WWII's The Special ' s e c r Fo ite Duties favourer pilots Win! pap See page 17
Zeppelin monsters terrorised Essex Win!
Friday, May 15, 2026 Edition No.1632
See R'n'R page 5
99p
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Win!
Rugby
Nuke test pilots flew into HELL
3 from 3 for Red Rose Amy l See p23
Skiing
See pages 14-15
Spirit of The Few
v Smyth ACM Sir Har
Scand & deliver
l See page 24
Boxing
National champs Simon Mander
l See page 27
CHIEF OF the Air Staff, ACM Sir Harv Smyth evoked the spirit of the Battle of Britain as the latest Ukrainian fast jet and rotary pilots graduated after completing the RAF’s Elementary Flying Course. He said: “From our own history we understand more than most how powerful
the few can be against the many. “We’ve had our Battle of Britain, and you are having yours at this moment, and we will help you to win that.” The efforts are the UK’s contribution to the Air Force Capability Coalition, spearheaded by the US, Denmark and the Netherlands, to equip the war-torn state with modern fighter jets to face down Putin’s Russia.
Instructor Flt Lt Copperwheat Dayle added: “It is having a real-world effect teaching these students and seeing what is going on in their country every day, it is very admirable.” This initial course focuses on critical hand-eye coordination and precise stick control, and follows the tradition of Harrier pilot training allowing graduates to move on to fast jet tuition on F-16 fighters.