Sunderland Flying Boat
Old Hairy
Sad to see the last of your Sunderland tales, but doubtless you’ll find some more interesting anecdotes to keep us entertained!
Your mention of Car Nicobar brought back a few memories as it was a regular refuelling stop for the Changi-based 'Pigs' (Valettas) and RNZAF Bristol Freighters employed on the regular Changi – Negombo (Katunayake, Sri Lanka) run. They routed Changi – RAAF Butterworth – Car Nicobar – Negombo, and later when the crushed coral runway had been constructed at Gan, continued down there as part of the Negombo – Gan airbridge, when the frequency was upped to three a week. Until the WW2 crushed coral runway had been re-built at Gan, 205/209 Sqn Sunderlands detached to China Bay were responsible for keeping the initial contingent of RAF staff and Royal Engineers runway builders supplied with the essentials of life, mail and fresh produce etc. This meant two trips a week China Bay – Gan and return (Operation “Ships Flag”) and with the coral runway at Gan opening in January 1958 the twice weekly (later three times weekly) run to Gan was flown by Valettas and the occasional RNZAF Freighter detached to Negombo for this task. When RAF China Bay closed and the facilities were handed over to the Sri Lankan Air Force, the Sunderlands returned to Seletar.
I went through Car Nic a few times between 1956 – 1958 and don’t recall seeing or meeting any RAF Brits based on the island, refuelling was done by the locally-based Indian Air Force personnel. There was no terminal as such and on arrival pax disembarked and just hung around the aircraft to stretch their legs whilst it was being refuelled. Once refuelled we were off again ASAP.
Sad to see the last of your Sunderland tales, but doubtless you’ll find some more interesting anecdotes to keep us entertained!
Your mention of Car Nicobar brought back a few memories as it was a regular refuelling stop for the Changi-based 'Pigs' (Valettas) and RNZAF Bristol Freighters employed on the regular Changi – Negombo (Katunayake, Sri Lanka) run. They routed Changi – RAAF Butterworth – Car Nicobar – Negombo, and later when the crushed coral runway had been constructed at Gan, continued down there as part of the Negombo – Gan airbridge, when the frequency was upped to three a week. Until the WW2 crushed coral runway had been re-built at Gan, 205/209 Sqn Sunderlands detached to China Bay were responsible for keeping the initial contingent of RAF staff and Royal Engineers runway builders supplied with the essentials of life, mail and fresh produce etc. This meant two trips a week China Bay – Gan and return (Operation “Ships Flag”) and with the coral runway at Gan opening in January 1958 the twice weekly (later three times weekly) run to Gan was flown by Valettas and the occasional RNZAF Freighter detached to Negombo for this task. When RAF China Bay closed and the facilities were handed over to the Sri Lankan Air Force, the Sunderlands returned to Seletar.
I went through Car Nic a few times between 1956 – 1958 and don’t recall seeing or meeting any RAF Brits based on the island, refuelling was done by the locally-based Indian Air Force personnel. There was no terminal as such and on arrival pax disembarked and just hung around the aircraft to stretch their legs whilst it was being refuelled. Once refuelled we were off again ASAP.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 21st Jul 2008 at 22:39.
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Ive had a ball!! First let me apologise to Whirlwind/Andycap for barging in on your story.You did say it would take you a couple of weeks to assemble the story of your mothers journey.Which I look forward to reading,especially as I have family association with Imperial Airways and S23's.
I would like to express my gratitude,in particular to S'Land for his encouragement and links to the Sunderland photographs at Hendon.Tony Hayes[Warmtoast] for his superb photographs and his experiences flying Sunderlands.Which added immeasurably to the story. all you other gentlemen for contributing associations with this era. From messages of encouragement and PM's it obviously struck a chord.
I am convinced of the old adage " Leave them wanting a bit more" I will be back.
I would like to express my gratitude,in particular to S'Land for his encouragement and links to the Sunderland photographs at Hendon.Tony Hayes[Warmtoast] for his superb photographs and his experiences flying Sunderlands.Which added immeasurably to the story. all you other gentlemen for contributing associations with this era. From messages of encouragement and PM's it obviously struck a chord.
I am convinced of the old adage " Leave them wanting a bit more" I will be back.
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Old Hairy:
Don't thank me, it is for me to thank you for the excellent stories. I enjoyed them very much indeed.
I do think that this thread and others like it, in aviation and other fields, bring a subject to life. My own fascination with Flying Boats started when I was young and my father told me about his trip on a C-Class Boat. Ever since I have read as much as I can find about them. However, it was the first hand experience that whetted my appetite. Yes, I have read technical publications about a large number of Boats, but have always found that for pure enjoyment there is nothing better, or more informative, than reading or listening to people who were actually involved.
Don't thank me, it is for me to thank you for the excellent stories. I enjoyed them very much indeed.
I do think that this thread and others like it, in aviation and other fields, bring a subject to life. My own fascination with Flying Boats started when I was young and my father told me about his trip on a C-Class Boat. Ever since I have read as much as I can find about them. However, it was the first hand experience that whetted my appetite. Yes, I have read technical publications about a large number of Boats, but have always found that for pure enjoyment there is nothing better, or more informative, than reading or listening to people who were actually involved.
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Thank you all for your wonderful reminiscences. You may find the following web site on the C class Empire boats of interest. Aviation history ; Short C class Empire flying boat drawings & book
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Old Hairy - Great anecdotes by the way - I have a disposition list of Sunderlands which shows Rochester-built Mk 5 RN269 as "Damaged on landing, Philippines 28/6/53 - SOC". This machine had belonged to 302 FTU, 230, 201 and 205 (from Sept 1950), though I have it down as coded M, rather than P. Might be a contender for your machine?
I think I got the crash info from "Last Take Off" by Colin Cummings, ISBN 0 9526619 3 4 (Nimbus Publising)
Hope this helps.
Paul
I think I got the crash info from "Last Take Off" by Colin Cummings, ISBN 0 9526619 3 4 (Nimbus Publising)
Hope this helps.
Paul
Old Hairy,
Let me add my thanks for taking the time to post your remeniscences. Great stories.
While doing some searching in connection the "What Aerodrome" thread, I came across this documentary about Sunderlands flying on the Berlin Airlift. Some great footage, but better watched with the sound down. A terrible soundtrack, even by the standards of the day:
YouTube - Short Sunderland Flying Boats
Edited to add that I've just noticed that at 1:19 there is a brief glimpse of a civil registration G-AGIA, which GINFO tells me was a Sunderland Mk III, previously ML728. Who was the operator?
Let me add my thanks for taking the time to post your remeniscences. Great stories.
While doing some searching in connection the "What Aerodrome" thread, I came across this documentary about Sunderlands flying on the Berlin Airlift. Some great footage, but better watched with the sound down. A terrible soundtrack, even by the standards of the day:
YouTube - Short Sunderland Flying Boats
Edited to add that I've just noticed that at 1:19 there is a brief glimpse of a civil registration G-AGIA, which GINFO tells me was a Sunderland Mk III, previously ML728. Who was the operator?
Last edited by India Four Two; 5th Jul 2008 at 13:59.
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India Four Two:
Sunderland Mk III ML728 was allocated to BOAC from the production line at Rochester in 1943. She bore the civil registration G-AGIA. In October 1943 she inaugaurated the Poole to Lagos run.
Sunderland Mk III ML728 was allocated to BOAC from the production line at Rochester in 1943. She bore the civil registration G-AGIA. In October 1943 she inaugaurated the Poole to Lagos run.
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XR362, Thank you Sir ,mystery solved it was RN269,confirmed by Chas Bowyer's Sunderland Book.Although I am sure it was "P" as the previous month ,I was flying "M" all month and that was ML745. Every time aircraft came up the slip for Minor/Major,they were swapped between 88/205/209 and the hull letter changed.
Thank you also India 42. added to my ever growing memorabilia file.
Thank you also India 42. added to my ever growing memorabilia file.
Old Hairy,
Glad you liked it. I suspect you've seen a lot of the other Sunderland videos on YouTube, but here's two you might have missed.
B&W of the famous Sunderland touch and go at the opening of Wellington airport:
YouTube - sunderland fly past
and some colour 8mm footage of the same airshow, that just misses both the Sunderland incident and the near crash of a 617 Squadron Vulcan:
YouTube - Opening of Wellington Airport, New Zealand, 1959
Glad you liked it. I suspect you've seen a lot of the other Sunderland videos on YouTube, but here's two you might have missed.
B&W of the famous Sunderland touch and go at the opening of Wellington airport:
YouTube - sunderland fly past
and some colour 8mm footage of the same airshow, that just misses both the Sunderland incident and the near crash of a 617 Squadron Vulcan:
YouTube - Opening of Wellington Airport, New Zealand, 1959
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Ran across this book which may be of interest to Sunderland people
The Sunderland: Flying-boat Queen. - Google Book Search
The Sunderland: Flying-boat Queen. - Google Book Search
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S'land and others,
Heretis. It's a 2MB pdf called Empire Journey. Press the orange Download File button!
Free file hosting by Savefile.com
I'm still corresponding with the author and am hoping she can remember, among other things, the actual name of the boat...
andy
Heretis. It's a 2MB pdf called Empire Journey. Press the orange Download File button!
Free file hosting by Savefile.com
I'm still corresponding with the author and am hoping she can remember, among other things, the actual name of the boat...
andy
I've just stumbled onto this nice photo - two Sunderlands flying past the Royal Yacht Britannia
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk...trib/plane.jpg
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk...trib/plane.jpg
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Andycap.
Fascinating reading Sir.Throughly enjoyed. My father flew part of that route pre-war.Southampton to Durban.Alexandria to Port Bell down the Nile.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Regards Old Hairy.
Fascinating reading Sir.Throughly enjoyed. My father flew part of that route pre-war.Southampton to Durban.Alexandria to Port Bell down the Nile.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Regards Old Hairy.
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Andycap:
Thanks for the text. I have finally managed to read it, absolutely fascinating. My compliments to the authoress.
Old Hairy:
Welcome back, hope you had a nice holiday.
Thanks for the text. I have finally managed to read it, absolutely fascinating. My compliments to the authoress.
Old Hairy:
Welcome back, hope you had a nice holiday.
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Having started the thread and not having taken much part in it, I'd like to thank you gentlemen, for such illuminating and well written accounts of boating times.
Happy landings!
Happy landings!
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The Power of Pprune.
Its amazing that since posting my recollection of flying the Sunderland,I have had several memorable experiences.
I have been contacted by an old friend of 54 years ago and now in contact with several old squadron mates.
I have been invited to join the Goldfish Club,as apparently I am eligible for the Manila incident.
The icing on the cake.Yesterday I was invited by Trevor (Corsairoz) to the Solent Sky Museum for a conducted tour of the Sandringham (ex JM715).It was a memorable visit for me to sit on the flight deck and recall some of the old days. Thank you Trevor and the staff at Solent Sky who made us so welcome.I left with a big lump in my throat.
Its amazing that since posting my recollection of flying the Sunderland,I have had several memorable experiences.
I have been contacted by an old friend of 54 years ago and now in contact with several old squadron mates.
I have been invited to join the Goldfish Club,as apparently I am eligible for the Manila incident.
The icing on the cake.Yesterday I was invited by Trevor (Corsairoz) to the Solent Sky Museum for a conducted tour of the Sandringham (ex JM715).It was a memorable visit for me to sit on the flight deck and recall some of the old days. Thank you Trevor and the staff at Solent Sky who made us so welcome.I left with a big lump in my throat.
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What a wealth of experiences and it was a golden age of aviation according to passengers who flew on the boats! I've just come across the thread and will spend many an evening reading the accounts. I was too young to fly in the Sunderlands and before that the Pan Am Boeing 314s for which I also have an admiration.
I spent my childhood years on the island of Faial in the Azores from the late 1950’s, where the Clippers landed at the harbour in Horta en route from New York to Europe some 20 years earlier.
Sometime in the early 1960's I remember being fixed to the spot as I heard the thundering engines of a flying boat leaving the shelter of the harbour and heading out to sea for a take off. Unfortunately I can't remember much of the aircraft other than that it had 4 engines and was white in colour. I understand the Clippers had long since been lost or broken up by the early 50's so I wonder if I witnessed a Shorts departing perhaps for the UK?
I suppose it's unlikely that anybody will know (or recollect?!) but just in case, I thought I would post this.
There's also an edition of a series called "Speed Machines", once shown on Channel 4, entitled "Flying Boats" and the struggle to cross the Atlantic. The programme lasts an hour, features recollections by passengers and lots of footage, some of it previously unseen.
I recollect the series was made by a company called Flashback TV.
I spent my childhood years on the island of Faial in the Azores from the late 1950’s, where the Clippers landed at the harbour in Horta en route from New York to Europe some 20 years earlier.
Sometime in the early 1960's I remember being fixed to the spot as I heard the thundering engines of a flying boat leaving the shelter of the harbour and heading out to sea for a take off. Unfortunately I can't remember much of the aircraft other than that it had 4 engines and was white in colour. I understand the Clippers had long since been lost or broken up by the early 50's so I wonder if I witnessed a Shorts departing perhaps for the UK?
I suppose it's unlikely that anybody will know (or recollect?!) but just in case, I thought I would post this.
There's also an edition of a series called "Speed Machines", once shown on Channel 4, entitled "Flying Boats" and the struggle to cross the Atlantic. The programme lasts an hour, features recollections by passengers and lots of footage, some of it previously unseen.
I recollect the series was made by a company called Flashback TV.
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I would hazard a quess that it was Aquila Airways.I know they operated a twice weekly service from Southampton to Funchal.Not aware of any other White,four engined flying boats around at that time
Aquila went out of business at the end of 1958, shortly after their accident on the Isle of Wight. Their fleet was dumped in Lisbon for about 15 years afterwards until being scrapped.
Going through the Azores would be an obvious route for one of the very few Short boats being ferried across the Atlantic. Just a couple (the ones now in museums) did a handful of long range trips. All the other US and French large boats were gone by this time. When did the two Antilles Air Boats ones get ferried from New Zealand to the Caribbean ? I would have guessed after the early 1960s.
Going through the Azores would be an obvious route for one of the very few Short boats being ferried across the Atlantic. Just a couple (the ones now in museums) did a handful of long range trips. All the other US and French large boats were gone by this time. When did the two Antilles Air Boats ones get ferried from New Zealand to the Caribbean ? I would have guessed after the early 1960s.