Phil Thornton joined the Royal Navy in 1978 but uniquely, due to his physical height, is the only Naval Pilot not to have qualified on fixed-wing aircraft before gaining his wings. After service in the Falklands conflict he qualified as a QFI, going on to fly Gazelle, Sea King and Lynx. In 1987 he was placed on an exchange tour with the Royal Australian Navy.

On return to the UK he firstly became the Training Officer of 705 NAS, then as a Flight Commander on 810 NAS embarked in Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships. On promotion he was appointed as the non-flying Operations Officer of the busy Royal Naval Air Station at Portland. On returning to flying he served as the Flight Commander to the Captain of the Sixth Frigate Squadron in HMS Montrose, followed by an appointment to 702 NAS as the Senior Pilot which saw him, amongst everything else, helping to co-ordinate the move of the squadron from Portland to Yeovilton. A short tour as Chief Ground Instructor at the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) RAF Shawbury then followed, before moving to Handling Squadron at Boscombe Down as the Rotary Wing Flight Commander.

Phil voluntarily took over as the non-flying Commanding Officer of the RNHF in 2005 and works tirelessly for the flight in all sorts of areas. His day job is as Accident Investigation Advisor, in which he co-ordinates the activities of any investigation into Royal Navy aircraft accidents. He is married with two daughters and lives in Yeovil.

John Beattie joined the Royal Navy in 1959 as a junior mechanical engineer, transferring to flying duties in 1968 and training on the Chipmunk T.10, Hiller 12E, Whirlwind HAS.7 before graduating to the Wessex HU.5 as a Commando Pilot in 1970. Types flown include the Wasp HAS.1, Gazelle HT.2, Lynx HAS.2 and Sea King HC.4 with a first display occurring in 1973 with a Scout AH.1 whilst on an exchange tour with the Army Air Corps in Germany. As Senior Pilot of 705 NAS he led "The Sharks" helicopter display team in 1982 with Gazelle HT.2.

In 1979 John returned to the Chipmunk again with air experience and glider tugging, accruing enough tailwheel hours over the next seven years to impress the fixed wing ‘trapper’ (Naval Standard Flight examiner) into allowing him to fly the Fairey Swordfish. Beginning with the ‘Fish in 1986, this led on to flying Fairey Firefly AS.5 WB271 in 1987 and both of the Sea Furies - FB.11 TF956 and T.20 WG655 - in 1988. Despite a tour at RNAS Portland and a year at RNAS Culdrose flying the Jetstream T.2s of 750 NAS, John maintained his RNHF flying and came "home" to RNAS Yeovilton in 1991 to take over as Commanding Officer of Heron Flt Jetstreams and the RNHF. These posts he retained until leaving the Royal Navy in 1994. After ten years of flying freight and charter airline companies, John returned to join the by-now civilianised RNHF in January 2004 to relieve Brian Wood as the General Manager. This post also sees him acting as a Pilots' mentor, helping to supervise the training utilising the Piston and Jet Provosts generously sponsored by Tim Manna of Kennet Aviation, with whom John flies various other warbirds throughout the summer months. Flying the RNHF aircraft themselves, however, is purely the domain of the serving RN or RNR Officers.

John is married with two grown children and lives in Yeovil.

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 Business Co-ordinator. This post covers a broad spectrum of responsibilities but mainly merchandise, accounts, event organisation and air show co-ordination.

Adrian Orchard was born in Wednesbury, West Midlands, in 1968. After his first flight in a Chipmunk T.10 from RAF Shawbury as a 13 year old Air Cadet, Adrian joined the Royal Navy in 1986, training on the Chipmunk, Bulldog, Jet Provost, BAe Hawk and Sea Harrier FRS.1, and graduating to 800 NAS in 1990. Transferring to 801 NAS embarked in HMS Ark Royal he served during the first Gulf War and subsequently completed three deployments to Bosnia. In 1994 he was selected as an Air Warfare Instructor (AWI) and joined 801 NAS, followed by a tour on 899 NAS.

An exchange tour with the US Marine Corps then beckoned, flying both the AV-8B Harrier and F-18 Hornet. On return to the UK Adrian was appointed to the RAF's 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron as a Flight Commander flying the Harrier GR.7 from RAF Cottesmore as part of the ‘Joint Force Harrier’, and in 2003 he took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Promoted to the rank of Commander in 2005, the following year saw Adrian taking up a new challenge as the Commanding Officer of the newly-reformed 800 NAS at RAF Cottesmore, now flying the Harrier GR.7/7A, but in a completely new environment as an RN Squadron within Joint Force Harrier. Adrian is now the Deputy Force Commander of Joint Force Harrier and was appointed OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours List.

Adrian is married with two children and lives in Rutland.

Glenn Allison was born in Durham City in 1967 and, on leaving school in 1984, joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice, air-engineering artificer at HMS Daedalus before moving on to work on Lynx helicopters at RNAS Portland.

In 1990 Glenn was selected for officer and flying training and 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 NAS Gazelle helicopters at RNAS Culdrose, gaining his “Wings” in 1992. Advanced and Operational flying training came on the Sea King HC.4 as a “Junglie” pilot. Front-line service included tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Norway with 707, 845 and 846 NAS.

On being selected for Instructor training (QHI), Glenn 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 Sqn and 705 NAS, qualifying as an A2 QHI on the Squirrel. Conversion to the Lynx followed, after which he was appointment as Flight Commander of HMS Cumberland in 2001. The next two years included working the ship up in the Baltic with NATO and a nine-month deployment carrying out interdiction operations in the Northern Gulf and Indian Ocean.

A return to DHFS in 2003 as the Training Officer of 705 NAS, preceded a return to RNAS Yeovilton and the Commando Helicopter Force, taking up an appointment as a QHI in 848 NAS, responsible for refresher and conversion training of pilots to the Sea King HC.4. In 2007 he joined HMS Ark Royal as Lietenant Commander (Flying), supervising all flying on board the aircraft carrier. In addition to this he also flies a Grob Tutor with No.3 Air Experience Flight at RAF Colerne. Back at Yeovilton he remained busy putting hours on the Chipmunk as one of the aircraft's display pilots for 2007 as well as doing the ground school in preparation for his eagerly awaited Swordfish conversion in 2008.

Glenn lives in Kingsdon, Somerset, with his girlfriend Kathie.

Dave Mackay grew up in Edinburgh and Perthshire, and when old enough learned to fly Cessna 150s at Leicester on a Royal Navy flying scholarship, joining the Royal Navy in March 1979 and training on the Bulldog, Jet Provost and Hawk aircraft. Subsequent posts saw him flying Hawker Hunters at RNAS Yeovilton, BAe Hawk at RAF Chivenor, the Harrier GR.3 at RAF Wittering and the Sea Harrier FRS.1 with 899 NAS and 800 NAS. Appointment to the Joint Elementary Training Squadron followed, flying Bulldogs and teaching many of today's top helicopter and Harrier pilots.

1989 saw a return to the Sea Harrier, this time with 801 NAS embarked in HMS Ark Royal. An Instructor's tour with 899 NAS led to appointment as Senior Pilot, during which time he joined the RNHF as the Fairey Firefly display pilot, flying two seasons before an exchange tour took him to America and the F-18. Returning to the UK in 1997 as the Senior Pilot of 800 NAS, Dave flew missions over Bosnia and Iraq embarked in HMS Invincible. In 1998 he re-joined 899 NAS as the Commanding Offficer and at the same time re-joined the RNHF as a Swordfish display pilot and the Flight's QFI.

After leaving the RN in 2002 to pursue a career with the airlines he is currently an Airbus A320 Captain with British Mediterranean flying to the Middle East and Central Asia. As a Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) pilot Dave maintains his military flying as a qualified BAe Hawk pilot and is the RNHF's QFI and Sea Fury display pilot.

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

Matt Whitfield was born in Plymouth in September 1971. As the son of an old and bold SD writer who served predominantly with the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Portland and Yeovilton during the 1970s and 80s, he always wanted to fly for the Royal Navy. Growing up in Hamble, Hampshire, he joined the RN in September 1990 as a Sixth Form Scholar with a University Cadetship and learned to glide with the Fleet Air Arm Scholarship scheme in 1989.

Fleet training including three years Applied Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and Officer of the Watch course aboard HMS Westminster preceeded a transfer to the Fleet Air Arm in October 1996. Flying training followed the usual route to Sea Harriers: grading on the Grob at Roborough, Slingsby Firefly 260M at Barkston Heath, the Shorts Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and the BAe Hawk T.1 at RAF Valley in 1998 at which point he was awarded his Wings. Matt joined 899 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton in July 1999 for Sea Harrier F/A.2 Operational Flying Training, and then to the front-line 801 NAS in July 2001. In December 2001 he joined 800 NAS, serving for the next two years in HMS Ark Royal, Invincible and Illustrious.

After leaving 800 NAS in March 2003 Matt qualified as a Basic Fast Jet Flying Instructor at RAF Linton-on-Ouse flying the Tucano, teaching ab intio pilots and student QFIs for the Central Flying School. In December 2006 Matt returned to RNAS Yeovilton to instruct on the Hawk. In September 2006 he was selected to join RNHF and now trains on the Chipmunk T.10, Piston Provost T.1, Jet Provost T.5A, as well as continuing to fly the Grob Tutor for 9 Air Experience Flt (AEF) RAF Church Fenton and 3 AEF RAF Colerne.

In September 2007 Matt became CO of the Naval Flying Standards Flt (Fixed Wing) at Yeovilton and as well as flying the Hawk also flies the Jetstream T.3 of 750 NAS Heron Flt in the VIP and communications role.

Matt converted to the Sea Hawk at the end of the 2007 season and lives in Somerset with his wife.

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 Bucaneer 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, replacing Eric Young. Howard is married and lives near Wincanton.

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.

"Mac" McKernan left school in 1962 and joined the National Coal Board as an apprentice electrician. To satisfy the thirst for travel he joined the Royal Navy in June 1966 and completed his training as a Radio Electrical Mechanic (Air). Immediately following this he worked on Buccaneer aircraft at RNAS Lossiemouth. After a career which saw service in many RN ships and air stations, "Mac" left the Royal Navy in 1992 as a Chief Petty Officer. He joined the RNHF in November 1994 and is responsible to the Chief Engineer for all radio, electrical and ordnance work carried out within the RNHF.

"Mac" has a grown up family and both he and his wife live in Yeovil

Les Cornford joined the Royal Navy in 1964 at the tender age of 16. He served mainly on Buccaneers at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Honnington, being on 800 NAS during the sinking of the tanker Tory Canyon. In 1974 Les first joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight and helped with the rebuild of Sea Fury FB.11 TF956 and saw the arrival of the T.20 WG655 in 1976. Between then and leaving the Royal Navy in 1988 he predominantly served with 845 NAS and with the small ships flight on HMS Ambuscade. Since leaving the Royal Navy Les has worked for the Rotary Wing Test Squadron at RAF Boscombe Down and at AgustaWestlands before rejoining the RNHF in March 2008 as the plane captain of Swordfish II LS326.

Les lives in Yeovil with his wife Jackie and has one grown up son.

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 two teenage children.

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.

Dave Skiddy was born in Chiswick, London, and joined the Royal Navy in January 1982. After training and an initial posting on Wessex HU.5 helicopters, Dave migrated to the Sea Harrier community with whom he spent the rest of his RN career, completing six frontline tours in Bosnia, the Gulf and Afghanistan right up until the last SHAR departed Yeovilton in March 2006. He also assisted with the conversion of the newly-reformed 800 NAS to the Harrier GR.7 prior to leaving the RN as Chief Petty Officer in July 2006 and subsequently joining the RNHF as the plane captain for Sea Fury FB.11 VR930.

Dave is the "sporty" member of the team, enjoying running, cycling and many more outdoor activities. He is married with two grown-up children and lives in Yeovil.

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 Royals, HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious, his final draft was with the Sea Harrier Operational Evaluation Unit. He joined Agusta Westland 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 Stores Liaison. He is married with one son and lives in Martock, near Yeovil.