recent model, also a right-handed aimer. No room on Minerva for the malformed, but of late there has been a search for one-eyed life-buoy sentries!

December saw the flight split up, half going to Lee to sample the bright lights there and taking the bird with them as there was more parking space, the remainder staying at Portland.
Christmas leave was brought rapidly to an end when mother had the urge to go to sea again, taking us with her. It wasn't much warmer in the Med., even with other helos to play with. Back home to another work up-frustrated Wasp, then followed by a long cold fishing trip. Plenty of flying fish, 4 cwt being the best catch. Another trip where it was even colder, but certain friends didn't want to do any formation flying this time!

Back to Chatham mid April, where even with no driver, we still managed to get ashore again. All it needed was a crane and a passing lorry and the problem was solved.

Another spell of leave and then head down for warmer climes.

Beira consisted mainly of acting as postman to the less fortunate, followed by a brief respite at Simbang where once again various staffs queued up to inspect us; One crowd even flying out from UK to get in on the act.

All too soon back on board again to hit the headlines in New Zealand and Australia. Simbang again for Christmas, to be followed by the long slog, back home where we hope to find a new bunch of devotees to care for the main piece of the ship's ornament.

In conclusion we would like to thank Pogi for the use of his parade ground, Booty for his volley ball court, Matt for the use of his cinema and the ship's company for the use of their general disposal yard during flying stations, and the big boss man for endeavoring to keep the wind blowing in the right direction.

Also a mention to the Dieso dispensers for the Green Shield stamps. With just over a hundred books we hope to obtain a sparkling fresh flight to replace the old one.

Finally, an apology to all for flying, and all the noise this entails during make and mends, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, silent hours, etc., etc
Action Match.
Peter, Pete, Dez, Jim, Tomo, Steve and Hamish
Minerva managed to acquire a flight at the expense of Hermione way back in September '68. How she managed without one before we do not know, perhaps it was ideal with a permanent parade ground/sports field down the back end. Surprising how many people are required to keep the duty airfield operational 24 hours a day.

We managed, with much conniving to work Airy Fairy routine right up until mid December, with the odd detachment here and there to break the monotony. Even the Jimmy paid Portland a visit, just to check up that there was a Wasp designated to fill his large shed.

December and January's routines were interrupted with a few abnormalities, work up, etc., but they passed. Work ups, what are they ? It seemed like home from home at Portland, but the Fish-heads seemed to get very worked up and we even saw one or two working in the afternoons-hasn't been seen much since! In fact there are quite a few things that haven't worked since!

The end of February saw us back on the floating airfield heading to sample Carib Lager and Mount Gay.
The ensuing weeks are no doubt mentioned elsewhere, but all we need say was that they 'Flew Navy'. The only mishap being an unexpected laundering of a certain police inspector's kit! We returned with the ship at the end of June, all ready to disembark again, but sailors and customs being what they are we were not airborne until the last minute, closely followed by the flight as the ship tied up at Portsmouth. Will they ever understand our keenness to leave it as soon as we get near land ?

The time ashore was spent recruiting schoolboys at Carlisle, showing sprigs crabs the errors of their ways. (one fell for the sales talk and will most probably be redundant next year); and a Royal flypast at Dartmouth, with leave afterwards to recover. In September '69 we shopped around and finally after being offered a reasonable trade-in price swopped the old 424 for a more