We were so lucky., wrtes Diana Dean - the previous day had been the hottest of the year at 34 degrees. We only had 26 degrees and overcast. The day started with a meandering journey round the peri-track with diversions past a jumbo jet and finally a blue cone chicane: and there she was, Hunter XL 623. (Back in the late 60’s I, together with my colleague Maggie’ from Flight Test walked the whole way round the peri-track for charity. On the way, test pilot Don Riches passed us in an early Harrier. He mouthed ….did we want a lift - we signalled back … we’re fine thanks.)
My husband Mike and eldest daughter Debby, her partner Tim and two children helped put up the marquee. We needed shade and shelter for the day ahead. John and Joe Gardner set up an impressive cooking area with a barbecue and two burners for the extras. The guests started arriving from 11.45 but, due to appalling traffic in Kingston, on the A3 and in Guildford’ some took longer than planned.
Memories of visiting Dunsfold from Kingston and working there in Product Support, test flying, Production and Experimental Hangars, Avionics and of course Flight Test, abounded. Some serious but many funny and nearly all happy. Everyone brought chairs and drinks and 46 of us sat in a large circle. A helicopter landed. There were many aircraft dotted about the aerodrome, probably not all airworthy. A film director came over and apologized if their drone disturbed us. It didn’t but we gave him some cake anyhow. Don’t think we shall feature in some new thriller movie but you never know! After a delicious hearty ‘burger followed by a choice of yummy cakes and coffee, we were able to purchase some of the late Ralph Hooper’s books.
Despite a quick shower of rain at the end, a truly enjoyable day of reminiscences was had by all. The profits from the barbecue were £150 and the book sale made £35 in donations. This money, £185, was given to the Hunter Project.
Talking of reminiscences, back in 1979 a certain fairly newly married Miss Dunsfold Aerodrome, clad in a flying suit, was towed in a Harrier to the Sports Club to start Dunsfold Open Day. She was about a month pregnant but didn’t know it. Some 44 years later, she is here and her daughter and grandchildren helped put up the marquee for Dunsfold Day. “The circle of life.”