Red Hawk Rising

need to be on equal terms and first names help that to happen. You should know that, Andy.” Immediately instances came to mind from his mountaineering experiences, when close team work was vital. Andy nodded his assent.
Back at Wensley Electronics, part of the RAF technical team were in the canteen drinking strong coffee and eating sugary cakes to keep themselves awake. In his office, Flying Officer Goodhew was on the ‘phone to the CO at and giving him an up-to-date report via the scrambler. Squadron Leader Dawson asked him about progress on the factory trials. “We’re close to being ready to move down to West Sanby, sir. I would say that another three days should see us ready to accept the equipment from the manufacturer, provided that nothing else happens.”
“Good,” replied Squadron Leader. Dawson. “I suggest that you stand the men down at 12.00 hours with an excuse that they have to attend a briefing at RAF Ouston. Once there, those that worked most of the night can head for bed. The others can do some work on the drafts for the maintenance manuals until the usual ‘cease work’ time. Hopefully, by this evening, we will have substantially reduced the problems we have been experiencing on this project. No doubt I’ll be given a report on events by tomorrow morning and I’ll give you a briefing afterwards. Thank the men for their good work.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Flying Officer Goodhew and he put the ‘phone down. He gave a big sigh and thought that he would also have a sleep during the afternoon when they returned to Ouston. In another part of the factory, Sam Wilson had been re-assigned to help on a non-military contract on the grounds that the customer required the order more urgently. He was told that more men had to be put on the team to get it finished.
It was now 10.15 hours and Brennan Transport 05 was nearing RAF Leeming. Jack Simmonds had noted that there were three vehicles that had been with them since leaving Leeds on the Wetherby Road. He had first noticed the black Ford Consul as they went through Roundhay in Leeds. The other two vehicles, one a Standard Vanguard Phase 2 and the other a Humber Super Snipe, had showed up on the Wetherby Road out of Leeds. All three could be innocent but Jack had Evan radio in the information. It was better to be safe than sorry. The A1 road was busy and, while the traffic slowed them down a bit, it meant that there was less risk of an attempted hijack. Arriving at RAF Leeming, they made a right turn into the access road and pulled up at the guard house. Jack handed in his papers and the duty RAF policeman telephoned the station equipment officer for confirmation. When he received it, he told Jack where to drive to. Jack let off the hand brake, let the clutch out and they rolled forward. In his mirror he noticed the black Ford Consul pulled up on the side of the A1. “Evan, radio in that the black Ford Consul is pulled up on the A1 opposite the access road.” Evan nodded his understanding and made the radio call. They pulled up outside a large brick building with a loading ramp. Evan jumped down and opened the pantechnicon doors before Jack reversed the vehicle up to the ramp. The stores sergeant came out with a couple of senior aircraftmen. Jack gave the sergeant his paperwork.
“Right,” said the sergeant, “we are to take your crate out and swop the labels with the one we have to replace. Then we are to load a second crate for delivery to RAF Acklington.”
“Fine,” said Jack. “How long will it take?”
“About five minutes,” was the reply. As the crate from Argonaut Industries was unloaded, three RAF Regiment airmen arrived, led by a RAF Regiment flight lieutenant. Two of the men were carrying sten guns slung over their shoulders. When the re-labelling was completed, they took the Argonaut Industries crate through the building to the other side. They were accompanied by the equipment officer. As Jack signed as receiving an additional crate, it and the re-labelled crate were loaded into the pantechnicon. On the other side of the building, the original crate was loaded into a long wheelbase Landrover with RAF Regiment markings on it. The two men with the sten guns climbed into the back with the crate. The officer and the other airman climbed into the cab. It then drove away to another part of the base. Jack and Evan drove out of RAF Leeming and turned right onto the A1 and headed north. It was 10.40 hours. There was no sign of the black Ford Consul. They would be in Scotch Corner within fifteen minutes. Evan radioed in the latest update and was told to pull in beside a ‘Weston’s Removals’ large pantechnicon when they arrived at the HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) parking area of the transport cafe. He ‘rogered’ and switched off.
Hamilton was also receiving up-to-date details and when the conversation had finished, he said, “When we pull in at Scotch Corner, look for a black Ford Consul and keep an eye on it. I suspect the driver will stay in the vehicle and pretend to read a paper or something. Our would-be thieves are in a Commer van. It will most likely pull up next to a ‘Brennan’s Transport’ vehicle. They are currently parked at the side of the A1 near the transport cafe and must be waiting for the other vehicle to arrive. We’ll go straight in when we get there.” Another call came in to say that the Commer van was on the move. Brennan’s Transport 05 had arrived. It was 10.53 hours. As they pulled into the transport cafe parking area, they noticed the Commer van parked as expected. One of the occupants had got out of the van