The first challenge of the day... getting to Shawbury. As the traffic lights in the village were closed off for works, our members had to navigate their way round the works with no clear diversion route. The most common one appeared to take us down a lane so far from mass civilisation, it felt like rural 1940's; furthermore, this route then crossed into the 14th century as we reached Moreton Corbet Castle. Nevertheless, we soon reached Shawbury, however, there was little anticipation for flying. Whilst the steady winds were 10knots, the gust reached 25+ knots down runway 18. Thusly, the day was scrubbed.

The Scrub, however, presented us with opportunity to carry out some much needed technical taskings... that, and we needed to fill the time whilst we devoured another 2 lemon drizzle cakes prepped by Mrs #Vulcanbomber. One of our members was most grateful #Vulcanbomber was present with cake, as the monumental muppet that is Brad (I) forgot the cakes he was slabbed with after appearing in the RAF News alongside AR Becky Hall - the 100th MEF bursary student. Apologies all, cake will be supplied next week!

Nick, Gally and Colin gathered a crowd while investigating a fault with the radio in R35. After much deliberation, testing and process of elimination, the radio unit it's was determined the culprit, and will be sent off for repair imminently.

Meanwhile, Geoff, broke out the elbow grease and marigolds as he washed 243 - and inadvertently, the floor in quick succession, and John Luke decided to spruce EEO with a quick polish.

With a crack team assembled, R43, having completed it's annual, was rigged next. Due to Colin's masterful application of grease, (or "Scratchy" as it’s also known as else where in the world, so told by The Vicar), and with military precise teamwork, she was reassembled in no time- thanks to all for assisting, In the words of, John Luke, the process was "far too easy". Jack was most keen to reacquaint himself with his prize possession as he leapt into the cockpit, whilst Dad, Colin, finished off the rigging process and carried out the last of the annual checks - with the help of Jack on the controls. Exhausted after such graft, Jack required a quick 40 winks...

R66 was alas rigged, upon its return after it’s venture last weekend with Will attempting his 300km distance. MEF students Hoss and Becky observed the rig as part of their MEF syllabus. Whilst the wings went on with nary resistance, the tailplane decided to put up a protest of it's own, requiring the big guns - Gally - to be hailed to put it in it's place. The concrete swan was soon assembled; many thanks Vicar and John Luke for coordinating yet another successful rig, and Sophie for taping the tailplane and wings up, with the assistance of her newly acquired apprentices, Becky and Hoss.

Upon rearranging the aircraft that had been scattered across the hangar, a flat rear tyre was discovered on R2. RAF Shawbury GC's elite however, soon had this minor defect rectified, bringing an end to the day's proceedings.