A party of veterans from South Wales made the 100-mile trip to Somerset to enjoy a day at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Rhondda branch of the RNA travelled from the valleys, picking up members of the Cardiff Veterans Breakfast Club en route to Yeovilton.
Amongst them was 91-year-old Cyril Oliver, the oldest member of branch, who had a good look round many of the exhibits despite being a wheelchair user - around 95 per cent of the museum is fully accessible by those in wheelchairs.
Shipmate Cyril particularly enjoyed the simulated helicopter ride, and is pictured in the doorway of a former Royal Navy search and rescue Sea King helicopter – the aircraft is painted in the distinctive red and grey RN SAR livery, with the Ace of Clubs badge denoting 771 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall until it decommissioned in March 2016.
Cyril joined the Senior Service in 1943, becoming a communications yeoman, and the sight of a Supermarine Walrus amphibious spotter/reconnaissance biplane at the museum brought back memories – he said he could remember seeing the aircraft type being used operationally during the war.
He later joined the Metropolitan Police, rising to the rank of Inspector.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum, adjoining HMS Heron, the Naval air station at Yeovilton, boasts Europe's largest naval aviation collection of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
It has more than 100 airframes dating back to 1909, and one of the biggest draws is Concorde 002, the first British prototype Concorde to fly, which has been configured to allow visitors to walk through.
Another popular exhibition gives visitors the chance to experience the thrill of watching an aircraft carrier flight deck in action.
www.fleetairarm.com
