Not long ago I got a chance to attend one of the fantastic photocall evens hosted at RAF Northolt, with all the money being raised from the event going to charity it was very generous of 32(TR) Squadron to host a group of photographers for the evening (and of course the cafe in the terminal for the excellent bacon butties!).
Unfortunately due to a few technical gremlins the RAF Merlin and Metropolitan Police Helicopters were unable to attend the evening, however the rest of the evening went off without a hitch with everyone turning up on time before being briefed and then let loose onto the pan in front of the 32 Squadron hangers where the residents and visitors were waiting.
This Sea King HAR3A of 22 Sqn’s B Flight from Wattisham was waiting for the photographers when everyone turned up before the crew returned to start up the helicopter for their return to Wattisham.
A Puma HC1 from 33 Sqn RAF Benson was also sitting on the pan when everyone arrived, only to depart shortly after the Sea King. After they left everyone was left with photographing the home team of BAe125’s and Augusta A109’s
One of 32(TR) Squadron’s Augusta A109 helicopters sits on the pan before the OC of 32(TR) Squadron took one of the helicopters up for a hover before landing again on the pan a few minutes later.
The final aircraft we were permitted to photograph was one of the BAe125’s which was sat on the pan waiting for passengers to embark. Of course before long everyone had finished photographing the aircraft and many ended up in the cafe in the terminal to enjoy some of the delicious bacon butties.
Afterwards everyone agreed that it was a great evening spent enjoying the evening our hosts for the evening had put on for us.
With many thanks to Phil Dawe for organising the evening, OC32 (The Royal) Squadron Wing Commander Steve Pitcher for hosting everyone for the evening, and Station Commander, Group Capitan Guy van den Berg for supporting the event.
