A BRIEF CV OF HERB/HUTCH HUTCHINSON

How do you summarise 53 years in a few lines?
Let's start at the beginning when on the 5th of September 1955, 327 of us assembled as the 81st Entry of Halton Apprentices in No 3 Wing of Halton Camp. The passing years have not diminished my appreciation of what we learnt and how we were taught at the No 1 School of Technical Training. I was privileged to go on to Henlow for another 3 years of intensive study followed subsequently by 2 more years of various courses. In my 21 years of service I spent 8 years in the classroom. That qualifies me to say that the RAF training schemes were second-to-none. I've always been proud to call myself an Ex-Halton Apprentice. I was an Engine Fitter (sumpie?) at Halton, but by a strange twist of fate, much of my subsequent service was in the Armament world. I was fortunate to see service in the Far East, the Middle East, the Near East and Germany. My six years with the Harrier could be described as a highlight. In 1976 an opportunity came along to emigrate to Canada. It was a family decision, which worked out well for us. Our only daughter is married and lives in Ottawa. We have one grandson aged 12. This year I reached the 70 years' milestone, something I could not have imagined 53 years ago. Yet when we look back it all seems to have gone quickly.

In Canada I worked for Raytheon Corporation responsible for the manufacture of Radar Systems. I often travelled to the head office west of Boston and spent 4 weeks in Korea. At the age of 61 the company offered a voluntary retirement scheme, which I accepted with alacrity. Since then we have traversed the globe from Cape Horn to the North Cape, from South Africa to Mongolia and across Siberia. On some trips we take our grandson along. The more I see of humanity the more I like it. There is not much wrong with us, but our political leaders all seem to be imbued with power above all else. I accept the science on global warming. Much can be done without turning off the 'lights' of our economy. Do you remember the Britannia aircraft with the Proteus turbo-prop engine? It had excellent fuel efficiency and flew at 400 mph. It was also known as the 'Whispering Giant', its noise footprint being so low. It would be ideal for intra-continental flights.

Bill Verdin and I stayed close friends after we left Halton and Henlow. He reached the highest academic level in aircraft propulsion when he graduated with an MSc from the 2-year course at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. He developed heart disease at age 37 and died of an aneurysm on a ski slope in Germany aged 43. I've kept in touch with his widow, his daughter and son, the latter now a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Pete Perry and I have also met up from time to time, the last time in October at Henlow. In 1959 the two of us went to Sicily by motorbike and covered 4000 miles. I rode pillion and although Peter was an excellent driver, it put me off motorbikes forever.
I am sorry not to have been able to come to the 81st Entry reunions. It's difficult to synchronise with the date from Canada when we, as we all do, have family commitments. I wish all my fellow 81st Entry colleague's good health and contentment as we head towards our dotage.