33 Squadron Association
 

33 Squadron remains one of the most senior Squadrons in theRoyal Air Force that does not have an Association. To that end the 33 SquadronAssociation will form on the 12th January, 2013. This poignant datemarks 96 years since the formation of the Squadron at Filton.

The Association will be formed to foster the unique spiritof 33 Squadron and all current serving and ex-serving Squadron personnel areinvited to join. Personnel who have had a connection with the Squadron are alsowelcome to apply.

For further information please contact MembershipSecretary(at) gmx.com

Are you really sure there is no 33 Sqn Association or is it just that they are perhaps not 'alongside' the active squadron as they could be?

A good friend, who flew Hornets on 33 in Malaya and was then a big cheese when the squadron reformed with Puma, has reported several occasions in recent years when he has been to a reunion bash.

I will email him this morning and report back!

Good luck with the new body, however. I'm sure a trawl of those ex-33 bods who attended 'Puma 40' at Benson would probably know if I am mistaken.

Old Duffer

Old Duffer,

I would appreciate it if you did contact your friend to confirm the existenceof a current Association. I am aware of RAF Butterworth and Penang Association,maybe that is where your friend reunites?

As a member of the Squadron for a number of years and a previous SqnHistorian I would very much welcome the existence of a current Association onwhich to build with the newer (Puma) generation of members.

Regards,

Membership Secretary

Duff Gen
 

Sorry, Membership Secretary,

I gave you duff gen. The guys in question are ex-33 Butterworth/Hornet days and don't claim to be a fully functioning squadron association. My apologies but perhaps I should give them your details.

Old Duffer

It would be nice if, since you're starting an association, you could spend the time and small amount of cash to grab a fitting domain name. Funnily enough 33squadron.co.uk is available as is .org and .net...

You'd look right classy if you could rustle up the wherewithal to acquire one of them... :ok:

33? Let's face it, who would want to admit...... :E

Prejudices aside... :D:D:D

Airborne Aircrew - I totally agree. However, taking the step to advertise the formation to gain interest and start the ball rolling was the number one priority. I have looked into the concept of a website or forum but I will leave that up to a suitably qualified member of the Association who is able to dedicate the time and skills that a simple website will require. Having been 'burnt' trying to have too many roles I am more than happy to form the Association and remain the Membership Secretary and dedicate 100% to that instead of 33% ;) to a number of roles!!

I did do time on 33. Unfortunately it was under the command of a certain wellington boot wearing, great coated grizzly person at the time.

I have since recovered.

The PPRUNE Moderators are being a little slow in moderating my previous responses so I am posting on my original username that I use for lurking:ugh:

Airborne Aircrew - Excellent idea. Something I consider to be a must sometime in the future. My number one priority was, and is, to form the Association and gauge interest through a number of mediums. Having been 'burnt' previously by wearing too many hats I shall leave the webmastery to a suitable qualified member of the Association who can dedicate the time and skill to building and maintaining a website.

Suprised no one had the Hart to do this earlier...... :O


.

Making Amends
 

Mem -Sec,

After my earlier faux pas, I think I need to make amends.

I am involved wth a group of ex-(mainly) RAF helicopter operators and amongst our number we count six former sqn cdrs of 33 and a shed load of others who flew with the unit or kept those airborne who did..

I will pass the word of the formation of the squadron association and I feel certain there will be many takers. As I did not have the opportunity to serve with 33 or any other Puma unit, I shall be unable to join you.

Old Duffer

Request for membership........
 

As I was on No 3 Puma Course and helped form 33 Sqn at 'RAF Long Sutton' could I be Member No 3 please?
About time too. It had been muted several times in the past but now I think it is time for action. I'd be delighted to take on an appointment to assist. I was the Sqn historian when TJ was boss :D
Cheque nearly in the post.....

I have tried to ask for information but the email address keeps getting thrown back at me.

Fareastdriver - I have PM'd you.

Many thanks for the response so far. I see in excess of 800 people have looked at this thread. If you are considering joining please send me an email.

Response has been steady but I would love to see alot more emails.

Memb Sec.......
 

Could you pl also pm me the details as mine throws me out as well!!
By the way I would LOVE to be the Sqn historian as I've said I have done it before and in my tenure we discovered loads of new and very interesting detail and I secured most of the WW11 photos and collated them into the large volumes which the sqn did have years ago.
Cheers

As a 33 old boy I've also registered an interest.

Is the Mig 21 cockpit procedures trainer in the crewroom still? Steve M and I liberated that on Op Determinant (if it is, our message to the aircrew may still be on the reverse). Try as we might, we couldn't get the Mig's cannon out with a Leatherman, mind.

http://www.echelonwealthcare.co.uk/s..._n-300x201.jpg

Me, next to a Mig.

http://www.echelonwealthcare.co.uk/s..._n-300x222.jpg

Me with the ball. The US 6th Fleet United States Marine Corps rugby team quiver in their boots (as well they might).

http://www.echelonwealthcare.co.uk/s..._n-300x201.jpg

A nice shot of an old, struggling, wheezy thing. And a Soviet transporter.

http://www.echelonwealthcare.co.uk/s..._n-300x201.jpg

Brazaville or Libraville. Group Captain Mike Heath was the DetCo - a good bloke.

Many thanks for those who have emailed to register an interest. We now have a bank account and emails have gone out with updates and the necessary forms to fill in and return.

The 33 Squadron Association goes from strength to strength. Formed on the 12th January, 2013 the numbers are steadily growing. Air Cdre Paul Lyall has graciously agreed to become our President and we have a plan to commemorate the formation of the Association with a gathering at the National Arboretum in April.

The Association now has a forum based website designed and hosted by PPRUNEs very own Airbourne Aircrew. My heartfelt (hartfelt!) thanks go to him for his patience and perserverence with my many requests!! The website can be found at www.33sqnassociation.co.uk

Sorry about the long flash to bang time, but I thought that was funny! :)

Never had much to do with 33 directly...too busy having "fun" over on the OCU!