What an action packed weekend July 20/21st was. There was the choice of relaxing with the family at Billing Aquadrome, spending fortunes on the trade stands at Beltring where just about anything you might want is available, or for those of us with a passion for planes the EMLRA was in attendance at the RIAT. Actually a passion for planes wasn’t entirely necessary as it was a great opportunity to do something different and be a part of one of the largest air shows around. This year’s theme was 100 Years of Flight. Various vehicles and re-enactment groups were intermingled with a display of static aircraft that allowed the visitor to walk through time from the Wright Flyer to the present day. Our vehicles were part of that display.

I arrived at about 1800hrs on Thursday and met up with Wayne Davies and Mike Allmey as they returned from the display area. Which was useful as I had lost the details of the camping area and they not only knew where it was but had also set up camp. As we pitched my 9x9 two F117 Stealth fighters made a low pass overhead and peeled off for landing. We didn’t hear them until they were right above us. As the evening progressed we were treated to the spectacle of aircraft practising aerobatics routines as well as arrivals. Don Higham, who proved to be an endless source of anecdotes and provided much amusement over the weekend, was also at the campsite. The three of them had been trying to find out how the vehicles were to be positioned, a process similar to waiting in casualty with a sprained ankle – there is always something more urgent to attend to. This process was repeated Friday morning.

Not the best way to dry your hair - yes, the engine was running!	The cones weren't being driven over - they were being melted and blown around by the jet blast of the German fighter about to take off. This was some 40 metres in front of us - and his colleague was doing the same thing 40 metres behind us. Sometimes you just have to sit and hope!

Friday is a “yoof” day and the airfield was swarming with Scouts, Cadets etc. Sadly the weather was overcast but this did not stop flying fortunately. By lunchtime we were all in position. Don’s SI and trailer was with an artillery piece amongst a group of 1950s helicopters and my RAF Police 90, Mike’s EOD 110 and a 101 Vampire which Wayne had “borrowed” were between a VC10 and a Rapier missile system which was guarding two Harrier GR3s. It was at this point that we experienced one of the better sides to the show organisation and sat down to eat the packed lunch, which had been provided for all members of staff. Things certainly took a turn for the better at this point, and we discovered that not only did our staff badges entitle us to free meals and use of the shuttle busses but, in unison with a uniform and a purposeful stride, gave extraordinary access around the airfield. The downside of this was fielding questions from members of the general public who assumed us to be far more important and knowledgeable than we really were.

The sunshine came out and it turned into a beautiful evening. As the streams of youths disappeared I spent some time wandering around and photographing the exhibits. Richard and Becky Lock arrived with their 127 Ambulance but it was too late to get it on to the display area. Saturday morning they awakened at 0500 hrs in order to get the necessary passes to access the airfield before the general public, only to suffer the sprained ankle syndrome too. They were eventually on the display by 1000. Rain had been forecast so we all packed wet weather gear. Wayne had heard on his scanner the ground crew advice to “be aware of the babe in the Strikemaster” so we were all being extra vigilant!! The campsite was off base, but only 500 yards from the display pitch; however we had to walk about a mile to get there. This was caused by the peace camp that had set up on the roadside directly outside the campsite in front of Crash Gate 10, and caused the RAF to decide not to allow access via the gate.

As we arrived at the Land Rovers a chap asked if we knew about the vehicles. On learning that we were the owners he explained that he remembered my 90 from his days at RAF Marham and had driven the vehicle on numerous occasions. It is fantastic to meet someone who remembers your vehicle and we had a long chat. One of this chap’s habits was driving round the airfield with a dead rabbit perched on the spare wheel. Apparently there were numerous rabbits and they frequently got run over. Strangely I had opportunity to repeat this detail as one of our furry friends ran out in front of me on the journey home. I didn’t bother though, especially as the trailer got him too.

It is always good to meet the people who used our vehicles in service. Coincidentally someone recognised the VC10 next to us as one on which he had worked and a retired BA stewardess remembered working in them. Another strange coincidence was that the 101 in Wayne’s possession for the weekend had belonged to 14 Signals Regiment and they had a Pinsgauer and other equipment on display. When he went over for a chat and asked if anyone remembered the 101 Land Rovers, he was corrected and told “don’t you mean 110 not 101?” Oh dear. One young lad who visited us is definitely going to be a future club member. He identified all our vehicles correctly and starting with the 101 had his picture taken in each one. Not bad as he was only about 11 years old. [Interruption from Mike at this point: He walked straight up to me and asked if he could have a “closer look at the 101?” This caught me, as he’d not stopped to look at the EW101’s display board, but knew it was a 101 (which put him ahead of the 14 Signals Regiment who were also there, and with whom the 101 had served). So he had his photo taken sitting in the driver’s seat of the 101. Then he correctly identified Richard and Becky Lock’s 127 Ambulance, so wanted his picture taken sitting in that. Then he wanted to know why the front of the 110 was shiny red—and had his picture taken in that, and completed his tour by having his mum take another photo of him sitting in Richard Caney’s RAF Police 90. Then he wanted one of me in front of the 110. Mission over, I handed him a spare copy of the Newsletter. He then turned to cross back over the rope, hesitated, then came back to shake my hand. If this lad doesn’t end up owning a Land Rover, I’ll eat my hat. If I had one.]

Richard Caney trying to work out if it's a 90, 110 or even Dougal under that lot.

There were a number of interesting Land Rovers about. Of particular interest was an extremely tatty 110. Hastily applied sand paint was flaking off and revealing green/black temperate cammo. The vehicle looked a real dog’s breakfast. What was really interesting though was that it had been fitted out to carry a remote controlled plane of the type used for reconnaissance photography. The highlight of the flying display was a flypast of the Red Arrows in formation with a B2 Stealth Bomber. The rain held off and in fact we all got rather sunburned. In the evening we had an impromptu communal barbecue illuminated by the glow of the charcoal and the equally bright glow of our faces.

On Sunday the weather was much brighter and we all slapped on the sun block. The living history displays were excellent and portrayed a WW1 army camp and WW2 RAF dispersal amongst others. These people had really gone to town and the detail was excellent. I had decided to break away from the green and wear the blue RAF uniform and spend more time on the display with the vehicles. I had however neglected the black tie and, although the public didn’t seem to notice, Wayne wouldn’t let me live it down. That’s something to acquire for next time then! Another person recognised my vehicle, unfortunately I was not on the display at the time. It is unusual to meet one person who remembers your vehicle, I was certainly not expecting to meet a second one. I spent the rest of the afternoon on the display in case he returned but it didn’t happen. Fortunately I had brought along a pair of binoculars so Mike and I viewed the aircraft and when there were no aircraft kept abreast of the view around, or was it a view of the breasts around, I got muddled in the heat.

On a sad point the RNAS Yeovilton-based Firefly that crashed at Duxford the previous weekend had been due to attend. The subsequent gap in the display contained two wreaths, a moving reminder that tragedy can strike even the most experienced.

At the close of flying things began to wind down. Richard and Becky departed around 1800hrs taking some 45 minutes to get off the base and back to the campsite. Don decided to retrieve his vehicle on Monday morning and Wayne, Mike and I left at about 1900 hrs. Despite leading in my 90 still resplendent in its RAF Police markings it took us the best part of an hour to get back to the campsite.

Armoured ex-Metropolitan Police 110 V8, now in use by Gloucestershire Constabulary

All in all it was an excellent weekend. There were a few downs, but I think we were just experiencing the ripples of more major problems. There were many really good things too, like the hot showers at the campsites. There was a shop, a burger stall and a bar on the campsite. Not bad considering the site was just a field the previous week. The toilets were kept in good order too, with the inevitable exception of those near the bar. Certainly all of us in attendance had a good time. If the opportunity to go again comes up next year then don’t miss it.