buffet. The band was good. Not being a dancer I sort of led my Mother while she more or less shoved me round the floor - just once - to say that I had done it. It was after midnight when the event drew to a close but not before some wag had poured detergent in the ornamental fish fountain and waterfall that had been rigged up in the entrance hall. There was froth all over the place and the poor goldfish must have choked to death on the bubbles. It was a good night.
Flying at high altitude over the West Country in clear weather was a remarkable experience. On one such flight when I was briefed to climb to height and do a Mach run from 42,000 feet, I could see, just by turning my head, well beyond the South Wales coast and along Cardigan Bay to the north, Lands End with the Scilly Islands in the distance to the west, some light cloud which must have been over the French coastline to the south, and the industrial haze over London to the east. I never had such good visibility at any other time over the British Isles. The triangle of runways at base were below me as I started the Mach run, aiming for it as I dived. As the Vampire 'broke' I was amazed to see a Westland Wyvern turboprop aircraft pass me. It turned out that it was flown by Harold Penrose, the Westland test pilot, who sometimes flew from that company's facility at Merryfield. He had been stalking me since I took off. He told me so over a drink in the Mess bar the next Saturday lunch time. The Wyvern would 'break' at about Mach .85, Mach .02 faster than a Vampire. I realised from that same flight that I had to keep a far better look out in the air.
Toward the end of the course many hours were spent on instrument flying. I was in an all weather air force, in an all weather aircraft and had to fly competently in all weathers. Dual and solo exercises were carried out and QGHs practised in both aircraft types.
I had four flights only in a Vampire T11 at Merryfield. These were more for familiarisation purposes than anything else. I have already said that I didn't like the cramped side-by-side seating, and I found the type comparatively clumsy to handle. Because of their shape they were nicknamed either 'bananas' or 'wheel barrows' because of their generally up-curved side view when sitting on the tarmac.

A Vampire T11.

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