilots, who wore the official ‘Gizah Sphinx’ crest with pride.

There was no ‘ban’ (I would not be that dictatorial) and The Sun’s claim that ‘aircrew at the base begged for a copy of the poster’ (of the Page 3 model posing as the ‘Naked Lady’) was highly dubious (10). The reporter claimed to have spoken to the aircrew on Good Friday - some 2 days into the Easter stand down. Even the article itself was a direct lift from comments posted pseudononymously on the ‘PPRuNe’ Website, and not written at all by ‘Reporter of the Year’, John Kay. As I said, Never let the facts get in the way of a good story! I only regret that Miss Jacqui Degg (the model who posed on Page 3) did not actually visit the Squadron at the time. In the words of the late Rik Mayall, I am sure that one of the young pilots would have liked to have taken her to heaven and back! I have, however, brought a framed collection of the Sun articles with me this evening, and I hope you will all enjoy another good laugh at them at my expense.

A more detailed anecdote about The Sun’s article

is planned, and will be available at the following link:

My second appearance in the Sun marked what was the most memorable event of my time in command. This time, however, it was the Toronto Sun, which reported our visit to meet Flt Lt Henry Botterell (11) who, at 104, was the last surviving pilot from WWI and a former member of 208 Squadron to boot. The Sunday Times (13th May) also reported the visit. Finding Henry was the most remarkable coincidence. I am an avid aviation art collector, and I hope you have all enjoyed the 208 Squadron elements of my collection, which I have brought along this evening. To cut a very long story short (which I can tell you in the bar later) I was invited to a book signing by my favourite aviation artist – Robert Taylor. By accident, I found the print of his painting ‘Balloon Buster’ (12), which depicts Flt Lt Henry Botterell of 208 Squadron