4 Off to Malvern HQ

Peter could not sleep that night. He was looking forward to Tuesday morning when he would see the SBS’s fly past and a signal from Nigel. The airmen arrived at the usual hour. It was a small formation of just nine birds in ‘V’ formation but they flew much lower than usual, and at a much higher speed. The sound they produced from their wings was so deafening that humans were startled and looked up to the sky.

When the birds were one hundred meters or so above 'The Firs' they instantly changed colour from light grey to black. “How did they do that?” asked Peter to his dad. “They have just executed the famous ‘Half Revolution’ my son,” said Peters dad. “It’s a manoeuvre that other racing squadrons around the world have tried to emulate, but without success.  Only the SBS has ever achieved it.” Then, within minutes, perfectly synchronised, all birds revolved again through 180 degrees and the arrow shape changed back to its normal light grey colour. The fliers had now returned to their normal upright positions. “Fantastic,” said Peter, “Dad, Nigel said that he would send a signal and he kept his word.”

The next day, a Wednesday, the Squadron flew past at the usual time but was reduced in number to seven birds and there was no fancy air display. Peter wondered if Nigel had become ill again. 

Thursday brought an even smaller group of just 5 birds and on Friday there was no fly past at all. “That is unusual,” said Peter’s dad, “there has always been a fly past at 11 o’clock on a weekday except at times of war. We had better wait and see what happens on Monday Peter.”

Monday came and no SBS. “Dad I’m worried,” said Peter, “the number of birds in the flying formation has been slowly reducing and Nigel did speak of illness at their Mess.”

“I think that you are right my son,” said Peter’s Dad. “It’s essential that we investigate.” And so the two flew off to the Malvern Hills.  

The Malvern Hills

“Do you know where Malvern HQ is Dad?" Peter inquired. “Yes,” replied Peter’s dad. “Wing Commander Drake has a large house in West Malvern overlooking Herefordshire and the squadron's pigeon loft is in his garden. It’s a converted mobile home and can house about fifty birds, we shall see it from a mile away, you can’t miss it. I understand its pure luxury inside."

Malvern HQ

Inside the luxury Loft

Soon the two were approaching West Malvern and Commander Drake’s house came into view. They landed at the main entrance to the loft and were met by Percy the Mynah bird. “Good morning Petty Officer Percy,” said Peter’s Dad, ”we are friends of Nigel Nutter and wondered if we could see him.” “I’m afraid he is ill,” said Percy, “just about all our airmen are unwell at the moment. We don’t know what has caused the epidemic and the human vet’s medicine has done no good.” Peter looked around the large garden and saw Commander Drake sitting in his summer house with his head in his hands. “Ducky has taken it very badly,” said Percy. “He served in the Royal Air Force you know. He fought in the 2nd World War in Bomber Command and has medals for bravery and honour, but this week ten of his birds died and I saw him cry like a baby. He sits alone in his summer house all day now. The man is distraught, he loves his birds and can see no end to this nightmare."

Wing Commander Drake's Summer House

“You had better come in,” said Percy, “but I warn you, inside is not a pretty sight. We have twenty birds in a very bad way and the other twenty appear to be coming down with the disease. Nigel is one of the latter.”

To be continued......

Photographic Acknowledgements

The above images were provided, with thanks, from the following organisations:

Malvern Hills - en.wikipedia.org
Malvern HQ exterior - hcsdesighit.com
Malvern HQ interior - occupationalasthma.com
Commander Drake's Summer House - rgbstock.com