There are no prizes of any kind whatsoever for Crickley readers of this blog for identifying who might be piloting this Qinetiq-owned Dassault-Dormier Alpha Jet A (ex Luftwaffe), call sign ZJ646, over Wales last week. I don't suppose anyone has forgotten the sketch often played out over the hill that went something like this.
Low rumble. Louder rumble. Frightening, ear-splitting noise and rush of air as RAF fast jet goes over hill top at a height of not-enough-to-feel-comfortable feet. A few finds bags flutter in the wind. A waggle of the wings, and he's a tiny dot, receding west at 600 knots. A rookie digger comes out of hiding, massaging ears, eyes on stalks. The air pressure returns to normal and as the bleeding stops and the hearing returns, the faint mewling of a Parry curse is caught on the breeze. Older diggers grin and shout "Dave'll be in for supper!" "You know that maniac?" asks the rookie. "Oh, yes - we certainly do - and you will too tonight." Sometime later, having abandoned Her Majesty's aircraft, probably at RAF South Cerney, with a bellow of "Hello, Team!" Flight Lieutenant Southwood would appear in the Ullenwood mess hall.
I am delighted to report that Southwood D is in good fettle and still flying sharp pointy things at improbable speeds...
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