News January / February 2004

January / February 2004

FLT LT BILL McCONNELL RAF VR(T) - IN REMEMBRANCE

By Flt Lt Gregor Brad RAF VR(T)

Who was Bill McConnell?, some of you may ask. Quite simply he was the person who took 2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron from mediocrity in 1976 to greatness by the time he left as CO in 1988. His succeeding COs Flt Lt Mansfield and I only had to maintain the level of commitment that Bill had set. Though it was a tough job. Even after he left the squadron he would continue to “pop in” for a chat or to visit the museum. It was Bill’s way of keeping his eye on us.

In 1976, Bill was appointed CO of the squadron and indeed became the last Rolls-Royce employee to command the squadron. The squadron headquarters within the factory were becoming seriously run down and a move was initiated to our current location. In true 2175 tradition, the building arrived in four sections which were quickly bottled together and that was that! No electricity, water or landscaping. This was Bill’s first task and we all became labourers, landscape gardeners, crazy paving specialists and flag pole erectors. The new headquarters were opened on the 13^th of November 1977 and we sat back, proud of what we had done.

Bill then had a brainwave and decided we needed a rifle range which we duly built using our newly acquired construction skills. The rifle range duly opened in 31 May 1981.

Flushed with success we then set about building the 602 museum again under Bills expert leadership which opened on 22^nd October 1983. As there was no space left to build on we settled into a period on improvement and maintenance which kept everything in pristine condition. Bill stood down as CO in 1988 handing command over to Flt Lt Mansfield who in turn handed command over to me in 1999.

During my time as CO it was reassuring to know that Bill was always available for advice and guidance which he was always keen to, but only on demand.

Bill maintained a keen interest in the squadron and always welcomed you into his home for a brief chat, which usually lasted 2 ½ hours. I found Bill an ideal person to bounce ideas off and his advice was always valued. He would guide and nurse you along and insisted that you were aware of the “bigger picture” before making a decision, or would advise you on how to “grease the rails” before applying for something. He taught me how to go about achieving the best for 2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron which was what he had done when he joined the squadron some 27 years ago.

You could not have asked for a better guide and mentor. He is, and will be, greatly missed by everyone connected to the squadron, especially myself and Flt Lt Joe Mansfield, but most importantly of all his wife Ann and son Brian to whom I offer personal condolences and also those of the 2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron.

You may be gone Bill, but you will never be forgotten.

END OF AN ERA AT ROLLS-ROYCE HILLINGTON

As many of you will have heard, this year will be our last at the Rolls-Royce Factory in Hillington as the company are relocating to Inchinnan. The squadron will continue, however, we will move from our current site to a new one by the end of 2004. This year will be a busy one as we prepare for the move and search for a new location. We currently have temporary accommodation available in the form of 396 (Paisley) squadrons' old premises which we will use if we have failed to find new permanent accommodation by the end of the year. We hope to keep the cadets and their parents up to date as much as possible and look forward to a new era of 2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron ATC.

ROLLS-ROYCE HERITAGE MOVE

The squadron will not be the only organisation affected by the relocation of the Rolls-Royce factory. In addition to ourselves the 602 (City of Glasgow) RAuxAF museum and the Rolls-Royce Heritage trust will also be leaving the site. February saw the move of the Rolls-Royce Heritage trust from Hillington to East Kilbride where it will continue to display the engines, photographs and other items detailing Rolls-Royce history in Scotland. We look forward to visiting the trust at its new location.

WING CHURCH PARADE

By Yours attractively Sgt Kilmartin J XXX

In February 2004 Cadets from Squadrons all over the Wing came together Church in Dumbarton to give thanks to the “Lord our God” for another glorious year in Glasgow & West of Scotland Wing and to pray for another glorious year ahead.

We all assembled at some Random Car Park in Dumbarton not to far from the Church and we were placed in our Flights, each flight having an equal number of NCO’s and Cadets of differing Classifications. Once in our Flights we formed up and took our places behind the Officers and Banners. Once It had reached a certain time in the MORNING (I cannot stress that word enough, it is a word I wish to abolish, it is right up there next to EARLY in the words I wish to abolish checklist). We made sure we were all smart and ready to march and then we marched to the Church, can’t say it was a short walk but enjoyable none the less.

Once we arrived at the Church we all took our seats, picked up our Songs of Praise booklets then stood whilst the banner was brought into the Church with the Bagpipes playing “Highland Cathedral” upstairs. Once the banner was placed we remained standing until the Minister asked us to be seated. Once seated we said our hello’s and good mornings to the Minister…etc….etc… . After a few Songs, prayers and amusing stories (the kind of stories you laugh at just to keep the person telling the story happy) 4 cadets were asked to volunteer but the task was not stated, so without a doubt almost every cadet put their hands up and the four cadets were selected, and these four cadets were asked individually what they thought they couldn’t live without the first cadets said “Food”, the second said “Females”, the third “Irn-Bru and the last cadet agreed firmly with the first. After that we sang a few more songs discussed how successful the wing has been in the past few years and how well we are going to do in the future and how we have such great cadets, staff and officers in this Wing. The Banner was then played out of the church by the bagpipes.

And then all of the cadets and officers formed back up in their respective flights and we marched back to where we started. We then went and got ourselves a free Buffet, tea and biscuits and had a mild banter with some of our Chums from various other squadrons in the wings discussing the high quality of female the wing appears to be producing at a slow but steady pace. Well anyway I do believe I have typed enough to give you a wealthy idea of how this years Spectacular Wing Church Parade went and hope to see you there next year to take part in this glorious event. Ta Ta for now!

AVIEMORE

By Cdt Blaine Tosh

I went snowboarding with the air cadets. I had to be at the squadron for 6 O'clock in the morning because we were travelling by coach. When I arrived at the squadron most of the cadets were already there and we stood outside waiting on the coach. It was absolutely freezing and when the coach came we quickly piled in. The coach took about 4 and a half hours to reach Aviemore. We then got off the coach, were fitted out with boots. We then got back on the coach and drove for another 10 minutes until we reached the slopes.

We got off the coach and were given our snowboards. We met our instructor, Gary, and he took us to a train which took us to the side of the mountain. Gary showed us how to do the basics like how to put the board on, how to stand, turn and stop. It took me a long time to learn these and then we were on the slopes. We spent three hours here before Gary told us we could now do our own stuff. I decided to go for lunch.

After Lunch I went back up to the slopes and met up with the others. We went all over the slopes and it was very tiring. I got so tired I decided to use my snowboard as a sledge and sit down. After an hour I met Cpl McMillan and he sent me down the mountain and onto the coach. He said I and some others were late and so now we couldn't get a chippie!

I can't really remember the journey home because I slept the whole time. I remember getting off the coach and into my friends car. I fell asleep as soon as I got home!

DRIVING INSTRUCTION

By Cpl Suzi Vines

On the 14^th of February, I and few others of the senior cadets and NCOs were given a driving instruction by a proper instructor!!! The night started with some videos of what type of things you have to do to pass your test, and also the kind of equipment that you can buy to help pass with your theory test. It also showed us the kind of accidents that can happen if you are a careless driver.

After the video we had our break, then we came back to hear the driving instructors views on bad driving then we were asked ourselves, what we thought was a sign of a bad driver. We also got to ask a lot of questions about the videos. After the instructor and the cadets had exchanged views and whether they were right or not, we got to ask questions on the lessons and the test, some questions asked were “how much do they normally cost?” “Where is the best place to go for them?” “What is the normal amount of lessons to take before attempting your test?”

Overall the whole night was very interesting as we got a lot of our questions answered and we now know how to be conscious on the road when in our own cars (if we pass our test) and when in cars with others so we can look out for other people.

It would be good for the younger cadets to receive the same instruction when they are nearer the right age.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Flt Lt Bill McConnell RAF VR(T)	In Rememberance

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