"bryn wayt" <bry-@...> wrote:
original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/203sqn/?start=30
> Hi Danny,
> Welcome aboard..........I too hope to see more of your Nimrod buddies
> registering.
> I obviously missed you on 203. As you know, 203 had Shacks and Nimrods
> operating together in Malta for a short time; I was Shacks and then
moved to
> Nimrods (206) in 1972.
> Cheers
> Bryn
> Hi Bryn We probably have met in the past. I left 206 in Nov 74 to
join 203. I am attempting to contact John Legassick and Mick Burdass.
Danny

>
>
>
>

Hi Danny,
Welcome aboard..........I too hope to see more of your Nimrod buddies
registering.
I obviously missed you on 203. As you know, 203 had Shacks and Nimrods
operating together in Malta for a short time; I was Shacks and then moved to
Nimrods (206) in 1972.
Cheers
Bryn

Hi this is Danny Mellor
I was on the Sqn between Nov 74 until the disbandment. From the folk in
the group so far I only recognise Al Hessel and Colin Pomeroy.
Hopefully a few more Nimrod members will register. I look forward to he
bash.

Hi guys,
Good to see the numbers growing. Maybe you will recall Phil Zarraga (203 BK
and Malta) and ex-Chief Pilot of JCB.  I was on the phone to him today, and
he is "up for it too".
He has yet to plug in his modem - but watch this space.  Ted Buddin will be
signing in soon - likewise !!
Cheers
Bryn

Hi to all at eGroup-203,
I have just received a telephone call from Don Dick advising me about
the group and Colin's excellent suggestion of a reunion in Malta.
Having now found the web site I shall be paying regular visits, hoping
to catch a sight of even more recognisable names from our common (OK
not so common) history.
Kind regards
Gordon

Hi Alan,
Sounds like a nice cosy arrangement !   The numbers are growing slow, but
sure, but I've learned of a few of my Shack friends (like Benny Surgeoner)
passing
away, but apart from that they all seem as good as ever.
Talking of health - Pete Williams is out of the "High Dependency Unit" and
into a side ward, where he continues to make good progress.

What kind of "new" PC (specs) are we talking about Alan - and was the price
right ?
Cheers,
Bryn

Hi, Alan Hessle here. I'm using Dave Mortons
email address for a short while until my new
machine is ready. How is everyone?

Alan Hessle, RaceMetradar@...

Hi Bryn,
I was Maersk based out of Stockholm and Monarch intitally Luton then
Berlin.
To live in one house for 20yrs or more and with the Mk1 as well is like
winning the lottery .  .  .  .  .
Life will continue at LHR on the 757 and DHL are buying them all so its a
good insurance type to have. It sounds as though LGW is going back 20 yrs
as far as
turmoil is concerned with the sword of the big D hanging over the base -
threats of 35% cuts etc. You're better out of it believe me. And they keep
on building
sodding great gin palaces everywhere.
Regards
Dave.

Hello Dave,
Good to hear from you - the past is so far behind us now, 30 odd years, yet
the Shack times I remember so well (Nimrod too I suppose !). Carol and I did
as you did, and went back to Malta in Nov 89, and were quite amazed at the
changes
since Mintoff kicked us out. The Mess, Kalafrana, no Barrel and Basket, the
roads  -  but our butcher remembered our name............he said, "I know, I
know....don't tell me....."   We didn't, and out he came with Carol Wayt !
We must have been good customers !!!  Big smiles and more meat you might
say after 17 years.

The Key West detachment I do remember very well, for several reasons, not
least "B.D.A."  Remember what that stands for ?   Will he be with us in
Malta  ?
Sad to hear about poor Benny.

As we get further into how many are going and when, I dare say Colin will
call for "transport arrangements", so when the dust settles, I'm sure my
charter contacts will be ready to quote. Maybe we can persuade Air Malta to
do a deal ?   There are so many "deals" these days on the 'net' and in the
papers it might pay to get a flight only deal for our group..........we'll
see.

It's good the word is spreading by all means available - maybe we can get a
update every six months or whatever of names intent at being there ?

Take care Dave.

Ps  I speak to Phil now and then and get his news too.




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Hello there David,
Good to see your name appear in the same breath as 203Sqn.
Not long to go then before you hang up the "SWORD" (nudge, nudge...).
Will the 757 'posting' be anywhere in particular or still at LHR ?
What independants did you make use of your 737 rating with ?

From the Nimrod to the Comet was an easy step - the way of life far
different as you know.  After BA bought DA my passion for flying rapidly
declined and I was only too happy to call it a day when I reached 55 in Apr
98.
I'm doing bugger all in the way of "gainful employment" and enjoying it very
well down here in East Sussex.
We have been here, in the same house, for over 20 years........that's a
posting egh !

Don't worry about the duplication due to the 'call-waiting' - it's all good
fun.

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Bryn,
A bit of a blast from the past all this you know. Still its a great
idea. We went back a few years ago and the flats we lived in are now the
Alexandria Hotel in Paceville. Wonder if I could get a hiring there now!
Even the Barrel and Basket at Mtarfa was closed down.
You mentioned XF 708 at Duxford, I haven't seen it there but I have got
a picture of it looking very cold and lonely covered in snow at Gander
on the way to Key West way back in March 68. I remember it very well
because I sat in it for ages running those very lethal heaters to melt
the fuselage ice. All because a certain Commander (not you I might add)
would not put it into a heated hangar overnight. You must remember that
you were the first pilot at the time. The very young Bryndley Wyat.
  It was a good night in The Albatross Hotel though. I still remember the
guy at Gander Airport asking me what world War 11 Bomber it was!!
I do have Phil Z's telephone number and still get a Christmas card from
them so you could say we are still in touch.
You mentioned Benny Surgeoner and I hate to say this but I do believe
that he is no longer with us.
Thats enough for now. Look foward to looking at future developments.
Regards, Dave.
P.S. Will I be able to get Staff Travel rates on your charter?!!

Hello Bryn,
I've passed the last 10 years in B.A. one on the classic and 9 on the -400
which saves
having to exert very much. Since leaving from Kinloss in 1975, I worked my
way around the
independants on 73s and the like but the lure of long haul was tempting.
Two and a half to
go to retirement which will all be on the 757 from Jan 00. How about you?
PS I had a 'call
waiting' interuption on my first contact which explains the duplication but
I cant seem to get in to
delete one of them - do you have the knowledge?

Hello John,
As you say, I hope the good wine is 25c/bottle........but I doubt it.
Good that Cy got in touch with you.  The word is getting round !
That is going to be quite a journey for you if you are travelling from New
Scotland !!
Cheers just now,
Bryn

David Morton checking in.  How is everybody?
e-mail is RaceMetRadar@...
tel 01628 486680

Hi
John McGrory her.
At great expense, Cy Phoned me in Nova Scotia about the reunion.
Great idea! and will start saving the pennies.
Hope the "Good " wine in malta is still only 25c a bottle.
Will keep in touch
Regards to all
John

Brilliant John,
Good for Dave of the clan Bidgood !!
We are very pleased to hear from you, and glad you called in here......keep
coming along.
Have you still got your "A" Cat badge  ?
I dare say you have read Colin's 'post' and know the score so far ?  He will
be getting more concrete news and ideas down at a later date. As he says, we
need to spread the word.
I'm not sure if Dave's got Phil Zarraga's phone number (he is not email
equipped as yet) but I'm sure he and Anne would be pleased to hear from him
(and you !)  surprise him on 01509 231 311.
He should be settling into his semi-retirement now from JCB.
Have you ever popped into Duxford and seen XF 708 (C) ?   It's been taking
the worst of the weather and looks a bit tatty and a bent prop, makes it a
bit sad.

You're not too far from Ted Buddin, he lives in Freckenham, near Bury
St.Edmunds. He is still flying for AirUK/KLM.  We keep in touch a lot.
You will have Cy and Ann's Hesketh's email from here, and the news of Pete
Williams, so I'll leave that.
Benny Surgeoner is back in Ireland and I have lost contact with
him............anybody got a contact number for Benny ?    Sad about Johnny
Johnstone eh.
That will do just now.........will send more another day.
Cheers
Bryn

Hello
This is John Burkey, Dave Bidgood spoke to me tonight and mentioned
this web sight so here we are. I live in Cambridgeshire near St Ives
and am self employed and currently working for DERA Malvern. Seems a
long time since Ive spoken to some of the old members of 203 so would
welcome some news from anyone.
Cheers
John

Hi folks,

As I have been the cause of all the initail reunion activity, I thought
that I ought to put a few words down as to my thoughts.

Last November I organised a reunion for Colin Hughes's Nimrod crew to
celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our winning the Fincastle trophy
Competition down in Adelaide, and after dinner the conversation turned
to us possibly holding our next get-together (groundcrew and
aircrew)back in Malta. This expanded when some of the non-Huggis
groundcrew contacted me regarding the chances of making it a whole 203
(Nimrod) Sqn reunion.Then Bob Hall at Northwood said "What about making
it a 203 Sqn - The Malta Years (ie: 1969 to 1978) Reunion?", so that is
what we are now talking about.

I've already had a goodly few ex-203 members contact me and it does
look as if this could be a 'goer'. Sometime early next year I hope to
be in a position to send out some firm thoughts on what we should do
out on the George Cross Island (in addition to just "doing our own
things") and will be seeking help in specific areas such as group
flight bookings, hotel accommodation [I have loacted one of my ex
co-pilots who now lives in Malta and should be able to help here],
possibly set up a savings scheme (monthly bankers orders?) to ease the
financial burden in 2002, etc, etc.

I have been thinking along the lines of about 5 days in Malta, taking
in the old haunts (Luqa, Hal Far, Kalafrana, etc) and visting places of
likely interest such as the new Aviation Museum at T''qali and the War
Museum at St Elmo (both of which have Nimrod and Shackleton material),
the War Bunker at vvalletta, etc. I would be best if we were all to
stay at one large hotel and end the reunion with a decent dinner event.
i also thought it would be nice to meet up with the ex RAF Malta
locally engaged personnel and, maybe, Brian Lucas could set up a church
service if we were to being staying over a Sunday?

I guess that that is enough from me for now. Please do get in touch and
let me know your thoughts and - PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.

Colin Pom

I know you know all about Malta, but just in case you need more gen
I've put a great 'link' that has just about everything about Malta
there.
See the toolbar "Links"
Cheers 203

Hello Everybody
Just checking in.
What a cracking idea of Colins, I have placed the family on short
rations in order to save enough Maltese whatevers for the trip.

Cy Hesketh

Spider Webb here have logged on hoping to hear from lots of old
friends????
and the odd PILOT

    Luv Spider

Hello there all ex 203 Sqn members,

I had a call from Cy Hesketh (my old...in the kindest manner...1st siggy) who
had heard that Colin Pomeroy had started the ball rolling for a Sqn reunion on
or around spring 2002 (the 50th year of the first COMET flight).
The idea of this egroup is to have a central depostory of all manners of things
to do with that smashing idea.
So.....let's get Colin's idea rolling.......shortets or the right, tallest on
the left....FALL IN.  Don't worry, it will be totaly informal..ha ha !!

Cheers,

Bryn Wayt
Ballykelyy and Malta 203'er