Archived News Items 2004 updated 8Aug05

Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive

Information Request

Bill Cross asks if anyone remembers Robert Tant who worked at Claremont during the war. Robert was killed by a flying bomb on 29 June 1944. If you have any information please E-mail the Webmaster using the link in the banner, or contact Barry Pegram.

The Christmas Lunch
on 8 December 2004 was very successful and enjoyed by around 66 members.

On Wednesday 8 December at 12.30 for 1.00 pm there will be the second Hawker Association Christmas Lunch at the Hawker Centre.

Tickets at £15 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We are able to take bookings until the end of November. Please contact Percy Collino on 020 8337 8143 ASAP. Details.

On Tues 26 Oct members are invited to join the BAES Kingston Retirement Association Walk 34 details, Note time is 15 minutes earlier than originally published, now 10:45 for 11:00

BAES RA Walk 34,
26 October 2004 story

Test Pilot Training

Air Vice Marshall Mike Adams, sometime Operational Requirements Officer flying Harriers at Dunsfold, spoke to the Association on October 13th 2004 on the subject of training test pilots at the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS), of which he was the Commandant.

Founded in 1943 at Boscombe Down, moved to Cranfield in 1945, to Farnborough in 1947 and back to Boscombe Down in 1967. Retaining its politically incorrect Empire title, the School is still teaching pilots from all over the world to test all types of aircraft. Story

Chris Farara

On Wednesday 8 September there will be a video (subject to availability of YMCA equipment) and a social gathering in the YMCA Hawker Centre at 2 pm. Committee members will also be meeting at 11:30 am

Middle Wallop visit on 1st September 2004 story

On Wednesday 1 September there will be a visit to the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop. See the programme for details.

On Wednesday 11 August there will be a Video and Members meeting socially.

Newsletter 6 (Summer 2004) is available online.

Pegasus Designer Talks to Association

On 14th July 2004 Gordon Lewis gave a detailed and fluent talk on the origins and development of the Pegasus. It was he who took Wibault's swivelling nozzle concept and developed it into the vectored thrust Pegasus around which Ralph Hooper designed the P.1127.

It was a privilege to hear this
fascinating story told in the first person. A full report is in the Autumn 2004 Newsletter. Bigger Picture (16kb) by Michael Pryce.

Chris Farara

Newsletter 5 (Spring 2004) and the programme for 2004 are available online.

Duncan Simpson is giving a talk at the Brooklands Museum on Tuesday 29th June at 7.00pm in aid of the appeal for St Martha's Church, Guildford. This is the resting place of Sir George and Lady Edwards.

The title of the talk is "From Comet to Harrier", and tickets, price £15, can be obtained from the campaign office on 01483-302136

The very successful BBQ on the 9 June was blessed with perfect weather for the 56 members and guests attending. Story & Pictures 46kb

The AGM on 24 April had a full house with over 40 members attending. John Glasscock agreed to being nominated as President. All the existing committee, except for Gordon Jefferson, were willing to continue for another year; also Les Palmer, Ken Batstone and Jan White join the committee.

BAES RA Walk 33, 20 April 2004 story

On 10 March 2004 Gordon Hodson gave over 60 members a very interesting insight into the Hawk development for use on land and sea. The US Marines expect the Goshawk to be in service until 2035; what an amazingly long time into the future. Story

With Regret we announce that Wally Rayner died on Thursday 20 May 2004. The funeral was at the Kingston Crematorium, Bonner Hill Rd, at 11am on Friday 28 May. His daughter asks for no flowers
Any donations should be made to Wildlife Aid, c/o Garner’s Funeral Services Ltd, 1 & 2 Wolverton House, .Wolverton Avenue, Kingston on Thames, Surrey, KT2 7QE.

On Wed 12 May there will be a talk by Jock Heron on Harrier Operations in Germany. Committee members will also be meeting at 11:30 am.

The First Annual General Meeting of the Hawker Association is on Saturday 24 April in the Hawker Centre at 2 pm; please attend this important landmark event and help direct the future of the Association.

On 20 April the BAES Retirement Association Kingston invites all Hawker Association members to join them on John Arthur’s Walk 33, Loxwood - London's Lost Route to the Sea - More

On 14 Apr there will be a video and social gathering in the YMCA Hawker Centre at 2 pm. Committee members will also be meeting at 11:30 am.

On 10 Mar there will be a talk by Gordon Hodson on ‘Hawk on Land and Sea’ in the YMCA Hawker Centre at 2 pm.

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On 11 February 2004 Dave King explained the function and working of the AAIB to Association members.

On 14 Jan there will be a video and social gathering in the YMCA Hawker Centre at 2 pm. Committee members will also be meeting at 11:30 am.

The Committee wish all members a Happy and Prosperous new year

WARNING

We have all done it BUT never ever leave your keys in the car if you aren’t sitting in it.

On his way to a committee meeting one of our members stopped at the post box by the garage in Richmond Road, switched off and got out to post a letter. Some one sprinted across the road, jumped in, hit the central locking and drove off with his car.