On Wednesday we were waiting, or rather Roy, Kel, Ian Semple and Moose were, for the usual morning visitation by the Sixth Fleet representatives and both sides arrived in the circuit after much banging to herald their approach and fought it out in a doggers which had good spectator value and in which we got some cine on the Crusaders. This was followed in the afternoon by Pete Botterill and John McCallum despatching two Demons over the airfield whilst involved in the Exercise. A diversion of sorts was provided for thse not involved in flying and took the form of replacing the large crewroom tent with another of similar proportions but less tattered condition.

At Senior Wheel level the constant noisy arrival of swept wing aircraft caused annoyance and a large American aircraft arrived and a complaint was made and we were deprived of the fun and games for the remainder of the Exercise which took on a very dull atmosphere for its final stages. But undaunted and mindful of revenge and the British Flag etc, a six led by John Barwell set off on Thursday morning to take the battle to the Saratoga. A little GCI guidance, a quick clearance by radio, a fleet down below and in the lads went - to find themselves involved with an all-metal replica of HMS Ark Royal which suddenly appeared where the Saratoga had been. We can't be perfect all the time, can we?

The Exercise petered to a close on Friday and nothing inspiring happened during the day although the Advance Party to Nicosia set off. On Friday evening a party went to Episkopi to pay it a final visit - it transpired that it was quite a party and Moose not only returned at lunchtime on Saturday but was seen later in the bar drinking….. lime juice! Fortunately Saturday was free and permitted everyone to recover.

Sunday was again a quiet day and was without the chore of Battle Flight at 66 Squadron started to earn their keep on Wednesday and have a week of stand-by. An invitation to visit the Ark Royal which had found its way to Limassol was accepted by John Barwell, Steve and Drac Fraser who confirmed reports that the bar was pleasant but could offer no further details on the remainder of the vessel.

Monday 26th May - Sunday 1st June

By this time those who were on the programme to fly had changed at the start of Monday morning, an exercise had appeared from somewhere - and the programme had all been changed and a leisurely one pair an hour were on state well into the afternoon which happened to be Whit-Monday afternoon although that made no difference. The main thing about Monday was the Farewell Noise Session held in the card room and to which many people had been invited, arrangements were not elaborate and done fairly hastily but the party was a great noisy success; the Station Commander, who noised most ably on the King-box said in a short speech that everyone was sorry to see us go and thanked us for showing the bomber people how to wake the place up.

Ch 2 - Nicosia/Akrotiri 20

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