On the day it all changed. Firstly, the Major got a nasty attack of runaway brain (such as it was) and instead of giving just the two short transmissions that were required (and which he had done through all the practices) he gave us a BBC style running commentary including what the Reviewing Officer’s wife was wearing! Added to this, it sounded from the commentary as though the inspection was going “at speed.” This subsequently proved to be correct – Sir Geoffrey Arthur KCMG seemingly sprinting around the inspection and not stopping to look at, let alone talk, to anyone. Unfortunately, because we could not get a word in edge-wise thanks to the Major’s continuous transmit it took some while to confirm this. When at last I could speak I asked “Have we had the Sword Down yet?”  “Oh yes. About 10 seconds ago.” was the response. A groan from North – “We are going to be right in the middle of the no-go area and it is too late to correct.” Then, in the background to the commentary, the sound of marching feet (thank god we still had hobnail boots in those days). Again, when I could speak – “Have we had the Quick March yet?” “Oh yes, a few seconds ago and the boys are doing really well etc. etc.” At this, North threw the map away. “We are screwed. We are way early but a 360° will just make us too late to correct it.” Damn. Let’s see what these 8 Squadron boys can do? “Hang on guys.” I transmitted. “We are going to do a steep 360° turn, which will put us late, and I will then leave full power on and see what that does for the timing. Going hard right now.”

The timing – by absolutely pure luck – was spot on. We were doing well in excess of 500 knots, about 530-540 if memory serves, at 500 feet and everyone on the ground said it was magnificent; nine black lines with a thundering Hunter on the front of each. Given that I had forgotten to get everyone to bring in the 10° of flap that we all had out – we thought we would be at about 300 knots – nobody had anything much in the way of pitch control and the whole formation was just locked together. Great.

The party that night was also great (except for the Major’s debrief which was quite “pointed”).

-  Rod Dean

   208 Sqn 1969-71

Disbandment Flypast 1971

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