Spur Of The Moment

Had a jolly 125-mile round trip to the open evening at RNAS Merryfield, near Ilminster yesterday, having been alerted to it on Tuesday evening by a flying-fanatic scootering friend.

It was a lovely afternoon/evening for a ride and the trip back was virtually traffic-free.

The event was well-attended and there were several helicopters on display and in the air, including a couple of Merlins, a Lynx or two and a smaller Augusta-Westland aw109 in civilian livery.

One of the Merlins was displaying, pretending to have a malfunction so demonstrating an emergency landing. To the delight of the station fire-brigade, it really did have a minor emergency, so they were able to dash about in their rather fine fire-tenders instead of just sitting watching. That put paid to any more 'Merlin' flying, though.

Merryfield is a sort-of satellite airfield where the RNAS pilots practise flying. The main base is not far away at Yeovilton where there is also a museum as well as being the home of the Royal Navy Historic Flight.

Glad I went.

Key:
Roads - A36, A303, A358, + country lanes.
Ilminster - in the SW part of the SW UK County of Somerset
RNAS - Royal Naval Air Station
RNHF - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Navy_Historic_Flight

MikeO,

In a time when hero and superstar are bandied about, it is good to remember. Thanks for the reminder.





To those real heroes: :not worthy: :not worthy: :not worthy:

Indeed!

It was good to see an 'old faithful' Sea King helicopter there (Sikorsky S-61), still in service.

The Merlins are lovely, though, and are a fitting replacement:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW101

You chaps have a variant, the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_VH-71_Kestrel

I couldn't believe the size of the rotor-blades - they'd make good wings for a light aeroplane!

Spent five years as aircrew on 'junglies' (Sea Kings to you civilian mortals!!) after three years on Wessex 3's.
I keep saying I will go back to Yeovil one day to have a look round the FAA museum. Hopefully they will have forgotten about the kipper we left  hidden in the Officers Mess piano when we embarked back to sea!!