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Wings Over Mount Fuji – How a Chance Meeting Sparked a Remarkable Fundraising Journey

This is the first in a series of blogs telling the story behind an idea that brought together a 30-year friendship, a chance meeting, a world-renowned aviation artist, an enthusiastic club, and the Royal Air Force — all to raise funds for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.


How It All Started

It’s a real pleasure to be able to share how a long-standing friendship, a bit of luck, and a shared passion for aviation came together to create something genuinely special.

At its heart, this is the story of how a friend of over 30 years, a chance encounter, a world-class artist, the April Fools Club, and the RAF combined to develop an idea that would raise funds for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund through the sale of a commemorative print.

The roots of this go back more than three decades to working with Richard Millman, a fellow April Fools Club member. Then in 2022, Richard invited me to join the AFC — and that’s when things really started to gather momentum.


A Chance Meeting in Turkey

The idea for this fundraising project truly began in October 2023 on a gullet in Turkey, where I met Nick Trudgian, a world-renowned aviation artist.

As is often the way, a few drinks led to good conversation, and good conversation led to a friendship. Somewhere in those early chats, the seed of an idea was planted.

Then, at the AFC Christmas Lunch in 2023, I met Rosie Lee — and that’s when the idea really began to take shape.

Could a partnership between Nick Trudgian, the AFC and the RAF be used to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund through a commissioned drawing, with prints sold to support the charity?


From Idea to Opportunity

Through discussions with Rosie, the idea quickly developed into something tangible. With the support of Hannah Bower at the RAF Benevolent Fund, we explored how it could work and how it could deliver real value for the charity.

Although the concept had clear potential, timings and workloads at the time meant it couldn’t progress further.

But good ideas don’t disappear — they wait for the right moment.


The Idea Returns

That moment came at the AFC Christmas Lunch in 2024, when I met Stew Campbell, then Officer Commanding 617 Squadron.

We talked about the original idea, and immediately it felt relevant again — this time with a real opportunity to connect it to something current and meaningful.

As Stew prepared to leave the RAF, he passed the concept to Lt Col Mike Carty, the new OC of 617 Squadron. From there, the project gained real traction.

The idea was aligned with the upcoming deployment of 617 Squadron aboard HMS Prince of Wales on Operation Highmast, creating a commemorative pencil drawing to mark the deployment and its significance.


The Vision – Wings Over Mount Fuji

The drawing captures a truly historic moment in modern aviation:

  • 617 Squadron operating in Japanese waters

  • HMS Prince of Wales

  • JS Kaga

  • USS America

  • The unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fuji in the background


At its centre is the symbolic and historic first ever landing of an RAF jet on a Japanese carrier — JS Kaga.

Working closely with 617 Squadron XO, Lt Cdr Joe Mason, the concept has now been developed into a detailed draft layout.

Huge thanks must go to Nick Trudgian, Mike Carty, Joe Mason, Hannah Bower, the team at AFC and everyone at 617 Squadron for their support and enthusiasm in bringing this idea to life.


The drawing is now underway with several stages of development and the 3 images shown are just working design before the drawing is even started.


Working under the title:


“Wings Over Mount Fuji”


(Although we’re told the squadron’s first working title was… “Jetty McJetFace”! — which we all agree had its merits.)




Supporting the RAF Benevolent Fund

The April Fools Club is incredibly proud to support the RAF Benevolent Fund through this project.

Working alongside:

  • Hannah Bower (RAFBF)

  • Mark Axon and Jules Lynch (AFC)

  • Joe Mason and the team at 617 Squadron and RAF Marham

…we are building a series of events that will celebrate 617 Squadron and Operation Highmast, while raising meaningful funds to support the RAF family.

This is about more than a drawing — it’s about recognising service, teamwork, families, and the people behind the aircraft.



The Prints and What Comes Next

The plan is to release a series of special edition prints, including signed editions by:

  • The Artist

  • Pilots

  • OC and Executive team

  • Squadron signatures

These prints will not only commemorate Operation Highmast, but also represent the skill, commitment and teamwork of everyone in 617 Squadron who keep the aircraft flying and their crews safe.

Pricing and sale details are expected to be available from 1 April.


Follow the Journey

This is just the beginning.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing regular updates on:

  • The progress of the drawing

  • Behind-the-scenes development

  • Event plans

  • Launch details


Updates will be shared via the AFC website, email, WhatsApp groups and partner channels where available.

Thank you for following the journey — and for supporting a truly worthwhile cause.

 
 
 

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