www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
| 21
2015
It would be remiss of any account not to mention the father and son displays of
Gerry and Harry Humphreys who flew two distinct types of aircraft over Bray, an Aviataka
Mai 89 and a Vans RV7, the latter made by Gerry's own hand over a five year period. His was
the initial Vans to be constructed and flown in Ireland and it sports a distinctive "Flying Cow" colour
scheme because he has a fine herd of cows on his farm. Prior to becoming a farmer Gerry was pilot in the
RAF, flying the Harrier with No 1 Squadron amongst other military types.
Harry's aircraft is a genuine Russian export, a pre-production open cockpit biplane powered by a Rotax water-
cooled engine yielding some 65HP. It is painted in the subdued grey shades of an air superiority fighter but its
cruising speed is a sedate 70 mph! As for the pilot, Harry received his PPL some five years ago at 16 years of
age and is currently finishing commercial pilot training in Cork with the Atlantic Flying Training Academy.
Irish military flying was very much in evidence with an opening formation comprising a quartet of
Rheims Rockets or Cessna 172s to most observers. Incredibly, the Air Corps' commentator reminded
the crowd that these venerable aircraft entered service as long ago as 1972, implying that if they
continue flying until next year they will have equalled the Alouette's record of forty-four continuous
years. At 43 years old, they are twice as old as most of the young pilots who fly them! Rumour has it
that there are no plans to replace them, even with the updated versions that are now in production.
Ryanair displayed at Bray for the first time, using their new training Boeing
737-700, under the command of Chief Pilot Captain Raymond Conway.
