Royal Air Force Survival Equipment - squipper Association

19/05/2026

As many of you have been anxiously waiting, I am now pleased to confirm the following.

The survival Equipment Centenary Ball.

Will be held on Saturday the 26th September 2026.

To be held at:

The elephant hotel
Church road
Pangbourne
Reading
RG87AR

They have limited parking on site, however pangbourne carpark over the road and free Saturday evening and Sunday day time.

Pangbourne train station just over the road from hotel, mainline station is reading, then from reading station to pangbourne is two stops and approximately 20 minutes.

The Elephant Hotel in Pangbourne is a historic, boutique hotel located in the Thames-side village of Pangbourne, Berkshire. Opened in the late 1800s, it has evolved from a traditional establishment into a uniquely themed hotel featuring 22 rooms with handcrafted Indian furniture. It is known for its “Empire” style.

We have seating for 80 guests, we have the cocktail lounge, the out door terraced area and access to the gardens.

It’s a three course meal, with arrival drinks of prosecco or beer or soft drink alternative.

We have a band called the mischiefs booked for the evening.
Due to having a band we have to pay for the eight rooms above the ballroom because of the noise.

Plan
1900-2000 arrival photos and drinks
2000 seated
2015 arrival speech.
2030 food served.
2130 2215 speeches and raffle/auction
2215 band
Coaches 0000.

We have had to book eight rooms due to having entertainment on the night, so that's eight already secured. They have plenty more to book should people want them.

A raffle will be held on the night and proceeds will go to a charity yet to be chosen. We have donations from, good wood, rolls royce, Qinetiq to name just a few.

The event is sponsored so that we can keep costs down. We are waiting for the final coating, so please bare with and we will let you all know the cost in a timely manner.

There is as stated a total number of eighty seats so if you could give me an idea if you're interested it will help.

And many of you may ask why pangbourne, well it's in the location of the next largest train network in the UK which is reading. Which means we can have a good line for those who are travelling. The road and rail network to the location are superb and it allows many of you easy access to the ball.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

18/05/2026

In the 100 years since the RAF Survival Equipment Trade was formed and saved its first life.
We are still doing it......
Armourer's may provide the means to punch out but we get them down safely.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CyL8q1LrZ/

Yesterday, two Boeing E/A-18G Growlers collided mid-air during an airshow demonstration at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

All four pilots successfully ejected using the Martin-Baker US14A (NACES) Ejection Seat.

11/05/2026

In the 100 years of the RAF Survival Equipment Trade, we have consistently delivered when requested. This week is no different to saving the first life in June 1926, long may our unsung trade go on being something so vital and unique.
We Serve To Save.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CV4e1zEqH/

20/04/2026

Since Eric Pentland took his leap of faith AEA and Survival Equipment changed to deal with both the aircraft and the risk Squippers are the hub of this change....

19/04/2026

In September 1925 Sir Samuel H***e announced he was ordering 2500 parachutes from Irvins and at the same time he would create a Specialist Trade to look after them. 10 Months late on 17th June 1926 the SE Trade saved its first life......The rest is 100 years of life saving in the RAF by the Survival Equipment trade....The Squippers.

12/04/2026

Well what can I say about the inaugural squippers reunion.

We started in the Albert, and everything was going well. We had 10 squippers that attended.

One of which was a gentleman that joined in 1954 and was an Survival Equipment Worker (SEW).

Served on shackletons and his story was incredible, and he's 96.

I'm sure his story will follow.

Whilst drinking and being merry, we had a gentleman and his wife that had joined our group for the day, and that was because they knew of Kev smith. So after some friendly chat scott who happened to be the RSM of wellington barracks invited us onto camp and to the sgt/warrent officers mess.

To which we accepted and had the most amazing tour of the camp, it's history and experienced the work they do on the camp. This was a one off that may well never happen again. And that's all down to Scott, who like many have met and worked with squippers over the years and relates to what it is we do.

He was ex army air corp, he'd also worked with Lou in Iraq, so knew the trade well.

Last but not least thank you to all of you that attended this year, I hope you enjoyed it and spread the word, for next year.

11/04/2026

So it's started and all is going well. Who else is on their way.

09/04/2026

With regards to this weekend. If anyone is travelling up and gets an issue, please by all means take my number and give me a call.

Will gladly help to give directions or anything else.

My number is 07715219421.

Rich

08/04/2026

Don't forget this weekend is the inaugural survival equipment reunion at the following address.

52 Victoria St, London SW1H 0NP

It kicks off at 1300hrs, will meet in the down stairs bar which is accessed from either Victoria Street or Buckingham gate.

We look forward to seeing you there.

28/03/2026

An interesting post but the lives which were saved would more than likely have been due to men and women of the parachute section at Debden.
The trade is so often over looked for its life saving record

I hope that in our 100thYear we can change that.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14XqPsRmNf3/

"An RAF pilot tells workers in a parachute factory how one of their chutes saved his life when he was shot down." Photo taken 9th March 1941.

We think this is John Hemingway standing on the table and Peter Townsend on the far left, and possibly William Carnaby next to him.

They were all with 85 Squadron at that time and had all parachuted out of their aircrafts in 1940 (Hemingway twice in August '40).

As they were stationed at Debden, Essex, the thinking is this factory could be Courtaulds in Braintree...

(Image: Colourised RAF Fighter & Bomber Command 1939-1945)

29/12/2025

How we first came to have flying suits in the RAF..
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANLyNsxiQ/