RAF Sharjah

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/Bait1.JPG

And the view downwind.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

This company aircraft staged through on 2.3.66. It was on a "world tour" according to my log book and the next stops were Bombay and Tehran. Was it demo'd to Gulf at Bahrain I wonder?

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/4e575681-57be-4324-8f9c-c067187a8395_zpsdd419dd3.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/a2994640-153b-4695-99ab-1cd8b3a6d58f_zps5efa0f44.jpg

[Capot]

In 1966 Gulf had no aspirations towards jets. Inventions of the devil that lost money, was Alan Bodger's - correct - view. I don't think even the F27s had arrived at that time. Alan liked those, but not as much as the beloved DC3s, which really did earn money.

This only changed when Abu Dhabi and Oman joined the shareholders and wanted something slightly more prestigious. The BAC trials aircraft at Bait was one of the ones that Gulf bought, -400s ex the Phillipines as I recall but maybe that's wrong.

Brakedwell...sorry, I haven't a clue who was flying that day. Some of the Gulf Captains, converting from F27 and just back from the type course, were there and took some part in it, especially showing the BAC pilots the way along the approach. I think 'Fingers' Barnard was one of them.

[alisoncc]

Don't remember the BAC1-11 staging through Sharjah, and I was there at the time. But do remember a Lebanese/Middle Eastern airlines aircraft lobbing in enroute Lebanon-Mombasa or coming back that was broken. We Linies sorted it, and later a freebee ticket to Beirut was raffled off. I won the ticket, but declined the trip as it was only for the airfare - no accommodation included. Beirut was pretty pricey place to stay at the time, well out of Cpl Tech's pay packet.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

capot I don't have too many 'Gulf Avn' DC-3's logged down in my notes for Sharjah and I don't seem to have taken photo's of the ones that did come in. Perhaps I thought they were too 'common' then! I know our mail came into Dubai A/P and often after work I 'cadged' a lift with the Army "postie" guys to collect it off the DC-3(from Bahrain I assume?) Very quiet place then, there never seemed to be many a/c there, only the odd 'Iran Air' DC-3.
alisoncc Well there you are, I never saw that Lebanese 1-11 that you mentioned! Though mind you, as we went swimming at Khan Creek most afternoons & I daresay that even I missed quite a few of the visiting a/c. I remember while at Khan Creek 3 Indian A/F An.12's taking off from Sharjah after a short refuelling stop and climbing up over our heads. Drat - missed them! Well it certainly was a great place for anyone like myself who had an interest in aviation. Did you see any of the Helio H500 Twin Couriers that staged through. Apparently there were only 7 built and I saw 5 of them but only managed to photograph 2. They mostly arrived late at night and left in the early hours. The other 2 may have passed through but I was away for a month when I 'indulged' back to the UK for Christmas. They were en route to India where I believe they were(allegedly!) used by the CIA in Tibet. Even their 'N' regs were bogus, I think I have info' somewhere that says one of them should have been a DC-9!
Were you at Sharjah in Sept' '65 when a French A/F Breguet 763 Provence en route to Tahiti had to make an unscheduled landing with a cracked exhaust manifold? Wonder whether you worked on that?

[brakedwell]

I can't remember seeing any Gulf Aviation DC 3's at Sharjah during 1959-61, only Doves and Herons, but they must have been used regularly as a wet leased Kalinga Airlines DC 3 crashed in 1960. I don't know if it had been in G A colours


On 10 July 1960, the thirteen passengers and three crew on board a Gulf Aviation Douglas C-47 (registered VT-DGS) died when the aircraft crashed during a flight from Doha to Sharjah. As the wreckage could not be located, the cause for this worst accident in the history of the airline could not be determined.[10]

The wreckage was in fact found several years later, about 30 miles east of SHJ.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

I think you're right about the DC-3's brakedwell. Still the same in '65-'66, as I've just had a quick glance through my notes and although I saw quite a few Heron movements, there were less than five of the Dakota. I won't say my observations were 100% but I usually logged all of the visitors.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Have been clearing out a lot of items prior to moving house. Came across a photocopied magazine article as per the above title "By the OC, RAF Sharjah, Squadron Leader T.H. Sheppard, FRGS." Written around 1965-6, it comprises of five pages of info' and photo's dispelling the rumours that were around at the time that it was a "rubbish" posting. On my last page(406) it says 'Concluded on page 412.' - has anyone got the full article? And what magazine was it published in, could it have been 'Air Clues?' I received this from a friend of mine shortly after returning to the UK, so the source of the article is lost in the "mists of time!"
Two of the photo's are in leesaranda's post No. 394, they are the ones taken by JD of the TP landing at Sharjah and the Para's being offloaded at Saiq. Couple of quotes are...."Despite its inelegance, the Twin Pioneer, like the Beverly supports a unique task that no other aircraft could effect."(alluding to the TOS and Para patrols in the Jebel Akhdar)......and......"whilst scheduled to start building within the next few months is a new station headquarters, education section and supply squadron."

[blaireau]

Tom Shepherd was the last S/L CO at Sharjah. Subsequently it was inflated in time for closure!

Tom drove his newly purchased personal Landrover overland to take up his posting. He was a bit of a "keep fit springer" and relished this seemingly backwater posting. One of life's very pleasant eccentrics.

[alisoncc]

Shepherd, fabulous guy. Taught me the basics of astro navigation out in the desert somewhere whilst on one of his "sand tyre testing jaunts". I say "somewhere" as I am not sure that I ever really go the hang of shooting the stars. The sky was so clear at night remember watching "Sputnik" passing overhead on one occasion.

[misscanada]

It was indeed 'inflated' to Group Captain' for the final years; I spent the last 18 months there up to the closing down. Group Captain Cedric something, only chap there on an accompanied posting. No beauty but she started to look better!

[Savio Lodh]

Hey everyone, today (24/03/2013) I visited RAF Sharjah. Added to the Avro Anson, DeHavilland Heron, DeHavilland Dove, DC-3 and BOAC Comet on display, is now an Auster Autocrat reg G-AJRE which landed here on 5th Oct 2012 on the 80th anniversary of the first landing at the airbase. Wonder how they landed the aircraft here though with less space in the airport compound area.....

[l.garey]

Thanks for the information Savio. I knew one was going to be delivered from England, but I did not know it had arrived. I doubt if it FLEW in though! Not much open space left in central Sharjah. Maybe flew into SHJ?

Do you have any photographs?

Laurence

[l.garey]

I just checked up with a friend who was involved in setting up the Al Mahatta museum some years ago, and he tells me the Auster was dismantled at Coventry and shipped in a container. It was re-erected at SHJ and flew around the UAE for a while before the hand-over to the museum last October.

Please post a photograph if you have one!

Laurence

[sisemen]

For a moment there I had visions of a "scene" down King Abdul Aziz Street!

[l.garey]

Recent view of the runway looking SE. I can't see an Auster.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/DSCF0012rwSEsmall_zps3d4cdd76.jpg

Laurence

[brakedwell]

Recent view of the runway looking SE. I can't see an Auster.

It might be behind you :E

[alisoncc]

Quote:
Recent view of the runway looking SE. I can't see an Auster.
It might be behind you http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/evil.gifJust heard the pilot call the tower. He's on finals, although unsure whether cleared for 13L or 13R.

[l.garey]

As it's an Auster the grass strip in the middle would be best, but maybe a bit short. I remember the Auster being tricky to land, so grass would be fine!

Laurence

[brakedwell]

Just heard the pilot call the tower. He's on finals, although unsure whether cleared for 13L or 13R.

In which case he is trying to land at the wrong airport. That road is aligned on 30/12 :)

[Savio Lodh]

I have photos of the Auster Autocrat at the museum but I'm not being able to post attachments here. Can anyone please help me on that?

[l.garey]

Savio: An easy way to post photos is to use Photobucket. Do you have it?

Brakedwell: the magnetic heading may have drifted a bit since your days!

Laurence

[Gulfstreamaviator]

But to be honest if the right bod in Museum asked the right bod in the Palace, I can guarantee that a suitable open space would be available.
Given the strong winds, even a hover approach would be fine.
glf

[brakedwell]

Brakedwell: the magnetic heading may have drifted a bit since your days!


If it did Laurence it must have drifted back.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/ScreenShot2013-03-25at151903_zps6ad59c34.png

[Savio Lodh]

Got on photobucket to get the photos here. It's at Auster Autocrat which landed here on Oct 5th 2012 (reg G-AJRE) which was piloted by Captain Martin Slater who is possibly a former RAF pilot.
The Autocrat at the museum hangar now:

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02664_zps0fc5aef6.jpg

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02650_zpsaa9e0c45.jpg

[Box Brownie]

Salvio,
Martin Slater is a close friend - he owned the Auster prior to selling it to the Museum. The aircraft was based at Wellesbourne and incidently, was the first aircraft that Martin flew in .He is not ex-RAF. The passenger who flew with Martin took a number of photographs. Is there anyone who could post them on the forum if I were to e-mail them?

[brakedwell]

That looks nice, pity it doesn't fly as well as it looks

[Savio Lodh]

Thanks for that bit of info Mr. Brownie. The Autocrat will be in very shape here as the museum is very unpopular in Sharjah and very few people visit nowadays. Unforunate for them; fortunate for us :ok:

The door of the Autocrat is actually opened (without a lock) and I managed to get inside. It seems very nostalgic.
I so wish we had an RAF Spitfire at this museum. Was a Spitfire ever flown here when the airfield was active?

That's the airport yard few days ago: #memorieshttp://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02674_zps35f23553.jpg

[sisemen]

Same place when it was a little more ....ahem....."untidy"

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/DSC00202_zpsadf6b79c.jpg

[l.garey]

Box brownie: Send me the photos and I can post them.
l.garey at sunrise.ch (with usual changes to an email address).

Laurence

[l.garey]

Here are Box Brownie's photographs taken from the Auster after its delivery to SHJ, during the 15 or so hours it did in the UAE before going to the Al Mahatta museum.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/217Austerfliesaroundthelagoon05-10-12099small_zpsfcaa8d75.jpg

5 October 2012: flying around the Sharjah lagoon

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/215AusterfliesinSharjah28-09-12small_zps65b9d98d.jpg

Sharjah 28 September 2012

Lucky fellows! Now where is the runway again? Ah yes, just behind the big mosque left of centre in the first picture.

Laurence

[brakedwell]

Who would have ever thought Sharjah would look like that - bloody amazing! :eek:

[l.garey]

And it's not finished yet!

Laurence

[Savio Lodh]

To all the guys on this forum, which of you were actually RAF personal in Sharjah when this airport operated?

[brakedwell]

I was on 152 Squadron based in Bahrain from August 1959 to Sept !961 and spent half that time flying Twin Pioneers out of Sharjah.

[Savio Lodh]

I've got awesome respect for you Mr. 'brakedwell'. I do imagine flying Twin Pioneers in the Gulf in 1960 was much more exciting that B767's in Europe....

[Herod]

78 Sqn Wessex, Dec '67 to May '68. The reason for the short spell is that it was the remains of a Khormaksar tour. Yes, much more fun than flogging an "aluminum toob" around the holiday spots of Europe.

[JW411]

105 Sqn Aden & Bahrain/Ardet Bahrain (Argosy) from May 1966 to October 1971. Did a lot of flying to and from Sharjah.

[friendlypelican 2]

84 Sqn at Sharjah flying Andover C1 from Nov 67 to Dec 68.
Awesome changes since then.

[Aerials]

84 Squadron at Sharjah as an Air Communications Mechanic, October 1969 to November 1970. Sadly I have no photographs and I now realise how sketchy my memory is of the area! What a change over the years. I do remember many things about life in general while I was there.

Friendlypelican 2 - thank you for putting up the photo in your post #456. That made my day! That's exactly as I remember the place and I do believe that chap examining the propeller blade is nicknamed Twig or Twiggy.

Sisemen's first picture at post #465 also brought back memories, thank you too. I'm so glad I never had to work in the hangar except once or twice, only briefly. It was a cooker! The second picture in that post has me a bit disorientated. Was that hangar in the background 78s? If it was, we didn't usually park the Andover aircraft in that direction. Beyond the Argosy when I was there, would've been 8 Squadron (Hunters) or the Shackleton Detachment.

Reflecting while writing this, it was a wonderful posting made very tolerable by the folk I worked and lived with. Oh! And Pop's tea that he used to bring round the billets (nobody seems to use that word any more) in a big can with a burner underneath.

[Krakatoa]

Many detachments with 37Squadron from October 1959 to november 1961.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Don't forget me! End of May '65 to beginning of May '66(actually spent a month at Muharraq before being posted to Sharjah) - Station Workshops(Carpenters Shop) i/c "Fred the Fox" Anybody remember his little pen outside the 'chippy' shop?

[leesaranda]

I was on 152 Sqn, on Twin Pins, based in Sharjah from Jan '65 to Mar '66. Never thought it would grow into that!

[alisoncc]

Definitely a reunion is called for. I was there from Jan '66 to Jan' 67. Ran half the MEC. Left hand end of this place:

http://users.on.net/~alisoncc/sharjah.jpg

[Savio Lodh]

Wow. All you guys are amazing :ok:
So glad this forum was available allowing you'll to share memories of flying in the Gulf. I'll post some pics later in the day of stuff you'll might remember from flying to/from RAF Sharjah. Off to school now :)

[navstar1]

I was all of 1966. Navigator of Twin Pins 152 B Flight:ok:

[sisemen]

Main street!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/DSC00224-1_zps07395a22.jpg

Just outside the camp gates

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/DSC00211_zps0b731df6.jpg

A very young sisemen about where the Jumeira Beach complex is now

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/DSC00047_zps7abda728.jpg

[brakedwell]

siseman, you must have hung out in the exclusive side of Sharjah ;)

[sisemen]

Mountain/Desert Rescue Team - have la n d rover, will travel!

[Savio Lodh]

Here are some of the photos I promised you guys of my recent trip to the museum:

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02710_zps6739daf5.jpg[/IMG]]

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02681_zps60508f6d.jpg[/IMG]]

[Savio Lodh]

Airport movie equipment:

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02683_zps199039f2.jpg[/IMG]]

Weather data records:

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02680_zpsb25d918d.jpg[/IMG]]

The new Auster Autocrat:

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/Savio_Peter_Lodh/DSC02643_zps81366822.jpg[/IMG]]

[Mearns Loon]

I am encourage to return to Sharjah to see the Museum. I only visited the base to find I. A. Radio office.
In Siseman's photograph of the main street, I think Shell Hydrocarbons used the building behind where the man is standing in the street. I purchased some gold jewelry from a shop on the left.

My time in Sharjah and the VC 10 crews can be for another thread.
Mearns Loon

[Aerials]

Ah, the Souk was the place to go for gold! Sheik Robbie had the best selection and best prices, once you'd haggled all afternoon! Somewhere on that main street was Abdul's fried chicken restaurant and the 4 Candles (or was it 5?) which was a bit more up-market in those days.

[navstar1]

Remember Sheik Robbie very well and haggling with him over many bottles of cold fanta! Still have my gold cuff links from him after 45 years. Excellent quality. Does anybody remember the camp tailor? Measured in the afternoon full kit provided-including mess kit-the following morning now that is what I call service:ok:

[JW411]

Sheik Robbie (or was it Rhobbi or Robbhi):

Just about every trip I did down to Sharjah from Muharraq which was at least once a week, I had to go and visit Sheik Robbie to chase up orders that had been made from people back in Bahrain.

I always enjoyed going down to see him. The quality of his gold and silversmiths was outstanding and anyone who has a Sheik Robbie gold kunjah is a very lucky person.

I also used to enjoy watching the dhow builders. It was explained to me that there were no plans or diagrams. The basic plot was handed down from father to son and the whole thing was originally marked out on the sand.

Wood was scarce and none of it was wasted. Every available usable piece was incorporated in the bulid and some of it didn't fit too well by modern standards.

As I remember it, all the gaps and holes were filled by various bits of cloth and tar and then the whole hull was sunk in the creek for two weeks to allow for everything to expand and become water tight.

The resulting product was quite able to go to sea and go as far as Dar-as-Salaam.

[Aerials]

Although Fanta was available, I remember drinking a local fizzy lemonade called Stim. I wonder if it's still made?

[brakedwell]

Thanks Jock, you have just reminded me of a dhow misadventure!
My nav and I were invited to a farewell bash for the departing TOS adjutant. As it was mid winter lounge suits were to be worn. When we arrived at the TOS officers mess in downtown Sharjah they told us the party was going to be held on a dhow, which had been chartered from Dubai. We were ferried out in small boats and set sail after about an hour of bobbing up and down 100yds from the beach
I remember feeling cold, but large helpings of curry and a ready supply of drinks soon warmed us all up. Then the wind started to rise, so the dhow captain slipped anchor and headed out to sea. Before long the dhow was pitching and rolling violently. Half of the guests succombed to sea sickness and the fit ones amongst us moved aft and continued drinkng, but by the early hours everyone had had enough and the dhow turned back towards Sharjah in an increasingly angry sea. The captain refused to sail in close to the beach as he was unfamiliar with the depths. After a lot of torch flashing and ineffective shouting one of the small boats appeared through the darkness. When the captain announced he was going to disembark the remaining guests on a jetty near Dubai Colonel Carter insisted the Twin Pin crew went ashore in the small boat as they were due to fly him to Manama at 0900!
We managed to board it without falling into the oggin and chugged back towards the TOS mess. A very large wave soon knocked out the outboard motor, then two more finished us off and we were forced to swim for the shore.
We were driven, shivering, to our accomodation at RAF Sharjah in an open TOS landrover. Before going to bed I hung my soggy lounge suit on the washing line outside our rooms and it dried out overnight, but it also changed colour to duck egg green at the back and a salty whitish grey on the front. (While hanging around at Manama I was told the seating and woodwork on the dhow had been painted green a few hours before out trip and it had not had time to dry). On the following morning Col Carter only just made his flight and I retired my only suit!

[luffers79]

In 1954, I was on 79 Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron in Germany. My Flight Commander P.W. (ex Cranwell) apparently was previously a very young C.O of RAF Sharjah. Very few personnel were stationed there. It was before Oil was discovered. I think the airfield runway might even have been of sand ? They seldom had any aircraft landing there ?
Anyway, one day a DC3 (on one engine) was seen descending into the circuit unannounced. It landed & PW and some mechanics drove out to it.

It proved to be a French Air Force aircraft. The captain was asked where he had been flying to before he got into trouble & decided to divert to Sharjah.

Apparently, it was flying to a French Foreign Legion base somewhere - with a full load of French Prostitutes !!

PW quietly says to his sergeant i/c maintenance, "This aircraft will not be fit to fly for a week- understood ?!!". "Yes Sir !!".

Although everyone was sworn to keep the incident quiet, it soon had spread throughout the RAF.

I´m told that Paul was the last member of his course at Cranwell to get promoted to Squadron Leader because of this !!? He was last heard of strumming his guitar around the worlds sunny sexy flesh spots ???

[brakedwell]

Legend had it that the aircraft type was a Languedoc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCASE_Languedoc), which was on it's way to French Indo China (Vietnam) with a load of troop comforts when it diverted into Sharjah with technical problem. The ladies of the night were more than willing to indulge in a bit of practice while they waited for the aircraft to be fixed.

[JW411]

I also have a vague memory of a Royal Navy minesweeper boarding a dhow as it was suspected of people smuggling. They took the dhow on tow and set sail for Sharjah. Unfortunately they went too fast and pulled the front off the dhow which then sank with loss of life.

[brakedwell]

I'm surprised the Navy knew where Sharjah was :E

[sisemen]

"Left hand down a bit number one"........

[blaireau]

Was named as a more acceptable name than the original "Robbin Bastard". Always plenty of cold soft drinks in Robbie's shop space, and quality gear. Still got two silver and one hold Khunjah.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Well I never, a similar thing happened in Sept. 66 when a Breguet Provence(one of those 4 engined double deckered thingy's) diverted in with a split exhaust manifold. I did have a look around the lower cargo deck, but the only thing of any interest was a nice sailing dinghy. It night stopped after repair and departed early morning en-route Tahiti. I don't think there were any "women of pleasure" on board or else one of you lot would be bragging about it now!!

Thankyou savio for posting those photo's.

Here is a 'dodgy' photo' of two AAC Sioux(XT173 & 174) that were delivered in from Aden on the 5th Feb '66. I left for the UK in early May and I never ever saw them fly. Any idea as to what Regt/Flight/Sqdn they belonged to and what happened to them? Can anyone confirm that they did eventually get airborne?


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/d91a2cf4-a9f3-4103-be3d-e6c2242b4316_zpsb838a8bc.jpg

[sisemen]

They were certainly operating in May 67 - I had a flight in one of them. From memory they were operated by AAC in support of the TOS. Both aircraft were serviceable and operated out of the hangar in which I worked.

[l.garey]

Saro:

XT173, shot down Aden 20/6/67
ASN Aircraft accident 20-JUN-1967 Westland Sioux AH.1 XT173 (http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=139477)

XT174, crashed Aldridge 18/4/73
ASN Aircraft accident 18-APR-1973 Westland Sioux AH.1 XT174 (http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=64753)

Laurence

[old,not bold]

I had a flight in one of them

So did I. The choppers beat the hell out of driving in the sands for a week to check out a well for dodgy activities, or even worse for a fortnight on a camel for the same purpose but with fewer reverberations.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Thankyou sisemen, LG and onb for updating me on the Sioux. The accident reports makes interesting reading. Niether of them had much of a length of service!! Took me another 35+ years before I flew a pax flight in a 47 and that was a 'civvy' one(Alan Mann's at Fairoaks)

[captain_salman]

Some good shots there Savio! I am thinking of meeting up in coming days and visit there once again with some really detailed shots of the artifacts here for our respected veteran pilots back home. :)

[captain_salman]

By the way, has anyone photographed the Khalid Lake back then? It wasn't embanked in those days was wet sandy shores. And did anyone visited the Al Khan Village in Sharjah? it was a fishing village on the beach side north west of RAF Sharjah airfield :rolleyes:

[captain_salman]

Hello respected aviators!

Don't know if you've seen this video or not but still putting here for those who haven't seen it as a jolly good revival of old Sharjah days! It fascinates me to see 1958 Sharjah in colour!

Sharjah 1958 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/GkVN7o7m6UY)

[sisemen]

Merely "bumping" this up to the top to enable the Mods to consider merging with the other RAF Sharjah thread. :}

[yorkieforde]

Afternoon all,

Stumbled across this thread and photo's of the two Sioux helicopters... My Father, Sgt. Forde, then of The 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, was the pilot of XT173 shot down during the Police Mutiny 20/06/67.

I have a photo of XT173 in her final resting place but am not allowed to post attachments.....:{

Cheers....

Pete...

[sisemen]

Will be in Dubai 3 and 4 Sep 13. Hopefully I'll make it out to Sharjah this time.

[l.garey]

A question about some exhibits in the Al Mahatta museum. Does anyone know what aircraft these seats are from?

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/SHJseats_zps41f64782.jpg (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/apollo-fox/media/SHJseats_zps41f64782.jpg.html)

Thanks, and greetings to our Sharjah friends.

Laurence

[dhavillandpilot]

These are dhavilland seats either from a Dove or a Heron. As the heron in the museum was mine I know they aren't from that so I surmise it is from the Dove hanging from the roof.

As a side note his Heron was one of the nicest aircraft I have ever flown

[l.garey]

Thanks for that quick reply dhpilot. They may well be from the Dove, then.
Did you see the notes I wrote up about the aircraft in the museum?

https://sites.google.com/site/lgarey/rafsharjah%2Calmahattamuseum

The Heron VH-NJP came from you then?

Laurence

[alisoncc]

Does anyone know what aircraft these seats are from? Don't know, but I had to stand all the way home. :\

[captain_salman]

today is 4th of sept. sir please let me know if you're heading towards Sharjah.... I am living behind RAF SHJ museum!! Will be waiting for your PM.

[sisemen]

Bugger! We missed.

Went to the museum on Wednesday morning and marvelled at the changes that had taken place since 1968! Had an interesting time getting there as the taxi driver didn't know about the place and was most disbelieving that there had been an airport there and kept trying to tell me that I really should be at the airport outside the city. Once I get back to Oz in mid Oct I'll post up a few pics.

[friendlypelican 2]

I've got a couple of photos from a friend who was in Sharjah/Bahrein in 1969. The first one has been posted on here before, but I think this is higher resolution and seems to show signs of flooding, which may have been the reason for the pic in the first place. I left Sharjah in Dec '68 and I know that an Andover and a VC10 suffered significant hail damage shortly afterwards. Anybody confirm or remember?
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9693978934_a41722f764_z.jpg

For the 2nd photo, the question is simple:
Which Fort and where?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9690746113_a121c2f02f_z_d.jpg

Looking forward to replies.

[l.garey]

I don't think Ibri. I'll give it some more thought tomorrow!

Laurence

[l.garey]

I have gone through all my pictures of Arabian peninsula forts and can't find that one. I have tried UAE, Aden, and Oman: no luck. Is there any identity on the Hunter, or a date? Do you have a higher resolution of it? Could it be from 8 Sqd in Aden?

If you have any other information I can try again.

Laurence

[friendlypelican 2]

The info that came with the pic is that it was from a Bahrein based aircraft and possibly when on detachment to Sharjah. But it is over 40 years ago, so all memories are a bit dimmed.

[brakedwell]

That is a very distinctive fort. Definitely not Ibri, which I knew well from spending three weeks there in 1961 with a Twin Pioneer on an SAS detachment. my money is on the Aden Protectorate.

[l.garey]

I have asked a Canadian friend who spent many years in the Gulf and with whom I have explored a number of old airfield and forts, and he cannot recognise it, like brakedwell.
Still searching though!

[brakedwell]

The terrain in these photographs of Ibri taken in 1961 should disprove the Fort theory.


Forthttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/152%20Squadron%20Bahrain/Ibriruins_zpsdc1755a1.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/152%20Squadron%20Bahrain/Ibri_zps5af1448c.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/152%20Squadron%20Bahrain/IbriOman_zpsb011800e.jpg

[Capot]

I can't identify that fort either, which is frustrating because I feel i should know it, but in searching for clues I came across a fantastic website that I'm sure many people know well, but for the laggards like me its...

Radfan and the Hawker Hunter (http://www.radfanhunters.co.uk/)

Enjoy!

BTW I could not find that picture on that website, but there are a lot and I could easily have missed it. It certainly should be there, I'm thinking.

[captain_salman]

I wish I could see you guys here this time, I would have taken you well around the RAF SHJ vicinity. There is not just the museum but also some relics of bygone days which were worth a visit.... you would have traveled back in time it was like exploring the wreck of Titanic and comparing it to how it was when new.

Still I have hopes that any one of you would visit Sharjah this time than please inform me so I can give you a friendly company with Arabian hospitality and a guided tour of this area where I live.

My email: [email protected]

[l.garey]

Thanks Salman. If ever I get back to Sharjah I shall let you know!

Laurence

[SHARJAH64]

I remember those Australian eggs in cellulose, for some reason Sharjah was the last in the supply line and without the cellulose, the eggs would have gone off-would have probably tasted better anyway.

I remember in 1965 that there was a kind of mutiny in the Airmen's mess, the eggs were so disgusting that I understand that the guys took their egg and bacon breakfast and then tipped it all over the servery as a protest. I seem to remember that the revolt was led by a large fireman called Sam but all that happened was that we got no eggs at Sharjah-such happy days!!

[alisoncc]

but all that happened was that we got no eggs at Sharjah-such happy days!!

Remember large quantities of "scrambled eggs" being dished out in the mess December '65 through '66. Would that have been made with powdered eggs? Don't remember it tasting that bad.

[brakedwell]

Messes at RAF Muharraq also dished up the ozzie cellulose eggs. When I got lumbered with the messing officer secondary duty for complaining about the food in the officers' mess I used to buy as many eggs as possible before returning from Nizwa (Saiq) detachments. They may have been small, but they tasted like real eggs. Buying prawns in the Bahrain fish market and take-away Samosas for Sunday bar snacks was another supply chain I started.

[goudie]

I think I've mentioned it before but my recollection of eggs at Sharjah, is that they tasted of iodine!

[captain_salman]

Hello all :)
Thought of refreshing your memories of RAF SHARJAH

and yes this is the original tarmac runway with a part of taxiway, many of you landed on this same surface more than 60 years ago! The government of Sharjah purposely left this part of King Abdul Aziz Street to its original state! Only after the traffic light junction the new tarmac was placed in the late 1990s.

http://imageshack.us/a/img823/2218/ch82.jpg

imagine this without the light poles and footpaths division!

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/424/00ih.jpg

did you flyboys liked it? Please share your first feelings came to your minds by looking at the above photos!

[Simplythebeast]

Saroskeeterman asked if the Sioux flew at Sharjah, heres a (poor quality) photo taken by my dad when he was out there which just about shows that they did indeed!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/12318914213_942605c514_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318914213/)
PICT0023 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318914213/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

[Simplythebeast]

Just a few pics for those who were at Sharjah 1967. Taken by my late father, Cpl John Breeze who was out there as an engine fitter.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/12318878593_623f2c0e93_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318878593/)
PICT0005 (12) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318878593/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/12318727865_b5d7cc1aa6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318727865/)
PICT0026 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318727865/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/12319162464_7e4fde8069_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319162464/)
PICT0021 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319162464/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/12318890693_f0e4c7fb7a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318890693/)
PICT0018 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318890693/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/12318889313_a76770bb6b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318889313/)
PICT0019 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318889313/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/12319164104_ec2e42f17b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319164104/)
PICT0020 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319164104/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/12318887963_ed5ae2e1a2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318887963/)
PICT0016 (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318887963/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

[JW411]

Ah! The nostalgia. Thank you very much for posting those photographs. As a matter of academic interest, Argosy XP412 was one of the very few that carried 105 Squadron's Battle Axe on the tail. For as long as I could remember, the 114 Sqn Argosys had the Snake on the Tail and 267 Sqn had the Peggy on the tail. I was quite surprised when i got to 105 Sqn in 1966 that very few of our aircraft sported the Battle Axe.

[Simplythebeast]

Just found those negatives. There also a few of the troops enjoying themselves at some sort of donkey derby which seems to have been well attended if they would be of interest? So,eome may remember the occasion.

[ken knight]

Remember it well. The locals came round the day before I think to negotiate the hire of their "steed". Tthe race or races were held on Boxing Day. There is a previous post with a pic of a 78 Squadron pilot on board a beast complete with riding hat and whip, the pilot that is, Neddy Sparks I think. Great day, look forward to more pics of Sharjah.

[Herod]

Yes, ken, it was Neddy. Simplythebeast, yes there were Sioux at Sharjah. I've got a couple of pictures, but for some reason photobucket won't let me link them. if I can sort it out, I'll post.

[Simplythebeast]

"Sandup Park" raceday, RAF Sharjah c1966/7.......

Someone may remember this?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/12319374884_be44942003_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319374884/)
PICT0008 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319374884/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/12319357074_980e2fd939_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319357074/)
PICT0005 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319357074/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/12319073013_1d7cdcbb14_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319073013/)
PICT0003 (10) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319073013/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/12319095593_0f59747ca1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319095593/)
PICT0004 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319095593/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/12318935815_c22347e316_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318935815/)
PICT0011 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318935815/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/12318932815_1cbe993bd7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318932815/)
PICT0012 (8) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318932815/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/12319365884_b9d3da4965_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319365884/)
PICT0012 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319365884/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/12318927595_ea79ee6f7f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318927595/)
PICT0013 (8) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318927595/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/12319080673_9797322d43_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319080673/)
PICT0013 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319080673/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/12319359304_b447283fac_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319359304/)
PICT0014 (10) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12319359304/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

[Airey Belvoir]

Good to see this thread alive and kicking.


Sisemen promised pics when he returned - unfortunately he had a run in with a mod on the cabin crew forum and appears to have been permanently banned so I will pass on the pics.


The old tower


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/sharjahfort2_zpsaf3f8cfa.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/sharjahfort2_zpsaf3f8cfa.jpg.html)


Inside the fort


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/P9030057_zpsa3909bf1.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/P9030057_zpsa3909bf1.jpg.html)


ditto


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/sharjahfort3_zpsef312f09.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/sharjahfort3_zpsef312f09.jpg.html)


Entrance to the fort and tower
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/sharjahfort10_zpsad2db909.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/sharjahfort10_zpsad2db909.jpg.html)


Entrance to the museum


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/sharjahfort1_zps85829776.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/sharjahfort1_zps85829776.jpg.html)


Entrance to the fort
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/P9030045_zps902792fa.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/P9030045_zps902792fa.jpg.html)


Fort
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/P9030044_zps5ef63a36.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/P9030044_zps5ef63a36.jpg.html)


View from the old runway
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/20130904_141308_zps856aa04b.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/20130904_141308_zps856aa04b.jpg.html)


On the old runway!!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/20130904_140955_zps67c1d7fb.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/allan907/media/20130904_140955_zps67c1d7fb.jpg.html)

[friendlypelican 2]

Fine days!
I remember it well and on PICT012(9), the bone-dome wearer is Mark (Quincey) Gilson wearing a bright yellow bathrobe for the 84Sqn Team. I have a colour version of this somewhere in the archives - will try and dig it out.

[Simplythebeast]

I noticed in the negatives for this event a few pictures featuring families, I dont know if they are RAF,TOS or civilians?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/12345121715_3d1ef9bb68_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345121715/)
PICT0006 (10) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345121715/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/12345115195_ba61de4609_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345115195/)
PICT0002 (10) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345115195/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/12345118185_99aa353387_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345118185/)
PICT0003 (9) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345118185/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/12318916425_152d9535d3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318916425/)
PICT0004 (10) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12318916425/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

In an earlier post someone mentioned flying in some female entertainment staff? This may well be them.......

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/12345285763_7d852d081a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345285763/)
PICT0007 (13) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/breezeg/12345285763/) by 1979Bree (http://www.flickr.com/people/breezeg/), on Flickr

[Herod]

The chap falling off the donkey is Ned Sparks. Neddy falling off a neddy? :}

[captain_salman]

Thought of sharing some relics of yesteryear's Sharjah :rolleyes:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/Salman_Mohammad/IMG_7315_zps692cbe16.jpg (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/Salman_Mohammad/media/IMG_7315_zps692cbe16.jpg.html)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/Salman_Mohammad/IMG_7318_zps0630745b.jpg (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/Salman_Mohammad/media/IMG_7318_zps0630745b.jpg.html)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/Salman_Mohammad/IMG_7447_zps7746aa22.jpg (http://s91.photobucket.com/user/Salman_Mohammad/media/IMG_7447_zps7746aa22.jpg.html)

Gentlemen I would highly appreciate those using Instagram on their smartphones or tablets visit my page at : isight_moments for some exquisite UAE photography just from an iPhone!

[captain_salman]

this thread is hibernated again.:sad:

[Robert Cooper]

No, we'll keep it going! I only passed through once, but it is a very interesting thread steeped in history!

Keep it coming!

Bob C

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

I had looked on the thread at the beginning of last year and thought it had stagnated. Due to moving and having lots of aviation stuff to sort out(we have 'downsized' as they say) I only managed to get the odd look here and there and was pleased to see 'simplythebeast' had come up with a photo' of the Sioux airborne - thanks stb.
During my clear out I came across a two page printed form, titled "Official Notice of Rehabilitation." It is stamped "RAF Sharjah, Orderly Room" with the date of mine, 23 April 1966. Indeed, to the untrained civilian eye it looked 'official' to start with but soon one would guess it was a bit of a wind-up! This was sent to my fiance's parents and suggested such things as "Lock all females up" and advised that "if he is surprised or frightened by the following objects" please explain to him in "pidgin English" - a double decker bus, green grass, a train etc. Item 12 says, "Never mention the following - sand, a lovely sunny day, a holiday at the seaside" amongst others. Anybody else have one of these little 'gems?' It must have taken a few nights in the bar(or an hour at work!) to come up with this!
I like your photo's capt salman, of the road/runway. May dig out some more of my aircraft photo's if anyone is interested.

[l.garey]

Hello Saro. Glad you looked at the thread again. Although it looks stagnant there is still life in the Sharjah thread! Yes please: let's see your photos.

Laurence

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Here's one for starters then Laurence. This photo' was taken by my 'late' friend Derek Hine who was on the fire section. The original pic shows it to be a Venom FB.4 WR412 of 8 Sqd. the only info' I have on it that it was SOC(struck off charge) 4/5/61 as Cat5(c) at Eastleigh, Kenya. It was allocated the maintenance serial 7640M but ntu(not taken up) So presumabably it was airfreighted to Sharjah at some stage.It was dumped on the Dubai side of the airfield and was visible from the operational side, but I never got to see it close up. How long did it last in that state I wonder.
Anymore info' as to it's accident it must have suffered, Laurence?

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg.html)
http://www.pprune.org/<a href=&quot;<a href=http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg.html&quot; target=_blank>http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg.html&quot;</a> target=&quot;_blank&quot;><img src=&quot;<a href=http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg&quot; target=_blank>http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg&quot;</a> border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;Venom FB.4 at Sharjah circa 1965(resize 2) photo 475002a5-f631-46f8-91ab-5e362bd70187_zpsd23775ec.jpg&quot;/></a>

[l.garey]

Thanks for the photo Saro. Not the happiest of scenes! Apparently there were plenty of Venom wrecks at Sharjah anyway, as the accident rate was rather high (due to sandy runway or perhaps other reasons). I wonder why they imported one from Kenya. No, I haven't found any details of what happened to WR412.

Laurence

[captain_salman]

Yes please! My all means do add any photos of yesteryears about Sharjah, how it looked and the planes obviously.... this thread is becoming like a time capsule!

I am glad to know a fellow researchers who is in quest to find more after all this curiosity is what takes us places and brings us surprises of knowledge and wisdom.

[etimegev]

Good to see this thread re-appear again. One plea .... if you have posted photos please leave them in existence on the media from which they were referred; the pics from Captain Salman appear to be no longer available for instance.

[JW411]

The mention of Rehabilitation Forms reminds of the story of one of our navigators on 105 Sqn in Aden. He was filling-in the official form for his return to UK. One of the standard questions on the form was "Nearest Railway Station" (presumably for the issue of a travel warrant). He put down "Djibouti"!

[brakedwell]

Fate is a funny thing. I was at Sharjah when an old friend, who was a pilot on the ferry squadron at Benson, got stuck when his Venom went unserviceable and he was left behind by his three oppos.
When my navigator was carted off to sick quarters with a severe dose of squitters Bill A offered to act as second crew member on a one day Firq - Saiq airlift.
i was supervising the team of local villagers unloading 15' long wooden poles (Chargles?) on the last rotation of a very long day. Bill was sitting in the right hand seat of the Twin Pioneer parked on the end of Saiq's SE strip with the engines running, configured for take off, when one of the loaders lost control of his wooden poles, almost smashing them into the lowered flaps close to the rear door. I rushed up to the flight deck and retracted the the flaps to avoid damage.
Following an early morning two hour flight from Sharjah to Firq we had completed six round trips to Saiq and refuelled twice from four gallon flimsies in 40C when I started the last take off run. Two thirds of the way down the 500 yard strip I pulled back on the control column at 50 knots. Nothing happened and we were running out of runway when Bill shouted FLAPS and pushed the flap lever into the first notch.
We staggered of the end of the strip with no room to spare, the port main wheels passing between a line of large rocks running along the cliff edge next to Suraijah village..
I completed the two hour flight back to Sharjah feeling very chastened, aware that if my navigator had been in the RHS i might not have been around to tell the tale!

[India Four Two]

Following an early morning two hour flight from Sharjah to Firq we had completed six round trips to Saiq

That's all very well - saved you from crashing, etc., BUT did Bill A get the tie? ;)

[brakedwell]

It happened in 1960, before the Firq Saiq tie appeared.

[captain_salman]

My apologies for the pictures not appearing on the forums, I will try to upload them again and post the links. There are some more relics of TOS era still untouched in some of the areas around Al Mahatta Museum.

I will post them very soon!:)

[ricardian]

Nice pictures of the old tower & fort. I was there as a lowly erk in 1963-64 when Bill Dench was the IAL airport manager & Stan Bunyan was the Senior Radio Engineer.

[Pandy]

Moved from Sharjah last year after over 10 years living there.

Have a mate (a Brit) who'd been there since '69, and still is. He said he bought the Control Tower after the RAF departed in early '72 and converted it into a house. He said the Control Tower Log Book was in the tower open at the last entry of the last shift (he kept it). Presumably they just completed it and walked away? Told him I'd love to see it if he could find it.

Lived there for about 4 years but then sold it as he said it was impractical with small children.

Always wondered about the veracity of this as I assumed the Emiratis as they had then become would want a Control Tower, it might be quite useful at an airfield.

Anyway I was speaking to him on the phone a few days back & he's found the log book; trouble is I'm in Saudi now. Anyway when next in UAE, will
scan some of it & post if its legible

[l.garey]

Interesting, Pandy. Do you mean the control tower that is just next to the fort, alongside which the Al Mahatta museum hangar was built a few years ago?(seen in the photos by Airey Belvoir a few threads ago - 6 February 2014) I hadn't realised that it was inhabited recently. Must have been warm in there.

Laurence

[Pandy]

Yes the actual tower, plus rooms under it - not the hanger or the fort

Purely co incidentally he just called me on another matter. And yes he lived
there, having converted it, using (in his words) dozens of A/C window units

Forgot to ask him who he bought it off - the Brits or the Sheikh, will next time

[autolycus224]

Hi "Herod",
Just came across your post re Sharjah. I arrived Nov 67 to the SAR element of 78Sqn as a winchman. One month later off the Bahrain as the SAR flight. Left Bahrain Nov 68. Alf Shafe was the flight commander. If I recall, in Sharjah is was "fatty" Faid? later killed on West Africa when gearbox failed.
Regards
Ian Jones

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/GAOPL.jpg

I have just got myself a new slide converter and here is another photograph of the Prentice G-AOPL previously mentioned.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/IL12IAF.jpg

Here is a photograph of a visiting Indian Air Force IL-12. We were invited on board and it was interesting to note that only the flight deck was pressurised. In the background can be seen the JW Mecom Oil Company C-46 and C-82 parked outside the fort.

[brakedwell]

I have found a photo taken inside the fort at a Christmas 1960 do organised by the only woman based at RAF SHJ. She was WVS and ISTR the party was held in her room in the fort.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/152%20Squadron%20Bahrain/SharjahXmas1960_zpsz5dvyix7.jpg

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/IL122.jpg

Here is another view of the Indian IL-12.

[alisoncc]

JW, I think i've posted this before. Only the tail of Prentice G-AOPL.

http://users.on.net/~alisoncc/sharjah2.jpg

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/WV476.jpg

Here are some shots of armed SOAF Piston Provosts taken at Salalah in 1966. This one is WV476.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/XF688.jpg

This one is XF688.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/XF907.jpg

I flew XF907 as a student at 6 FTS Ternhill in 1961 before it became a fighting machine.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/XR215.jpg

And here is Beaver XR215.

[brakedwell]

Another photo of XR215 and XR213 taken at Salalah a couple of years earlier. I think they were brand new on their way from Khormaksar to Bait al Falaj escorted by the Provost.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/Beaver_zps3s43nyno.jpg

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/Tarif.jpg

I have finally tracked down my photograph of the terminal building at Tarif.

[brakedwell]

Did they have Watneys Red Barrel in Tarif during your time Jock?

[JW411]

Probably; but what I do remember about Watney's Red Barrel was the truism:

"Don't take the piss out of Watney's - It's the only flavour it's got"!

[brakedwell]

It tasted wonderful after a long hard day in a hot Twin Pin!

[old,not bold]

JW411

Prentice G-AOPL was mine and that pic brought back some memories; I have recounted the story of flying it to Sharjah from Sywell, where I bought it for £700 in a rather dilapidated state. The trip added 50% to the hours in my logbook.

To close the story, it went on to South Africa. The reason was that when I bought it I did so for its Gipsy Queen engine (with about 100 hours left on it), which Gulf Aviation knew all about and said they could overhaul, but by the time I got there they had changed their mind. Harry Bromley (Twin Pin Flight Commander, possibly Squadron Commander, forgive me, Harry if so, offered to fly it to Durban on his leave, and a South African Navigator in the Flight - whose name is lost in the mists of time - went along to navigate. Remarkably, they got it there, not without some challenging moments on route, and found a buyer.

The only navaid was a VOR display attached to a continuous-tune radio, both of which I bought for £25 and installed for the purpose, after an engineer at Sywell mounted the antenna in the fin for a fiver. It had limited range and functionality, so map-reading was the order of the day, made easier by the very slow cruising speed of 90 Kts. (Going over Iraq, from Damascus to Baghdad, was only permitted in Airways. So I had to file an IFR flight plan for the lowest level (80, also the highest level a Prentice could hope for) and then map-read from NDB to NDB, trying to spot the installation on the ground and report passing it as though I was using ADF.)

The radio was a 4-channel ex-RAF set, WWII vintage, I believe; it took large crystals. The set itself was mounted behind the LH seat, and the pilot (when solo, as I was) had to change the crystals by feel; it was a laborious process. Unplug aerial, feel for and remove the unwanted crystal(s), select and insert replacements from box of 70 or so, plug piece of wire with a bulb soldered to the other end into aerial socket, press PTT switch and twiddle aerial tuner to get brightest glow, repeat for each channel with new crystal, remove wire, replace aerial feeder. Usually you could prepare for the next frequency changes well in advance, but sometimes an instruction to change to a different one, say at 800 ft on a straight-in approach, meant trying to do quite a lot at once. Saying "I'll orbit here for a bit while I change frequency" did not go down well, at least at the larger commercial airports.

[albatross]

JW411 and BRAKEDWELL
Would it be OK to share the Beaver photos with the DHC-2 Beaver group on facebook?
Cheers
Albatross

[JW411]

albatross: Please feel free; if you want me to send you a higher-resolution copy then send me a PM with your email address.

[JW411]

old, not bold: I met the SA navigator but his name is eluding me. I have made enquiries with my spy in South Africa and will report further. In the meantime, here is Terminal One at Fahud.http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/Fahud.jpg

[brakedwell]

in 1959-61 the Abu Dhabi terminal consisted of a borasti lean-to, which was not worth photographing, and an old Bedouin guard who was partial to Spam!

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/Askaris.jpg

Here are some of the Sultan's askaris at Salalah.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/RSM.jpg

The RSM?

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/Deputy.jpg

And his Deputy?

[navstar1]

Great pics!! I seem to remember a hut as the control tower at the strip at Abu Dhabi in 1966. Always given a Fanta drink on landing!!

[navstar1]

Leesaranda. Pls see PM

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Haven't visited the site for a while so it's nice to see it's still going strong. Great photo's JW411 of the Antonov An-12. I saw two in Jan' and two in Feb' 1966. I too took the opportunity to have a look inside one and I was particularly interested in the climb up to the rear "gun turret." I was at Khan Creek swimming when 3 took off on 27th Feb. Typical, the one day in the week you have a trip out and I missed them! ATC told me that they(L450/1 & 2) were on delivery to the IAF.
Even nicer are the Provost pic's. I only ever saw one SOAF a/c at Sharjah during my time there and that was a Beaver. Would have been a real treat to have seen some Provosts though. Keep the photo's coming and the stories - great! I must scan some more of mine...................

[ICM]

I've been scanning some slides from my Aden Argosy time in 1966-67, and amongst them was one marked 'Caravelle at Sharjah.' It's not a great picture, but who would have been operating it?

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc463/Old141Nav/file_16.jpg

[brakedwell]

Looks like Middle East Airlines.

[Brian 48nav]

I have a vague recollection of a Caravelle belonging to the Danish outfit, Sterling Airlines, crashing somewhere in the Sharjah area. Could that Caravelle have been one of theirs?

[l.garey]

I don't think it is in Sterling livery, although the colours are not easy to make out. Sterling was predominantly red along the fuselage and red fin markings. I also don't think they served Sharjah. The crash was on the approach to Dubai, 14.3.1972.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Airways_Flight_296

Laurence

[brakedwell]

I am sure it belongs to MEA.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-18%20at%2012.53.53_zpsid9xdtzq.png

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/MEA_Sud_SE-210_Caravelle_VI-N_at_Vienna_Airport_zpsppkgyrfc.jpg

[JW411]

Or even Syrian Arab Airlines?

[brakedwell]

Syrian Arab Airlines colour scheme was blue.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/Sud_Aviation_SE_210_Caravelle_10B3_Syrianair_-_Syrian_Arab_Airlines_JP6539391_zpst2eqmy7g.jpg

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/YKAFD.jpg

Actually John, I was thinking of their earlier colour scheme which had a white fin and rudder with the Syrian flag on the fin with the registration below.

[brakedwell]

ISTR the earlier Syrian Arab colour scheme was still blue and white Jock. If my eyes aren't deceiving me the Caravelle in ICM's slide looks red and white.
Happy days, before Bliar and Bush sowed the seeds of the current middle east disaster.

[oftenflylo]

AND Syrian ran their scheduled service through Sharjah in the earlier colourscheme.
Now Sterling Caravelles did come through en-route to Colombo & some enterprising chappies had an arrangement whereby films would be brought from Denmark.

[JW411]

Well, I freely admit that I haven't had a medical for three years now but it looks more like blue to me - especially the nose.

[brakedwell]

The colour scheme looks reddish in the original size, but I must admit it takes on a bluish tint when magnified. I remember the MEA York re-supplying Tarif, Azaiba and a large oil company airfield further inland and south of Muscat who's name has deserted me. It alway paid to stay with the oily boys just after the York had been, when fresh food, steaks and beer from Beirut were plentiful :ok:

[Stanwell]

Syrian Arab Airlines.
The logo on the tail is rectangular (flag?) with rego(?) below, not circular with the MEA Lebanon cedar.


p.s. I don't think I'll be contradicted if I say the Caravelle is one beautifully proportioned aircraft.

[JW411]

By the way, with reference to Post #643 and the name of the SA navigator who went south with Prentice G-AOPL; I am now pretty certain that it was Dick Weldon who was serving on Twin Pins at Sharjah at the time.

[JW411]

Incidentally, and at the risk of a bit of thread drift, I actually witnessed the first flight of the Twin Pioneer (c/n 501 G-ANTP). Our kitchen window overlooked the Scottish Aviation empire and a first flight had been anticipated for several days. My memory is that it took place early on a sunny morning (when not too many people were around) and it was wonderful to witness the great event. Google tells me that the date was 25/06/55 - 60 years ago and I was at the time a 14 year-old founder member of the Prestwick Spotters Club.

In these days it is possible to register your aircraft with any registration that you like provided that the registration has not been issued before. In those days the Air Registration Board would not countenance out-of-sequence registrations and Scottish Aviation were considered to be exceedingly clever in managing to register G-ANTP when they did, so that they obtained "TP" as Twin Pioneer.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Nice you brought up the Twin Pioneer again JW411. While the Caravelle mystery is still waiting to be solved here are three photo's of the Nepalese Government a/c that staged through Sharjah(9N-RF6 & '7' in June 1965 and '8' in July) Thought they may interest you and the 152/B flt members.
Prestwick eh? Visited there in the early '60's and remember the Canadian A.F. Sabres and CF-100's dismantled behind the hangars. The second and only time I visited was when I was a PAX on a Bassett from Wyton to collect some spares from Scottish Avn. While pilot and nav went off to get said spares - I went off to the hangars to have a 'nosey' around. Found them full of Canadian A.F. CF-104's!
Sorry, I too went off on a bit of a 'drift!'
Here are my photo's at last, Sorry for the wait, had to have a quick "refresher course" on how to upload them!!(Just noted this post is numbered '666'....................)

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF6_zpsfyau4vbd.jpg (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF6_zpsfyau4vbd.jpg.html)


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF7_zpsw6eq0pkv.jpg (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF7_zpsw6eq0pkv.jpg.html)


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/saunders-roe/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF8_zpsxtle9vak.jpg (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/saunders-roe/media/Twin20Pioneer209N-RF8_zpsxtle9vak.jpg.html)

[pzu]

If I remember correctly, at one stage round about '71 Syrian Arab may have run Caravelles. through Sharjah
Though my one experience of them was at Dubai in about March '73 - and it was an 'Experience'!!!:ugh:

PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)

[old,not bold]

JW411, as we've established on PM, and for the wider audience, Dick Weldon it was who set off so bravely in G-AOPL, bound for South Africa.

My only Twin Pin story is that after a number of boring patrols/resupplies right down to the South, acting as guide for the pilot, Bimbo Ward, he asked if I would like to fly it back to Sharjah while he grabbed some sleep.

Well of course I would, so I settled into his seat and he went aft. I began chasing the pitch trim; I just could not get it right. Set it, hands off, steady for 30 seconds, then off we'd go again, nose down, nose up, like a switchback.

Eventually, I thought, I'll see if Bimbo's awake and ask him. So I turned round and saw him, propped up against the cabin side, sweat pouring off him, puffing like a walrus (he was always out of shape). "F**k me," he gasped, "I wish I'd never started that!"

(Bimbo Ward also showed me how to fly a Prentice; I had flown it from UK, but he had instructed in them years before. But even he was flummoxed when we took off from Sharjah towards the West one very hot day, and could neither retract the flap (which he had set) nor turn without risking an ... ummm... uncommanded ditching. He was thinking of going to Abu Dhabi or even Doha, when we went into some rising air, gained 50 ft, and could start milking the flaps in, very, very slowly while gaining some airspeed as well.)

[ICM]

Further to the above, here's Dick Weldon, just minutes after receiving his Nav brevet in December 1965, and a year or so before the G-AOPL flight. We'd gone through basic and Nav training together, and I recall seeing him during the transit south through Khormaksar.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc463/Old141Nav/file_17.jpg

[navstar1]

ICM. I was also a navigator on 152 (B) flight in 1966 and remember Dick very well. A very tall SA and an excellent navigator but lost touch when we went our different ways. For Old,not bold and post 640 Harry Bromley was OC (B ) flight 152 Squadron based in Sharjah. At that time Sqn Ldr Jim Tims was O/C 152 Squadron based in Bahrain. Sqn Ldr Alan Sheppard was O/C RAF Sharjah. Happy Days! Also out of interest Master Navigator Tony Melton was also at Sharjah at the same time on 152 and I had no idea until I read his obituary in the Daily Telegraph dated 31st Dec 15 of what a man he was. He certainly hid his light under a bushel!

[old,not bold]

Anyone with an interest in UAE history in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the activities of the TOS and the Defence Forces that sprang up as the Trucial States morphed into the UAE, would find a new book interesting; it's by someone who was right there at the coal-face throughout most of the period, latterly in very senior roles.

I have no financial interest in it! I do know the author well, but this is an unsolicited recommendation.

I just think that it's a good read, and answers a number of questions about what really happened behind the scenes at that time.

Here's a link for anyone who is interested. (http://medinapublishing.com/product/a-soldier-in-arabia/)

PS......Sqn Ldr Jim Tims (Timms?) was presumably the same Jim Tim(m)s who joined and became a senior officer in the Abu Dhabi Defence Force?

[navstar1]

Yes indeed he did go to the Abu Dhabi defence force and joined Twinkle Storey who had been Station Commander in Bahrain. Looking at my log book it is Jim Timms.

[l.garey]

It's good to see this old thread still alive.

I just had a request from someone in Sharjah about the so-called "Sharjah Radio", as it was from 1972-1978. From the aerial views (from Kay 1995) it is clearly a building on the airfield site, and I am told it was built about 1965. I wonder if anyone remembers it, or can identify it from the photos, or even knows if it is still there. (captain_salman - are you still here?)

Thanks, Laurence

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/Sharjah%20radio%201966_zpsv7pygsih.jpg[/URL]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/sharjah%20radio%201976_zpsqkklokxe.jpg[/URL]

[Shweta Gandhi]

I have a 1972 UK MoD 1:100,000 map for the whole UAE, apart from western and southern Abu Dhabi (it's actually several sheets taped together, of course.)

This includes Sharjah, probably as it was a few years earlier when the data were collected. In fact, looking at some of the town areas, shown as black shading, I suspect that they are as they were in the mid-60s.

It's based on photosurvey overlaid with tracks and other topo.

You can probably do a lot better better, but if an A4 scan centred on Sharjah is any use I could provide it, towards the end of next week.

It would cover from Dubai to Hamriyah, more or less.
hey can you share the drawings of sharjah as we are working on an university research projetc.

[Shweta Gandhi]

It's good to see this old thread still alive.

I just had a request from someone in Sharjah about the so-called "Sharjah Radio", as it was from 1972-1978. From the aerial views (from Kay 1995) it is clearly a building on the airfield site, and I am told it was built about 1965. I wonder if anyone remembers it, or can identify it from the photos, or even knows if it is still there. (captain_salman - are you still here?)

Thanks, Laurence

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/Sharjah%20radio%201966_zpsv7pygsih.jpg[/URL]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/apollo-fox/sharjah%20radio%201976_zpsqkklokxe.jpg[/URL]
Good evening sir,
All the information has been really great we students from Manipal University Dubai are working Conservation project of Al Mahatta if we could speak to you or have your contact it would be of great help.

Thank you,
Shweta Gandhi
[email protected] is my email adress.

[Capot]

hey can you share the drawings of sharjah as we are working on an university research projetc.I'm in Poland at the moment, but will see if I have still got the maps when I get home in August; we have moved house since I posted that, so success is not guaranteed!

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/G-ANFE.jpg

Just in passing; I found this photograph of Gulf Aviation Heron G-ANFE the other day and I thought that someone might like to see it. I took the photograph at Salalah. As far as I can remember, Gulf Aviation Herons didn't visit Salalah very often.

[brakedwell]

It must have been a charter. Salalah was not a scheduled destination in 59/61. We had a pilot on 152 who left the RAF, got his CPL and flew for an oil company in North Africa for a couple of years before he rejoined the RAF and was posted to Aden as an ops officer. We were very short of pilots on 152, so he was posted to 152. He flew for Gulf Aviation in his spare time for quite a lot of pocket money.

[l.garey]

Nice photo JW. At least it's the real 'NFE. There is a false 'NFE in the Al Mahatta museum, as I illustrate at https://sites.google.com/site/lgarey/rafsharjah%2Calmahattamuseum

which was once a Sea Heron.

Trust you are well, Laurence

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/G-ANEG.jpg

John: I have a feeling that the Heron was on a VIP charter.

Laurence: I am fine thank you.

In the meantime, still on the Gulf Aviation theme, here is a pretty average shot of DC-3 G-ANEG taken at Fahud International on 02.04.70. I was driving Argosy XP408 and you can see my navigator, Jim McEvoy, at lower left looking for MT dollars in the desert.

[JW411]

http://www.frpilot.com/Dad/G-ANAF.jpg

And finally (for today anyway) here is another Salalah visitor. As far as I can remember, it was doing exactly what it says on the tin!

[brakedwell]

Shall we start a Salalah thread Jock? In 1975 I flew 150 full size milking cows to Salalah in an IAS Cargo Britannia. Flying Tiger delivered them to Muscat in a DC8 63. Our first two trips went like clockwork, but the buggers escaped on the third run. By the the time they were rounded up it was dark and Salalah had closed. We stayed in the officers mess, but that is another story!

[JW411]

Brakedwell:

John, I'm not sure that I have enough un-posted material left to support a Salalah thread.

[brakedwell]

You have done very well Jock. I only have three photos taken at Salalah as I rarely carried a camera. I regret not photographing the IAS Britannia at Salalah. Not only did I fly in the means of providing fresh milk, I also delivered a TV transmitter on a later trip. That must have moved it forward a century or two.

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Have just found two postcards that I aquired during my time at Sharjah. Whether I purchased them at the airport on one of my "mail pick-ups"(see post505) or in Dubai I can't remember. I know whenever I visited there it never seemed to be that busy, although I did see the odd "Iran Air" Dakota from time to time.
Sorry for the sizes but having a problem uploading, clicking on them will enlarge - I hope.
Dubai, old airport(1).jpg (http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=659&stc=1&d=1468701497)
Probably a later photo' as the airport building now proudly shows its name.

Dubai, old airport(2).jpg (http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=660&stc=1&d=1468701497)
The C-47 is registered G-AMSJ and according to the CAA "G-INFO" site was registered to the Iraq petroleum Co from 10/54 to 1/59 then again 7/59 to 5/61. Although it has no titles it does have a logo on the fin. Couple of nice Bedford fire tenders in the background!

[Abdulla85]

captain salman - as promised here is my youtube offering made up from 8mm film clips I shot in 1959. Starting with a flyover of the frigate HMS Loch Fyne, then shots at the main gate at RAF Sharjah, which was still locked and prevented us from reaching our Twin Pioneer. With us was a Valetta crew from Aden. Dubai speaks for itself and it ends with what the middle of Sharjah looked like!

Dubai Sharjah Buraimi Tarif - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhDZ0bJin6I&feature=youtu.be)


Hello, unfortunately the video does not work. could you kindly upload it again. I am very interested in watching it.

[brakedwell]

If you sign in to Youtube it should work, it does for me.

Or this may work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhDZ0bJin6I&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq39EiUvvL8

[Abdulla85]

If you sign in to Youtube it should work, it does for me.

Or this may work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhDZ0bJin6I&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq39EiUvvL8


thank you for your reply, the video does not work even when I sign in, I tried from several computers. however, the other video titled " Firq - Saiq airlift in Oman Twin Pioneers 1959 - 61" does work.

sometimes the owner of a video restrict the viewing ability of the video to certain regions, this could be the reason!! you could try and ask your contacts in UAE to view the video and give you feedback.

[brakedwell]

A85, Try it now, I have changed it from private to public. Don't know how it went private!

[Abdulla85]

A85, Try it now, I have changed it from private to public. Don't know how it went private!

Great video, thank you very much

[captain_salman]

Wow its been a while and I can see this post is still alive :) the recent update is that the shj govt paved a new asphalt over the old runway making it smooth. They've however left a portion of starting taxiway as a relic to the glorious times RAF SHJ. The tarmac airfield is slowly disappearing with new erecting buildings in Al Mahatta area.... there is a group on Facebook called "Dubai The Good Old Days" please join to see some rare and old photographs of Dubai Sharjah randomly.

If there's any more precious pictures of Sharjah during the RAF era please do share them!
Cheers.

[Cows getting bigger]

I regularly fly into the current airport at Sharjah, staying in the nearby Centro Rotana hotel. In the main atrium they have two large murals of the old RAF control tower; I find that rather humbling.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4184/34294651200_b63b5dfc5c_c.jpg

[Quietplease]

http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2272&stc=1&d=1494941850

[leesaranda]

Sure, I took the secondary duty of OIC "Radio Sharjah" on when I arrived in early '65. My predecessor was the Education Officer, "Jake" Timms(?). We used the spare ATC transmitter to broadcast to the southern Gulf. We even had advertising to fund the operation. I recall a Corporal who was a keen member of FRS going to the Sheik (of Dubai) with a proposal to start a TV station in Dubai. Never did hear if he was successful.

Nice to see the thread active again.

[Chipkalis]

Hello Everyone!

Very interesting Posts!

I am currently doing some research along with l.garey on the second world war related to the RAF and their time in Sharjah during 1942 till 1944 particularly with 244 squadron. We have discovered some interesting incidents with regards to Blenheim V's (Bisleys) and hope to publish these very soon! Seems they were highly unreliable and prone to Engine failure.

Would anyone be able to assist in pictures from that time period as i want to spruce up the article. There are a few pictures about on the web and in numerous archives but wanted to see if anyone had a personal collection from a parent or Grandfather who served in 244 squadron.

Many Thanks,

Ali

[captain_salman]

One can embark on a beautiful yet thrilling imaginary journey by going through this post right from page one till the last.... been so many years now just want to keep this post alive so thought of saying hello to the aces of yesteryears. Any new (rather old) aerial Sharjah picture to regale and cherish the bygone days sirs?

[l.garey]

Hello Salman. Just to send greetings and say thanks for reviving this thread. Re the post no. 695 by Chipkalis, above, we have now published details of the crash and wreckage of Bisley BA101.

Laurence

[percyprune]

Summer annual visit to the museum. The groundsman still remembers my boys from their first visits going back 16 years to the eldest now!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2061_0bd48e4374ae3651a765e3c0d7a7637401a8026b.jpg

VC 10 Gulf Air nose
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2070_e5f458ea0d48c675c534fa3c19e2951d30738648.jpg

VC 10 cockpit
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2107_ce7b38ac969ea8010f278dbb4a4e1f934edd9684.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2108_add385baaba9c71af3602aefb587c683ba38a0ac.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2082_3b92cc0949276320735f58258d487e1df52ce6f9.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2088_8b7497e96eec77480874f55d189d5d8f58f41c3b.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2102_0e430432e460d7876c8274df337ec80b1f699ae6.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2100_3b752fd83f29988fc9f9bd3aacc2953f0e676bea.jpg

[percyprune]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2178_8c1f775d2d230d6efd6e926f82651a26c924822b.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2180_1cc0dc2669460a6549c3b6a6990e0f61b2c004c4.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2179_7d4ac9a610498049b5698f13d552f067b88c892e.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2102_0e430432e460d7876c8274df337ec80b1f699ae6.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2084_dbaaf8e2407d95ea64b8b52f02aba16c10414fa3.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2090_976b8fb48fd52f0c7e067f2b029c2fdb29ab579d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2103_4fbeae896eb040ecc0e152839460f3adaf0c4276.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2105_a4ef6af5c9a86f8adb895beb18d13895cca7d270.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_2101_daec7c6f3de49bd0abab24d06dacb0ad3ef58005.jpg

[Herod]

Two sets of nice pictures, Percy. Thanks

[denachtenmai]

Photo showing the aftermath of a storm that hit us in 1968 I think. We had one Canberra severely damaged and after some repair was flown back to Wyton at 10,000 feet or below.
Another Canberra, fully fuelled and chocked, was turned through 90 degrees.
Some squadron groundcrew were caught out in the open and had to attend medical for bruising caused by the giant hailstones.
84 Sqd hangar's roof was peeled back at the corners like a banana, scary.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1944x1294/44932777_10216635175093985_8115539631497281536_o_afccbf7beca d2d5f03fb5b1ff4b13e6fcd870ddd.jpg

And another.https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1944x1294/sharjah_23e9ce950df945a459919976f027b4ebc93585bd.jpg

And then the dedicated tea man turned up!

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1944x1294/chai_wallah_434a304d2fbadd737575bb9f383fddf12b6c7901.jpg

[Cornish Jack]

denachtenmai - interesting pics! Reminiscent of a Salalah - Sharjah trip from K'sar in a 'Pig' in '58. Shortly after arrival came the rains - about 20 year's worth , all at once! Airfield out of action for 10 days.I note the 'upmarket' living quarters in your photos - ours were cosiderably less modern but did incorporate the blessed aircon - something which K'sar deemed unnecessary!!

[denachtenmai]

CJ
Also, bed ends in old tobacco tins with a little liquid in to stop the bed bugs from attacking !

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Haven't been on the site for a while so good to see there's been plenty of interesting photo's and information added. Here's another of my slides taken on 27.6.65.
This one shows the Red Devil 'zap' applied to a based Shackleton of 38 Sqd(coded 'W') My mate SAC Dereck Hine and his pals from the Fire Section were responsible for it being applied. No doubt other a/c transiting through were similarly adorned but I've never seen any other photo's of this particular 'zap.'
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/593x398/sharjah_fire_section_red_devil_zap_d95c5e5a4bffe39e19935bae3 adc4258448189d9.jpg

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

I have enlarged the Red Devil 'Zap' to hopefully make it a bit more clearer.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/496x733/sharjah_fire_section_zap_close_up__5ff28f75b1298e6ed2af3a65a 5257092e8a57725.jpg

[l.garey]

Nice bit of humour, Saro! Happy New Year

Laurence

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Thanks Laurence, nice to be in contact again. Best wishes to you for the coming year, and of course all of the contributors and readers of this thread.
I have at last invested in a decent flatbed scanner so here's another one I "did earlier!" This Javelin from 29 Sqd night stopped on 4th March 1966.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/593x395/javelin_xh764_c_29_sqd_sharjah_5_3_65_john_phillips_33__73e8 fccd098876d25f9295f6445ec54dce5e83ba.jpg

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Here's another photo' to keep the thread going. This "golden oldie" is from November 1965. DC-4 YK-ADA of Syrian Arab Airlines is reported to have be "Damaged Beyond Repair" at Damascus A/P on 2/10/64! But as it was only a 'nose wheel' collapse on landing, it was obviously repaired.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/dc_4_yk_ada_syrian_arab_airlines_sharjah_14_11_65_john_phill ips__8861b6f8ab9bfbdb5ceaaf916af4269521cc7c00.jpg

[l.garey]

Thanks Saro. Nice picture. It looks as if you have corrected an error in its history.
Laurence

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/899x600/buraimi_9_4_66_from_twin_pioneer_xm291_152_sqd__f0dfa3eeabf4 ef763875fc2a681d13a8174a429c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x900/buraimi_fort_9_4_66_from_twin_pioneer_xm291_152_sqd__46eacea f3ed83cdff7b4607cd4d7851b78617e99.jpg
Hi Laurence. Here's two more pics I have scanned recently. Both taken on the 9th April 1966 from Twin Pioneer XM291 of 152 Sqd. We landed at a strip near to Buraimi and spent a couple of hours visiting the fort and town. Unfortunately I didn't take any photo's of the TP at the strip.
In the aerial photo of the town there appears to be a fort at top centre and mabye another one in the middle. Anyone know which ones they are please.

[brakedwell]

These photos were taken at the Buraimi Fort and our Twin Pin on the strip in 1959'
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x955/bureimifort_371c3dae6b42f04b6fac9fd9334b418056fbf7ff.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x808/twinpioneer_f5f995fda9f799195a4c04f2beddd024b3de3e22.jpg

[Self loading bear]

In the aerial photo of the town there appears to be a fort at top centre and mabye another one in the middle. Anyone know which ones they are please.
Easy Google Earth search reveals:
top Centre Al Khandaq fort

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/736x822/7ecd7669_464e_4260_966d_c4a8e2e24053_dff2f21d712e1a3cb0f1ea4 4f04a2fb941e8e380.jpeg

middle Hela Castle

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/675x641/86871873_1223_4e55_a668_b9ad8e5bbc31_d2efd82d4184fc7babada43 ef64799b1e5bef589.jpeg

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Thank you very much Self loading bear for the info' on the fort and the castle. I would never have recognised them from looking on GE without knowing their names. Buraimi has become so built up since my visit in the 60's!!
Nice photo's brakedwell. Is that you standing by the TwinPin door? I have just scanned another photo of one of your 152 Sqd. aircraft, taken at Dibba in April '66. Looking on GE I see there's still a landing strip to the west of the Al Hisn harbour area just below a marked "Industrial area" Could this be the same one?
As for Buraimi, I see on GE there's still a rough airstrip visible just to the east of the Al Khandaq Fort mentioned by SLB. Would that be the same strip as in the 60's?

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/899x600/twin_pioneer_xm291_152_sqd_dibba_27_4_66_30f9dbb69b33b1cdabd ed596e3257549f945b65b.jpg

I've added a photo' similar to yours taken from the tower at Fort Jahili. After 7 years, only a few more buildings have been added in the background.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/buraimi_fort_jahili_9_4_66_b_fe5e3241970c0b46f563ce2e5fc4318 393fdb86e.jpg

In the photo of the front 'gate' the notice to the left reads "B Squadron Trucial Oman Scouts."
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/buraimi_fort_jahili_9_4_66_a_1f9e0d0e48af38768abc1fbc45b9a24 6dced4f44.jpg

[pzu]

brakedwell - this link was posted on the Telegraph Motoring FB page today - think there is some aviation content

https://www.agda.ae/en/catalogue/tna/wo/194/1147?fbclid=IwAR0H2U1rt7fvU9SCVsWn9dYDQIvGudb2QWgWI7xKqV0EGp 5Fx1p55zbzsoE

PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)

[l.garey]

Thanks for the photos saroskeeterman. Apologies for my not replying straight away but life's a bit complicated at the moment. The other responders have filled in on the identity of the various forts. As you know, I was in the Al Ain/Buraimi area between 2000 and 2004, plus a few visits later. The whole topic of Buraimi forts and airstrips is quite complicated. They have all been rather changed in the last few years. Apart from the "new" airport (AAN, OMAL) just west of the city, there have been at least two others to the north and east of Al Ain.

Even the difference between Al Ain and Buraimi has changed. Before independence of the UAE, and for a while after, the whole area was referred to as Buraimi, and contained several other "villages", of which Al Ain. Since then the (larger) part of the area, in the UAE, is called Al Ain, and the Omani side Buraimi. When I was there, there was no hard border between the two countries, and there was free access between the two. It's different now.

The two airstrips were at Dau'di, south of the city, near the former Intercontinental hotel. It was used by the RAF, and was where Brakedwell used to go in his Twin Pioneer. He told me how after landing he would be picked up by Land Rover (before being scorched to a cinder - my words, not his) and whisked off to a cold "refreshing" drink in the fort, just a few minutes away. That would have been Jahili Fort - see his photo above. At the time there would have been virtually no other buildings in the way. Now, the same journey would take much longer, and cross residential zones.

Dau'di was also used, among other things, by RAF Argosies of 105 Squadron, as recounted to me by JW411 who, I believe, flew the first one in, in 1968. Dau'di finally disappeared to the bulldozer in 2009, and is now buried under housing.

North of there, in Buraimi (Oman) there is still (or was at least in 2005ish) an E-W strip at Hamasa, used by Omani police, just to the east of Buraimi Al Khandaq fort. (I think this is the one saro refers to in post 713).

I could dig out some illustrations of some of this if anyone would be interested.
Cheers, Laurence

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Thanks Laurence, fascinating information on the local Buraimi strips. I still have some photo's of the "Sumaini" airstrip you sent me some while ago, but I don't have the letter that accompanied it, so could you please let me know the location of it. I can't remember whether you put it in the Sharjah topic but if you did, please point me in the right direction because it takes ages now to trawl back through all of the posts!!
As 152 Sqd roamed all over the TOS during their time at Sharjah, I for one would be interested in any photo's of yours that we haven't seen. How many "official" strips existed I wonder. Any thoughts on that brakedwell?(or any other ex 152 Sqd flyers out there that are still reading this thread)

[Sevarg]

In Posts 433 and 434 there is talk of pottery and bones found in the area.
I worked out in Abu Dhabi where I came across the same. At the time we had a helicopter in Oman doing a servey for a Canadian Mining company. I used to go over there to service it from time to time and got talking to some of the Canadian. It turned out that they were looking for the place that the people, that lived there in Umpty BC, getting old and can't remember exactly, mined copper. They were called Dilmun and tablets translated from Ur told of a trade in copper. Anyway they found the old mine and now it a new mine doing very well in Oman. If you want to read more the book is called 'Looking for Dilmun' Very interesting for the history of the area.
Not 100% sure on the spelling of Dilmun it was all a long time ago.

[l.garey]

Sevarg: l can confirm that there are bones from the Stone Age, pottery shards and Bronze Age copper smelters in the UAE and Oman.
Laurence

[JW411]

I have it in my mind that the ancient name for Bahrain was Dilmun.

[l.garey]

In reply to your post no 716 Saroskeeterman, and at the risk of straying away from the topic of Sharjah (although it's not far away), I wrote on the thread "Airfields in UAE/Oman" in 2007 (!):
There are many old airfields around the UAE and Oman. One I visited fairly recently is Sumaini, Oman, at 24 39 10N, 55 53 40E. It is also visible on Google Earth, where you can even make out the white runway markers and the name “SUMAINI” in white. The striking thing is that it is absolutely clean, with no debris of any sort, not even marks from spilled oil or any sign of having been used. I have heard from a former Oman Air Force pilot that he landed a Beaver there in 1975.
https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/288741-airfields-uae-oman.html?highlight=sumaini

Contact me by email if you need anything more.

Laurence

[SAROSKEETERMAN]

Thanks Laurence I will PM you shortly with a couple of questions.
Here's something completely different! I think this "mobile 50 gallon drum" was only seen around the domestic site. Anybody remember it and what it carried? Photo' taken in 1966.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x396/sharjah_1966_bp_tanker_john_phillips__572fe98b148ce8f5fc4b58 af22d91202f4322587.jpg

[fleigle]

SAROSKEETAMAN
Fi moya, perchance?

I worked in the Northern Oman mountains many decades ago looking to locate even more copper ore deposits than they were already mining, just west of Sohar.
The ore was beautiful stuff, about 6% copper as I recall.
The ex-pats working there told of finding old leather straps and suchlike deep in old workings.
I loved it there.
f

[Daifly]

RAF Sharjah Cemetary

Can anyone here help me out a bit on this please: I've been working in the Middle East for a while and recently visited the graves of a number of British servicemen who were buried at what was the RAF Churchyard and which now forms the back of the Anglican church in Sharjah city centre. It was abandoned for many years before an ex-RAF guy visited to pay his respects to some former colleagues - he then led the campaign, supported by CWGC to get it reparied. It's now in a good state and increasingly well cared for.

This is what it looked like just after it was re-discovered, it's now a lot smarter.
,
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x450/dscf301429862_0_833903b9d99df1a2adb2c832cdd42d5e1516b380.jpg

I'm trying to find out a bit more about the guys buried there, seems an awfully long way from home when they could easily have been taken back. Anyone help at all with any stories and background (sorry if it's a bit ghoulish, just trying to get a record a full history of them all)

Major Raymond Lewis 01/03/1926 18/04/1963 360420 9th/12th Royal Lancers Prince of Wales's
Trooper Roy Harold Brierley 14/10/1942 18/04/1963 23538132 Trooper 9th/12th Royal Lancers Prince of Wales's
Trooper Alastair Burton 23/05/1942 04/12/1963 23875168 Trooper Royal Tank Regiment
Senior Aircraftman David Alan Stewart 10/11/1940 29/02/1964 684069 Senior Aircraftman Royal Air Force
Edward James Horne 04/10/1964
Corporal Andrew William Day 22/03/1939 10/11/1964 23238330 Royal Corps of Signals. Died by drowning in a yachting accident.
Captain Harry Whittaker Brammall 27/02/1906 10/02/1967 DSO DSC Died at Sea.
Lance Corporal Keith Frederick Ainsworth 11/09/1940 08/07/1967 23836045 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
Lance Corporal Ernest Thomas Mills 25/03/1946 15/12/1967 23876415 R.E.M.E
Lance Corporal John Neil MacNaughton 03/02/1945 01/04/1968 23927506 Royal Army Ordinance Corps
Major Donald Perkin Tibbey 11/11/1919 18/04/1968 MBE Royal Army Pay Corps
Trooper Leslie John Philip Basford 10/05/1945 18/04/1968 24056529 Trooper Queen's Own Higlanders
Leading Aircraftsman Ian Robert Drysdale Clephane 15/04/1949 18/04/1969 4285432 Ldg.Aircraftman Royal Air Force. Died in a car crash on the Dubai-Sharjah road.
Warrant Officer II Collin Vietch Forth 01/05/1934 25/11/1972 22296093 Royal Corps of Signals

Thanks

[brakedwell]

I flew Twin Pioneers out of Sharjah during 1959/61. I never heard of any service graves which must have been laid later. However a bit of research uncovered the deaths of Major Lewis and Trooper Hardy in a Twin Pioneer crash at Buhafaffa in 1963.

[old,not bold]

Don Tibbey was Paymaster for the Trucial Oman Scouts at the HQ in Sharjah, and a larger than life character. On pay days, he did the rounds of the various TOS stations around the Trucial States with a tin trunk filled with coins, with an assistant. Both carried sidearms in case someone got greedy. He would be transported by the RAF in a Twin Pioneer to more distant places such as Mirfa and Al Ayn/Bureimi.

All went smoothly until the TP was retired in favour of Andovers. The problem wasn't the new aircraft, but that the casual drive to the aircraft side in a Landrover, load the trunk under a net, jump in and off, was suddenly replaced by a mini-Lyneham system, ie report to a desk 45 minutes before departure, check in, wait patiently, be escorted to the aircraft, blah, blah.

The first time he was confronted with the new rules, the crunch came when Don, already fuming, was told that the tin trunk had to be taken away and loaded while he sat in the waiting room. "That money is my responsibility, and I am not letting it out of my sight". But he couldn't beat the system; "Regulations, Sir" said the officer called to deal with him. "Regulations, eh?" he said, and he and the assistant picked up the trunk, unlocked the lid, and tipped the many hundreds of coins and small notes on the floor. "Our Regulations say that if we hand over responsibility for cash, the recipient must count it. Better get started, we're leaving soon."

[navstar1]

Brilliant outstanding way to deal with that sort on nonsense! Well done to the TOS

[Daifly]

Don Tibbey was Paymaster for the Trucial Oman Scouts at the HQ in Sharjah, and a larger than life character. On pay days, he did the rounds of the various TOS stations around the Trucial States with a tin trunk filled with coins, with an assistant. Both carried sidearms in case someone got greedy. He would be transported by the RAF in a Twin Pioneer to more distant places such as Mirfa and Al Ayn/Bureimi."

Liked this story, nice to shed a bit of light onto the person behind the name.

[Daifly]

I flew Twin Pioneers out of Sharjah during 1959/61. I never heard of any service graves which must have been laid later. However a bit of research uncovered the deaths of Major Lewis and Trooper Hardy in a Twin Pioneer crash at Buhafaffa in 1963.

Embarrasingly have to admit that having gone to National Archives at Kew to get the Station records for the period I didn't get anything come up on google. Apparently it's not my friend! Thanks for the steer.

[kaikohe76]

In reply to `Old Not Bold`s` amusing post.
84 Sqn with the Mk1 Andover was my very first operational tour as a brand new Co Pilot, a very enjoyable & most interesting time for sure. I would like to think, that had the TOS Paymaster been able to liaise direct with the Crew, the outcome may well have been rather different.
I remember a few flights in support of TOS, very professional chaps indeed. I think, when I was in Sharjah, their CO was a Colonel Ives?, I recall him as a very approachable & popular Boss.

Very nice also to see the posts regarding the Military cemetery at Sharjah, I like many were not aware this existed, so good to see it being taken care of.

[ricardian]

Apologies if this film has already been posted here

[Over the lights]

Bob, the Cemetery was re-dedicated on 15th January 2010.
What was your wife's maiden name?

[old,not bold]

Ricardian, I just came across the film; many thanks for that piece of history!

[Blue_Circle]

I'm not sure why I haven't looked through this thread before but thanks to everyone who's posted fascinating insights into life at RAF Sharjah. My late father in law was education Officer out there in the early 60s and as well as telliing the odd anecdote, he left a selection of slides taken at Sharjah and around. Fortunately he spent some time scanning and identifying locations and personalities so they might be of some interest and I'll try to post a few when time permits.

[Daifly]

Would be great to see, thanks!

[Clicol]

I am writing up a history of our family, and I wonder does anyone remember Flt.Lt./Sqn. Ldr Joe Coles, who was in Sharjah from May 1966 to May 1967. (He has OC Flying on his Log Book.) Any memories you feel you can share of him would be greatly appreciated.

[Bro]

The cemetery is listed in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, but no names are listed for the dead.

[captain_salman]

So it's been 8 years now I haven't been in touch with this thread, I thought I might just revive this beautiful thread again! Did any body visited Sharjah and its RAF Museum recently ?