HMS RINGTAIL MONUMENT (RNAS BURSCOUGH)

A short Service of Remembrance will be held at the HMS RINGTAIL Monument on Saturday 25 May 2013.  The service will remember the personnel who served at HMS RINGTAIL (RNAS Burscough) and it is open to all who wish to attend.  It would be appreciated if personnel planning to attend the event could contact Richard Houghton on 07961 582 694 so that an estimate of numbers attending can be obtained. People will start gathering from 1015, the Service will commence promptly at 1100.

Members of the RNR Air Branch will be supporting the Battle of the Atlantic (BOA) 70^th Anniversary events in Liverpool over the Bank-Holiday weekend and a small contingent will take the opportunity to visit the site of this former Royal Naval Air Station to pay their respects and lay a wreath, members of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust will also be in attendance.  HMS RINGTAIL was operational between September 1943 and May 1946 and was used for the formation, training and work-up of FAA Squadrons which were able to embark on aircraft carriers in the Irish Sea before moving to operational theatres.  The airfield is no longer in use although several of the hangars are still standing.  The majority of the personnel who served at HMS RINGTAIL were members of the RNVR(Air); today’s RNR Air Branch is an integral part of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Reserve and is the direct descendant of the RNVR(A).

Link to site of Monument

Click here to view/download the Ringtail document

FAABA  REUNION COVENTRY JUNE 2013

At the 2013 FAABA Reunion it is expected that on Sunday 9^th June we will be unveiling and dedicating the Buccaneer Association Plaque which will form part of the Fleet Air Arm Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. To facilitate getting everyone to the NMA who wish to attend and who will be returning to the hotel for Sunday afternoon/night; we would like to book a coach. As we need to book this ahead of the reunion we would ask everyone who requires use of the coach and who is prepared to pay a small nominal amount towards the journey to contact Robin Harper at robinH@fleetairarm.com before April 30^th to let us know if they need a seat(s).

The 2013 Reunion is now getting closer and those that haven't yet booked are asked to inform Brian shortly if they intend to come. The Royal Court Hotel at Coventry is the venue again this year and it runs from Friday 7th June until Sunday 9th June. The all inclusive cost per person are as listed in the table below.

LATEST FNF MEETING - 15TH FEBRUARY

The minutes from the eighteenth Federation meeting are available to view using the "Fly Navy Federation" button on the Left Hand Menu or by clicking here. Russ Harding Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm since September 2012 also attended the FNF Meeting and briefed those present giving his opinions on the current state of the FAA, a statement from the Admiral’s office on this briefing can be viewed here or on the FNF Page.

LATEST NEWS

Maiden Flight of first Navy Wildcat helicopter

The first Wildcat Attack Helicopter to be delivered to the Royal Navy has successfully taken its first flight at Yeovil in Somerset, the MoD announced today (Monday 28th January). Link to article

Video link

FAA pilot announced as new 1st Sea Lord

Following a 43-year career with the Royal Navy, Sir Mark Stanhope is to stand down as First Sea Lord in April and will hand over the baton to Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond today, 24 January, made the announcement that Admiral Zambellas will succeed Sir Mark as the Chief of the Naval Staff. Link to article

'ASSOCIATIONS OF THE FAA' SUNDAY - 24TH MARCH

Members of FAA Associations and members of the FNF around the country attended 'Associations of the FAA Sunday' on March 24th (Palm Sunday)

The ceremony was well attended and the pictures below of the ceremony were supplied by Alan Breward. Click on images to view full size.

BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC COMMEMORATION EVENT, LIVERPOOL 2013

Would you like to attend the Battle of the Atlantic 70th Anniversary commemoration service, which is to be held in Liverpool Cathedral on Sunday 26th May 2013?

Click on this link to download a copy of the Application Form

A list of coming events can be viewed here

More details and application forms for the other events taking place both in Liverpool and London will follow when released.

Please notify Brian Stanley at defstan1@hotmail.com if you are going to submit an application, this will allow him to co-ordinate numbers, make arrangements to meet up and keep you updated quickly in view of any changes.

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS GREENWICH VISIT 11TH MAY 2013

CHARITY RECEPTION SATURDAY 11TH MAY 2013 AT 18.00

HMS Illustrious will be moored on the buoy at Greenwich. A boat service will be available from Greenwich Pier. The evening will include a flypast by the Royal Navy’s historic Swordfish and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will Beat Retreat.

Ticket Price £30.00 per head. All proceeds will go to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Battle of the Atlantic Appeal to keep the Swordfish flying.

Application form in pdf format is available to download here

HMS BULWARK LIVERPOOL VISIT 24TH MAY 2013

CHARITY RECEPTION FRIDAY 24TH MAY 2013 AT 18.00

HMS Bulwark will be berthed in the Canada Dock, approx. a mile NW of the Liver Building. There is plenty of car parking available. The evening will include a flypast by the Royal Navy’s historic Swordfish.

Ticket price is £30.00 per head. All proceeds will go to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Battle of the Atlantic Appeal to keep the Swordfish flying.

Application form in pdf format is available to download here

FAABA ON FACEBOOK

From the 20th November we have set up a Facebook page to assist in getting feedback and to help attract new members; the web page will still be the main page for publishing information to members but we will probably put a link to new articles on the Facebook page. Those members who use Facebook (especially those using mobile devices) will find it easier to keep up with changes on the website through these links. The Guestbook will remain and we hope people will keep posting there, any important info from the Facebook page will be put onto the website.

You don't need to join Facebook to view this page as it is "open", Click on the link or button below to view the page, if you are a Facebook user you can post pictures or comments and use the "Like" button to create a link on your Facebook menu.

http://www.facebook.com/FleetAirArmBuccaneerAssociation

RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY 13TH JULY 2013

The FNHT Supporters Marquee is available for the use of all Heritage Trust Members

To view Air Day pictures from last year on Flickr ... Click Here

The Yeovilton Air Day facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/yeoviltonairday

For more information use this link to our Yeovilton Air Day Page

UK ARMED FORCES (SERVING & VETERANS) Air Day 2013 Ticket Booking Form

RNAS CULDROSE AIR DAY 24TH JULY 2013

More information is available on the Visit Cornwall Website... Here

The Culdrose Air Day facebook and RN Pages are not yet available

CANDLELIGHT CONCERT AT ST BART'S CHURCH, YEOVILTON, SEPTEMBER 2013

The Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church are holding a Candlelight Concert on the 6th September. those wishing to attend are advised to log on to the church website at http://www.faamc.co.uk nearer to the date to obtain more information.

The church also have a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheFleetAirArmMemorialChurch

FLY NAVY HERITAGE TRUST SUPPORTERS OPEN DAY AT RNAS YEOVILTON, OCTOBER 2013

Become a member and spend the day with us at the Royal Navy Historic flight on the 5th of October. The day will include tours of the hangar, a chance to meet the Historic flight team, lunch and presentations and forum. More details to follow soon

To find out more about becoming joining our supporters club follow the link below FNHT Supporters Club

More information is available from the FNHT

A Swordfish of the RN Historic Flight

NEW CARRIER BUILD 2013 UPDATE

View from the dockside on March 29th 2013 showing  a familiar shape

Final hull section added, On Wednesday March 20th teams at the ACA lifted the heaviest section yet. In a four and a half hour Operation

Inside of FD Section CB04 showing level of finish

Flight deck Section CB04 Sections C & D about to leave Cammell Laird

The final hull section was fitted on March 20th and the Rudders have been added. On the Flight Deck the Forward Island is now in place and the After Island is nearing completion at Scotstoun.

Click on pictures to view full size

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbiY3I2LmS0

Click here to Read/Download the May 2012 edition of Carrier Waves

FAABA BANNER

The Association has a dedicated FAABA banner which is used at all FAABA and FNF events. It is a free standing banner approx 6 foot by 2 foot and can be seen by clicking on the link below .It is available for all to use for any function they see fit, RNA or FAA dinners etc and is kept   by Robin Harper at the FAA Museum. Anyone requiring this banner is responsible for arranging delivery and return and any costs associated with the loan. There is also a FNF banner which we have access to, same rules apply. Applications for requirements through your Area Representative.

Click here for large image