Photo of the Month - April 2002

This is not the first photo sent in by Geoff Rhodes, or the first photo of Air Scouts here, but it is the first photo I have received showing a formal inspection of an Air Scout Troop by the Royal Air Force. Here is Geoff's description of the event.

The photo is of 8th/14th Epsom Air Scouts RAF Inspection on 26th June 1998. This is my Group and I was SL for some 23 years, going on to more pedestrian duties at the start of last year. The PL is Mark, who is still active in the Group's Concorde Venture Air Scout Unit (about 18 members, changing to Explorers on 1st September), as are others in the photo. The VSL is Spencer Hannan, who is also acting SL after my standing-down. So he is frantic to say the least!

The Inspecting Officer is Sqn Ldr Tony Rushton RAF(VRT), Staff Officer of Surrey Wing, Air Cadets. He had a great evening, and we had 36 Air Scouts, 6 Venture Air Scouts, 10 Leaders and 2 Instructors on parade. Many activity bases were presented and reports of RAF contacts at RAF Wittering, Benson, Kenley and Odiham. Flying had been offered at several of these. Tony's summary reads - "The Group has a new Headquarters (rebuilt in 1994 after destruction by fire), which provides excellent facilities. The training programme is well thought out and aviation orientated. The staff are well motivated, enthusiastic, and air minded. It was a very good inspection."