Steve Gilmore, Richard Larkman, Keith Penfold, Simon & John Meldrum, Steve Middleton, Anne & Peirs De Legh, Ashley Pottier
This article and the accompanying photos were provided by John Meldrum after the fly-out to White Waltham on April 20th. Since then we have all been shocked to learn of Steve Gilmore's tragic death from a brain haemorrhage on May 1st. I hope that this short article and the pictures which go with it will serve as a small reminder of Steve's flying at Redhill and of what was obviously a happy day for all concerned.
Alasdair.
Steve Gilmore, Richard Larkman, Keith Penfold, Simon & John
Meldrum, Steve Middleton, Anne & Peirs De Legh, Ashley Pottier
The fly out included Keith Penfold who went in the Jab together with Richard Larkman. Ashley flew with Steve Middleton in NH and myself and son Simon in BN.
Piers and Anne went in their Kolb and we were joined by Steve Gilmore in another Shadow G-MTMY - the one with the folding wings from hanger.
Ashley discovered major wheel problems when undertaking his inspection - the wheel bearings had seized and Alan came and did a quick wheel swap.
It was a mucky initial run out of Redhill but improved after Woking.
There was an interesting 'can you hear me' exchange between Ashley and White Waltham Radio for a few minutes.
I too wondered if my radio had failed as I did not receive any responses to my inbound circuit calls. However, I have learnt that not all airfield stations make such response acknowledgements.
Keith in the Jab had the discomfort of the engine stopping 10ft off the ground; again another learning experience.
The line-up at White Waltham
Peirs, Keith and Ashley returned to Redhill whilst I continued with my son Simon to Popham in company with Steve Gilmore in the 'MY'.
Steve Gilmore in flight in MTMY
Whilst at Popham we meet a guy who had leant to fly at Cloudbase and was lucky enough to be part of a small group who won the Flyer Magazine 'Jab' plane last year and which they are now building.
Steve Gilmore passing Lasham on the way back from Popham
All in all, a great day out in good company !
John Meldrum
April 2002