Cadets from 2502 (Hamilton) Air Training Corps (ATC) joined other Leicestershire Air Cadets in pulling a VC10 Aircraft at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in aid of local charities.
On Sunday morning cadets and staff of Hamilton Air Cadets joined over 40 other Air Cadets from Wigston, Syston, Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough. They came together at Bruntingthrope Aerodrome to raise money for their squadron’s and the RAF Charitable Trust.
Over 70 cadets and staff took up the rope to pull a VC10 weighing over 63 tonnes, their challenge was to pull the aircraft over 500 meters, doing that in two stretches of 250 meters. With the wind gusting in their faces it was a difficult start with parents stepping in to help push the aircraft till it got rolling and then the cadets took the strain and rolled it over the 250 meter half way point with ease.
After a short break while the aircraft was turned around the cadets took up the challenge again. The return journey was solely the cadets valiantly digging in deep to pull the 63 tonnes over the 500 meter line, with a triumph cheer from all the cadets and onlookers.
After the pull Cadet Joseph Hunt (13) said “I really enjoyed that, it was a really good experience”. Flying Officer Dan McGlynn of 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron ATC also commented “I am really tired but it was a good feeling”
In an interview after the aircraft pull Flight Lieutenant Tim Hargraves of 1461 (Wigston) Squadron ATC said “When I turned up today and saw the size of the VC10, I thought we’d taken on too much of a challenge. But the cadet’s whole heartedly took and the challenge, I’m really proud”
The expectations is that aircraft pull with raise over £1,000 for the squadrons and the RAF Charitable trust.