A few press releases from the days of way back when.

The Kingsfield Herc

A Hercules aircraft, operating out of Kingsfield, an emergency landing-strip near Dhekelia, was involved in a bizarre accident. One engine was kept running during unloading of the aircraft. The air loadmaster was left in the cockpit while the rest of the crew joined the queue to get ice-creams. Suffice it to say that some mistakes had been made and the brake pressure fell dramatically. Everyone in the queue watched, spellbound, as the aircraft neatly taxied itself straight into the hangar door. A very considerable amount of damage was done to the nose of the aircraft. It was, in fact, touch and go as to whether the aircraft was scrap or not.

THE CRUSADERS GLIDING CLUB

By Flight Lieutenant M.I. ORREY, RAF
The Crusaders Gliding Club, which operates from Kingsfield airstrip, Dhekelia, makes gliding available to all
members of H. M. Forces and some British National civilians in Cyprus.

AIMS
The Club's avowed aims are:
a. To provide gliding facilities for all ranks of the three services at low cost.
b. To stimulate interest in gliding and soaring generally, to provide healthy outside recreation and to foster and encourage enthusiasm for flying with special regard to those normally employed on the ground. 

FINANCE
Service members pay a subscription of £3 a year and 125 mils (2/6) a launch. Soaring flights cost 15/- an hour 

EQUIPMENT
The Club has two T21 dual-trainers, one Swallow intermediate, and one Olympia 401 high performance sailplane, plus two winches to get them airborne. They also have a Landrover and glider trailers with which to retrieve the aircraft when they land away from home after cross-country flights.

FLYING
The winches launch the gliders to about 1000 feet that gives a 5 minute glide back to launch point. If rising air is found the flight can be extended.
New members with no flying experience are trained from scratch on the dual control gliders. Instructor and pupil sit side by side and over many flights they work steadily through the syllabus until the pupil goes off on his first solo flight. This exciting event comes after some three months of flying training. The pupil will then have earned the International A & B Glider Pilot Certificates. The pupil flies the 2 seat aircraft solo, as this is the one he is used to flying.
Once he, or she, has settled down as a solo pilot he will graduate to the Intermediate performance sailplane, the Swallow. After plenty of practice in the Swallow, plus some advanced training in the two-seater, the Chief Flying Instructor may brief the pilot to do a short cross-country flight, followed by a landing away from Kingsfield. The Swallow can be packed into its trailer for the journey home in some 30 mins. Later, the pilot will graduate to the Olympia 401 high performance sailplane.
To keep costs down the Club's equipment is maintained by members. The skilled members are always willing to teach newcomers their techniques: most find it very satisfying to work on the wood and fabric aircraft in this jet age.
That leads us to the great attraction of gliding. Instead of a roaring engine one uses the elements for power. In
the last year Club Members have made 6 hour flights and have climbed their sailplanes to 14,1000 feet.
During the warm summer months flying stops for an hour for a lunchtime picnic by a nearby swimming pool where Members and their families may have a welcome swim

HOW TO JOIN
If you would like to join, contact Fliqht Lieutenant M. I. Orrey, Akrotiri A616 Ext 14 or Chief Technician W. Dickson, Akrotiri A571 for further details. Or, just turn up at Kingsfield airstrip, by the SBA Police Station, Dhakelia any weekend.

Flamingo Magazine 1968.

Crusaders Say Goodbye to Oldest Member

Arthur Watt is one of those lucky people who has served 3 tours in Cyprus in recent years (all at 9 Sigs) and has throughout those tours been a stalwart member of the Crusaders Gliding Club. Sadly he does not think he will get another chance to serve here as he retires in 3 years time. Arthur has progressed from a complete beginner at gliding, to passenger carrying status as well as obtaining a Private Pilot's Licence.

The Crusaders Gliding Club gave a farewell party for him last Saturday when he was presented with his third farewell tankard. The picture shows Arthur and one of our youngest members, Peter Brownrigg, the CFI's younger son. We all wish Arthur - happy landings.

The Club operates throughout the year, mainly from Kingsfield, Dhekelia. Anyone interested in joining the Club should contact Chf Tech D R Brownrigg on Akrotiri 2377, Miss L Willbourn at the Officers Mess Dhekelia or Wg Cdr Parnell on Episkopi 3547. New members are always welcome.

Crusaders Land at Akrotiri

Pictured is the Crusaders Gliding Club Blanik - 2 seater all metal glider and the K13 - 2 seater, which were seen recently gracing the sky over RAF Akrotiri during the Families Day on 15 September 1978. The Blanik and K13 were used at Akrotiri to give passenger flights. Chf Tech Brownrigg (TASF RAF Akrotiri) - the Clubs Chief Flying Instructor gave a very polished display of aerobatics in the Blanik.

The Crusaders have 6 gliders altogether - 3 two seaters and 3 solo machines including a brand new fibre glass 'hot ship' newly arrived from Germany. The Club operates every weekend and new members are always welcome - if you want a passenger ride, please come to Kingsfield on a Wednesday afternoon. Further details can be obtained by telephoning Wg Cdr Parnell on Episkopi 3547.