Air Cadets Win Field Gun Competition

The Nuneaton Air Cadet Naval Field Gun crew were in action recently and showed the Sea Cadets a thing or two about how the guys in air force blue run the gun.

On Sunday 06 July, Gun crews from the Sea Cadet Training Ship 'Vanquisher' and 121 (Nuneaton) Sqn AIC joined forces once again as they ‘Ran the Gun’ at the 30 Signals regiment open day at Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote near Nuneaton.

Following the good form shown by the RAF Cosford team which recently took part in the Royal naval Field Gun Brickwoods Competition as featured in the RAF News, the Nuneaton Cadet team were eager to show that they could give the Sea Cadets a good run for their money in what is traditionally a Naval sport.

This years run proved to be somewhat more challenging than normal, Not only did the Air Cadet team have the opposing Sea Cadet team to contend with, but moments after starting the run the weather decided to mount it’s own attack. As both 10 man teams manoeuvred their scaled replica Field Gun and Limber around the course the heavens quite literally decided to open. Undeterred by the sudden deluge the Air Cadet team showed that their training, teamwork and dedication to the task in hand could lead them to storm across the finish line to win the Ivan Davys Field Gun trophy for the second year in succession.

The Cadet Field Gun display which is now an annual event has been made possible by the Rotary Club of Arbury who presented the Ivan Davys Field Guns to the Sea and Air Cadet units in recognition of the close working relationship between the Rotary Club and the two cadet organisations.

Flt Lt Ian Crewe, officer commanding 121 Squadron said: "This was a fantastic public relations opportunity for both cadet units. The cadets have all worked extremely hard to perfect what has proved to be a spectacular demonstration in the main arena in front of hundreds of spectators. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Arbury the Cadets from the Sea Cadet Training Ship Vanquisher and Air Cadets from 121 (Nuneaton) Sqn Air Training Corps can do their bit to keep the tradition of the Field Gun Run alive. I would also like to thank our civilian committee members and other cadets who turned out to support the gun team and help to sell tickets for the Squadron balloon race.”

Image: The Air Cadet Field Gun Team manoeuvre their scaled replica Field Gun and Limber around the course.

by Flt Lt Paul Hincks RAF VR(T) Sqn MCO 121 (Nuneaton) Sqn - W&B Wg