A pay increase announced Thursday evening made life that little bit more cheerful on Valentine's Day - a day when Man Mountain Moose received a card which described him amongst other things as 'a god amongst the rest.' Weather was good and allowed the programme of low-level strikes to be continued and individuals in the super new machines to be started. Unfortunately Dez marred the day by having a small incident with a burst tyre, a Hunter and a foot of undershoot.

Working weekends are never cheerfully accepted and miserable faces beheld the miserable meteorological situation on Saturday morning. However, the Met Man said it would clear by ten and so after a short talk by Dai Evans summarising Hunter 6 accidents a break in the cloud appeared and six aircraft disappeared through it. The cloud base then descended, the hole closed up, and a few moments of 'earning flying pay' followed for six steaming pilots. When peace was restored Roy told everyone the little he knew about radar ranging and a halt was called for lunch. A further improvement in the synoptic situation tempted Ray Offord to lead Graham Hounsell into the air at which point they met cloud 200 feet above the airfield - four preparing to get airborne dismounted and became quickly unprepared and joined the remainder who were watching the pair airborne trying to get back to terra firma. Disheartened by two determined but unfruitful attempts to aviate it was decided to wheel in the aircraft and as this task was completed so the weather cleared up to 8/8 blue. By this time Ian McCraig, one of the PAIs with which 208 is inflicted had commenced a lengthy harangue on cine and how it should be done.

Don Brimmers is soon to become a married man and graciously invited all to sup from a barrel he had set up in the bar on Saturday evening so that they might soften the blow of another sucker young bachelor falling foul of feminine charms or celebrate on something.

Sunday was a very fine day and the Botterill - Sheppard organisation conspired to provide ten serviceable aircraft to be flown on much battle and PI sorties after an extremely weather-bound cold front swept through. To end the day 'Sir' led an eight-ship formation around the area to show the flag to the South Coast.

It must be recorded that the social life this week was at max output and with dances every evening for those inclined the 208th pilotry displayed masculine charms at Worthing, Chichester and the local jazz club.

Shocking as it is, even some of the married men attended - however their domestic peace is assured by a cloak of secrecy and threats to Him Wot Writes About It.

Ch 1 - Tangmere 10

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