15/02/2014 A Rather Special Day - XM655's 30th. Anniversary
The day had been expertly planned by a small group headed by our Events Co-ordinator Damaris Tapp. XM655 (and MaPS) is obviously held in such high esteem by everyone associated with it, that despite the appalling weather over the previous few days almost every single person who had been invited arrived at Wellesbourne at the allotted hour. The event officially started with MaPS Events Coordinator Damaris Tapp, who welcomed the assembled company and then introduced MaPS Chairman, Charles Brimson.
The South Warwickshire Flying School was transformed (courtesy of its Principal, Rodney Galiffe) into the hub of the event . A large cake was baked specially and took centre stage as invited guests arrived to celebrate the event with volunteers who had worked so hard to both restore and preserve 655 in fully operational (if not airworthy) condition.
XM655s Anniversary Cake
We had invited a large guest list including former MaPS volunteers, aircrew associated with XM655, representatives from the Vulcan Restoration Trust at Southend, Vulcan to the Sky Trust at Finningley and local dignitaries.
The day started with MaPS Events Co-ordinator Damaris Tapp, who welcomed the assembled company and introduced MaPS Chairman, Charles Brimson.
MaPS Events Co-ordinator Damaris Tapp welcomes all our visitors.
This was followed by Charles giving a presentation covering the history of XM655 at Wellesbourne, which was very well received.
MaPS Chairman Charles Brimson gives the presentation.
Following the presentation, our Guest of Honour Wilbs Wilson, who was Co-Pilot on XM655's delivery flight, cut the cake.
Left-Right:Sqn Ldr Martin Withers, Wg Cdr Mike Pollitt, Charles Brimson, Sqn Ldr Barry Masefield & Wilbs Wilson.
As we failed to get photographs of the annual presentation for most best performing cadet of 150 City of Oxford Sqn. ATC at the 2013 Wings and Wheels event, we took this opportunity to rectify the omission!
The MaPS Trophy was awarded to Sgt Finlay Moncur and presented by Sqn Ldr Barry Masefield who originally donated the trophy, an Olympus compressor blade.
The runner-up award was presented to Cpl Richelle Bartlett.
The MaPS Runner-up was awarded to Cpl Richelle Bartlett and presented by Sqn Ldr Barry Masefield.
Other VIP visitors included the Cllr Chris Mills, Chairman of Stratford District Council with his wife, AVM Nigel Baldwin, past 50 Sqn OC, 3 generations of the Littler family, owners of XM655 and David Close, Chairman of Wellesbourne Parish Council and his wife.
Cllr Chris Mills, Chairman of Stratford District Council with his wife Susan.
Once the formalities were over, it was time for Wilbs Wilson to re-unite himself with the co-pilots seat he occupied on the last time XM655 flew on its delivery flight to Wellesbourne.
Wilbs Wilson takes his old P2 seat in XM655 (accompanied by Wg Cdr Mike Pollitt, out of shot in the P1 seat).
In sunny but windy conditions, the assembled company, guests and volunteers lined up in front of XM655 for the group photograph
The assembled company line up before the real star of the show, XM655.
Following the photo-call, our visitors were treated to a systems demonstration with the powered flying controls, navigation lights, landing lights, bomb doors and airbrakes all being operated.
All photographs Copyright©Clive Hanley
