Is this RAF Kallang?

[India Four Two]

When searching for pictures of Kallang, for my recent posting on the "Where on Earth" thread on "Jet Blast", I found this picture:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/Kallang_Airport_runway_1945_zps5uduqtwp.jpg

The AWM caption reads:
SINGAPORE. 1945-09-09. THE KALANG (sic) AERODROME AS SEEN FROM AN APPROACHING AIRCRAFT.but it doesn't look like Kallang to me. Is this photo mis-identified or am I wrong (not unusual)?

[goudie]

According to Google images it is.

[DaveReidUK]

I don't think Kallang ever had more than one hard runway.

If it did, the cross-runway seems to have disappeared without trace by 1955:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3920028404_cf55985c14.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

Simon, I think it's Changi, about 1947. So an AWM misident. Might take a while to prove it tho. ..... LFH

[oxenos]

I have a copy of the 1965 history of Changi, and although that picture does not appear in it, there is a picture which shows enough of an overlap to identify it as Changi

[DaveReidUK]

Changi in 1946:

https://sites.google.com/site/nvquinnell/Part7-AerialViewChangi.jpg

[Postfade]

Well what a fascinating photo! It's Changi and must indeed be immediately post war and the lack of any visible aircraft show it was before the RAF were using it. It's taken from the south east and what it interesting is how wide the runways look in relation to the recognisable features. The RAF layed PSP; pierced (or is it perforated? ) steel plate on the main north / south runway and relegated the east west one to parking areas, becoming the Eastern and Western dispersals.The dispersals also gained large areas of PSP, which lasted until 1964. The 02/20 main runway was sinking so it was relayed with concrete and had storm drains constucted down it's length and these appear to be areas that this photo shows had been covered in concrete by the Japanese. You wouldn't have known that in the early 60's when I knew it as grass covered the ground between runway and taxiways.
David Taylor.

[India Four Two]

Well, thank you all! Part of my day job is using my PI skills, so I'm glad I wasn't seeing things.

Coincidentally, I was sitting in a departure lounge at Changi when I made the post! I'll contact the AWM and refer them to the experts here. :ok:

DR,
I've seen that Kallang photo captioned as 1945, but I suspected it was newer, as I think I can see one (or two) Constellations on the apron.

[Krakatoa]

Re. the photo of Kallang. Would the airfield in the top left corner be Paya Lebar ?

[oxenos]

The photo in the "History of Changi" is dated 1947, and shows the P.S.P. runway. It takes up about 20% of the width of the strip shown in the '45 and '46 photos. There was still P.S.P. at the very Eastern end of the East/West strip as late as the end of '69, between the 205 building and the entrance from the coast road, where 41 RNZAF had their Freighters.
Krakatoa - yes.

[India Four Two]

Krakatoa,

As oxenos said, it is Paya Lebar. See here for a modern GE view, from the same viewpoint:

http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/530347-where-earth-mk-ii-446.html#post9032239

[India Four Two]

For the benefit of those who haven't been to Singapore recently, I thought I would show this comparison between DR's 1946 photo and present day GE.

Changi has changed and Singapore has grown much bigger!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/Changi%201945_zps4hhpj4nx.png

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/changi%20ge_zpsatfeqlwe.png

Note the huge areas of reclaimed land. The new part of Changi (mostly brown in the GE view) is the air force base.

[Lordflasheart]

Copies of the 1965 book "History of Changi" by Sqn Ldr HA Probert, seem to be currently available.

I found this very authoritative personal account of Norman Quinnell's time in the RAF from 1943-47. https://sites.google.com/site/nvquinnell/home2

It includes chapters on his service at Changi in 1947-47 (F/Sgt in the operations and movements depts) and describes the activities, aircraft and personalities involved.

ISTR pre-war, the Brits had correctly assessed the number of frontline aircraft (700 odd) and other forces required to defend Singapore and Malaya, and then utterly failed to provide them. Also it was said that while looking for suitable aerodrome sites, the Changi area was dismissed as wholly unsuitable, although there had been a military camp (on what became the RAF base's domestic/technical area for some years.

The "Johore" artillery battery at Changi consisted of two twin 6 inch mountings and three single 15 inch guns located somewhere around the top left hand corner of the current airfield - ie in the NW quadrant of the old cross runways.

The RAF Changi Association RAF Changi New Website (http://www.rafchangi.com/) has a large archive of photos. There are thumbnails at the bottom of each 100 pix and include several aerials of the field at various times.

[India Four Two]

I found this very authoritative personal account of Norman Quinnell's time in the RAF from 1943-47.

LFH,
Thanks for that - a fascinating account, which I've just read while wide awake at 2am, due to jet lag, after a 30 hour trip!

[By George]

Interesting Photographs. I grew up as a kid in Singapore (my father was in the RAF) and I returned there in 1998 on a short term contract as a pilot to Singapore Airlines. Naturally, I immediately tried to find all my childhood places and memories. The old school is now a Brewery (a little bit of rough justice) and the family home in Margoliath Street, off Stevens Road is now worth no less than 9 million ( not bad for a Married Quarter). The thing that really confused me was the airport, the old RAF runway is now the taxiway to the left of 02L. We now have 02C and 02R. The little grass knoll where the old tower was situated is still there but most of the new airport is now reclaimed land. Beach road opposite the Raffles Hotel is now at least a mile from the beach and so on. I went back in 2001, on another longer contract and left on retirement ten years later. The changes that have taken place still amaze me. The old Changi Hospital where the balcony overlooked the beach is now about three miles from the sea.
This is what I love about Asia, while we study the environment and complete impact studies for ten years on the mating habits of some obscure speckled moth, our northern cousins just dynamite everything in sight and just get on with it.
Coming home to Aus eleven years later, nothing has changed, everything is eleven years older and the neighbor's daughter is a little fatter.

[India Four Two]

The old Changi Hospital where the balcony overlooked the beach is now about three miles from the sea.Over 20% of Singapore's current area is reclaimed land. Singapore has done so much dredging for sand for reclamation that they've run out. They now have to import it by sea!

[India Four Two]

I've contacted the AWM and pointed out the caption error on their "Kallang" picture.

While searching for the picture, I came across this nine-minute silent film, about POW repatriation, which has shots of Kallang and Changi and some Japanese aircraft. The description on the same page is a bit muddled, but good enough to make sense of the film:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F02617/

For anyone interested in Singapore military history, it is worth watching. :ok:

Simon, I think it's Changi, about 1947. So an AWM misident. Might take a while to prove it tho. ..... LFH LFH,
It certainly was a long time by PPRuNe standards - 2h39! ;)

[Dora-9]

By George,

The old school is now a BreweryYou went to school? Snort.

[Dora-9]

It is possible to visit parts of this, off Cosford Road (just NW of the aerodrome and immediately north of the camouflaged SAF dispersal site).

[Cubs2jets]

Rumor has it that the plan for the land reclaimation is to change the shape of the island into a rectangle...



...that way they won't need to "think outside the box". :}

C2j

[India Four Two]

C2j,

They have more important things to think about. Last week I saw a poster on Orchard Road, outside Tangs. They are sponsoring "LKY - The Musical"

[Cubs2jets]

Saw this link on another forum. Searched for an appropriate thread to post in and most were 4+ years old! LOL.

http://kiantecksan.wix.com/rafinsingapore#!images/ckiy

Click on th first Beverly image and then scroll through.

C2j

[Feather #3]

There is, of course, no chance that the original shot could be Seletar with the Sunderland slipway on the bottom left?

That would make the strip in the distance Tengah.

Just a thought?

G'day ;)

[Lordflasheart]

There is, of course, no chance that the original shot could be Seletar with the Sunderland slipway on the bottom left ? G'day Feathers,

If you're referrring to the OP by I42 – You are correct. I think we have defo established its Changi. – Looking towards the NW and the Johore strait. The AWM has been informed of their watermark misident.

If you're referring to Dave Reids pic Post 3, you are again correct, that's defo Kallang, looking towards the north from over Singapore harbour.

Here's a pic of Seletar in the 50s - Looking towards the south west down runway 20, with the flying boat anchorage in the Johore strait at bottom left. I don't think Seletar ever had more than one paved runway.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/Seletar20airfield20photo201950s_zpstfdzei2e.jpg

The runway at Seletar has recently been extended from about 4800 ft to about 6000 and the airport is planned to be significantly upgraded to handle more commercial airline flights up to 737 size, in addition to the bizjets etc., taking pressure off Changi Int. I rather think Changi Int plc owns Seletar. The north end of the runway used to terminate at water's edge (as in the pic) but is now well inland after the construction (by reclamation) of Pulau Punggol Barat.

HTH ...... LFH

[Heathrow Harry]

"Last week I saw a poster on Orchard Road, outside Tangs. They are sponsoring "LKY - The Musical""


Ye Gods!!!!! I'll wait 'till it makes it to the West End I think

Is it written by Lord LLLLoyyyddd Webber??

[Lordflasheart]

"Last week I saw a poster on Orchard Road, outside Tangs. They are sponsoring "LKY - The Musical""

Ye Gods!!!!! I'll wait 'till it makes it to the West End I think

Is it written by Lord LLLLoyyyddd Webber??

They'd better be careful about dissing him. (LKY not LLW) Some little local oik got done for that the other day.

What's LKY's favourite color ? ...... LFH

[India Four Two]

Ye Gods!!!!! I'll wait 'till it makes it to the West End I think

HH,

Here's what to look out for. :)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/Mobile%20Uploads/D908946B-AA57-4B83-8484-5A28A0E1D58F_zps7r9o7ktx.jpg

[bcgallacher]

My father worked for the original Malayan Airways - operating DC3 Dakota in the early 50's as a result I have flown out of and landed at all three civil airports - my first flight out of Kalang was in a Tiger Moth about 1952 - my next Tiger flight was last year!

[Saint Jack]

It was never "RAF Kallang", Kallang Airport was Singapore's first purposed-built civilian airport whereas RAF Seletar was the first purpose-built airfield/aerodrome in Singapore. Prior to the opening of Seletar, aircraft used the race course for landing and takeoff.
Despite the major changes that have taken place across the whole of Singapore the seaplane ramp at Seletar is still there (although it's in a military facility and therefore off-limits to the public) and can be seen on Google Earth etc.
"By George's" comments in his Post #15 that his old school is now a brewery can be compared to the fact that the old Guardroom at RAF Seletar (now known as Seletar Aerospace Park) is now a kindergarten - oh the irony!

[Lordflasheart]

Hello Saint J.

I suggest that it would certainly have been 'RAF Kallang' from some time in 1941 until the surrender to the Japanese in February 1942, and from the end of WWII until sometime in (say) 1946 when RAF Changi became useable/operational. During those two periods, it seems Kallang was used operationally and controlled exclusively by the RAF, making it de facto "RAF ..." I would have little doubt that the site would have had a perimeter fence and appropriate RAF signboards etc. I have also seen it reported that RAF Kallang did not revert to civilian control until 1949, though obviously accepting 'civilian' aircraft from late 1945. The Australians seem to prefer the title 'Kalang Aerodrome' or 'Kalang Airstrip.'

This from Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallang_Airport

The Kallang Airport also known as the Kallang Aerodrome, Kallang Airfield and RAF Kallang,and ............
When the Japanese launched their invasion of Malaya (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Malaya) and Singapore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore) on 8 December 1941, Kallang was the principal fighter airfield. By January 1942, it was the only operational fighter airfield in Singapore, as the other airfields (Tengah (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengah_Air_Base), Seletar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seletar_Airport) and Sembawang (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sembawang_Air_Base)) were within range of Japanese artillery at Johore Bahru (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johore_Bahru).
Brewster Buffalo fighters of 243 Squadron RAF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._243_Squadron_RAF), 488 Squadron RNZAF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._488_Squadron_RNZAF) and a detachment of 2-VLG-V of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_East_Indies_Air_Force) operated from the airfield, defending Singapore from repeated Japanese air raids. They were joined later by Hawker Hurricanes of 232 Squadron RAF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._232_Squadron_RAF), but attrition took a steady toll on men and machines, and by the last days of January 1942, the airfield had been badly damaged by the bombing and only a small number of aircraft were serviceable. The last of the fighters left in early February, escaping to carry on the fight just before Singapore was surrendered to the advancing Japanese.
I am led to believe the runway at Kallang was built by the Japanese, and that the airfield was under the control of the Japanese Army Air Force. The airfields in the north of the island - Tengah, Seletar and Sembawang, were apparently controlled by the Japanese Navy. As Changi was also north of the 'Army/Navy demarcation line' perhaps it too was Navy. I got the impression Changi was barely operational by war's end.

HTH ......... LFH

[JW411]

From "Action Stations - Overseas":

"Two of the first RAF units to be based at the airport (Kallang) were 11 and 39 Sqns, both flying Blenheim Is, which were sent from India to reinforce the Far East Command in September 1939............

"Early in the following year (1940), Kallang became a fighter base when 67 and 243 Sqns both reformed here with Brewster Buffalos...........

"At the end of the Pacific war it was, purely by chance, at Kallang that the first British personnel set foot in Singapore. On the morning of 31 August 1945, some days before the actual signing of the Japanese surrender document, a PR Mosquito of 684 Sqn (landed at Kallang with engine trouble). The crew received a friendly reception from the Japanese who produced RAF engineers to effect the necessary repairs......

"The first administrative body to move in formally after the war was 903 Wing (part of HQ 224 Group) which in effect formed RAF Kallang. No 31 Sqn arrived from Burma with its Dakotas in September, 1945.........

"The RAF, for its part, decided to hand over its interests at Kallang to the Singapore Government and to concentrate its transport aircraft operations at Changi (in 1955).....

Hope that helps.

[Lordflasheart]

Great stuff. Thanks Jock.