We have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies" That's one of the main reasons Mark Petrie cites for the success of NWMAS, or, to spell it out in full, North Wales Military Aviation Services Ltd. While many other entrants into the world of historic ex-military jet operations in Britain have come and gone, the firm he founded at Hawarden Airport near Chester more than two decades ago is very much alive. In fact, as he notes, it's one of the UK's few jet maintenance companies and operators still functioning under its original name.The fact that NWMAS doesn't just deal with classic jets is critical here. Had it not diversified, its history would have been different. But here we are in 2023, and its pair of BAC Strikemasters have helped keep the jet warbird flag flying at a very trying time for this part of the historic aeroplane scene. Five years ago, the ex-Sultan of Oman's Air Force Mk82A, suitably registered G-SOAF, which had long been the stalwart of the fleet was joined by a former Royal Saudi Air Force Mk80A, G-RSAF, fresh out of a 14-year, ground-up restoration. That was highly significant, for it was the first newly restored ex-military jet to receive a permit to fly from the CAA since the Shoreham Hunter accident in 2015. Now, after the granting of CAA approval, that Strikemaster will be performing passenger flights under the auspices of Aero Legends.
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