LiSrt
27th Feb 2012, 12:52
My father (who was a navigator in the RAF for many years) died last November, and I'm investigating whether there is any possibility we could have some sort of an "unofficial" flypast at a memorial we're planning for him this Spring (probably early April).
The main question I have is whether this is allowed and remotely possible - I realise it's probably only likely if there was already some sort of exercise planned for the time and thought this forum would be a good place to check before something like writing a letter to the OC at Brize Norton.
(It would be the island of Luing, off the West coast of Scotland: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?sll=56.23,-5.63&z=13) )
The reasons behind this are that the RAF was a large part of his life, of which he definitely had fond memories, and when I was driving to the funeral I saw (completely coincidentally) a French C-130 flying in the same direction as we were going.
For those who are interested, his name was Hugh Smart and he served as a navigator on C-130s, VC10s and (I think) Wessex and Puma helicopters.
Over the years he was based at Lyneham, Finningley, Brize Norton, Cranwell, Mount Pleasant and possibly Aldergrove.
Before retiring, he was a navigator instructor - which is what I suppose most people currently in the RAF would remember if they knew him.
I can provide more information if necessary, please feel free to PM me or reply to this thread.
Even if the response is likely to be "Sorry mate, not going to happen." I'd be happy for friends, or anyone who knew him, to get in touch.
Thanks.
The main question I have is whether this is allowed and remotely possible - I realise it's probably only likely if there was already some sort of exercise planned for the time and thought this forum would be a good place to check before something like writing a letter to the OC at Brize Norton.
(It would be the island of Luing, off the West coast of Scotland: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?sll=56.23,-5.63&z=13) )
The reasons behind this are that the RAF was a large part of his life, of which he definitely had fond memories, and when I was driving to the funeral I saw (completely coincidentally) a French C-130 flying in the same direction as we were going.
For those who are interested, his name was Hugh Smart and he served as a navigator on C-130s, VC10s and (I think) Wessex and Puma helicopters.
Over the years he was based at Lyneham, Finningley, Brize Norton, Cranwell, Mount Pleasant and possibly Aldergrove.
Before retiring, he was a navigator instructor - which is what I suppose most people currently in the RAF would remember if they knew him.
I can provide more information if necessary, please feel free to PM me or reply to this thread.
Even if the response is likely to be "Sorry mate, not going to happen." I'd be happy for friends, or anyone who knew him, to get in touch.
Thanks.