Dear Members 

Today marks the 80^th anniversary of the RAF Flight/Air Engineer.  By March 1941 both Coastal Command and Bomber Command were employing ex-fitters in the role on a number of aircraft,  However, the responsibilities of the Flight Engineer were formalised in Air Ministry Order A190/41 dated 20 March 1941.  To mark this occasion we’ve added a few items to the website: 

• The first of these is an electronic version of The History of the Air Engineer by Flt Lt Derek Stringman.  Particular thanks go to Brian May who digitised the book a number of years ago and for providing a personal reflection on Derek and the production of the book. 
• Having access to the book has enabled us to add to the website the contents of Air Ministry Order A190/41 and the contents of The Flight Engineer Memorial originally displayed at RAF St Athan. 

Today only a handful of RAF Air Engineers remain on flying duties with most of those operating the Boeing E-3D Sentry.  However, others remain in key supporting roles both in full time and reserve service.  One particular individual worth mentioning is MEng Steve Hammond of 622 Sqn RAuxAF.  Steve has recently been awarded the Cummerbatch Trophy by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots awarded for an outstanding contribution to aviation safety.    

The Association had planned to mark the anniversary with a meet and greet at the International Bomber Command Centre but the ongoing Covid restrictions meant that this was impossible. The Events Team are keen to include a visit to the IBCC in a future event.  Plans are going ahead for the 2021 AGM & Dinner with interest already from over 100 members and guests.  If you’re interested in attending then please get in touch directly with Dave Kildea.

Over the last year we’ve had a steady stream of new joiners to the Association and a full list is now available in the members section of the website. 

Our Merchandising Rep, Nick Nicholls, has done a great job of identifying memorabilia to celebrate the 80^th anniversary and the interest from the members has been extremely positive.  A full list of what’s currently available can be seen here: 

Finally all that remains is for us to wish you all well and hope that we can meet many of you in person in October.   

Many of you should already have your new tankards in your possession and will be in a position to give them a full functional check this evening. 

Best wishes  

FEAEA Committee. 

Equipment Release to Service Report 

Item: Tankard Mk1 /Crystal/Beer/ Aircrew, for the use of (Flight Engineer Specific)
Stores Ref: No. 22G/ NIV
Report DTG: 18/21:00Z/February
Body Report:
The Item was FTC (IAW SOPs) with 1 Imp Pint. (0.568261 Ltr.) of an effervescent, dark amber liquid (Doom Bar) with an S.G. 1.040
Under static test conditions there was no observable loss from the container. Evaporation losses were too small to affect the result. However, in MAN OPS mode the contents were observed to reduce in significant steps. Under frequent repeats of this test, loss rate was observed reduce significantly.
AUTO FILL function was tested, but failed. An error message <Get your own bloody beer> was displayed.
The Item was subsequently found Serviceable and declared “Fit for Purpose”.
Further testing recommended at frequent intervals.
END OF: 

Gentlemen, I thought it timely to send an update and progress report on the 80th Anniversary FEAEA Merchandising projects. 

Firstly the Coffee Mugs: I have now obtained all the production and shipping cost for the Coffee Mug offer.  

The plain, un-named mugs I was able to source with a Bulk order discount and, with Packaging and Postal costs added, they will £8.00 each.  

The Named Mugs however, are not offered at bulk discount and, regrettably, will cost £13 incl P&P to a UK address. I will not be submitting the Mug order until the 1st March so, if you want to change your order to plain or cancel your order please IM or Email me with your instructions ASAP. 

My 80th Anniversary Tankard has just been delivered and it’s even better looking than the photograph. They are being engraved and dispatched in the order I submitted them, so don’t anticipate them all arriving at once. You will not be disappointed. 

The 80th Anniversary Tie. 

There was a wonderful response to this offer and I took firm orders for 80 of them. I ordered 85 to allow for late orders and new joiners. I’m glad I did because all 5 went. When I spoke to the manufacturer he admitted that there had been an over run in production and he had 14 left on his hands. I immediately took an option on all 14 of them and they should arrive with me on Fri 18th. Feb. I already have one allocated, so there are now 13 available. The total run on this Tie is only 99 which, unless a further 35 are ordered, makes it a “Limited Edition”. A fact your great, great grandchildren will profit from in future episodes of Antiques Road Show. 

It has been an enjoyable exercise and your enthusiasm for the items I’ve selected to mark our 80th celebration has spurred me on. That said can I please get someone else to cover the 100th!! 

Kindest regards, 

Nick Nicholls 

Gentlemen, as you will all know, from close scrutiny of the “Merchandise” section of the website, that there is a link to a Company called Birds of Dereham. At the FEAEA dedicated page you are able to choose from a range of sports and leisure wear and have the FEAEA logo embroidered on it. I have been in contact with the company and we now have an alternative 80th Anniversary Logo to choose from. Although the FEAEA collection shows a line of products I considered might appeal to the membership, in fact the entire Birds Catalogue of Sports and leisure wear, in any colour of your choice is available on request.

Dear FEAEA Members,

As we approach 2021 and the 80th anniversary of the E brevet I am about to commission an 80th anniversary commemorative wall shield. It will be as above but with “80th” in the Scroll. The Single item Price was £57. However, as I already have seventeen orders the price drops to £50. This includes VAT and P&P to a UK address. So if any one is interested please let me know. 

Lead in time is 6-8 weeks, but may be extended given the current Covid restrictions. 

I do not require payment yet but will require it in full 30 days prior to delivery. You will be advised of payment details nearer that date. 

I have found that the Membership Database is not always up to date so please confirm your postal address when ordering.

You have a choice of three background colours of the shield. Please indicate your choice when ordering.

    Light           Medium             Dark

Orders via the contact form.

Kind regards,

Nick

The Minutes of the 2020 AGM held on 30 Oct 20 are now available in the Members’ Area.

At last week’s AGM Tony Pryor-Jones suggested that it might be appropriate for us to have a page on the website dedicated to absent friends. A draft page had been produced earlier in the year but Tony’s suggestion provided the impetus to complete the page below. The bulk of the content has come from the 2019 Remembrance Dinner Presentation which was compiled by Dave Kildea.

Please take time to have a look at the page and provide corrections or additions to the Roll of Honour. If you can provide us with a name/caption I’ll create an entry. If you can provide an approximate course number then I’ll try and find a photo.

Hopefully the timing of this publication will provide an alternative way to pay your respects given the restrictions in place at the current time.

Webmaster

6 Nov 20

At the 2019 Formal Dinner, we presented our guests with an enamelled poppy pin emblazoned with the E Brevet. Several of the ladies asked me if I could supply them with one. I had purchased the last two from the supplier but he is able to reorder from the manufacturer. I just need an idea of numbers. The price will be £10 inc P&P to a UK address. It’s not just for ladies so Gents please feel free to chip in as well if you would like one. It’s not depleting the RBL of income as, personally, I make a donation each year.

Please contact via the merchandise page.

Nick Nicholls 

Gentlemen, As you should be more than aware by now, our permanent memorial is now in place at the National memorial arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire.

I would like to ask a favour of all who visit it to send me a pic or 2 of your visit, this will greatly help me keep an eye on its condition, please bear in mind its a 500 mile round trip from here! The pics can be sent to my email

Bw

Ian Harvey

Stone 2 Custodian