‘Fighter Pilot’ in the 1980s (and also having served with John McRea), we worked very carefully with the ‘Beeb’ to ensure what they produced was a completely accurate reflection of the Squadron and its work. Nonetheless, it was a fascinating year, which resulted in the 6-part BBC2 series ‘Combat Pilot’ (26), which was broadcast nationally in early
2004, to very favourable reviews. Certainly, it gives a detailed insight into the Squadron’s activities at the time and, I hope, will be a valuable historic record.
See the ‘Combat Pilot’ Series in the Video Gallery here:
I was also 
privileged to lead a 4-ship flypast of Perth to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of El-Alamein on 26th October 2002 (27), thus linking the exploits of the Squadron of the past with the training task of the present. At the time, there were only 4 squadrons still flying that had served in the battles of El-Alamein. Launching out of RAF Leuchars, a Dominie of 55 Squadron and a Hercules of 70 Squadron were followed by a ‘box-4’ of Jaguars from 6 Squadron (the Flying Canopeners) and a ‘box-4’ from 208 Squadron (the Flying Shuftis). All aircraft flew down the main parade line, after which both the 6 Squadron and 208 Squadron elements returned to fly a ‘missing man’ finger-4 formation over the saluting base to honour fallen comrades. This was also the day of the association reunion so, following the flypasts, in one of the longest Hawk sorties I have ever flown (1:40) I flew on to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire and then onwards by train to London to the Club, where I was also honoured to meet 2 former members of the Squadron who had served at the time of the Battle of El-Alamein. At that same Reunion Dinner in October 2002, an outstanding display season by Flight Lieutenant Rich Hillard, earned him the coveted Bromet Trophy and a C-in-C’s Commendation for excellence in the air.
But 2002 was 
predominantly a hectic flying year as we chased our target of 84 sorties per day. Fun was officially banned by the Air Staff (28) at Headquarters as they removed anything that could possibly distract us from the task, to squeeze yet another quart out of a pint pot that had already produced gallons! So, how did we achieve a more than 50% increase in our flying rate (within existing resources, of course…)? Basically, it involved an analysis of everything that the Squadron did to determine
