Eagle Airways "trooper" UK-Singapore 1961

[Tevios]

Hi All. I would be realy realy grateful if somone could give me some info.
I'm writing a book. We were an RAF family going from UK-Changi c.1961.
1. Where in Uk did this flight leave from, Brize, Lynham?
2. How long would it have normally taken?
3. What were the refuelling stops?
4. Does anyone remember this actual flight? We lost an engine and were diverted to Abudabi or somthing and put up in an hotel for the night. There was extreme turbulance on the flight and most people were airsick.
We ran out of food on board and the aircrew ventured out and brought back freshly cut banans and pineapples. Never tasted anything as good since. It took best part of 3 days to reach Changi if I remember correctly.
Somone MUST remember this epic trip?
Chris

[Postfade]

The 2 routes for military families going to Singapore in 1961 were the either by civilian charter-usually BUA, but also Eagle at that time or by RAF Transport Command.
The flights were in Britannia's, see this post regarding BUA Brits:
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/356114-british-united-airways-britannias.html

You obviously remember Eagle:

http://www.davidtaylorsound.co.uk/share/Aircraft%20pics/Cunard%20Eagle%20Brit%20Changi%201963.jpg

Here's Britannia G-ARKA (by now Eagle was Cunard Eagle) diverted to Changi instead of the usual Paya Lebar -this is 1963.
I flew out by BUA in 1961 from Stansted going via Istanbul and Karachi to Singapore Paya Lebar.
David T.

[Robert Cooper]

Family flew out in a Bristol Brittania from Stanstead in 1962. Refueling stops were at Istanbul and Bombay, and then on to Singapore Paya Lebar. Seem to recall the trip took about 24 hours. Youngest was hanging from the overhead in a "Sky Cot"

Bob C

[Tevios]

Many many thanks for info so far.
The return journey by the way was made in the notorious Comet in Feb 1964. We were all scared. It didn't take too long but bacon and eggs were served on both refuelling stops as we were flying west.

[chiglet]

I flew Gatwick-Payar Lebar by Caledonian "Super DC7C" [the PA] via Istanbul and Calcutta. Feb 1964
Came back Cangi-LHR via Columbo and Kuwait on a British Eaggle Britannia Feb 1965

[Robert Cooper]

The return journey by the way was made in the notorious Comet in Feb 1964. We were all scared.

We were flying Comets in and out of Hickam AFB (Honolulu) in 1977/78 when I was with 160 Wing Detachment. Americans were lining up to get on the only jet airliner flying at that time, and we gave 'em space A to the West Coast.

[Spooky 2]

Must be a mistake on your dates regarding the Comet as I was flying B707-320B/C's in and out of HNL as early as 1967 and they had been in service for sometime prior to that date.

[Amos Keeto]

Trooping flights to Changi in 1961 would most likely to have been made from Lyneham by either RAF Britannias or charters by BUA or Cunard Eagle Airways as David pointed out. They would not have been made from Brize Norton, as that was still a USAF base with B-52 and B-47 bombers in 1961.

[By George]

I flew out with 'Hunting-Clan' on a Britannia vis Istanbul for a fuel stop and Colombo for a night stop. It was however 1959.

[NutherA2]

I was self-loading freight on trooping flights between UK & Singapore three times.

With BUA :

August 1961 returned from Singapore Paya Lebar – Bombay – Istanbul – Stansted.

November 1963 (accompanied by Mrs A2, 2 year old daughter & 4 week old son) Stansted – Kuwait – Bombay – Paya Lebar.

With British Eagle (I think):

April 1966 (accompanied by Mrs A2, 5 year old daughter & 2 year old son) Paya Lebar – Colombo – Istanbul – Heathrow.

IIRC all flights took a little over 24 hours and were certainly the most unpleasant I ever endured; the discomfort of the in-flight accommodation and revolting food was matched only by the dreadful service provided by the cabin crew.

[grobbling about]

Born in Changi hospital Sep 60 (a victim of the 1959 Holiday excesses), I believe that my parents and I returned to the UK when I was 18 months old - so about March 62. Family stories state that we flew in a Brit from PL, via Bombay and Istambul and into Stansted. Engine problems at one and undercarriage at the other - not sure which but I believe that they both necessitated overnight stops.

[alisoncc]

No mention of that fabulous airy the VC10. Flew on a Ten from UK (RAF Lyneham??) to Muharraq late '65. Had flown in numerous piston (brmm brmm machines) previous, and even a short test flight in a Vulcan, but the VC10 was something altogether different.

It was a troop ship for the Middle East and for many it was their first flight ever. The captain pulled the nose up and poured on the coals, and everyone cheered whilst hanging onto their armrests. I reckon the angle of the floor to the horizontal must have been in excess of 60deg. It just went. Magic aeroplane.

[Robert Cooper]

Spooky 2

You are right! I meant 1957/58

Bob C

[manxterberg]

Hi,I am new to the forum and was interested in the UK-Singapore trooping flights chat.I kept a (now moth-eared) account of our outbound flight from Stansted in Feb 1964.I don't know the aircraft serial number but it was a BUA Britannia and the A/C captain was called Bartlett.
We left Stansted at 2240 14 Feb and arrived Istanbul 0545 local time.
Dep Istanbul 0700 LT and arrived Bombay 1955 LT.
Dep Bombay 2110 LT and arrived Payar Lebar 0630 LT (with wife looking for snakes swimming in puddles):) Scrawled on the back of a postcard is 2590 miles at 365 mph at 19500 ft,so I presume that's the mileage Bombay-Singapore.
After a great two and half years at RAF Changi we returned to UK/Heathrow on a British Eagle Britannia from Payar Lebar via Colombo,Kuwait and Istanbul,August 1966.
Here's a few photos.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0554.jpg
Our British Eagle Britannia at Payar Lebar.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0555.jpg
Taken at Kuwait.I was taking a photo but the locals weren't happy and an RAF Flt Lt who was the OIC the flight moved my camera away hence half a Britannia:rolleyes:.Perhaps the A/C can be identified by it's name - "Team Spirit".I seem to recall that we could not take off until it cooled down a bit,not enough lift.The aircraft was packed.

These are copies of postcards I bought which may be of interest.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0724.jpg
BUA Britannia.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0725.jpg
Yesilkoy Airport,Istanbul

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0726.jpg
Santa Cruz Airport,Bombay.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0727.jpg
New Operations Block at Payar Lebar.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0728.jpg
British Eagle Britannia G-AOVE

And a couple of tarrifs:ok:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0729.jpg
British United.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/scan0730.jpg
British Eagle.

I also have a BUA map which is too large to scan.I have recorded the temps at each airport. Stansted 42f,Istanbul 32f,Bombay 82f and Payar Lebar 80f.

[WHBM]

Only just seen this 6 months after it started.

Eagle's first Britannia came in 1960, and they had three, later two, in the fleet through 1961. They also had four DC-6s in the fleet as well, and both types operated the MoD charters which in those days made up a lot of their workload. Does the original poster remember whether the engines were smooth turbines or hammered away all night ?

According to Tony Merton-Jones' book (invaluable aid for such questions) these charters were operated principally out of Heathrow and Gatwick, rather than from military bases. Their range meant that stops at Istanbul and somewhere in India were common.

Stories of desperately poor food provision on these flights (and multiple accounts of food poisoning en-route) are a recurring item in such accounts, and seem to be brought about by the MoD of the time driving the charter prices down and down as far as they could manage. Of course, the civil servants in question from Procurement, if they needed to actually go to Singapore, would be on BOAC from Heathrow with proper provisioning. It's surprising you were not issued rations; maybe those would have been more expensive.

[Amos Keeto]

Manxterberg - the nose of your British Eagle Britannia "Team Spirit" was registered G-AOVM. This Britannia was later sold to MoD who operated it as XX367 from Boscombe Down and became one of the last Britannias to fly. It ended up being sold to a company in Zaire and was last known as derelict at Kinshasa.

[oldpax]

First was back from Aden (1963)in Cunard Eagle Brit,landed at Stansted and was thoroughly searched by customs ,I had nothing !!Next year after my part in the "Indon conflict" was by BUA from Butterworth ,this was mid December and it had come from Kuching with others ,there was an engine problem so we sat around!Took of for Santa Cruz Bombay through a tropical storm with lightening strike!Landed Bombay with engine problem again,sat around ,then took of for Istanbul and landed as it was getting dark.Engine gave up so we were escorted to a hotel by turkish troops,next morning left for Heathrow and arrived OK.Customs were terrible then and I had to pay 16 shillings for an extra 50 fags!!Merry Xmas I said!
Most enjoyable flight then was to Mombasa and back in Aden Airways "Argonaut"!

[philrigger]

As a brat I flew out to Singapore in December 1958 by Airworks Hermes from Stansted, via Istanbul, Bombay and Calcutta (Overnight stop). Came back in July 1960, again by Airworks Hemes, I think, to Blackbush airport.

Phil.

[manxterberg]

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/manxterberg/A%20E%20Evans%20and%20other%20assorted%20vehicles/Singapore%201960s/BritanniaatChangi.jpg

A great photo:ok:
It would have been taken at SAS flt I think - Staging Aircraft Servicing at Changi.The RAF Comets and Britannias called at Gan if I remember correctly.

[Postfade]

Manxteberg,
I was a teenager living directly above the 'western dispersal', when my father was stationed at Changi between July 1961 to January 1964.
Being made about planes, I photographed everything that moved on 'the pan' and at Paya Lebar and sometimes Seletar as well.
http://www.davidtaylorsound.co.uk/share/Aircraft%20pics/62_02_General%20view%20of%20the%20pan%20with%202%20Comet%202 's%20671%20and%20716and%20lots%20of%20Hastings-S1160A.jpg
Luckily I kept all those aircraft pictures and I'm now regularly posting them on my 'aviation blog', address below, along with my current interest, aviation video.
I try and post an new 'theme' every few days...and I should be OK for awhile as I've digitised over 1000 of the photos so far!
So if you were in Singapore around those years...or perhaps just interested, do take a look.
Comments on my blog, perhaps with subjects you'd be interested in seeing would be appreciated.

David Taylor.
www.focalplanes.co.uk (http://www.focalplanes.co.uk)

[regentbl]

Left Blackbush in an Airwork Hermes and landed Paya Lebar New Years Day 1959. We stopped at Brindisi, Ankara, Abadan, Karachi, New Delhi, Calcutta, Bang Kok and finally arrived a bit shattered after 2 or 3 days in an unpressurised aircraft! I do remember we had a spot of bother with an engine at Karachi which necessitated a nightstop in "Min Wallahs" . Not recommended. However we returned to the UK in style (1961) in the Oxfordshire, a Bibby Line troopship.

[larssnowpharter]

My first overseas flight was to Singapore in 1951.

Not strictly speaking a 'Trooping Flight' but my mother and I joined my Dad flying on 45 Sqn.

The aircraft: Argonaut.

Return was made in an RAF Transport Command Hastings.

[pasir]

...

Hi folks

Today speed is of the essence - but thought I'd just add memories of a bye gone age.

Having experienced the Singapore trip by air and by trooper then given the option I would take the steamer every time.

In addition to having a months free holiday and cruise each way and the various ports of call at HM expense - I met up with some great RAF types outgoing on HMT Dunera (1951) where we got together and formed a scratch dance band that opened the door to sharing the privileges of NCOs and lots of free beer. Most of the RAF types were destined for Seleter Tengah or Changi. Happy Days they were indeed.

...

[Waddo Liney]

Flew by British Eagle Britannia from Heathrow in 1966 to Singapore (final destination; Labuan). Refuelling stops were at Kuwait and Colombo, Ceylon. Arrival at Kuwait was at night, and flare stacks from the oil wells could be seen long before we actually touched down. On the ground, the refreshments served at a small hole-in-the-wall were far from appetizing. A few shifty looking locals hung around the area, eyeing up everyone, but especially the women passengers, which added to the generally uncomfortable atmosphere. We arrived at Colombo in the middle of the day....hot and humid. As with Kuwait, everyone had to deplane. Local Tamil male waiters, wearing waist to ankle sarongs, served us with very welcome glasses of Ceylon tea, but everyone was suffering jet lag by this time and only wanted to sleep. Arrival at Paya Lebar was at night. I had never seen a major city from the air at night before, and recall mentally comparing the overall view of the Singapore island to that of a beautiful jewelled brooch. After a couple of days in Changi transit billet, I continued the journey to Labuan by 45 Sqdn. Hastings.
My return to Blighty, 2 years later and after a posting from Labuan to Changi, was in a VC10, which was wonderful by comparison to the British Eagle Britannia that brought me out . My wife was with me by this time, because I was able to bring her out to Changi. The return flight was via Gan, Akrotiri, Lyneham.

Commenting on larssnowpharter's post -

Return [to the UK] was made in an RAF Transport Command Hastings.
All I can say is, you poor sod!!!

[spanish no fly]

I flew out to Singapore on 05 Jan 1965 with my wife. We left from LHR around 22:00 and staged IST and BOM arriving at Paya Lebar in the early morning, local time 24 hours later. All I remember about the flight really was a hole in the wall shop in IST, and the guy was standing there tapping the glass counter with a coin five times, tap tap tap tap tap then saying "Posscars".:rolleyes: Next memory was of stepping outside at Paya Lebar and thinking, "We are gonna like this!" We did.:ok:
Fast forward to 1990, I was then flying as a Loadmaster. Crew drinkies in Rome and I related the above to the rest of the crew. My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....
Coming back was on a 10, Gan-Muharraq-Akrotiri-Lyneham, but I think we overflew Muharraq.
Go well.

[philrigger]

;)

continued the journey to Labuan by 45 Sqdn. Hastings.

At that time 45 Sqn were Canberras at Tengah. Maybe it was 48 Sqn?

[ken knight]

Amazing what you keep in a box in the loft but I discovered this and thought I would put it on here.
I was on 58 Squadron, Canberra PR7's at RAF Wyton and in 1966 we were detached to Tengha, Singapore.
This was the first time I had ever flown.
Left Heathrow after hanging around for two days for the a/c to become serviceable.
Stop over in the middle of the night at Abadan where some local with an old 303 sat outside the toilets.
Think there was a charge of 2/6d but not many of us paid!
Next stop was Colombo where the picture was taken. After take off the crew brought round fresh pineapple slices, quite delicious.
Arrived Singapore in the evening and after the bus trip to Tengha to dump the kit it was taxis to Bugis Street to be introduced
to place by the lads who had frequented the place on previous detachments.

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/img476.jpg?t=1278675438

Sorry this is in two halves.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/img477.jpg?t=1278675628

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/img478.jpg?t=1278675731

At Columbo Airport
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/balmedie3169/img475.jpg?t=1278675810

Return was via Gan, Cyprus, Lyneham on a VC10.

[goofer]

A fascinating thread - thanks to all contributors.

Enlarging the subject slightly, I was brought up on trooping flight stories - my father having been based overseas throughout the 40s and 50s.

Our favourite was the epic 1953(?) return from Singapore of my mother and elder brother in a Skyways York. I would never tire of hearing my mother tell of the delights of watching the world go by from 11,000' before night-stops in exotic en route stations. At Beirut they were treated to several go-arounds while the co-pilot practised low-altitude overshoots.

As a concession to my toddler sibling, our mother was allowed to sit aft away from the noise of the engines. Imagine today declining the chance to experience Merlins at close range!

This contrasted with her outbound flight in the lap of luxury aboard a BOAC Constellation (G-ALAK - she memorised the reg). I was always entertained by her impression of an American passenger looking for the loo who "always confused the Connie with the Stratocruiser..."

Arriving in Singapore she was moved by the sight of the charred remains of a less fortunate L-049 which had hit the sea-wall on landing.

While in Singapore she enjoyed the Saturday ex-pat ritual of trekking out to RAF Changi to watch the weekly Comet service arrive on the base's long runway. Apparently picnics were taken as part of a great day out.

It's hard to think of a more golden age. Mind you, I just got off the Emirates A380 and that fantastic experience was only enhanced by hearing my mother's voice in my head: "Always judge an airline by the stewardesses' make-up!"

OK I'm going back to the Jurassic right now...

[Waddo Liney]

At that time 45 Sqn were Canberras at Tengah. Maybe it was 48 Sqn?
Ah yes philrigger, I stand corrected. Indeed it was a 48 Sqdn Hastybird...one of those that bore the red "Bass label" triangle on its tailfin.

[Postfade]

Haven't got around to posting any pics of 48 Sqdn Hastings so here's one.
http://www.davidtaylorsound.co.uk/share/Aircraft%20pics/62_08-Hastings%20TG569%20still%20marked%20as%20'GPD'-S119A.jpg

TG569 at the Changi Maintenance Flight in August 1962. Still wearing the old callsign code 'GPD', which had been dropped on transport aircraft by then.

Plenty more 60's Singapore aircraft pics at www.focalplanes.co.uk (http://www.focalplanes.co.uk)

David

[philrigger]

;)

I remember my mother telling me of the time that she, with my 2 elder sisters, my brother and while she was pregnant with me. were all evacuated from RAF Peshawar (In todays Pakistan) in 1947. My father had to remain at Peshawar for a further 6 months. They were flown back to UK in a RAF York transport aircraft. There were many people in the aircraft but no seats, 'Just sit where you can', and they could only bring one suitcase with them. Somewhere on the third day of their journey (I cannnot recall where she said where the overnight stops were) one of the engines packed up. They flew for a further 2 days mainly on 3 engines. Then on to the joys of the Personnel Transit Camp at Croft (Warrington) until my father could come home.

(There are shades of future Ryan Air method of air travel here!!)

The journey out to Peshawar immediately after the war in the Far East was over was even more horrendous - Troopship out out to Bombay then a 4 day train journey up to Peshawar with my father being allowed to meet her half way. All this with 3 children under the age of 6.

- And then there was the time we were evacuated from Egypt in 1952 but thats another story.

[Pen Pusher]

Don't remember much about the flight out to Singapore, I was 6 at the time, but my dad said we left in a Britannia from London Airport ,as it was known then, in 1959 and touched down in Singapore in 1960.

We returned home in a Brittania in 1962 and refueled at Bombay and I remember the locals at the top of the air stairs spraying us with aerosols as we stepped out of the plane. In the terminal a comotion at the womens toilets as they were just holes in the floor and nothing to sit on.

Also stopped at Ankara, and there was nearly a riot as there was no milk in the terminal for the tea. Watered down tinned condensed milk from the plane calmed the situation. Strange the things you can remember from that age.

Arrived back at London Airport and had to circle for a while as the nose gear had to be wound down.

Brian

[Union Jack]

My "elderly" friend George tells a very amusing story, the short version of which is that during the Korean War, he travelled by BOAC to Tokyo, US Army bus to Kobe, a much delayed USAF flight to Korea, and finally a British Army lorry to join his Gunner regiment somewhere near the front line.

He pulled himself together, marched smartly into the Orderly Office, saluted, and announced, "Gunner H XXXXXX reporting!", only for the Battery Sergeant Major to retort, "Hall, where the bloody hell have you been? You're on the troopship to the UK tomorrow!"

And so after just over 24 hours in Korea, he was on his way back to UK, and yes, he has the UN Korea medal to prove it .....:ok:

Jack

[ian16th]

Oct '62.

Only a short flight, but for the married for 4 months Mrs 16th, it was her 1st flight and 1st time out of the UK. A BUA Brittania, for an overnight flight Stanstead to RAF Nicosia.

It immediatly killed off all preconceptions of the glamour of the 'jet set' and even she thought that the airbourne waitress' were somewhat dowdy. :}

Me? I didn't think that it was too bad, definitly better than a Transport Command Beverley :ok:

[atb1943]

Dear Spanish,

you wrote...'My Captain said he used to fly for Brit. Eagle. Next time we met, he showed me his logbook from 1965. On 06 January 1965, he was First Officer on a British Eagle trooping flight from Istanbul to Bombay.....'

I may well have worked on the aircraft that took you down, Jan 65 having been about halfway through my term at EG. I was what was called Progress Assistant, and my job consisted of arranging to extract from Stores any part that was demanded by any of the several engineers on duty. A fresh set of wheels was standard and were rolled out one by one to the aircraft, smaller parts were put on a trolley hacked together out of Dexion (think that's the stuff - big boys' Meccano), and a rudder change was something special, and usually had to be robbed from a serviceable aircraft that was off-duty. The Power...! So that you had a clear view out of the window the 'punka louvres' had to be replaced - believe they were silica gel crystals contained in a plastic phial inserted in between the window panes. Toilet pumps were the curse of whomever had to change them....:*

I recall my supervisor Charlie (Hammond?) always referring to things like BOMAPEG, ISTAPEG etc and it wasn't until I had to use the system in my next life that I knew it was our SITA address in Bombay, Istanbul, etc (SITA - airline comms system).

Happy to have perhaps been of service! Wonder who your Captain was...

brgds
Alan

[Emeraldgreen52]

Dear all

Fantastic:) ..I had not been on thsi site for a while but i am so pleased to see so much on the British Eagles and the Brits and the Trouping flights. My first trip to the Far East and Malaya was in 1955-return in1958. Flew from Stanstead in a Avro York with its Merlins with the Hunting Clan lLine.We sat going backwards. Our next trip was in 1966- return in 1968, Went out in a British Eagle GB-ARKA and i have a black and white box brownie photo of us in Colombo after a thunder storm. The Proteus engines were buy one get one free jobs. We had one catch fire:* in Kuwait going down the runway at V1 Pilot was pulling up off the ground but slamed it down again. We stayed over night in a Kuwait hotel while another was flown out and fitted.
I like the way that when the Brits are at the beginning of take off... the engines are run up to speed and the brakes are then let off..
The return was in a Brit but was registered to LLoyds. GB-AOVT which was last known as a Fire Training Wreck at Luton. Not much left of it at all now. I am pleased that a Brit is in Eagle colours at Liverpool Speeke airport in complete build and also the DC flying in Eagle Colours. I have as a momento two Charts from the trip home in the LLoyds Britannia with all the trip details on it..Captain, 2nd officer, crew and Height Speed Direction etc. We stopped at Istanbull on the way home. What memories...:ok: Cruise height 18000ft speed crusing 380kts.
Going to have a good read of the blogs...

[Emeraldgreen52]

Hi Nice bolg..great photos and other stuff.

I wrote that we arrived in August 1966 aged 14, maybe our paths could have crossed with you returning and most likely in one of the Brits that flew this route back and forth. We stayed for two years and left in August 1968. Loved our time in Singas especially the different foods and fruit and was sad to leave. Still like curries even now..Nasi Goreng top of the list.
Nice to see so many experiences on this blog..
Regards to all..Andrew

[The Member]

You can find G-AOVT at Duxford intact Emeraldgreen52.
This a/c never operated with Lloyds.
It flew for BOAC/BRITISH EAGLE/MONARCH.
The a/c used on the fire dump at Luton was a Redcoat Britannia G-AOVS
which was operated by Lloyds at the time of your return to UK so suspect this was the a/c you flew in.:ok:

[Emeraldgreen52]

Hi Phil

It looks as if the dates are about right. Might have crossed over paths. We were in Jahore Baru in 1955 to 1958 so possibly returned in a Hermes. Most likely with Touping flight being taken care of the RAF! i do know that on this trip back we went on the northern route but strayed off course and were escorted away from the Russian border towards Istanbul. Lucky not to be shot down.

Regards Andrew.

[Tankertrashnav]

Loads of replies but my twopennorth is Heathrow - Kuwait - Columbo - Paya Lebar , March 1967.

Total journey time just over 24 hours IIRC, but after Kuwait it was all a brandy soaked haze, so I may be wrong!

[zippo1958]

1963 (ish) - father posted to Seletar (6TSU) from Heathrow - Rome - Istanbul - Bombay - Paya lebar on British Eagle Brit.

I could be wrong about Rome - but definately Istanbul (I still have the brass letter opener Dad bought me at the gift shop). Bombay - I remember almost getting knocked back due to the heat and smell of spices.

We got put up at the Pasir Ris transit hotel whist waiting for a married quater on base ... the wait lasted almost 6 months. Mind you, as a youngster it was OK because you could just go swimming or fishing. Must have been hell for mum - being left alone whist dad at work and the kids at school!

Anyone at Seletar 63-70 who remembers the small West Camp cinema - my old dad used to be the manager (secondary duty). I'd love to see any photographs of the Cinema (if anyone has any?).

[pasir]

References to the cinema reminded me of an incident in Singapore
in the Fifties . - Our mob (Signal Corps) were based at Pasir Panjang - and we'd often go to a forces Kinema somewhere near BMH Alexander - In those days the MORs were very child like and could speak only little English but would be found in the front seats of the cinema - probably not understanding a word - however they did understand our National Anthem - which normally signified The End of the performance -
and time to leave. During one particular film the National Anthem was
part of the feature and consequently played half-way through - Immediatley all the front seats went up and the MORs proceeded to file
out - Only to sheepishly return to their seats when they realised the
performance was far from over - to raucous laughter from the BORs.

...

[Tankertrashnav]

Anyone at Seletar 63-70 who remembers the small West Camp cinema


Remember it well zippo,but regrettably no photos.

I remember seeing Antonioni's Blow Up there sometime in 1967. Didnt understand it then, and still dont understand it despite having seen it on tv several times!

Did the cinema double as a theatre? Seem to remember seeing Pam Ayres in a play there - she was an SACW at JARIC FE at the time.

[forget]

Astra. Try below, bound to be something somewhere. I lived at 25 Hyde Park Gate from 75 to 85.

RAF Seletar Singapore (http://www.rafseletar.co.uk/)

[josalsam]

Late 1962 British Eagle, Bristol Britannia "Bonaventure" flew from RAF Cottesmore to RAF Tengah, Singapore. I was part of the support crew for 10/15 Sqdn Victors sent on detachement to Tengah and later RAAF Butterworth.
I have been trying ' like Tevios' to remember the route we took. We flew directly to RAF EL Adam, refuelled and continued to RAF Khormaksar for another refuel. This is where I get lost, I always thought the next stop was Karachi, then Gan on to Singapore. Looking at the map this does not seem right, from Aden up to Karachi and then down to Gan is not logical. My thoughts are now that we went from Aden to Gan then on to Singapore. It must have been the return journey that we refuelled at Karachi then on to Istanbul and home. More thinking tells me that Butterworth to Karachi is a long way, the Brit must have made a stop before Karachi, something in the back of my mind says Calcutta 'Kolkata'

When we returned from Butterworth to the UK, I was one of the first to board the aircraft. I made my way to the front and went through a door curtain which led to the flight crew area. There were about three rows of three seats on the right side and a small galley area to the left. I called to one of my pals to come and join me, he said it was for the stewardesses and for me to join him at the back. One of the stewardesses heard him and said to me it would be ok to stay if I wanted. Not being a complete idiot I accepted her offer and found a window seat . I was 18 at the time, me and three or four stewardesses all to myself, what more could a chap want. I was treated like royalty, tea and coffee whenever I wished, sandwiches on tap. Those girls really worked hard keeping us all fed and watered, they would come in to where I was sitting and kick off their shoes, sit in one of the seats next to me, put up their feet on the seat in front that had been pushed forward to give more leg room, and chill out. Needless to say, I had a great time with those girls, I will always remember them. The end of this little tale ends in sorrow, shortly after my flight home "Bonaventure" crashed into the side of a mountain near Innsbruck, there was total loss of life. I never knew then, or now, if any of the girls I had befriended were amongst the casualties. I still have a silver tea spoon with Bonaventure engraved on it, it always reminds me of those young girls that looked after me so well on that British Eagle, Bristol Britannia, "Bonaventure"

[Chris Cramp]

Can anyone recall an incident that took place in 1961. My mother, brother and myself were flying Cunard Eagle Airways from Stansted via Istanbul to Bahrain. For some reason we took the wrong course and flew into Iraq airspace. We were required to land and spent a few hot hours sitting on the tarmac in Bagdad before we were allowed to continue. I was 10 at the time, so my memory of the incident is not very clear. If anyone can give me any more details I would be much obliged.

[brakedwell]

On July 1st 1961 Kuwait became sovereign state. General Kassim immediately claimed that Kuwait historically belonged to Iraq. Britain reacted by sending Hunters and other military hardware to discourage an invasion. Understandably, relations between the UK and Iraq Became very tense. This could have had something to do with your unscheduled landing in Baghdad. Despite having overflight clearance we were ordered to land there in 1975 during a (Britannia 312F) flight from Gatwick to Sharjah, ostensibly to check we were not gun running. We were regular visitors to Baghdad, so I can only assume some awkward bugger got of the wrong side of bed on that day.

[mayorofnewark]

Been trying to get details on my flight to Singapore for a while. Departed from the West London Air Terminal (remember that?) in September 1965 and delivered to a British Eagle Britannia at (SFAIR) LHR for the long flog to Singapore with stops at Istanbul and Bombay, plus another stop in Malaysia but I'm not sure where. There had been a fire in Bombay airport, so no services at all.

Traveled with several other RN midshipmen to join our first ships. I sat with Martin (better known as Henry) Ford in what I remember as 2x2 seating (despite any seating plans of Brits that I can find being 3x3). Biggest joke at check-in was fellow Mid Jimmy Luard dressed in full winter kit including a great-coat, having used all his baggage allowance and not being quite sure what kit he might need close to the Equator.

I can remember arriving at Changi and thinking that it wasn't really that hot, then realising that it was about 2 in the morning.

Joy of joy, my ship had sailed and, together with a few other 19 yo Mids, I was given a bungalow in the Naval Base, an advance of pay and a very short self-taught course in dissolute behaviour. Regrettably terminated once higher authority realised what we were up to and set us to work!

My return from Singapore was in HMS Ark Royal (Sea Vixen, Scimitar, ASW Wessex, Whirlwind, Gannet COD and Gannet AEW).

Be grateful for any views on mid-60s Brit seating lay-out, stops in Malaysia, 'Henry' Ford, etc, as I'm writing a journal for my family.

[brakedwell]

First Class seating was positioned in the back of civil Britannias. Transport Command Brits didn't have first a class compartments, but officers were usually allocated seats in the rear of the aircraft. Standard 3+3 seating was reduced to 2+2 where the fusilage tapered towards the tail. Unfortunately I can't remember how many rows of seats were affected, but I think it was at least two.

[lauriebe]

mayorofnewark,

My journey to the Far East, courtesy of British Eagle in mid-66, followed the other route; Kuwait, Colombo, to Paya Lebar. Can only remember 3x3 seating.

Is it possible that Butterworth was the stop that you made in Malaysia?

[dicewright100]

As an 8yr old, me and my mum wereflying out to join my dad stationed in H K, after refuelling at Columbo we had engine trouble and had to return and stayed the night til it was fixed ? Can anyone remember or add further details.It was 1966 , I seem to think it was Eagle air and we stayed in the Union Jack Club, London the night before.

[beaugeste47]

I was on that flight.Stayed in the Mt.Lavinnia Hotel for 2 nights.

[rog747]

this is nice
el adam field

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ma8K1KiGoY

[cliver029]

..Only just picking up on this thread.

Filled in some of the (many) blanks but not all, flew October '63 on a British Eagle Brit(it would seem from London).

Having just spent 2 years at Lyneham on aircraft prep, I was a bit sniffy about the state of the civilian Britannia aircraft we were being made to travel in.

Main memories were landing at Istanbul airport and seeing all the abandoned aircraft across the airfield and trees growing out of the wrecks, the other memory was sharing the terminal building with a plane load of refugees heading off to Australia, so I was told, oh and the Turkish coffee, wonderful:)

Then onto Columbo and the big black birds all over the airfield, no idea how long we were there, but then straight onto a night landing at Changi and the first wiff of Singapore air, but then after two and a half years at Tengah you sort of got used to it:D

Thanks for the other snapshots people:D:D:D

[Mr Oleo Strut]

1954. Young Liz became Queen last year, gave me a propelling-pencil and sent me off to take the 11+. Hilary and Tensing had climbed Everest and after a couple of exciting nights at the Union Jack Club in London we climbed into a motor-coach and set off in the night from the Goodge Street Military Air Terminal to Blackbushe Airport. The new Queen was sending us off to Kenya for three years to swim in the warm Indian Ocean, very kind of her. And there she was, not HMQ, but our Airwork Handley Page Hermes, G-ALDX, glittering with lights and with various throbbings going on. Off we staggered into the dark velvet sky, loaded to the gunnels with pax and stores (a cardboard box of refreshments each), sinking back into our rearward-facing seats. As dawn broke we flopped down into RAF Luqa like a half-dead duck then, refreshed, flapped our wings and skimmed off to El Adem. We thundered very low over endless sand dunes until Khartoum rose up out of the desert. My, it was hot there, but much hotter when the aircraft doors opened. Even hotter was the dark brown stew offerered and unwanted but, shame, I was not allowed to drink the ice-cold water in glass jugs - it was foreign and might be dirty! Then off from Khartoum to Entebbe - on a big lake and very green, en-route to Nairobi. We arrived there hot, tired, sweaty and dirty - and that was just the aeroplane, but what an experience for an Army youngster. My reaction to my first flight and arrival in Africa was to throw up all over my Dad, he wasn't impressed.

[LITTLE CLEM]

Hi there. I was on your flight as a 5 year old and 3 month old sister. Dad was W/O Orgles and Mum was on her first flight.
I remember the engine being lost and the turbulence ,the sickness is very well remembered.
If I remember rightly it was a Transport Command aircraft (could be wrong) but it departed from UK at Stanstead.
We were driven by Raf coach (or Garry) from RAF Northolt to Stanstead.
We lived at the Loyd Lease estate (RAF) in Duxford road No 3 I think.
Went to school at the Infants which were palm built huts.
We came home 1963 on a Commet 4b Transport Command.
If you need more gen by all means let me know.
I have a very good memory of those years.

[Mr Oleo Strut]

In later life I found myself at Heathrow as a Customs Officer in the 60s boarding British Eagle trooping flights or clearing their passengers and baggage. The flights were always packed with military personnel and/or their families, usually loaded down with 'duty-free' booty of all sorts which they gamely tried to smuggle in. Often we had to tell them that their cheap cameras and watches were fakes, and that their snazzy silk suits would not survive in the rain. On one occasion I went down the back end of a Britannia to deal with the liquor and tobacco stores and found a group of Gurkhas sat on tbe floor in a circle making tea over a portable gas stove. Nobody seemed bothered so I assumed it was common practice and turned a Nelson's eye on their activities. I remember what a spacious aircraft the old Brit was from cockpit to tail compared to the very cramped Comet, but my favourite was and still is the BOAC Super VC10. A real beauty from top to bottom.

[Warmtoast]

I flew with 99 Sqn at Lyneham from 1959 - 1963. 99 was equipped with Britannias, but the military version C Mk253.
A couple of photos from my album showing the military passenger layout looking forward. Standard seat pitch was 38", but to cram in more PAX pitch would be reduced to 36" (compare that to todays 31" pitch in civil economy - if you're lucky!)

At the time RAF Transport Command standard routing to the Far East was Lyneham - El Adem - Aden (Khormaksar) - Gan - Changi and occasionally extended to Hong Kong.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Lyneham/BritanniaRAF253CMk1Cabin2Medium.jpg


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Lyneham/BritanniaRAF253CMk1AQMStationMedium.jpg


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Lyneham/BritanniaRAF253CMk1Cabin3Medium.jpg


Looking towards rear


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/RAF%20Lyneham/BritanniaRAF253CMk1Cabin-MedEvacLay.jpg


..and in CasEvac layout.

[Mr Oleo Strut]

Great reminder, Warmtoast, of what a spacious old bird the Britannia was. Many thanks.

[LITTLE CLEM]

Have left a post. I was on that flight!
No 2887. 28.12 61.
If you would like more info have a read and let me know.

[LITTLE CLEM]

Hi All. I would be realy realy grateful if somone could give me some info.
I'm writing a book. We were an RAF family going from UK-Changi c.1961.
1. Where in Uk did this flight leave from, Brize, Lynham?
2. How long would it have normally taken?
3. What were the refuelling stops?
4. Does anyone remember this actual flight? We lost an engine and were diverted to Abudabi or somthing and put up in an hotel for the night. There was extreme turbulance on the flight and most people were airsick.
We ran out of food on board and the aircrew ventured out and brought back freshly cut banans and pineapples. Never tasted anything as good since. It took best part of 3 days to reach Changi if I remember correctly.
Somone MUST remember this epic trip?
Chris
I was on this flight. 2887 on our way to RAF Changi.I do remember the lost engine. lot of memory if it helps. Nick.

[tiny fireburn]

Don't know if this is of any interest, but as a teenager on 1 August 1963 I flew out to Singapore on British United Airways Britannia G-AOVE from Stansted. We routed via Istanbul and Bombay. By 1965 the Far East trooping contract had passed to British Eagle and I flew back to Blighty on Britannia G-AOVE on 7 Sep 65. I think the transit stops may have been the same (but I might be wrong) and we came back into LHR.at some ungodly hour in the early morning. Of the two airlines I much preferred British Eagle which was a wonderful outfit with a great spirit. The hosties in their plum red uniforms were a picture!