RAF Odiham in Hampshire is home to the Chinook Force, providing critical, rapid support for UK military operations throughout the world. Being such an important front-line base, it was a huge privilege to be able to arrange a Guild visit to RAF Odiham on 19th August.
Given its location on the edge of Gatwick, initial contact was made by Chairman Phil Hadley and I followed this up with a visit to the base in June. Our primary host was the station Engagement Officer, Flt Lt Raph Winstanley, who has been very supportive of our visit and managed the logistics of getting us on the base and securing permission to access some of the hangars.
Thank you also to Station Commander Group Captain Sarah Moorehead and Force Commander Group Captain Hannah Bishop for approving our visit.
RAF Odiham has three Chinook Squadrons. As we were working mostly outside we were lucky to enjoy fine weather which became brighter and warmer as the day progressed. A background soundtrack was provided in the form of the distinctive ‘wokka wokka’ of Chinooks arriving at, and departing from the airfield.
27 Squadron kindly made available a briefing room for our critique at the end of the day. We began by thanking Flt Lt Raph Winstanley for making the visit possible and John Hopkins very kindly presented a wonderful, framed Chinook painting he had brought with him.
It was fascinating to review the range of artwork produced on the day. Some artists had produced sketch book drawings from a variety of different viewpoints. Others had managed to complete impressive paintings. The Chinook is not an easy aircraft to draw paint – it seems the more you study it the more complex it becomes. However I think there were some excellent renditions as demonstrated in the attached photos.
As a further thank you to all at Odiham both Phil Hadley and I will be donating our paintings, once completed, to the base. It was a hugely enjoyable day and hopefully we will be able to return sometime in the future.

David Livesley GAvA
South East Regional Organiser