Royal Air Force Survival Equipment - squipper Association

03/09/2026

Not long until the great meal itself and it will be great to see everyone there.

Please send payment to:
Account name: Survival Equipment Association
Sort code: 77-72-12
Account number: 40807468

Please also send your menu choices to Richard Alman who is collecting them.

Any further info can be found on previous posts!

See you there!

16/08/2026

We still have some of our 100 uear commemorative flags in stock, available in black or white at £15.00 each, which includes p&p. Message me or email [email protected]

11/08/2026

Apologies for the delay in the post, we have been working with our sponsors to get a commitment to donations and as of yet they've still to confirm.

Therefore I have decided to.post the cost as a price per head. This is a maximum cost and will come.down. we will then refund the difference to those attending.

The price is as follows.

Arrival drinks, followed by a three course meal, and a live band for entertainment is a total of £64.66 per head.

The menu is below for your information.

guests with dietary requirements can have an alternative dish.



Tomato & goat cheese tart, rocket salad,

balsamic syrup V



Roast plum tomato and basil soup,

Parmesan crouton Vegan/V/DF/GF



Ham hock terrine, piccalilli, toasted brown bread DF/GF



Smoked trout, beetroot salad, horseradish cream DF/GF



*****

8oz Sirloin steak, thyme roast potatoes, flat mushroom, balsamic roasted tomato, watercress & pepper corn sauce & sea salt rub


Roast breast of chicken stuffed with sun blushed tomato & thyme,

roast potatoes, light red w**e jus DF/GF



BEEF BURGER

mature cheddar, lettuce, dill pickles, relish, burger bun, chips,

house slaw

Roast butternut squash risotto, rocket & parmesan salad Vegan/V/DF/GF



*** all served with seasonal vegetables ***



*****

Strawberry cheesecake, Chantilly cream,

strawberry sauce



Iced dark chocolate and honeycomb parfait,

cherry compote V/GF



Dark chocolate brownie, white chocolate ice cream, milk chocolate sauce V



Apple tart tatin, cinnamon ice cream, caramel sauce V

I have a list of those who have already confirmed their attendance. If you could comment below your interest so that we may get emails out to you all it would be fantastic.

02/08/2026

Ok Squippers here is this week's Squipper Quiz.
What Aircraft is this from....

21/07/2026

The date is getting closer and so we can work out how much it's going to cost individuals we really need an idea of who's looking to attend the centenary ball.

We have seating for 80.

With arrival drinks, a three course meal with w**e. Live entertainment and a raffle with exceptional prizes.

Please comment below if you are looking to attend and if so if you'd be bringing a plus one.

17/06/2026

So today we paid our respects at The Runnymede Air Memorial to The Missing.
A very Sombre place where we laid an SE Trade wreath to
commemorate those of SE Trade who have served in the RAF over the last 100 years, saving thousands of lives quietly in the back rooms and sections across the world.
Lest We Forget.
Squippers -Aye.

17/06/2026

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the first emergency escape using an issued parachute by Pilot Officer Eric Pentland.
He became the 31st member of the Caterpillar Club but the first life was saved by a specialist trade - RAF Survival Equipment Fitters one which was the Inception of Sir Edward H***e Secretary for Air.
The outcome 100 years later is thousands of lives saved by a small group of Men and Women including the successful airborne assaults during Operation Biting, Operation Overlord and Arnhem. Through to Suez, Tristan Da Cunna this year.
Always the silent back room men and women.
Lest We Forget. Go Squippers.

06/06/2026

On this Day 82 years ago over 20,000 parachutes had been used in the largest airborne assault in history. Of the 20,000 parachutes approximately 13,000 were for US troops and another 8,000 were for British troops. This figure does not include the reserve parachutes worn but US troops.
A majority of the parachutes were packed by WAAF Parachute Packers.

Since 1942 from Op Bitting to the creation of 38 Group who were responsible for the provision of parachutes during operation Overlord and beyond. Through Arnhem, Suez to the most recent Parachute drop on to Tristan de Cuana the RAF Survival Equipment has quietly been at the forefront of airborne assault creating success.
Lest We Forget, our forebears.
Go Squippers. SE 100.

19/05/2026

As many of you have been anxiously waiting, I am now pleased to confirm the following.

The survival Equipment Centenary Ball.

Will be held on Saturday the 26th September 2026.

To be held at:

The elephant hotel
Church road
Pangbourne
Reading
RG87AR

They have limited parking on site, however pangbourne carpark over the road and free Saturday evening and Sunday day time.

Pangbourne train station just over the road from hotel, mainline station is reading, then from reading station to pangbourne is two stops and approximately 20 minutes.

The Elephant Hotel in Pangbourne is a historic, boutique hotel located in the Thames-side village of Pangbourne, Berkshire. Opened in the late 1800s, it has evolved from a traditional establishment into a uniquely themed hotel featuring 22 rooms with handcrafted Indian furniture. It is known for its “Empire” style.

We have seating for 80 guests, we have the cocktail lounge, the out door terraced area and access to the gardens.

It’s a three course meal, with arrival drinks of prosecco or b**r or soft drink alternative.

We have a band called the mischiefs booked for the evening.
Due to having a band we have to pay for the eight rooms above the ballroom because of the noise.

Plan
1900-2000 arrival photos and drinks
2000 seated
2015 arrival speech.
2030 food served.
2130 2215 speeches and raffle/auction
2215 band
Coaches 0000.

We have had to book eight rooms due to having entertainment on the night, so that's eight already secured. They have plenty more to book should people want them.

A raffle will be held on the night and proceeds will go to a charity yet to be chosen. We have donations from, good wood, rolls royce, Qinetiq to name just a few.

The event is sponsored so that we can keep costs down. We are waiting for the final coating, so please bare with and we will let you all know the cost in a timely manner.

There is as stated a total number of eighty seats so if you could give me an idea if you're interested it will help.

And many of you may ask why pangbourne, well it's in the location of the next largest train network in the UK which is reading. Which means we can have a good line for those who are travelling. The road and rail network to the location are superb and it allows many of you easy access to the ball.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

18/05/2026

In the 100 years since the RAF Survival Equipment Trade was formed and saved its first life.
We are still doing it......
Armourer's may provide the means to punch out but we get them down safely.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CyL8q1LrZ/

Yesterday, two Boeing E/A-18G Growlers collided mid-air during an airshow demonstration at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

All four pilots successfully ejected using the Martin-Baker US14A (NACES) Ejection Seat.