NEWS & UPDATES

NEWSLETTER 22 published in Dec 2025

Issue 22 Continues with  part 1B of the diary notes of Fred Jones, Britannia Captain. (Information and editing is provided by his son, Edward Jones) concluding the eastbound trip from Hong Kong, Guam, Wake Island, Honolulu, McLellan AFB California, Offut AFB Nebraska, Gander Canada, landing back at Brize 18 Dec.

Mike Remlinger writes about his life in the RAF including his time as a Britannia Captain.

Ian Berry of the Swindon U3A Aviation group provides his personal recollections of his time with Britannias in the 1960s and 70s

Pat Jarvis explains the  workings of Auto Pilot Gyro unit (known as the goldfish bowl) which is now on display inside XM496

We also remember Roger Keyse a much liked and valued volunteer who passed away in October 2025. Roger’s wife and family very kindly dedicated the collection at Roger’s funeral to XM496.

The Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society*

New members are very welcome to join for the very modest sum of £10 per annum. In addition to receiving two copies of the Newsletter each year, they will also receive a welcome pack with the unique Members’ DVD, which includes the spectacular arrival of the aeroplane at Cotswold Airport in October 1997, plus a logo pen. Most important of all, you will have the personal pleasure of supporting a very worthwhile cause that is saving a unique piece of British heritage for posterity …and from the ‘breaker’s torch’! If you would like to join this devoted band of like minded aviation enthusiasts, please refer to the Application Form under the heading:- ‘MEMBERSHIP OR DONATIONS’.

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1. DONATIONS. In response to a number of requests for the facility to make donations to XM496 from the website, a minor modification to the ‘Form’ has been made under the Title Heading of MEMBERSHIP OR DONATIONS. Please follow the instruction to differentiate your requirement and may we thank you most sincerely for your kindness. Any monies donated are used entirely for the upkeep of the aircraft.

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2. Artist LANCE COLE ( A profile of Lance is available on the ARTWORKS column )

Prints & Cards Available on board XM496 and by post at cost (£5)

1.‘Regulus Rising’ available as professional quality print suitable for framing (18″ x 12.5″/45cm x 32cm approx overall dimensions)

‘Regulus Rising’ – XM496 heads home from the tropics  – Print suggested donation £15

1.‘Regulus Rising’ professional quality landscape greetings card – blank for own text (8″ x 6″/21cm x 15cm)

‘Regulus Rising’ – Card suggested donation £1.50

2.‘Speedbird 400’ available as professional quality print for framing (16.5″ x 11.75″/42cm x 30cm approx overall dimensions)

‘Speedbird 400’ – Final landing of G-CIVB at Cotswold 08/10/2020 – Print suggested donation £10

Any donations are solely used for the preservation of XM496 ‘Regulus’

(Click on an image above to view in large format – please note printed images do not display a copyright logo)

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3. A BOOK RECOMMENDATION – Pick Up A Pencil The Work of Laurence Fish is a superb book by Jean Bray for the lovers of Poster Art. Jean was the wife of Laurence Fish who was born in 1909 and became a very skilled illustrator particularly of technical subjects in the age of monochrome photography and was much in demand by advertisers and magazines to depict subject matter in full colour for their posters and the front pages of the popular periodicals. His subject matter ranged from highly technical industrial subjects to the more frivilous beach resort ‘pin-up’ posters advertising the virtues of resorts such as Southsea, Herne Bay and Exmouth and frequently found adorning the walls of railway stations. Laurence’s works were very popular and bought by lovers of this art-form for their own personal displays and in later years these works commanded high prices on the art market. At one time Laurence worked exclusively for the Bristol Aeroplane Company and a number of his illustrations featuring the Britannia are included in this volume. As colour photography eventually became the preferred media of the advertiser, Laurence showed his skill as an aesthetic, creative and imaginitive artist. This 144 page, quality print, hard back, is profusely illustrated mostly in vivid colour, is a delight to behold and will grace the top of any coffee table. In 2021 Jean featured in a video about Lawrence which was filmed on-board ‘XM496’ and is due for release sometime in the future.

PICK UP A PENCIL The Work of LAURENCE FISH is available on Amazon Books   Price £28.50 incl P&P

also available at Waterstones and other good book sellers

(Click on an image to view in large format)