The day’s participants were:

This was my second trip with the Circus; my first was as P2 in the Arrow G-VOID to Leicester and Enstone. G-VOID was not available for this trip, so Richard checked out on Juliet Xray, and I was to join him. The planned destination was to be Compton Abbas. Three of the four aircraft are based at Andrewsfield, with Charlie Charlie at North Weald.  

Stuff At Andrewsfield

Weather. Eagle.

Arriving at Andrewsfield at about nine-ish, the Weather looked favorable however a club aircraft reported the cloud base out to the South West to be about 1500 ft. So some serious tea drinking ensued, while we waited to hear from the North Weald boys.

Engines Running

G-ASUD. G-SMRS.

Some phone calls later reveled that the North Weald contingent would fly up to Andrewsfield and do a weather recce on the way. During this time both Uniform Delta and Romeo Sierra had gotten airborne.  It turned out that Romeo Sierra was off to North Weald! Charlie Charlie`s crew could hear both Uniform Delta and Romeo Sierra and thought that they had been left behind! After landing they were pleased to see Juliet Xray still on the ground at Andrewsfield.

Charles-Charles touching down. Charlies' Charlies.

It was now near to midday, the weather to the south west had not improved and with warnings of CB`s, a new destination was sought. The main criteria was that it had to have food!  After much deliberating and more tea, Tibenham was identified as having the said criteria. We were off, three aircraft to Tibenham and one to Priory Farm. More on that later!

Where's MRS going?. Made it!.

I was to fly to Tibenham and Richard would fly the return trip. Our route was to take us to the Clacton VOR then via Framlingham to Tibenham. Apart from slight diversions around the Ipswich area, due to some low cloud it was an enjoyable trip. As we approached we heard Charlie Charlie in the Tibenham circuit so we positioned to join left base behind Charlie Charlie who was now on final. We were soon passed by a C172 going in the opposite direction and from what we saw it looked like Romeo Sierra, on its way to Priory Farm! It appears that Mike and Shane H had been let down by their flight guide, having 'Priory Farm (Tibenham)', which is 1NM West of where everyone else was going. We positioned on final and were a little high even for Tibenham's 1600m. A Khe-San approach as used by Herc's in Vietnam saw us land and vacate at the first exit. After some interesting marshalling signals we shut down. The unofficial marshaller had waited until Charlie Charlie had shut down, before telling them they were in the wrong place!! Never mind, all sorted in the end. Eventually all four aircraft were parked up in the right place, and yes, even Romeo Sierra had made it!!

Tea, food & jibes. Previous visitors, the 445th.

It was then time to eat some food. Order placed, we sat outside in the Norfolk sunshine. Tibenham is a big airfield by any standards and it’s nice to see that it hasn’t been lost to industrial units or housing as so many others have. It has an lively gliding fraternity, who were active on our visit with both winch launch and aero-tow operating. The soon food arrived and silence fell as we all tucked in to the excellent food, which was also extremely good value for money. After eating, the banter started up with talk of many things. One being Viagra - don't worry Richard I wont mention who was talking about it. Your secret is safe with me!  From the other end of the table it was suggested that I might like to do the right up for this trip. My name sake wondered if I was able to read and right, sorry write. The reason I mention this is because of what follows. It’s not personal (honest), just a true account of events eh, Shane!

The Eye Road. A small rain cloud approaches.

The wind picked up and this signaled time to depart, an orderly squadron scramble followed. Richard checked Julliet Xray out and I booked us out. We started up and followed what I thought was Romeo Sierra with my name sake as P1. When he called up it was Sierra Romeo taxing for runway 19. Tibenham’s active runway was 21 which caused much amusement for us all, and from then to take off I don’t think the right call sign was used! At one point Xray Kilo was heard! I don’t think Shane H knew who or where he was but he was happy. Once airborne we headed back only having to avoid a nasty rain cloud over Ipswich again.  

Home!. Safe!.

All home safely, so here ends another circus flyout.