Katie Campbell joined the Royal Navy in 1983 as a Radar Wren, taking up her first post at RNAS Yeovilton ATC before joining Dartmouth in 1985 for Officer Training. She did not specialise, therefore undertaking a number of different and very varied appointments which included working as a Duty Operations Officer for Flag Officer Sea Training at Portland, the Joint Operational Support Cell at Northwood, as the RN Ship Agent in London , the RN Presentation Team and as an Events Manager for the first RN/commercial International Festival of the Sea. In the middle of these appointments she was very fortunate to be granted 12 months unpaid leave to go and live in Canada for a year!

Katie's final full-time appointment, now having risen to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, ended in 2002 assisting the running of the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day Flying Control Committee, a job she continued in a part-time capacity until finally leaving the Royal Navy in 2005. She joined the Flight team in August 2006 in the part time post of Display Manager.

Howard Read joined the Royal Navy in 1971 and, after qualifying as an Aircraft Mechanician, served in aircraft carriers HMS ARK ROYAL, BULWARK, HERMES and ILLUSTRIOUS, together with several Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. Shore service saw him posted to RNAS Culdrose, RAF Honnington, RNAS Portland, RNAS Lee-on-Solent and RNAS Yeovilton. Types worked on included Wasp, Wessex and Sea King helicopters (becoming Chief Instructor for Sea King airframe and engines) and Buccaneer and Sea Harrier aircraft. On promotion to Warrant Officer One he served as part of the tri-service team at RAF Wyton converging Engineering Policy and Regulation for the military aircraft environment. His final draft saw him as part of the Joint Force Harrier team at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, where he managed the Quality Cell and Harrier Aircraft Maintenance Group.

On leaving the Royal Navy after 34 years' service, Howard joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight in September 2005 as Chief Engineer.

Howard is married and lives near Wincanton.

Lieutenant Commander Glenn Allison was born in Durham City in 1967 and spent his formative years there attending the local comprehensive. He left school in 1984, joined the Royal navy as an apprentice aircraft engineering artificer at HMS DAEDALUS and subsequently worked on Lynx helicopters at RNAS Portland.

In 1990 the Royal Navy decided it would be safer for Glenn to fly aircraft than maintain them and he was selected for officer and flying training. He followed the well-trodden path of a Naval helicopter pilot, through BRNC Dartmouth to Elementary Flying Training on the Bulldog at Topcliffe and thence to 705 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) Gazelle helicopters at RNAS Culdrose, where he was awarded “Wings” in 1992. Advanced and Operational flying training came on the Sea King Mk4 and he became a Commando or “Jungly” pilot. Front line service included tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Norway with 707, 845 & 846 NAS.

After front line tours he was selected for Helicopter Instructor training (QHI), and to that end joined the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury in 1997. After completion of the QHI course he taught ab-initio pilots on 660 and 705 Squadron, qualifying as an A2 QHI on the Squirrel. He converted to the Lynx helicopter and was appointed as Flight Commander of HMS CUMBERLAND -“The Mighty Sausage” - in 2001. He had a very enjoyable and varied 2 years in HMS CUMBERLAND ranging from working the ship up in the Baltic with NATO, to a 9-month deployment carrying out interdiction operations in the Northern Gulf and Indian Ocean.

In 2003 Glenn was appointed back to Squirrels at DHFS as the Training Officer of 705 Squadron, where he was responsible for the training of student pilots from all 3 services in advanced helicopter flying techniques, such as low level navigation and mountain flying. After this tour he returned to the Commando Helicopter Force as a QHI in 848 NAS, where he was responsible for refresher and conversion training of pilots to the Sea King Mk 4. 2007 saw him appointed to HMS ARK ROYALas Lieutenant Commander Flying, responsible for the flying operations. Glenn is now Commanding Officer of 727 NAS, primarily responsible for pilot grading.

Glenn joined the RNHF in 2007 as a Swordfish pilot.

Lieutenant Commander Dave Mackay grew up in Edinburgh and Perthshire and when he was old enough learned to fly Cessna 150’s at Leicester, on a Naval flying scholarship. Whatever message the Navy gave him must have stuck because he joined the Navy in March 1979. Flying training went past in a blur, through the Bulldog, Jet Provost and Hawk, very much in the RAF system but destined for Naval Sea Harriers. That wonderful event, the Wings parade, happened in 1982 followed by three excellent months on the Hunters back at Yeovilton holding before tactical training on the Hawk at RAF Chivenor, the Harrier GR3 at Wittering and finally the Sea Harrier with 899 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), graduating in 1984.

After training Dave managed 4 years with 800 NAS before being selected for Qualified Flying Instructors course and appointment to the joint Elementary training Squadron, flying Bulldogs and teaching many of today's Helicopter and Sea Harrier Pilots. Back to the Sea Harrier in 1989 he spent a tour with 801 NAS embarked in HMS ARK ROYAL. 899 Squadron as an Instructor was next on the list and Dave remained there, improving his lot with promotion to Senior Pilot, until July 1994. During this tour he joined the Navy Historic Flight as a Firefly Pilot, flying two seasons before an exchange tour took him to America and the F18. Whilst in the States he flew all over the USA and Canada and operated from six different aircraft carriers, but unlike the UK version had to revert to catapults and arrester gear and a dry bar after night flying!

Dave and family returned to the UK in 1997, the new accent soon subsided, and he got used to the Sea Harrier routine again as the Senior Pilot of 800 NAS, flying tours over Bosnia and Iraq embarked in HMS INVINCIBLE. In 1998 he re-joined 899 Squadron as the Commanding Officer.

Six months working as an advisor for the next generation of RN aircraft carriers proved to be his last Naval tour and in 2002 he retired to follow a career flying airliners/executive jets around the world.

He joined the RNHF in 1994 as a Swordfish pilot converting in 2004 to the Sea Fury FB11. He is an RN Reserve Pilot on the BAE Hawk and is the Chief Flying Instructor of the Yeovilton Flying Club. His 25 types and 7500 hrs experience covers Swordfish to Sea Harrier and Cessna 120 to Airbus 320. He doesn’t do Helicopters, therefore isn’t ‘fully rounded’!

Dave is married with two children and lives in Kingsdon, near Yeovilton.

Lieutenant Commander Paddy McWilliams was born and raised in Northern Ireland and left in 1986, aged 16, to join the Royal Navy. He initially trained as a Weapon Engineering Artificer and ended up as a Chief Petty Officer in HMS RESOLUTION, the Polaris Class submarine. He volunteered for a Commission and commenced his officer training in 1994.

After BRNC Dartmouth and Basic Observer Course at 750 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), Paddy was streamed to the Lynx HAS Mk3 and completed his Advanced and Operational Flying Training at 702 NAS, which was then based at RNAS Portland. Appointments to HMS CARDIFF as an Observer and HMS EDINBURGH as the Flight Observer followed before he converted to the Lynx HMA Mk8 and completed another tour, in HMS IRON DUKE, where he was involved in Ops PALLISER and SILKMAN in Sierra Leone.

In 2002, Paddy qualified as a Helicopter Warfare Instructor and Qualified Observer Instructor before becoming the HWI on 702 NAS. It was during this time that he had his first real taste of display flying, where he was one of the Lynx Pair Observers in 2003 and the Black Cats Team Manager in 2004. He rejoined 815 NAS in 2005 as the Flight Commander of HMS MONTROSE, participating in deployments to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea supporting Ops TELIC and ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR respectively.

Paddy then decided to broaden his horizons and completed the Aerosystems Course at RAF Cranwell before taking up a position as a Trials Officer at ATEC Boscombe Down, where he was involved in test and evaluation for mission systems across the UK rotary wing helicopters. At the end of 2009, he completed an operational tour in a NATO HQ at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. He is currently the Squadron Warfare Officer in 700W NAS, which is the RN’s new Wildcat trials squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton.

Paddy joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight in 2011 as the first volunteer Observer for the Flight.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Thompson joined the Royal Navy in 1987 and graduated from Anti Submarine Warfare Observer flying training in 1990. He joined 814 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) embarked in HMS INVINCIBLE exercising in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.

On leaving 814 NAS in 1992, he joined the Flight Test team at RNAY Fleetlands as the Maintenance Test Observer where he spent the next three years flying a host of different helicopter types ranging from the Gazelle to the Chinook. After completing the Helicopter Warfare Instructors course in 1995 he joined 810 NAS Operational Evaluation Unit based at Boscombe Down where he was involved in flying trials of the HAS Mk6 Anti Submarine Sea King.

Andy converted to the Lynx Mk3 at 702 NAS in 1997 and then joined the frontline squadron 815 NAS, embarked initially in HMS BEAVER and then HMS GLASGOW. In 1998 he became a Flight Commander and joined HMS NOTTINGHAM and HMS EXETER. A respite from sea came with a tour as the Squadron Warfare Officer at 815 NAS, training frontline crews for their deployments and
completing a Lynx HMA Mk8 conversion.

After completing the Qualified Observer Instructors course in 2003 he taught observers at both 702 NAS and again at 815 NAS. In 2007 he went back to sea as Flight Commander embarked in HMS KENT completing a very enjoyable deployment in the Far East. A ground tour attached to the Royal Marines followed and he has recently rejoined the Lynx fold and is now serving at 702 NAS.

Andy joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight as a volunteer Swordfish Observer in 2012 and is one of the team that regularly occupies either the Observer or the Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAG) cockpit in the Swordfish when she is travelling around the country.

Chief Petty Officer Andy Vanes was born in Tipton in the West Midlands but grew up in Gloucester before he left in 1970 aged 16 to join the Royal Navy. He initially trained as a chef before transferring to the Aircrewman branch in 1977.

After training at Lee on Solent and basic flying training at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Andy was streamed to the Wasp HAS Mk 1 and completed his operational flying training as a Missile Aimer at 703 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at RNAS Portland. Appointments to HMS NAIAD and HMS ASHANTI followed before he qualified as a Wessex HU Mk.5 SAR crewman at 772 NAS. Further appointments to Wasps followed with the training team at 829 NAS and as the ships flight crewman onboard HMS EURYALUS.

In 1982, Andy completed Commando Operational flying training at 707 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton. The period during and after the Falklands conflict resulted in a number of short notice appointments to 772 ‘A’ Flight onboard HMS ILUSTRIOUS, 771 Search and Rescue flight at RNAS Culdrose and 845 NAS on Ascension Island. Eventually returning to Yeovilton for the Sea King HC Mk 4 conversion course and subsequently 846 NAS. This was followed by an appointment as the Senior Aircrewman based at RNoAF Bardufoss in Norway and 707 NAS.

Andy left the Royal Navy in 1993 and joined the RNR Air Branch the following year. As a reservist, in 1998 he joined Heron Flight as one of the operations team and subsequently flew as a qualified right hand seat crew member in the Jetstream T3 aircraft until the demise of the unit in 2008. He joined Agusta Westlands in 2010 on contract to teach foreign students based in Vergiate in Italy and returned in 2012 to 848 NAS. He has amassed a total of over 8400 flying hours.

He joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight as a volunteer Swordfish crewman in 2012 and is one of the team that regularly occupies either the Observer or the Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAG) cockpit in the Swordfish when she is travelling around the country.

Outside of aviation he is a very keen chef, other hobbies include photography and live sports.

Sergeant Paul Collacott was born in Exeter in 1974, where he attended school and college before joining the Royal Marines in 1995.

On finishing Commando Training, he was drafted to 42 Commando Royal Marines in Plymouth, and then onto what use to be 3 Commando Brigade HQ & Signals Squadron also based in Plymouth. His job here was as signaller for the Brigade Commander at the time. Paul was then drafted to the Mobile Air Operations Team at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, and after deciding that he had had enough of getting wet and carrying extremely large rucksacks began flying training in 1999.

On completion of flying training on 848 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), he was posted to the frontline 846 NAS, where he deployed on numerous combat operations to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Iraq. In addition he conducted amphibious operations and exercises in Norway.

Paul was then drafted back to 848 NAS as an aircrewman instructor for two years. The second year of which he spent as the squadron senior instructor. He then returned to 846 NAS and deployed on combat operations to Afghanistan.

Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury was next, as an instructor to Ab-initio aircrewman on 705 NAS before being drafted back to 848 NAS as the senior squadron instructor, where he currently serves.

He joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight as a volunteer Swordfish crewman in 2012 and is one of the team that regularly occupies either the Observer or the Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAG) cockpit in the Swordfish when she is travelling around the country..

Paul enjoys the outdoor life, in particular, mountain biking, climbing, and white water kayaking and is a keen supporter of Somerset Cricket Club and the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Team.

Don Robertson joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1965 aged 15 and spent the next 22 years working his way up from a Junior Naval Air Mechanic to a Petty Officer. During his Service career he worked on Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters, and Meteor and Sea Vixen fixed wing aircraft. On leaving the RN in 1984 he worked as a maintenance fitter before returning to RNAS Yeovilton to work as a civilian fitter on Sea Harrier aircraft in 899 NAS - a Squadron he had previously left in 1972. He joined the RNHF in 1997 and is now the Senior Supervisor (Mechanical).

Don is married, has two grown children and lives in Street, Somerset.

Neil Fraser, or "Fraz" as he likes to be known, was born and raised in Edinburgh. He left school in 1975 and joined the Royal Navy in 1980. On completion of his training as an Aircraft Mechanic (Radio and Radar) he became the first radio trade mechanic to join the Sea Harrier-equipped 899 NAS from trade training. In 1982 he joined 801 NAS and served during the Falklands conflict aboard HMS INVINCIBLE. He subsequently served in 899, 800 and 801 Sea Harrier squadrons, a Lynx Flight aboard HMS AVENGER, and in the Ground Radio section at RNAS Yeovilton, completing a total of 15 years in the Service in 1994. He took up his present position with the RNHF in March 1995.

Fraz lives in Street, Somerset, with his wife and grown-up family.

Mick Jennings joined the RAF as an Aircraft Technician straight from school in 1967. On completion of his training at RAF Halton he enjoyed a varied career spent mainly on C-130 Hercules and Phantom aircraft. Retiring from the RAF as a Chief Technician, he joined the RNHF in July 1998. As the only member of the Flight with a "light blue" Service background, Mick is affectionately known as "The Crab" by his ex-"dark blue" colleagues. He is currently the plane captain of Sea Hawk FGA.6 WV908.

Mick lives with his wife in Bridport, Dorset.

Mark ‘Tug’ Wilson originates from Cumbria. He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1977 as a 16 year old Junior Naval Air Mechanic, leaving 33 years later as a Chief Petty Officer. During his service career he worked on Lynx helicopters, serving on HMS ALACRITY which was one of the first British warships to visit Shanghai since the ‘Yangzi’ incident. He also maintained Sea King helicopters whilst serving on 707, 706 and 814 ‘Pinger’ Naval Air Squadrons and 845 ‘Commando’ Naval Air Squadron. He has seen active service in the first and second Gulf Wars as well as in the Balkans.

Tug lives in Yeovil with his wife, three children and grand daughter.

Stephen Henrick joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1971 at the age of 16 and had a naval career spanning 34 years. He worked his way up from junior Naval Air Mechanic to Chief Petty Officer seeing front line service with Wasp, Phantom, Sea Harrier FRS.1 and F/A.2 aircraft. Serving on various aircraft carriers including both old and new HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS INVINCIBLE and HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, his final draft was with the Sea Harrier Operational Evaluation Unit. He joined AgustaWestland Helicopters on leaving the Royal Navy as a project officer supplying EH101 Merlin aircraft to the Royal Danish Air Force.

Stephen joined the RNHF in 2008 as Logistics Support and Quality Assurance. He is married with one son and lives in Martock, near Yeovil.